The Black Moon (16 page)

When George came home Valentine was still unwell, and it looked as if they would have to delay their departure for a few days. Elizabeth forgot about her visitors until the Wednesday when, after a month of rain, the weather relented
and
they were able: to walk in
the
garden, together in the warm sun. It was a rare occurrence for George to walk anywhere. For exercise he woul
d go off riding, usually with G
arth or Tankard or Blencowe. He scarcely ever appeared to take an interest in the garden, though sometimes he would surprise her by a remark that showed he had noticed more than she supposed. His real interest was in large-scale planning. He wanted to widen the drive and build new gateposts and have a, fine pair of wrought-iron gates; and he intended to push down two old Cornish walls in order to extend and improve the vista from the back of the house. On the whole his taste was good, though it leaned towards formality; wild gardens, herbaceous borders, rustic fences hung with climbing plants, these had no appeal for him at all. In the flower garden he preferred the flowers that were neat of habit, and in the beds he liked them set in rows or squares.

Now Elizabeth told him of the deputation that had called on her.

He was `silent until she had finished and swished at some tall leaves with his cane. `Curse their impudence,' was his first comment. `I do not appreciate visitors who sneak in when my back is turned.'

`I think they tried to see you, and Tankard turned them away. And no doubt they supposed I should have a softer heart.'

`And have you?'

'Well, I suppose so. Although I do not think I altogether trust Methodism. It is in some way subversive. But we shall not stamp it out by claiming back the land. And if Francis prom
ised it to them..’

`We have only their word for that.'

`I do not think Will Nanfan would lie. Nor the other man. Give them credit where it is due, their peculiar mania imposes a strict code.'

They walked on as far as the threshold of the herb garden. George said: `Subversive is the word you used, and that is exactly right. All such closed societies are subversive even when they are disguised under religious blankets. They are seedbeds for radicalism, and often Jacobinism - which, as we know too well, seeks to overthrow the state and put in its place bloody tyrants such as, you see in France. All these groups at heart have the same objective, whether they are called Wesleyan Methodist Societies, or Corresponding Societies, or Foxites. And if they seek to create, revolution,
then they are traitors and must be treated as such. I think
we should not be doing our duty at this time if we permitted
them to remain.'

Elizabeth said : `I do not think this piece of garden has ever
looked the same since Verity left. She spent so many loving
hours over it that it was always tidy and sweet smelling.

And useful. Now the cooks pick leaves and trample other
plants down in so doing, and
the weeds have got out of
hand.'

`It is the next thing that shall be done.'

`Well, if it is done I wish to superintend it, otherwise so
much of value will be thrown away.'

They turned and began to walk back to the house, George
hunching his shoulders in that way that always suggested
the bull.

`Who was the other man who carne with Nanfan? Did you
know him?'

`A stranger. Young, big, spoke like a miner. He was fair, with a lined face.'

`That would be one of Demelza Poldark's brothers.'

Elizabeth stiffened. George with cool curiosity noticed the involuntary movement.

`I did not know she had any.'

`But you do not remember - the day of that child's christening, the one that died? The father turned up unexpectedly with a brood of brats trailing behind him and quite spoiled the day for the proud mother.'

`Yes. Yes, I do now. I had almost forgot.'

`The father crossed a course with John Treneglos. He objected to the area of bosom that Ruth Treneglos exposed!'

Elizabeth frowned. `But do you know her brothers are here now?'

`Tankard told me. They have come over, the two of them, from Illuggan. No doubt the living is softer under the wing of their brother-in-law.'

`He is
this one is not at all like his sister.'

`Except perhaps in presumption.'

They passed by the pond. In spite of the rivulet of fresh water running through it and efforts to clean out the bottom, the water was still o
paque where the movement of the
stream disturbed the sandy mud; but the general effect on this lovely autumn day was pleasing to them both. The water winked and glinted, and the big slate stones brought from Delabole ringed the side and made, walking beside it a pleasure instead
of something which
could only be
essayed in overshoes.,
`I am also told,' George said, `that the two Came brothers are quite the ringleaders in this Methodist revival which is going on. Before they came the sect was dormant, but since they came it has been much in evidence again. They are all tarred with the same brush. Though in truth I do not think Demelza has any religious ardour in her. She has probably caught her atheism from Ross.'

They scarcely ever spoke the name, either of them, Elizabeth because she could not bear to, George because he was still afraid of E
lizabeth's reaction. Sooner or
later, he felt uneasily certain, Elizabeth, who in most cases had such strong and secure loyalties, would leap to his defence. So far she had not. Not once since their marriage had she done so. It was still a surprise, because all through their long acquaintance before marriage, especially when he was trying to win her round after his estrangement from Francis, he had had to glove his tongue at mention of Ross. He could never show his bitterness, his dislike. But about the time of the marriage Elizabeth had, as it were, changed sides. His only course was to accept that when she married him she had moved her loyalty, her friendship, her trust. With her it was a case of 'Thy people shall be my people, and thy God shall be my God.' Yet even now, after fifteen months of married life, he was still apprehensive that an incautious word should provoke the reaction that it would have done two years ago.

