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diff --git a/old/14731-h/14731-h.htm b/old/14731-h/14731-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5c959b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14731-h/14731-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10249 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue, by Warren T. Ashton</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + hr.full { width: 100%; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress +of Bellevue, by Warren T. Ashton</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue</p> +<p>Author: Warren T. Ashton</p> +<p>Release Date: January 19, 2005 [eBook #14731]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HATCHIE, THE GUARDIAN SLAVE; OR, THE HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Robert Shimmin, Charlie Kirschner,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<h1>HATCHIE</h1> +<h1>THE GUARDIAN SLAVE;</h1> +<h4>OR</h4> +<h2>THE HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE.</h2> +<h3><i>A Tale of the Mississippi and the South-west</i></h3> +<h4>BY WARREN T. ASHTON.</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center">"Here is a man, setting his fate aside, Of +comely virtues."<br /> +<br /> +SHAKSPEARE<br /> +<br /> +<p> </p> +"Is this the daughter of a slave?"<br /> +<br /> +KNOWLES.</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h6>Boston:<br /> +B. B. Mussey and Company,<br /> +and<br /> +R. B. Fitts and Company.</h6> + +<h4>1853</h4> +<p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="center"><table> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#INTRODUCTION"><b>INTRODUCTION.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>CHAPTER XXV.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXVI.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXVII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXVIII.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXIX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>CHAPTER XXX.</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CONCLUSION"><b>CONCLUSION.</b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr /> +<p> </p> +<h6>Reprinted 1972 from a copy in the<br /> +Fisk University Library Negro Collection<br /> +<br /> +New World Book Manufacturing Co., Inc.<br /> +Hallandale, Florida 33009</h6> +<p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<p>In the summer of 1848 the author of the following tale was a +passenger on board a steamboat from New Orleans to Cincinnati. +During the passage—one of the most prolonged and +uncomfortable in the annals of western river navigation—the +plot of this story was arranged. Many of its incidents, and all its +descriptions of steamboat life, will be recognized by the voyager +of the Mississippi.</p> +<p>The tale was written before the appearance of "Uncle Tom's +Cabin,"—before negro literature had become a mania in the +community. It was not designed to illustrate the evils or the +blessings of slavery. It is, as its title-page imports, a +<i>tale</i>; and the author has not stepped out of his path to +moralize upon Southern institutions, or any other extraneous topic. +But, as its <i>locale</i> is the South, and its principal character +a slave, the story incidentally portrays some features of +slavery.</p> +<p>With these explanations, the author submits the tale to the +public, hoping the reader will derive some portion of the pleasure +from its perusal which he experienced in its preparation.</p> +<p>BOSTON, <i>November</i> 18, 1852.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>HATCHIE:</h1> +<h1>THE GUARDIAN SLAVE.</h1> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Antony</i>. You grow +presumptuous.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Ventidius</i>. I take the +privilege of plain love to speak.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Antony</i>. Plain +love!—Plain arrogance! plain insolence!"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">DRYDEN.</span></p> +<p>On the second floor of a lofty building in —— +street, New Orleans, was situated the office of Anthony Maxwell, +Esq., Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Commissioner for Georgia, +Alabama, and a dozen other states. His office had not the usual +dusty, business-like aspect of such places, but presented more the +appearance of a gentleman's drawing-room; and, but for the +ponderous cases of books bound in law-sheep, and a table covered +with tin boxes and bundles of papers secured with red tape, the +visitor would easily have mistaken it for such. The space on the +walls not occupied by book-cases was hung with rich paintings, +whose artistic beauty and elevated themes betokened a refined +taste. The floor of the room was covered by a magnificent tapestry +carpet. The chairs, lounges and tables, were of the most costly and +elegant description. The windows were hung with graceful and +brilliant draperies. Every arrangement of the office betokened +luxury and indolence, rather than the severe toil and privation to +which the aspirant for legal honors must so often submit. The +costly appurtenances of the apartment seemed to indicate that the +young lawyer's path to fame was over a velvet lawn, bedecked with +beautiful flowers, rather than the rough road, steep and crooked, +over which the greatest statesmen and most eminent jurists have +trodden.</p> +<p>The occupant of this chamber was stretched at full length upon +one of the luxurious lounges, puffing, with an abstracted air, a +fragrant regalia. He was a young man, not more than five-and-twenty +years of age, and what ladies of taste would have styled decidedly +handsome. His face was pale, with a certain haggard appearance, +which indicates the earlier stages of dissipation. His complexion +was of a delicate white, unbrowned by the southern sun, and the +skin was so transparent that the roots of his black beard were +visible beneath its surface. His jet-black hair hung in rich, wavy +curls, which seemed to be the especial care of some renowned +tonsorial artist, so gracefully and accurately were they arranged. +His black eye was sharp and expressive when his mind was excited in +manly thought; but now it was a little unsteady,—disposed to +droop, and wander, as though ashamed to express the emotions which +agitated his soul. Altogether, his features were classic; but there +was something about them which the moralist would not like—a +sort of lascivious softness mingling with the nobler intellectual +expression, that warned him to beware of the Siren, while he +admired the Apollo.</p> +<p>The marks of vice were visible in his countenance. They had not +yet become canker-spots on the surface, but they rankled and +festered beneath that fair field of physical and intellectual +grandeur.</p> +<p>The young attorney was dressed in the extreme of fashion, yet in +good taste. Though he wore all the fashion demanded, he did not +court ridicule by overstepping its flickering lines. He was not the +over-dressed dandy, but the full-dressed gentleman of refined +taste, in his external appearance.</p> +<p>Anthony Maxwell had been educated at a northern institution. A +year before his introduction to the reader, he had entered his +father's office in the capacity of a partner, where, by an assumed +devotion to business, he had effectually deceived his father and +his clients into the belief that he was a steady, industrious young +man. His talents were of a very respectable order, which, +superadded to a native eloquence and an engaging demeanor, had +enabled him to acquit himself with much credit in the cases +intrusted to his management. A few months after his professional +<i>début</i>, his father's decease had placed him in +possession of a very lucrative practice and a moderate fortune, +thus enabling him in some degree to follow the bent of his own +inclinations. To those whose habits and desires were similar to his +own, he was not long in unfolding his true character, though not to +a sufficient extent to destroy at once his professional prospects. +The irresponsible life of the man of leisure had more charms to him +than an honorable distinction in his profession. To labor in any +form he had an intolerable repugnance. His fortune was not +sufficient to allow an entire neglect of business; therefore he +determined to practise law in an easy manner, until a rich wife, or +the "tricks" of his craft, would permit an entire devotion to the +pleasures of affluence.</p> +<p>In accordance with this idea, his first step, after the death of +his father, had been to locate himself in the magnificent +apartments we have described. He gave up the house in which his +father had dwelt, and, fitting up a sleeping-room in the rear of +the office with oriental splendor, his life and habits were free +from the scrutinizing gaze of friend and foe, and he found himself +situated as nearly to his mind as his income would permit. These +indications of a dissolute life were viewed with distrust by the +more respectable of his clients. His subsequent actions were not +calculated to increase their confidence; yet, for the respect they +bore to the father's memory, they were slow in casting off the +son.</p> +<p>Mr. Maxwell smoked his cigar, and occasionally uttered an +impatient exclamation, as though some scheme he was turning in his +mind refused to accommodate itself to his means. He was evidently +engaged in the consideration of some complicated affair; and the +more he thought, the more impatient he grew. He finished his cigar, +and lit another; still the knotty point was not conquered. His +haggard countenance at one moment was lighted up, as though success +had dawned upon his mental contest; but at the next moment it +darkened into disappointment, which he vented in an audible +oath.</p> +<p>While thus laboring in his perplexity, the door communicating +with the ante-chamber was opened, and the boy in attendance very +formally announced "Miss Dumont."</p> +<p>This announcement seemed to dissipate the vexatious clouds which +had environed the attorney, and a light and cheerful smile came, as +if by magic, upon his care-worn features, as he apologized to the +lady for the smoky atmosphere of the room.</p> +<p>"I trust your honored father is well," said he, after disposing +of the usual commonplace introductions of conversation.</p> +<p>"I regret to say that his failing health is the occasion of this +visit," replied the lady, in a cold and even serious tone. "I have +called to request your immediate attendance at Bellevue. My father +has some business matters upon which he requires your professional +advice."</p> +<p>"Col. Dumout, I trust, is not seriously ill," returned Maxwell, +with an appearance of sympathy.</p> +<p>"He is confined to his room, but not entirely to his bed. When +shall I say you will come?" said the lady.</p> +<p>"I will be there within an hour after your own arrival, if you +go direct."</p> +<p>"Very well, sir;" and she turned to depart.</p> +<p>This intention on the part of the lady did not seem to meet the +approbation of the attorney.</p> +<p>"Stay a moment, Miss Dumont," said he, in an embarrassed manner; +"pray, honor me with a moment's conversation."</p> +<p>"Nay, sir. I know too well your object in this request, and +cannot accede to it," replied the lady, in a firm and dignified +manner, while a rich crimson shade suffused her beautiful +countenance.</p> +<p>"Be not so unkind,—a moment is all I ask," said Maxwell, +with pleading earnestness.</p> +<p>"No, sir; not a moment. Your unopened letter, which I yesterday +returned, should be enough to convince you that my mind is not +changed," replied she, moving to the door.</p> +<p>The lawyer was vexed. The letter alluded to by the lady he had +received, and it had troubled him exceedingly. He had a great +purpose in view,—a purpose which, accomplished, would enable +him to realize the cherished object of his life,—would enable +him to revel in the ease and affluence he so much coveted. +Something must be done. Here was an opportunity afforded by the +providential visit of Miss Dumont which might never occur again, +and he resolved to improve it. Determined to detain her, he adopted +the first expedient which presented itself.</p> +<p>"Pardon me," said he, "I have not received the letter, and was +not aware that you intended to return it."</p> +<p>"Indeed!" replied the lady, with evident astonishment, as she +relinquished her hold of the door-handle, and returned to the table +by the side of which the attorney stood.</p> +<p>"I regret that I did not, as it would have saved you from +further annoyance, and me from a few of the hours of anguish with +which I have awaited your reply," returned the lawyer, in accents +of humility, which were too well feigned to permit the lady to +suspect them. "The bitterness of a blighted hope were better than +the agony of suspense."</p> +<p>A smile of pity and contempt rested upon the fair face of the +lady, as she turned her glance from him to the papers on the table. +There lay Maxwell's letter, with the envelope in which she had +returned it! She only pointed to it, and looked into his face to +read the shame and confusion her discovery must create.</p> +<p>Maxwell's pallid cheek reddened, as he perceived that his deceit +was exposed; but he instantly recovered his self-possession, and +said,</p> +<p>"Pardon this little subterfuge. I permitted myself to descend to +it, that I might gain a moment's time to plead with you for the +heart which is wasting away beneath your coldness. You do not, you +cannot, know the misery I have endured in possessing the love upon +which you so cruelly frown."</p> +<p>The passionate eloquence of Maxwell might have melted a heart +less firm than that of Emily Dumont. As it was, the cold expression +of contempt left her features, and, if not disposed to listen with +favor to his suit, she was softened into pity for his assumed +misery. Under any other circumstances, the lie he had a moment +before uttered would have forever condemned him in her sight. But +her charitable disposition compelled her to believe that it was the +last resort of a mind on the verge of despair.</p> +<p>"Mr. Maxwell," said she, "I am deeply grieved that you should +have suffered any unhappiness on my account."</p> +<p>"I will bless you for even those words," returned Maxwell, +hastily, feeling that he had gained the first point.</p> +<p>"But I do not intend to encourage your suit," promptly returned +the lady.</p> +<p>"Be not again unkind! Veil not that heavenly sympathy in the +coldness of indifference again!"</p> +<p>"I wish not to be harsh, or unkind. You have before given me an +index of your sentiments, and I have endeavored, by all courteous +means, to discountenance them."</p> +<p>"Yet I have always found something upon which to base a +flickering hope."</p> +<p>"If you have, I regret it all the more."</p> +<p>"Do not say so! Changed as has been your demeanor towards me, I +have dared to fan the flame in my heart, till now it is a raging +fire, and beyond my control."</p> +<p>"I cannot give my hand where my heart is uninterested," replied +the lady, feelingly. "I love you not. I am candid, and plain, and I +trust this unequivocal declaration will forever terminate any hope +you have cherished in relation to this matter. Painful as I now +feel it must be for you to hear, and painful as it is to me, on +that account, to declare it, I repeat—I can never reciprocate +the affection you profess. And now let this interview terminate. It +is too painful to be prolonged;"—and she again moved towards +the door.</p> +<p>"Do not leave me to despair!" pleaded Maxwell, earnestly, as he +followed her toward the door. "At least, bid me wait, bid me prove +myself worthy,—anything, but do not forever extinguish the +little star I have permitted to blaze in the firmament of my +heart—the star I have dared to worship. Do not veil me in +utter darkness!"</p> +<p>"I can offer no hope—not the slightest, even to rid myself +of an annoyance," replied Miss Dumont, with the return of some +portion of her former dignity; for the perseverance of the attorney +perplexed and troubled her exceedingly.</p> +<p>"You know not to what a fate you doom me," said Maxwell, +heedless of the lady's rebuke.</p> +<p>"There is no remedy;" and Miss Dumont grasped the door-knob.</p> +<p>"There is a remedy. Bid me wait a month, a year, any time, till +you examine more closely your own heart. Give me any respite from +hopeless misery."</p> +<p>"You have my answer; and now I trust to your honor as a +gentleman to save me from further annoyance," said Miss Dumont, +with spirit, for her patience was fast ebbing out.</p> +<p>"I will not <i>annoy</i> you," replied Maxwell, with emphasis, +as he assumed an air of more self-possession. "I have been pleading +for exemption from the direst of human miseries. But I will not +<i>annoy</i> you, even to save myself from endless woe."</p> +<p>"Forget this misplaced affection; for he assured my sentiments +will continue unchanged."</p> +<p>"I can never forget it; but I will strive to endure it with +resignation. I feel that I must still cherish the presumptuous hope +that you will yet relent."</p> +<p>"Destroy not your own peace; for the hope must be a vain one. +Good-afternoon;" and the lady departed before the attorney had time +to add another hyperbolical profession of a passion which, however +well acted, was not half so deeply grounded as he had led the +unsuspecting object of it to believe. That he really loved her was +to some extent true. That his love was earnest and pure, such as +the blight of coldness and inconstancy would render painful, was +not true,—far from it. He had sought her hand, not to lay at +her feet the offering of a hallowed affection, but to realize the +object we have before mentioned,—to enable him, by the +possession of her vast wealth, to live a life of ease and +pleasure.</p> +<p>He had commenced his attack upon her affections with some +prospect of success. To the occasional professional visit he paid +her father he had added frequent social calls, in which he had used +all his eloquence to enlist the sympathies of the fair daughter. +She had regarded him as an agreeable visitor; and, indeed, his +natural abilities, the unceasing wit and liveliness of his +conversation, had well earned him this distinction. Flattering +himself that he should be able to win her affections, he had +gradually emerged from the indifference of the mere formalist to +the incipient attentions of the devoted lover. These overtures were +not well received, and, if she had before treated him with the +favor which the agreeable visitor always receives, she now extended +to him only the stately courtesy of entire indifference. The +visible change in the cordiality of her receptions had opened his +eyes, and revealed the nature of his unpromising position. But his +disposition was too buoyant, his character too energetic, to allow +him to despair.</p> +<p>Latterly, however, a new obstacle to his suit had presented +itself, in the person of a rival, upon whom the object of his +ambitious wishes appeared to bestow unusual favor. This individual +was a young officer in the army, a sort of <i>protegé</i> of +the lady's father, who had been spending a furlough at Bellevue. In +the matter of fortune Maxwell's rival was not to be dreaded, for he +knew the lady was not mercenary in her views. The young captain was +penniless; but his family was good, and he had the advantage of +being a favorite with the father. He had won for himself a name on +the fields of Mexico, which went far to enlist a lady's favor. He +was a universal favorite both with the public and in the private +circle.</p> +<p>Maxwell considered this young officer a formidable rival, and he +resolved to retrieve himself at once. Upon his personal attractions +he relied to overcome the lady's disfavor; and, notwithstanding the +unequivocal intention of discountenancing his suit she had +manifested, he resolved to open his campaign by addressing her, +eloquently and tenderly, through the medium of a letter. He felt +that he could in this manner gain her attention to his +suit,—a point which his vanity assured him was equivalent to +a victory. But his philosophy and his vanity were both sorely tried +by the return of the letter unopened. His point was lost, and he +was harassing his fertile brain with vain attempts to suggest any +scheme short of honest, straight-forward wooing,—which the +circumstances seemed to interdict,—when the visit of the lady +herself rendered further efforts useless.</p> +<p>His position, resting, as it did, on the purpose of marrying the +heiress,—a purpose too deeply incorporated with his future +prospects to be resigned,—was now a desperate one. Through +the long vista of struggles and difficulties he saw his end, and +the fact that he had to some extent compromised his heart +stimulated him still more to meet and overcome the barriers that +environed him.</p> +<p>For an hour after the lady's departure the young lawyer pondered +the obstacles which beset him. With the aspect of an angry rather +than a disappointed man, he paced the office with rapid and +irregular strides. He could devise no expedient. A lady's will is +absolute, and he must bend in submission. He blamed his own +tardiness one moment, and his precipitancy the next; then he cursed +his ill luck, and vented his anger and disappointment in a volley +of oaths.</p> +<p>His meditations were again interrupted, by his attendant's +announcement of "Mr. Dumont."</p> +<p>"Ah, good-morning, sir! I was just on the point of going to +Bellevue. Nothing serious has happened, I trust," said Maxwell, +laying aside, with no apparent effort, his troubled visage, and +assuming his usual bland demeanor.</p> +<p>"Nothing," replied the visitor, gruffly.</p> +<p>"Your niece left the office an hour since," continued Maxwell. +"She requested me immediately to visit your brother."</p> +<p>"Which you have not done," returned the visitor, whom we will +style Jaspar, to distinguish him from his brother, Colonel +Dumont.</p> +<p>"But which I intend to do at once, a little matter having +detained me longer than I supposed it would."</p> +<p>"I will save you the trouble. The business upon which my brother +wished to see you was concerning his will."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir! I hope he is not dangerously ill," said Maxwell, +in apparent alarm.</p> +<p>"Not at all. The doctor says he will be out in a week; but he +thinks otherwise, and is now engaged in putting his house in +order," replied Jaspar, with a sickly smile.</p> +<p>"I am glad he is no worse, though it is better at all times to +be prepared for the final event."</p> +<p>"Perhaps it is," said Jaspar, coldly. "Here is a rough draught +of the will, which he wishes reduced to the usual form with all +possible haste. Will it take you long?"</p> +<p>"An hour or two."</p> +<p>"I will wait, then, as he requested me to bring you with me on +my return."</p> +<p>"It shall be done with all possible haste. There are cigars, and +the morning papers. Pray make yourself comfortable."</p> +<p>Jaspar seated himself, and lit a cigar, without acknowledging +his host's courtesy, while Maxwell applied himself to the task +before him. The first part of the will was speedily written; but +those parts which alluded to the testator's daughter, foreshadowing +the opulence that awaited her, he could not so easily pass over. +They were so strongly suggestive of the fortunate lot of him who +should wed her, that he could scarcely proceed with the work. An +hour before, she had veiled <i>his</i> prospects in darkness; now +he was preparing a will which would, at no distant day, place her +in possession of a princely fortune. His mind was so firmly fixed +upon the attainment of this treasure that it refused to bend itself +to the task before him.</p> +<p>Jaspar had finished his cigar, and began to be a little +impatient. Thrice he rose from his chair, and looked over the +lawyer's shoulder.</p> +<p>"This is an important paper," said Maxwell, noticing Jaspar's +impatience, "and must be executed with great care."</p> +<p>"So it is; but the colonel may die before you get it done," +observed Jaspar, coarsely, and with a crafty smile, which was not +unnoticed by the attorney.</p> +<p>"O, no! I hope not," replied Maxwell, exhibiting the prototype +of Jaspar's smile.</p> +<p>A smile! What is it? What volumes are conveyed in a single +smile! It is the magnetic telegraph by which sympathetic hearts +convey their untold and unmentionable purposes. To the anxious +lover it is the bearer of the first tidings of joy. Long before the +heart dare resort to coarse, material words, the smile carries the +messages of affection. To the villain it reveals the sympathetic +purposes of his according fiend. What the lead and line are to the +pilot, the smile, the cunning, dissembling smile, is to the base +mind. By means of it he feels his way into the heart and soul of +his supposed prototype.</p> +<p>Maxwell knew enough of human character to read correctly the +meaning of Jaspar's crafty smile. The attorney had long known that +he was cold and unfeeling, a bear in his deportment, and sadly +lacking in common integrity; but that he was capable of bold and +daring villany he had had no occasion to suspect. As he turned to +the document again, the base character of the uncle came up for +consideration in connection with his suit to the niece. Might not +this circumstance open the way to the attainment of his grand +purpose?</p> +<p>But, while he considers, let us turn our attention to the +development of the history and circumstances of the Dumont +family.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Lorenzo</i>. You loved, +and he did love!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>Mariana</i>. To say he +did</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Were to affirm what oft his eyes +avouched,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">What many an action +testified—and yet,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">What wanted confirmation of his +tongue."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">KNOWLES.</span></p> +<p>On the right bank of the Mississippi river, a few miles above +New Orleans, was situated the plantation of Colonel Dumont, which +he had chosen to designate by the expressive appellation of +"Bellevue;" though, it would seem, from the level nature of the +country, it could not have been chosen on account of any fitness in +the term.</p> +<p>In territorial extent, in the number of slaves employed, and in +the quantity of sugar annually produced, the plantation of Colonel +Dumont was one of the most important on the river. This fact, added +to the possession of immense estates in the city, rendered its +owner a man of no small consequence in the vicinity. But, more than +this, Colonel Dumont was beloved and respected for his many good +qualities of mind and heart. In the late war with England he had +served in the army, and as an officer had won an enviable +distinction by his courage and his talents. Coming unexpectedly +into the possession of this estate by the death of an uncle, he +retired, at the close of the war, from a profession to which a +genuine patriotism alone had invited him, and devoted himself +entirely to the improvement of his lands.</p> +<p>Colonel Dumont had been married; but, after a single year of +happiness in the conjugal state, his wife died, leaving him an only +daughter in remembrance of her. This child, at the opening of the +tale, was within a few years of maturity,—the image of her +father's only love,—not less fair, not less pure and +good.</p> +<p>Emily Dumont was a beautiful girl, fair as the lily, gentle as +the dove. She was of a medium height, and of slender and graceful +form. Her step was light and elastic, and, if there was any poetry +in her light, elegant form, there was more in her easy, fairy-like +motion. Her features were as daintily moulded as her form. Her eye +was light blue, soft, and beautifully expressive of a pure heart. +She was a little paler than the connoisseur in female loveliness +would demand in his ideal, and her expression was a little inclined +to sadness; but it was a sadness—or rather a sweet +dignity—more winning than repulsive to the gazer.</p> +<p>Emily Dumont, highly as fortune had favored her in the bestowal +of worldly goods and personal beauty, was still more blessed in the +gifts of an expansive mind and a gentle heart; and mind and heart +had both been faithfully cultivated by the assiduous care of her +devoted father. She was a true woman,—not a mere plaything to +while away a dandy's idle hours, not a piece of tinsel to adorn the +parlor of a nabob, but a true woman,—one fitted by nature and +education to adorn all the varied scenes of life. Although brought +up in unclouded prosperity, amid luxury and affluence, she was +still prepared for the day of adversity, if it should ever +come.</p> +<p>As the heiress of immense wealth, her hand was eagerly sought in +the aristocratic circle around her; but thus far she had resisted +all these attacks upon her heart, and upon her prospective riches. +In the crowd of suitors who gathered around her was Anthony +Maxwell. In the item of wealth his fortune was comparatively small; +and in that of a noble character, smaller still. Emily could have +forgiven him the want of the former, but the latter was +imperatively demanded. At the young lawyer's return from the North, +and on his first appearance at the bar, Emily had regarded him with +more than ordinary attention. But, after the death of his father, +the reports which reached her ears of his dissolute habits and +inclinations caused her to regard him with distrust. His wit, +accomplishments and native suavity, had procured him admission into +the circle of her more favored friends. But the report of his vices +had as promptly produced his expulsion.</p> +<p>The return of the army from Mexico brought with it the young +officer whom we have before mentioned. The father of this young man +had been a companion-in-arms of Colonel Dumont, and a strong +friendship had grown up between the veterans. The tie was severed +only by the death of the former, after a life of mercantile +misfortunes, and finally of utter ruin. At the period of the +father's insolvency and death, Henry Carroll, the son, was a cadet +at West Point, and was about abandoning his chosen profession, for +the want of means, when Colonel Dumont wrote him an affectionate +letter, offering all that he required to complete his studies. This +offer, coming from one who had been a heavy loser by his father's +bankruptcy, was highly appreciated, and the young student had +allowed no false delicacy to prevent his acceptance of the generous +proposal, though with a stipulation to repay all sums, with +interest. Colonel Dumont, in his regular summer tour to the North, +never failed to visit his young friend, whose noble bearing and +lofty principle entirely won his heart, and he charged himself with +a father's duty towards him. A regular correspondence was kept up +between the self-constituted guardian and his +<i>protegé</i>; and the more the former read the heart of +the young man, the more did he rejoice that he had befriended him. +He read with mingled pride and affection the repeated instances of +his daring courage and matchless skill which found their way into +the newspapers; while the record of his humanity to a fallen foe +contributed to swell the tide of the old gentleman's affection.</p> +<p>On his return from Mexico, Henry's first care was to see his +devoted friend and guardian, and he accepted his pressing +invitation to spend a month at Bellevue.</p> +<p>As an inmate of her father's family, he was, of course, a +constant companion of Emily. Her radiant beauty had captivated his +heart long ere the month had expired; and he saw, or thought he +saw, in the heart of the fair girl, indications of a sympathetic +sentiment. In the rashness of his warm blood he had allowed himself +to cherish a lively hope that his dawning love was not entirely +unrequited. He had seen that <i>his</i> bouquet was more fondly +cherished than the offerings of others; that <i>his</i> hand, as +she alighted from the carriage, was more gladly received than any +other; that <i>his</i> conversation never wearied her; in short, +there was in all their intercourse an unmistakable exponent of +feelings deeper than those of common friendship.</p> +<p>In the midst of this delighted existence,—while yet he +revelled in the pleasure of loving and being loved,—there +came to him, like a dark cloud over a clear sky, the unwelcome +thought that it was wrong for him to entangle the affections of his +benefactor's daughter. He was a beggar,—the object of her +father's charity. Her prospects were brilliant and certain, and he +felt that he had no right to mar or destroy them. He knew that she +would love him none the less for his poverty; but, probably, her +father had already anticipated something better than a beggar for +his future son-in-law.</p> +<p>Poor Captain Carroll! The modesty of true greatness of soul had +left unconsidered the genuine nobility of the man. He thought not +of the name he had won on the field of battle,—of the +honorable wounds he bore as testimonials of his devotion to his +country. He was poor, and, in the despondency which his position +induced, he attributed to wealth a value which to the truly good it +never possesses.</p> +<p>He loved Emily, and his poverty seemed to shut him out from the +hallowed field to which his heart fondly sought admission.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll was a high-minded man; he felt that to love the +daughter while the father's views were unknown to him would be rank +ingratitude; and ingratitude towards so good a man, so kind a +benefactor, was repugnant to every principle of his nature. There +was but one path open to him. If he could not help loving her, he +could strive to prevent the loved one from squandering her +affections where pain and sorrow might ensue. They had often met; +but he strove to believe, in his unwilling zeal, that their +intimacy had not yet resulted in an incurable passion. She had as +yet shown nothing that could not have resulted from simple +friendship. And yet she had,—the warm glow that adorned her +cheek when she received his flower, the expressive glance of her +soft eye as he assisted her to the carriage, the sweet smile with +which she had always greeted him,—ah, no, these were not +friendship! I He could not believe that his affection was +unreturned; it was too precious to remain unacknowledged. The will +and the heart would not conform to each other. But his duty seemed +plain, and he did not hesitate to obey its call, though it demanded +a great sacrifice.</p> +<p>The month to which he had limited his visit at Bellevue expired +about the period at which our tale begins. Inclination prompted him +to accept the pressing invitation of Colonel Dumont to prolong his +stay; but, bitter as was the thought of parting from her he loved, +his nice sense of honor compelled him to be firm in his +purpose.</p> +<p>The announcement of his intended departure to Emily, as they +were seated in the drawing-room on the designated day, afforded him +another evidence that her heart was not untouched. Her pale cheek +grew paler, and the playful smile was instantly dismissed.</p> +<p>"So soon?" said she, scarcely able to conceal the tremulous +emotion which agitated her.</p> +<p>"So soon! I have finished the month allotted to me," replied +Henry Carroll, with a weak effort to appear gayer than he felt.</p> +<p>"Allotted to you! And pray are you stinted in the length of your +visit?"</p> +<p>"My orders will not permit a longer stay, happy as I should be +to remain; and I have already trespassed long on your +hospitality."</p> +<p>"Indeed, Henry, you have grown sensitive! You were not wont to +consider your visits a trespass. Pray, have you not been regarded +as one of the family?"</p> +<p>"True, I have. I can never repay the debt of gratitude for the +many kindnesses I have received at your good father's hands."</p> +<p>"He has been a thousand times repaid by the honorable life you +have led,—by feeling that the talents he has encouraged you +to foster are now blessing the world," replied Emily, warmly; "so +no more of your gratitude, if you please."</p> +<p>"However lightly you, or your father, may regard my obligations +to him, I cannot view them coldly."</p> +<p>"Well, then, your presence here will give him more pleasure than +any other token of respect you can bestow; and, I am sure, I should +be rejoiced—that is to say—that is—I should be +glad to have you stay longer, if you can be contented," stammered +Emily, as her mantling blushes betrayed her confusion. Deception +was not in her nature, and, strive as hard as she might, she must +reveal her feelings.</p> +<p>"I should be happier than it is possible for me to express in +remaining at Bellevue. My month has passed away like a dream of +pleasure,—so short it seemed that time had staid his +wheels,—so joyous that earth seemed shorn of sorrow. You know +not how much I have enjoyed the society of your father, and, pardon +me, of yourself," returned Henry, scarcely less confused than +Emily.</p> +<p>"I am glad to hear you say so," she replied, with some +hesitation, and fearful of exposing the sentiment she was conscious +of cherishing. "I have thought that, accustomed as you are to the +stirring life of the camp, you had grown tired of our quiet +home."</p> +<p>"You wrong me, Emily, I should never weary here; but I was +fearful that I had already staid too long," said Henry, in a sad +tone, for he felt it most deeply, though not in the sense that +Emily understood him.</p> +<p>"Too long! Then you are weary of us, and I will not chide you +forbidding us adieu," said Emily, with a glance of anxiety at +Henry.</p> +<p>"Nay, Miss Dumont, do not misinterpret my words. I am not weary, +I cannot be weary, of Bellevue and its fair and good inmates."</p> +<p>"Then what mean you by saying you have staid too long?"</p> +<p>"Pardon me, I cannot tell why I said it; but I feel that I +should do wrong to prolong my stay, however congenial to my +feelings to do so," replied Henry, with the most evident +embarrassment.</p> +<p>"How strange you talk, Henry! What mystery is this?" said Emily, +to whom prudential motives were unknown.</p> +<p>"If it be a mystery, pray do not press me to unravel it, for I +cannot."</p> +<p>His resolution was fast giving way before the strength of his +love. He was sorely tempted to throw himself at her feet and pour +forth the acknowledgment of his affection, which, he felt, would be +kindly received. It was a difficult position for a man of sensitive +feelings to be placed in, and he felt it keenly. But the duty he +owed to his benefactor seemed imperative.</p> +<p>Emily, on her part, was sadly bewildered by the strangeness of +Henry's words; but she had no suspicion of the truth. If she had, +perhaps, with a woman's ingenuity, she had devised some plan to +extricate him from the dilemma. She was conscious of the strong +interest she felt in the man before her; but the fact that she +loved him was yet unrecognized. How should it be? She was unskilled +in the subtleties even of her own heart. She know not the meaning +of love yet. She was conscious of a grateful sensation in her +heart; but she had yet to learn that this sensation was that called +love in the great world. She began to fear, in her inability to +account for Henry's strangeness in any other way, that some secret +sorrow weighed heavily upon him.</p> +<p>"I will not press you," said she, in a tone of affectionate +sympathy; "but, if you have any sorrow which oppresses you, reveal +it to my father, and take counsel against it. My father's house is +your home,—at least, we have always endeavored to make it so. +Father has always regarded you with the affection of a parent, and +taught me to consider you as a brother—"</p> +<p>"A brother!" interrupted Henry, feeling that the relation of +brother and sister was too cold for the warmth of his affection; +but, instantly banishing the unworthy thought, he continued,</p> +<p>"And so, my pretty sister, you are for the first time entering +upon your sisterly relations?"