Here, the wayfarer finds himself lost in a
long reach of comparatively barren lands. One thinks, as he presses forward, that some
gloomy Fate finds harbor in the place. But his mouth
was small, sweet, exquisitely chiselled, and the lips of a ripe, rich
color. He was blooded, and of Arabian, through English, stocks. You
might detect his blood at a glance, even as you did that of his rider. We must not omit to
state that a cap of fur, rather than a fashionable beaver, was also the
ordinary covering of the head--that of our traveller was of a
finely-dressed fur, very far superior to the common fox skin cap worn by
the plain backwoodsmen. He looked up for the openings in the tree-tops--he looked
west, at the rapidly speeding sun, and shook his head at his horse. But they did not overcome his
will, or lessen his courage. Meanwhile, he kept his eyes busy, watching right and
left. What do you see, old fellow, to make you
uneasy? Is it the snug stall, and the dry fodder, and the thirty ears,
for which you long. "Quiet, beast! when you have paid the toll, young
master!" He was simply insolent, and he was in the
way. Thus thought our traveller, quickly, as became his situation. "Look you, young fellow, I am better able to ask questions myself, than
to answer those of other people. In respect to this matter of answering,
my education has been wofully neglected." The reply betrayed some intelligence as well as insolence. "Ay, indeed! and in some other respects too, not less important, if I am
to judge from your look and bearing. But you mistake your man, let me
tell you. I hate to part
over-soon with company that talks so well; particularly in these woods,
where, unless such a chance come about as the present, the lungs of the
heartiest youth in the land would not be often apt to find the echo they
seek, though they cried for it at the uttermost pitch of the pipe." His reply was calm, however, and his mind grew
more at ease, more collected, with his growing consciousness of
annoyance and danger. If you have mistaken your road, what do you on this?--why
are you in this part of the country, which is many miles removed from
any public thoroughfare?" "Softly, softly, young sir. It finds us in men, in money, in horses. Hence,
indeed, the name of the club. You must
do a large business in this way, most worthy sir." "Why, that we do, and your remark reminds me that I have quite as little
time to lose as yourself. "Perfectly--perfectly. I put
it to yourself, whether such would not be the effect of my omission." "It most certainly would, most frank and candid of all the outlaws. You, I see, have the true notion of the thing." Unhappily,
however, for the Pony Club and its worthy representative, I am quite too
poorly provided with worldly wealth at this moment to part with much of
it. But the fact is, our numbers are just now
complete--our ranks are full--and the candidates for the honor are so
numerous as to leave little chance for an applicant. With these words, the youth, gathering up the bridle of the horse, and
slightly touching him with the rowel, would have proceeded on his
course; but the position of the outlaw now underwent a corresponding
change, and, grasping the rein of the animal, he arrested his farther
progress. You must come to terms with the turnpike." "Take your hands from my horse, sirrah!" "It may not be," replied the robber, with a composure and coolness that
underwent no change; "your threats affect me not. The same glance will also show you the
tollgate, which you could not see before. YOUNG LOVE--THE RETROSPECT. After a grateful union of a
few years, they had both lost their wives. But he never communicated to his son, or brother, the
secret of his sufferings and grief. Indeed, he found it necessary that
he should bend himself earnestly to his studies, that he might forget
his griefs. Ralph came from college to his uncle's domicil, now his only home. Children, indeed! They loved, but the discovery was yet to be made by them. "How so, Ralph--why should it make you unhappy?" "It has taught me much, Edith--very much, in the last half hour. "It is a stupid book, a very stupid book--a story of false sentiment,
and of mock and artificial feelings, of which I know, and care to know,
nothing. But it has told me so much that I feel is true, and that chimes
in with my own experience. It has told me much besides, that I am glad
to have been taught. Hear me then, dear Edith, and smile not carelessly
at my words, for I have now learned to tremble when I speak, in fear
lest I should offend you." Hear me then, Edith--_my_ Edith, if you will so let me call you." Her hand rested on his assuringly, with a gentle pressure. He
continued--
"Hitherto we have lived with each other, only with each other--we have
loved each other, and I have almost only loved you. I see already," he exclaimed: "you too have learned the lesson. "Hear me, Edith--but a word--a single word. I love you, believe me, dear
Edith, I love you." I believe you love me, as I am sure you can never
doubt how much you are beloved by me!" "As my _wife_, Edith--as my own, own wife!" "Never, oh never, Ralph! Speak no more, I beseech you, in such language. You do me wrong in this--I have no such wish, no such thought or
purpose. I do not--I could not--think of another, Ralph. I will be
yours, and yours only--if you really wish it." dear Edith, you are mine, and I am yours! She murmured--
"Yours, Ralph, yours only!" A RUPTURE--THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE. The first
glance which he gave to the scene, did not please the young man. Proud,
jealous of his sensibilities, the soul of the youth rose in arms, at the
look which annoyed him. He
had not, indeed, once thought upon the matter. "Oh, father!" But the father of Edith, whatever his offence, had
suddenly risen into new consideration in the young man's mind, from the
moment that he fully comprehended his feelings for the daughter. This silent, but expressive dialogue, was the work of a
single moment of time. The uncle broke the silence. "What am I to understand from this, young man?" This was said with a dry tone, and hard, contemptuous manner. The uncle was
annoyed. "My pretensions, sir?--The hand of Edith!--Do I hear you right, uncle? "No, sir--pardon me when I so speak--but it is you who have forgotten
them. "Ralph, you have forgotten much, or have yet to be taught many things. The uncle was something astounded by the almost fierce manner of his
nephew; but the only other effect of this expression was simply, while
it diminished his own testiness of manner in his speeches, to add
something to the severity of their character. The reply was
instantaneous. "My pretensions, Colonel Colleton? But, I understand you. I understand
you, sir, perfectly." "And when I have obtained admission to the practice of the law, do you
say that Edith shall be mine?" "Nay, Ralph, you again mistake me. I only say, it will be then time
enough to consider the matter." "Uncle, this will not do for me. Either you sanction, or you do not. "There again, sir, there again! I see it, sir--I am not ignorant." "Speak freely, sir; let not this scruple trouble you any longer. Speak, relieve me at once, Colonel Colleton. Apart from this, he loved
adventure for its own sake. Mass Ralph, how you talk! "And what we all for do here, when you leff? 'speck ebbery ting be dull,
wuss nor ditch-water. You leff me, I take to de swamp, sure as a
gun." "No, Cæsar, you are not mine; you belong to your young mistress. I 'speck young misses hab no 'jection for go too--eh,
Mass Ra'ph! There was, also, not a little
of ease and agility, together with a rude gracefulness in his action,
the result equally of the well-combined organization of his animal man
and of the hardy habits of his woodland life. Nor, in any of these particulars, did the
outward falsely interpret the inward man. His cares, at such a period, are too
considerate to suffer him to be noisy. The sounds of the hubbub penetrated the
chamber of the wounded man, and he expressed some curiosity in respect
to it. He had caught up other details as he
hurried to and fro, when he ran for the doctor. He was thus prepared to
satisfy the youth's inquiry. "Well, squire, did you ever see a live Yankee?" Well, all the hubbub you hear is jest now about one of
these same Yankee pedlers. The regilators have caught the varmint--one
Jared Bunce, as he calls himself--and a more cunning, rascally,
presumptious critter don't come out of all Connecticut. He's been a
cheating and swindling all the old women round the country. He'll pay
for it now, and no mistake. The regilators caught him about three hours
ago, and they've brought him here for judgment and trial. Maybe, he
ain't a scamp of the biggest wethers. He cheats in everything, and cheats everybody. He's been at this business, in these diggings, now about
three years. The regilators have swore a hundred times to square off
with him; but he's always got off tell now; sometimes by new
inventions--sometimes by bible oaths--and last year, by regilarly
_cutting dirt_ [flight]. asked the youth, languidly. you from Georgy, and never to hear tell of the regilators? Why,
that's the very place, I reckon, where the breed begun. The regilators
are jest then, you see, our own people. We jine, hand in hand, agin such a chap
as Jared Bunce, and set in judgment upon his evil-doings. Ef it's the first
offence, or only a small one, we let's the fellow off with only a taste
of the hickory. In one way
or t'other, he's swindled everybody with his notions. "There, again, 'squire, you are quite out. He began to tire, and nature craved
repose, and the physician had urged it. Far from it. Why, everybody knows him,
big and little; and his reputation is so now, that the very boys take
his name to frighten away the crows with. He wore green glasses of a
dark, and a green coat of a light, complexion. Is
this the charge, my friends?" "Ay, ay, lawyer, that's the how, that's the very thing itself. He did promise to do something for me, seeing I was
named after him, but he ha'n't done nothing yet, no how. Then the name
of Bunce, you see, lawyer, I got from my father, his name being Bunce,
too, I guess." "Well, Jared Bunce, answer to the point, and without circumlocution. Having taken them down in
short-hand, I will repeat them." The pedler approached a few steps, advanced one leg, raised a hand to
his ear, and put on all the external signs of devout attention, as the
chairman proceeded in the long and curious array. "Order, order, Mr. Jenkins--order! Who knows, again, but you boil your
water quite too hot? Answer
that, Bunce." "I am not ignorant of your country, pedler, and of the ways of its
people; but it is not me that you are to satisfy. But the pedler was
wary, and knew his man. "But why not trade now, Bunce?--what's to hinder us now? "Well, then, colonel, that'll just suit me, for I did calkilate to call
on you at the farm, on my way into the nation where I'm going looking
out for furs." "Yes, and live on the best for a week, under some pretence that your nag
is sick, or you sick, or something in the way of a start--then go off,
cheat, and laugh at me in the bargain. "Oh, to be sure, only give a body time, colonel," as, pulled by the
collar, with some confusion and in great trepidation, responded the
beleagured dealer in clocks and calicoes--"they shall all be here in a
day or two at most. The pedler had told the truth in part only. If you do, I _rether_ reckon you can
do it without much difficulty." "Hark ye, boys, jist step out, and bring in the cart of Jared Bunce,
wheels and all, if so be that the body won't come off easily. "The key, Bunce, the key!" The pedler hesitated for a second, and the pause was fatal. let him come to the scratch, and
answer that, neighbors--but he can't. "I'll tell you what, Master Bunce, it won't do to take natur in vain. The pedler ventured again to expostulate; but the argument having been
considered conclusive against him, he was made to hold his peace, while
the prosecutor proceeded. The
rough, hard, unscrupulous man can always weep for himself. And with this even, they were not
satisfied. To lift him high, and plant him, on the crooked rail astride. "Did you ever, ever, ever," &c.,
from the troupe in full blast! "Do you hear that song, Bunce?" he asked. The pedler looked in his face with a mixed expression of grief, anger,
and stupidity, but he said nothing. "Hark ye, Bunce," continued the lawyer. Does your brain take in its meaning, my friend?" "Friend, indeed!" "Friend, indeed! Pshaw, Bunce, you are a fool. I was your friend all the
time." "Oh, yes! I can see how. That was like a good lawyer, I guess, but
not so much like a friend. Had you been a friend, you could have saved
my property from the beginning." "Nay, nay, Bunce; you do me wrong. I can save you
now." Once that
blaze goes down, they'll be after you. Now's your time. You must be off. Fly by the back door,
