Fair Blows The Wind by Louis L'Amour

Author:Louis L'Amour
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2009-12-26T18:52:58+00:00

That night when I returned to the inn, Jacob Binns was there. With rest and proper food he had recovered his spirits as well as his appearance. He had gained weight and seemed stronger. Yet he was, as I could see, a very old man.

He listened as I explained my thoughts. "It be a good thing if it can be done," he said, "and I know of a printer, a young man from Stratford-on-Avon by the name of Richard Field. He was once apprenticed to a very old friend and I can bring you together."

"It would help," I agreed.

He studied me thoughtfully. "Is this what you wish to do? It is only a bit better than a beggar's life, and in the end you will have nothing. For you depend upon the whims of others, and whims change like a weathercock."

"Jacob? Have you heard aught of Fergus or the others? Did they make the shore?"

He shook his head. "Lad, you know there is little news of what takes place in the Hebrides, or even the Highlands, for the matter of that. I have talked with peddlers and traders and such like but have heard nothing. Yet he was a strong swimmer, lad, and if any could have made the shore it was he."

"He was like an older brother to me, or a father. He taught me much, and I wish—"

As we sat talking thus in the common room of the inn, of a sudden the door opened and a man entered. A man? A lad, rather, but a tall, well-made lad, only a bit older than myself.

He saw me and I saw him, and although each had changed we knew each other at once. When Rafe Leckenbie and his men had attacked us, one young man had spoken a word for me and to me. This was that man!

"You!" he said. "You are here, and he is here, and you are the one thing that has rankled him most, that you escaped him. He meant to kill you."

"Rafe Leckenbie is here?"

"Yes. He's here. He was in much trouble there, and he ran off, and some of us with him. I, too was in trouble—and because of him."

"Leave him then. Be your own man."

" 'Tis easy said. He would kill me, as he will kill you. You have only one chance! Fly! Escape before he knows you are here!"

"Go to him," I said, "and tell him you saw me. Tell him I shall be glad of a meeting, whenever he wishes."

"Do not be a fool! He has one of the largest mobs of rascals in London! Thieves, cutpurses, and outlaws of all kinds!"

"Then perhaps I shall meet him," I replied, "for I am often about London and we have an old duel left incomplete."

"He is the greatest swordsman in England, perhaps in all Europe! Look you, I meant you no harm then, nor do I now, but Leckenbie is evil, totally evil."

"And you yourself? Why do you not leave him?"

Despite his drawn cheeks and tortured eyes he was a handsome enough lad, I suppose, but he shook his head.

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