</p> +<p>"The first time! Have I not always given you evidence of a +sister's esteem?"</p> +<p>"Pardon me. I only jested," said Henry, as the playful smile +left his countenance.</p> +<p>"Do not jest upon serious things, Henry," replied Emily. "But, +brother, something troubles you. You cannot deny it. You look so +gloomy and sad, and must leave us so suddenly."</p> +<p>"Nay, my sweet sister,—since sister I am permitted to call +you,—you must forgive me if I am obstinate just this +once."</p> +<p>"I will forgive your obstinacy because you desire it, and not +because I am satisfied. Do you know, brother," said she, with a +playful smile, "that I suspect you are in love?"</p> +<p>This raillery was intended to have been uttered with a pert +archness; but the crimson cheek and tremulous lips entirely +defeated the intention.</p> +<p>"Fie, sister! You are jesting now, yourself," replied Henry, +with what was intended for a smile, but which, like his assailant's +archness, was a signal failure.</p> +<p>Both parties were now in the most unfortunate position +imaginable. Neither dared to speak, for fear of disclosing their +emotions. Both felt the awkwardness of the silence, and both felt +the danger of breaking it. Henry twirled the tassel of the window +drapery, and Emily twisted her pocket-handkerchief into every +conceivable shape. Henry was the first to gather fortitude enough +to venture a remark.</p> +<p>"I must leave you, sister, now that, for the first time, the +relation is acknowledged. I assure you, however, that I appreciate +the sisterly kindness you have always lavished upon me. And I shall +always remember this visit as the happiest period of my life."</p> +<p>"Then I may hope you will often repeat it," replied Emily, +sadly.</p> +<p>"However pleasant it would be for me to do so, I fear my duty +will be a barrier to my inclination. My future post, you are aware, +is Newport."</p> +<p>"And you depart so suddenly, and then seem inclined to make your +absence perpetual! But we shall see you where-ever you are. We go +to Newport this season, if father's health will permit," returned +Emily, with a playful pout.</p> +<p>"I would stay by you,—that is, I would stay at Bellevue +forever,—if my duty to your father—I mean to my +country—would permit," stammered Henry, much agitated, as he +rose to depart.</p> +<p>"I must go and bid farewell to your father," continued he, +taking her hand, which he perceived trembled violently, in his own; +"and I trust you will remember your absent brother—" kindly, +he was about to say, but Emily, attempting to rise, was overpowered +by the emotions which she had vainly striven to suppress, and sunk +back in a swoon.</p> +<p>Henry summoned assistance, and applied the usual restoratives, +but he did not again venture to address her; and, as her pale +features exhibited signs of returning consciousness, he hurried +from the room.</p> +<p>As the hour of his departure drew near, he bade an affectionate +farewell to Colonel Dumont, who was confined to his room by +illness. His kind friend used many entreaties for him to prolong +his stay, but Henry pleaded his duty, and that the dying request of +a brother officer required him to take a journey into Georgia, +which would consume some three or four weeks' time. He intended to +go to his future station by the way of the Mississippi, and +promised that, if any time were left him on his return, he would +again visit Bellevue. This, however, he thought was improbable.</p> +<p>Colonel Dumont gave his <i>protegé</i> much good advice, +and, as his failing health had infected his usually cheerful +spirits, he said that they would probably meet no more in this +world. He frankly told him that he should remember him in his will, +and wished him ever to regard Emily in the relation of a +<i>sister</i>.</p> +<p>This last wish seemed like a positive prohibition of the fond +hope he had cherished, of regarding her in a nearer and more tender +relation. He congratulated himself on the decision with which he +had resisted the temptation to avow his love.</p> +<p>This injunction of Emily's father could be interpreted in two +ways,—as a requirement to preserve the present friendly +relations, or as a prohibition against his ever making her his +wife. The latter method of rendering his meaning seemed to him the +most in accordance with their relative positions, and he was +compelled to adopt it.</p> +<p>After renewing his thanks to his benefactor, he took his leave +with a sad heart, and departed from the mansion which contained his +newly-found yet now rejected love.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Macbeth</i>.—What is +'t ye do?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Witches</i>.—A deed +without a name."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Shakespeare.</span></p> +<p>In the management of his estates, Colonel Dumont had, for many +years, been assisted by an only brother. This brother was directly +the opposite of himself in character, in aims, in everything. Even +in his childhood this brother had displayed a waywardness of +disposition which gave the promise of much evil in his future +years. As the seed sown so was the harvest. Parental instruction, +counsel and rebuke, were alike unavailing, and he attained the +years of manhood morose and unsympathizing in his disposition, +avaricious and hard with his equals, and cruel and unjust towards +his inferiors. His selfish mind, his low aims, and his tyrannical +character, had long been preparing him for deeds of villany and +injustice.</p> +<p>In the earlier years of his life he had been a merchant in New +Orleans; but, being universally detested for his meanness and +duplicity, in a season of general panic in the financial world he +was completely ruined, by the want of those kind offices which are +so freely interchanged in the mercantile community. In this +dilemma, he asked his brother's assistance. Colonel Dumont examined +his affairs, and, considering his position in the community, with +the almost hopeless embarrassment of his concerns, concluded that +success under these circumstances was impossible. He frankly and +kindly informed his brother of his conclusion, and offered him a +share in his planting operations. His +brother—Jaspar—was sorely wounded in his pride by this +reply. It generated in him a sentiment, if not of malignity, at +least of hatred, and from that day he was his brother's enemy. +Jaspar's business was gone, and he never allowed his spirit of +revenge even to interfere with his interest; so he availed himself +of his brother's offer.</p> +<p>Colonel Dumont trusted much to the gentle influence of his +family circle to soften Jaspar's moroseness, and infuse some +principle of charity and love. But these anticipations proved vain. +He was cold and taciturn. Business alone could call forth the +display of his energy, of which he was possessed of a liberal +share. The society of Emily and other ladies he seemed to shun. The +gentle influence of domestic life seemed entirely wasted upon him. +Colonel Dumont was forced to believe his brother a misanthrope, and +no longer strove to soften his character. Emily regarded his +coldness as his natural manner, and left him to the full enjoyment +of his eccentricity. Between persons of such opposite dispositions +there could be, of course, but little sympathy, and that little was +entirely upon one side.</p> +<p>The demon of Jaspar's nature displayed itself in the cane-field +and in the sugar-house, which Colonel Dumont rarely visited, having +intrusted the entire management of the estate to him, his own +attention being occupied by the exterior business of the +plantation, and by his city possessions. The poor negro, who was +compelled to submit to cruel usage and short fare, knew Jaspar's +nature better than uncle or niece. His advent among them had been +the era from which they dated the life of misery they led—a +life so different from that they had been accustomed to under the +superintendence of the more Christian brother.</p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont managed the "negro stock" in the true spirit of a +demon, and as such the "hands" learned to regard him. Runaways, +which, under the mild management of his brother, were rarely known, +were common now; and almost the only amusement Jaspar knew was to +hunt them down with rifle and bloodhound.</p> +<p>This state of things Colonel Dumont saw, but he did not +appreciate the reason of it. Himself a rigid disciplinarian, he +wished not to interfere, though the cruelty of Jaspar pained his +heart. His failing health had latterly withdrawn his attention +still more from the plantation, and Jaspar drew the reins the +tighter when he saw that the humane eye was removed from him.</p> +<p>Such was Jaspar Dumont, whom we left in Maxwell's office at the +close of our first chapter.</p> +<p>On the day succeeding the departure of Henry Carroll, Colonel +Dumont felt himself much weaker in body, and was fully impressed +with the conviction that his final sickness had laid its hand upon +him. To Emily he had not communicated these gloomy forebodings, and +she had discovered no alarming symptoms in his illness. She had no +suspicion of the nature of her father's business with Maxwell, and +had borne his message to the attorney, as she had often done +before, in her frequent visits to New Orleans, though on this +occasion, as may be supposed, she felt much delicacy in doing +so.</p> +<p>In her absence Colonel Dumont had become more and more impressed +with the omens of a speedy dissolution, and in his uneasiness had +despatched Jaspar with a draft of his intentions, wishing the +attorney to write the will in his office (where he could have his +authorities at hand), and return with his brother.</p> +<p>Maxwell considered the will and his own position, while Jaspar +lit another cigar. Each was striving to penetrate the thoughts of +the other, but neither had the boldness to enter upon the subject +which occupied his mind. The lawyer wanted the lady and the +fortune, and he had an undefined purpose of obtaining them through +the agency of Jaspar, who wanted only the fortune, and had a +decided anticipation of being able to retain the attorney in his +service. Neither knew the purposes of the other; but each wanted +the assistance of the other.</p> +<p>Maxwell, with an absent mind, perused and reperused the first +page of Colonel Dumont's instructions. Without a purpose he turned +the leaf, and his attention was attracted by the name of his +formidable rival, Henry Carroll. He read, with astonishment, a +bequest to him of fifty thousand dollars. If it needed anything to +complete his discomfiture, this was sufficient. He began to think +Colonel Dumont was in his dotage. He had scarcely heard of Captain +Carroll until his return from Mexico, and now he was a legatee in +the will of a millionaire. With much anxiety he completed the +reading of the instructions, fearful that he should find the young +officer's name in connection with Emily's. To his great relief he +found no such allusion, and again he applied himself to the task of +writing out the will.</p> +<p>Jaspar smoked his cigar, glanced occasionally at the newspaper, +and stared out of the window. He was evidently lost to all around +him, in the workings of his own mind. Now his thoughts seemed to +excite him, for his eye glared with an unusual lustre, and his thin +lips moved, as if they would disclose the operations of his mind. +"Will he do it?" muttered he. "He shall do it, or by —— +he shall suffer! I have the means of compelling him. I will use +them."</p> +<p>Apparently satisfied with his conclusion, he rose hastily and +approached the attorney. A smooth smile—an unwonted +expression on his features—seemed to come on demand. Again he +looked over the lawyer's shoulder. He saw the name of Henry +Carroll, and his former severe expression returned, and his frame +was stirred by angry emotions. A half-suppressed oath did not +escape the quick ear of the attorney, and he turned to observe the +face of his companion. He read at a glance the dissatisfaction +which the will occasioned. The reason was plain; and, with the +intention of drawing out Jaspar's views, he addressed him.</p> +<p>"This Carroll is a lucky fellow," said he.</p> +<p>"The devil is always the luckiest fellow in the crowd," growled +Jaspar, with an oath.</p> +<p>"You are right, sir," returned Maxwell, pleased to see no better +feeling between his rival and the uncle.</p> +<p>"But who is this Carroll?" said he.</p> +<p>"A hungry cub, whom the colonel has helped along in the +world."</p> +<p>"Well, he has proved himself a brave and skilful officer, and +reflects credit on your brother's judgment in the selection of a +<i>protegé</i>," returned Maxwell, adroitly.</p> +<p>"The fellow is all well enough, for aught I know, but he has +wheedled the colonel out of fifty thousand dollars, and I can never +forgive him for that," said Jaspar, in what was intended for a +playful tone, but which was designed as a "feeler" of the +attorney's conscience.</p> +<p>"But there is still an immense property left, even after +deducting the liberal charitable donations," said Maxwell.</p> +<p>"There is, but where does it go to? That whining young cub has +divided a hundred thousand with me, and the silly girl has the +rest."</p> +<p>"Which will eventually go into the hands of Captain +Carroll,—lucky dog, he!" returned Maxwell, striving to +provoke Jaspar still more.</p> +<p>"What! what mean you, man?" said Jaspar, with a scowl, as he +caught a glimpse of the attorney's meaning.</p> +<p>"Is it possible, my dear sir," said Maxwell, laying down his +pen, and turning half round, "is it possible you have not observed +the intimacy which has grown up between this Carroll and your +niece?"</p> +<p>"Intimacy! what do you mean? Speak out! no equivocation!" said +Jaspar, almost fiercely.</p> +<p>"Do you not see that she will yet be the wife of Captain +Carroll?"</p> +<p>Jaspar scowled, but said nothing. He had seen nothing from which +he could draw such an inference, but he doubted not the information +was correct.</p> +<p>"Well, well, it matters not. He may as well have it as she," +muttered he. "This will suits me not, and must be broken or +altered."</p> +<p>"It <i>is</i> hard upon you," said Maxwell, who had overheard +Jaspar's mutterings.</p> +<p>"It is rather hard to be placed upon the same level with a +comparative stranger," replied Jaspar, thoughtfully, after a long +pause. He had not intended the lawyer should hear his previous +remarks, and had reflected whether he should disown them, or pursue +the subject as thus opened.</p> +<p>"Of course you will not mention the idle remark I made," +continued Jaspar, in a vein of prudence. "My brother has an +undoubted right to dispose of his property as he pleases."</p> +<p>"O, certainly. What transpires in my office is always regarded +with the strictest confidence, whatever its nature, and however it +affects any individual," replied Maxwell, laying peculiar emphasis +on the latter clause.</p> +<p>"That's right, always be secret," said Jaspar, without any of +the appearance of obligation for the favor which the attorney +expected to see.</p> +<p>"I have secrets in my possession which would ruin some of the +best families in the State of Louisiana."</p> +<p>"Without doubt," replied Jaspar, coldly.</p> +<p>The attorney resumed his writing, and pronounced in an audible +tone each sentence as he committed it to the paper.</p> +<p>"To my beloved brother—Jaspar Dumont—I give and +bequeath the sum of fifty thousand dollars."</p> +<p>These words, as intended, again fired Jaspar's passions.</p> +<p>"Is there no remedy for this?" asked he, hastily.</p> +<p>"No legal remedy," replied Maxwell, indifferently, as he +continued his task.</p> +<p>"Is there any, legal or illegal?"</p> +<p>"None that an honest man would be willing to resort to."</p> +<p>"That any man would resort to?" and Jaspar was not a little +provoked at the attorney's moral inferences.</p> +<p>"I know of none."</p> +<p>"I do."</p> +<p>"Then why do you not put it into operation before it is too +late? The will is now nearly written."</p> +<p>"Pshaw! man; you do not understand me. A bolder step than you +are thinking of."</p> +<p>"Well, what do you wait for?"</p> +<p>"I need assistance."</p> +<p>"If I can afford you any aid, <i>honorably</i>, I shall be most +happy."</p> +<p>"<i>Honorably</i>! What the devil do you mean by +<i>honorably</i>?" said Jaspar, exasperated by this unexpected +display of morality.</p> +<p>"What do I mean by honorably? Why, anything which does not +affect the legal or moral rights of others," replied Maxwell, a +little touched by the seeming reflection of Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Fudge! how long have you been so conscientious?" sneered +Jaspar.</p> +<p>"When a man has a reputation to make or break, it becomes him to +handle it with care."</p> +<p>"Out upon you, man! <i>Your</i> reputation is not so fair, that +you need be so tender of it," replied Jaspar, with some +severity.</p> +<p>"Sir!"</p> +<p>"O, you needn't '<i>sir</i>' me! You have led me to commit +myself, and now assume a virtue you possess not."</p> +<p>"Sir, I value my reputation, and—"</p> +<p>"Of course you do, but you would not sacrifice a fortune for +it," interrupted Jaspar, easily changing the tenor of the +conversation.</p> +<p>"I certainly would not stain it unnecessarily," replied Maxwell, +with a meaning smile, for he saw the folly of attempting the "high +flight" with Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Now you talk sensibly," said Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Mr. Dumont, it is useless to beat about the bush any longer; if +you have any proposition to make, out with it at once; and if I +cannot aid you, I will, at least, keep your secret."</p> +<p>"Will you swear never to reveal what I shall propose?"</p> +<p>"Yes, if paid for it," said Maxwell, frankly.</p> +<p>"It is well. Now, I will put you in the way of making ten +thousand dollars, if you so will," said Jaspar, slapping the +attorney on the back with a familiarity which was likely to breed +contempt.</p> +<p>This was a tempting offer, and Maxwell prepared to listen to the +proposition. He was aware that it was some design upon the estate +of Colonel Dumont, and he inwardly resolved to be a gainer by the +operation, whether he joined in it or not.</p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont laid aside his sternness, and disclosed his plot +to Maxwell. It was, as may be supposed, a nefarious scheme, and not +only intended to deprive Henry Carroll of his legacy, but also to +disinherit the heiress, and cast a stigma upon the character of his +brother.</p> +<p>The plot we will not here disclose.</p> +<p>Maxwell listened attentively, occasionally interrupting the +speaker, by asking for details, or pointing out dangers But the +foul wrong intended towards her for whom he entertained warmer +sentiments than those of friendship shocked even his hardened +sensibilities, and he strongly objected to its consummation. It +would also, by stripping her of her broad lands, and stigmatizing +her birth, render her undesirable as a wife. But Jaspar was firm in +his purpose, and refused to listen to any other scheme. This one, +he contended, was the safest and surest.</p> +<p>"But it is a diabolical transaction," suggested Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Call it what you will, it is the only one that will work +well."</p> +<p>Maxwell remained silent. He was studying to make this scheme +subservient to his own purpose. He was obliged to confess to +himself that his hopes with the heiress were worse than folly, and +he judged that the execution of Jaspar's scheme would remove his +rival. He looked forward years, and saw his own purpose gained by +means of Jaspar's plan. It was true that he and Jaspar both could +not have her estates; but then Jaspar was a villain, and it would +be a good service, at a convenient season, to be a traitor to him. +His plans were arranged, and he determined to encourage his +companion to proceed, though, at the same time, to seem unwilling, +and to keep his own hands clean from all participation in it.</p> +<p>After this long interval of silence, which Jaspar had endured +with patience, for he recognized the truth of the saying, that "He +who deliberates is damned," Maxwell said,</p> +<p>"I cannot consent to stain my hands with such gross +injustice."</p> +<p>"You cannot!" sneered Jaspar.</p> +<p>"It would ruin me."</p> +<p>"It was part of my intention to keep the transaction a secret," +said Jaspar, sarcastically.</p> +<p>"Of course, and your confidence in me shall not be +misplaced."</p> +<p>Jaspar's fists were clenched, and a demoniacal expression rested +on his countenance, as he said, savagely,</p> +<p>"You know your own interest too well to do otherwise."</p> +<p>"I am not to be intimidated," replied Maxwell, who despised his +companion most heartily, and did not relish his tyrannical manner. +"Your confidence, I repeat, is safe. <i>Honor</i> will keep your +secret,—threats will not compel me to do so."</p> +<p>"<i>Honor</i>! ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Jaspar. "Do you know, +Maxwell, that you are a —— fool, to talk to me of your +honor?"</p> +<p>"Would you insult me, sir?" said, Maxwell, with vehemence.</p> +<p>"O, no, my fine fellow! <i>Your</i> honor!—ha, ha!" +returned Jaspar, taking from his pocket a little slip of paper. +"Look here, my <i>honorable</i> worthy, do you know this +check?"</p> +<p>Maxwell's face assumed a livid hue, and a convulsive tremor +passed through his frame, as he read the check.</p> +<p>In a moment of temporary embarrassment he had been tempted to +forge the name of Colonel Dumont to this check, for five hundred +dollars, to liquidate a debt of honor, not doubting that he should +be able to obtain it again before the day of settlement at the +bank, by means of a dissolute teller, a boon companion at the +gaming-table. But Colonel Dumont, in arranging his affairs for +their final settlement, had sent Jaspar for a statement of his bank +account at an unusual time. Jaspar, who, in the illness of his +brother, had managed all his business, immediately discovered the +forgery. Without disputing its genuineness, he ascertained who had +presented it, and traced the deed to the attorney, and thus +obtained a hold upon him which was peculiarly favorable to the +execution of his great purpose.</p> +<p>"You see I have not laid myself open to your fire without +fortifying my position," said Jaspar, enjoying, with hearty relish, +the discomfiture of the lawyer. "Now, no more of <i>honor</i> to +me. I have kept your secret for my own interest, and now you will +keep mine from the same motive."</p> +<p>"But I <i>dare</i> not do this thing," replied Maxwell, keenly +sensitive to the weakness of his position; "I lack the +ability."</p> +<p>"You have signed the colonel's name once very well; perhaps you +can do it again," sneered Jaspar, who had no mercy for an unwilling +servant.</p> +<p>"It will not be for your interest or mine that I should do it," +returned Maxwell, determined, if possible, to avoid committing +himself.</p> +<p>"Why not?" said Jaspar.</p> +<p>"My frequent visits to Bellevue would subject me to suspicion. I +am known. Another would not be suspected. If I clear myself, I +shall clear you at the same time. I can procure a person who will +accomplish all in safety."</p> +<p>"Think you I will trust another man with the possession of the +secret?"</p> +<p>"I shall compromise my own safety by writing the will, as you +propose."</p> +<p>"True,—who is this person?"</p> +<p>"His name is—" and Maxwell hesitated; then a severe fit of +coughing apparently prevented his uttering the name—"his name +is Antoine De Guy."</p> +<p>"Do I know him?"</p> +<p>"You do, I think,—a kind of <i>street</i> +lawyer,—you must have met him at the Exchange."</p> +<p>"What looking man is he?"</p> +<p>"About fifty years of age," replied Maxwell, more thoughtful +than the simple description of a person would seem to +require,—"rather corpulent, black hair and whiskers, +intermixed with gray,—dresses old-fashioned, and always looks +rusty."</p> +<p>"I do not remember him,—De Guy—De Guy," said Jaspar, +musing; "no, I do not know him. Are you confident he can be +trusted?"</p> +<p>"Perfectly confident. I pledge my own safety on his fidelity," +replied Maxwell, not a little satisfied at gaining his +point,—for he had a point, and a strong one, as the reader +may yet have occasion to know.</p> +<p>"Very good,—I will inquire about him."</p> +<p>"And expose us both!" replied Maxwell, in much alarm.</p> +<p>"True,—on reflection, it would not be wise, and it would +be best for you and I not to be seen together. But finish the will; +the colonel will not relish my long absence. A word more: do not +say anything about <i>this</i> will. The colonel has a fancy to +keep it secret, and this fancy will be the salvation of our +scheme."</p> +<p>But we will not follow the conversation any further. The reader +has obtained a sufficient knowledge of these worthies from their +own mouths, to believe them capable of any villany they may be +called upon to perpetrate.</p> +<p>The plot was further arranged in all its details. A meeting with +De Guy was fixed for the next day, when all parties were to be +prepared to act their parts.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"He is a man, setting his fate +aside,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Of comely virtues;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Nor did he soil the fact with +cowardice,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">But with a noble fury and a fair +spirit</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">He did oppose his +foe."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Shakespeare.</span></p> +<p>Colonel Dumont's melancholy forebodings proved to be too well +grounded, for in ten days after the departure of Henry Carroll he +breathed his last, not fully ripe in years, but mature in the +stature of a good man. His worldly affairs had all been arranged, +and with his mind at peace with God and man he bade a final adieu +to his weeping daughter and dissembling brother, and calmly +resigned his spirit to its Author.</p> +<p>The mansion of Colonel Dumont had been the abode of happiness. +Cheerfulness and contentment—rare visitors at the home of +opulence—dwelt gracefully amid the luxurious splendor of this +house. But now a heavy stroke of affliction had come upon the +devoted Emily. The ruthless hand of death had struck down her +father in the midst of prosperity and happiness. She felt that she +was alone in the world. Her unsympathizing uncle seemed not to feel +the loss, but appeared even more cold and churlish than ever. She +could not expect from him the offices of kindness and sympathy. She +was an orphan, but not till she was prepared to combat with the +trials of life. Recognizing the hand of Providence in this +visitation of the Angel of Death, she bowed meekly and submissively +to the Master Will, and was even cheerful and happy in her +tears.</p> +<p>It was about ten o'clock on the night succeeding the funeral of +Colonel Dumont that a small canoe, containing a single individual, +touched at the bank of the river near the now gloomy mansion. +Leaping from the canoe, which was nearly swamped by the act, the +person it had contained drew the frail bark beyond the reach of the +rapid current, and ascended the steep bank. Following the smooth +shell road through the long vista of negro huts, he reached the +little grove of tropical trees which surrounded the proprietary +mansion. Casting an anxious glance around him, to satisfy himself +that he was not watched, he cautiously approached the only +illuminated window on that side of the house, upon which, after a +close scrutiny of the interior of the room, he gave several light +taps. This signal was answered by Jaspar Dumont, who, with a word +of caution, opened the window. The stranger, with a light spring +which belied his apparent years, gained the interior of the room, +which was the library of the late owner.</p> +<p>The person who had thus obtained admission was the lawyer, +Antoine De Guy, whom Maxwell had suggested as a fit agent for the +execution of Jaspar's scheme. He was certainly an odd-looking man. +His face was of a very dark red color, much like that which is +produced by the united effects of exposure and intemperance, and +was encircled by a pair of black whiskers, intermixed with gray. +His cranium was ornamented with a huge mass of the same +parti-colored hair. His fiery red nose was placed in strange +contrast with a pair of green spectacles, which entirely concealed +the color and expression of his eyes. His clothes were of a most +primitive cut, and had probably been black once, but were now rusty +and white from long service. His form was portly, a little inclined +to corpulency. His hands were most unprofessionally dirty; but this +might have been occasioned by contact with the canoe in his +passage. On one of his fingers glittered a diamond ring, which, +considering the lack of ornaments in other respects, but ill +accorded with the apparent parsimony of the man. It might, however, +have been obtained in the way of trade, for Maxwell had hinted that +he did business under the sign of the "three golden balls." He was +apparently in the neighborhood of five-and-forty, and looked like +the debauchee in the face, while his dress indicated the penurious +man of business.</p> +<p>"Did any one see you?" asked Jaspar, whose teeth were chattering +with apprehension, notwithstanding his natural boldness.</p> +<p>"Not that I am aware of," replied De Guy, in a silky tone, +which, proceeding from such a form, would have astonished the +listener.</p> +<p>"You met no one?" interrogated the anxious Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Not a soul! Everything was still."</p> +<p>"Let us be sure of it. Step into this room for a moment. I will +see that all the servants have retired," said Jaspar, pushing his +confederate into an adjoining apartment.</p> +<p>A light pull at the bell-rope brought to the library the +body-servant of the late planter.</p> +<p>This "boy," who was known by the name of <i>Hatchie</i>, was a +mulatto. He was about forty years of age, and, having never been +reduced to labor in the cane-fields, bore his age remarkably well. +He was about six feet in height, very stout built, and was endowed +with immense physical strength. His brow was a little wrinkled, and +his head was a little bald upon the top,—and these were the +only evidences of his years. His expression was that of great +intelligence. In his countenance there was a kind of humility, to +which his demeanor corresponded, that might have resulted from his +condition, or have been inherent in his nature. He was a man who, +even in a land of slavery, would be instinctively respected.</p> +<p>He had been a great favorite with his late master, in whose +family he had spent the greater part of his life. By being +constantly in attendance upon him and his guests, he had acquired a +much greater amount of information than is often found in those of +his condition. He could read and write, and by his intelligence and +singular fidelity had proved a valuable addition to his master's +household. Possessing his confidence, and regarded more as a friend +than a slave by Emily, he was a privileged person in the +house,—a confidence which in no instance did he abuse, and +which in no degree abated his affection or his fidelity.</p> +<p>Hatchie was not a phrenologist, but he had long ago acquired a +perfect knowledge of Jaspar's character,—a knowledge which +his master or Emily had never obtained.</p> +<p>Hatchie considered Emily, now that her father was dead, as his +own especial charge, and he watched over her, in the disparity of +their stations, very much as a faithful dog watches over a child +intrusted to its keeping. Towards her he entertained a sentiment of +the profoundest respect as his mistress, and of parental affection +as one who had grown up under his eye.</p> +<p>"Hatchie," said Jaspar, as the mulatto entered the library, "are +the hands all in?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Hatchie, whose penetrating mind detected the +tremulous quiver of Jaspar's lip; "all in two hours ago, according +to regulations."</p> +<p>"All right, then. You can go to bed now."</p> +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Hatchie, with his customary obeisance, as he +turned to depart.</p> +<p>"Stay a moment. Go to Miss Emily, and get the keys of the +secretary," said Jaspar, with assumed carelessness.</p> +<p>Hatchie obeyed; and, suspecting something before, he was +confirmed in the opinion now, and determined to watch. His +suspicions of something—he knew not what—had been +excited by seeing Maxwell in earnest consultation with Jaspar on +the day of the funeral. He had, of course, no idea of the plots of +the latter; but, in common with all the "boys," he hated Jaspar, +and was willing to know more of his transactions.</p> +<p>Giving the keys to Jaspar, he left the room, and heard the +creaking of the bolt which fastened the door.</p> +<p>As soon as the servant had departed, Jaspar called his +confederate from his concealment.</p> +<p>"Are you ready for business?" said he.</p> +<p>"I am," replied De Guy, "as soon as you pay me the first +instalment. I can't take a single step in the dark."</p> +<p>"Here it is," and Jaspar took from his pocket the money. "Have +you the document?"</p> +<p>"I have," replied De Guy, producing the fictitious will, which +Maxwell had drawn up in conformity with the instructions of +Jaspar.</p> +<p>"And you are ready to affix the signature?" said Jaspar, who +appeared not to be in the possession of his usual confidence. Few +villains ever become so hardened as never to tremble.</p> +<p>"I am. I came for that purpose. Give me the genuine will, and I +will soon make this one so near like it that the witnesses +themselves shall not discover the cheat," replied De Guy, with an +air of confidence.</p> +<p>"You shall have it; but first read this to me. I do nothing +blindly."</p> +<p>The attorney, in his silky tones, read the paper through, and +Jaspar pronounced it correct in every particular.</p> +<p>"I see nothing in the way of entire success," said Jaspar, +rubbing his hands with delight at his prospective fortune.</p> +<p>"Nor I," replied De Guy, "except that these witnesses will deny +the substance of it."</p> +<p>"How can they, when they know it not? The colonel, for some +reason or other, would not let them read it or know its purport. +Maxwell and myself are pledged to secrecy. It is upon this fact +that I based the scheme."</p> +<p>"But the will would not be worth a tittle in the law with such +witnesses."</p> +<p>"Bah! the colonel knew no one would contest it. He did it at his +own risk."</p> +<p>"But will they not contest <i>your</i> will?"</p> +<p>"If they do, I shall find the means of proving what the document +affirms, and my case will then stand just as well. As a kind of +assurance for the witnesses my brother affixed a character,—a +kind of cabalistic design,—upon the will, assuring them it +was placed on the will alone. You have a copy of this design?"</p> +<p>"I have. Maxwell gave it to me, and I have practised till I can +do it to perfection. Your brother had an odd way of doing +business."</p> +<p>"He had; but his oddity in this instance is a God-send."</p> +<p>"But the <i>other</i> document, Mr. Dumont! My stay is already +too long!"</p> +<p>Jaspar, taking the keys from the table, opened the secretary, +and took from a small iron safe in the lower part of it a large +packet, on which were several large masses of wax bearing the +impress of Colonel Dumont's seal.</p> +<p>"Now, De Guy," said he, "do your best."</p> +<p>"Do not fear! I never yet saw a name I could not imitate."</p> +<p>"So much the better; but be careful, I entreat you! Think how +much depends upon care!"</p> +<p>"O, I can do it so nicely that your brother himself would not +deny it, if he should step out of his grave!"</p> +<p>"Silence, man!" said Jaspar, angrily, as a superstitious thrill +of terror crept through his veins.</p> +<p>Jaspar took up the packet, and was about to snap the seals, +when, quicker than thought, the window through which De Guy had +entered flew open, and Hatchie leaped into the room. Without giving +Jaspar or his accomplice time to recover from the surprise of his +sudden entrance, he levelled a blow at the lawyer, and another at +the perfidious brother, which placed both in a rather awkward +position on the floor. Hatchie then seized the envelope containing +the will, and made his escape in the manner he had entered, well +knowing that Jaspar would not hesitate to take his life rather than +be foiled in his purpose.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><br /> +<a href="images/046g.jpg"><img src="images/046g.jpg" width="80%" +alt="" title="" /></a><br /> +<b>Hatchie knocking down De Guy and Jasper, and stealing the +will.</b></div> +<p>The mulatto's blows produced no serious effect upon the heads of +the two villains, and, recovering from the surprise and shock the +act had occasioned, they lost not a moment in pursuing their +assailant. Hatchie directed his course to the river, and scarcely a +moment had elapsed before he heard the steps of his pursuers. +Leaping down the bank, he ran along by the edge of the water, with +the intention of reaching a boat which he knew was moored a few +rods further down. In his flight, however, he discovered the canoe +in which De Guy had arrived, and, casting it off, he paddled with +astonishing rapidity towards the opposite shore.</p> +<p>His pursuers reached the bank, and perceiving the canoe through +the darkness, Jaspar discharged his rifle at it. A heavy splash +followed the discharge. The canoe appeared to float at the mercy of +the current. Jaspar and De Guy, satisfied that the rifle-ball had +done its work, hastened down stream to a small point of land which +projected into the river, with the hope of securing the canoe and +the body of the slave, upon which they expected to find the will. +The canoe was driven ashore, as they had anticipated; but it +contained not the objects for which they sought. The corpse of +Hatchie was nowhere to be found, though they paddled about the +river an hour in search of it,—not that the body of the +mulatto was of any consequence, but in the hope of obtaining the +precious will.</p> +<p>Here was a contingency for which Jaspar was wholly unprepared. +The original signature of the will was not now available, and they +must trust to luck for accuracy in signing the false one. There was +little difficulty in this, as the will was known to have been +signed in the usual manner, and the private character they had in +their possession. Still Jaspar felt that the original paper +afforded the surer means of deceiving the witnesses. They had +before intended to produce a fac-simile, mechanically, of the +original,—a purpose which could not now be accomplished. The +witnesses were all friends of Colonel Dumont, and they had various +papers signed by them from which to copy their signatures. The +worst, and to Jaspar's daring mind the only difficulty which now +presented itself, was the fear that the body of Hatchie might be +found, and the genuine will thus brought to light. After much +reflection and consultation with De Guy, he determined to risk all, +to watch for the body, and be prepared to overcome any obstacle +which might be presented. With this conclusion they returned to the +library. By the aid of old notes, checks, and other papers, the +fictitious will was duly signed, the significant character affixed, +and the document enveloped so as to exactly resemble the original +packet.