and leave it to me to get damages for your loss of property." "You, lawyer? well, I should like to know how you calkilate to do that?" "I'll tell you. "I guess I do, pretty much." I'll do all that, you know, the same as if you did
it yourself. Where's
your cart, Bunce?" I'll follow in a
little while, and we'll arrange the matter." I hadn't ought to done so, to
be sure." "That's bad, but that must not stop you. Take my nag, there--the second one from the tree, and put him in
the gears in place of your own. He's as gentle as a spaniel, and goes
like a deer. "He can do that, lawyer, I guess, without difficulty. I'll move as you
say, and be off pretty slick. "No matter, till I see you. The pedler proceeded to the work, and was in a little while ready for a
start. "Bunce, you have been rather sly in your dealings, and they have a good
deal to complain of. "Now, don't talk, lawyer, seeing you ha'n't paid me for it yet; but
that's neither here nor there. "Why, man, I thought you were off. "Begone, fool!" His
voice was loudest, and his oratory more decidedly effective than ever. Quick, you
terrapin!" The subject of conversation, which, in all this time,
accompanied their other indulgences, was, very naturally, that of the
pedler and his punishment. Such was Walter, or, as he was there more familiarly termed Wat Munro. He looked about,
however, with a stupid gaze of self-satisfaction; but his laugh and
language, forming a strange and most unseemly coalition, degenerated at
last into a dolorous sniffle, indicating the rapid departure of the few
mental and animal holdfasts which had lingered with him so long. "Why, what the d----l, d----d sort of fist is this you've given me, you
bird of blackness! you've had it
in your jaws, you raven, have you not?" "No, mass lawyer--de pedler--da him gib um to me so. why, where is he?--what the devil can he have to write
about?" He was in doubt and
fear. Indeed, he was scarcely conscious of it. I'm from Carolina myself, you must know. I was then just eighteen, and went out with the rest, for
the first time. I was no
chicken, I tell you. You never saw Tom, I reckon, for he went off to
Mississippi after I sowed him up. "Well, then, Master Colleton, as I was saying, 'twas at this same muster
that I first saw the 'squire. He was a monstrous clever old buck now, I
tell you. You're both of
the same stock, I reckon." "There, now--I could have said as much, for you look for all the world
as if you had come out of his own mouth. "You are not even now so far advanced in years, Mr. Forrester, that you
speak of your youth as of a season so very remote. What, I pray, may be
your age? "Man or woman, I see, for my part, no harm in the question. I go by no other name. Mister is a
great word, and moves people quite too far off from one another. Besides, master is a friendly word, and comes
easy to the tongue. 'Tisn't, to my mind, a good word among friends." "You are now then about thirty-two?" "Ay, just thirty-two. Ca." "Why, as respects your first conjecture, Forrester," returned the youth,
"you are by no means out of the way. I am not much over twenty, and am
free to confess, do not care to be held much older. "Left Carolina for good and all, heh?" "This is no strange region to me, though I have lost my way in it. I can
show you where the gold grows, and may be had for the gathering. The danger's not in the open daylight, but in the dark. There's none of them that will be apt to square off agin you while
you're here; for they knew that, though we've got a mighty mixed nest,
there's some honest birds in it. But, good night now. CHAPTER IX. She has not only attractions in
herself which claim our notice, but occupies no minor interest in the
story we propose to narrate. These, with the preparatory
soup, formed the chief components of the repast. The table was not large, and the seats were soon occupied. I'll ask him;" and with the word, he did so. "Find you not this place lonesome, Miss Munro? "I have, sir; and sometimes I repine--not so much at the world I live
in, as for the world I have lost. In a little time he was joined by Forrester, who seemed
solicitous to divert his mind and relieve his melancholy, by describing
the country round, the pursuits, characters, and conditions of the
people--the habits of the miners, and the productiveness of their
employ, in a manner inartificial and modest, and sometimes highly
entertaining. They rambled
till the sun went down, and at length returned to the tavern. It consisted of two stories, the
upper being assigned to the sleeping apartments. But the night had now closed in, and coffee was in progress. As for
fatigue, that's out of the question. "She is an orphan, then?" "I know not how it is, Forrester," said the youth, "but there are few
men whose looks I so little like, and whom I would more willingly avoid,
than that man Rivers. "You are not the only one, 'squire, that's afraid of Guy Rivers." "I am not apt to fear,
and certainly have no such feeling in regard to this person. He is thick with
Munro, and they keep together at all times, I believe. He has money, and
knows how to spend it. "Why, I can't say for that, but I think not. There's no doubt that they drive some trade together, though
what it is I can't say, and never gave myself much trouble to inquire. "She will not have him, then, you think?" But, poor girl, what can she do? THE BLACK DOG. "Well, Munro, we are like to have fine work with your accursed and
blundering good-nature. "Know him?--no, I know nothing about him. was the reply and inquiry of the landlord. "Nothing frightens me, as you know by this time, or should know at
least. He went on--
"Had it been your lot to be in my place, I should not now have to tell
you who he is; nor should we have had any apprehensions of his crossing
our path again. But so it is. "And all your own fault and folly, Guy. You must be at your old
tricks of the law--you must make speeches before you cut purses, as was
your practice when I first knew you at Gwinnett county-court; a practice
which you seem not able to get over. "Very good--that was all very well, Guy--and had you kept to your
intention, the thing would have done. Why tell him that you
wanted to pick his pocket, and perhaps cut his throat?" "Perhaps not, Munro; but this is not the matter now. "But, are you sure that he is the man? "I am sure--I do not mistake." "Well, I'm not; and I should like to hear what it is you know him by?" you ask. But there is enough in this for
recollection," pointing again to his cheek--"this carries with it answer
sufficient. If you think so, Munro, you know little of Guy Rivers." "You will spare your sarcasm for another season, Munro, if you would not
have strife. Perhaps, I am a child in this, but I can
not be otherwise. Of this, at another time, you shall hear
more. "Well, well, be not impatient, nor angry. "I am right--I do not conjecture. I can't see, indeed,
how he should recognise either of us. retorted the other. inquired Munro, anxiously. It carries with it, though you do regard
it with so much favor, a full and satisfactory reason for observance,
without rendering necessary any reference to any more serious matter
than itself. I have no
apprehensions, and see not that you need have any." "Guy, you are too fierce and furious. Rather than have the possibility of this
thing being blabbed, I would--"
"Hush--hark!" there--who's that--the pedler, sure. Have at you, Bunce!" Take your fingers from my arm, if you
please." "Oh, to be sure, since you wish it, and are not the pedler," returned
the other, with a manner rather looking, in the country phrase, to "a
squaring off for a fight"--"but you needn't be so gruff about it. You
are on business, I suppose, and so I leave you." "Why, what do you drive at, Guy. "Look you, Guy--I stand in no greater danger than yourself of the
prospect of which you speak. The subject is, at best, an ugly one, and I
do not care to hear it spoken of by you, above all other people. "You are too suspicious, quite, Guy, even for our business. They are free
enough, and confiding enough, and in this lies our success. But I do not think he made
out your features, and do not think he looked for them. "Well, Munro, you are bent on having the thing as you please. You will
find, when too late, that your counsel will end in having us all in a
hobble." The eyes of the speaker glared with a deadly fury, as he indicated in
this sentence another motive for his persevering hostility to
Colleton--an hostility for which, as subsequent passages will show, he
had even a better reason than the unpleasing wound in his face; which,
nevertheless, was in itself, strange as it may appear, a considerable
eyesore to its proprietor. "He does, Guy--but it must not be! replied the other, with an inquiring sneer. "Yes, for your good, or rather for Lucy's. You wish to marry her. She is
a sweet child, and an orphan. "Think not to pursue this matter, Guy, on your life. Thus spoke the landlord, as he advanced in the same direction. Stay, Guy, and hear her music. She is quite melancholy, and it's a long time
since I've heard her guitar. I. II. III. IV. Why, man! He spoke as if the
interruption had made only a momentary break in the sentence which he
now concluded:--
"He lies at the point of my knife, under my hands, within my power,
without chance of escape, and I am to be held back--kept from
striking--kept from my revenge--and for what? "This new spirit, I suppose, we owe to your visit to the last
camp-meeting. You will exhort, doubtless, yourself, before long, if you
keep this track. "Look you, Guy, your sarcasm pleases me quite as little as it did the
young fellow, who paid it back so much better than I can. replied Rivers, something more sedately. "I owe it to you, Guy--how?" You taught
me all their arts, their contrivances, their lawlessness, and crime. You thrust the
weapon into my hand, and taught me its use. You put me on the scent of
blood, and bade me lap it. There was, I feel, little difficulty in
moulding me to your own measure. I was an apt scholar, and soon ceased
to be the subordinate villain. I was your companion, and too valuable to
you to be lost or left. What have I? responded the other, passionately, and interrupting
the speaker in his speech. "You will do nothing! "And have I done nothing--and am I seeking to do nothing for you, Guy,
by way of atonement? Is it not so, Munro?" said the ruffian, with a sneer of
contemptuous bitterness. You
have a grudge against him, and may settle it to your own liking and in
your own way. "My object, Munro, is scarcely the same with yours. I must have my revenge. But, for your
own safety--are you bent on running the risk?" "I am, Guy, rather than spill any more blood unnecessarily. "And how, if he speaks out, and you have no chance either to stop his
mouth or to run for it?" "True--," said Rivers, "there would be a difficulty in conviction, but
his oath would put us into some trouble." "Well, be it then as you say. If you are
determined upon the matter, as I have your pledge, these are childish
and unavailing; and the delay can have no good end, unless it be that
you do in fact look, as I have said, and as I sometimes think, for some
chance to take me off, and relieve you of my importunities and from your
pledges." "Look you, Guy, the child is my own twin-brother's only one, and a sweet
creature it is. "Why, how much time would she have? You must bring her
to her senses, or let me do so. To my thought, she is making fools of us
both." "It is, enough, Guy, that you have my promise. Look to it, Munro: I will not
much longer submit to be imposed upon." "Nor I, Guy Rivers. The hour is late,
and we had best retire. My blood is hot, and I must quiet it
with a gallop." The preacher
comes when the spirit prompts, or as circumstances may impel or permit. "I know not what may be the motive which impels you, sir to the course
you take; but I will not pretend to urge that, even in my own thoughts,
my route is any more the result of a settled conviction of its high
necessity than it may be in yours, and the confession which I shame to
make, is perhaps of itself, a beginning of that very kind of
self-examination which we seek the church to awaken." You
have but few aims, few hopes. With these your very existence is bound
up, and if you lose these you are yourselves lost. "You mistake me, sir. It is of
this, sir, that I complain." was the inquiry of the youth. "I have, sir, frequently, and have at all times been much pleased and
sometimes affected by his preaching. I think, sir, you will like him." At this moment the cavalcade was overtaken and joined by Rivers and
Munro, together with several other villagers. I felt deusedly like it, I tell you." "Why, what did he to you?" But, the preacher had risen in his place, and all was silence and
attention. Under his protection, he assured them, "they should not want." It was poetry, indeed--sweet poetry--but it was the
poetry of truth and not of fiction. "And when the savage shall pursue, and in his grasp I sink,
He will prepare the feast for me, and bring the cooling drink--
And save me harmless from his hands, and strengthen me in toil,
