The Firebrand by S. R. Crockett
Page 1 of 242
THE FIREBRAND
by
S. R. CROCKETT
London Macmillan and Co., Limited New York: The Macmillan Company 1901
All rights reserved
Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Limited, London and Beccles.
Copyright in the United States of America by S. R. Crockett, 1901.
CONTENTS
I. THE MAKING OF AN OUTLAW
II. THE MAN WITHOUT A FRIEND
III. COCK O' THE NORTH
IV. A LITTLE COMB-CUTTING
V. THE ABBEY OF MONTBLANCH
VI. BROTHER HILARIO
VII. THE ABBOT'S DINNER
VIII. SANCTUARY
IX. THE SHADOW OF THE DESTROYER
X. A MAN AND HIS PRICE
XI. CARTEL OF DEFIANCE
XII. THE CRYING OF A YOUNG CHILD
XIII. DON TOMAS DIGS A GRAVE
XIV. THE HOLY INNOCENTS
XV. ROLLO INTERVENES
XVI. DON LUIS IS WILLING
XVII. A GRAVE IRREGULARITY
XVIII. A FLUTTER OF RED AND WHITE
XIX. SIGNALS OF STORM
XX. THE BUTCHER OF TORTOSA
XXI. TO BE SHOT AT SUNRISE!
XXII. HIS MOTHER'S ROSARY
XXIII. THE BURNING OF THE MILL-HOUSE
XXIV. HOW TO BECOME A SOLDIER
XXV. THE MISSION OF THE SENORITA CONCHA
XXVI. DEEP ROMANY
XXVII. THE SERGEANT AND LA GIRALDA
XXVIII. THE DEAD AND THE LIVING
XXIX. A LITTLE QUEEN AT HOME
XXX. PALACE BURGLARS
XXXI. THE QUEEN'S ANTE-CHAMBER
XXXII. LIKE A FALLING STAR
XXXIII. CONCHA WAITS FOR THE MORNING
XXXIV. OUR ROLLO TO THE RESCUE
XXXV. THE EXECUTIONER OF SALAMANCA
XXXVI. THE DEATH-CART
XXXVII. THE DEAD STAND SENTINEL
XXXVIII. CONCHA SAYS AMEN
XXXIX. A HANDFUL OF ROSES
XL. ALL DANDIES ARE NOT COWARDS
XLI. ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION
XLII. A SNARE NOT SPREAD IN VAIN
XLIII. THE RED BOINAS OF NAVARRE
XLIV. "FOR ROLLO'S SAKE"
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: The Firebrand by S. R. Crockett
- 2: For El Sarria had smitten hard and eager
- 3: Still he could not refuse Manuela
- 4: The housekeeper of Padre Mateo of Sarria
- 5: And Manuela has gone to warn them
- 6: And after this fashion Ramon Garcia
- 7: Brought fire and destruction into Sarria
- 8: Concha thought that giant cold
- 9: Which yawned below the Peak of Basella
- 10: His friend Luis Fernandez of Sarria
- 11: There was the same glad defiance in the heart of El Sarria
- 12: A hundred duros to the man who takes El Sarria alive
- 13: CHAPTER IIICOCK O' THE NORTH Carai
- 14: Meanwhile the youth apostrophised his blade
- 15: I am an Old Castilian from Valladolid
- 16: Said the Scot to the Old Castilian
- 17: Holding out his hand to the Scot
- 18: I will go to the Castilian over yonder
- 19: The patron of the venta fell back a couple of steps
- 20: The Scot had quite recovered his military demeanour
- 21: Pad padding from side to side of the narrow mountain path
- 22: But the fact is that aye afore the thing gaed far eneuch
- 23: And any other vintages that will suit the English market
- 24: I thought little Concha was your last before Holy Church
- 25: Cried the astonished Brother Hilario
- 26: As a compliment to the fair lady the Senorita Concha
- 27: At which Mortimer kicked Rollo severely under the table
- 28: About twenty thousand arrobas at present might satisfy him
- 29: Father Anselmo had gathered his robes ascetically about him
- 30: The clasp of the robe of Elijah
- 31: Said the sepulchral monk curtly
- 32: And built them a church in Chorley
- 33: Blurred themselves at this point
- 34: Don Baltasar concerned himself not with other men's matters
- 35: Mendizabal means to abolish all the convents in Spain
- 36: The Prior heard him to the end of the anathema
- 37: The Abbot Baltasar and the gloomy Confessor
- 38: The Abbot sounded the depths of the young man
- 39: Much frequented by the court of the Queen Regent at Madrid
- 40: The Gallegan lifted a pair of eyes that burned slumberously
- 41: The anger of the outcast El Sarria against the world
- 42: John Mortimer laughed long and loud
- 43: The danger of the Cristino soldier
- 44: So at least they whispered in Sarria
- 45: Appeared the huge figure of the Gallegan
- 46: Little Concha Cabezos from Andalucia
- 47: Said the valiant man of Sarria
- 48: Not with Dona Concha Cabezos of this village
- 49: Uprose the ancient valiant man of the octroi of Sarria
- 50: Ramon did not hide and skulk now
- 51: Would make one whit of difference to Dolores
- 52: Meanwhile El Sarria thought several things
- 53: And he flung the peel almost upon the head of El Sarria
- 54: Carlist or Cristino did not matter now
- 55: And I will spite Tia Elvira if I can
- 56: Remember to strike the Tia low in the groin is best
- 57: El Sarria knew his man by this time
- 58: El Sarria had intended the edge