</p> +<p>The whole transaction was so well performed that Jaspar retired +to his pillow confident of success, to await the result on the +morrow, when the will was to be read.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Is this the daughter of a +slave? I know</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">'Tis not with men as shrubs and +trees, that by</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The shoot you know the rank and +order of</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The stem. Yet who from such a +stem would look</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">For such a shoot?"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Knowles.</span></p> +<p>The morrow came. Emily was summoned to the library, to hear the +reading of her father's will. With her no worldly consideration +could mitigate the deep grief that pervaded her heart. She derived +her only consolation from a purer, higher source. She was a true +mourner, and the acquisition of the immense fortune of which she +was the heiress was not an event which could heal the wound in her +heart. She looked not forward to the bright scenes of triumph and +of conquest that awaited her. She was not dazzled by the brilliancy +of the position to which wealth and an honorable name entitled her. +Such thoughts never occurred to her. She did think of Henry +Carroll; but not in the proud situation to which her wealth might +elevate him, but as a pure heart that would beat in unison with her +own, that would sympathize with her in her hour of sorrow; as one +who would mingle his tears with hers, over the bier of a common +parent. She was not sentimental in her love, nor in her grief. +Sighs and tears with her were not a sentimental commodity,—an +offering which the boarding-school miss makes alike at the altar of +her love, or at the shrine of a dead parent's memory. The +desolation of heart and home was not a trial which wealth and +honors could adorn with tinsel, and thus render it desirable, or +even tolerable!</p> +<p>Emily Dumont entered the library. The occasion was repugnant to +her feelings. The unceremonious blending of dollars and cents with +the revered name of her father was extremely painful to her +sensibility. It seemed like a profanation of his memory.</p> +<p>Her uncle, Maxwell, the witnesses of the will, and several +others,—intimate friends of the family,—were already +there. On Jaspar's countenance were no tell-tale traces of the last +night's villany. He looked gloomy and sorrowful. So thoroughly had +he schooled himself in hypocrisy for this occasion, that the scene +he knew would, in a few minutes, transpire, had no prophetic +indications in his features. Like the tragedian who is tranquil and +unaffected in the scene in which he knows his own death or triumph +occurs, Jaspar was calm, and his aspect even sanctimonious.</p> +<p>As Emily entered Maxwell tendered his sympathies in his usual +elegant manner, and so touchingly did he allude to the death of her +father that with much difficulty she restrained a flood of tears. +The scene in the office, and the disfavor with which she had lately +regarded him, were forgotten in his eloquence.</p> +<p>After this courtesy to the daughter of his former patron, +Maxwell again seated himself, and after briefly and formally +stating the reasons of their meeting, to which he added a short but +apparently very feeling eulogy of the deceased, he took the packet +from the safe, and proceeded to break the seals.</p> +<p>In his full and musical tones the attorney read the preliminary +parts of the instrument, and then commenced upon the principal +items of the will. First came several legacies to charitable +institutions and to personal friends; after which was a legacy of +ten thousand dollars to Emily Dumont, to be paid in Cincinnati by +his brother. The testator further declared <i>that the said Emily +was manumitted</i>, and should proceed under the guidance of his +brother to the place designated for the payment of the legacy.</p> +<p>Emily, who had scarcely heeded the provisions of the will until +the mention of her name attracted her attention, was, as may be +supposed, somewhat astonished to hear her own name in connection +with a legacy. She raised her sad eyes from the floor, and heard +the other stipulations in regard to her. So utterly unexpected, so +terribly revolting, was the clause which pronounced her a slave, +that for a time she did not realize its awful import. But the blank +dismay of her friends, the well-counterfeited surprise of Jaspar +and Maxwell, brought her to a painful sense of her position. She +attempted to rise, but in the act the color forsook her face, and +she sunk back insensible. In this condition she was conveyed to her +room.</p> +<p>The attorney completed the reading of the will, though, after +the extraordinary incident which had just occurred, but little +attention was given him. The witnesses at once recognized the +strange character, and acknowledged the signatures to be genuine. +Here, then, thought they, was the reason why the provisions of the +will had been concealed from them. So impressed were they with the +apparent purpose of Colonel Dumont in throwing the veil of secrecy +over the contents of his will, that the very strangeness of it +seemed to confirm its genuineness; and they did not scrutinize it +so closely as under other circumstances they probably would have +done.</p> +<p>How often may a good motive be tortured, by the appearance of +evil, into the most despicable criminality! Colonel Dumont in this +will had devised large sums of money to various charitable +institutions, and in the event of his life being prolonged, did not +wish to be pointed at and lauded for this act. True charity is +modest, and Colonel Dumont did not desire to see his name blazoned +forth to the world for doing that which he honestly and religiously +deemed his duty.</p> +<p>This modesty had favored Jaspar's plans. No one could now +gainsay the will he had invented; and he felt strong in his +position, especially after the witnesses had assented to their +signatures.</p> +<p>Among the persona who had been present in the library was Mr. +Faxon, an aged and worthy clergyman. He had for many years been an +intimate friend of Colonel Dumont, and was a legatee in his will to +a liberal amount. A constant visitor in the family, its spiritual +adviser and comforter, he had possessed the unlimited confidence of +the late planter and his daughter. To him the whole clause relating +to Emily seemed like a falsehood. Pure and holy in his own +character, it was beyond his conception that a man of Colonel +Dumont's lofty and Christian views could have lived so many years +in the practice of this deception. He had no means of disproving +the illegitimacy of Emily. The family had been unknown to him at +the period of her birth. The house-servants, with the exception of +Hatchie, were all younger than Emily. Then, the statement was made +in the will, and was, therefore, the statement of Colonel Dumont +himself,—for the genuineness of the will he did not call in +question. In accordance with his general character, her father had +manumitted her, and left her a competence. From this clause he +inferred that her father intended to place her beyond the reach of +harm, and beyond the possibility of ever being reduced to the +degraded condition so often the lot of the quadroon at the South. +He had not only given her freedom, but had provided for her +conveyance beyond the pale of slavery. With these intentions, if +she were in reality a slave, Mr. Faxon could find no fault. They +were liberal in the extreme. But why had he, at this late period, +mentioned the stain upon her birth? Why not let her live as he had +educated her? These queries were so easily answered that the good +clergyman could not condemn the dead on account of them. If the +daughter, then she was the heiress; if not, legitimately, it would +be injustice to the brother.</p> +<p>Mr. Faxon reasoned in this manner. He could not believe, even +with all the evidence before him. There was a reasonable answer, +apparently, to every objection he could think of, and he resolved +to apply to Jaspar and Hatchie for more information. All that +Jaspar could say, or would say, in answer to his interrogatories, +was that his brother's wife had died in giving birth to a dead +child; and that Emily, who was the child of a house-servant by him, +had so engaged his attention by her singular beauty that he had +substituted her for his own child. This story, Jaspar said, his +brother had told him in the strictest confidence, many years +before. Mr. Faxon, appreciating the disappointment of a father with +such a sensitive nature as Colonel Dumont, was willing to believe +that Emily had been substituted to supply in his affections the +place of the lost child; but that he should educate her as his own +child, and then cast her out from the pale of society, was +incredible!</p> +<p>The evidence was so strong, he could see no escape from the +terrible conclusion that the gentle being, to whom he had +ministered in joy and in sorrow, was a slave! It required a hard +struggle in his mind before he could reconcile himself to the +revolting truth. Her beautiful character, built up mostly under his +own supervision, he regarded with peculiar pride. He was not so +bigoted, however, as to believe his labors lost, or even less +worthy, because bestowed, as it now appeared, upon a slave. In +heaven his labors would be just as apparent in the quadroon as in +the noble-born lady.</p> +<p>After the departure of the friends who had been summoned to the +reading of the will, and whose stay had been prolonged by the +melancholy interest they felt in the unfortunate Emily, Mr. Faxon +requested to see her, and was shown to her room. She had just been +restored to consciousness, by the assiduous efforts of her maids, +as the good man entered.</p> +<p>"O, Mr. Faxon!" sobbed Emily, but she could articulate no more. +The terrible reality of her situation had entirely overcome +her.</p> +<p>"Be comforted, my dear child," said Mr. Faxon, affectionately, +taking her hand. "The ways of Providence are mysterious, and we +must bend humbly to our lot."</p> +<p>"I will try to be resigned to my fate, terrible as it is," +replied Emily, looking at the minister with a subdued expression, +while hot tears poured down her cheeks. "You will not forsake me, +if all others do!"</p> +<p>"No, no, my dear child; it is my duty to wrestle with sorrow. I +have come to direct your thoughts to that better world, where the +distinctions of caste do not exist."</p> +<p>"O, that I could die!" murmured Emily, as a feeling of despair +crept to her mind.</p> +<p>"Nay, child, you must not repine at the will of Heaven. In God's +own good time He will call you hence."</p> +<p>"I will not repine; but what a terrible life is before me!"</p> +<p>"The future is wisely concealed from us. It is in the keeping of +the Almighty. He may have many years of happiness and usefulness in +store for you."</p> +<p>"But I am an outcast now,—one whom all my former friends +will despise,—a slave!" replied Emily, covering her face with +her hands, and sobbing convulsively.</p> +<p>"Nay, be calm; do not give way to such bitter thoughts. This may +be a deception, though, to be candid, I can scarcely see any reason +to think so."</p> +<p>Emily caught at the slight hope thus extended to her; her eyes +brightened, and a little color returned to her pallid cheek.</p> +<p>"Heaven send that it may prove so!" said she; "for I cannot +believe that he who taught me to call him by the endearing name of +father; who watched so tenderly over my infancy, and guided my +youthful heart so faithfully; who, an hour before he died, called +me daughter, and blessed me with his dying breath,—I cannot +believe he has been so cruel to me!"</p> +<p>"It seems scarcely possible; but, my child, the ways of +Providence are inscrutable. Whatever afflictions visit us, they are +ordered for our good. Trust in God, my dear one, and all will yet +be well."</p> +<p>"I will, I will! My father's and your good instructions shall +not be lost upon me, slave though I am. <i>Dear</i> father," said +she, and the tears blinded her,—"I love his memory still, +though every word of this hated will were true. I ought not to +repine, whatever be my future lot. That he loved me as a daughter, +I can never doubt; that he never told me I am a slave, I will +forgive, for he meant it well."</p> +<p>"I am glad to witness your Christian faith and patience in this +painful event. But, Emily, had you no intimation or suspicion of +this trial before?"</p> +<p>"No, never, not the slightest," said Emily, wiping away the +tears which had gathered on her cheeks.</p> +<p>"See if you cannot call to mind some slight circumstance, which +you can now recognize as such."</p> +<p>Emily reflected a few moments, and then replied that she could +not.</p> +<p>"And your house-servants are all too young to remember as long +ago as your birth?"</p> +<p>"All but Hatchie."</p> +<p>"Perhaps you had better send for him, and I will question +him.</p> +<p>"I will, and I pray that his knowledge may favor me."</p> +<p>Emily sent one of the maids for Hatchie; but she returned in a +few moments, accompanied by Jaspar, who, hearing her inquiries for +the man his rifle-ball had sent to the other world, had come to +prevent any injurious surmises.</p> +<p>This man, Hatchie, had not escaped Jaspar's attention, in the +maturing of his plot; but, as in some other of the particulars, he +had trusted to the facilities of the moment for the means of +silencing him. Being a man, it was not probable he could know much +of the events attending the birth of Emily to his prejudice. If it +should prove that he did, why, it was an easy thing to get rid of +him. His rifle-ball or the slave-market were always available. But +Jaspar's good fortune had smiled upon him, and he felt peculiarly +happy, at this moment, in the reflection that he was out of the +way, for he doubted not the object of Emily in sending for him.</p> +<p>"Miss Emily," said Jaspar, in a tone of unwonted softness, "I am +sorry to say that your father's favorite servant met with a sad +mishap last night, of which I intended to have informed you before, +but have not had an opportunity."</p> +<p>Emily's cheek again blanched, as she saw all hope in this +quarter cut off.</p> +<p>"Poor Hatchie!" said she, as calmly as her excited feelings +would permit. "What was it, Uncle Jaspar?"</p> +<p>Jaspar's lip curled a little at the weakness which could feel +for a slave, and he commenced the narrative he had concocted to +account for the disappearance of Hatchie.</p> +<p>"About eleven o'clock last night," said he, "as I was about to +retire, I heard a slight noise, which appeared to proceed from the +library. Knowing that you would not be there at that hour, I at +once suspected that the river-thieves, who have grown so bold of +late, had broken into the house. I seized my rifle, and when I +opened the door the thief sprung out at the open window. I pursued +him down the shell-road to the river; upon reaching which I +perceived him paddling a canoe towards the opposite shore. I fired. +A splash in the water followed the discharge. The canoe came ashore +a short distance below, but the man was either killed by the ball +or drowned. In the canoe I found a bundle of valuables, which had +been stolen from the library,—among them your father's +watch."</p> +<p>"But was this Hatchie? Are you quite sure it was Hatchie?" asked +Emily, with much anxiety; for she felt keenly the loss of her +slave-friend.</p> +<p>"My investigations this morning proved it to be so. He is +missing, and the appearance of the thief corresponded to his size +and form. I am now satisfied, though I did not suspect it at the +time, that he was the man upon whom I fired."</p> +<p>"But Hatchie was always honest and faithful," said Emily.</p> +<p>"So he was, and I must share your surprise," returned +Jaspar.</p> +<p>"There is a possibility that it was not he," suggested Mr. +Faxon.</p> +<p>"There can be no doubt," said Jaspar, sharply. "The evidence is +conclusive."</p> +<p>"No doubt!" repeated Mr. Faxon, with a penetrating glance into +the eye of Jaspar, whose apparent anxiety to settle the question +had roused his first suspicion. "He was, if I mistake not, the only +servant of your household who was on the estate at the time of Miss +Dumont's birth?"</p> +<p>"He was, I believe," replied Jaspar, with a coolness that belied +the anxiety within him.</p> +<p>"Were you <i>alone</i> when you shot him, Mr. Dumont?" asked the +clergyman, sternly.</p> +<p>"I was alone. But allow me to ask, sir, by what right you +question me. I am not your pupil or your servant," replied Jaspar, +rather warmly, his natural testiness getting the better of his +discretion.</p> +<p>"Pardon me, sir," replied the minister, in a tone of mock +humility. "Do not let my curiosity affront you."</p> +<p>"But it does affront me," said Jaspar, losing his temper at the +sarcastic manner of the other. "Now, allow me to inquire your +business with this girl."</p> +<p>"I came in the discharge of my duty as a Christian minister, to +impart the consolations of religion to this afflicted child of the +church. Of course, my business could not be with <i>you</i> in that +capacity."</p> +<p>"You seem to have departed very widely from your object," +replied Jaspar, with a sneer which he always bestowed upon +religious topics.</p> +<p>"True, I have. This last blow upon poor Emily was so sudden and +so severe as to call forth a remark, and even a question of the +validity of the will."</p> +<p>"Indeed!" replied Jaspar, with a nervous start; "you have the +will as her father left it."</p> +<p>"Uncle, you said my father's watch was stolen? Was it not in the +iron safe, with the other articles?" asked Emily, timidly.</p> +<p>"It was," replied Jaspar, coldly.</p> +<p>"How did he open it?" interrogated Mr. Faxon, taking up the +suggestion of Emily.</p> +<p>"Did Hatchie return the keys to you last night?" asked Jaspar of +Emily, promptly.</p> +<p>"He did not," replied she.</p> +<p>"I sent for them to put a note in its place, and sent them back +by him immediately. The fellow stood by when I opened the safe, and +must have witnessed its contents. You can judge how he opened it +now," returned Jaspar, with a sneer, well pleased that he had +foiled their inquiries.</p> +<p>"You say that the canoe in which he was making his escape came +ashore. Where is it now? No canoe belongs to the estate."</p> +<p>"There is not," said Jaspar, uneasily.</p> +<p>"Perhaps an examination of it will disclose something of the +robber, if not of the will."</p> +<p>"So I thought this morning, and for this purpose went to the +river, but the canoe was not to be found. I did not secure it last +night, and probably it broke adrift and went down," replied Jaspar, +whose ingenuity never deserted him.</p> +<p>"Very likely," said the minister, with a kind of solemn sarcasm. +"This whole affair seems more like romance than reality."</p> +<p>"I cannot believe my father was so cruel," cried Emily, the +tears again coming to the relief of her full heart.</p> +<p>"Do you doubt the word of the witnesses, and the mark and +signature of your father?" said Jaspar, fiercely, with the +intention of intimidating her.</p> +<p>"No, no! but, Uncle—"</p> +<p>"Call me not uncle again! I am no longer the uncle of the +progeny of my brother's slaves. This cheat has already been +continued too long."</p> +<p>"I will not call you uncle, but hear me," replied Emily, +frightened at Jaspar's violence.</p> +<p>"I will hear nothing more. You will prepare to leave for +Cincinnati next week. I will no longer endure the presence of one +upon whom my brother's bounty has been wasted. Have you no +gratitude, girl? Remember what you are!"</p> +<p>With these cruel words Jaspar hurried out of the room, satisfied +that he had established his position, and, at least, silenced +Emily. The minister he regarded, as he did all of his profession, +with contempt.</p> +<p>Mr. Faxon and Emily had a long consultation upon the +embarrassing position of her who had so lately been the envied +heiress. The murder of the mulatto, the conduct of Jaspar, and some +other circumstances, afforded ground to believe that the will was a +forgery. If such was the fact, the minister was compelled to +acknowledge that it was a deep-laid plot. Everything seemed to aid +the conspirators; for he was satisfied, both from the wording and +the chirography of the will, that Jaspar, whatever part he played, +was assisted by others. There was not the slightest clue by which +the mystery could be unravelled. If there was hope that the will +was a forgery, there was no immediate prospect of proving it +such.</p> +<p>Under these circumstances, Mr. Faxon felt compelled to advise +obedience to the instructions of the will. The journey to the North +could do no harm, and was, perhaps, advisable, under the state of +feeling which would follow the publicity of the will. Emily, +painful as it was to leave the home of her childhood at such a +time, acquiesced in the decision of her clerical friend. But there +was a feeling in her heart that she was wronged,—that she +should go forth an exile from her <i>own</i> Bellevue.</p> +<p>On the following week, Jaspar and Emily proceeded to New +Orleans, in the family carriage, to take a steamer for +Cincinnati.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Day after day, day after +day,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">We stuck,—nor breath, nor +motion,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">As idle as a painted +ship</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Upon a painted +ocean."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">ANCIENT MARINER.</span></p> +<p>It was about the time of the events related in the preceding +chapters, at the close of a variable day, in which the storm and +sunshine seemed to struggle for the ascendency, that a +plain-looking, home-made sort of man might have been seen +attempting to effect a safe transit of the steamboat levee at New +Orleans. This personage was no other than Mr. Nathan Benson, +commonly called at home "Uncle Nathan." He was one of the better +class of New England farmers, an old bachelor, well to do in the +world, and was now engaged in the laudable enterprise of seeing the +country.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan, though he laid no claims to gentility in the +popular signification of the term, was, nevertheless, a +gentleman,—one of Nature's noblemen. He was dressed +scrupulously neat in every particular, though a little too rustic +to suit the meridian of fashionable society. He presented a very +respectable figure, in spite of the fact that the prevailing "mode" +had not been consulted in the fashioning of his garments. His coat +was, without doubt, made by some village tailoress, for many of the +graces with which the masculine artist adorns his garments were +entirely wanting in those of our worthy farmer. His hat was two +inches too low in the crown, and two inches too broad in the brim, +for the style; still it was a good-looking and a well-meaning hat, +for it preserved the owner's phiz from the burning rays of the sun +much better than the "mode" would have done. His boots, though +round-toed and very wide, were nicely polished when he commenced +the passage of the levee, but were now encased in a thick coating +of yellow clay.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan was a medium-sized man, and preserved as much of +nature's grace as a man can who has labored for five-and-thirty +years at the stubborn soil of New England. His hair was sandy, and +his full, good-natured physiognomy was surrounded by a huge pair of +reddish whiskers.</p> +<p>The superficial, worldly-minded man would have deemed Uncle +Nathan's <i>principles</i> rather too ultra for common, everyday +use; but he, good soul, found no difficulty in applying them to +every action he performed. He was, to use a common phrase, a +"professor of religion;" but, less technically, he was more than a +professor, and strove to live out the spirit of truth and +righteousness.</p> +<p>After much difficulty, Uncle Nathan succeeded in effecting a +safe passage to the planking which formed the landing for the +boats. After a glance of vexation at the soiled condition of his +boots (Uncle Nathan was a bachelor!), he commenced his search for +an upward-bound steamer, for he was about to begin his homeward +tour. Two columns of dense black smoke, the hissing noise of +escaping steam, and the splashing paddles of a boat a short +distance down the stream, attracted his attention, and towards her +he directed his steps. Approaching near enough to read her name, he +was not a little surprised to find the boat he had seen advertised +to start a week before. Concluding, in his innocence, that some +accident had detained her, he hastened on board. Entering the +cabin, the scene which was there presented did not exactly coincide +with his ideas of neatness or morality. Uncle Nathan had read +descriptions of the magnificence of Mississippi steamers; but the +Chalmetta (for this was the name of the boat) fell far below them. +Even the best boats on the river he considered vastly inferior to +the North River and Sound steamers.</p> +<p>After a hasty survey of the Chalmetta's capability of making him +comfortable for a week or more, he concluded to take passage in her +for Cincinnati, and accordingly he sought for the captain. To his +inquiries for that personage a thin, cadaverous-looking man +presented himself, and drawled out a civil salutation.</p> +<p>"How long afore you start, cap'n?" inquired Uncle Nathan.</p> +<p>"We shall get off in about ten minutes," replied Captain +Brawler. "John," continued he, turning to a waiter near him, with a +wink, "tell the pilot to be all ready, and ring the bell."</p> +<p>"Why, gracious!" said Uncle Nathan, hastily, as the waiter +dodged into the pantry, "I shan't have time to get my trunk +down."</p> +<p>"How far up do you go?" inquired Captain Drawler.</p> +<p>"To Cincinnati, if you can carry me about right," replied Uncle +Nathan, with an eye to business.</p> +<p>"Well, as you are going clear through, I will wait a few minutes +for you," suggested the captain.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan thought him very obliging, and after some little +"dickering" (for he had heard that Western steamboats were not +particularly uniform in their charges), he engaged a passage, +applying to the bargain the trite principle that "no berth is +secured till paid for," which had been reduced to writing, and +occupied a conspicuous place in the cabin. Without waiting to see +the berth he had paid for, he hastened to the hotel for the large +hair trunk, which contained his travelling wardrobe.</p> +<p>Our worthy farmer made it a point never to cause any one an +unnecessary inconvenience; never to read the morning paper more +than half an hour when an impatient crowd was waiting to see it; +and never in his life stopped his five-cattle team in the middle of +a narrow, much-frequented road, to the annoyance of others. So the +captain did not have to wait more than five minutes beyond the +stated time. Depositing his trunk upon a heap of baggage in the +cabin, and turning with pious horror from the gaming-tables there, +Uncle Nathan seated himself in an arm-chair on the boiler deck, to +await the departure of the boat, and, in anticipation, to feast his +vision with the wonders of the Father of Waters. He waited very +long and very patiently, for Uncle Nathan considered patience a +cardinal virtue, and strove manfully against every feeling of +uneasiness. The tongue of the hugs bell over him at intervals +banged forth its stunning cadence, the hissing steam let loose from +its pent-up cells, the water which the wheels sent surging far up +upon the levee, all were indications, to his unsophisticated mind, +of a speedy departure.</p> +<p>Two hours he waited, with the same exemplary patience; but still +the Chalmetta was a fixture.</p> +<p>Night came, and the music of the bell, and the steam, and the +surging water, ceased. Uncle Nathan, thinking patience no longer a +virtue, cardinal or secondary, hastened to the captain, with some +appearance of indignation on his honest features. The worthy +officer very coolly informed him that, owing to the non-arrival of +the mail, he should be unable to get off till the next morning.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan uttered a very peculiar "O!" and, seemingly +perfectly satisfied with this explanation, asked to be shown his +berth. The captain consulted the clerk, and the clerk consulted the +berth-book, which conveyed the astounding intelligence that the +berths were all taken!</p> +<p>"All taken!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, aghast. "Haven't I paid for +one?"</p> +<p>The gentlemanly clerk acknowledged that he <i>had</i> paid for +one, and kindly offered him a mattress on the floor, assuring him +that there would be plenty of berths after the boat got off.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan did not see how this could be, and was informed +that many berths taken were not claimed.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id= +"FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class= +"fnanchor">[1]</a></p> +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href= +"#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Western steamers +seldom start at the time they advertise, but wait until they are +full of freight and passengers. The latter are boarded on them from +the time they take passage, if they wish,—often a week or ten +days. Berths are often engaged by "loafers," who eat and sleep on +board, and grumble at the detention, but who suddenly decamp when +the boat starts.</p> +</div> +<p>Contenting himself with this explanation, Uncle Nathan sought +the boiler deck again, to obtain the only possible oblivion for his +uneasiness in the society of mongrel gentlemen and monstrous +mosquitos. Those who have been subjected to these steamboat +impositions will readily perceive that Uncle Nathan was in no very +agreeable state of mind. He was, to a certain extent, home-sick. +There was something in his expectant state, and something in the +gloomy aspect of the low city with its cheerless lights, in the +damp atmosphere and the clouds of mosquitos, to produce a sigh for +home and its joys. If any one had hummed "Sweet Home" in his ears, +it would have brought the tears to his eyes. He thought of +everything connected with his hallowed home: of the good-natured +spinster who was his housekeeper, and of the ten-acre lots upon his +farm; of the red steers and the gray mare; of the shaggy watch-dog +and the tabby-cat; of home in all its minutiæ. Its familiar +scenes visited him with a vividness which added ten-fold to their +influence. He was as far abstracted as the mosquitos, which +gathered in swarms upon every tenable spot of his flesh, would +permit, when his meditations were disturbed by the gentleman who +occupied the next chair. He wore the uniform of the army, and was +battling the mosquitos with the smoke of a plantation cigar, which +bore a very striking resemblance to those rolls of the weed +vulgarly denominated "long nines."</p> +<p>This gentleman was Henry Carroll, who had been in waiting three +days for the sailing of the Chalmetta. On his return from Georgia +he had not deemed it prudent to visit Bellevue. Of the startling +events which had transpired there since his departure he was in +entire ignorance.</p> +<p>"No prospect of getting off to-night, is there?" said he to +Uncle Nathan.</p> +<p>"Not the least," replied the latter. "The cap'n just told me the +mail hadn't come, so he should have to wait till mornin'."</p> +<p>Henry turned to Uncle Nathan rather sharply, to discover any +mischief which might lurk in his expression. Perceiving that he +looked perfectly sincere, and was innocent of any intention to quiz +him, he merely uttered, in the most contemptuous tone, the single +word "Humbug!"</p> +<p>"You seem a leetle out o' sorts," returned Uncle Nathan, piqued +at the coldness with which his intelligence was received.</p> +<p>"Well, sir, I think I have very good reason to be so," returned +Henry; "for I have lain about this boat, like a dead dragoon, for +three days, in suspense."</p> +<p>"You don't say so!" responded Uncle Nathan, with interest. "When +did they tell you they should start?"</p> +<p>"The captain said in about ten minutes," answered Henry, with a +smile.</p> +<p>"Good gracious! he told me the same thing!" said Uncle Nathan, +astonished at the coincidence.</p> +<p>"But I knew he lied, when he said so; yet the boat seemed full +of passengers, and I did not expect to wait so long."</p> +<p>"Don't you think they will get started to-morrow?"</p> +<p>"I cannot venture an opinion, having been so often deceived. The +captain is trying to get a freight of soldiers on deck. The city is +full of them now, returning to their respective states."</p> +<p>"Then he has taken me in most outrageously," said the New +Englander, with emphasis.</p> +<p>"A very common occurrence, sir," replied Henry, who now +explained to his companion some of the tricks of Western steamboat +captains.</p> +<p>"Is there no remedy?" asked Uncle Nathan, anxiously.</p> +<p>"Certainly; you can go in the next boat, if you choose. I shall +take the 'Belle of the West,' which I am pretty well assured will +sail to-morrow, if this one does not. But I prefer this, as many of +my friends go in her."</p> +<p>"But will they give you back your passage-money again?" asked +the economical Yankee.</p> +<p>"I have not paid it yet," replied Henry, now understanding the +position of his fellow-traveller.</p> +<p>"Then how did you secure a berth? The sign in the cabin says 'No +berth secured till paid for.'"</p> +<p>"I see how it is. You have been dealing with these fellows as +though they were honest men." He then explained that there is no +security against imposition for travellers who pay their passage in +advance, in case the boat gets aground, or the captain pleases to +detain them an unreasonable time; that the "old stagers" never show +their money till the trip is up; and much more useful information +for the voyager on the Western rivers.</p> +<p>"And I have no berth yet! The fellow promised me one when we got +off," said Uncle Nathan, chopfallen; for, if any one is keenly +sensitive to an imposition, the Yankee is the man.</p> +<p>"There you are lame again," replied Henry. "You may get one, and +you may not. As you have paid your fare, you had better keep quiet, +and to-morrow I will assist you in securing your rights."</p> +<p>"Thank ye," replied Uncle Nathan, truly grateful for the kind +sympathy of the officer. "I had no sort of idee that they played +<i>such</i> tricks upon travellers."</p> +<p>"Fact, sir; this New Orleans is said to be a very naughty +place," returned Henry, amused at the simplicity of his +companion.</p> +<p>"True as gospel!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan, fervently.</p> +<p>"Have you been here long?"</p> +<p>"Only about ten days; but I have seen more iniquity in that time +than I supposed the whole airth contained."</p> +<p>Henry smiled at the fervid utterance of his companion.</p> +<p>"You are from the North, I perceive," said he.</p> +<p>"Yes, sir, I am from Brookville, State of Massachusetts, which, +thank the Lord, is a long way from New Orleans!"</p> +<p>"Still, there are some excellent people here," suggested Henry, +who had known and appreciated Southern kindness and +hospitality.</p> +<p>"Well—yes—I suppose there is; but their morals and +religion are shockin'. It made my blood run cold, and my hair stand +on eend, to see a company of soldiers marchin' through the streets +last Sabba' day, to the tune of 'Hail Columby;' and then to think +of balls and theatres on the Lord's day night, really it's +terrible. I wouldn't live in sich a place for all the world!"</p> +<p>"Very different from New England, certainly," replied Henry, +good-naturedly, for it must be confessed he was not so much shocked +at these desecrations.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan discoursed long and eloquently on Sabbath-breaking, +gambling and intemperance, which prevail to such an extent in the +luxurious metropolis of the South,—as long, at least, as the +patience of his new-found military friend would permit. At his +suggestion they retired to a hotel for the night, for the mosquitos +were in undisturbed possession of the Chalmetta.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"—And deep the waves +beneath them bending glide.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The youth, who seemed to watch a +time to sin,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Approached the careless guide, +and thrust him in."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">PARNELL.</span></p> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Accoutred as I was, I +plungéd in."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>Early on the following morning, Henry Carroll and Uncle Nathan +were on board the Chalmetta, ready and eager for a start. But they +were doomed to more disappointment. Nearly all day the bell banged +and the steam hissed; the captain told a hundred lies, but the boat +did not budge an inch from her berth. Still there were certain +signs that the hour of departure could not be far distant. Fresh +provisions and ice in unusually large quantities were received on +board about noon, and these are unfailing prognostics of "a good +time coming."</p> +<p>At about five o'clock in the afternoon, the captain's ten +minutes, with which he had secured an occasional fresh passenger, +seemed actually to have expired. Our two friends on board, however, +had been so often disappointed that they did not allow a single +bright anticipation to enliven their hearts, till they actually +heard the order given "to cast off the fasts and haul in the +planks." And even then their hopes were instantly dampened by the +sudden reversion of the order.</p> +<p>This unexpected change had been produced in the mind of the +captain by seeing a splendid equipage dashing at a furious pace +across the levee, the driver of which had, by his gestures, made it +appear that his vehicle contained passengers.</p> +<p>The carriage drew up opposite the boat, and Emily Dumont and +Jaspar alighted from it. Picking their way through the crowd of +dealers in cigars, shells, and obscene books, who had just been +ejected from the boat, they were soon on board. A few moments' +delay in getting up the baggage of the new comers, and the welcome +"cast off the fasts and haul in the plank" was again heard. The +rapid jingling of the engineer's bell succeeded, and, to the joy of +some three hundred souls on board, she backed out into the stream +and commenced her voyage. Uncle Nathan breathed freely; the load of +anxiety which had oppressed him was removed. But his joy was +short-lived, for Henry Carroll informed him that the boat was +headed <i>down</i> river!</p> +<p>"What in all natur' can be the meanin' of this?" exclaimed our +Northerner, wofully perplexed.</p> +<p>"I cannot tell," replied Henry; "but I am much afraid we shall +yet have to stay over Sunday in New Orleans."</p> +<p>"The Lord deliver me!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan. "I will go into +the swamp back of the city, afore I will look upon the iniquities +of that Sodom again."</p> +<p>"Rather a hard penance; but let us first see what this movement +will amount to."</p> +<p>At this moment Captain Drawler descended from the wheel-house, +and was immediately besieged by a dozen angry passengers, who had +resolved to lynch him, or leave the boat,—which he dreaded +more,—if satisfaction was not given.