And bless my home and cottage-lands, and crown my head with oil. He was followed by Rivers, who had
been sitting beside him. Arms and the munitions of war, as if by
magic, had been rapidly collected. There stands the lad, his clothes
all bloody and ragged. He's had a good run of it through the bushes, I
reckon." This, now, Master Colleton,
is the long and the short of the matter." "And what do you propose to do?" asked Ralph, of his informant. "Why, what should we do, do you think, but find out who the best men
are, and put them in possession. There's not a two-legged creature among
us that won't be willing to try that question, any how, and at any time,
but more particularly now, when everything depends upon it." "And when do you move, Forrester?" "Now, directly--this very minute. "And stand up with us, 'squire, and join in the scuffle?" "I say not that, Forrester. "You will take your arms with you, I suppose. You can lend them to those
who fight, though you make no use of them yourself." Perhaps, too, I may be of service in the way of
peace-making. Each knew his man, and the business in hand. All was direct, therefore, and to the point. "Why, thank you, Wat--I generally do, I reckon, as you know of old. He's a man, you see, Wat, that never has two ways about him." "That may be, Wat--and I can't help it. If you leave yours or we ours, then either of
us may take possession--not without. He will do it all day long--I've heard him myself,
at the sessions, from mid-day till clean dark, and after all he said
nothing." Well, now, I like that--that's very
good, and just like you. There's the old lumber-house--there's the squatter's
house--there's where the cow keeps, and there's the hogsty, and half a
dozen more, all of which you're quite welcome to. I'm sure none of you
want 'em, boys--do you?" "Then, George, you are absolutely bent on having us show our title? "Can't think of such a thing--we find the quarters here quite too
comfortable, and have come too far to be in a hurry to return. We are
tired, too, Wat; and it's not civil in you to make such a request. You will have to fight for it, and with no half spirit. You must just
use all your strength and skill in it, and a little cunning besides. As he says himself, there's no two ways about him. He will
come to the scratch himself, and make everybody else do so. So, then,
you see what's before you. I must have men quick of foot, keen of sight, and cunning as a
black-snake; and they mustn't be afraid of a knock on the head either. "I see not why you should ask the question, sir. You will
judge, therefore, for yourself, of the risk you run." "I always do, Mr. Munro," said the youth. "What, tired already, Wat? At length the hour had come. CHAPTER IX. They well knew the
assigned duties of the guard, and felt their peril. There's no
reason, indeed, why we shouldn't; for if we don't fix them, we are done
up, every man of us. "How is this, my good fellows? said the Georgian; "you bear it bravely, sir. "One, sir, whom my neighbors, it seems, have appointed to answer for
them." We're up
to trap, you see." With this insolent speech, Dexter contrived to show his impatience of
the parley, and that brutal thirst which invariably prompted him to
provoke and seek for extremities. I am not
bound to satisfy you, or any of your company, of the truth of the
commission under which I act. The
beleaguered force, as we have seen, was well protected. was the reply. He spoke again:--
"You'd better not, captain, I advise you. Don't trouble us, now; and be off, as soon as you can, out
of harm's way. It had been
no object with him to place himself in safety, for the consideration of
his own chance of exposure had never been looked to in his mind, when,
under the noble impulse of humanity, he had rushed forward, if possible,
to recall the little party, who either did not or were unwilling to hear
his voice of warning and prevention. The reply was immediate--
"Ay, ay; now prize away, boys, and let go." "You come for your death, and you shall have it!". It is a history and all read it. Not so with the rest--with Forrester in particular, whose
mental distress, though borne with manliness, was yet most distressing. "And what say you to this accusation, Guy Rivers? and you know it, Munro, as well as myself. "I deny it all--I deny it. It's not true, young man. It's not true, my
friends; don't believe a word of it. Now, Munro, how can you speak so? The negro, a black of
the sootiest complexion, now advanced:--
"No, maussa." "Berry true, maussa; if you no dere, you no dere. You can not swear me out of my
conviction and the integrity of my senses. I am resolute in the one
belief, and do not hesitate here, and in the presence of himself and all
of you, to pronounce him again all the scoundrel I declared him to be at
first--in the teeth of all your denials not less than of his! "If your object be merely to insult me, young man, I forgive it. Look around you, young man!" Rivers, you think,
assaulted you, and had the worst of it. Be quiet
about the matter, go on your way, and leave us to ourselves. In a week and the judge will arrive, and the court will be in
session. Take your
choice." was the calm reply. "I always took him for a poor chicken, from the first time I set eyes on
him," said one of the spectators. "Come, 'squire, how's this? Don't let him crow over old
Carolina--don't, now, squire! "Ay, bring him forward, Forrester. Let him be a man, if he can," was the
speech of one of the party. "Come,'squire, let me say that you are ready. "You mistake me greatly, Forrester, if you suppose for a moment that I
will contend on equal terms with such a wretch. "I know that, 'squire, and therefore it provokes me to think that the
skunk should get off. Now, do try!" "And what if they do, Forrester? If any of them doubt it, let him try me. Let one of them raise a hand or lift a finger upon me, and make the
experiment. "I'm afraid, 'squire, they can't be made to understand the difference
between a gentleman and a squatter. So
here goes." If you have anything to ask at my
hands, when I have done with him, I shall be ready for you," was the
reply of Rivers. I told you so. He has called you a coward, and
you will have to fight him at last." As for this felon, the hangman for
him--nobody else." Before he could arrest his own progress, the youth
had closed in upon him, and by a dexterous use of his foot, in a manner
well known to the American woodman, Rivers, without being able to
interpose the slightest obstacle to the new direction thus given him,
was forcibly hurled to the ground. Before he could recover, the youth was upon him. "Fair play is all I ask, boys--fair play, and we can lick the whole of
you. Let him
stand up, and be knocked down. How's it, 'squire--you an't hurt, I
reckon? I hope not; if you are, I'll have a shot with Rivers myself on
the spot." But Munro interposed: "We have had enough outcry, Forrester. Take this young man along with you, or it will be worse for
him." CONSPIRACY--WARNING. Touching the initial affair with the squatters, he had no compunctious
scruples. They took the adventure at their
peril, and suffered accordingly." "I know not what your title may be to the grounds you have defended so
successfully, and which you have styled your castle, nor shall I stop to
inquire. "A sermon, a sermon from the young preacher, come, boys, give him Old
Hundred. But go
on--come to a finish--mount upon the stump, where you can be better seen
and heard." "Why, that's something like, now--that's what I call manly. You do seem
to have some pluck in you, young sir, though you might make more use of
it. We must talk of other matters. "Stay, young master, not so fast. Hob roared lustily, and was dragged
from his cover. They would
have proceeded in like manner to the treatment of Ralph, but that Guy
Rivers himself interposed to allay, and otherwise direct their fury. At length she brought him back to the
subject of the recent strife. You can now travel without inconvenience from
your late injuries, which do not appear to affect you; and the sooner
you are gone the better for your safety. Believe me, and in your confident strength do
not despise my warnings. She shook her head mournfully, but without reply. Believe me, you are in danger,
and have but little time for delay. I would not thus hurry you, but that
I would not have you perish. No, no! you have been gentle and kind, as
few others have been, to the poor orphan; and, though I would still see
and hear you, I would not that you should suffer. REMORSE. "Not so much a matter of choice, now, 'squire, as you imagine. "How,--by what means?" They are creatures of such delicate construction, and their
affections are of such like character, that, like all fine machinery
they are perpetually operated on by the atmosphere, the winds, the dew,
and the night. "We are more cunning--more shy and cautious; and seldom, after a certain
age, let our affections out of our own custody. We are perpetually on the lookout for
enemies and attack; we dread pitfalls and circumventions, and we feel
that every face which we encounter is a smiling deceit--every honeyed
word a blandishment meant to betray us. They have few of these
influences to pervert and mislead. They have nothing to do in the
market-place--they are not candidates for place or power--they have not
the ambition which is always struggling for state and for self; but,
with a wisdom in this, that might avail us wonderfully in all other
respects, they are kept apart, as things for love and worship--domestic
divinities, whose true altar-place is the fireside; whose true sway is
over fond hearts, generous sensibilities, and immaculate honor. But all this is wide of the mark, Forrester,
and keeps you from your story." "My story isn't much, Master Colleton, and is easily told. "The feeling is melancholy enough, but it is just the one which should
test your manhood. But what am I
to do, 'squire? With regard to your affections, I can say little. "And wouldn't I do so, 'squire?--I would be a happy fellow if I could. It
would be very easy, when you are once well settled, to claim her as your
wife." It's quite a snug
farm, as you may see. Now, ain't she a
sweet creature? Come, 'light--you shall see her close. Make yourself
quite at home, as I do. I make free, for you see the old people have all
along looked upon me as a son, seeing that I am to be one at some time
or other." He throws his
thoughts into his eyes, and they speak enough for all his purposes. He strove, but vainly, to relate the
melancholy event to which we have already sufficiently alluded. The girl heard her lover patiently;
but when he narrated the catastrophe, and told of the murder of the
guard, she no longer struggled to restrain the feeling, now too strong
for suppression. As she spoke, her small hand rested upon his wrist with a passionate
energy, in full accordance with the spirit of her language. You can not have given aid to those bad men, whom you
yourself despise. He strove, but in vain, to reply. Speak for him, sir, I pray you; tell me--he will not tell
himself!" "Why, Kate, Katharine--forgive her, sir; Kate--Katharine, my dear--you
forget. He can tell all. Thus urged, Ralph, in a few words, related the occurrence. "And this is all true, Mark--must I believe all this?" was the inquiry
of the young girl, after a brief interval. "And how came it, Mark?" was the inquiry of the maiden; "and why did you
this thing?" "Ay, you may well ask, and wonder. From one thing I went on to another, and
I knew nothing of what had been done until all was done. The offender was deeply excited, and felt poignantly. "And what is to be the end of all this, Mark? "To the nation, mother--where else? "Or what--what mean you by that word, that look, Mark? I do not
understand you; why speak you in this way, and to me?" "Forgive me, Katharine--dear Katharine--but you little know the madness
and the misery at my heart." "And have you no thought of mine, Mark? "And why part, Mark? As for my daughter, she can not
take up with you, seeing your present condition. "No talk, Mark--seeing that it's no use, and there's no occasion for it. It must be as I say. Take your parting, and try to forget old
times, my good fellow. I think well of, and am sorry for you, Mark, but
I can do nothing. The girl is my only child, and I must keep her from
harm if I can." Apart from this, his
reason, though a stern, was a wise and strong one. But the adieus of the
lovers, in this instance, were not destined to be the last. And this was reason
enough. They had tasted of its sweets a thousand times, and could well
understand and appreciate that air of romantic and fairy-like seclusion
which so much distinguished it, and which served admirably in concert
with the uses to which it was now appropriated. "And should I not be sad, Mark, and should you not be sad? Forbear then, dear
Kate, as you love yourself. Let us
speak of our future hope--if hope there may be for me, after the stern
sentence which your lips uttered in part even now." I know the place well, and have been through it