- 59: Had the nationals not killed El Sarria at the Devil's Gorge
- 60: Can you not stay yet other twenty four hours in Sarria
- 61: Now Ramon knew that not his life
- 62: Finding El Sarria in difficulties
- 63: For the Tia was skilled in simples
- 64: My Tia to that the Sangrador would bear witness
- 65: The Tia gave a little wince of bodily pain
- 66: Then he turned his broad deeply lined brow upon Fernandez
- 67: But heard the recital of El Sarria in silence
- 68: He went across to El Sarria and whispered in his ear
- 69: He followed El Sarria upstairs
- 70: La Giralda has the nursing of him
- 71: And in the mill house La Giralda ruled alone
- 72: But a nunnery is a hard nut to crack
- 73: That leaves me a freer hand with Concha
- 74: Said the portress with a deep reverence
- 75: But I have the honour to belong to the army of Carlos Quinto
- 76: If this damosel is by any chance the Senorita Concha Cabezos
- 77: She raised the lids sharply once and then dropped them again
- 78: Return as swiftly as possible to the mill house of Sarria
- 79: And complained that La Tia had drunk all the water
- 80: That ought to bring him to Sarria
- 81: I did not know Here Don Gaspar the Valiant
- 82: Rollo declined equally courteously
- 83: Rollo applied his eye to the aperture
- 84: The drowsy afternoon of Sarria wore on
- 85: To which El Sarria grunted a reply
- 86: And there was the face of Concha Cabezos dimly revealed
- 87: I think we had better clear out of Sarria to night
- 88: On a mission to General Cabrera
- 89: Cabrera leisurely rolled and lighted a cigarette
- 90: Cabrera took the paper and glanced it over carelessly
- 91: Owing to the position of Sarria among its mountains
- 92: And have you forgotten El Sarria
- 93: And with a half shamefaced glance at El Sarria
- 94: Whispered Luis Fernandez to Cabrera
- 95: Cabrera bowed with his hand on his heart
- 96: Pointing to Concha and La Giralda
- 97: La Giralda drew a quick breath
- 98: To make Cabrera smile was more than half the battle
- 99: The first he presented to Cabrera
- 100: He was not yet accustomed to the summary methods of Cabrera
- 101: Suddenly Cabrera turned upon them
- 102: We of Sarria have nothing to do with the family of Fernandez
- 103: But Concha had refused point blank
- 104: And the Cristinos are bad shots
- 105: Now watching the rising bread in the hornito
- 106: El Sarria drew himself up somewhat proudly
- 107: But this also El Sarria promptly scattered to the winds
- 108: La Giralda sat astride as before
- 109: He muttered under his breath to El Sarria
- 110: Had not Sergeant Cardono detached himself from the cavalcade
- 111: Concha shrank instinctively from his approach
- 112: As he listened to the strange speech of La Giralda
- 113: With one beckoning finger he summoned La Giralda apart
- 114: Little Concha Cabezos had her place
- 115: And Concha because she was Concha
- 116: Young Maria Cristina of Naples
- 117: As his enemies freely named Mendizabal
- 118: He has the Andalucian manner of wearing his clothes
- 119: El Sarria smoked a while in silence
- 120: There remained only Rollo and Concha
- 121: The Sergeant looked at La Giralda
- 122: I do not interfere in the councils of the Gitano
- 123: Like a dog La Giralda complied
- 124: This parched mahogany visaged Giralda
- 125: Who is La Giralda that she should mutter the simplest prayer
- 126: To the Gitano my name is Jose Maria of Ronda
- 127: The palace guards are fled back to Madrid
- 128: Repeated old Pepe of the Eleven Wounds
- 129: Then the Italian woman and her devil's brat shall not escape
- 130: Because you are Jose Maria of Ronda
- 131: And took no further notice of the Sergeant
- 132: Down the zigzags towards the town went La Giralda
- 133: Which Dona Susana laughingly warded off
- 134: At least so it appeared to La Giralda
- 135: But La Giralda had much yet to do
- 136: And to her right as La Giralda issued from the gates
- 137: Concha had taken no part in the discussion
- 138: In conjunction with La Giralda
- 139: They must hold La Granja itself
- 140: Said La Giralda in a low voice
- 141: The sergeant and Rollo came next
- 142: Or to any of the inmates of La Granja
- 143: Rollo stepped to the window to summon his company
- 144: Rollo scarcely knew what to reply to this
- 145: Cristina suddenly broke into a half hysterical cry
- 146: Senor Munoz appeared at the door
- 147: It is easily vulnerable in every part
- 148: Concha came softly to his side
- 149: Consequently Concha was taken absolutely by surprise