</p> +<p>The stoical captain, with perfect coolness, heard their +complaints and their threats. He waited with commendable patience +till they had vented their indignation, and then informed them that +he only intended to receive a little freight at the lower city, +which would not detain him "ten minutes."</p> +<p>The captain's assertion, with the exception of the ten minutes, +was soon verified by the boat touching at a sort of +dépôt for naval and military stores. The +"<i>freight</i>" which the Chalmetta was to take consisted of +several long boxes, which lay near the landing. These boxes +contained coffins, in which were the remains of some sixteen +officers, who had paid the debt of nature in the discharge of their +duties in Mexico.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll, with a melancholy heart, witnessed the process of +conveying these boxes to the deck of the steamer. In them was all +that remained of many stout hearts, with whom, side by side, he had +marched to glory and victory. There were the forms with whom he had +triumphantly mounted the battlements at Vera Cruz, and raised the +stars and stripes over the city of Mexico. There, before him, +forever silent, were the dead heroes of Chepultepec and Perote. +Those with whom he had endured toils and hardships of no common +nature,—with whom he had contended against a treacherous foe, +and a more treacherous climate,—were there encoffined before +him. They died in defence of their country's honor; and he almost +envied them the death which wrote their names, subject to no future +stain, upon the roll of fame.</p> +<p>The sight of these boxes, and a knowledge of their contents, +also awakened sad reflections in the mind of Uncle Nathan. But his +reflections were of a different character from those of the +soldier. War he regarded as an unnecessary evil,—one which +men had no more right to countenance than they had the deeds of the +midnight assassin. The honor of a nation were better sacrificed +than that the blood of innocent men should flow in its support. He +was a thorough disciple of the peace movement. With such views as +these, his sympathies naturally reverted to the dwelling of the +departed hero; to the home rendered desolate by the untimely death +of a father; to the circle which gathered in tears around the +fire-side, to deplore the loss of an affectionate brother and son; +to the widow and the orphan, whom war's desolating hand cast into +the world to tread alone its dreary path. To Uncle Nathan victory +and defeat were alike the messengers of woe. Both were the +death-knell of human beings; both carried weeping and wailing to +women and children.</p> +<p>After the last box of the pile had been conveyed on board, and +preparations were making to cast off, the reflections of hero and +moralist were disturbed by several long, loud vociferations, in a +strong Hibernian accent. They proceeded from a man, dressed in the +tattered remnants of the blue army uniform, who was industriously +propelling a wheel-barrow towards the landing, on which was a box +of similar description to those just embarked.</p> +<p>"Hould on!" shouted he; "hould on, will yous, and take on this +bit of a box?"</p> +<p>"Does it belong with the others?" asked the captain.</p> +<p>"To be sure it does," replied Pat. "What the divil else does it +belong to? Arn't it the body of Captain Farrell, long life to his +honor! going home to see his frinds?"</p> +<p>"Take it aboard," said Captain Brawler to the deck hands, after +examining the direction.</p> +<p>The men lifted the box rather rudely, in a manner which seemed +to hurt poor Pat's feelings.</p> +<p>"Bad luck to yous! where were you born, to handle the body of a +dead man the like o' that?" said he. "Have yous no rispict for the +mim'ry of a haro, that yous trate his ramains so ongintlemanly? +Hould up your ind, darlint, and walk aisy wid it!"</p> +<p>"Lively there," cried Captain Drawler, "lively, men!"</p> +<p>"Bad luck to your soul for a blackguard, as ye are!" shouted +Pat. "Where did you lave your pathriotism?"</p> +<p>The box was by this time on deck, and the captain, to do him +justice, made all haste to proceed on his voyage.</p> +<p>The cases containing the remains of the officers were deposited +in the after part of the hold, to which access was had by means of +a hatch near the stern. Pat's peculiar charge was placed on top of +the others, and he maintained a most vigilant watch over it.</p> +<p>There was now a fair prospect of commencing the voyage, and our +two passengers were in high spirits. Henry was not a little fearful +that the boat would resume her long-occupied position at the levee; +the very thought of such a calamity was painful in the extreme. But +this fear was not realized; the Chalmetta gave the levee a wide +berth. The Rubicon was passed; the shades of doubt and anxiety were +supplanted by the clear sunshine of a bright prospect.</p> +<p>"We are at last fairly started," said Henry, seating himself by +the side of Uncle Nathan, on the boiler deck.</p> +<p>"Thank fortin, we are!" responded the farmer, heartily. "We are +fast getting away from that den of sin."</p> +<p>"And you may preserve your morals yet," said Henry, with a +pleasant laugh.</p> +<p>"My morals are safe enough, thank the Lord!" answered Uncle +Nathan, a little touched at this reflection upon his firmness; "but +I don't like the place, to say nothing of its morals."</p> +<p>"Very likely. But see that Irishman—the fellow who had +charge of the box. He looks poorly enough, as far as this world's +goods are concerned, but happy and full of mirth, for all +that."</p> +<p>"He looks as though he had seen hard times," added Uncle Nathan, +indifferently.</p> +<p>"He does, indeed, like many other of the poor soldiers; but, I +warrant me, he has a stout will, and an honest heart. I say, my +fine fellow," said Henry, addressing Pat, "come up here."</p> +<p>"Troth I will, then, for I see yous wear the colors of Uncle +Sam," replied the Irishman, making his way to the boiler deck.</p> +<p>"Long life to your honor!" continued Pat, as he reached the +deck, and making a low bow, as he doffed his slouched +hat,—"but I wish I had the money to trate your honor."</p> +<p>"Which means," replied Henry, "as you have not, I should treat +you?"</p> +<p>"That's jist it, your honor. I persave your honor is +college-larnt by the way yous see into my heart."</p> +<p>Henry laughed heartily, and so did Uncle Nathan; though, to tell +the truth, our moralist of the North was sorry to see his companion +hand the man a "bit" to drink with, for he was a member of the +temperance society.</p> +<p>Pat got the "smile," and with a grateful heart returned to his +patron.</p> +<p>"Thank your honor, kindly," said Pat.</p> +<p>"Now tell me, Pat, what regiment you served in," said Henry.</p> +<p>"In the first Pennsylvanians,—Captain Farrell's +company."</p> +<p>"Captain Farrell's! I knew him well,—a fine fellow and a +gallant officer! Many were the tears shed when the vomito carried +him off," said Henry, with much feeling. "And you were one of his +company?"</p> +<p>"Troth, I was, thin. He was every inch a sodger and a +gintleman."</p> +<p>"And the box you brought on board contains his remains?"</p> +<p>"Upon me sowl it contains the body of as good a man as iver +breathed the breath o' life," replied Pat, very emphatically.</p> +<p>"Very true. You speak well of your captain, and he deserved all +he will ever get of praise. Here, Pat, is a dollar for you; and if +you want anything, come to me."</p> +<p>"Thank your honor," replied Pat, uncovering, with a bow and a +scrape of the foot. "You are as near like poor Captain Farrell as +one pay is like another. Long life to your honor,—may you +live forever, and then die like a haro!"</p> +<p>"A genuine Irishman!" said Henry, as Pat descended to the main +deck; "one in whom gratitude and faithfulness are as strong as life +itself!"</p> +<p>"He seems a good sort of man," returned Uncle Nathan, who had +but little appreciation of the Irish heart.</p> +<p>The conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the +supper-bell. An eager multitude rushed to the cabin; but every seat +was already occupied. On a crowded boat on the Mississippi there is +often much selfishness displayed. On the Chalmetta half an hour +before tea-time the most knowing of the passengers had stationed +themselves in a line around the table, ready to charge upon the +plates, like a file of soldiers, the moment the bell rang. Those +who did not understand the necessity of this precaution, on +entering the cabin were much surprised to find every place +occupied, and were comforted with the assurance of a second +table.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan and Henry secured seats which had been reserved for +ladies who did not appear to claim them. Opposite them were seated +Emily and her uncle. She was dressed in deep mourning, and her +countenance was saddened by the gloom of affliction. Her eyes were +reddened by weeping, in which she had indulged freely in the quiet +of her state-room. By intense effort she had subdued her violent +agitation, and a sad calmness rested upon her face, that belied her +feelings.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll, who had not before been aware of her presence, +was, as may be supposed, astonished at this meeting. In her sable +dress and melancholy aspect he read the sad affliction which had +befallen her in the death of her father. Their eyes met, and +exchanged warmer greetings than their words could have done. A sad +smile—the smile of pleasure—rested upon her beautiful +features, as they interchanged salutations. Her pale cheek was +slightly crimsoned with a tell-tale blush. Her fluttering heart +refused to retain its secret.</p> +<p>Henry expressed his grief at the melancholy event which had +shrouded her in the weeds of mourning,—not in words alone, +but his sorrow for the death of a kind friend was more eloquently +told in his countenance.</p> +<p>Jaspar was chagrined at this meeting, and his awkward attempts +to be civil to Henry were entire failures. This was an event for +which he was not prepared,—the consequences of which filled +him with anxiety. He knew that in Henry his wronged niece would +have a zealous advocate;—not a superannuated priest, but a +young man whose blood was warm, and whose soul was full of energy. +True, he reasoned, the young officer was powerless as a +diplomatist. Ho as yet knew nothing of the will, or of Emily's +degraded position. Henry knew the feelings and character of his +brother, and would be the last one to believe the infamous +statement of the will. What the father might have said to him in +regard to her he knew not. As guilt always does, he imagined a +thousand dangers, and saw with a clear vision the real ones +besides.</p> +<p>At the tea-table there was little conversation beside the +ordinary courtesies of the occasion. Jaspar said but little.</p> +<p>The guilty never feel any security in the enjoyment of +ill-gotten wealth. The murderer is haunted by the ghost of his +victim. The cries of the widow and the orphan continually ring in +the ear of the avaricious. The fear of discovery haunted Jaspar. +Although he saw no probability of his villany being exposed, the +fear of discovery troubled him day and night. Revengeful and cruel, +dauntless and bold, as he had ever been, the present seemed a +crisis in his life. He had accomplished the climax of villany, and +as he had racked his powers of invention for the means of attaining +his purpose, he now taxed them for the means of concealing it. The +insecurity of his position was so tedious, that he sought, as the +tempest-tost mariner seeks the quiet haven, to fortify it, so that +he might be at rest from the tormenting doubts which assailed him. +Vain hope! there is no rest for the wicked. Plots and schemes ran +through his mind; but they afforded no satisfaction. There was only +one event which promised the least mitigation of his mental +sufferings, and this was the death of his niece. Black as he was at +heart, he shrank from her murder,—not at the deed, but at the +terrible consequences to him which might follow it.</p> +<p>Emily was conducted to the ladies' cabin by Jaspar, who, by a +dogged adherence to her side, seemed determined to prevent any +further conversation between her and Henry. But the black +chambermaid, with an official dignity which is oftentimes necessary +in her position, politely requested him to retire. Jaspar left, +satisfied she would be safe from intrusion for the present.</p> +<p>Jaspar's disposition to prevent further conversation between +Emily and Henry was not unperceived by the latter. He was satisfied +that her uncle's close attendance at her side—so foreign to +his former manner—was not without its purpose. Love, which he +had in vain attempted to stifle, pressed more vigorously at his +heart. In her recognition of him he had read that the sentiment in +her heart was not abated by his absence. Her melancholy aspect had +awakened a new interest in him. Disappointed in obtaining the +interview he desired, he sought the hurricane deck to think of her, +and to cherish the warm feeling in his heart. But what was his +surprise, on reaching it, to find Emily there, and alone!</p> +<p>After the departure of Jaspar she had retired to the gallery +which surrounds the cabin, to enjoy the freshness of the evening +air. The gallery was somewhat crowded, and, with a lady and +gentleman, she had ascended to the hurricane deck. Her companions, +more gay and happy than she, soon left her to the gloom and +comparative silence which usually reigns on the upper deck. There +were no other passengers there, and, fearing not the darkness or +the loneliness, she was there venting the sadness which pervaded +her heart. She was about to descend, when she recognized Henry.</p> +<p>Emily related to him the circumstances of her father's death, +and of the reading of the will.</p> +<p>"Impossible!" exclaimed Henry, in astonishment.</p> +<p>"It is strange; but I cannot see any reason to disbelieve it, +except that my father's character assures me it is not so."</p> +<p>"Which would be a very good reason for disbelieving it. And you +are now on your way to Cincinnati?"</p> +<p>"I am; and it is the most melancholy journey I ever attempted. +But I ought to be thankful for all that comes,—if I am a +slave, for the freedom that awaits me."</p> +<p>"Good Heavens! Emily, do not talk so! You freeze the blood in my +veins!"</p> +<p>"Nay, I feel somewhat reconciled to the terrible reality now, +for it little matters what I really am, since the will—true +or false—condemns me to the odium of having been a slave. You +will not wish now to own your sister!" said Emily, with a sad +smile.</p> +<p>"Yes, were you ten times a slave, it would not obliterate the +mark of the omniscient God! It could not alter the beauty of the +features or the character. I should be proud of such a sister, even +did she wear the shackles. But you! No, no, there is no stain upon +your birth!"</p> +<p>"And can you regard me as you once did? A—"</p> +<p>"An angel. Yes, truly, as an angel of the higher order."</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, this sounds not like the Henry Carroll of a month +since. You are a flatterer," said Emily, with a smile.</p> +<p>"I did but say what I would have gladly said then," replied +Henry.</p> +<p>The fear of ingratitude to a father no longer chained his heart +to the narrow limit of friendship. He saw her before him trodden +down by misfortune, in the power of subtlety and villany, and as a +child of misfortune his heart even more strongly inclined to her. +He loved her more tenderly than before.</p> +<p>"Then, when sorrow was a stranger, you were subdued and distant +to your sister," said Emily, her heart fluttering with the storm of +emotion within it.</p> +<p>"I am as I was then; but you were a child of affluence, and I +feared to—to—"</p> +<p>"Why did you fear?" asked Emily, not waiting to hear the word +Henry was stammering to enunciate. "Had you no confidence in your +sister?"</p> +<p>"I did have confidence in the <i>sister</i>. But I fear it was +not a sister's confidence I sought."</p> +<p>"Indeed!" said Emily, her emotions destroying the appearance of +surprise the word was intended to convey.</p> +<p>"Emily, I will not now attempt to conceal the feelings which +have torn my heart," said Henry, in a low tone, as he took her +willing hand. "When I bade you farewell,—alas! what +misfortunes have come since!—when I left you for I dared not +think how long, you know not what violence I did to the warmest +feeling of my heart. You know not what misery the struggle between +that feeling and duty has caused me. I have striven to conquer it; +but Heaven has now put you in my path, thus bidding me resist no +more the impulse of my heart. I love you, Emily, and I have tried, +for your sake and your father's, to conquer my love. Say, Emily, +may I venture to hope my love is not unvalued?"</p> +<p>A slight pressure of the hand he held was all the answer he +received—was, indeed, all he asked.</p> +<p>"You forget what I am," murmured Emily.</p> +<p>"I will always forget what this will has said you are. But +Heaven will not let the innocent be wronged, nor the guilty remain +unpunished. A month since, how I wished you were not the heiress of +a millionaire!"</p> +<p>"Why did you wish it? Did you think that gold would blacken my +heart?"</p> +<p>"No, dear Emily, but it would have been ingratitude in me to win +your love, and thus destroy any other plan your father might have +cherished."</p> +<p>"My father never had an avaricious disposition," replied Emily, +warmly.</p> +<p>"Far from it; but he might have had some views, in regard to his +daughter, with which I might have interfered."</p> +<p>"But you were a rebel against his views, notwithstanding," said +Emily, with a smile, and a deep blush, which the darkness concealed +from Henry.</p> +<p>"I should have been sorry to have heard you say so, then; but +now, Heaven bless you for the words!" replied Henry, with a warm +pressure of the hand.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><br /> +<a href="images/079g.jpg"><img src="images/079g.jpg" width="80%" +alt="" title="" /></a><br /> +<b>Hatchie and Henry rescuing Emily from the Mississippi.</b></div> +<p>"Madam," said Jaspar, who had stealthily approached, without the +knowledge of the lovers, "to your state-room! Captain Carroll, as +the guardian of this lady, I request your entire withdrawal, in +future, from her society."</p> +<p>"A request," replied Henry, proudly, "which I shall entirely +disregard."</p> +<p>"Then, by—you will receive the penalty of your obstinacy!" +said Jaspar, in a passion.</p> +<p>"I am not to be intimidated by threats."</p> +<p>"Do not provoke him, Henry" said Emily, fearful for the safety +of him whom the last hour had doubly endeared to her.</p> +<p>"Mr. Dumont, <i>her</i> request I will obey," and Carroll walked +forward.</p> +<p>He paused by the side of the wheel-house, to hear the report of +the leadsman, who was sounding the depth of water, in obedience to +the command of the pilot, expressed in a single clang of the heavy +bell. Mechanically he had stopped, and with no interest in the +matter he listened to the monotonous reply, "Quarter less three," +&c. He was about to descend to the boiler deck, when a shrill +shriek startled him from his revery. There was no mistaking the +sound of that voice! Without an instant's hesitation, he called to +the pilot to stop the boat, and, with a few bounds, was by the side +of Jaspar, who was calling lustily for help. Henry, careless of his +own safety, slid down to the gallery abaft the ladies' cabin, and +then sprang to the single pole upon which was suspended the small +boat. Before he could unloose the tackle, and lower himself down, +he heard a splash, and saw a man swimming towards the spot where +Emily had disappeared. Henry plied a single oar in the stern of the +boat, and reached the place in season to take in the noble fellow +who had preceded him, together with his lifeless burden, as he +rose. The steamer backed down, and in a few moments more the party +was safely on board again.</p> +<p>"Where is the man who saved her?" said the disappointed Jaspar, +after assisting Emily to her state-room.</p> +<p>Emily's fall had not been accidental, as the reader will at once +infer. Jaspar's passion, and the danger which he thought the young +officer's presence menaced, had prompted him to an act which was +not attended with his usual prudence, and the failure was likely to +place him in a more uncomfortable position than his former one. +With the instinct of deception, he immediately offered a liberal +reward to the man who had rescued her.</p> +<p>"Where is he? Who is he?" shouted Jaspar, eagerly.</p> +<p>"<i>Here</i>!" cried a voice from the crowd.</p> +<p>Jaspar started and turned pale, for the voice was a familiar +one.</p> +<p>"Where is he?" called Jaspar again, concluding that he must have +mistaken the voice.</p> +<p>"Here!" again came forth from the crowd, and Hatchie stepped +forward.</p> +<p>"Hell!" exclaimed Jaspar, staggering back as he recognized the +man whom he supposed his rifle-ball had sent to furnish food for +the fishes. But he recovered his courage instantly, feeling the +danger of betraying himself.</p> +<p>"Here is the reward," stammered he, holding out the money.</p> +<p>"Never!" said Hatchie; and, before the crowd could clearly +understand the nature of the case, he had vanished behind a heap of +freight.</p> +<p>At Jaspar's suggestion, a diligent search was made in every part +of the boat, but the mulatto was nowhere to be found. Jaspar, as +usual, invented a story to account for the strangeness of the +incident which had occurred. A liberal reward offered by him failed +to produce the preserver of Emily.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 7.5em;">"'Tis much he +dares;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And to that dauntless temper of +his mind</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">He hath a wisdom that doth guide +his valor</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">To act in safety." +SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>Although the general condition of the negro slaves at the South +is the most degraded in which humanity can exist, there are some +exceptions to the rule; and among them may well be placed the +body-servant of Colonel Dumont, Hatchie, whose sudden and +mysterious reäppearance upon the deck of the Chalmetta must be +accounted for.</p> +<p>With an intelligence far superior to his condition, Hatchie +discovered the villany that lurked in the eye of Jaspar, on the +night of the forgery of the will. As we have before said, no one +better than he knew the character of Jaspar; no one better than he +knew of what villany he was capable. When he had been sent for the +keys, an undefined sense of duty prompted him to watch, and, if +possible, to prevent the mischief which he foresaw was gathering. +When ordered to retire, he had pretended to obey; but he placed +himself beneath the window through which De Guy had entered, a +small crack of which had been accidentally left open. In this +position he saw Jaspar take out the packet which he knew contained +the will. He heard De Guy read the fictitious will, and at once +discerned enough of the plot to comprehend the danger that hovered +over his mistress. He understood that the real will was to be +destroyed; and his first impulse was to save it, which he had +adroitly accomplished as before related.</p> +<p>When Hatchie reached the open air, he was sensible of the +dangerous position in which his bold act had placed him. So sudden +and unpremeditated had been his action that no thought of future +consequences had accompanied it. But, undismayed, he ran at his +fleetest speed towards the river. He heard the footsteps of his +pursuers, and every step he advanced he expected to receive the +bullet of Jaspar. Trusting for safety to the darkness of the night, +he quickened his speed, till he gained the steep bank of the river. +Leaping into the canoe which he discovered in his flight, he pushed +out into the stream, and was several rods advanced towards the +opposite shore when his pursuers reached the bank.</p> +<p>Plying the canoe with all the strength and skill of which he was +master, his progress was suddenly interrupted by a log, upon which +his frail bark struck with much violence. The collision checked his +progress, and swung the canoe round by the side of the log. +Satisfied that Jaspar would fire as soon as he saw the canoe, his +ready ingenuity supplied him with the means of avoiding the ball, +and of escaping further pursuit. Taking the will in his mouth, he +grasped the canoe with one hand, and paddled silently with the +other and with his feet. He had turned the canoe adrift, and +Jaspar, without waiting to examine it, had fired. Hatchie then +jumped up in the water, and produced the splash which had deceived +his pursuers.</p> +<p>With much difficulty the mulatto had propelled the log beyond +the reach of the current into comparatively still water. Here he +remained quietly on the log, using only sufficient exertion to +avoid the current, until he was satisfied that Jaspar and his +companion had departed from the bank. He then returned to the +shore, using the greatest precaution to avoid his enemies; but all +was still.</p> +<p>Immediate danger being at an end, he bethought him of securing +his future safety,—a matter of extreme difficulty for one in +his position. He was satisfied that Jaspar would invent some story +to account for his disappearance; and just as well satisfied that +he would shoot him, if he again showed himself on the plantation. +He congratulated himself on the happy scheme he had adopted to +deceive Jaspar; for he had now a reasonable security from being +advertised and pursued as a runaway slave.</p> +<p>After much reflection, he concluded his wisest plan would be to +seek safety in New Orleans, where, in the crowd, he might escape +recognition. The cane-brake and the cotton-grove would not protect +him. He might be seen, and the blood-hound and the rifle bring him +in a prisoner, and even Miss Emily would now be unable to save him +from the penalty. How could he live in New Orleans, or how escape +from there? He was without money, and he had sense enough to know +that money is a desideratum, especially to the traveller.</p> +<p>Of this useful commodity, however, he had a supply in the +mansion house, which he had saved from the presents made him by +Colonel Dumont and his guests. Recognizing the necessity of +obtaining it, as well as some more clothing, he resolved to enter +the house and procure them, after the light he saw in the +library-window was removed.</p> +<p>While waiting, he pondered more fully his position. What should +be his future conduct in regard to the will? He carried with him, +he felt, the future destiny of his gentle, much-loved mistress. He +felt that on his action during the next hour depended the happiness +for a lifetime of one whom he had been taught to revere, and whose +gentleness and beauty had almost lured him to worship. If the +morrow's sun found him in the vicinity of the estate, he would +probably fall a victim to Jaspar's policy. What should he do with +the will? Should he show himself at the hour appointed for the +reading of it? He might fall into Jaspar's hands in the attempt, +the precious document be wrested from him, and thus all his +exertions be in vain. Without the will itself he could do +nothing,—his word or his evidence in court would be of no +avail. No one would believe the former against Jaspar, and the +latter was inadmissible.</p> +<p>Should he carry it to Mr. Faxon, or even to Miss Emily herself, +Jaspar might obtain possession of it by some means.</p> +<p>His deliberations could suggest no method by which immediate +justice could be done his mistress; and the conclusion of his +reflections was, that he must place himself in a safe position +before he attempted to expose the villany of others. His mistress, +he knew by the will which he had heard De Guy read, was to be +conveyed to Cincinnati. He must go to Cincinnati—but how? +This was a hard question for the faithful Hatchie to answer; but +answer it he must. He would go to New Orleans, and there form his +plan.</p> +<p>After waiting till the lights were extinguished in the library, +he entered the house, and obtained his money and clothing.</p> +<p>By the exercise of much caution, he reached New Orleans in +safety, where, by the disbursement of a small sum of money, he +obtained a secure retreat in the house of a free man, with whom he +had formerly been acquainted. His object was now to obtain a +passage to Cincinnati,—a matter not easy to accomplish, as +the law against conveying blacks, unprovided with the necessary +permit, was very stringent. He could not hope, with his limited +means, to offer an acceptable bribe for this service. To attain his +object, therefore, he must resort to stratagem, for the chances of +obtaining a passage by direct means were too remote and too +perilous to be hoped for. But accident soon afforded him the means +of attaining his end.</p> +<p>The negro with whom he had obtained a shelter kept a small shop, +and by the grace of the authorities and his neighbors was permitted +to sell liquor, tobacco and cigars, to the steamboat cooks, +stewards, sailors, and the soldiers who thronged the city on their +return from Mexico. In the rear of this shop, and connected with +it, was a small room in which the negro lived. This room afforded a +safe retreat, and in it Hatchie had his hiding-place.</p> +<p>One day a little knot of men, in the faded, dilapidated garments +of the army, entered the tap-room of Hatchie's protector. They +drank deeply, and, as was their constant practice, they seated +themselves at the broken table, and commenced gambling with the +negro's dirty cards for the few dollars which remained in their +possession. This amusement terminated, as such amusements +frequently do, in a fight, in which one of the number seemed to be +singled out as an object of vengeance for the others. This +individual was an Irishman; and, for a time, he held way manfully +against his assailants. But, at last, in spite of the exertions of +the "proprietor" to protect him, he was likely to get the worst of +it, when Hatchie, no longer able to control his indignation at the +unfairness displayed in the encounter, suddenly interfered in favor +of the now fallen man. His enormous strength and skill soon cleared +the room of the rioters. Hatchie drew the defeated Irishman into +his hiding-place, and locked the door. This man was Pat Fegan, who +has been introduced to the reader.</p> +<p>Pat was filled with gratitude to his protector, and swore he +would stick by him till his dying day, if he was a "naiger." A +mutual friendship was thus established, which resulted in the +disclosure of their future prospects. The fact that both were +seeking the same destination seemed to strengthen the bond thus +formed. Hatchie, shrewd by nature, read the true heart of the +Irishman. He felt that he could trust him with his life; but his +ability was quite another thing.</p> +<p>Pat Fegan was without means, and readily accepted the +hospitality which Hatchie offered to pay for. In the course of the +long conversations with which the two friends beguiled the weary +day, Pat related his adventures in Mexico, at the close of which he +casually mentioned that the remains of several officers, who died +there, were to be conveyed up the river. Hatchie's curiosity +prompted many inquiries, which drew from the talkative Hibernian a +full description of the boxes that contained the coffins, and many +particulars relative to the transportation of them.</p> +<p>Pat's description of the boxes suggested to Hatchie the means of +getting to Cincinnati.</p> +<p>"Could you get me a box like those which contain these coffins?" +asked he.</p> +<p>"Faix, I can, thin, if I only had the matther of two or three +dollars. But what the divil makes yous ax sich a question?"</p> +<p>"I will give you ten dollars, and pay your passage to Cincinnati +besides, if you will get me the box," said Hatchie, disregarding +Pat's query.</p> +<p>"By me sowl, I'll get yous the box, and ax yous only the price +meself pays for 't," replied Pat, touched at the idea of a reward, +which between friends seemed base even to his rude mind.</p> +<p>"And I shall want your help, too."</p> +<p>"Yous may well count on that, for whin did a Fegan desart his +frind? But tell me, honey, what yous mane to do wid it."</p> +<p>"I intend to get to Cincinnati in it."</p> +<p>"Is it in the box?" exclaimed Pat, astonished beyond measure. +"Sure you will smodther!"</p> +<p>"But, my friend, I want you to look out for that, and give me +something to eat and drink. You can pretend that the box contains +the body of your captain, who, you said, died in Mexico."</p> +<p>"Arrah, me darlint, I see it all!" and Pat shook his sides with +laughter at the idea of the mulatto's "travelling-carriage," as he +styled it.</p> +<p>Pat had procured the box, and conveyed it to Hatchie's asylum. +It was sufficiently large to furnish quite a roomy apartment. The +covering consisted of short boards, matched, and screwed on +crossways. To facilitate the introduction of food and air, and to +afford the means of a speedy exit in case of need, he had taken off +half these boards, and fastened them together with cleats on the +inner side. The ends of the screws were then filed off, so that +this portion of the lid exactly corresponded with the other +portion. A number of hooks were then procured, so as to fasten it +upon the inner side. By this arrangement, the occupant of the box +would not be dependent upon exterior aid for egress. When once on +board the steamer, he expected he should be able to leave his +hiding-place in the night, and perhaps at other times.</p> +<p>Upon the outside the box was similar to the others, and was duly +marked and consigned.</p> +<p>Hatchie's quarters were near the dépôt from which +the coffins were to be shipped, and Pat, watching his time, had +wheeled his own charge down in season to be shipped with the +others. In the haste of embarking, the clerk had not noticed that +one box more had been brought on board than his manifest +indicated.</p> +<p>Hatchie was not aware that Emily and her uncle were passengers +on the same boat till the moment of the accident. He had before +released himself from his prison-box, and was enjoying the fresh +air, which the closeness of his box rendered particularly +desirable, when he heard the scream of his mistress. Her voice was +familiar, and even in the scream of terror he recognized it. It +needed not a second thought to convince him of his duty. He had +saved her life, and, forgetful of the danger of thus exposing his +person, he stood by and saw her conveyed to her state-room. He +heard Jaspar call for her deliverer, and offer a reward. This he +knew, if no one else did, was gross hypocrisy, and in the +indignation of his honest heart he had stepped forward to confront +him. The sight of Jaspar, and the thought of his own +responsibility, recalled his prudence; and he hastened to retrieve +his error by escaping to his hiding-place in the box, in which no +one thought of searching for a living man.</p> +<p>In the excitement and exertion attendant upon the incident, +Henry Carroll had not recognized Hatchie; and, while Jaspar +inquired for her deliverer, he had been seeking the surgeon. Henry +thought of nothing but her safety.</p> +<p>Hatchie at once knew the voice of Henry, but, knowing nothing of +the relation between him and his mistress, he feared to trust him +with his secret.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 9em;">"But as thou art a +man</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Whom I have picked and chosen +from the world,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Swept that thou wilt be true to +what I utter;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And when I've told thee that +which only gods,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And men like gods, are privy to, +then swear</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">No chance, or change, shall wrest +it from thy bosom."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 23em;">OTWAY.</span></p> +<p>Emily Dumont, while yet insensible, was conveyed to her +state-room, where, by the assiduous attention of the stewardess and +the lady passengers, she was soon restored to consciousness. An +army surgeon, who was fortunately on board, prescribed a course of +treatment which prevented all evil consequences, so that on the +following morning she appeared at breakfast as well as usual +bodily, though the terrible fact that her uncle had attempted her +life so agitated her that sleep had been a stranger to her eyelids. +By whom she had been rescued was yet unknown to her.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll again took his place opposite her at the morning +meal,—a place he had secured by the exercise of a full hour's +patience in occupying it. At the first convenient opportunity, he +congratulated her upon her safe recovery, and for the first time +she heard the particulars of her rescue. Jaspar, with an ill grace, +expressed his obligations to him, though at the same time he wished +him at the bottom of the river.</p> +<p>Henry failed not to notice the blush which came to her cheek, as +she modestly but fervently expressed her gratitude for the noble +service he had rendered her. Although her accepted lover, there had +been but little intercourse of a tender nature between +them,—not enough to prevent her heart from fluttering when he +spoke, and sending its warm blood to her cheek.</p> +<p>With what indescribable pleasure does the lover recognize the +blush which a word or an act of his own calls to the face of his +new-found love! Like the breaking clouds which disclose to the worn +mariner the faint outline of the distant land, he hails it as the +omen of future bliss! It is part of the mystical language of the +heart. It is part of the mechanism of the affections, which the +will cannot conceal. The gentle look, the warm pressure of the +hand, the eloquent language of love, which modesty at first +forbids, are supplied by the timid, uncalled, beautiful blush! +Prudence and delicacy cannot chain it in the veins.</p> +<p>Henry read in her blush the warm current of pure love which +flowed from her heart. It told him how willingly her gratitude +coalesced with her love. Their position at table did not afford the +opportunity of interchanging those feelings of the heart which each +felt swelling within. The present, so full of joy and hope, it +seemed cruel to surround with circumstances which forbade them to +enjoy it. A crowded steamer is the most uncomfortable place in the +world for a pair of lovers, and Henry and Emily felt the +inconvenience of it.</p> +<p>But, if the position of the lovers was uncomfortable, Jaspar's +was painful. They had the consolation of loving and being loved; +but he was now writhing under the weight of an additional torture. +The appearance of Hatchie was the knell of all his hopes, the +precursor of ruin. To him it was a mystery, and all his endeavors +to solve it were unavailing.</p> +<p>About noon the Chalmetta arrived at Baton Rouge, where, +according to previous arrangement, and much to the joy of the +perplexed uncle, De Guy came on board. Jaspar greeted him with more +than usual courtesy, and felt, to as great a degree as guilt can +feel it, a relief from the embarrassments which surrounded him. The +first step of the red-faced attorney, on finding no state-room +unoccupied, was to dispossess two flat-boatmen of theirs, by the +payment of a round bonus. Jaspar thought this a rather extravagant +move for one apparently so parsimonious; but his mind was too +deeply engrossed with the difficulties which environed him to +comment on extraneous subjects.