before. "And why not do so now--why stop at all among the Cherokees? Why not go
at once into Mississippi, and begin the world, as you propose in the end
to do?" and leave you for ever--now Kate, you are indeed cruel. "As I do, Mark--I say nothing which I do not feel. "It can not be, Kate--it can not be. No--it must not be. Hear me, Kate--hear me, and say I have
not worked altogether in vain. I have acquired some little by my toils,
and can acquire more. He spoke with deep energy, and she looked inquiringly into his face. Fy, Mark." Ay, Katharine, fly with me
from all--and yet not for ever. "Spare your speech, Mark--on this point you urge me in vain," was the
firm response of the maiden. "I know not, Mark, what may be the pledge which you would have from me,
to which I could consent with propriety. If, then you truly
love me, you will, I am sure, ask nothing that I should not grant. "It shall come with no risk, Kate, believe me, none. "It is strange, Mark, that you should speak in a manner of which there
is so little need. "So it should, Kate--and so it would, perhaps, could I now reason on any
subject. But my doubts are not now of your love, but of your firmness in
resisting a control at variance with your duty to yourself. "I know them not as such, Mr. Allen. I had your own sanction to my
engagement with Katharine, and do not see that after that you had any
right to break it off." "Are you, dear father?--Oh, I am so happy!" "Hush, minx! the business is mine, and none of yours.--Hark you, Mark. Enter them in Kate's name, and they'll be secure. "Oh, dear father--this is so good of you!" "Pshaw, get away, minx! Won't you go in and take supper? There's something left, I reckon." It had been his
only tutor, and had taught him nobly in numberless respects. "Well, Blundell's gone too, they say. A few
more will follow, and we must both be out of the way. There's no danger from him;
besides, they say, he's off too. We are perfectly
agreed as to this, and no more scruples." "You see for yourself, Wat, there can be no other way; for as long as he
lives, there is no security. "But why not let him start, and take the woods for it? We have determined on the thing, and
the sooner we set about it the better. I am resolute
for the rest." "Yes--it is silent in its office, and not less sure. Are all asleep,
think you--your wife?" "Well, the sooner to business the better. As she reached the door, a feminine scruple came over
her. The sounds were repeated, and the words grew
more and more distinct. "You here, Miss Munro, and at this hour of the night!" "Forgive me, sir, forgive me. I believe you fear for me, but may you
not have exaggerated the cause of alarm to yourself? What have I to
fear--from what would you save me?" "Nay, ask me not, sir, but fly. I can not
tell you all, nor can you with safety bestow the time to hear. "But from whom, Miss Munro, am I to fear all this? "Oh, heed not these false scruples. If you would survive this night, take advantage of the
warning and fly. "But who are they of whom you speak, Miss Munro? If I must fly, let me
at least know from what and whom. What are my offences, and whom have I
offended?" "That is soon told, though I fear, sir, we waste the time in doing so. They have plotted your death, and will not scruple at its
performance. They would murder you in your bed, and walk from
the scene of their crime with confidence into the very courts of
justice." Indeed, I have reason
to know that what you say of Rivers, I have already realized in my own
person. You see, too, I have arms which may prove troublesome
to an enemy." He would have resisted this conduct, and himself taken the lead in the
advance; but, placing her small and trembling hand upon his arm, she
insisted upon the course she had prescribed, and in a manner which he
did not venture to resist. It was, under all the circumstances, a curious survey for the youth. He
was a man of high passions, sudden of action, impetuous and
unhesitating. Your footstep is unsteady, and but now the stairs
creaked heavily beneath you. If you are determined in this thing, be
not imprudent." --he muttered, between
his closed teeth. It must be so with him. It is not
in my nature to do so; and as long as this boy can sleep at night, I can
not. "Hark!--heard you nothing, Munro--no sound? "Thou hast a quick ear to-night, Guy, as well as a quick step. that can not be. Indeed, I see not that his evidence,
even if he gives it, which I very much doubt, can do us much harm,
seeing that a few days more will put us out of the reach of judge and
jury alike." A few moments sufficed to throw the saddle upon his steed,
without arousing the sable groom; and having brought him under the
shadow of a tree at some little distance from the house, he found no
further obstruction in the way of his safe and sudden flight. He received it, but only to place it again in her hand, reuniting
it to the chain. "Keep it," said he, "Miss Munro--keep it until I return to reclaim it. Do not hesitate longer--you have heard the determination of
Rivers--this disappointment will only make him more furious. Fly, then,
and speak not. It
is the dullest, and if they pursue, they will be most likely to fall
into the other." THE OUTLAW AND HIS VICTIM. The parties were fairly quits, and there was no love lost between them. Still, Edgar Munro did not look upon his brother as utterly bad. Unhappily, however, for these sentiments, he was too much under the
control and at the mercy of his colleague to resist or refuse his
application for her person; and though for a long time baffling, under
various pretences, the pursuit of that ferocious ruffian, he felt that
the time was at hand, unless some providential interference willed it
otherwise, when the sacrifice would be insisted on and must be made; or
probably her safety, as well as his own, might necessarily be
compromised. Unhappily, this passage also contained the stairway
flight which led into the upper story of the building; and, in her haste
to accomplish her return, she had penetrated too far to effect her
retreat, when a sudden change of direction in the light which Rivers
carried sufficed to develop the form of that person, at the foot of the
stairs, followed by Munro, just returning from the attempt which she had
rendered fruitless, and now approaching directly toward her. it is you then, fair mistress, that have done this work. Munro, you
must look to these rare doings, or they will work you some difficulty in
time to come." The uncle did not obtain, nor indeed did he appear to expect, any answer
to his inquiries. "Oh, sir! "Come, mistress--pray answer to this. Unhand
me, coward--unhand me. "Your speech is bold, fair mistress, and ill suits my temper. You are my property--my slave, if I so please it,
and all your appeals to your uncle will be of no effect. Nothing. At this moment, Munro returned with a lamp. The affrighted girl again
appealed to him, but he heeded her not. He is worthy of the love of others, and for this, too, I hate
him. Fool that you are, he cares not for you. "Hear me, then! your life is in my hands, and at my mercy. "Never, never, as I hope to live. not yet. "You offer highly, very highly, Guy Rivers, and I should be tempted to
anything, save this. Release my hand, sir, and suffer me to retire." "He is safe, and by this time, I hope, beyond your reach. I hate him with a sleepless, an
unforgiving hate, that can not be quieted. I tremble with joy, not fear. I did it all. He has done so, and I bless him for the sanction." You teach him our designs, and labor to thwart them yourself. Hear me, girl! Beware, then, how you chafe me. "I know not what you mean, and have no fears of anything you can do. On
this point I feel secure, and bid you defiance. I
say no more. It is enough that he is in safety; before a word of mine
puts him in danger, I'll perish by your hands, or any hands." "Then shall you perish, fool!" Lucy sprang towards him convulsively, and vainly endeavored at its
recovery. He loves _her_, girl--she, whom I--but why should I
tell it you? is it not enough that we have both loved and loved in vain;
and, in my revenge, you too shall enjoy yours." "I have nothing to revenge, Guy Rivers--nothing for you, above all
others, to revenge. Give me the miniature; I have it in trust, and it
must not go out of my possession." You cannot have
the picture--it belongs, or should belong, as well as its original, to
me. Declare, for the last time--what road he took." She was alone with a ruffian, irresponsible and
reckless, and she had many fears. I have you in my power--my fullest
power--with nothing to restrain my passion or my power, and--"
She struggled desperately to release herself from his grasp, but he
renewed it with all his sinewy strength, enforcing, with a vicelike
gripe, the consciousness, in her mind, of the futility of all her
physical efforts. he said. "Do you comprehend me." she cried. I defy your power and your
malice!" With a husky horror in her
voice, she cried out:--
"You dare not! monster as you are, you dare not!" then shrieking, at the
full height of her voice--"Save me, uncle! I defy you. You dare not, ruffian! The creeping terrors of her voice, as she spoke, contradicted the tenor
of her speech. why, not so
difficult a matter either! she sunk senselessly at his feet, even as a falling
corse. Even at this moment, Munro entered the apartment. "What have you been doing, Guy?" "Ay, but there are some threats, Guy, that call for throat-cutting. Look
to it. "Why not carry her to her chamber--put her in bed, and let us be off?" said Rivers. was the answer. The girl had evidently received a severe shock. Munro shook his head,
and looked at Rivers angrily. "See to it, Guy, if any harm comes to her." said the other, "she is recovering now." He was right. The eyes of the sufferer unclosed, but they were
vacant--they lacked all intelligence. Munro pulled a flask of spirits
from his pocket, and poured some into her lips. "She will do now," muttered Munro. "She will recover directly. I don't oppose you now, seeing that
we've got to do it." "Come, come, let her alone, and be off," said Munro. "As long as you are
here, she'll be in a fit! See to the horses. There's no use to wait. "Let her go, Guy!" It was
womanlike to do so, and I can't blame her. if she avows it, there's no harm!" "And you _would_ be talking," retorted the landlord. For an
experienced man, Munro, you are duller than an owl by daylight." "I'm afraid so," answered the other coolly. He has been cool enough about it, for saddle and bridle are both
gone. said Rivers, seizing and examining it. Let us be off. Lucy
is recovering, and you can now leave her in safety. "Stop that, Guy! For a man of action, you use more of an unnecessary tongue than
any living man I ever met. Oh,
don't glare upon me! "Ay, ready!--She's opening her eyes. Our horses are refreshed by this, and are in readiness. Why this wild, this uncalled-for
exhortation?" "Not wild, not uncalled-for, uncle, but most necessary. Wherefore would
you pursue the youth, arms in your hands, hatred in your heart, and
horrible threatenings upon your lips? If you
would do no murder, not so he. He will do it--he will make you do it,
but he will have it done. Approach me not--approach me not--let me
perish, rather! As she spoke, she sank at the feet of the person she addressed, her
hands were clasped about his knees, and she lay there shuddering and
shrinking, until he lifted her up in his arms. If you knew all
that I know--if you feared what I fear, uncle--you would nigh slay him
on the spot." "She has mistaken me, Munro--"
"Say no more, Guy. She has not _much_ mistaken you, or I have. Let us
speak no more on this subject; you know my mind, and will be
advised.--Let us now be off. We'll skirt the village, and not go through it," said
Munro. "As you will. Here, he was to begin a new life. Kate Allen should be his solace, and there
would be young and lovely children smiling around his board. "Well, well," said Rivers, "if you say so, it must be so; though I am
sure, if we push briskly ahead, we shall find our bargain in it. He's
a tough colt, I take it, and will show fight unless you surprise him." "Stay--hear you nothing now, as the wind sets up from below? Your ears to-night are
marvellous quick, but they catch nothing. I have observed it on
more than one occasion myself, and in my own person. "This won't do for me, Guy; I know you too well to regard you as one
likely to be influenced by notions of this nature--you must put me on
some other scent." But the fact is, my hate to the boy
springs from certain influences which may not be defined by name--which
grow out of those moral mysteries of our nature, for which we can
scarcely account to ourselves; and, by the operation of which, we are
led to the performance of things seemingly without any adequate cause or
necessity. He is my black cat, and his
presence for ever throws me into fits." "Upon this point, Munro, you may be correct. "This is all very true; and from infancy up we do this thing, but the