It did not this time. All Elizabeth said: `Yes, I remember the family now. Did the mother not come as well?'

In the middle of September Demelza gave up the struggle to hide her pregnancy from the gaze of the world and resigned herself to two months of discomfort and ungainliness. Ross, to her surprise, never seemed to mind these times, but she minded them for herself. She was happy for the future and looked forward to meeting the baby when it was born, but she always disliked looking matronly and hated to be even mildly inactive.

The bad feeling between Ross and Tom Choake had more
recently
subsided, and they were talking, again, It was an uneasy peace but a civil o
ne, so Choake was retained once
again for this confinement,, he being clearly more skilled than the other ignorant
quacks who served the villages
round. But at Demelza's request Mrs Zacky Martin, in whom she had greater personal faith, was engaged as a nurse to assist him.

In early October Drake told her the news about the Meeting House, and she passed it on to Ross. It was evening, Jeremy was in bed, and they were sitting beside a fire of cherrywood which had burned brightly when lit an hour ago but now was sulky though pleasantly odorous.

Ross said: `The trouble with George is that he never surprises me. In the end he always fulfils my worst expectations. I should have thought, since he was doing his best to curry favour, in the district, that he would not want unpopularity in this way.'

`Unpopularity with some, popularity with others.'

`Yes, I
think you are, right. The more
he appears a defender of the established church, a supporter of orthodoxy, an enemy of faction, the more he commends himself to most of our friends and neighbours.'

`And of course he is going back to Truro for the winter.'

`Yes. If he had to turn them out, for his own peculiar reasons, this was the time to do it. By next spring it will be at least part forgotten.'

Demelza turned over Jeremy's trousers to see her repair the better. They were still very small in size, but very soon she would be dealing with an even smaller. Her eyes flickered up to Ross, who had taken a spill from the fire and was lighting his long-stemmed pipe; went on to look around the room and enjoy the improvements they had brought to it within a year. The new clock, the rich cream curtains of silk paduasoy, the table with the pedestal legs, the Turkey rugs; the writing desk and chair bought after their' visit to the Daniells.

There was still much needed, but at present further expenditure waited on the rebuilding and decorating of the library, Spurred by such splendid examples as Trelissick, Ross was hoping to put up something which was far better than anything his father had built but which would not be altogether unsuitable as an additi
on to the older building. He h
ad borrowed a couple of books and they had spent long evenings studying and discussing them.
H
e had got a man called
Boase, a draughtsman in Truro,
to
draw, up a plan and sketch of the wing, how it was to be built
and how finished. She said: `I
suppose they will have
to meet somewhere.'

`Who?'

`The Methodists.'

`They can use Reath Cottage.'

`It is very small. You cannot get above fifteen in there. I think they are hoping to build another one somewhere.'

`They would do well this winter to concentrate on physical survival.' Ross stirred a log with his foot, but it still refused to burn. `The pilchard catch was poor for the third year running. The harvest is the worst most men can remember. With much of our own corn ruined, and shut off as we are now from European supply, t
here is likely to be something
of famine, with famine prices everywhere.'

Demelza said: `They have asked me. Sam and Drake have asked me if they can have a corner of our land to build on.'

Ross stared. `Oh, no ... Demelza, this is too much! Why should they come to me? I have no interest in their sect!'

`Nor I. I suppose it is because I am their sister and you are -'

`Confound your brothers!'

`Yes, Ross.' She rocked gently backwards and forwards in her chair. `Unfortunately it is not just my brothers but
many of your old friends too. Will and Char Nanfan. Paul
and Beth Daniel. Zacky Martin
'

`Not, Zacky. He knows better-'

`Well, Mrs Zacky anyhow. Jud Paynter-' `A lot we owe that seedy old scoundrel-'

`Then there's Fred Pendarves and Jope Ishbel and quite a
number of others. They look to you as their friend in a
peculiar sort of way.'

`But at heart I like Methodism 'little better than George! It is a damned nuisance and I never know what will emerge from it . . .'

Demelza said: `Well, now at last I have a solution. When you and George next meet and are growling at each other like two bulldogs waiting to tear each other's throats, I shall mention
Methodism, and you will
have a subject you can happily agree on! At least some good has come of our evening's talk.'

Ross looked at her and they both laughed. `All very well,' he said, frowning through his laughter, `all very well, but it is an awkward
favour to
be asked.'