</p> +<p>To this state-room Jaspar and his confidant retired, to consider +the condition of their operations; and while they deliberate we +will return to another character.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan was in the full enjoyment of all the satisfaction +which seeing the world affords to the observing man. He gazed with +unceasing wonder upon the Father of Waters, on whose mighty bosom +he was borne towards the loved scenes of home. He was edified and +amused with the ever-varying succession of objects which presented +themselves, as the Chalmetta progressed. Flat-boats and steamers, +plantations and cotton-wood groves, islands and cut-offs, were all +objects of interest. And, when he was tired of these, "Bunyan's +Pilgrim's Progress," which was his constant travelling companion, +afforded him all the excitement his contented disposition required. +The time promised to be easily disposed of, even if the passage +should be unusually prolonged. Besides, the number and variety of +dispositions on board afforded him some study, and some +instruction. There were men of all grades of society, and all +degrees of moral worth,—beginning, of course, at a very +moderate standard, and descending to the vilest of the vile, which +last were in a large majority. There were tipplers, and gamblers, +and profane swearers, in abundance; and Uncle Nathan felt, at the +bottom of his philanthropic heart, a desire to lead them from their +sins. Not that he was officious and meddlesome, for he believed in +"a time for everything." In his modest, inoffensive way, no doubt, +he sowed the seeds of future reformation in some wayward heart.</p> +<p>Pat Fegan proved an apt disciple, and already had Uncle Nathan +given him the first lesson in the form of a temperance lecture, +which probably had its effect, as he left the boiler deck without +the dram for which he was supposed to have come up.</p> +<p>"Now, Partrick," said Uncle Nathan, on the evening after Emily's +rescue, "rum never did any one any good."</p> +<p>"'Pon my soul it did, thin,—it makes me happy whin sorra +thing else in the wide world will comfort me," replied Pat.</p> +<p>"But that an't nateral happiness; it an't the sort that comes of +doin' good to your feller-creturs."</p> +<p>"It sinds throuble away—what else is happiness?"</p> +<p>"But how do you feel arterwards? That's the pint."</p> +<p>"Arrah! bad enough, sure. Yous have the betther of me +there."</p> +<p>"Then leave it off, Partrick," responded Uncle Nathan, drawing +the pledge from his pocket. "Sign the pledge, and you are +safe."</p> +<p>But we need not follow Uncle Nathan in his reformatory +lucubrations. Pat signed the pledge; but whether he had an +appreciating sense of the restraint he imposed upon his appetite we +cannot say. Uncle Nathan thought him saved from his cups, and +rejoiced accordingly. Perhaps, if he had looked a little closer, he +might have suspected an interested motive on the part of Pat. He +saw none, and, feeling secure in the present victory, he admonished +his disciple "to stick to it as long as he lived."</p> +<p>"'Pon me word, I will, thin," replied Pat. "I see yous are a +gintleman, if yous don't look jist like one. Now, do you see, Mr. +Binson, you are jist the man I am looking for, this last six +hours."</p> +<p>"Why so, Partrick—what do you mean?" said Uncle Nathan, +mystified by the sudden change of manner in the new convert.</p> +<p>"Hould aisy a bit, for I'd like to hould a private +correspondence wid yous. Will ye jist come to the hurricane deck, +till I tells yous all about it?"</p> +<p>"Sartain," replied Uncle Nathan, his curiosity fully +excited.</p> +<p>As soon as they reached a deserted portion of the promenade +deck, Pat, after satisfying himself there were no listeners near, +commenced, with an air of grave importance, his story.</p> +<p>"Whisht now, and draw near," said he. "Can yous keep a +sacret?"</p> +<p>"Well, I think I could, if it was an honest one."</p> +<p>"Faix, thin, it <i>is</i> an honest one. Sure yous come from the +North, and don't belave in keeping the naigers in bondage?"</p> +<p>"To be sure not."</p> +<p>"Well, then, would yous help a naiger out of throuble, if yous +could as well as not?"</p> +<p>"I sartainly wish 'em well; but the Scripture says 'Honor the +king,' which means nothin' more nor less than 'obey the laws.' +Arter all, though, perhaps we ought not to mind wicked laws."</p> +<p>"Musha bad luck to your raysoning! Sure I'm no docthor, to +blarney over the matther. Will yous kape the sacret?" asked Pat, a +little excited, and somewhat disappointed to find his auditor +lukewarm in "the cause."</p> +<p>"Sartain; tell your story, and, if I can't do you any good, I +won't do you any harm."</p> +<p>"That's the mon for me!" replied Pat, slapping Uncle Nathan +familiarly on the back. "Now, do you see, there's a naiger on this +boat, that wants a frind."</p> +<p>"A friend!" said Uncle Nathan, with some doubt, as he reflected +on the conflict between the claims of humanity and the stringent +laws of the slave states.</p> +<p>"To be sure, a <i>frind</i>!" replied Pat, with emphasis.</p> +<p>"I <i>will</i> befriend him," replied Uncle Nathan, his natural +inclination triumphing over his fear of the law.</p> +<p>"Spoken like a Christian! Sure, that's jist what St. Patrick +would say, if the saint—long life to him!—were here," +replied Pat, rejoicing that the difficulty was overcome.</p> +<p>"Now, dhraw near till I tells yous all about it; and, if iver +you mintion a word of it, may your sowl never lave purgatory till +it is burnt to a cindther! Now, do you mind, there's a naiger +concayled in the hould of the boat, that wants to correspond with a +faymale in the cabin."</p> +<p>"But he will expose himself, and she may deliver him up."</p> +<p>"Divil a bit! Didn't he save her from dhrowning, last night?" +exclaimed Pat, warmly, for this act of Hatchie excited all his +admiration.</p> +<p>"Good gracious! you don't say so!" and Uncle Nathan understood +the mystery of the previous night.</p> +<p>"Sorra a word o' lie in it."</p> +<p>"But where in natur is the feller?" asked the wonder-struck +Yankee, his curiosity getting the better of every other +consideration.</p> +<p>"Whisht, now," whispered Pat; "he is in one of those boxes, with +the dead men! Do yous mind?"</p> +<p>"Good gracious! how you talk! In a coffin?"</p> +<p>"Divil a coffin at all. Sure as nate a bit of a box as iver held +a Christian."</p> +<p>"But why does he wish to speak with the lady?"</p> +<p>"Sorra know I know," replied Pat, to whom Hatchie had +communicated no more than was necessary.</p> +<p>"Does he wish to see her in person?"</p> +<p>"Not a bit of it. Now, do you mind, I saw you speaking to the +lady, and I tould him of it. Then the naiger axed me could he trust +yous. I tould him yes; and he tould me to bring yous down to him, +and that's the whole of it. Now, will yous go down the night and +spake to him?"</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan reflected a little; for, though no craven, he was +very prudent, and had no romance in his composition. After +deliberating some time, much to the detriment of Pat's patience, he +replied in the affirmative.</p> +<p>Pat then instructed him in relation to certain precautions to be +observed in order to avoid notice, and left him to ponder the +strangeness of the adventure. He had well considered his course, +and, having decided upon it, he was earnest in pursuing it. He had +chosen, he felt, a dangerous, but his conscience assured him a +right path, and nothing could now deter him from proceeding in it. +He was not fickle, and invoked many a blessing on the effort he +might make for the salvation of the poor negro. True, his prudence +had magnified the undertaking, which was a trivial affair, into a +great adventure. Imagination often makes bold men.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 6em;">"<i>Duke</i>.—How's +this?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">The treason's</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Already at the doors."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10.5em;">VENICE PRESERVED.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"<i>Amelia</i>.—I thought I +heard a step.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Charles</i>.—'T is your +tyrant coming."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10.5em;">PROCTOR.</span></p> +<p>Jaspar and De Guy were for a long time closeted in the +state-room. On their reäppearance Jaspar felt much easier. The +silky-toned attorney had used a variety of arguments to convince +him that their schemes were working excellently well, and that +everything, notwithstanding the resurrection of the negro, would +terminate to his entire satisfaction.</p> +<p>The process of "wooding-up" on a Mississippi steamer, inasmuch +as it affords the passengers an opportunity to exercise their +locomotive powers on shore, is regarded as an interesting incident. +This was particularly true on board the Chalmetta, for she was +crowded to nearly double her complement of cabin-passengers, and +the space usually devoted to exercise was too much crowded to +render it very pleasant.</p> +<p>When, therefore, the Chalmetta touched at a wood-yard, after +leaving Baton Rouge, the passengers hurried on shore, to enjoy the +novelty of an unconfined promenade. De Guy, on pretence of further +private conversation, induced Jaspar to forsake his post as +sentinel over Emily, and join him in a walk. For half an hour the +attorney in his silky tones regaled the ears of Jaspar with various +strange schemes, until the bell of the steamer announced her near +departure. Even then De Guy seemed in no haste, and assured his +companion the boat would not start without them. But the second +bell admonished them that the steamer was already getting under +way. The passengers were all on board, and, as they heard in the +distance the tinkling of the engineer's bell, they started at a run +to reach her. By some accident, De Guy's foot got between Jaspar's +legs, and he fell. The attorney stooped, as if to assist him up, +but, in reality, struck the fallen man a blow, which rendered him +insensible. De Guy hurried towards the boat, leaving the watchful +uncle to shift for himself. He reached the landing in season to +jump upon the stern of the boat as it swung in shore. Pushing +through the crowd which had gathered to witness his exploit of +getting on board, he retreated to his state-room, and locked the +door.</p> +<p>Jaspar was not immediately missed by Emily, and his absence was +too desirable to be the cause of any solicitude. As the tea-hour +approached, and the ladies were requested to take their places at +table, she was very much surprised to see <i>Mr. Maxwell</i> +present himself as her escort to the table. Since the unhappy +disclosure of his love in the office, she had regarded him with +pity, rather than with the contempt he merited. She could not but +feel that he loved her. His eloquent language and forlorn aspect +had not been in vain, for they had saved him from her <i>utter</i> +contempt. A true woman cannot be conscious of possessing a portion +of the love, even of a dissolute man, without feeling some respect +for him. To love truly and devotedly is an element of the angelic +character; and such love will purify and ennoble even the grossest +of human beings. Emily unconsciously arrived at this conclusion; +and, discerning some indications of pure love towards her in his +gross and earthly mind, she felt that he was entitled to her +sympathy. She cherished no affection for him; all that her gentle +heart could contain was bestowed upon another. A suspicion had more +than once entered her mind that Maxwell was, in some manner, +connected with the foul plot which had drawn her into its toils. +But, she reasoned, if he loved her, he would not injure +her,—no, not even in revenge for her refusal. <i>She</i> +could not, and her beautiful nature would not allow her to believe +it, even of a man as gross as her better judgment told her Maxwell +was.</p> +<p>To her inquiry for her uncle, Maxwell informed her that he had +some conversation with him since he came on board at Baton Rouge, +and that he had requested him to attend her at tea. He had not seen +him since, but supposed he was forward, or in his state-room.</p> +<p>Emily readily accepted his arm, for anything was a relief from +the hateful presence of Jaspar. Maxwell used all the art which +politeness could lend to render himself agreeable. His ready wit, +and the adaptation of his conversation to the unhappy circumstances +of her position, in some measure dispelled the misery of the hour. +Besides, it was plain the attorney did not believe the statement of +the will; for a high-born Southern gentleman would never associate +in public with a slave girl. She had, too, a presentiment that he +came on some errand to her. Perhaps the good minister, Mr. Faxon, +had sent him with good news to her. Perhaps through him the will +had been proved false. Such reflections as these imparted more +interest to his society than she would otherwise have felt.</p> +<p>During the tea-hour his assiduous courtesy left scarcely a +particular in which Henry Carroll, who, as before, occupied a seat +opposite to him, could render himself of use. He could hardly +address a word to her without interrupting her companion. An +introduction, which had before placed the young captain and the +attorney on speaking terms, did not prevent the latter from mixing +excessively good with excessively bad breeding. He was apparently +unwilling that Henry should be heard by Emily. Maxwell had some +idea of the relation which subsisted between his two companions; +but, of course, knew nothing of the previous night's interview, +which had indissolubly bound their hearts together. He seemed +determined to keep their sympathies as far apart as possible.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll wondered at the absence of Jaspar and at the +sudden appearance of Maxwell, for he had not before seen him. His +attentions to her he loved created no jealousy. Emily had +satisfactorily acknowledged her affection for him, and to believe +her pure nature, especially under the present circumstances, +susceptible of coquetry, were infidelity. A single look beaming +with love had assured him that his star was still in the +ascendant.</p> +<p>At the conclusion, Maxwell, with the same elegant courtesy, +conducted her back to the ladies' cabin. Emily repeated her +acknowledgments for the attentions, and was about to enter her +state-room, when he addressed her.</p> +<p>"May I beg the favor of a few moments' private conversation, +Miss Dumont?" said he, in a more business-like manner than that he +had assumed at the tea-table.</p> +<p>Emily hesitated. Her supposition concerning his mission was +partly verified in this request; but the remembrance of her last +interview with him at his office in New Orleans came like a cloud +over the bright sky of her hopes. Curiosity and a painful interest +prompted her to risk the interview. If this interview was likely to +be of an unpleasant nature, she could retire; and, if the worst she +apprehended was likely to be realized, she knew that Henry Carroll +hovered near her, at all times, like a guardian angel.</p> +<p>"In your legal capacity, I presume?" said she, with a smile and +a crimson face.</p> +<p>"Certainly, certainly," replied Maxwell, not a little +disconcerted to discover this troublesome caution.</p> +<p>"Will you take a seat, then? I think no one will feel an +interest in our conversation beside ourselves."</p> +<p>"Excuse me," replied Maxwell, in his blandest tones, "a few +words of our conversation overheard might expose persons we wish +not to injure."</p> +<p>"Perhaps it had better be deferred to a more convenient +opportunity."</p> +<p>"Delays are dangerous, Miss Dumont. Justice to yourself requires +that my communication be made at once. Allow me to attend you to +the promenade deck, where we shall be secure from +interruption."</p> +<p>Emily, with many doubts, accepted his arm, and they proceeded to +the promenade deck.</p> +<p>"Now, Mr. Maxwell," said Emily, in a very serious tone, for she +wished to awe the profligate into the most business-like reserve, +"be as speedy as possible, for I am fearful of the effects of the +night-air upon my health."</p> +<p>Maxwell was disconcerted at this change in the manner of his +companion, and vexed to account for it. The remembrance of past +events came to his aid, but afforded no satisfactory solution. He +could not see why Emily should studiously reject his overtures. His +experience of female society had been of the most flattering +character. He was perfectly aware of his popularity. His personal +attractions always had been a strong recommendation, and he could +not see why they should not be in this instance. His family was +good, his fortune supposed to be respectable,—everybody did +not know the inroads he had made upon it; his business was a +pastime—the gate of honor and fame. It was true his character +was dissolute, but she did not know this.</p> +<p>Unfortunately for him and his prospects, she did know it, and +the fact had all the weight which a virtuous mind attaches to such +a circumstance.</p> +<p>"I have been fortunate enough to obtain some information which +may be of great value to you, or I should not thus have intruded +upon you," said Maxwell, with the air of a man upon whom suspicion +rested unjustly.</p> +<p>"Indeed, Mr. Maxwell!" replied Emily, forgetting both the +night-air and the character of the man who stood beside her; "pray, +tell me all at once!"</p> +<p>"Pardon me," replied he, coldly, "as the story is somewhat +lengthy, perhaps it might be deferred till to-morrow, if your +health is likely to suffer from exposure at this hour."</p> +<p>Emily was confused; but she could not stoop to the weakness of +deception to smooth over her former coldness. She was burning with +impatience to be restored, even in imagination, to the position +from which she had been degraded by the cruel will. Her companion's +language was not calculated to remove her doubts of his intentions. +If the communication was of a business character, why should he be +offended at her haste to terminate the interview? This reflection +strengthened her resolution not to conciliate him. She would trust +to Providence and the justice of her cause, rather than make an +intimate of a man whom she despised.</p> +<p>"Miss Dumont," said Maxwell, growing desperate at the lady's +silence, "perhaps I have offended in some manner. If I have, it was +unintentional, and I trust you will forgive me."</p> +<p>"O, no, sir, not at all!" exclaimed Emily, mollified, in spite +of herself, by the humility of the attorney. "There is no offence, +and no apology is necessary."</p> +<p>"I am greatly relieved by this assurance, and, with your leave, +will proceed with my narrative."</p> +<p>Maxwell now entered into a relation of the history of the will, +but studiously avoided imparting a single fact with which she was +not already acquainted. All this he had related with a lawyer's +skill, to awaken her curiosity and interest, and to remove by +distance any unpleasant suspicions which might have been awakened +in her mind in regard to his motives.</p> +<p>To all he said Emily listened with profound attention, +momentarily expecting the development of the foul plot. But thus +far Jaspar Dumont is as pure as an angel,—nothing is +disclosed. In this manner half an hour passed away, and Emily was +no wiser than at first.</p> +<p>Maxwell has now, with an adroitness peculiar to the successful +lawyer, made <i>himself</i> the subject of his remarks. He is +careful that she shall know how sagacious he has been in +discovering the facts he has not yet revealed. He tells her how +many weary days and nights he has spent in searching out the truth; +what wonderful intelligence of his had converted the shadow of a +suspicion into the reality of an incontrovertible conviction; how a +single word he casually overheard has been followed through weary +days and dismal nights, till he has arrived, with all the evidence +in his hands, at the truth!</p> +<p>Emily was certainly grateful for the deep interest he had +manifested in her behalf, and she expressed her gratitude with +modest earnestness.</p> +<p>"But, Miss Dumont," continued Maxwell, "I could not thus have +sacrificed myself for every client. My health and strength, under +ordinary circumstances, would have given way, and the case have +been lost."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir, you may rely on the fullest and most substantial +acknowledgment for the service you have rendered. My purse shall be +entirely at your disposal," responded Emily, warmly and +innocently.</p> +<p>"Money, Miss Dumont, would not have tempted me to make the +sacrifice of health and comfort which this exertion has required of +me. I have done all my humble talents would permit from a higher +motive. I look for my reward in the consciousness of having done my +duty."</p> +<p>"I trust, Mr. Maxwell, you will receive the great reward which +is sure to follow every noble and true action."</p> +<p>Emily was sadly perplexed to understand this new and singular +phenomenon.</p> +<p>"The act itself is its own reward," said Maxwell, with an +attempt to counterfeit humility, which was very awkward, but which +deceived Emily, agitated as she was by hopes and fears.</p> +<p>"But, as I said," continued he, "I would not have done this for +every client, and I trust you will pardon me when I say the only +reward I look forward to is your smile of approval."</p> +<p>"I certainly cannot but approve of the motives which have +actuated you, and your actions perhaps I could better appreciate if +my knowledge of them was more extensive," responded Emily, +disappointed and displeased, as her suspicions were reawakened.</p> +<p>But a faint smile rested upon her beautiful features, as if to +soften, the reproof she had administered, and to conceal her rising +emotions. She felt that Maxwell could assist her, but she feared +every moment that some allusion to the prohibited subject would +compel her to banish him from her presence.</p> +<p>"A smile from you were an ample reward for all my trouble and +exertion," said Maxwell, deceived by the smile of Emily. "To be as +sincere as your generous nature demands, I cannot conquer the love +I have before expressed. I—"</p> +<p>"Excuse me, sir," indignantly interrupted Emily, "I must +retire."</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, Miss Dumont! I meant no offence. Hear me but for a +moment!"</p> +<p>"Not another instant, sir! You have deceived me."</p> +<p>"Upon my honor, I have not. I possess the evidence by which your +birthright and possessions may be restored."</p> +<p>"No more! I had rather die in poverty, with the stain clinging +to me, than owe the restoration of my rights to you. You have taken +advantage of my unprotected condition to impose upon me."</p> +<p>"You wrong me, Miss Dumont; as, if you will remain but a moment, +I will prove to you," said Maxwell, pleading like an injured +man.</p> +<p>Maxwell's peculiar tone and penitent air made Emily pause, and +perhaps think she had spoken too hastily. All the wrong of which +she could accuse him was, that he loved her. She felt that this was +not a crime. The remembrance of wrongs she knew he had inflicted +upon others, perhaps weak and unprotected like herself, nerved her +resolution, and to a word of love from him she could not listen. +She wished to conciliate him, if possible, but not at the expense +of her self-respect.</p> +<p>"Why have you detained me all this time to listen to a story +with which I was before as familiar as yourself? Why have you used +the language of love, which a refusal to hear now renders +insolent?"</p> +<p>"I have offended you, Miss Dumont," said he, in the humblest +tones; "can I hope to be forgiven?"</p> +<p>"Your future conduct alone can secure my forgiveness."</p> +<p>"Then I solemnly promise never again to allude to the admiration +with which I have regarded your matchless beauty, or to mention the +love which now consumes my heart."</p> +<p>"I trust you are sincere," said Emily, not knowing whether to +smile or frown upon this making and breaking the promise in the +same breath. The deep anxiety she felt for her future fate made her +disposed to forget the past, and in a gentler tone she expressed +her forgiveness.</p> +<p>Maxwell imagined that, at last, his star was in the ascendant. +His experience of woman-kind only indicated that he had been too +precipitate, and that the reserve, even the refusal he had +received, were only the accidents of the moment, not the natural +expression of an indifferent heart. His assurance increased as he +reflected. He was led to believe that he might, now that the +ice-barrier was removed, be more unreserved in his wooing. His +perseverance had now overcome all obstacles, and the prize was in +his grasp.</p> +<p>"I have a plan to propose," said he, "which will immediately +secure to you all your rights."</p> +<p>"Pray what is it?" asked Emily, eagerly.</p> +<p>"As you have forbidden me to speak of love, I am placed in a +very unfortunate position. In short, you can obtain possession of +your estate by returning as my wife."</p> +<p>This last sentence was said in a whisper, and in a tone of +assurance, as though he felt she would gladly accept the +alternative.</p> +<p>"Sir!" exclaimed Emily, aghast with astonishment and +indignation, for the abruptness of the degrading proposition nearly +deprived her of the power of speech.</p> +<p>"Even so, Emily. I have the power to restore your rights, and +will do so on this condition. The ceremony may be performed at +Natchez, where we shall arrive to-night; or, if you fear I promise +more than I can perform, I will draw up an agreement, which you +shall sign, to the effect that you will accept my hand on the +restoration of your rights. I will give you two hours to think of +it; and if, at the end of that time, you accept the proposal, I +will at once take the necessary steps to regain your fortune, and +remove the stigma which rests on your name."</p> +<p>"Never, sir, never! I will die a beggar before I will owe my +prosperity to such a contract!" exclaimed Emily, whose indignation +now found utterance.</p> +<p>"I beg madam will reflect before she decides," said Maxwell, in +a satirical tone.</p> +<p>"Sir, I will die upon the rack, before the hand of a villain +shall lead me to the altar!" answered Emily, unable to control her +feelings.</p> +<p>"Softly, lady, softly!"</p> +<p>"Leave me, sir! leave me, or I will call upon my uncle to +protect me from further insult!"</p> +<p>"Your <i>uncle</i>, I fear, was left at the last wood-yard; so I +heard my friend De Guy say."</p> +<p>Emily felt herself the victim of a plot, and, rousing all her +energies, she said,</p> +<p>"I see it all. The machinations of a villain—for such you +are—shall be foiled."</p> +<p>"Miss Dumont," said Maxwell, his passions roused by the severity +of her epithet, "do you forget your condition? You are a +<i>slave</i>! Your supposed uncle is not here. You have no free +papers, and are liable to be committed to the next jail."</p> +<p>"But I am not without a friend who is able to protect me," said +Emily, with spirit, as she saw Henry Carroll ascend to the deck +upon which they stood.</p> +<p>"Your friend is helpless. Another word, and I will proclaim your +condition," and he rudely seized her by the arm. "Your friend +cannot help you. He has not your free papers."</p> +<p>"But he has a strong arm!" shouted Henry Carroll, as with a +single blow he struck the attorney to the deck.</p> +<p>"This way, Emily," said he to the weeping girl, who clung +tremblingly to him; "you are safe now."</p> +<p>Emily was conducted by the gallant arm which had protected her +from we know not what indignity. She felt secure in his presence +from further molestation, and his soothing words and hopeful +promises did much to restore her.</p> +<p>Maxwell soon recovered from the effects of the blow he had +received, and, boiling with passion, swore vengeance upon the man +who had interrupted him. But his passion was of short duration, and +was succeeded by sober reflections upon the "position of his case." +Emily Dumont was not of that class of women with whom he was +accustomed to deal. He had found in her an element with which he +had not before been conversant,—of which, indeed, he had read +in books of poetry, but did not believe it existed in the material +world.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 14em;">"Caught, caught</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">In thine own trap! Thou hast +confessed it all,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The means, the end, the +motive,—laid all Bare!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">O, thou poor knave!—and +that convenient friend</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Who swears or unswears, speaks or +holds his peace,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">At thy command,—you have +conspired together!"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 22em;">LOVELL.</span></p> +<p>On board the Chalmetta, Harwell discovered an old acquaintance +in the person of a notorious gambler,—a class of persons who +congregate on Mississippi steamers, and practise their arts upon +the unwary traveller. This person, who went by the name of Vernon, +was well known at the faro and roulette boards in New Orleans. He +was an accomplished swindler. In the winter season, when the city +is crowded with the élite of the state, and with strangers +from all parts of the Union, Vernon found abundant exercise for his +professional ability at the hells of the city, in the employment of +their proprietors, acting the part of banker, or anything else that +offered him the means of gratifying his luxurious habits. A twinge +of conscience never prevented him from adopting any means of +emptying the pockets of his victims, even without the formality of +dice or cards.</p> +<p>In the summer season he beguiled his time on the river, or +migrated with the fashionables to Pascagoula, or a more northern +watering-place,—in fine, to any sphere which afforded him a +theatre for the exercise of his talents as a blackleg. Wherever he +was, he never passed by an opportunity to obtain possession of his +neighbor's valuables. If the monied man would accept a hand at +euchre or poker, why, he was so much the easier cleaned out; if +not, false keys, pick-locks, or sleight-of-hand, soon relieved the +unfortunate victim of his superfluous possessions.</p> +<p>Early in his career of fashionable dissipation, Maxwell had made +the acquaintance of this notorious individual. Indeed, he had +sufficient cause to remember him, for he had made a deep inroad +into his patrimony. Maxwell was too great a rascal himself to be +long duped by a greater one. A kind of business intimacy had grown +up between them, and continued to exist at the time of our story. +This connection was not, however, publicly acknowledged by Maxwell; +it would have been the ruin of his fine prospects: but he used him +whenever a scheme of profit or revenge required an unscrupulous +confederate. Yet this Vernon was by no means a dependent creature +of Maxwell's, for he was bold, reckless, and independent to the +last degree. Whether acting as the paid devil of another, or on his +own responsibility, he bowed to no power but his own will. His +physical courage was well known to be of the most obstinate +character. When the coward dandy had an enemy to punish, Vernon, +for a hundred dollars, would first insult and then fight the +luckless individual. This had formerly been a lucrative part of his +trade; but latterly his claims to the distinction of +<i>gentleman</i> and <i>man of honor</i> had been of such a +questionable character, that the man who refused to meet him did +not lose caste among the bloods of the city.</p> +<p>Vernon was now on his way to a wider sphere of action than New +Orleans, with its yellow fever season at hand, afforded him. As +usual, he practised his arts on board the Chalmetta, which, +however, afforded him but a narrow field, the passengers being +mostly officers, who had left their pay in the <i>cabarets</i> of +Mexico.</p> +<p>By some means he had ascertained that Henry Carroll was in +possession of a considerable sum of money. By all the arts in his +power he had endeavored to lure him to the gambling-table, which +was constantly spread in the cabin, and surrounded by unfortunate +victims, vainly striving against the coolness and trickery of +professional blacklegs, to recruit their exhausted finances, or +retrieve the ruin to which an unlucky hour had enticed them. Henry +obstinately refused to take a hand; but Vernon's heart was set upon +the bag of gold he knew was in Henry's trunk, and he resolved to +possess it,—a feat not easy to accomplish on board a crowded +steamer.</p> +<p>After Maxwell had recovered from the blow which had felled him +to the deck, and while Henry was soothing the distress of Emily, he +met Vernon, who was in the act of reconnoitring the young officer's +state-room. Vernon was just the person to serve him in this +extremity. The protector of Emily must be removed from his charge, +as her uncle had been by De Guy. He resolved upon a consultation +with the blackleg. Accordingly he expressed his desire, to which +the gambler replied by requesting him to give notice of the +approach of any one, while he did a little business in the +state-room.</p> +<p>Maxwell vainly remonstrated, but was obliged to comply with the +wishes of the robber, or lose his services.</p> +<p>Vernon, thus protected from intrusion, entered the room, and by +the aid of a pick-lock soon succeeded in obtaining possession of +all poor Henry's earthly wealth. Beckoning Maxwell to follow, he +descended to the main deck, where, procuring a lantern, they +proceeded aft.</p> +<p>We must return to Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, whom we left on +their way to the fugitive in the hold of the steamer.</p> +<p>"Whisht, now," said Pat, in a whisper, as they prepared to jump +down the hatchway; "whisht, now, and don't spake a loud word, for +the life of yous."</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan promised obedience, and followed Pat into the hold. +All was total darkness, and it was not without a feeling of +superstitious dread that Uncle Nathan heard his companion tap on +the box which contained the mulatto. He heard the whispered +recognition of its inmate, and stood like a statue while Hatchie +freed himself from his confinement.</p> +<p>"Whisht, now," said Pat, in a low voice; "give me your hand, Mr. +Binson. Now, there yous are," and he placed Uncle Nathan's hand in +that of Hatchie.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan found the hand was warm, and felt completely +relieved of the sensation of fear which had come over him.</p> +<p>"Glad to see you," said he, though an instant afterwards his +conscience asked him if he had not told a lie, inasmuch as it was +so dark he could not see anything.</p> +<p>"You are a <i>friend</i>, I trust," replied Hatchie, who, +although he implicitly relied on the <i>faith</i> of the Irish +ally, had not the fullest confidence in his judgment. Nothing but +what he deemed a stern necessity would have compelled him to trust +the secret with any one. So many dangers encompassed him, that the +duty he owed to his injured mistress obliged him to look around for +the means of preserving the valuable document he possessed. An +accident to the steamer, the continuous danger of being restored to +Jaspar, and a hundred other painful reflections, brought him to the +resolution of depositing the will in the hands of the most +trustworthy person he could find. In this extremity, he canvassed +the characters of all he knew on board. Henry Carroll, he feared, +was too impetuous, if not actually devoted to Jaspar. He knew +nothing of the interesting relation which the hearts of the lovers +had recognized,—pity he did not! Uncle Nathan, whom Pat had +described in glowing colors,—none are more highly esteemed +than those who confer the most solid benefits,—seemed to him +the proper person, especially as Pat had seen <i>her</i> speak to +him after the accident. An honest man is so easily known, that the +poor Irishman's instinctive knowledge of human nature imparted the +most correct information.</p> +<p>"I <i>am</i> your friend, and I trust the Lord will always put +it into my heart to befriend the unfortunate," said Uncle Nathan, +in answer to Hatchie's remark.</p> +<p>"It is not on my own account that I need a friend," said +Hatchie, in a melancholy tone, for the responsibility which rested +upon him had solemnized his mind, and banished all reflections of +self. "It matters little what becomes of <i>me</i>. But, sir, you +are a stranger to me, and I know not that I may trust you."</p> +<p>"Nor I nuther, till I know what you want of me. If it is an +honest sarvice, one that I can do without goin' agin my conscience, +why, I am ready to do anything to help a feller-cretur."</p> +<p>"The service I am about to request," replied Hatchie, his doubts +in a great measure removed by the apparent sincerity of his +auditor, "can be done honestly; and, if your conscience approves +any act, it will approve this one."</p> +<p>"Very well, I will act for you to the best of my judgment, and +use all the discretion that natur gave me, and a little I larned by +the way-side. Partrick tells me you want to talk with the lady +whose life you saved last night."</p> +<p>"Not exactly to talk <i>with</i> her, but about her. I feel that +I can trust you, even with her destiny. That lady is my mistress. +She is an angel of goodness. I am perfectly willing to be +<i>her</i> slave, so that it was not to gain my freedom I escaped +in this box. It was to save her from a cruel wrong which her uncle +would inflict upon her."</p> +<p>"That old gentleman who is with her?" interrupted Uncle +Nathan.</p> +<p>"The same. He is the most hardened villain in the +world,—so different from my poor master, who was a good man, +and loved even his slaves! This man would make it appear that my +mistress is not the legitimate child of her father, but the +daughter of a quadroon girl, whom he formerly owned. He has forged +a will to obtain his own purposes, and deprived poor mistress of +her natural rights. But, on the night when the villany was +perpetrated, I managed to obtain the true will, and to make my +escape,—and a very narrow escape it was, for I was shot at +and obliged to jump into the river to save my life. They think the +shot killed me; but I shall yet expose their villany—"</p> +<p>"Good gracious, I hope so!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, whose +sympathies wore awakened by the brief narrative of the mulatto.</p> +<p>"Now, it is scarcely prudent for me to retain possession of this +will. I may be discovered, or drowned, or shot; and then my poor +mistress would never be restored."</p> +<p>"True," replied Uncle Nathan, appreciating his companion's +reasoning, and admiring his warm devotion to his mistress.</p> +<p>"I wish to place the will in the keeping of some trusty person, +who will guard it as his own life,—who will deem no sacrifice +too great to relieve the distressed, and foil the wicked," said +Hatchie, earnestly.</p> +<p>"I will do the best I can."</p> +<p>"Before I intrust it to you, I must feel that you will not only +be discreet, but that you will labor to foil this wicked plot."</p> +<p>"I will do everything I can," replied Uncle Nathan, warmly, for +his heart was touched at the wrongs of Emily.</p> +<p>"Then here is the will," said Hatchie, handing him the packet, +which he had taken the precaution to envelop in oil-cloth. +"Remember how much depends upon your caution and fidelity. God +forgive me, if I have done wrong in giving it to you."</p> +<p>"You may depend upon me. I will take good care of the document. +But shan't I say anything to the lady about it?"