cause can not be in any loathsomeness which its presence occasions in
the mind, for we perceive the same boy destroying with measured torture
the gaudiest butterfly which his hat can encompass." "_Non sequitur_," said Rivers. some of your d----d law gibberish, I suppose. But, with the butterfly, the case is altogether different. He first
catches, and does not fear to hold it in his hand. The feelings are all perfectly
natural, however, which prompt his proceedings. "Not at all," was the immediate and ready response of his companion. "Not at all. This was no mystery to me, for I very well knew that you
had no choice, no alternative. "Pshaw, Munro, that is the case now--that is the necessity and
difficulty of to-day. "It is true. "You may well wonder, Munro. I could not well explain the mystery to
myself, were I to try; and it is this which made the question and doubt
which we set out to explain. With such a spirit, how could I be what men style and consider
a good man? There
are no drones so perfect in the world as the truly orthodox. Look, for instance, at the execution of a
criminal. I was the victim of a tyranny, which, in the end, made me too
a tyrant. I was, for the first time, studying
rogues, and the study of rogues is not unaptly fitted to make one take
up the business. _I_, at least, found it to have that effect. In short, I grew
ambitious. It did not
escape me, and--but you know the rest." "I do, but would rather hear you tell it. "Ay, that was another, and not the least of the many reverses which my
ambition was doomed to meet with. But, he was rich, and I
poor. stop with that, if you please." "Well, well! This taught me, too, the
value of money--its wonderful magic and mystery. I knew, by instinct, how to lap
blood; you only taught me how to scent it! I knew my appetite, and felt that
it was native. This youth is the favored, the successful
rival. But hear the case as I put it, and not as it is put by the majority. I was denied my birthright, and
rebelled. Surely not. They willingly became slaves, and are punished in
more ways than one. We must take this course,
and spur on, that we may get ahead of him, and be quietly stationed when
he comes. We shall be there
in time." At length the horseman approached, and in silence. "Stay--away, Guy!--we are mistaken--this is not our man!" What have I done to you,
that--oh!--"
The tones of the voice--the person of the suffering man--were now
readily distinguishable. It must be done now." Save me, Wat, if you have a man's heart in your bosom. I--oh, spare me!" And the dying man threw up his hands feebly, in order to avert the blow;
but it was in vain. Munro would have interposed, but, this time, the
murderer was too quick for him, if not too strong. "Kate!--ah!--O God, have mercy!" Boldly and coolly then, he broke the silence which
was certainly a painful one to Munro if not to himself. I owed him a debt. It is paid. If fools will be in the way of danger, they must take the consequences." You may spare your groans, if
they are designed for repentance. "It is a sad truth, though the devil said it." "Well, rouse up, and let's be moving. So far, our ride has been for
nothing. They would be of little service to-night, in a
longer chase." "It will be no wonder, Guy, if the whole country turn out upon us. You
are too wanton in your doings. Wherefore when I told you of your error,
did you strike the poor wretch again." was the response of Rivers. "You talk like a child. But the fact is, he could
not have lived. "I did--there was a fresh track, and our coming upon Forrester proves
it. As for this bull-headed fellow,
he deserves his fate for his old insolence. He was for ever putting
himself in my way, and may not complain that I have at last put him out
of it. "Why not?--What should we do with it, I pray? Give it me." He will doubtless go to old
Allen's clearing, and carry the first news. But we may as well strip him. "Well, are you ready for a start? Let us be off"
"So say I, but I go not back with you, Wat. "What--you are for the crossroads, again," said Munro. I shall see Dillon and the rest of them by morning, and
prepare for the difficulty. My disguise shall be complete, and if you
are wise you will see to your own. I would not think of flight, for much
may be made out of the country, and I know of none better for our
purposes. A few moments sufficed to effect the
lightening of the woodman's purse of the earnings which had been so
essential a feature in his dreams of cottage happiness; and while
engaged in this transfer, the discontent of the landlord with his
colleague in crime, occasionally broke out into words--
"He carries himself highly, indeed; and I must stand reproved whenever
it pleases his humor. A second glance made out the steed of
our traveller, which he approached and examined. The pace of our traveller, we have said, was slow. It was already cocked. In a moment the rider will occupy the same spot--and
then! And so, daily, with the best of us--and the least fortunate. Is there, indeed, a God?" He was thus far safe. "But I was so terrified, Guy," she added, "that I had not presence of
mind enough to thank him." "And what should be the value of your spoken thanks, Ellen? But, how is the old
lady now? "She is sinking fast, Guy, and is now incapable of speech. Her eye is even now fixed upon me, and with the
old expression. "You mistake, Ellen, or would keep the truth from me. Had another done to me as I have done to her, I
should not have slept till my hand was in his heart." Look not upon her, Guy, I pray you, or let me turn
away my eyes." "Your spirit, Ellen, is more gentle and shrinking than hers. "Horrible, Guy! "Well, well--let us not talk further of this. "I have, and some drops which are said to stimulate and strengthen." "I fear they are now of little use, and may only serve to keep up life
in misery. The girl had no uttered anguish--she
spoke not her sorrows aloud; yet there was that in the wobegone
countenance, and the dumb grief, that left no doubt of the deep though
suppressed and half-subdued agony of soul within. "Guy, Guy, speak not so, I pray you. "But it did so say, Ellen, and of this I am satisfied. Hear me, girl. "Think not so, I pray you. She had much cause to curse, and often would
she have done so, but for my sake she did not. Oh, no! "Yes, yes--but no matter. We must now talk of other things, Ellen; and
first of all, you must know, then, I am about to be married." He was a
stern tyrant--one, however, who did not trifle. Now indeed you are the tyrant which my old mother said, and all
people say, you are." "Nay, nay--forgive me, Guy--let me not reproach--let me not accuse you. Do with me as you
please; and yet, if you are bent to wed with another, and forget and
overlook your wrongs to me, there is one kindness which would become
your hands, and which I would joy to receive from them. Will you do for
me this kindness, Guy? Nay, now be not harsh, but say that you will do
it." "This is kind--this is much, Guy; but not much more than you have been
accustomed to do for me. I have your pledge, therefore--have I not?" "That is kind--that is as you ought to be. "Oh, forgive me, Guy, I know not what I ask or what I do. Do with me as you will--I will obey you--go
anywhere, and, worst of all, behold you wed another; ay, stand by, if
you desire it, and look on the ceremony, and try to forget that you once
promised me that I should be yours, and yours only." "Oh, that is no grief, now, Guy," was the rather hasty reply. Oh, no! this
is no grief, now; it was grief but a little while ago, but now you have
made it matter of rejoicing." "Think not of it,--speak no more in this strain, Ellen, lest you anger
me." "But this night, Guy--there is little of it left, and I am sure you will
not be expected before the daylight. "You will not be alone, and if you were, Ellen, you have been thus
lonely for many months past, and should be now accustomed to it." "Why, what had you to alarm you? "So I had your assurance, and when I thought, I believed it. Besides, it is only for the one night, and in the
morning I shall send those to you who will attend to your own removal to
another spot, and to the interment of the body." "What matters it where, Ellen? "I do feel that love; I would, Guy that I felt it not--that it did exist
only in my words. "Be calm, Ellen," he said, "recover and be firm. Think not, girl, that I forget you. THE CAMP. "Oh, what--my trade? My father was jest like myself, and
swore, before I was born, that I should be born jest like him--and so I
was. He was a 'cute old fellow,
and swore he'd make me so too--and so he did. "Well, then, I'll tell you. It does
everything for a man, and he larns to make everything out of nothing. There's no two ways about
it. "Well, that was jest the way with me when I was a boy. I had nobody to
help me out of the mud--nobody to splice my spokes, or assist me any
how, and so I larned to do it myself. If it has, I shall be in a tearing passion." "Oh, to be sure, friend--you an't up to my idee. It must be that none ever travels in those parts--selling
their tin-kettles, and their wooden clocks, and all their notions." "Oh, yes, they do. The pedler had somewhat "overleaped his shoulders," as they phrase it in
the West, when his companion drew himself back over the blazing embers,
with a look of ill-concealed aversion, exclaiming, as he did so--
"Why, you ain't a Yankee, air you?" The pedler was a special pleader in one sense of the word, and knew the
value of a technical distinction as well as his friend, Lawyer Pippin. His reply was prompt and professional:--
"Why, no, I ain't a Yankee according to your idee. "No, to be sure not. It's high time, I reckon, that we
do so." "Why, you are tough to-night, my old buck," was the somewhat crabbed
speech of the visiter. "Well, that wouldn't be altogether kind on your part, old fellow, and I
mightn't be willing to let you; but, as you seem not disposed to be
civil, I suppose the best thing I can do is to be off." "Ay, ay, be off. Leave you alone, and Jack Ketch will save us shot." "Ha, ha!" "How now, Lambert! you have been at dead fault," was his sudden address,
as he returned, to one of the party. "I did that, sir, and did it, I thought, to the very mark. Besides, if we keep the look-out to-morrow, as we shall, we can settle
the business without any such risk." The pedler contenting himself with guessing that "them 'ere
chaps did not make no great deal by that speculation." THE OUTLAWS. There was, besides, but
little necessity for its employment. He arrived at the cave, as we have said just as the day was breaking. "Despair is the true philosophy,
since it begets indifference. "Yet there is one hope--one chance--one path, if not to her affections,
at least to her. "I came at your own call, captain. I myself have been riding all
night, and shall be off in another hour. "I hear but little, sir. I have heard, too,
of something like a brush betwixt Fullam's troop and the miners at
Tracy's diggings, but no particulars, except that the guard got the
worst of it." They are
brushing up their rifles, and they speak out plain." "The more sport for us--but this is all idle. It will all end in talk,
and whether it do or not, we, at least, have nothing to do with it. But,
there is drink--fill--and let us look to business before either of us
sleep." "Nine or ten miles, perhaps, or more." But not so with _him_--not so with _him_. was his inquiry. "I wander, Dillon, and am half-asleep. It is on this business, then, that you are to
go. You must be the officer to take him." if within reach, you know there is no difficulty." said the outlaw, rising impatiently. "He holds his place and his life at my disposal, and he knows it. "He has been very scrupulous of late in all his dealings with us, you
know, and has rather kept out of our way. There
are such men, and he may he one of them. She heard the refusal of her liege to do the required duty, therefore,
with an astonishment, not unmingled with a degree of pleasure, as it
gave a full excuse for the venting forth upon him of those splenetic
humors, which, for some time, had been growing and gathering in her
system. ARREST. Let us
hear your plan, and I suppose it will be effectual in our object, and
this is all I want. He contrived, however, to do
nothing himself. To Edith, what could he say? Pippin had looked for such an invitation, and was already in attendance. Touching the dagger, he could say nothing. He had
discovered its loss, but knew not at what time he had lost it. But the pedler, in his own release from custody, was not forgetful of
his less-fortunate companion. The mental agony of the youth, when thus informed, can not well he
conceived. He was, for a time, utterly prostrate, and gave himself up to
despair. Bunce was an active coadjutor with the lawyer in this melancholy case. He followed, mile after mile, its
sinuosities. It was a wild, and, seemingly, an untrodden region. Bunce
