The Sacketts Volume One 5-Book Bundle by Louis L'Amour

Author:Louis L'Amour [L'Amour, Louis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2014-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVI

And now suddenly all changed.

Legare came into the room as I ate breakfast, and Henry was with him. My gesture invited them to join us, and they did so. In many places in the islands the presence of a black at the table would not have been permitted, but in the pirate city of Port Royal there were no distinctions as to race.

“Adele has spoken to me of your need for some kind of a statement,” he said. “She thought only of protecting my good name, but there is more at stake here, and despite her wish to protect me, my good name rests on no such shaky foundation. I married Adele, and she is my lady, and that is enough. If more is wanted, there is a field of honor where I can bring those who question my judgment.

“Now—” He drew from his pocket a rolled sheet of parchment. “A statement sworn to before a notary. This is her story. Names are named here, that of Joseph Pittingel among them. If you need more, I shall myself come to Cape Ann or Shawmut or wherever and make my statement.”

“Thank you. I am sure this will be sufficient.” At that moment there was a tap at the door. “You are in time to meet Diana Macklin, who was taken for the second time by Pittingel’s men.”

Opening the door, I admitted Diana and a maid I had hastily secured for her through the good offices of Augustus Jayne.

Legare bowed over her hand. “Adele has spoken of you,” he said. “May I express my regrets for all that has happened? With the statement he now has, Kin Sackett may soon put an end to all this.”

She turned quickly to me. “Please! Can we go home? My father was wounded when they took me, and I have no idea if he is alive or dead.”

“We will go. My friend John Tilly will be in port tomorrow, returning from the outer islands. At least, so he has planned.”

“You are sure you will not need me?” Legare asked.

“I think not,” I said. “And I am sure Adele will.”

He smiled quickly, shyly for a man who had proved to be so unexpectedly bold and swift in action. “She is my first and greatest happiness.”

“And you?” I looked over at Henry. “You are among your people now. Will you stay here?”

He shook his head. “My place is with you if you will have me along. These people are of my race and my blood, but I have always been a man alone. I like the way you fight and the way you think. Mayhap our roads are the same.”

“If you wish it,” I agreed. He was a good man and a strong man, and wherever I would go, such would be needed.

Legare extended his hand. “Enough, then. They know me in Port Royal, and what you need, you may have if you will but speak. I cannot thank you enough.”

When they were gone, and Diana and I were alone but for the maid, I said, “Have you eaten? I had just begun.

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