</p> +<p>"Assure her, if you can without exposing yourself, that the will +is safe. It will give joy to her heart to know that she has the +means of restoration to her home and name."</p> +<p>"I will see everything done about right; and I hope soon to meet +you in the land of liberty."</p> +<p>"I shall never leave my mistress. I have been near her from her +birth, and, though only a slave, I feel that I was sent into the +world for no other purpose than to protect and serve her. Liberty +away from her has no charms for me."</p> +<p>"Goodness!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan; "I never should have +thought it!"</p> +<p>Hatchie's devotion to his mistress, so eloquently expressed, +jostled rather rudely the Northerner's prejudices concerning the +treatment of slaves.</p> +<p>The conversation was here interrupted by three taps on the deck +above them, produced by the brogan of Pat Fegan.</p> +<p>Hatchie recognized the preconcerted signal, and, abruptly +terminating his remarks, he leaped into the box, drew on the lid, +and left Uncle Nathan to find his way out as best he could.</p> +<p>"Whisht, now," said Pat, whispering down the hatch. "Jump up, +Mr. Binson!"</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan approached the hatchway, and endeavored to leap +out, an effort which was assisted by Pat, who, rudely seizing him +by the collar, jerked him out with a violence that threatened his +bones with dissolution.</p> +<p>"How the divil did yous tumble in there?" screamed Pat, as two +persons approached. "Are yous hurted?"</p> +<p>"A little," replied Uncle Nathan, perceiving the ruse of his +coadjutor.</p> +<p>"I fear yous are. Thry are your legs broke?" continued Pat, +whose energy of utterance gave a fair appearance to the deceit.</p> +<p>"Are you much hurt?" asked one of the persons who had by their +presence disturbed the conference.</p> +<p>"Very little," replied Uncle Nathan, who really felt the +uncomfortable effects of a knock on the knee he had received in his +involuntary ascent from the hold.</p> +<p>"Bad luck to 't, but 'twas a wicked fall!" said Pat, fearful +that his conscientious companion would expose the deceit.</p> +<p>"Can I render you any assistance?" asked one of the intruders, +who were none other than Maxwell and Vernon, whom we left on their +way to the main deck.</p> +<p>"Thank ye, I don't need any," replied Uncle Nathan, hobbling +off, accompanied by Pat.</p> +<p>"Now, is the coast clear?" said Vernon, who carried a lantern he +had borrowed from the mate.</p> +<p>"All clear; but put out that light,—the engineers will +notice us," replied Maxwell.</p> +<p>"But I can't find my way into the hold without it. There is no +danger of the engineers. They are all asleep on the forward +deck."</p> +<p>"What do you want in the hold?" asked Maxwell, in an irritable +tone.</p> +<p>"I want to hide this bag of money," replied Vernon, in a +whisper. "As soon as the covey finds he has been picked, they will +search the boat; and my character is not likely to save me from the +indignity of being obliged to open my trunk, and turn out my +pockets."</p> +<p>"It is bad business, and I wish you had not done this thing. As +I told you before, <i>I</i> have nothing to do with it. I feel +myself rather above common robbery."</p> +<p>"Self-esteem! But you came down on your own business, not on +mine. You can return, and not trouble yourself any further," +growled Vernon.</p> +<p>"I need your help, and will pay you for it."</p> +<p>"Very well, then, wait till <i>this</i> job is finished."</p> +<p>"Go on! I will follow," replied Maxwell, finding remonstrance +vain.</p> +<p>After a careful scrutiny of the premises, Vernon concealed his +lantern under his coat, and leaped into the hold, followed by +Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Now," said Vernon, "I must put this bag into one of these +boxes, to be guarded by the spirits of the brave men whose bones +repose in them."</p> +<p>"Are you mad, man? Would you open the coffins of the dead to +hide your ill-gotten gold?" exclaimed Maxwell, alarmed at the +purpose of his confederate.</p> +<p>"Why not? We need not disturb the bodies,—only open the +outside box."</p> +<p>"Very well," said Maxwell, who felt how useless it was to oppose +his companion. "But remember, I have nothing to do with the +robbery."</p> +<p>"Of course not, and nothing to do with sharing the proceeds; but +sit down, if you have anything to say to me. We are perfectly safe +from interruption here;" and Vernon seated himself on the box which +was occupied by the mulatto.</p> +<p>"My words need not be many. In the first place, I have been +insulted, and must have satisfaction; and, in the second, there is +a girl in the cabin to whom I am much attached, and she will not +give me the smallest sign of encouragement. Have her I must, by +fair means or foul. I would marry her. You understand?"</p> +<p>"Certainly; but what's the plan?" asked Vernon, +indifferently.</p> +<p>"Rather a difficult one, and may require some nerve to execute +it," replied Maxwell, who proceeded to develop his schemes, both in +respect to Henry Carroll and to Emily.</p> +<p>Although the conspirators spoke in a low tone, Hatchie heard and +understood the whole plot. The voice of Maxwell he recognized, and, +although the name of the lady against whom his designs were +meditated was not mentioned, he comprehended who she was.</p> +<p>The confederated scoundrels having finished their conference, +Vernon drew from his pocket a small screw-driver, and proceeded to +remove the screws from one of the boxes, which, to Hatchie's great +relief, was not the one occupied by himself. After much labor, for +the boxes were carefully constructed, to bear the rough usage of +transportation, he succeeded in removing the lid, and deposited the +bag of money between the coffin and the case which enclosed it.</p> +<p>Having effected the object which brought them to the hold, the +two ascended again, and made their way to the cabin.</p> +<p>In addition to the knowledge of the plot, Hatchie was made +acquainted with a fact which afforded him much pleasure—that +Henry Carroll, in defence of his mistress, had knocked Maxwell +down. This was evidence in his favor. He also heard something of +the preference she had bestowed upon him, and that on this account, +more than for the blow, he was to be the victim of Maxwell's +vengeance. But he resolved to foil both schemes.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"He must be taught to know he +has presumed</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">To stand in competition with +me.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">—You will not kill +him?" SHIRLEY.</span></p> +<p><span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">—"Wherefore com'st +thou?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">—To comfort you, and bring +you joyful news."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;">MARLOW.</span></p> +<p>On the second night of the Chalmetta's voyage, as Henry was +about to retire, the steward handed him a note. An hour before he +had struck a "fashionable" man a severe blow, and he conjectured at +once that it had called forth this note. On opening the billet, his +supposition proved to be correct. It was a challenge from +Maxwell.</p> +<p>We are very much opposed to duels and duelling, and we regret +that faithfulness to the facts of history compels us to record that +Captain Carroll accepted the challenge. He had moral courage enough +to resist the promptings of that artificial spirit of honor which +encourages duels, but there was "a lady in the case,"—a lady +whom he fondly loved. He felt that the insult which she had +received was not sufficiently punished. Besides, there was an +audacity about the man which deserved to be punished, and he +resolved to punish it. Poor human nature! Henry never reflected +that he might be shot himself, and the persecutor of innocence +escape unharmed. No, he felt that the blow he had struck in defence +of innocence was a just retribution, as far as it went; and that he +should fall, <i>he</i> who had espoused the cause of innocence, why +it was simply impossible!</p> +<p>He accepted the challenge, and requested a brother officer to +act as his "friend." The two seconds—Major Brunn on the part +of Henry, and Vernon on the part of Maxwell—arranged the +preliminaries.</p> +<p>The boat would arrive at Natchez about daylight, and would +remain there long enough to allow the meeting to take place.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll, though his chivalrous spirit was gratified at the +opportunity to revenge the insult offered to Emily, was ill at +ease. To meet a man of no character (for such he supposed Maxwell +to be) was not a very ornamental accompaniment to an affair of +honor. He had a hundred times braved death on the field of battle, +but to die in a duel with such a man seemed to his now +tranquillized mind anything but honorable. Emily had retired, and +he could not bid her farewell. Perhaps he had seen her for the last +time on earth, for the possibility of being killed himself tardily +came to his mind. He wrote a long letter to Emily, and another to +Uncle Nathan.</p> +<p>The worthy Northerner had produced a very favorable impression +upon his mind. He knew his liberal soul, and the design of the +letter was to interest him in her favor,—to induce him to +conduct her to his Northern home.</p> +<p>Henry returned to his couch with many painful doubts as to the +morality, and even the expediency, of his course. But the feeling +of honor—of false honor—comforted him, and, animated by +its spirit, he even looked forward with pleasure upon his +revenge,—upon the death of his opponent. This would be in +accordance with the justice of the case, and he flattered himself +that justice, if it did not always prevail, would triumph in this +instance. With such reflections he closed his eyes, and sunk to his +slumbers.</p> +<p>The Chalmetta moved lazily on her course. Her lights had all +been extinguished, and the idlers, who a few hours before had paced +the decks, were now slumbering in their berths, or on the cabin +floor. The clock over the clerk's office indicated the hour of +twelve. On the main deck forward the sleepy firemen were languidly +supplying the furnaces; the engineers, less actively employed, had +fallen asleep by the cylinders.</p> +<p>On the after quarter, laying flat upon the deck, were two men +earnestly engaged in conversation, in which the whispered brogue of +Pat Fegan might have been detected. After the conversation had +continued some time, one of them cautiously raised his head, as if +to penetrate the gloom that enshrouded them. Satisfied that they +were alone, the two rose, and, without noise, climbed up one of the +posts to the gallery which surrounded the cabin. Then, with a light +step, they passed on, and stopped before the state-room occupied by +Vernon.</p> +<p>"Are you sure this is his room?" asked Hatchie, in a smothered +whisper.</p> +<p>"Troth, I am, thin," responded his companion; "but be aisy, or +you'll wake him."</p> +<p>"The worse for him," replied Hatchie, as his teeth ground +together.</p> +<p>Hatchie placed his hand upon the door, and softly opened it. The +sleeper heard him not. The negro groped about the room until his +hand rested upon some pistols which lay on a trunk by the side of +the berth. These he took, and, handing two of them to Pat, retained +the third in his hand. Closing the door, they proceeded, as they +had come, to the main deck.</p> +<p>Seating himself behind a heap of merchandise, Hatchie proceeded +to examine the pistols by the light of a lantern which Pat had +<i>borrowed</i> from the sleeping engineers. The pistols were of +the common pattern used in duelling. Two of the three were mates; +and Hatchie discovered, on examination, that neither of them were +loaded with ball. The third pistol, which contained two balls, was +very similar in form and size to the pair. Hatchie extracted the +balls from this one, and loaded the pair with one ball each, +leaving the unmatched one blank. They then carefully conveyed them +to Vernon's state-room, and placed them on the trunk precisely as +they had found them.</p> +<p>As had been premised, the Chalmetta arrived at Natchez about +daylight. Vernon, well acquainted with all its localities, led the +parties of the duel to a retired place in the vicinity. The +distance was measured off, and the principals took the stations +assigned them.</p> +<p>"Now be careful they do not see you do it," said Vernon, in a +low, careless tone.</p> +<p>The pistols were handed to the principals, the signal was given, +and both fired nearly at the same instant.</p> +<p>"Confound it!" exclaimed Maxwell, dropping his pistol, and +grasping the left arm, which had been hit by Henry's ball. "How +does this happen?"</p> +<p>But Vernon was as much confounded by this unexpected result of +the duel as his principal. He had only time to protest that he had +prepared the pistols as agreed upon, when Major Brunn arrived at +the spot.</p> +<p>On examining the wounded man, it was found that the ball had +struck the fleshy part of the arm. The injury was very trifling. +Maxwell was much astonished at receiving a ball from his opponent's +pistol,—a circumstance which was owing entirely to Hatchie's +precaution on the previous night. He had overheard the plan by +which Maxwell was to fire a ball at Henry, with no danger of +receiving one in return. Vernon had loaded the pair without ball, +and the single pistol with two balls. Henry was to select from the +pair; the third was to be concealed upon the person of Maxwell, who +was to use it instead of the blank. Major Brunn, supposing Vernon +to be a man of honor, had not insisted upon examining the charge in +presence of both seconds, and thus everything had worked to the +satisfaction of the confederates up to the time of the firing. By +Hatchie's precaution, Henry held one of the two which were loaded +with ball, while Maxwell had fired the blank.</p> +<p>Maxwell was, as may be supposed, vexed and disconcerted at the +result of the duel; and, with an ill grace, he resolved to postpone +his revenge to another time, inasmuch as he could not hope again to +shoot at his foe in perfect safety.</p> +<p>The party returned to the steamer just in season for her +departure. Maxwell's wound was examined by the surgeon, and +pronounced very slight. Henry was rejoiced at this intelligence, +for the cold-blooded thoughts which had found a place in his heart +had departed, and his naturally kind disposition resumed its sway. +He was glad that the affair had terminated without the loss of +life; glad that his conscience was not burdened with the blood of a +fellow-creature; glad, too, that he had escaped unhurt. This last +consideration was not a selfish one. He felt that all the energy he +possessed he should require in the restoration of her he so +tenderly loved.</p> +<p>His first step, on returning to the steamer, was to destroy the +letters he had written to meet the worst calamity which might +befall him. Having occasion to open his trunk, he discovered, to +his surprise, that it was unlocked. Further examination showed that +he had been robbed of all his earthly possessions. This was a +severe blow. The money was the accumulation of two years' service, +and he was now penniless,—without even a sufficient sum to +pay his passage. He immediately informed the captain of his loss, +who gave him the comfortable assurance that the robber had probably +gone ashore at Natchez. However, he caused a thorough search of the +boat to be made; but, as may be supposed, the search was vain.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan sympathized with him in his loss,—not with +words alone, but voluntarily proposed to lend him any amount he +required; an offer which Henry accepted with gratitude.</p> +<p>"I see you are acquainted with that lady you saved from +drowning," said the worthy farmer, after he had passed the loan to +Henry. The duel had before been discussed and roundly condemned. +The cause of the quarrel had introduced the fact to which the +farmer had alluded.</p> +<p>"I am. Her father was my best friend. I spent a few weeks with +him a short time before his death."</p> +<p>"O, ho!" thought Uncle Nathan, "I guess the black feller didn't +know that, or he would have given the papers to him;" and he +resolved to inform Hatchie of Henry's presence.</p> +<p>Descending, he soon discovered Pat Fegan, and, by his help, was +enabled to hold a conference with Hatchie, who, now that it was +daylight, talked through a crevice in his box.</p> +<p>Hatchie was anxious to know the result of the duel, which Uncle +Nathan imparted, to whom, in return, the mulatto related the means +he had used to foil the attorney's purpose, which was nothing less +than murder. He also disclosed the particulars of the second plot, +which was to be put in execution that night.</p> +<p>The information the faithful slave had gained in relation to the +character of Henry's efforts for his mistress made him quite +willing to have him admitted into the confidence of her secret +protectors.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan returned to the cabin, delighted with the idea of +sharing his responsibility with Henry. But his first wish was to +relieve the distress of Emily, who, he rightly judged, was in +continued suffering, on account of the painful uncertainty which +shrouded her destiny.</p> +<p>Emily rose on the morning of the duel in blissful ignorance of +the danger which Henry had incurred on her account. She had passed +a sleepless night, in the most intense agony. Her eyes were red and +swollen with weeping, and her heart yet beat with the violence of +her emotions. She felt in the most intense degree the misery of her +situation, to which she failed not to give all its weight. She had +a friend—a brother—more than brother—near, in the +person of Henry. That love which she allowed her fond heart to +cherish was like an oasis in the desert of her misery. She loved +him, and in this thought—in the delightful sensation which +accompanied it—she found her only solace.</p> +<p>At breakfast she saw him again; again his speaking eyes told how +fondly his heart clung to her; again his smile fanned her fevered +brain, like the zephyr of summer, into a dream of bliss. Her heart +led her back to the days when they had wandered together over her +father's plantation. Then, restrained by the coyness of unrevealed +love, each enjoyed a happiness to which the other was supposed to +be a stranger.</p> +<p>But the anguish of her painful position <i>would</i> come to +destroy the dream of bliss, and dissipate the bright halo her +imagination had cast before her. She retired to her state-room, to +ponder again her unhappy lot. "Thy will be done," murmured she, as, +throwing herself into a chair, she resigned herself to the terrible +reflection that she was a slave and an outcast. The bright dream of +love was only a chimera, to make her feel more deeply the terrible +reality.</p> +<p>Whilst she was thus venting her anguish, she was roused from her +lethargy of grief by the chambermaid, who had entered by the inner +door.</p> +<p>"Please, ma'am, a gentleman out in the cabin says he wants to +speak to you."</p> +<p>"A gentleman wishes to speak to me? Did he send his name?"</p> +<p>"No, ma'am. He said you wouldn't know him, if he did; so it was +no use to send it."</p> +<p>"Pray, what looking gentleman is he?"—her mind reverting +to Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Well, ma'am, he's a very respectable looking gentleman," +answered the girl, to whom Uncle Nathan (for he was the person +alluded to) had given half a dollar. "I think he is a Yankee, by +his talk."</p> +<p>"Pray, ask him to send his name."</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am," said the chambermaid, retiring.</p> +<p>Emily was puzzled by the request, and, judging from the girl's +description that it could not be Maxwell, began to dread a new +enemy.</p> +<p>The chambermaid presently returned, and said the gentleman's +name was Benson.</p> +<p>Emily's perplexity was not diminished, but she resolved to see +the applicant at the door of the room, so that, if his errand was +from Maxwell, she could easily retire from his presence. +Accordingly she instructed the girl to show him to the door on the +gallery.</p> +<p>"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, as soon as he +reached the position assigned him; "you are Miss Dumont, I +believe?"</p> +<p>"The same," said she, as calmly as her fluttering heart would +permit. "May I beg to know your business with me?"</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, bluntly; "but don't be scart. I +know something of your trials; and I trust the Lord will give you +strength to endure them with patience."</p> +<p>"Really, sir, you astonish me! May I be allowed to ask how you +became acquainted with my affairs?"</p> +<p>"All in good time, ma'am; I have in my possession a document, +which, I'm told, will set matters all right with you."</p> +<p>"What is it, sir?"—and Emily was still more astonished at +the singularity of the adventure.</p> +<p>"<i>It is your father's will</i>, ma'am," replied Uncle Nathan, +disdaining all preface and preliminary to this important +remark.</p> +<p>"My father's will, sir! Impossible!"</p> +<p>"Fact, ma'am. I will tell you all about it," and Uncle Nathan +proceeded, in his own blunt way, to relate his adventures in the +hold.</p> +<p>Emily listened with surprise and joy to the honest farmer's +story. When he had concluded, although she did not give way to the +joy of her heart, a change from the depth of despair to the +pinnacle of happiness took place in her silent heart. How devoutly +she thanked the great Father who had watched over her in her +anguish, and now shed a halo of joy across her darkened path! How +earnest was the silent prayer which arose from the depths of her +heart, for the safety of the faithful slave, who had perilled his +life for her happiness! How deeply laden with the incense of +gratitude was the song of thanksgiving which rose from her soul to +the Giver of all good!</p> +<p>And when Uncle Nathan told the story of the duel, a new song of +thanksgiving arose for Henry's safety. The joy she felt in his +preservation would not be entirely confined to her heart, and Uncle +Nathan—unromantic bachelor as he was—could not but +discern the deep interest she felt in him.</p> +<p>The interview was concluded, and the worthy farmer left the +gallery more rejoiced than if he had himself been declared heir of +Colonel Dumont's millions; and he looked around, as excited as a +school-boy on the first day of vacation, to find Henry, and relate +the good news.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Louder than the loud ocean, +like a crash</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Of echoing thunder." +BYRON.</span></p> +<p>The day of the duel was a day of happiness to Emily Dumont. The +restraint which Jaspar's presence imposed was removed. Maxwell, +from prudence or some other motive, did not intrude upon her. Her +heart was rejoiced by the glad tidings which Uncle Nathan had +conveyed to her. Henry Carroll was permitted to enjoy her society. +It was a day of bliss to both; and, though a crowded steamer could +ill afford the privacy which new-born love ever seeks, yet +opportunities of giving expression to their feelings were not +wanting. All day long they revelled in the delightful emotions +which warmed their hearts. Their intercourse was now burdened by no +painful reflections on the misery which had so lately environed +Emily. The means of her restoration to home and society were at +hand. The only difficulty now was to discover the best method of +establishing her rights. Against Jaspar and Maxwell they cherished +no ill-will,—they had no desire to punish them for their +wicked designs.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan, too, was in the "full enjoyment of his mind." The +relief he had "providentially" been able to afford to Emily's mind +was the medium of an abundant satisfaction. As the darkness began +to gather, he found an opportunity of conversing with Henry, whose +entire devotion to Emily during the day had rendered him a stranger +in the gentlemen's cabin. The plot which Hatchie had revealed to +him had caused him but little anxiety. Maxwell's wounded arm, he +concluded, would delay its execution. But he gave the particulars +to Henry, who was not at all satisfied that it would not be +undertaken.</p> +<p>"We must watch to-night," said he.</p> +<p>"Sartain, we'll keep a good look-out; but the scamp can't do +anything while he is wounded."</p> +<p>"But he had confederates."</p> +<p>"Perhaps he has. But here is another friend," said Uncle Nathan, +as he perceived Pat Fegan, who had for some time been watching an +opportunity to speak to him.</p> +<p>"Sure, the naiger would like to spake wid yous," said Pat, in a +whisper.</p> +<p>"What's the matter, Pat?" asked Henry.</p> +<p>"Nothin', your honor," replied Pat, promptly; "I was only +tellin' this gintleman that a poor divil was dhrunk on the lower +deck, and he'd betther go and praych timperance to him."</p> +<p>"No, no, Partrick, that's too bad," interrupted Uncle Nathan, +reprovingly; "I must teach you to tell the truth."</p> +<p>Pat opened his eyes with astonishment when he heard Uncle Nathan +explain to Henry the part he had borne in the drama, and was about +to utter in plain Irish his opinion of a man who would thus betray +a confidence, when Henry explained that he was an old friend of +Hatchie and the lady.</p> +<p>"Long life to your honor, if that be true!" exclaimed Pat; "and +you won't blow on the naiger?"</p> +<p>"I have too strong an interest in him to do anything to his +injury," replied Henry. "But show me the way to him, Pat."</p> +<p>"One at a time, if yous plaze," said Pat, as he perceived Uncle +Nathan about to follow them.</p> +<p>Pat led the way to the after part of the lower deck, to which +Hatchie had ascended, as on the night of the rescue, to inhale the +fresh air. This step was a safe one in the night, as, if any one +approached (which was seldom), he could easily and speedily regain +his hiding-place.</p> +<p>"Hould aisy," said Pat, as they approached the fugitive; "don't +be afraid,—I have brought yous a frind."</p> +<p>"I hope you will not bring me too many friends," replied +Hatchie, a little disconcerted.</p> +<p>"Don't you know me?" said Henry, as he grasped the hand of +Hatchie; "I have just come from your mistress, and know your whole +story."</p> +<p>"Not all," replied Hatchie; "you cannot know how much anxiety I +have endured. Miss Emily is not yet safe."</p> +<p>"But we can easily foil the villain's future designs."</p> +<p>"We will, at least, endeavor to do so."</p> +<p>"I believe I have seen you before; we were companions in the +rescue."</p> +<p>"We were, and God bless you for the noble service you rendered +my mistress!"</p> +<p>"That service was all your own, my gallant fellow."</p> +<p>"You undervalue your own efforts. He who gets into the +Mississippi seldom gets out alive. Without your timely assistance, +I tremble to think of what might have been the end. My experience +of the river enabled me to bring her up; but without your aid at +the moment it came I do not think I could have saved her. But this +is all past. Thank God, she is yet safe, though another danger +hovers over her."</p> +<p>"This foul conspiracy,—will they put it in execution +to-night?"</p> +<p>"I heard the villain they call Vernon, an hour ago, engage a +deck hand to help him row the boat."</p> +<p>"Then there is indeed danger. I had thought Maxwell's wound +would have prevented it for a season."</p> +<p>"A mere scratch. I would your ball had found the villain's +heart, if he has one. But Vernon is the most dangerous man—a +more accomplished villain."</p> +<p>"Vernon," said Henry, musing; "he was Maxwell's second."</p> +<p>"Yes. That duel was a plot to murder you."</p> +<p>"How so?"</p> +<p>Hatchie explained the plan of Vernon, which had been rendered +futile by his precaution.</p> +<p>"The scoundrel! but how knew you this, and how happens it that I +escaped while he is wounded?" said Henry.</p> +<p>"I overheard the plot when I did the other. Vernon is a common +robber. He came into the hold to conceal a bag of money he had +stolen."</p> +<p>"A bag of money!" interrupted Henry, his thoughts diverted from +the subject.</p> +<p>"Ay, a bag of money."</p> +<p>"Do you know where they hid it?"</p> +<p>"I do; but why do you ask?" and Hatchie was much pained to +discover in Henry what he mistook for a feeling of rapacity. He +wanted and expected the perfection of an angel in the man who +sustained the relation of lover and protector to his mistress.</p> +<p>"Because I have been robbed of all I had in the world," replied +Henry, seeing the shade upon Hatchie's brow.</p> +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed the mulatto, his doubts removed, and pleased +in being able to restore his money.</p> +<p>"The money is undoubtedly mine. Your noble devotion to your +mistress has thus proved a fortunate thing for me. But about the +pistols?"</p> +<p>Hatchie related the means he had used to derange Maxwell's +plan.</p> +<p>"I shall never be able to repay the debt I owe you," said Henry, +warmly, as the mulatto finished his story.</p> +<p>"I did it for my mistress' sake. I learned that you were her +friend."</p> +<p>"And she will bless you for the act."</p> +<p>"Now, what shall be done to insure her safety to night? for they +will attempt her abduction, I doubt not."</p> +<p>It was arranged that Henry should watch in the vicinity of +Emily's state-room, while Uncle Nathan, Hatchie and Pat Fegan, +should occupy the lower deck. Emily was not to be informed of the +danger; it would distress her to no purpose.</p> +<p>They had no doubt of their ability to protect her. Accustomed as +Henry was to danger, perhaps he did not fully appreciate that which +was now gathering around Emily. He felt that, in knowing the +particulars of the nefarious scheme, he was abundantly able, even +single-handed, to prevent its success.</p> +<p>Obtaining a screw-driver and a lantern from one of the +engineers, he succeeded in obtaining possession of his stolen bag +of gold. On his return to the cabin, he observed Vernon standing at +the bar, and the temptation to give his moral faculties a start +could not be resisted. Purchasing a dozen cigars, he remarked that +he had no change, and coolly pulled the bag of gold from his +pocket. Vernon's astonishment and consternation could not be +entirely concealed, as he recognized the bag he had securely +deposited in the box with the dead. Henry took no notice of him, +though he heard him say, in a suppressed tone, "The devil is in +this boat!"</p> +<p>Henry sought his state-room, where he found Uncle Nathan +impatiently waiting to hear the result of the interview.</p> +<p>"There is danger," said Henry, "and we must be ready to do our +duty manfully."</p> +<p>"Good gracious! you don't say so!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan.</p> +<p>"We must watch to-night, and, if need be, fight!"</p> +<p>"How you talk! You don't think the feller with the sore arm will +try to do anything to-night?"</p> +<p>"I fear he will;" and Henry opened his trunk, and took therefrom +a pair of revolvers.</p> +<p>"Gracious! will there be any need of pistols? Couldn't you +reason with them?" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, who, as before hinted, +had a great repugnance to the use of deadly weapons.</p> +<p>"I am afraid they will not listen to reason," said Henry, +smiling, in spite of his anxiety. "If action is necessary, it must +be prompt. I know your heart, my good friend, and I trust your +non-resistant notions will not interfere with your duty. I must +rely on your aid in this affair."</p> +<p>"Sartain. I will do all I can, if I die for it. But I think I +can get along very well without one of them 'ere things," said +Uncle Nathan, eying the pistols with distrust.</p> +<p>"Very well, I shall not urge you, though I think it would be +prudent for you to have one. As you go to your station, you will +oblige me by giving this one to the mulatto boy."</p> +<p>"Sartain, cap'n," replied Uncle Nathan, taking the pistol; "I +an't exactly a non-resistance man, only I hate to use +pistols;—not that I'm afeered on 'em; but to take a +feller-cretur's life is a dreadful thing. You know the New +Testament says, 'Resist not evil,' and—"</p> +<p>"Yes, I remember; but now is the time to act, and not to preach. +I shall place myself near Miss Dumont's state-room, and your party +will see that the stern-boat is not disturbed."</p> +<p>"All right, cap'n, but do be careful about spilling blood!" said +Uncle Nathan, who did not like the cool, determined air with which +Henry handled his pistols.</p> +<p>"Be assured I will not wantonly take the life of even the most +hardened villain; but in defence of Miss Dumont I shall consider +that the end will justify the means."</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan went to his post, and Henry, muffling himself in a +large camp-cloak, seated himself near Emily's door. Accustomed as +he was to the perils and privations of the camp, the duty before +him did not seem difficult or irksome. To his chivalrous spirit +there was a pleasure in thus watching over an innocent being, while +she slept, unconscious of the danger that menaced her. Lighting his +cigar, he resigned himself to the dream of blissful anticipations, +which relieved the monotony of the scene.</p> +<p>Maxwell, in the seclusion of his state-room, had thoroughly +digested the plan for the abduction of Emily. Vernon had arranged +the details, and the lawyer's reflections suggested no material +alteration. His wounded arm was a hindrance, but time was too +precious to admit of delay. The Chalmetta was so tardy in her +movements that Jaspar must soon overtake them, and then the +opportunity would be lost.</p> +<p>If he could get Emily into his power, and away from the +influences which now surrounded her, he doubted not he could induce +her, by threats or persuasion, to become his wife; then he would +spring the trap upon Jaspar, and the coveted object of his +existence would be gained. He had already forged a bill of sale of +her person, and, thus provided with an implement of coercion, he +doubted not that success would crown his efforts.</p> +<p>As the evening advanced, and the passengers had mostly retired +for the night, Maxwell and Vernon left the state-room, and went aft +to examine more particularly the means of descent to the lower +deck. As they approached Emily's state-room, they perceived Henry +puffing away at his second cigar. Had it been any other person, +Maxwell would not have devoted a thought to him. It was he with +whom he had fought the duel,—whom a mysterious providence +seemed to protect. Was he there by accident or design?</p> +<p>The two confederates passed round the gallery, and returned to +the cabin. A long hour they waited, and the cabin clock pointed to +the hour of twelve; still Henry had not changed his position. His +cigar was consumed, but there he sat like a statue, obstinately +obstructing the completion of Maxwell's designs. The confederates +began to fear he had some knowledge of their contemplated project. +Yet how could this be? The plan had been arranged in the hold of +the steamer. It was impossible that any one, even the men they had +hired to row the boat, could know their intentions. Vernon, who had +seen the stolen bag of money miraculously restored to its owner, +who had seen two balls pass harmlessly through him, was perfectly +willing to believe that Henry Carroll was the devil! But, devil or +not, it was all the same to him.</p> +<p>It was already time to commence operations. Vernon was impatient +to begin; for, as he averred, he did not like to lose a whole +night's sleep in so small an affair. But nothing could be done +while Henry retained his present position, unless they silenced him +by force; and he seemed an ugly customer.</p> +<p>The Chalmetta pursued her way, stemming with difficulty, as it +would seem by her lazy pace, the current of the mighty river. She +had just passed Vicksburg. The night was dark and gloomy. Those +bright, beautiful moons, with which the panorama-mongers are wont +to gild the eddying current, and solemnize the scenery with a pale +loveliness, were not in the ascendant. Even the bright stars were +hid by the thick clouds. The darkness cast a sad gloom over the +scene, which a few hours before had been "leaping in light, and +alive with its own beauty." The yellow bank rose high on either +side of the river, and formed a sombre wall, which seemed to keep +the sojourner on the tide a prisoner from the world above.</p> +<p>Yet, deep as was the darkness, and perilous as was the +navigation of the river, the Chalmetta sluggishly pursued her +upward course, shunning sand-bars and snags which the eye could not +see, and which the stranger knew not of. Now she crept, like a +thief at night, so closely beneath the high bank that her tall +chimneys almost swept the overhanging branches; then, stealing from +the treacherous shoal, she sped her way through the middle of the +vast waters, as if ashamed of her former timidity. Here she shot +through the narrow cut-off, and there left her foaming surge in the +centre of the broad expanse.</p> +<p>On board all was still, save the puffing blasts of steam, which, +at each stroke of the pistons, echoed through the woods and over +the plains. The cabin lights had long been extinguished, and, from +a distance, nothing could be seen of her but the huge blazing +furnaces, and the red signal lantern, which was suspended over the +boiler deck. The firemen, just roused from their dream of comfort, +no more passed round the coarse jest, no more whistled "Boatman, +dance," but, like automata, threw the fuel into the roaring +furnaces. Occasionally, the startling note of the great bell roused +the deck-watch from his slumber, and he sang over again the +monotonous song that told the pilot how far his keel was from the +sands below. Again the bell pealed a heavy stroke, which indicated +that the steamer was in free water, and the leadsman settled +himself for another nap.</p> +<p>The passengers, save those whom we have before noted, were deep +in the arms of Morpheus, rejoicing, no doubt, in their dreams, over +the many tedious hours they thus annihilated.</p> +<p>Wakeful and watchful, Henry Carroll still kept his post. Ever +present to his mind was the fair being over whose safety his vigil +was kept. Her image, clothed in all the gorgeous fancies which the +love-sick brain conjures up, spoke in silver tones to his heart, +and the melody of her voice thrilled his soul. Descending from the +dignity of the man, he built childish air-castles, wherein he +throned his idol, and in a few fleeting moments squandered years of +happiness by her side. The perils of the past, the sternness of the +present, the responsibilities of the future, all faded away, and +from their ashes rose the bright empress of his soul.</p> +<p>This, we know, was all very foolish of him; but then it must be +remembered he was in love, and men in love can scarcely be called +accountable beings.</p> +<p>Thus he dreamed, and thus he trod the fairy ground of +imagination, nor heeded the creaking timbers and the increasing +rapidity of the puffs from the escape-pipe. To a man not +intoxicated by the dream of young love these facts would have +indicated a great increase in the speed of the boat; but he noticed +them not.