knew the people well, and exhibited his most unreluctant manner. Bunce was less communicative, however, than the stranger. But, I reckon, he'll have to make up
his mind to it." "Oh, no! don't say so, now, my friend, I beg you. "Why, only from what I _heer'd_ you say. "Oh, yes. It's but a poor chance with him now, I guess. I'd a notion
that I could find out some little particular, you see--"
"No, I don't see." Everybody has a say, you
know." "No, I don't know." "Do you think I will, and you may be looking arter her too? 'Drot my old
hat, strannger, but I do itch to git at you." "Oh, now, Mr. Williams--"
"I won't answer to that name. Call me Chub Williams, if you wants to be
perlite. Why, everybody ought to love her. Now,
if you don't love her, I'll hammer you, strannger, off hand." "Well, I must see her," exclaimed Bunce. I'm sure I oughtn't to be afraid, and no more I
a'n't. Won't you go there with me, Chub?" "Can't think of it, strannger. The pedler made sundry efforts to procure a companion for his adventure;
but finding it vain, and determined to do right, he grew more resolute
with the necessity, and, contenting himself with claiming the guidance
of Chub, he went boldly on the path. But there, according to the
idiot, was Lucy Munro concealed. He looked around, and the scene was well calculated to affect a nervous
mind. The pedler, in another and more
secure department of the robbers' hiding-place, was solaced with the
prospect of a long and dark imprisonment. "Come down, then, you rascal!" was the reply, as, with a laugh, lowering
the weapon, he awaited the descent of the spy. "My name ain't Bur, Mr. Guy; my name is Chub, and I don't like to be
called out of my name. How dare you spy into my dwelling, and send other
people there? Speak, or I'll skin you alive!" "Now, don't, Mr. Don't, I beg you! 'Taint right to talk so, and I
don't like it!--But is that your dwelling, Mr. Guy, in truth?--you
really live in it, all the year round? Now, you don't, do you?" "Now, don't touch Chub, Mr. Mother said you were a dark man, and
told me to keep clear of you. Don't touch me agin, Mr. You hear
his account of me, gathered, as he says, and as I doubt not, from her
own lips. "But, Chub, will you not come and live with me? "You will beat Chub when you are angry, and make him shoot people with
the rifle. If folks say harm to Chub, he can lick 'em
with his fists. I can lick _him_, and I told him
so. But he called me Chub, and I made friends with him." "Yes, you shall see him, and--"
"And Miss Lucy, too--I want to see Miss Lucy--Chub saw her, and she
spoke to Chub yesterday." She threw herself prostrate upon her couch, and strove not to
think, but in vain. Bunce was not slow to devise various measures for the further promotion
of the scheme, none of which, however, served the purpose of showing to
either party how they should get out, and, but for the idiot, it is more
than probable, despairing of success, they would at length have thrown
aside the hope of doing anything for the youth as perfectly illusory. ESCAPE. The only persons who know of our
retreat, and might be troublesome, are safe in our possession. I say, Guy, there
must be no more blood--I will not agree to it. "Why, you are grown parson. I shall look for it after this, and consider myself no
longer in safety. I am not a good man, I know--anything
but that; but you have carried me on, step by step, until I am what I am
afraid to name to myself. "I dare not. I
hear some devil whispering it too frequently in my ears, to venture upon
its utterance myself. "I do feel it, Munro, but have long since ceased to fear it. But when I began, I felt it. The
one spectre superseded the other, until all vanished. But, let
us have no more of this. "Am I a child, Walter Munro, that you ask me such a question? He went on:--
"Ask me no questions, Munro, so idle, so perfectly unnecessary as this. He falls through _me_, yet falls by
the common hangman. "And would you return, if you could do so?" "Why, what is this, Briggs; what see you?" "Shall I shoot, sir?" was the inquiry of Briggs, as the urchin stood
off, laughing wildly at his good fortune. "Now, don't"--was the cry--"Now, don't"--was the exclamation of Chub
himself, who, however, trusting nothing to the effect of his entreaty,
ran vigorously on his way. "No--let him live, Munro. Let him live. Let him live, let him live!" A few moments sufficed for this, and the panic was universal among the
inmates of the rock. DOOM. "Oh, no--no, your honor--my client--Mr. Colleton--how can you think such
a thing? I know
that my own words will avail me nothing here--I also know why they
should not--but I am surely entitled to require that he should speak
out, as to the truth, when _his_ misrepresentations are to make weight
against me in future. Let him swear, your honor, to the fact: this,
I think, I may require." The pedler was overjoyed, and concluded that the danger was
now safely over. How, but by showing the guilt of her uncle? I may not say what I
know--I can not--you would not expect me to reveal it. You must not be surprised, if we are slow in believing what you
tell us, until you can show upon what grounds you make your statement. This is what you
must do. "Oh, how can I speak all this? "He--who?--Oh, no, I can say nothing. I am sure of it--some other hand--some other person. Can you do this, Miss Munro? "I do." "Perfectly." "Frequently." "Yes." Press her no farther, therefore, I entreat you. Oh, no--no! Now speak, Lucy, if you can." The counsel had
closed with the argument, and the judge proceeded in his charge to the
jury. But the jury had no doubts. They deliberated,
indeed, for form's sake, but not long. In a little while they returned
to their place, and the verdict was read by the clerk. "Guilty." "Guilty--guilty--Oh, my father--Edith--Edith--have I lived for this?" He arose with composure, and
followed, with firm step, the officer to his dungeon. He buried his
face in his hands, and the warm tears gushed freely through his fingers. In a moment he recovered all his manliness and calm. "Why, they took her back to the old tavern. A great big woman took her
there, and looked after her. No, neither him, nor Rivers, nor any of the
regulators--thank the powers--ain't to be seen nowhere. They're all
off--up into the nation, I guess, or off, down in Alabam by this time,
clear enough." "Men--if I said men, I was 'nation out, I guess. Nothing better than women, and no small women
neither. Didn't see a man in the neighborhood, but Chub, and he ain't no
man neither." "Why, for that matter, he's neither one thing nor another--nothing, no
how. In this manner the pedler informed Ralph of all those previous
particulars with which he had not till then been made acquainted. The pedler had seen none but women, or those so disguised as such as to
seem none other than what they claimed to be--while Lucy had been
permitted to see none but her uncle and aunt, and one or two persons she
had never met before. Nothing, he well knew, could affect his family. Lucy, indeed, had eyes for few objects, and thoughts but for one. and loving him as she did,
and hating or fearing his enemies? To whom, then, could she apply? Her condition, during her
illness, was freely described to her. "Uncle--" she spoke at last--"you are here, and I rejoice to see you. We have no
time for fear. "Doubt me not, uncle: I rave no longer. I am now calm--calm as it is
possible for me to be, having such a sorrow as mine struggling at my
heart. He must not die--he must not die, my uncle;
though we save him--ay, save him--for another." I feel all that you have said,
and the thought and the feeling have been my madness. I must speak, or I
shall again go mad. But what I
have said, is said to _you_. I would not--no, not for worlds, that he
should know I said it--not for worlds!" she started up, and again addressed herself
to the landlord. "Speak, uncle! tell me, is there yet time--yet time to
save him I When is it they say he must die?" "On Friday next, at noon." "And this--?" "He must not die--no, not die, then, my uncle! You owe it him as a debt--you owe it me--you owe
it to yourself. I know you can not doubt--you must
not doubt--you must believe. "Why, you forget, Lucy, my dear child--you forget that I too am in
danger. "You do me wrong, Lucy--great wrong, believe me. "Speak not of _him_--_say to him nothing_--you must do it _yourself_ if
you do it all. I am not able to advise, nor will you need my
counsel. "What is impossible?--nothing is impossible in this work, if you will
but try. Do not hesitate, dear uncle--it will look easier if you will
reflect upon it. There's the pedler, who is quite willing, and
Chub--Chub will do much, if you can only find him out." I don't
see how we're to work it, Lucy--it looks more difficult the more I think
on it." "Oh, if it's only difficult--if it's not impossible--it will be done. Do
not shrink back, uncle; do not scruple. Save him, uncle--and
hear me as I promise. "It is true. I hope not to survive it. Do with me as
you please then, but let him not perish. He trembled, and his lips quivered
convulsively as he took her hand into his own. I will do what I can, my poor child, to redeem the trust of your
father. I will do my best for
Colleton--the thing is full of difficulty and danger, but I will try to
save him. He will
not think so well of me if you do; and, though he may not love, I would
have him think always of me as if--as if I were a woman." "No more of this, uncle, I pray you. I was wrong and rash, and I blame
you not. "Speak not thus--not of this, Ralph, if you would not have me perish. I
am fearfully sick now, my head swims, and all is commotion at my heart. A woman, was it
not--speak, who is she--let me go to her--she will not refuse to tell me
all, and do all, if she be a woman." A pretty
joke, indeed. Sir, it ruined him. I saw, from that moment, how the cat would
jump. I pitied the poor fellow, but what more could I do?" "Oh, surely not too late! "Oh, proof! Why, you did not think that was the true state of the
case--that was only the case I was to present to the jury." "Not a tittle, sir. Your
only hope, sir is to present a plausible conjecture to the jury. What you leave undone, they will do. Where you exhibit a
blank, they will supply the words wanting. Only set them on trail, and
they'll tree the 'possum. Look, how I should have made out the story. Well, they're
to meet at the forks by midnight. Kate cries, and Forrester storms. Well, _must_ come
comes at last. They kiss, and are off--different ways. "Well, well, if he didn't swear then, he might very well have sworn, and
I'll be sworn but he did on that occasion; and it was very pardonable
too. "God bless your soul, no! Do you suppose, if it was the truth, it would
have taken so long a time in telling? I have her now upon my own terms. It must be done: but how? At this period the door opened, and a stranger stood abruptly before
them. "None, sir, is intended, which may not be atoned for," was the reply. He looked at the maiden while speaking, but his words were
addressed to her father. "I need not tell you, sir, that the hopes of your nephew are gone. The doom is pronounced, the day is assigned, and the
executioner is ready." "Is your purpose insult, sir, that you tell us this?" More than this I dare not; and I shall
not be willing to yield to unknown conditions, prescribed by a stranger,
whatever be the object: but speak out at once, sir, and keep us no
longer in suspense. Go, my
daughter." But the stranger interposed, with a manner not to be questioned:--
"Let her remain, Colonel Colleton; it is, indeed, only to her that I can
reveal the mode and the conditions of the assistance which I am to
offer. "But, sir, this is so strange--so unusual--so improper." Edith looked up in astonishment, but there was no recognition in her
glance. "Who was--who is--or, rather, who is now willing again to be your
friend, Miss Colleton," was the immediate reply. "Yes, and so I will gladly call you, sir, if you succeed in what you
have promised." "I have yet promised nothing, Miss Colleton." "True, true! but you say you have the power, and surely would not
withhold it at such a time. Oh, speak, sir! tell me how you can serve us
all, and receive my blessings and my thanks for ever." But we should not be ignorant of one
another in such an affair, and at such a time as this. "Ay, that was the name once-but I have another now. I know your feeling for
this young man--I saw it then, when you repulsed me. "Keep me no longer in suspense--speak out, Mr. Creighton"--she cried,
gaspingly. "Many--many, Mr. Rivers--I hope there are many. Your
thoughts are gentle, and may sooth all spirits but my own. But sounds
that lull others, lull me no longer. The storm which
blighted me has seared, and ate into the very core. I can save the
youth--I will save him, though I hate him; but the conditions are fatal
to your love for him." "Hear me, then. As Creighton, I loved you years ago--as Guy Rivers I