I
don't ask it. But they have, Ross, and
I; honestly
did not know what to say or what you would say.' His pipe had gone out and he lit it again. This was a whole
time operation and nothing was said until it was completed.

`I suppose I have nothing really against the Wesleyans,' he
said. `And I know I should examine my prejudices from
time to time to see if they should not b
e abandoned. But for one thing I
mistrust folk who are always bringing God or Christ into their conversations. If it is not an actual blasphemy it is at least a presumption. It smacks of self-conceit, doesn't it?'

`Perhaps if you-'

`Oh, they always claim to be humble, I grant you; but their humility does not show in their opinions. They may be fully conscious of their own sins, but they always are more concerned with other people's. In their own view they have found salvation, and unless the rest of us follow in their path we are damned . . . I remember Francis making a delicious speech to your father on these matters at Julia's christening, but I can't recollect the words ...'

Demelza put down the tiny pair of trousers and picked up a sock. `What are your religious views, Ross? Do you have any? I wish I knew.'

'Oh
-
practically none, my love.' He stared into the sulky fire. `I imbibed from my father a sceptical attitude to all religions; he considered them foolish fairy-tales. But I don't go so far as that. I have little use for religion as it is practised, or for astrology, or for belief in witchcraft or omens of good or ill-luck. I think they all stem from some insufficiency in men's minds, perhaps from a lack of a willingness to feel themselves utterly alone. But now and then I feel that there is somet
hing beyond the material world,
something we all feel intimations of but cannot explain. Underneath the religious vision there is the harsh fundamental reality of all our lives, because we know we must live and die as the animals we are. But sometimes I suspect that under that harsh reality there is a further vision, still deeper, based, that comes nearer to true reality than the reality we know.'

`Hm,' said Demelza, rocking gently. `I am not sure that I know what you mean but I think I do.'

`When you are fully conversant with it,' Ross said, `pray explain it to me.'

She laughed.

`My political views,' he said, `are similarly substantial. This
war
is
bringing out all the contradictions in 'them. I have always urged reform, even to the lengths of being considered a traitor to my birth and situation. I saw much that was good in this revolution in France; but as it has gone on I am as eager to fight it and destroy it as any man . . .' He 'blew out a thin trail of smoke. `Perhaps it is in my nature to be contrary, for I always see the opposite side from that of the company I am in. Even though I did not like the American war I went to fight the Americans! '

Silence fell. He said: `But confound it, I do not want them on my land! Why should I have them? This is largely the fault of your overgrown brothers. Before they came everybody lived in peace and the
two religions dozed comfortably
together!' `It is likely true, Ross, and I am sorry. In fact, Samuel proposed 1 should
ask you if they could put up a
house on the rising ground by Wheal Maiden, which would only be on the very verge of our land, and so that they could use the stone from the old engine house. There's a lot of it scattered around, and they say they will clear it up and use the chippings to make the track firmer so that the mud does not settle there in the wet weather.'

He did not reply, and she went on, `But do not think I am persuading you. I promised to tell you what I have asked, and that I have now done. It is all one to me.' She looked down at herself. `Or maybe I should say all two to me.'

`How is Our Friend? I do not ask often because I know you do not like to be asked.'

`Brave, though a shade bowerly. I would be more happy if another matter was settled.'

`What is that?'

`Whether you will be attending your cousin's wedding to Joan Pascoe next week.'

He stared at her. `But y
ou are not going; you said you
could not. What difference does it make whether I go?' 'Because of where you will be if you do not.'

He said : `I don't
understand. Who told you anything
about it?'

`Oh, Ross, I have my own spy system in this house.'

He shifted. `It was only decided yesterday. I have been
intending to tell you but have been too much the coward.' 'When do you go, then?'

`Sunday if the weather holds. It may be their last full
crossing of the winter. Mr Trencrom is being more careful
of his boat. than he was a few years ago., Lord, I remember, how cold it was on the Scillies
, waiting to meet Mark Daniell
'

`I wish you was only going there.'

`It is safe enough, in Roscoff. Possibly I may stay a week and return in a Mevagissey or Looe boat.' He explained about Jacques Clisson.

Demelza said: `I shall not rest easy while you are there: You know that. And neither will he - or she.'

`I know that too. I'll not stay an hour longer than necessary. ' But you must, please, be prepared for an absence of ten days.'

Demelza put down her sock and wrapped up the sewing in a linen cloth.

`I think I will go to bed, Ross. Our Friend always wakes so early in the morning.'

Sunday was fine and relatively still, and Ross left the house soon
after midday. He took with him
some food, a
flask of brandy, a heavy cloak,
a short knife in a leather sheath, and two hundred guineas in two pouches about his waist. He took dinner with Mr Trencrom and joined Will Nanfan and the One and All before dark. Farrell, the skipper, and all the men were known to Ross.