</p> +<p>By the motions of the Chalmetta it was plain that, though +incapable of accomplishing any wonderful feat in the attainment of +speed, she had a considerable amount of that commodity somewhat +vulgarly termed "spunk." As she passed the mouth of the Yazoo +river, another steamer, apparently of her own calibre, rounded +gracefully into the channel, from a wood-yard. This boat—the +Flatfoot, No. 3—seemed, by her straining and puffing, to +throw the gauntlet to the Chalmetta; a challenge, real or +imaginary, which the latter made haste to accept,—or, rather, +her sleepy firemen did, for, without leave or license, they crammed +her furnaces to their utmost capacity. The effects of this movement +were soon perceptible in every part of the boat, for she creaked +and groaned like a ship in a gale. But the Flatfoot, No. 3, had the +lead, and seemed to gain upon her rival,—a circumstance which +seemed to rouse the lethargic firemen of the Chalmetta to the +highest pitch of excitement, for they packed the furnaces more +closely still.</p> +<p>Maxwell saw, with much satisfaction, the prospect of a race; not +that he expected in this instance to enjoy the excitement which, +with "fast men," is consequent upon such an occasion. He hoped it +might distract the attention of the person who, by accident or +design, opposed the execution of his purpose. He had sent Vernon to +the cabin to watch the movements of Henry, while he remained upon +the main deck, forward of the furnaces, to encourage the firemen in +their ambitious project of passing the other boat. Several barrels +of hams which lay upon the deck the apparently excited attorney +ordered the firemen to throw into the furnaces, promising to screen +them from blame by paying the owner double their value. The +firemen, not blessed with an undue amount of caution, willingly +obeyed the order, and soon the boilers hissed and groaned under the +extraordinary pressure. The engineers, roused from their slumbers, +and entering at once into the sport, secured the safety-valve in +its place by attaching to the lever double the usual weight.</p> +<p>Still the person whom Maxwell wished to lure from his post +remained immovable. A few pitch-barrels were now split up, and cast +into the furnaces, which so increased the pressure that the +faithful safety-valve refused longer to endure the curb placed upon +the discharge of its function. It was again secured, and the +reckless firemen, urged on by Maxwell and the engineers, still +pressed the boat to its destruction.</p> +<p>The boilers, notwithstanding the tremendous pressure to which +they were subjected, still realized the expectations of the +confident engineers, and refused to be the agents of an "awful +calamity." But all exertion was of no avail; the Flatfoot, No. 3, +whose tall chimneys vomited forth a long trail of flame, showing +that she, too, was hard pressed, was rapidly increasing her +distance. Still the firemen plied the furnaces, and again the +engineers added more weight to the lever of the safety-valve. The +boilers were evidently pressed to their utmost, the, decks were +hot, and her timbers creaked and snapped as though they would drop +out of her.</p> +<p>Hatchie had placed his party in the hold, one of which was on +the look-out at the hatchway. He saw the danger of the steamer; but +all his friends were in the safest places the boat afforded. It was +an anxious hour for him; but everybody was in peril, and there was +no remedy.</p> +<p>Maxwell, whose excitement in the race was feigned, perceived +that the boat was in imminent danger. He had not intended to carry +the excitement quite so far. An explosion was not exactly the thing +he desired. It would not be sufficiently discriminating in its +choice of victims. But the firemen were too much excited to listen +to reason; therefore he proceeded, with Vernon, towards the extreme +after part of the boat. Passing round the gallery of the ladies' +cabin, they perceived that Henry had, at last, left his post. Such +was indeed the case. Roused from his abstraction by the terrible +anticipation of an explosion, he had gone forward to reason with +the pilots on the recklessness of their course in allowing the boat +to be so hard pressed.</p> +<p>"Now is our time," said Maxwell, in a whisper.</p> +<p>"Here goes, then!" replied Vernon.</p> +<p>"Be careful that you do not injure her,—and bring her +clothes."</p> +<p>"Ay, ay! Have the boat ready quick, for, if I mistake not, the +sooner we are out of this boat the better."</p> +<p>The ruffian approached the door of Emily's state-room, and was +about to open it, when, with a noise louder than the crashing of +the thunderbolt, the starboard boiler exploded, and the Chalmetta +lay a shapeless wreck upon the waters!</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"False world, thou ly'st; thou +canst not lend</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.5em;">The least delight;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Thy favors cannot gain a +friend,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.5em;">They are so slight." + FRANCIS QUARLES.</span></p> +<p>The traveller on the Mississippi observes with interest the +innumerable islands which dot the river, and relieve the monotony +of the scenery. These islands are, for the most part, covered with +a luxurious growth of cotton-wood trees. They have generally been +formed by what are technically called cut-offs, or new channels, +from the main land. The mighty torrent, scorning its own +well-beaten track, ploughs a way through the country, and returns +to its channel miles below, opening at once a new path for the +voyager upon its tide. The portion of land thus separated from the +main shore is often subdivided by the action of the waters into +several smaller islands. These islets are, however, oftener seen in +isolated positions, varying in area from a few square rods to +several acres. A remarkable feature of these islands is their +<i>locomotive</i> powers,—for, strange as it may seem, they +annually take a step down stream! Observation has shown a change of +position almost incredible.</p> +<p>The river, continually wearing upon the up-river side of the +island, washes the sands and soil to the lower side. Thus, the +situation of the island is actually changed. The fact is clearly +shown by the singular configuration of the mass of trees growing +upon them. The wood on the upstream side of the island is of the +largest size; while that on the down-stream side begins at the mere +shrub, and, by a regular gradation in height, like a pair of +stairs, increases to the altitude of the full-grown tree. Each +successive year places a new layer of soil upon the lower side, in +which the young tree takes root; and the growth of each year is +distinctly visible to the traveller as he ascends the river.</p> +<p>On one of these islands, above Vicksburg, was located a neat +cottage. The island differed in many respects from others. Its area +might have been eight or ten acres. On one side of it was a narrow, +but deep stream, which, entering from the broad river, described a +semi circle, and returned its waters on the same side. On three +sides, except at the mouths of the little stream, the island was +rendered inaccessible by the high banks, while on the fourth side +the shrubs grew so luxuriantly as to be impervious, save to the +most resolute visitor. From the high banks which walled it in the +surface of the island sloped gradually towards a common centre, +through which rushed the little stream.</p> +<p>This little island had probably been a part of the main land; +the river had forced its way through a valley, and, by degrees, had +worn down the high land on either side, till they formed the +precipices which now frowned on the visitor. The little stream had, +perhaps, once been a meandering rivulet,—part of one which +emptied into the river on the opposite side.</p> +<p>On one of the sloping sides of the interior was situated the +cottage. It was small in size, containing but four rooms and an +attic, and was neatly painted white. Its location in the valley +concealed it from the main land, and from the traveller upon the +river. It was accessible only by means of the stream, which rolled +by within a few rods of the door. A cow grazed in the woods, which +had been partly cleared of under-brush, and had the appearance of a +park grove. Near the house a plot of land had been reduced to a +state of cultivation, upon which an old negro servant managed to +raise vegetables sufficient for the use of the family.</p> +<p>The interior of the cottage was neatly furnished, though with +none of the gaudy trappings of fashion. Everything was plain and +useful. On the side fronting the stream, which served the inmates +as a highway, were two rooms,—a library, which was also the +sitting-room, and a sleeping apartment. The library was far the +most substantial and comfortable-looking room in the house, +inasmuch as it was abundantly supplied with modern and classical +lore. In the middle was a large writing-desk, upon which lay sundry +manuscripts, apparently the last labor of the occupant. The books +and papers were all arranged with scrupulous neatness and +method.</p> +<p>The two rooms in the rear were the dining-room and another +sleeping apartment, while the attic was occupied by the old negro +and his wife,—the property of the proprietor, and his only +attendants upon the island. Back of the house, as is the custom of +the South, was a small building used as a kitchen. Near it was +another building, appropriated to the use of the cow aforesaid.</p> +<p>In the stream in front of the cottage, fastened to a tree on the +bank, was a beautifully-modelled sail-boat, which was worthy to +rank with the miniature yachts of our large cities. She was +schooner-rigged, with a small cabin forward. Her masts, by an +ingenious contrivance, could be lowered down aft, and, by means of +a rope attached to the fore-top, and running through a block on the +bowsprit, could be instantly restored to their original upright +position. This arrangement the owner found necessary, on account of +the overhanging trees, which nearly concealed the two openings of +the stream into the river.</p> +<p>On the night of the Chalmetta's terrible disaster, a man wrapped +in a camlet cloak left the cottage, and approached the +landing-place. In one hand he carried a glass lantern, and in the +other a double-barrelled gun. Descending the steps to the rude pier +of logs, he drew the boat in-shore and seated himself in the +stern-sheets. Unloosing the stern-line, which alone held her, the +boat was borne on by the rapid stream. The helm the occupant +handled with a masterly skill, and in a moment the little bark +swept through the half-hid opening into the broad river. Placing +the helm amid-ships, the man went forward, and, pulling the proper +line, brought the masts to their upright position. He then inserted +the iron keys which kept them in their place, and hoisted the +sails. By this time the boat had drifted to the lower extremity of +the island; so, bracing her sharp up, he stood away across the +river. Tacking before he reached the swift channel, which flowed +close in shore, he laid the boat's course up the stream. The wind +was blowing fresh, and, notwithstanding the contending force of the +current, the boat careened to her task, and made very good progress +through the water. While the gallant little bark pursues her way, +we will introduce her skipper to the reader.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier was about fifty years of age. He was descended +from one of the old French families of Louisiana; and had been, for +nearly thirty years, a practising physician in the city of New +Orleans, during which time he had accumulated a very handsome +fortune. At the age of twenty-five he had been married to a lady, +whose only recommendations were her personal beauty and her +fashionable accomplishments. Her vanity had disgusted him, and her +uncontrollable temper had embittered to its very dregs the cup of +his existence. Being naturally of a gloomy and melancholy +temperament, this unfortunate union had rendered his life almost +insupportable. Domestic happiness, to which he had looked forward +with high-wrought anticipations, proved, in his case, to have no +foundation.</p> +<p>He was disappointed. His dream of home and its blessings faded +away, and was supplanted by a terrible reality. He grew more and +more melancholy. But there was a solace, which saved him from +absolute misery. Two children—a boy and a girl—blessed +his otherwise unhallowed union. The education of these children was +the only joy his home afforded; but even this to his misanthropic +mind could not compensate for his matrimonial disappointment.</p> +<p>Years passed away; the son was sent to college, from which, to +the anguish of his father, he was expelled for gross misconduct. +The young man returned to New Orleans, and became one of the most +dissolute and abandoned characters of the city. Dr. Vaudelier +disowned him, and sunk the deeper in his melancholy.</p> +<p>The death of his wife left him alone with his daughter; and if +the fatal influence of past years could have been removed, perhaps +he might have been a happy man. The daughter was a beautiful girl, +and promised to realize all the fond expectations of her father. +Her daily education and method of life, as directed by her father, +were better calculated to fit her for the occupancy of a nun's cell +than for rational society.</p> +<p>About five years previous to the time of our story, the solemn +quiet of Dr. Vaudelier's dwelling was disturbed by the arrival of a +young French gentleman, bearing letters of introduction to the +misanthropic physician. This gentleman was delighted with the +daughter of his host, and she experienced a before unknown pleasure +in his society. The doctor was, to some extent, obliged to abandon +the "pleasures of melancholy," and accompany the young couple into +the world.</p> +<p>This intimacy between the young persons rapidly ripened into +love. Dr. Vaudelier's inquiries into the character and +circumstances of the young gentleman were not satisfactory, and he +refused to sanction the union. Perhaps he was influenced more in +this decision by the dread of parting with his daughter than by any +other motive. The father's refusal was followed by the elopement of +the young couple,—an act which blasted the only remaining +hope of the misanthrope. His heart was too sensitive to endure the +shock.</p> +<p>Reduced to the depths of despair, suicide presented itself as +the only effectual remedy for his misfortunes. But the church, to +whose rites and promises he yielded the most devoted reverence, +doomed the suicide to eternal woe!</p> +<p>Society, into which for a brief period he had allowed himself to +be enticed, was ten-fold more distasteful to him than before. He +could not endure even that which the practice of his profession +demanded. The great city seemed a pandemonium, and he resolved to +escape from its hated scenes.</p> +<p>He travelled up the river in search of seclusion, and +accidentally had noticed the island upon which he afterwards fixed +his residence.</p> +<p>His abode upon the island was not entirely unknown to the +inhabitants of his vicinity; yet they seldom troubled him with +their presence. Steamers and flat-boats continually passed his +little domain; yet the traveller knew not that it was occupied by +human beings.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier's pursuits were of the most simple nature. He read +and wrote nearly the whole day, and in the evening,—often at +the dead of night,—he would unmoor his yacht, and stem the +tide of the mighty river. His chief happiness was in communion with +nature. His solitary habits had completely estranged him from +society; and he chose the night for his lonely excursions on the +river, to avoid the presence of man.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier was a benevolent man; and his benevolence was +still his friend. It kept his heart from corroding, or becoming +entirely cold. His professional services he freely gave to the poor +"squatter," woodman and boatman, whenever he could learn that they +were needed. The old negro made frequent visits to the shore to +procure provisions and other necessaries, and informed his master +if any of his indigent neighbors needed his aid. Dr. Vaudelier, as +far as he was known, was regarded with profound respect and +affection, and none were disposed to disturb his privacy when it +was understood that entire seclusion was his desire.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier reclined on the cushions in the stern-sheets of +his boat. With an abstracted mind he gazed upon the gloomy outlines +of the shore. Nature in this sombre dress seemed in unison with the +gloom of his own soul. Scarcely conscious of his actions, he +managed the boat with the most consummate skill, avoiding the +unseen shoal and the unfavorable current, but still never allowing +the sails to shiver. Far ahead of him he descried the blazing +chimneys of a steamer. It was night, and he was secure from the +prying gaze or the rude hail of the voyagers.</p> +<p>His reflections were gloomy. He reviewed his earlier years. He +thought of his affectionate daughter, who had promised to be the +stay of his declining years, perhaps at that moment a wanderer and +an outcast. He had heard nothing of her since her departure. He had +made no effort to ascertain her fate. He considered his whole +course of conduct to her, the nature of the education he had +imparted to her, the example he had set for her imitation. His +reflections were not altogether satisfactory, and kindled a few +compunctious thoughts. The blame had not been all on the side of +the daughter. His misanthropic character was the origin of some +part of it.</p> +<p>Thus he mused, and thus dawned upon his mind the first gleams of +repentance. His melancholy temperament had caused the loss of his +daughter; and, for the time, it grew repugnant. He felt that he was +not living the life his Maker intended he should live.</p> +<p>His meditations were suddenly interrupted by a tremendous +explosion, and he was at once satisfied that it proceeded from the +steamer he had before observed. His supposition was soon verified +by the flames he saw rising from the spot where he had last seen +her. She was, he judged, at least three miles distant. His +benevolent disposition, stimulated by the reflection, and, perhaps, +by some unconscious resolution of the previous hour, prompted him +to hasten to her relief. Leaving the helm, he took from the little +cabin a stay-sail, and by the light of the lantern attached it to +the lines and hoisted it. The lively little craft, feeling the +additional impulse, careened till her gunnel was nearly submerged, +and cut her way with increased velocity through the unfavorable +current. Half an hour elapsed before he approached near enough to +make out the condition of the shattered steamer. Another steamer +lay as near to her as the flames, which had apparently been partly +subdued, would permit. Men were busily engaged in throwing on +water, and their efforts promised to be crowned with success, for +the volume of flame was rapidly decreasing. A line was passed from +the bow of the Chalmetta to the Flatfoot, No. 3 (for these were the +steamers), which enabled the latter to control the drift of the +former. Dr. Vaudelier was too far off, however, to form a very +correct idea of the casualty.</p> +<p>Portions of the wreck were floating by him, and occasionally his +boat struck against a timber or cask. While anxiously straining his +vision, to ascertain further particulars of the disaster, he heard +a faint cry close ahead of him. By the light of his lantern, which +he had hung up by the foremast, to attract the eye of any sufferer +who might need aid, he saw a man clinging to a barrel floating by +him. Hastily letting go the halyards, the fore and main sails came +down, the boat was put about, and Dr. Vaudelier, with much +exertion, succeeded in saving the almost dying sufferer. Conveying +him to the cabin, which was of sufficient size to contain two +berths, he placed him upon one of them, and proceeded to ascertain +his ailments. These, as far as he could discover them, consisted of +a broken arm, a severe contusion of the head, and several severe +scalds. The wounded man's endeavors to aid in his own rescue had +been too violent, and on being placed in the berth he had fainted. +After administering such relief as he was able, he returned to the +stern-sheets, hoisted the sails, and the boat, which had been +drifting down-stream, again approached the wreck.</p> +<p>The flames of the Chalmetta were now extinguished. Before the +benevolent physician could reach her, the Flatfoot had taken her in +tow, and both were rapidly leaving him. Further pursuit was +useless; so, taking in the stay-sail, he put the boat about, and +again turned his attention to the sufferer.</p> +<p>The boat's progress, assisted by the current, was very rapid, +and she soon reached the island. The experienced eye of her manager +discerned through the darkness the narrow opening of the little +stream. Taking in the sails and lowering the masts, the little +craft glided through the rivulet, and in less time than is taken to +relate it was securely moored in front of the cottage. The old +negro, bewildered by the unseasonable summons, assisted in +conveying the wounded stranger to the cottage.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier, after a more thorough examination of his patient +than he had been able to make before, was pleased to find that his +wounds, though serious, were not of a dangerous character. He set +the broken arm, and, by the exercise of the great skill for which +he had been distinguished, restored him to consciousness, and made +sure his future recovery.</p> +<p>"Where is she? Is she safe?" murmured the sufferer, as his +returning consciousness afforded a partial knowledge of his +condition. "Where am I?"</p> +<p>"You are among friends, sir,—among friends. Do not +distress yourself," replied the doctor, in a soothing tone.</p> +<p>"Where is she? Great God! what has become of her?" exclaimed the +wounded man, with startling energy.</p> +<p>"You must be quiet, sir, or you will injure your arm," said Dr. +Vaudelier, mildly restraining the excited man.</p> +<p>"O, Emily, Emily!" groaned the sufferer. "Why did I leave you? +Why did we not perish together?"</p> +<p>"Be calm, sir,—be calm! You have lost a friend in this +terrible disaster?"</p> +<p>"I have. O that I could have died with her!"</p> +<p>"Are you sure she has perished?"</p> +<p>"She could scarcely have survived the explosion."</p> +<p>"Was she not in the ladies' cabin?"</p> +<p>"She was."</p> +<p>"Then probably she is safe. The ladies' cabin was thrown from +its position; but it appeared to be comparatively but little +shattered. The forward cabin was blown entirely in pieces."</p> +<p>"Thank God for this intelligence!" ejaculated Henry +Carroll,—for the reader has already discovered that it was he +whom the doctor had rescued.</p> +<p>"Another steamer was close at hand, so that probably most of the +ladies were saved, unless, as is often the case, they jumped +overboard in their fright."</p> +<p>"Heaven protect her!" exclaimed Henry.</p> +<p>"But, sir, I must insist on perfect quiet. Your condition +imperatively demands it. To-morrow everything shall be done to +relieve your anxiety. We shall then receive Vicksburg papers, which +will contain the names of all who are lost."</p> +<p>"I will try to be quiet, but I cannot but be anxious till I know +the whole truth."</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier again applied a soothing balm to the scalded +portions of his body, and gave him a powerful narcotic, the effects +of which were soon visible in a deep, troubled slumber.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"But thou, a wretched, base, +false, worthless coward!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">All eyes must shun thee, and all +hearts detest thee.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Prythee avoid, nor longer cling +thus round me,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Like something baneful, that my +nature's chilled at."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">OTWAY.</span></p> +<p>In a small log-cabin, a few miles above "Cottage Island," +reposing upon a rude bed, on the morning of the Chalmetta's +disaster, was a young and beautiful female. She was pale and in +tears, evidently suffering the most excruciating mental agony. An +old woman, from whose bosom her half-civilized mode of life had not +entirely banished those refined sympathies which belong by +intuition to her sex, was vainly striving to impart comfort.</p> +<p>"You ought to be thankful, ma'am, that you wan't blowed up, with +the rest of the poor people," said she, kindly, attempting to turn +the lady's attention from her absorbing misery.</p> +<p>"I had rather a thousand times have perished than fallen into +the hands of the villain who rescued me," replied Emily,—it +was she,—with a shudder.</p> +<p>"O, ma'am, they shan't hurt a hair of your head. My old man +wouldn't see such a good cretur as you hurt, for all the +world."</p> +<p>"Alas! I fear his power will not avail against this hardened +villain."</p> +<p>"Never you fear, ma'am! Two sich popinjays as them couldn't +skeer my Jerry, nohow. Besides, my son, Jim, will be back in an +hour or two."</p> +<p>"I fear they cannot aid me."</p> +<p>"Yes, they can. My Jerry alone would turn 'em inside out, if +they are sarcy."</p> +<p>"I can scarcely hope the villains—"</p> +<p>"Softly, lady, softly! do not be harsh!" said Harwell, entering +the apartment in which Emily was, and which was the only one the +cabin contained.</p> +<p>"Mr. Maxwell," said Emily, rising, "if you have any mercy, or +pity for my misfortunes, let me be left alone."</p> +<p>"I would not injure you, Miss Dumont," replied Maxwell, in a +gentle tone. "I would see you in safety at your destination. Mr. +Vernon has been two hours absent, in search of a carriage."</p> +<p>"A carriage! For what?"</p> +<p>"To convey you to a steamboat-landing."</p> +<p>"Bless your heart, sir! you needn't go a step for that. My Jerry +will hail the very next one that passes the wood-yard," suggested +the old lady.</p> +<p>"Silence, old woman!" said Maxwell, sternly, for he feared the +dame would increase Emily's distrust of him.</p> +<p>"Don't old-woman me, you puppy! I know what's what!" responded +the dame, sharply, for her temper was not exactly angelic; "it's my +opinion you don't mean this lady any good. Let me tell you, +aforehand, you can't cut any of your didoes here!"</p> +<p>"Silence, woman! when I need your help I will ask it. I propose, +Miss Dumont, to convey you to Vicksburg, where you can be +comfortably accommodated until a steamer arrives which will take +you to Cincinnati. It may be several days, you are aware."</p> +<p>"Several days!" exclaimed the mistress of the cabin; "who ever +heerd of such a thing! There'll be one along afore the day is +out."</p> +<p>"For Cincinnati?" sneered Maxwell, who found the old woman's +tongue a very formidable weapon.</p> +<p>"I dare say there will," responded the dame.</p> +<p>"It is extremely uncertain, Miss Dumont. We came in the last +one, and it is scarcely possible, at this season, another followed +immediately. But here is the carriage."</p> +<p>"Mr. Maxwell, I shall positively refuse to accompany you," said +Emily, in a most decided tone. "This good woman, I doubt not, will +accommodate me."</p> +<p>"That I will," promptly responded the dame.</p> +<p>"I am sorry, Miss Dumont, I cannot, in this instance, yield to +your wishes. I must insist on your company to Vicksburg," said +Maxwell, striving, by a supercilious manner, to keep down his angry +passions.</p> +<p>"By what right, sir, do you <i>insist</i> upon it? I was not +aware that you were invested with any legal control over me."</p> +<p>"Then you are mistaken. I act upon undoubted authority."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir, are you my guardian?" said Emily, shuddering at +the thought of the will.</p> +<p>"Not technically a guardian. My authority is a little more +definite."</p> +<p>"I do not understand you, sir."</p> +<p>"It is immaterial. Perhaps you had better go with me peaceably, +however," said Maxwell, with a carelessness foreign to his +feelings.</p> +<p>"That, sir, I never will do alive!" replied Emily, surmising the +nature of the attorney's assumed authority. "Mr. Maxwell, you have +taught me to believe that you are a hardened villain, and I +<i>command</i> you, leave my presence!"</p> +<p>The indignation of Emily was roused, and she spoke with a +flashing eye, and with an imperativeness which her wrongs alone +could have called to her aid.</p> +<p>"That was very prettily done, lady; but I cannot obey. It is +useless to multiply words. You <i>must</i> go with me;" and Maxwell +extended his hand.</p> +<p>Emily recoiled from the proffered hand; her brow lowered, and +her lips compressed. She regarded him with a look of ineffable +scorn,—a look before which even Maxwell, penetrated, as he +was, with evil purposes, quailed.</p> +<p>"Go along, now, about your business, and don't bother the lady +any more!" said the old woman, taking advantage of the momentary +silence.</p> +<p>"Miss Dumont, I once more ask you to go with me peaceably," said +Maxwell, not heeding the dame's remark.</p> +<p>"And once more I answer, <i>I will not</i>!"</p> +<p>"I should be sorry to use compulsion. Do you forget your +condition?"</p> +<p>"I do not," replied Emily, with a tremor, but without the loss +of her self-possession. "I am of the best blood of Louisiana."</p> +<p>"But still a <i>slave!</i>"</p> +<p>"Good gracious!" exclaimed the hostess.</p> +<p>"I am <i>not</i> a slave! You know this is the plot of a villain +like yourself. The true will has been found."</p> +<p>"Indeed! Is it here?" said Maxwell, with a sneer, for while he +had Emily in his power he feared nothing.</p> +<p>"No; but it shall be brought forth in due season."</p> +<p>"Until which time you are a slave; and not only a slave, but +<i>my</i> slave," replied Maxwell, with perfect coolness, as he +drew from his pocket-book the forged bill of sale.</p> +<p>"Great God, desert me not in this hour of my afflictions!" +groaned Emily. This last revelation entirely unnerved her, and +exposed in a more terrible light her appalling position. She +doubted not the paper she saw in Maxwell's hands was a bill of sale +of her person, and that it would establish his claim; for his +present purposes seemed too flagrant to be pursued without good +authority. Her features, dress and language, she felt, would be no +safeguards. She had seen slave-girls as fair and white as herself. +She had heard of those who, with scarcely a drop of negro blood in +their veins, were educated to pander to the appetite of depravity. +She had seen them in the streets of New Orleans, in no manner +differing in appearance from, the best-born ladies. Her situation, +then, was an awful one.</p> +<p>"Will you read this paper?" continued Maxwell.</p> +<p>"No; like the will, it is a forgery!" replied Emily, determined +to die rather than yield herself to the guidance of the +attorney.</p> +<p>"It gives me an undeniable right to your person, and you must +obey me. The carriage waits in the road."</p> +<p>"Mr. Maxwell, if you have a particle of honor left, or if even a +shadow of pity rests in your heart, leave me, and finish your +despicable persecution!" said Emily, in a pleading tone.</p> +<p>"I have both honor and pity; but I cannot abandon my purpose. +You refused to trust to my honor, refused to receive the offered +hand, which would lead you back to the home you have left. I would +fain have averted the calamity you are madly courting; but you +would not. I humbly prayed to be allowed to step between you and +your uncle's avarice; but you would not. I would willingly have +prevented the accomplishment of your uncle's plans; but—"</p> +<p>"Then you own that it is a plot?"</p> +<p>"I acknowledge nothing."</p> +<p>"But you know it is a base trick?"</p> +<p>"It is not for me to say. The law will be satisfied. I have +offered to do all I could for you, and you have refused. You appeal +to my pity. Pity! did you pity me when I would have been your +willing slave,—when I pleaded for the hope you have +ruthlessly crushed?"</p> +<p>"I did pity you; but I could not help you. I could not then, and +I cannot now, give my hand where my heart is uninterested. I feared +you then, as I despise you now. Report said your character was not +entirely free from stain, and you are now striving to demonstrate +the truth of the rumors," said Emily, whose contempt would not be +concealed.</p> +<p>"Report may have belied me," replied Maxwell, struggling with +his violent passions. "But we are wasting time. Proceed with me to +Vicksburg, and I pledge you my honor you shall not be injured or +insulted."</p> +<p>"Your honor!" said Emily, bitterly. "It is but a poor dependence +for an unprotected female."</p> +<p>"Gently, Miss Dumont! Do not rouse the demon within me by such +taunts."</p> +<p>"I fear the worst demon of your nature is already in the +ascendency."</p> +<p>"Enough! Will you go, or will you not?" said Maxwell, +impatiently.</p> +<p>"I will not!"</p> +<p>"Then I must claim you as my slave,—do not +start!—and <i>compel</i> you."</p> +<p>"Bond or free, I will not stir from beneath this roof with you," +replied Emily, with calm resolution. All hope, if she had cherished +any, was gone. Silently she breathed a prayer for strength and +meekness to endure all; for fortitude to enable her to struggle +till death with the oppression of her enemy; and for courage to +meet any emergency in which her lot might be cast.</p> +<p>"It must be done! I will hesitate no longer!" said Maxwell, +seizing Emily by the arm.</p> +<p>"Look here, you varmint, that won't do here!" exclaimed the +mistress of the house, who, much against her inclination, had +remained silent during the past fifteen minutes. "It shan't be said +that Jerry Swinger's ruff couldn't protect a stranger."</p> +<p>"But, woman, she is my property," answered Maxwell, not a little +intimidated by the ferocious aspect of the matron.</p> +<p>"Do not believe him, good woman, do not believe him!" exclaimed +Emily, as she saw the woman was a little staggered by the +attorney's claim.</p> +<p>"No, ma'am, I won't believe him," responded Mrs. Swinger, as her +heart triumphed over the argument of the lawyer.</p> +<p>"It matters little whether you believe me or not. Here is the +bill of sale, and, in the name of the law, I take what is +mine."</p> +<p>The hostess was not a little perplexed by the document, and +Emily observed, with terror, that she wavered in her purpose.</p> +<p>"It is a gross forgery!" exclaimed Emily, with a glance of +earnest pleading, which the rough but kind-hearted woman could not +resist.</p> +<p>"I don't care nothin' about your bill of sale! The gal is safe," +said Mrs. Swinger, with emphasis.</p> +<p>Maxwell, resolving to execute his design, again seized Emily by +the arm, and was on the point of hurrying her out of the cabin.</p> +<p>Mrs. Swinger was a stout, masculine woman, brought up in the +woods, and never fainted in her life, even in presence of an +alligator or a panther. So she had no scruples in seizing Mr. +Maxwell by the nape of the neck, and giving him a kind of double +twist, which sent him reeling into the corner of the cabin.</p> +<p>"I'll teach you to put your hands upon an onprotected female, +you varmint, you!" said she, and, going to the door, she screamed +"Jerry" three times, with a voice that would have done honor to a +Stentor.</p> +<p>"Now, stranger," said she, elevating her tall form to its full +height, and, with a gesture like a queen of the Amazons, pointing +to the door, "take yourself off, or my Jerry will tote you down to +the river, and drown you like a kitten!"</p> +<p>Mrs. Swinger's arm fell like a tragic heroine's, and she stood +proudly contemplating the object of her wrath, perhaps hoping the +attorney would await the arrival of "her Jerry," in whose prowess +she seemed to place unlimited confidence.</p> +<p>Vernon, who was waiting near the vehicle he had procured, heard +the loud and angry words of the excited dame, and now approached +the house to ascertain the cause of the confusion. This redoubtable +worthy had received the reward of his villany, and considered the +deed accomplished; but he had no objection to a little excitement. +A fight was his element, and he never let slip an opportunity to +join in one.</p> +<p>The worthy Jerry Swinger; the good woman's beau ideal of a man, +reached the cabin at the moment Vernon entered.</p> +<p>Maxwell had now the alternative of abandoning his coveted prize, +or of fighting for it. The first he would not do; and the second, +with the wound he had received in the duel, was not an easy matter. +The latter, however, he determined upon. Drawing from his pocket a +revolver, he again approached Emily.</p> +<p>"What's all this about?" said Jerry, as he entered the +cabin.</p> +<p>"Save me, sir,—save me from these villains!" exclaimed +Emily, whose piteous accents penetrated the heart of the honest +woodman.</p> +<p>"That I will, ma'am. Why, you infarnal, sneakin' whelp of an +alligator, whar's your conscience? But you've run agin a snag, and +you shan't make another bend, this trip; so sheer off! Suke, jest +fotch out my rifle, thar."</p> +<p>Mrs. Swinger, before the assailants could prevent it, unhung the +rifle, and was about to present it to her husband, when Maxwell +pointed his pistol at her, and said, "Move another inch, woman, and +I will fire!"</p> +<p>"Look here, stranger," said Jerry, approaching the attorney, "if +you touch that trigger, I'll pull your heart out!"</p> +<p>Vernon saw that his time had come, and, grappling with the +woodman, they both fell upon the mud floor of the cabin.</p> +<p>Maxwell, his pistol still pointed at the woman, advanced a step, +with the intention of taking the rifle from her. Mrs. Swinger, +perceiving his purpose, elevated the rifle to her shoulder as +gracefully as the most accomplished Kentuckian would have done, and +fired. But her aim was bad; the ball passed through the attorney's +hat. It came near enough, however, to rouse his passion, and, +without a moment's deliberation, which might have saved him the +reproach of shooting a woman, he fired. His aim, better than his +feminine opponent's had been, sent the ball through her side, and +she fell. Emily, filled with horror by the sanguinary scene, sprung +to Mrs. Swinger's aid, as she fell.</p> +<p>"Look here, you cussed villain," said Jerry Swinger, who, in the +struggle, had got his antagonist under him, and had drawn from his +pocket a long clasp-knife, "if you stir an inch, I'll put this +blood-sucker through your shrivelled-up gizzard!"</p> +<p>Vernon attempted to rise, bowie-knife in hand, to the conflict. +Jerry Swinger was about to put his threat in execution, when +Maxwell, released, by the fall of the woman, from danger in that +quarter, struck him a heavy blow upon the head with the pistol in +his hand. The woodman sunk back, with a groan, and Vernon, rising +from his fallen posture, was about to plunge the knife to his +heart, when a new actor appeared upon the stage. The blade of +Vernon was arrested in its deadly descent, and a single blow from +the fist of the new-comer laid the black-leg prostrate by the side +of the woodman. Maxwell was thrown off his guard by the suddenness +of the new assailant's movements, and, before he could raise his +pistol,—his only dependence,—it was wrested from him. +The new-comer threw the pistol down, and, seizing the attorney by +the neck, and applying a smart blow with the knee upon his back, he +brought him to the floor. Taking a cord which hung on the cabin +wall, he bound the fallen man hand and foot, and dragged him out of +the cabin. Placing his back against a tree, he lashed him firmly to +its trunk. Leaving the chop-fallen attorney to mature his plans, +the conqueror returned to the hut.</p> +<p>"O, Hatchie, Hatchie! you have again saved me!" exclaimed Emily, +as she saw her deliverer reënter. "Thank God! I am safe, +though at what a terrible sacrifice!"