love you still. It can not be. "None--none. Accept them, and he lives--I will free him, as I promise. Refuse them--deny me, and he must die, and nothing may save him then." "Then he must die, sir!--we must both die--before we choose such terms. Sir, let me call my father. You have
chosen a cruel office, but I can bear its infliction. You have
tantalized a weak heart with hope, only to make it despair the more. But
I am now strong, sir--stronger than ever--and we speak no more on this
subject." To-night you must
determine, or never." No more, sir!" One far less happy in his love
than you, who would willingly die for him this hour. "No, not less ready for death--as I live--not less willing to free him
with the loss of my own life. "Be it so, sir. Be it so. "Believe me, I shall not desire it." He would have renewed his suggestions, but while repeating them,
a sudden commotion in the village--the trampling of feet--the buzz of
many voices, and sounds of wide-spread confusion, contributed to abridge
an interview already quite too long. PROPOSED RESCUE. With such a man, to reflect is simply
to _calculate_. With this feeling in his bosom, Munro was yet unapprized of
its existence. It carries the
knife, it strikes the blow, but is not always the chooser of its own
victim. Bunce was a long-sighted fellow, and beheld the
promise which it held forth, at a distance, of a large and thriving
business in the neighborhood; and he had too much sagacity not to be
perfectly aware of the advantage, to a tradesman, resulting from a prior
occupation of the ground. But this was not all. The pedler was alone in his cottage, discussing, most probably, his
future designs, and calculating to a nicety the various profits of each
premeditated branch of his future business. Bunce was no lover of old women, nor, indeed,
of young ones either. "It is. It's pesky full
of trouble; dangerous, too. well, I guess I will, if you'll jest say what's
to be done. I'll lend a hand, to be sure, if there's no trouble to come
of it. "Can you fight, Bunce? "Why, if I was fairly listed, and if so be there's no law agin it. I must have a little time to consider." "No, to be sure not. It's a kind
of calico, I guess; but them's not fast colors, friend. I should say,
now, you had been taken in pretty much by that bit of goods. It aint the
kind of print, now, that's not afeard of washing." "Now, don't! "None other than yourself, Bunce. You are the man, and I can bring a
dozen to prove it on you." "Well, well," said the landlord "we burn daylight in such talk as this. It must be
right, though, if she says it; and sartain she's a sweet body--I'll go
my length for her any day." "Enough for our purpose. Tongs is a brute who will drink as long as he
can stand, and some time after it. Brooks is rather shy of it, but he
will drink enough to stagger him, for he is pretty weak-headed. We have
only to manage these fellows, and there's the end of it. "Yes, I know; but you don't count young Brooks?" "Oh, he's a mere boy. Say nothing of the
boy; let him stay or come, as they think proper. When here, ply them well, and then we shall go on according
to circumstances. Brooks carries the keys along with him: get him once
in for it, and I'll take them from him. If he resists, or any of them--"
"Knock 'em down?" "Ay, quickly as you say it!" "Well, but how if they do not bring the boy, and they leave him in the
jail?" "But, then, they'll fix the whole business on my head. "They dare not. "Now, don't be in a passion! You're as soon off as a fly-machine, and a
thought sooner. And I'm sure I'm ready, and aint at all afeared, no how. "And what then? Think of that, Bunce. Large business
that, I guess, in the long run. Be sure and come to me then. No pizen, I hope! I don't go that, not I--no pizening for
me." "Oh, laudnum. "Well, that's all--it's only to get them asleep sooner. We have no time to lose; and, if this contrivance
fails, I must look about for another. It must be done to-night, or it
can not be done at all. In an hour I shall return; and hope, by that
time, to find you busy with their brains. The pedler took the money--why not? it was only proper to spoil the
Egyptians--and, after detailing fully his plans, Munro left him. SACK AND SUGAR. He had
travelled much, and was no random observer. The pedler did the honors with no little skill, and Tongs plunged
headlong into the debauch. I'll tell you. Now, don't
be afeared, Master Brooks. There's no teeth in whiskey, and it never
bites nobody." You don't mean to say I takes too much, Ben
Brooks. Does you say so, Mr. "No, thank ye, no. You don't take half
enough, now, it's my idee, neither on you. Come, pass round the bottle. Here's
to you, Master Tongs--Master Brooks, I drink your very good health. But
fill up, fill up--you ain't got nothing in your tumbler." "No, he's a sneak--you're a sneak, Brooks, if you don't fill up to the
hub. It's what I call nation good, now; no mistake in it, I tell
you." "True Monongahely, Master Bunce. Give us your fist, Mr.
Bunce; I see you know's what's what. You ain't been among us for
nothing. You've larned something by travelling; and, by dogs! The pedler winced under the equivocal compliments of his companion, but
did not suffer anything of this description to interfere with the
vigorous prosecution of his design. The pedler joined, as well as Tongs, in the
merriment--this latter personage, by the way, having now put himself
completely under the control of the ardent spirit, and exhibiting all
the appearance of a happy madness. "That's jest my idee, now, Master Tongs. A song is a main fine thing,
now, to fill up the chinks. First a glass, then a puff or two, and then
a song." Unhappily, however, for the pedler, the measure
was so grateful to Tongs, that, before the former could officiate, the
latter, with a desperate effort, reached forward, and, possessing
himself of his own glass, he thrust another, which happened to be the
only undrugged one, and which Bunce had filled for himself, into the
grasp of the jailer. The glass designed for Brooks was now in the
pedler's own hands, and no time was permitted him for reflection. now--who are you, I say? See, he's too sober by
half!" no, no--guess he's drunk--drunk as a gentleman. I say, now--what
must I do?" The pedler, only
half conscious, turned nevertheless to the half-sleeping Tongs, and
resolutely drove his fist into his face. To whom do I owe all this, if it comes not
of your own head?" You can not reward
her as she deserves to be rewarded--as, indeed, she only can be rewarded
by you, Mr. Colleton. Bad enough, Mr. Colleton--bad enough,
as you must know by this time. Life, sir, is uncertain with all persons,
but far more uncertain with him whose life is such as mine. Mine has been a life of
sin, Mr. Colleton, and I must look for its wages. But, don't think, sir, that fear for myself makes up my suffering. She was my brother's child, Mr. Colleton, and a
noble creature she is. But something tells me, sir, I have not long to live. I
have a notion which makes me gloomy, and which has troubled me ever
since you have been in prison. In this dream I see my brother always, and always
with the same expression. He looks at me long and mournfully, and his
finger is uplifted, as if in warning. But--go on with your
suggestion. Still, I can not rid
myself of this impression, which sticks to me like a shadow. I am sure they
spoke the truth, and I must prepare for it. Not so with the youth. They are
chosen--ply the spur, and follow close after me." He looked round in astonishment upon the
condition of all things around him, ignorant of the individual who had
wrested from him his charge, besides subjecting his scull to the heavy
test which it had been so little able to resist or he to repel; and,
almost ready to believe, from the equally prostrate condition of the
pedler and his brother, that, in reality, the assailant by which he
himself was overthrown was no other than the potent bottle-god of his
brother's familiar worship. Such certainly would have been his impression but for the sack in which
he had been enveloped, and the absence of his keys. More than ever
irritated by this idea, the outlaw was bold enough, relying upon his
disguise, to come forward, and while all was indecisive in the
multitude, to lay plans for a pursuit. "Why, how now, Chub--do you not see me?" "Well, but, Chub--why do you call yourself an owl? You don't want to see
me, boy, do you?" "Why, you dog, didn't you help to steal her away? "Yes, so Chub's mother said--but you can't whip Chub. Chub laughs--he
laughs at all your whips. Chub
don't mind the hickories--you can't catch Chub, to whip him with your
hickories. Try now, if you can. "Ha, ha, ha! In a moment, the old influence was predominant, and in undisguised
terror he cried out--
"Now don't--don't, Mr. More than life, with
him, depended upon his speed. "On, sir--on, Mr. Colleton--this is no moment for graceful attitude. If we must die,
why--any death but a dog's. "Two miles at the least, and a tough road. These horses--on, Syphax, dull
devil--on--on!" Shall we try a
birth there, or push on for the river?" inquired Munro. "Push on, by all means--let us stop nowhere--we shall be safe if we make
the nation," was the reply. "Ay, safe enough but that's the rub. The sounds
are very clear to-night--a sign of rain, perhaps to-morrow. On, sir! "Ah, that's because you have not the ears of an outlaw. He has the ears of the devil, when his blood's up. At
this time, if they heard us before, they can not hear us. "Forward, I say. "Drive in--drive in--there are two fords, each within twenty yards of
the other, and the river is not high. The next turn, and we are on the banks." "Ay, there it is--now to the right--to the right! Look not behind you. They are close upon us, and the flat is on the
other side. He fell, at length, and the youth came up with him. "Who speaks--speak again, that I may know how to believe him." "It is I, Munro--I, Ralph Colleton." It is all over, and he came not
to me for nothing. Yet, can I have no lights--no lights?--Ah!" "Well, Mr. Colleton, what I said was true. I had
warning enough to prepare, and I did try, but it's come over soon and
nothing is done. He recovered and proceeded:--
"Yes, Mr. Colleton, I am a dead man. But, no
matter--we must talk of other things. "No, it is I--Colleton." "I know--I know," impatiently--"who else?" "Enough, then, for your safety, Mr. Colleton. They can prove it all, and
then remember Lucy--poor Lucy! Stoop--stoop, you three--where are you?--stoop, and hear what I
have to say! "We are here, beside you--we hear all that you say. I, too, am guilty! he exclaimed, suddenly, as some one
of the individuals present suggested a difficulty on this subject. Look,
Mr. Colleton, look--you know the law. If you are satisfied, I am. Say no harsh
words in her ears--but, why should I ask this of you, whom--Ah!--it goes
round--round--round--swimming--swimming. In substance, the youth was now free. "And what of all this--what is all this to me?" They're all round us, and I
don't think we're safe here another day. Indeed, I only come to see if
you wouldn't be off with me, at once, into the 'nation.'" For yourself, you must determine
as you think proper. "And why not go along with me, captain? I hate to go alone, and hate to
leave you where you are. "Perhaps not, Dillon; but there is reason, or I should not stay. We may
not go together, even if I were to fly--our paths lie asunder. Go you, therefore, and heed me not; and think of me
no more. Make yourself a home in the Mississippi, or on the Red river,
and get yourself a fireside and family of your own. Am I to be haunted for ever with such as you, and with words like
these?" "I do you wrong, Dillon; but on this subject I will have no one speak. was the response of Dillon, in unaffected astonishment. "Ay, man--my mother! She,
did not _tell_ me to lie, or to swindle, or to stab--no! oh, no! She roused my passions, and not my _principles_,
into activity. She provoked the one, and suppressed the other. Did my
father reprove my improprieties, she petted me, and denounced him. She told me not to lie; and she lied all day to him, on my account,
and to screen me from his anger. Had she
not done all this, I had not been here and thus: I had been what now I
dare not think on. It is all her work. "This is a horrible thought, captain; yet I can not but think it true." "It is true! I have analyzed my own history, and the causes of my
character and fortunes now, and I charge it all upon her. am I so low as this, that I may
not be permitted to be alone when I will? Why linger,
then, where you are no longer needed? I have that to perform which
requires me to be alone, and I have no further time to spare you. was
the stern response. "Then I am your officer still--you will go with me, or I shall remain." "Neither, Dillon. You are
discharged from my service, and from your oath. Go--be a happy, a better man, in another part of the world. You
had no mother to change them into scorn, and strife, and bitterness. Go--you may be a better man, and have something, therefore, for which to
live. Besides, it makes not anything with you, and would