October when the big tides run is not the best time to navigate the north coast of Cornwall, but tonight the sea was quiet and they made fair weather of it to, the Land's End and back along the southern tip to Newlyn. The wind was fitful and unreliable 'but never altogether dropped, and by dark the following day they were off Roscoff, having seen nothing larger all the way than a single ketch and a group of Breton fishing boats.

He met Jacques Clisson with Will Nanfan in a tavern called Le Coq Rouge in a steep cobbled street leading down from the church, and he knew at once that Clisson was a spy. He could not have said precisely why. The Breton was a stout blond little man of about forty in a blue seaman's jersey and
a round black cap, clean shaver
except for long sideboards, good teeth showing in a charming, ready smile, blue eyes clear and candid. A man not to be trusted. But after twenty minutes Ross amended his first judgment. A man perhaps to be trusted so far as a specific mission went, and so long as he was paid and so long as no one offered him a better price for some contrary act. Such men exist in all
countries and prosper in times' of war and especially in neutral or international ports where the combatants can meet without fighting.
They have their value and they
have their price, and they have their own code.

He said: `The prison of Quimper is in a disused convent, monsieur. That is to say, all convent
s
are disused in France today, you will understand . . . A
lthough the most prisoners are
English, there are also the Portuguese and Spanish and Dutch and German. The number are
very great
and the food
s
are very small. There are large number of sick and wounded.' Clisson shrugged. `I believe conditions vary from prison to prison. The commandant at this one is a onetime butcher from Puteaux and he is very strong for the revolution ... As of course we all are, monsieur, I hasten to - add!' Clisson glanced behind him. `We all are. But in different ways . . . The gaolers come in the main from the slums of Rouen and Brest. It is not a good situation.'

`How can you get me the names of those in the prison?'

'It is difficult. In a camp of forty men, perhaps. B
ut in a camp of four thousand .
.'

'They must be divided, the civilians perhaps from the combatants, the officers from the ranks. And money talks.'

`Money talk
s
, but so does Mme La Guillotine.'

`Do you know any of the guards?'

'One does not know, one talks with. One exchanges words over a glass. The name of prisoner are sometimes mentioned.'

`What names?'

'Oh . . . I have heard no one from the Travail. I have never heard of the Travail .. Captain Bligh is a prisoner there off the Alexander, Captain Kiltoe, I think it
, i
s off the Espion, Captain Robinson off the Thames. And among the civi
lian, Lady Ann Fitzroy, who is
taken on a passage from Lisbon. These are talked of, and others.'

`Do you not perhaps know one guard better
than
the rest?'

The Breton lifted
his beret and scratched at his
fair hair with a bent forefinger. `There is one I could speak to. He is not a guard. But he is a clerk who works in the prison.'

`Who would know what we want to
know?'

`Possibly. Last time I drop a word about survivor from the frigate Travail, which is wreck in the Bay of Audierne in April. He is cautious, reluctant to say. But he does give it as his view that there has been survivors who are intern there.'

Ross sipped his drink. `For fift
y
guineas do you think he, would provide you with the names?'

`For whom, monsieur?'

`For him. And fifty for you.'

`I have already been promised that much.'

Ross glanced at Will Nanfan who was idly rubbing his thumb around the edge of his glass. Will did not look up. He wondered if this were the moment to break and to suggest another meeting later. He sensed some resistance in the French man, as if he were slightly offended at being pressed too hard. But all his own instincts were against further delay.

`Then a hundred for you and fifty for him.'

Clisson smiled politely. `I would need one hundred now. Fifty for me to, prove an earnest, fifty to give him if he is able to do what we ask.'

Ross motioned to the waiter to refill their glasses.

`I agree to that. But I shall wait here in Roscoff until you have the information.'

'Aw, monsieur, I cannot promise it soon. My friend cannot perform the miracle.'

`I, shall wait.'

Clis
son stared at Ross. `It is not
always safe to stay. You will understand that what goes on in this port is tolerated - one turns the blind eye - but the Committee of Public Safety does not sleep. You, monsieur, if I may say so, do not look the fisherman
-
nor even quite the smuggler. It would be a risk.'

`For one week?’

'Can you find business he
re?'

`I can make
some.'

The waiter came and bobbled cognac into the three glasses and went away.

`The matter is not without risk to me also. It is not good that I shall be seen t
alking to a strange Englishman and then re
meeting him so soon. Go home,
monsieur, and I shall find
a means of communicating with you, without fail.'

`One week. With twenty-five guineas extra if you have the names for me by then.'

Clisson raised his glass and across the rim of it he met Ross's gaze with sincerity and total candour.

`To your good health, monsieur, and to your preservation.'