- 150: But what wonder is it that little Concha
- 151: In her heart Concha respected him for this
- 152: Rollo stood still in the deepest shadow
- 153: At the word Rollo abandoned the man whom he was holding down
- 154: Was the appearance of the giant El Sarria
- 155: None had seen the little Isabel
- 156: His thoughts turned next to El Sarria
- 157: The capture of the daughter of Munoz
- 158: Concha did not move immediately
- 159: He was for taking Killiecrankie by his side
- 160: Rollo attempted no disguise upon his adventure
- 161: Rollo lay still under the branches
- 162: Among these Rollo lost himself
- 163: Rollo took the little maid in his arms
- 164: And Rollo had the satisfaction of knowing
- 165: To the Hermitage of San Ildefonso
- 166: Rollo set the Princess on the ground
- 167: Rollo laughed heartily at this
- 168: And give to Jose Maria of Ronda the respects of Ezquerra
- 169: Rollo passed on with his donkey
- 170: Then in the little whitewashed refectory
- 171: It was with Brother Teodoro then
- 172: White oxen of the finest Castilian breed
- 173: In the exact place where Rollo had left it
- 174: Meanwhile Concha walked silently alongside
- 175: With a significant gesture towards Concha
- 176: I know Dona Susana would be very angry if she saw you
- 177: The Basque spread abroad his hands
- 178: Let the scourge of God descend upon those that do wickedly
- 179: Ezquerra set his feet once more to the steps and mounted
- 180: This was the thing Rollo saw as he looked
- 181: The Basque gazed at her curiously
- 182: Much busied about the straps and harnessings
- 183: Concha kneeled at the foot of the trench
- 184: By this the Basque hastened off
- 185: But the Queen Regent and the Duke Senor Munoz
- 186: The little Isabel went up to Concha
- 187: No great talker was El Sarria at any time
- 188: But Rollo would have nothing of all this
- 189: Better known as El Sarria of Aragon
- 190: Then Rollo stepped briskly into the corridor
- 191: Fixed immovably on the broad back of Senor Munoz
- 192: And fell again to fingering his unshaven chin
- 193: After these two Concha followed
- 194: Rollo was glad to reflect that
- 195: With a wandering eye towards Concha and the Queen
- 196: Concha blushed hot with swift pleasure
- 197: The Sergeant and Rollo were leading
- 198: I am the equal in rank of General Elio
- 199: Concha Cabezos took refuge in the society of El Sarria
- 200: El Sarria has little cause to complain
- 201: But El Sarria only smiled the more grimly
- 202: And El Sarria laughed out suddenly and sardonically
- 203: Concha rose to her feet impulsively
- 204: Suggested the young cavalier of Alava
- 205: Add to your kindness by lending me your boina
- 206: He went round and detached a red boina
- 207: Taking the red boina from her head
- 208: And if Espartero would deliver the royal party
- 209: Espartero had but recently been appointed to the district
- 210: So long as Baldomero Espartero
- 211: And General Cabrera shoots them
- 212: But Cabrera suddenly rose to his feet
- 213: He had failed utterly with Cabrera
- 214: La Giralda will afford us that
- 215: Sergeant Cardono and El Sarria you two alone remain
- 216: And the time seemed long to impatient Rollo
- 217: But El Sarria was by this time in the saddle
- 218: Time is what El Sarria and his party need
- 219: Cabrera heard Concha's glad proclamation
- 220: And so passed Jose Maria of Ronda
- 221: Often made young men Carlist or Cristino
- 222: The brother of that Concha of yours
- 223: Was not your father Alistair Blair of Blair Castle
- 224: He explained to Maria Cristina
- 225: And then repent of their repentances
- 226: We were saved by Concha Cabezos there
- 227: Concha rose and stood beside him
- 228: He alone should adventure the anger of the Prior
- 229: Sarria and Concha were not so far off
- 230: Almost indeed at the camp of General Elio
- 231: Don Baltasar drew a glass towards him across the table
- 232: Every moment expecting that Peggy Ramsay would come in
- 233: Fernandez waited for Rollo to reply
- 234: Had heard a word let fall by Don Tomas Fernandez in his cups
- 235: Done to death by ghouls a friend of El Sarria
- 236: In that glance Luis Fernandez read his fate
- 237: Chapter lave concha imperatrix
- 238: I liked white and aguardiente
- 239: Abbot of Montblanch the last they say of eighty four
- 240: There sweetest she goes behind the curtain
- 241: Says Etienne in a master of ceremonies' voice
- 242: Better keep friends with Ezquerra