detain you without a purpose. He would have lingered still, but Rivers waved him off with a
farewell, whose emphasis was effectual, and, in a few moments, the
latter sat once more alone. They all
fly the darkness, and this is human courage. They love themselves only,
or you only while you need no love; and this is human sympathy. Poor Ellen--so gentle, so resigned, and so fond of
her destroyer; but I will not see her again. I shall see Munro, and he shall lose no time
in this matter. "And wasn't she the gal for me,
And wasn't she, I pray, sir,
And I'll be _drot_, if you say not,
We'll fight this very day, sir. We'll fight this very day, sir." "Why, where's your house, Chub?" "You ain't looking for it, is you? I've a better house
than Guy Rivers--he don't take the tree at all, no how." "And can't you show us where, Chub? Guy
Rivers has plenty to eat, but he cursed Chub's mother." "Well, show us where he is, and we'll give you plenty to eat. Plenty of
potatoes and corn," was the promise of the party. "But you needn't be afraid now, little Chub. You're a good little
fellow, and we'll keep with you and follow close, and there shall be no
danger to you. We'll fight Guy Rivers for you, so that he can't hurt you
any more." He'd break through the ropes, he would, if he on'y stretched
out his arms." His selfishness was appealed
to, and all his faculties were on the alert. "Saftly back--saftly now, this way. Then he mout hear, you see, and Guy's got ears like the great
owl. He kin hear mighty far in the night, and see too; and you mustn't
step into his holes. Saftly,
now--and here away." His vigilance, now doubly keen, awakened to its watch. Here, throwing himself upon his couch, he seemed disposed to sleep. Sleep, indeed! But, there was no disappointment among the hunters. In this matter, the idiot could give them little help. Here, then, they were at a stand; but, according to Chub's directions,
there must be a mode of ingress to still another chamber from this; and
they prepared to seek it in the only possible way; namely, by feeling
along the wall for the opening which their eye had failed to detect. They had to do this on hands and knees, so low was the rock along the
edges of the cavern. How easily it could be defended, the hunters
perceived at a glance. But there is a limit to the endurance of
the most iron natures, and the outlaw had overpassed his bounds of
strength. These, finally, grew into perfect sentences. "Dying like a dog, in her sight! Ay, she shall see it! where her pride then?--her high birth and station?--wealth, family? Dust, shame, agony, and death!" But all was not exultation. Certainly, had there been but one, he could have
dealt with him, and kept out others. "Surrender, Guy! we're too much for you, old fellow!" Meanwhile, Brooks, the jailer, joined the
party. "We're _three_ on you, and there's more without." What have I done to you, but good? you have sold yourself for these, then, to my enemies. You are a
bad fellow, Chub--a worse fellow than I thought you. As an idiot, I
fancied you might be honest and grateful." "You're bad yourself, Mr. Guy. Guy; they've got you on your
back, Mr. But there is an instinct in it. Yet he has had
nothing but protection from me, and kindness. Do with me as you please." He fortunately left her in
possession, and we know how the law estimates this advantage. It is enough for the relief of such natures, if we say that
the widow Munro was not wholly inconsolable. So far, then, she was at peace. She heard all this in
silence, but not without thought. But even that
was much, and she felt it deeply. You must come with us, and
live with my uncle--with my cousin Edith--"
"Edith!" You will love
her, and she, I know, will love you as a sister, and as the preserver of
one so very humble as myself. It is enough that you are now free from all such
danger--enough that all things promise well for the future. "Nothing, nothing, Mr. Colleton. Indeed, I am already well. Go on,
sir--go on!" "Lucy, why these titles? Call me Ralph--or Colleton--or--or--nay, look not so
coldly--why not call me your brother?" "Brother--brother be it then, Ralph Colleton--brother--brother. God
knows, I need a brother now!" "Ah, now, you look--and now you are indeed my sister. Hear me, then,
Lucy, and listen to all my plans. "It may not be, Ralph--I have determined otherwise. "Not unhesitatingly--not unhesitatingly, I assure you. "And what is that one circumstance, dear Lucy, which affrights you so
much? Let me know. "Ask me not, Ralph. I may not utter it. It must not be whispered to
myself, though I perpetually hear it. "Strange, strange girl! "Never--never. Hear me, Ralph--my
brother!--hear me. In a moment of peril to you or to another, I would
be the same woman. But the strength which supports through the trial,
subsides when it is over. It is so with me. Ask me not further, Ralph, on this
subject. This is as much as I can do, Ralph
Colleton--is it not enough?" "And what are your plans, Lucy? Let me know them, at least. "Ay, happy, Lucy! That is the word. You must not be permitted to choose
a lot in life, in which the chances are not in favor of your happiness." "And why not, my sweet sister? Her face became very grave, as she drew back from him. "Nay, my sweet Lucy! "You mock me!--I pray you, mock me not. "Oh, no, Ralph! "Lucy, your esteem is one of my most precious desires. Certainly, for this object, I should be always truthful." "You are, Ralph! I believe you." "When I praised you, I did not mean merely to praise. I have _felt_ them, Lucy, and paint them only as they
are. Your beauties of mind and person--"
"Oh, do not, I implore you!" "Yes, I must, Lucy! why will you, sir--why, Ralph?--"
"You must not sacrifice yourself, Lucy. You must not defraud society of
its rights. The girl heard him, but with no strengthening of self-confidence. But, of course, she did not breathe the
sentiment. I thank you, I thank Miss Colleton, for the
kindness of this invitation, but I dare not accept it. My lot is here with my aunt, or where she goes. Why, Lucy, your aunt tells me that she means to continue in
this establishment. "You forget, Ralph, that it was here I met with you," was the sudden
reply, with a faint smile upon her lips. "You forget--my aunt." "Oh, fie, Ralph!" She will
marry again, Lucy, and is not the woman to choose wisely. Besides, she
is not your natural aunt. "She has been kind to me, Ralph." You must not remain here, Lucy." "Frankly, then, Ralph, I do not mean to do so long; nor does my aunt
mean it. "Forgive me, Ralph, but I must not tell you." "Better that I should not--better, far better! I have done my part, and you, Mr. Colleton--Ralph, I
mean--you have done yours. Here, then, let our conference end. It is enough that you have
complied with the dying wish of my uncle--that I have not, is not your
fault." "Not my fault, Lucy, but truly my misfortune. "What!--not happy, and she with you!" You, my sister, and--"
"Say no more--"
"No more now, but I shall try other lips, perhaps more persuasive than
mine. Bring her not here, Ralph Colleton! He bore her
to the sofa, and laid her down silently upon it. He would have been the blindest and most obtuse of
mortals, did he now fail to see. "What is the matter, Mr. She cried out, as he entered--
"Well, Ralph, she will come with us?" "No!--and why not, Ralph! "She will not see you, Edith." "Why, Ralph, that is very strange. "Mean, Edith, it means that I am very unfortunate. "Why, what can _you_ mean, Ralph. This is,
surely, a place of more marvels than--"
"Hear me, Edith, my love, and tell me what you think. In short, do you think me
capable of playing the scoundrel. "Heaven grant it be so," answered Ralph. "Well, whether so or not, do not distress yourself. I will answer for
it, you are not to blame. And here, let me whisper a little secret in
your ears. I acquit you of
_lèse majesté_, Ralph, so put off your doleful faces." We owe this dear girl a
heavy debt--I do, at least." "And we shall try and pay it, Ralph. "My own, my generous Edith--it was ever thus--you are always the noble
and the true. Go, then--you are right--you must go alone. She
approached the sufferer, who lay half-conscious only on her couch. "Oh, why are you here--why did you come?" "To know you--to love you--to win you to love me, Lucy. I would be
worthy of your love, dear girl, if only to be grateful. I have heard all." not all--not all, or you never would be here." "Yes, Lucy, the woman has keener instincts than the man, and feels even
where he fails to see. My pleasant labor, Lucy, shall
be to win your love--to force you to love me, whether you will or no. Now, I am an only child, Lucy. "Yes, Lucy, and as a husband! I must have _you_,
also, Lucy." "Oh, no, no! Hear me. I know
that I am asking of you, Lucy, what I would ask of no ordinary woman. The cheeks of Lucy flushed suddenly, but she said nothing. "Do with me as you will, Edith, my sister." We shall be off now in a couple of hours or
so, and you must not keep us waiting. Pack up at once, man, and make
yourself ready." Well, you won't have to wait for me. But, I say, Master Ralph,
there's one little matter I'd like to look at." Be quick, now, for I've much to see to." "Only a minute. "Just the man for business, I take it." I can't, sir--'tain't my
way, I assure you. "Rely upon us, Bunce. "I know'd it, Master Colleton. "No blarney, Bunce. "Oh, that? I know his tricks,
and he'll find me up to them." "And what is it you require of me in this matter?" You see I must try
and larn how to please my customers, that is to be. It consisted of old Allen, his wife, and daughter Kate. The pedler still lingered, until a bend in the road
put his company out of sight; when, driving up to the idiot, who stood
with open mouth wondering at his own wealth, he opened upon him the
preliminaries of trade, with a respectful address, duly proportioned to
the increased finances of the boy. You ain't in
want of nothing, eh? "There's a knife for you, Chub Williams--only two bits. He was indignant. "But gee um time, Misser Bunce--gee um time! Gee um dat, and le's be
moving! The pedler was rebuked. He looked first at Cæsar, then at Chub, and
finally handed the boy the knife. There, Chub, there's a knife for you. You're a good
little fellow, as well as you knows how to be." that's the how, is it?" The wreck of intellect, of genius,
of humanity. In respect to his human fortunes, the voice was utterly without pity. He
had summed up for himself, as calmly as possible, all his chances of
escape. He must be something, or he must perish. Unhappily, he had not been permitted a choice. Hang the wretch, say they, but say nothing
about him. Certainly, none are utterly forgotten! He knew not,
at first, how to receive her. "Turn not away!--speak to me, Guy--speak to me, if you have pity in your
soul! I am strong now, strong--very strong
since I can say so much. I am come to be with you to the last, and, if
it be possible, to die with you; and you shall not refuse me. "Yes, Ellen! Well!--you may stay. It needed but
this, if anything had been needed, to show me my own impotence." "Cruel to the last, Guy--cruel to the last! Were not prayer better--if you will not pray, Guy, let me. Guy, will you join me in prayer?" "My knees are stiff, Ellen. Bend, bow with me, Guy--if you have
ever loved the poor Ellen, bow with her now. "He died not for me. Speak no more of this, Ellen; you know nothing
about it. It is all folly." "To you, Guy, it may be. Hear me, then--Guy, hear the prayer of the
poor Ellen, who surely has some right to be heard by you. Kneel for me,
and with me, on this dungeon floor, and pray--only pray." "And what should I pray for, and what should I say--and whom should I
curse?" Say, though but a single sentence, but say it in the spirit
which is right." His will must be done, and will be done,
whether I say it or not. This is all idle--very idle--and to my mind
excessively ridiculous, Ellen." "Not so, Guy, as your own sense will inform you. But I am a poor scholar, and have no
words to prove this to your mind, if you are not willing to think upon
the subject. As she spoke, she threw herself before him, and clasped his knees firmly
with her hands. He lifted her gently from the floor, and for a few
moments maintained her in silence in his arms. I will do as you require." "Oh, will you? I would not be seen in such a
position, nor while uttering such a prayer." "Oh, be not ashamed, Guy Rivers. Be the man, the--"
"Be content, Ellen, with my terms. Either as I please, or not at all. Give me your hand, now." She did so, and he placed it upon his bosom, which was now streaming
with his blood! "Not for your life, Ellen--not for your life! It is all useless. The stream flows now which will soon cease to flow, and
but one thing can stop it." "Oh, what is that, Guy?--let me--"
"Death--which is at hand! Now, Ellen, do you forgive me? "From my heart I do, believe me." "It is well. I am weak. It is some
time, Ellen, since it has been there. Pray,
Ellen, that it beat not long. Now--lips--give me
your lips, Ellen. "All, all!" THE END.