</p> +<p>She had, in her terror, obtained but a very imperfect idea of +the exciting scene which had transpired before her. When she saw +Vernon fall, and then Maxwell, she realized that she was safe. With +an effort,—for her excited nerves had taken away her +strength,—she rose from her position on the floor, by the +side of her lifeless hostess. At this moment Hatchie entered, and, +with a heart full of gratitude, she grasped his hand.</p> +<p>"O, Hatchie! what do I not owe you for this service!"</p> +<p>"I am so happy to serve you, Miss Emily!" replied Hatchie, +rejoiced to hear again his mistress' voice.</p> +<p>"You have been my best friend in this season of adversity. +Without you, I had been lost forever. But let us do what we may for +these poor people, who have, I fear, sacrificed their lives in my +defence."</p> +<p>The inanimate form of Mrs. Swinger was placed upon the bed by +Hatchie, and, while Emily endeavored to ascertain the nature of her +wound, the mulatto examined into Jerry's condition. The worthy +woodman had only been stunned by the blow, and Hatchie's vigorous +application soon restored him to consciousness. With the assistance +of the mulatto, he rose. Looking wildly around him, he discovered +the form of Vernon upon the floor. This seemed to recall his +recollection of the events of the hour.</p> +<p>"Whar's Suke?" said he.</p> +<p>Then perceiving her outstretched form upon the bed, he calmly, +but very sorrowfully, asked, "Is she dead?"</p> +<p>"No, thank God! she is not dead; but I fear she is badly +injured," replied Emily, who was still bending over the +sufferer.</p> +<p>The woodman approached the bed-side, and, observing the faint +breathing which gently heaved her chest, he seemed comforted.</p> +<p>"Whar's the wound?" asked he, in a melancholy tone.</p> +<p>"In her side," replied Emily; "the bullet seems to have +penetrated the region below the heart."</p> +<p>"Poor gal! I'm feered it's all up with her. She has been a good +woman to me."</p> +<p>"I am afraid my visit to your house will prove a sad day to you, +even if she recovers," said Emily, in a sad tone.</p> +<p>"No, stranger, no! Suke would have died any day to save a +neighbor from misery;" and the woodman's eyes filled with tears at +the remembrance of his humble companion's virtues.</p> +<p>"But let us hope for the best. Is there a physician in the +vicinity?"</p> +<p>"Ay, stranger, there is one that sometimes helps the poor folks +about here."</p> +<p>"Then, Hatchie, you can go for him."</p> +<p>"Stop a little! The doctor is an oncommon strange man, and lives +on an island down the bend."</p> +<p>"I will go for him," said Hatchie.</p> +<p>"I dar say; but whar you gwine? that's the pint. Nobody can find +the way that warn't there before. My son, Jim, will soon be +here."</p> +<p>"But we must be as speedy as possible," suggested Emily.</p> +<p>The arrival of the woodman's son terminated the difficulty. It +was arranged that Hatchie should go with him, to assist in rowing +back.</p> +<p>As they were about to depart, Vernon showed signs of returning +life, and Hatchie conveyed him to an out-building till a more +convenient season, and then dismissed the negro and his vehicle, +which had been brought to convey Emily to Vicksburg.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Then rose from sea to sky the +wild farewell;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">Then shrieked the timid, and +stood still the brave;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Then some leaped overboard with +dreadful yell,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">As eager to anticipate their +grave." BYRON.</span></p> +<p>We left the Chalmetta in a situation which demands +explanation.</p> +<p>Emily retired to her state-room on that dreadful night entirely +relieved from the distressing anticipations which had before +oppressed her. Her name and her home were virtually restored to +her. The foul stain upon the honor of her father had been removed. +Doubt and fear scarcely disturbed her; the battle yet to be fought +seemed but a trifle. Maxwell had said her uncle was left at a +wood-yard. This was strange. It looked not like an accident, but +the doing of the wily attorney; and perhaps Jaspar had voluntarily +withdrawn; perhaps her uncle had made <i>her</i> the reward of +Maxwell's silence. But these reflections were now robbed of their +bitterness. She felt that in Henry Carroll she had a sufficient +protection.</p> +<p>She retired to her state-room with a light heart, and even +Maxwell's villanous designs were forgotten as she revelled in the +bright hopes before her. She knew nothing of the foul plot which +had been concocted for her abduction. She knew not that Henry +Carroll was then watching over her. In blissful ignorance of the +danger that hovered near her, she sunk into the quiet sleep of +innocence.</p> +<p>After midnight her slumbers were disturbed by the unusual +creaking of the boat, and the hasty puffs of steam from the +escape-pipes. She awoke, and was at once sensible of the immense +pressure to which the boilers were subjected. Awhile she lay and +listened to the ominous sounds which indicated the danger of the +boat; then, much alarmed, she rose and dressed herself. For nearly +an hour she sat in the darkness of the room, during which time the +danger seemed momentarily to increase, until, no longer able to +endure such agonizing suspense, she was about to leave the room. At +this moment Vernon was about to enter, when the explosion took +place.</p> +<p>The forward part of the Chalmetta was completely torn in pieces. +The gentlemen's cabin was lifted from its supports, and torn into +fragments. The unfortunate occupants of berths in this part of the +boat were either instantly killed or severely wounded. The ladies' +cabin, being at a greater distance from the immediate scene of the +explosion, had not suffered so severely. Although torn from its +position, and shattered by the shock, it had proved fatal to but a +few of its occupants, who had been crushed by falling timbers. The +hull of the boat was not injured by the explosion, but before those +who had escaped a sudden death could recover their disordered +faculties, the flames began to ascend from the wreck of the cabin, +which had been precipitated upon the furnaces.</p> +<p>The scene surpassed description. The groans of the wounded and +scalded, the shrieks of those who were on the boat, expecting every +moment to be carried down in her, mingled in wild confusion on the +midnight air. Fortunately the passengers were mostly soldiers, +accustomed to scenes of horror, who immediately turned their +attention to the extinguishing of the flames. The Flatfoot, No. 3, +approached within a short distance of the wreck, and a line was +passed from her to the bow of the Chalmetta. Her passengers and +crew were humanely assisting in rescuing those who had jumped or +been thrown overboard in the disaster.</p> +<p>By the aid of a fire-engine on board of the Flatfoot, which had +approached near enough to render it available, the flames were +extinguished. It was ascertained that the Chalmetta had received no +serious damage in her hull; and as all the survivors had been +picked up, the Flatfoot took her in tow, and proceeded up the +river.</p> +<p>Emily had been stunned by the explosion, and ere she could +recover, Vernon, with a strong arm, bore her to the main deck. The +boat was lowered into the water, and, before the passengers, or the +petrified watch in the hold, could regain their self-possession, it +was impelled by the strong arm of Vernon, and the ruffian who had +been hired for the purpose, far astern of the wreck.</p> +<p>The main deck was enveloped in clouds of steam, so that, when +Vernon had handed Emily down, the movement could not be seen by +Hatchie and his friends in the hold. In another instant the wreck +of the cabins came tumbling down.</p> +<p>Hatchie, understanding at once the nature of the calamity, made +his way, as well as he was able, through the shattered ruins to the +stern, where he discovered that the boat was gone. The flames from +the forward part of the boat now enabled him to discover the +abductors of Emily rowing down the river. Leaping into the water, +he seized a door, which was floating near him, and thus enabled to +sustain himself with tolerable ease, he swam after them.</p> +<p>Emily, on recovering from the shock, found herself reclining on +the shoulder of a man in an open boat. The first impulse of her +pious heart was to return thanks to the Almighty preserver that she +had been rescued from a terrible death. Her thoughts then turned to +her deliverer, for such she supposed was the person in the boat +with her. Who was he? Was it Henry Carroll? She hoped it was. She +raised her head from the position in which Maxwell had placed it, +and endeavored to distinguish his features; but the darkness +defeated her wish.</p> +<p>"Fear nothing, lady; you are safe," said Maxwell.</p> +<p>The voice was like the knell of doom. It grated harshly upon her +ears, and gave rise to a thousand fears in her timid heart.</p> +<p>"Thank God, I am safe!" said she, after a pause.</p> +<p>"And I thank God I have been the means of preserving you," +replied Maxwell, willing to render the terrible calamity an +accessory to his crime.</p> +<p>"But why do you go this way?" asked Emily, as she saw the +Flatfoot approach the wreck.</p> +<p>"I only wish to convey you from the scene of danger."</p> +<p>"Then why not go to that steamer?"</p> +<p>"Probably she is by this time converted into a hospital for the +sufferers. I would not shock your delicate nerves with such a scene +of woe and misery as will be on board of her."</p> +<p>"May we not render some assistance?"</p> +<p>"No doubt there are more assistants than can labor to advantage +now."</p> +<p>Emily was silent, but not satisfied. Her fears in some measure +subsided, when, about two miles below the scene of the disaster, +Maxwell ordered the boat to be put in at a wood-yard. The attorney +was all gentleness, and assisted her to the cabin of Jerry Swinger, +the owner of the wood-yard.</p> +<p>Hatchie had been able, by severe exertion, to keep within +hearing of the splashing oars. The current fortunately carried him +near the wood-yard, and, aided by the sounds he heard at the cabin, +and by the boat which he saw, he concluded the party had landed +there. Letting go the door, a few vigorous strokes brought him to +the shore. Approaching the cabin, he satisfied himself that his +mistress had taken shelter there. Concealing himself in the woods, +he awaited with much anxiety the next movement of the attorney. In +the morning he heard the noise at the cabin, and had been the means +of saving his mistress from a calamity far more dreadful than death +itself.</p> +<p>On the evening of the day of the explosion, an elderly gentleman +sat in a private apartment of one of the principal hotels in +Vicksburg, attentively reading an "Extra," in which the particulars +of the disaster were detailed. He read, with little apparent +interest, the account, until he came to the names of "Saved, +Killed, Wounded and Missing." An expression of the deepest anxiety +settled upon his countenance. He finished reading the list of +survivors, and a transient feeling of satisfaction was visible on +his face. When in the list of the "missing" he read the name of +"Miss Dumont, Antoine De Guy and Henry Carroll," a smile as of +glutted revenge and malignant hatred dispelled the cloud of anxiety +which had before brooded over his features. Throwing down the +sheet, he drank off a glass of brandy, which had been waiting his +pleasure on the table. The potion was not insignificant in quantity +or strength, and the wry face he made did not add to the amiability +of his expression. As the dose permeated his brain, and produced +that agreeable lightness which is the first phase of intoxication, +he rubbed his hands with childish delight, and half muttered an +expression of pleasure.</p> +<p>Suddenly his countenance assumed its former lowering aspect, his +brows knit, and his lips compressed.</p> +<p>"Missing!" muttered he. "What the devil does <i>missing</i> +mean? What can it mean but dead, defunct, gone to a better world, +as the canting hypocrites say?"</p> +<p>But we will not attempt to record the muttered soliloquy of the +gentleman,—Jaspar Dumont, who had reached Vicksburg that day, +from the wood-yard where we left him. It was too profane, too +sacrilegious, to stain our page.</p> +<p>Grasping the bell-rope with a sudden energy, as though a new +thought had struck him, he gave it a violent pull, which brought to +his presence a black waiter.</p> +<p>"Has the Dragon returned?" asked Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Yes, sar, jus got in, Massa."</p> +<p>"Is there any person in the house who went up in her?"</p> +<p>"Yes, massa, one gemman in de office."</p> +<p>"Who is he?"</p> +<p>"Massa—massa—" and the darkey scratched his head, to +stimulate his memory, which act instantly brought the name to his +mind.</p> +<p>"Massa <i>Lousey</i>."</p> +<p>"Mister what, you black scoundrel!"</p> +<p>"Yes, sar,—Massa Lousey; dat's de name."</p> +<p>"Lousey?" repeated Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Stop bit," said the waiter, a new idea penetrating his cranium. +"Dar Lousey, dat's de name, for sartin."</p> +<p>"Dalhousie," responded Jaspar. "Give my compliments to Mr. +Dalhousie, and ask him to oblige me with a few moments' +conversation in this room."</p> +<p>"Yes, sar;" and the waiter retired, muttering, "Dar Lousey."</p> +<p>The Dragon was a small steamer, which had been sent, on the +intelligence of a "blow up," to obtain the particulars for the +press, and render assistance to the survivors. Dalhousie was a +transient visitor at the hotel, and, with many others, had gone in +the Dragon to gratify his curiosity.</p> +<p>"Sorry to trouble you, sir," said Jaspar, as the gentleman +entered the apartment; "but I am much interested in the fate of +several persons who were passengers on board the Chalmetta."</p> +<p>"No trouble, Mr. Dumont, I am extremely happy to serve you," +replied Dalhousie, whose obsequious manners were ample evidence of +his sincerity.</p> +<p>"My niece was on board of her," continued Jaspar, "and I see her +name in the list of missing."</p> +<p>"Your <i>niece</i>!" replied Dalhousie, emphasizing the latter +word. He had a few days before come from New Orleans, and had there +heard of the startling developments in the Dumont family.</p> +<p>"No matter," returned Jaspar, sharply; "she went by the name of +Dumont. Did you find any bodies?"</p> +<p>"We picked up the remains of six men and two females."</p> +<p>"Can you describe the females? How were they dressed?" asked +Jaspar, in an excited manner.</p> +<p>"One was dressed in black. The other had on a common +calico."</p> +<p>"But the one in black,—describe her,—her +hair,—was she tall or short?" interrupted Jaspar, +hurriedly.</p> +<p>"Her hair was in curls. She was apparently about twenty-six or +seven, and rather short in stature."</p> +<p>"Curls," muttered Jaspar; "she has not worn curls since the +colonel died. She may have put them on again to please that +infernal Captain Carroll. Twenty-six years old, you think?"</p> +<p>"She may have been younger. Her features were terribly mangled," +and Mr. Dalhousie cast a penetrating glance at Jaspar, as though he +would read out the beatings of his black heart.</p> +<p>Jaspar considered again the description, and, though it did not +correspond to his niece's, his anxiety had contributed to warp his +judgment. He was very willing to believe the Chalmetta's fatal +disaster had forever removed the only obstacle to the gratification +of his ambition, and the only source of future insecurity. He paced +the room, muttering, in his abstraction, sundry broken phrases.</p> +<p>Dalhousie watched him, and endeavored to obtain the purport of +his disjointed soliloquy. A stranger, without some strong motive, +could scarcely have had so much interest in him as he appeared to +have.</p> +<p>"Had she any jewels—ornaments of any kind?" asked +Dalhousie, after the silence had grown disagreeable to him.</p> +<p>"She had," replied Jaspar, stopping suddenly in his +perambulation of the room, and speaking with an eagerness which +betrayed his anxiety to obtain more evidence. "Were any found upon +her person?"</p> +<p>"You are a man of honor, Mr. Dumont, and, if I disclose to you a +thoughtless indiscretion of my own, you will not, of course, expose +me?" said Dalhousie, with, hesitation, and apparent want of +confidence.</p> +<p>"Of course not," replied Jaspar, impatiently. "What has this to +do with the matter?"</p> +<p>"Did your niece wear a ring?"</p> +<p>"Yes, a mourning ring."</p> +<p>"Do you know the ring? Could you identify it?"</p> +<p>"Certainly," replied Jaspar, who remembered having seen an +ornament of this description on the finger of Emily.</p> +<p>"Will you describe it to me, if you please?"</p> +<p>But Jaspar had reckoned without his host. The details of a piece +of jewelry were matters entirely foreign to his taste. However, he +succeeded in giving a description, which, from its general terms, +might have applied to one mourning ring as well as another.</p> +<p>"Is this the one?" asked Dalhousie, with an anxiety which he +could scarcely conceal, as he produced a ring.</p> +<p>"That <i>is</i> it," replied Jaspar, confidently; and the jewel +did bear some resemblance to that worn by Emily.</p> +<p>"But where did you obtain this?"</p> +<p>"I must insist on the most inviolable secrecy."</p> +<p>"Certainly, certainly," said Jaspar, eagerly.</p> +<p>"I will disclose the particulars only on the condition that you +pledge yourself never to reveal my agency in the matter; for it +would compromise my character."</p> +<p>"Very well. I pledge you my honor," replied Jaspar, impatiently. +"You took it from the corpse of the lady in black."</p> +<p>"I did, and you must be aware that such an act would subject me +to inconvenience, if known."</p> +<p>"Don't be alarmed; your secret is safe."</p> +<p>"But are you sure this is the ring worn by your niece?"</p> +<p>"It looks like it;" but Jaspar was perplexed with a doubt. He +bethought himself that it was only in a casual glance he had +observed Emily's ring. He had never examined it, and, after all, +this might not be the one. There was certainly nothing strange in +any lady dressed in black wearing a mourning ring. Again he turned +the ring over and over, and scrutinized it closely. His finger +touched a spring, and the plate flew up, disclosing a small lock of +gray hair, twined around the single letter D.</p> +<p>"I will swear to it now," exclaimed Jaspar, in a tone which +betrayed the malicious joy he felt at the discovery. He was +perfectly satisfied now of the identity of the ring. It never +occurred to him that D stood for any other name than Dumont.</p> +<p>"This appears to be decisive evidence," replied Dalhousie. "Your +<i>niece</i>, then, must be the person brought down by the +Dragon."</p> +<p>"Without doubt."</p> +<p>"As this matter, then, is settled to your +satisfaction—"</p> +<p>"Sir!" exclaimed Jaspar.</p> +<p>"I beg your pardon," resumed Dalhousie, with a supercilious air; +"I only meant that your mind was satisfied—relieved from a +painful anxiety."</p> +<p>"A very painful anxiety," replied Jaspar.</p> +<p>"I understand, sir, you own a large plantation."</p> +<p>"Well."</p> +<p>"Perhaps you need an overseer?"</p> +<p>Jaspar acknowledged that he did need an overseer.</p> +<p>"I should be happy to make an engagement with you," said the +other, in complaisant tones.</p> +<p>"I don't think you would suit me. You are too genteel, by half," +returned Jaspar, bluntly.</p> +<p>"I have been in a better position, it is true. I was born in +France, but I understand the business."</p> +<p>"Did you ever manage a gang of niggers?"</p> +<p>After a little hesitation, Dalhousie replied that he had.</p> +<p>"We will talk of it some other time," said Jaspar, satisfied, +from the air and manner of the other, that his statement was +false.</p> +<p>Dalhousie put on his hat, and, taking the mourning ring from the +table, was about to enfold it in a bit of paper.</p> +<p>"What are you about, sir?" exclaimed Jaspar, as he witnessed the +act.</p> +<p>"The ring is my property, is it not?" said Dalhousie.</p> +<p>"Put it down, or, by heavens, I will expose your rascality in +taking it!"</p> +<p>"Do not be hasty, sir. I have not studied your looks, the last +hour, without profiting by them."</p> +<p>"What do you mean by that?" said Jaspar, a little startled.</p> +<p>"I mean that the death of your niece does not seem to be +received with that degree of sorrow which an uncle would naturally +feel."</p> +<p>"<i>Fool</i>! she was not my niece!"</p> +<p>"Why are you so anxious to establish her decease?"</p> +<p>"Was I anxious?" said Jaspar, not knowing how far he might have +betrayed himself.</p> +<p>"Quite enough so to convince even the most indifferent observer +that you were extremely rejoiced at the event," replied Dalhousie, +willing to make out a strong case.</p> +<p>Jaspar did not reply, and it was plain Dalhousie's remarks had +had their effect.</p> +<p>"But, Mr. Dumont, I flatter myself I am a man of discretion. As +you were saying, you need an overseer," said Dalhousie, with a +glance at Jaspar, which conveyed more meaning than his words.</p> +<p>The glance was irresistible, and Jaspar engaged him at a liberal +salary, as well as his wife, who was to be the housekeeper at +Bellevue. Dalhousie was a needy man. His fortunes were on the +descending scale. Born in France, he had emigrated to this country, +with the chimerical hope of speedily making a fortune. He could not +build up the coveted temple stone by stone, but wished it to rise +like a fairy castle. With such views, he had wandered about the +country with his wife (whom he had married since his arrival), in +search of the philosopher's stone. He had several times engaged in +subordinate capacities, but his impatient hopes would not brook the +distance between him and the goal. He had been to New Orleans, but +the city was almost deserted. On his arrival at Vicksburg, Jaspar +had been pointed out to him as a person who could probably favor +his wishes, and he had obtained an introduction to him.</p> +<p>Jaspar's thoughts and feelings he read. He discovered the nature +of the relations between the uncle and niece,—which required +but little sagacity, under the circumstances. Determined to profit +by the knowledge he had obtained, his first step was to satisfy +Jaspar of the death of Emily, of whom, in reality, he knew nothing. +The initial letter of his wife's name in the ring had suggested the +means, and he had convinced Jaspar as related. How Dalhousie's +sense of moral rectitude would allow him to use the deception, we +will not say; but he seemed to tolerate the idea that the great +purpose he had in view would justify any little peccadilloes he +might commit in obtaining it.</p> +<p>He had gained his end, and taken the first step in the great +road to fortune; and he doubted not his future relations with +Jaspar would suggest a second.</p> +<p>The body of the deceased lady was claimed by Dalhousie, in +behalf of Jaspar, and interred in Vicksburg.</p> +<p>In company with the new overseer and his wife, Jaspar returned +the next day to Bellevue.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Say quick! quoth he; I bid +thee say,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">What manner of man art +thou?</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Forthwith, this frame of mine +was wrenched</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">With a woful agony,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Which forced me to begin my +tale;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And then it left me free." +ANCIENT MARINER.</span></p> +<p>The morning advanced, and Henry Carroll, under the influence of +the powerful opiate, still slept. By his side sat the misanthropic +physician, who seemed to have learned a lesson of the dealing of +the Creator with the creature such as he had never before acquired. +He had rescued a fellow-creature from sure death, and the act +seemed a part of the great duties of life which he had so long +neglected. He reflected upon the numerous opportunities of doing +good to his fellow-men from which his hermit-life debarred him. +Again he thought of his daughter. Her image rose before him in the +darkened chamber of the sick man, and seemed to reproach him for +his want of faithfulness to her. The incident and reflections of +the previous night had strangely influenced his mind, and changed +the whole current of his impulses and hopes. The solitude of his +lonely island no longer seemed desirable. The world, with all its +vanities and vexations, was the true sphere of life.</p> +<p>The arrival of Jim now summoned him to the relief of Mrs. +Swinger. Calling in the old negro, he gave him some directions in +case the patient should awake, and, taking his case of surgical +instruments, he proceeded to the landing. Unmooring the sail-boat, +he took the two messengers on board, with their boat in tow. The +wind was still fresh, and the yacht, with all her sails spread, +bore the doctor rapidly on his errand of mercy. A strange impulse +seemed to animate him,—an impulse of genuine, heart-felt +sympathy towards the whole human family,—a feeling to which +he had before been a stranger. His profession seemed to him now a +boon of mercy to the suffering, and he saw how poorly he had +performed his mission to the world. He felt a pleasure he had never +before experienced, in being able to relieve the distressed, to +heal the wounded heart, as well as the bruised limb.</p> +<p>Under the skilful pilotage of Dr. Vaudelier the more rapid +currents were avoided, the boat pressed to her utmost speed; and in +a short time the party landed at the wood-yard of Jerry +Swinger.</p> +<p>During the absence of the messengers Emily, by the most +assiduous attentions, had succeeded in restoring the wounded woman +to a state of partial consciousness. The arrival of the doctor +increased her hopes of a speedy restoration. The rough woodman, who +had patiently watched Emily as she labored over his beloved +partner, was melted into tears of joy when he heard her faintly +articulate his name.</p> +<p>After a thorough examination of the wound, the doctor announced +the gratifying intelligence that the woman was not dangerously +wounded. The severe operation of extracting the ball was performed, +and the patient left to the quiet her situation demanded.</p> +<p>On the passage from Cottage Island Hatchie had related the +particulars of the affray, so that on his arrival Dr. Vaudelier was +in possession of all the facts.</p> +<p>"You have had a severe fight here, madam," said he to Emily, who +had followed him out to inquire more particularly into the +situation of her hostess.</p> +<p>"We have, indeed; but I trust no lives will be lost," replied +Emily.</p> +<p>"No; the woman will do very well. The wound is a severe one, but +not dangerous. Her strong constitution will resist all fatal +consequences."</p> +<p>"I trust it may, for this has been a day of disaster, without +the loss of more life."</p> +<p>"You were a passenger in the Chalmetta?"</p> +<p>"I was."</p> +<p>"Then you have had a narrow escape."</p> +<p>"But a more narrow one since the explosion. Thank Heaven, I have +been preserved from both calamities!"</p> +<p>"Had you no friends on board?"</p> +<p>"I had—one friend;" and she hesitated. "I fear he has +perished."</p> +<p>"Hope for the best!" replied the doctor, kindly.</p> +<p>The blush, and then the change to the paleness of death, as +Emily thought of Henry, first as the lover, and then as a mangled +corpse had not escaped the notice of Dr. Vaudelier. He read in her +varying color the relation they had sustained to each other.</p> +<p>"I have no alternative but hope," said Emily; "but it seems like +hoping against the certainty of evil."</p> +<p>"I saved the life of a gentleman this morning who must shortly +have perished without aid. He, too, had lost a dear friend."</p> +<p>"Indeed!" said Emily, with interest.</p> +<p>"Yes; but he was much injured, and will require the most +diligent care."</p> +<p>"I trust your merciful endeavors will be crowned with success. +Do you know the gentleman?"</p> +<p>"I do not. He has not yet been able to converse much. He was +dressed in the uniform of an officer."</p> +<p>"An officer! Perhaps it is he!" exclaimed Emily.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier was much interested in the adventure, and the +pale, anxious features of Emily excited his sympathy for her.</p> +<p>"As I dressed his wounds," said he, "I noticed the initials upon +his linen. Perhaps these may afford some clue."</p> +<p>"What were they?" exclaimed Emily, scarcely able to articulate, +in the intensity of her feelings.</p> +<p>"H.C."</p> +<p>"It is he! It is he! And you say he is wounded?"</p> +<p>"I am sorry to say he is."</p> +<p>"Can I go to him?" said Emily, grasping the doctor's arm.</p> +<p>"I fear your presence will excite him. Are you a relative?"</p> +<p>"No, not a relative," replied Emily, blushing; "but I know he +would like to see me."</p> +<p>"I do not doubt it," said the doctor, with a smile,—a +luxury in which he rarely indulged. "I am afraid your presence will +agitate him."</p> +<p>"Let me watch over him while he sleeps. He need not know I am +near."</p> +<p>"Rather difficult to manage, but you shall see him. Will you +return with me?"</p> +<p>"Thank you, I will. But poor Mrs. Swinger!" and a shade of +anxiety crossed her features, as she thought of leaving her kind +hostess in affliction.</p> +<p>"Her husband is a good nurse, and understands her case better +than you do. If I mistake not, your services will be full as +acceptable at my cottage."</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier tried to smile at this sally; but the effort was +too much for him, and he sank under it.</p> +<p>Emily, though sorry to leave her protectress, was drawn by the +irresistible magnetism of affection to Cottage Island. She +compromised between the opposing demands of duty by promising +herself that she would again visit the wood-yard.</p> +<p>She embarked with Dr. Vaudelier, and they were soon gliding down +the mighty river on their way to Cottage Island. Emily had wished +Hatchie to accompany her, as much for his safety as for her own; +but the faithful fellow desired to stay at the wood-yard. They had +before had an interview in relation to the will. Uncle Nathan, who +had been made the custodian of it, had not been seen or heard from, +and her case again seemed to be desperate. Hatchie assured her of +his safety, and of his good faith. He had left him in the hold, +and, with common prudence, the worthy farmer might have made his +escape unharmed. Emily, who now regarded her devoted servant in the +light of a guardian angel, had entire confidence in his reasoning +and conclusions. Of Hatchie's motive in remaining at the wood-yard +she had no conception. If she had had, she would probably have +insisted on his attendance.</p> +<p>After the departure of Dr. Vaudelier and Emily, Hatchie went to +the cabin, and took therefrom a carpet-bag belonging to +Maxwell,—an article which, even in the hurry of his exit from +the steamer, he had not omitted to take. With this in his hand, he +proceeded to the out-building, to satisfy himself of the security +of his prisoners; but Vernon had fled,—the wooden door of the +shed had not been proof against his art. Hatchie was not +disconcerted by this incident. Vernon, he was aware, was only a +subordinate, who did his evil deeds for hire, and against him he +bore no ill will. But it immediately occurred to him that the +ruffian might have liberated Maxwell, and this would have utterly +deranged his present plans. Taking from the shed a long rope, he +proceeded to the other side of the cabin, where he had secured the +attorney to the tree. To his great satisfaction he found the +prisoner secure. Vernon did not see him, or was too intent on his +own safety to bestow a thought upon his late employer.</p> +<p>Hatchie reached the scene of Maxwell's humiliation. Coolly +seating himself on a log near the discomfited lawyer, and regarding +him with a look of contempt, he proceeded to examine the fastenings +of the carpet-bag. Maxwell spoke not; his pride was still "above +par," and he returned Hatchie's contemptuous glances with a scowl +of scorn and hatred. The attorney was in sore tribulation at the +unexpected turn affairs had taken, and the future did not present a +very encouraging aspect. Of the mulatto'a present intentions he +could gain no idea. The long rope he had brought with him looked +ominous, and a shudder passed through his frame as he considered +the uses to which it might be applied. As he regarded the cool +proceedings of his jailer, the worst anticipations crowded upon +him. The mulatto looked like a demon of the inquisition to his +guilty soul. But, tortured as he was by the most terrible +forebodings, he still preserved his dignified scowl, and watched +the operations of Hatchie with apparent coolness.</p> +<p>Hatchie examined the lock upon the carpet-bag, and found that it +entirely secured the contents from observation.</p> +<p>"I will trouble you for the key of this bag," said he, politely, +as he rose and approached the attorney.</p> +<p>"What mean you, fellow? Would you rob me?" exclaimed +Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Not at all, sir; do not alarm yourself. The key, if you please. +In which pocket is it?"</p> +<p>Hatchie approached, with the intention of searching his +prisoner.</p> +<p>"Stand off, villain!" cried Maxwell, as he gave the mulatto a +hearty kick in the neighborhood of the knee.</p> +<p>"Very well, sir," said Hatchie, not at all disconcerted by the +blow.</p> +<p>Taking the rope he had brought, he dexterously passed it round +the legs of the attorney, and made it fast to the tree.</p> +<p>"Now, sir, if you will tell which pocket contains the key, you +will save yourself the indignity of being searched."</p> +<p>"Miserable villain! if you wish to commit violence upon me, you +must do it without my consent."</p> +<p>"Sorry to disoblige you, sir," said Hatchie, with an affectation +of civility; "but I must have the key."</p> +<p>"I have not the key; it is lost. If I had, you should struggle +for it."</p> +<p>"You will pardon me for doubting your word. I must satisfy +myself."</p> +<p>"Help! help!" shouted the attorney, as his tormentor proceeded +to put his threat in execution.</p> +<p>This was a contingency for which Hatchie was not prepared. To +the little operation he was about to perform he desired no +witnesses at present, and a slight rustling in the bushes near him +not a little disconcerted him. Stuffing a handkerchief into the +attorney's mouth, he waited for the intruder upon his pastime; but +no one came, and he proceeded to search the pockets of the lawyer. +To his great disappointment, the key could not be found.</p> +<p>Hatchie was persuaded that this carpet-bag must contain some +evidence which would be of service to his mistress, in case Uncle +Nathan and the will should not come to light. There were two acts +to the drama he intended to perform on the present occasion; the +first, alone with the attorney,—and the last, in the presence +of witnesses. Deferring, therefore, the opening of the bag to the +second act, he proceeded with the first.</p> +<p>"Now, Mr. Maxwell," said he, "as you have given me encouragement +that you <i>can</i> tell the truth, I have a few questions to put +to you."</p> +<p>"I will answer no questions," replied Maxwell, sullenly.</p> +<p>He saw that the mulatto would have it all his own way; and he +felt a desire to conciliate him, but his pride forbade. He felt +very much as a lion would feel in the power of a mouse, if such a +thing could be.</p> +<p>"Please to consider, sir. You are entirely in my power."</p> +<p>"No matter; do with me as you please,—I will answer no +questions."</p> +<p>"Think of it; and be assured I will do my best to <i>compel</i> +an answer. If I do not succeed, you will be food for the buzzards +before yonder sun sets."</p> +<p>"What, fellow! would you murder me?" exclaimed Maxwell, in +alarm.</p> +<p>"I would not; if you compel me to use violence, the consequences +be upon your own head. Will you answer me?"</p> +<p>Maxwell hesitated. The dreadful thought of being murdered in +cold blood presented itself on the one hand, and the scarcely less +disagreeable thought of exposing his crimes, on the other. The loss +of reputation, his prospective fall in society, were not less +terrible than death itself. Resolving to trust in his good fortune +for the result, he firmly refused to answer.</p> +<p>Hatchie now took the rope, and having cut off a portion from one +end, with which he fastened together the legs of his prisoner, he +ascended the tree with an end in his hand. Passing the rope over a +smooth branch about fifteen feet from the ground, he descended and +made a slip-noose in one end. Heedless of the remonstrances of the +victim, he fastened it securely to his neck.</p> +<p>Seating himself again on the log, with the other end of the rope +in his hand, he looked sternly upon the attorney, and said,</p> +<p>"Now, sir, I put the question again. Will you answer me?"</p> +<p>"Never!" said Maxwell, in desperation.</p> +<p>"Very well, then; if you have any prayers to say, say them now; +your time is short."</p> +<p>"Fool! villain! murderer! I have no prayers to say. I am not a +drivelling idiot, or fanatic; I can die like a man."</p> +<p>"You had better reconsider your determination."</p> +<p>"No, craven! woolly-headed coward! I will not flinch. Do you +think to <i>drive</i> a gentleman into submission?"</p> +<p>"Be calm, Mr. Maxwell; do not waste your last moments in idle +invectives. The time were better spent in penitence and +prayer."</p> +<p>"Pshaw! go on, if you dare, with your murderous work!"</p> +<p>Hatchie now unloosed the cords which secured the attorney to the +tree, and he stood bound hand and foot beneath the branch over +which the line was passed. Seizing the end of the rope, the mulatto +pulled it gently at first, but gradually increasing the pressure +upon the prisoner's throat, as if to give him a satisfactory +foretaste of the hanging sensation. This slow torture was too much +for the attorney's fortitude; and, as his respiration grew painful, +he called to his executioner to stop. Hatchie promptly loosened the +rope.</p> +<p>After giving the victim time to recover from the choking +sensation, the mulatto repeated his question.</p> +<p>The fear of an ignominious death, of dying under such revolting +circumstances, had a cooling effect upon the bravado spirit of the +lawyer. His pride had received a most salutary shock, and he felt +disposed to treat for his life, even with the despised slave of +Miss Dumont. Had his tormentor been any other than one of that +detested race, he could easily have regarded him as a man and +conceded something for the boon of life. Reduced to the last +extremity by the relentless energy of his victor, he had no choice +but to yield the point or die.</p> +<p>"Will you answer my questions?" repeated Hatchie, sternly.</p> +<p>"What would you have me answer?" replied Maxwell, doggedly.</p> +<p>"Did you forge the will by which my mistress is deprived of her +rights?"</p> +<p>"No."</p> +<p>"Do you know who did?"</p> +<p>Maxwell hesitated, and Hatchie again pulled the rope till his +face was crimson.</p> +<p>"Who forged the will?" repeated Hatchie, slackening the +rope.</p> +<p>"I did not," replied Maxwell, as soon as he could regain breath +enough to speak.</p> +<p>"Who did?"</p> +<p>"I know not."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><br /> +<a href="images/178g.jpg"><img src="images/178g.jpg" width="80%" +alt="" title="" /></a><br /> +<b>Hatchie forcing secrets from Maxwell.</b></div> +<p>Hatchie pulled the rope again.</p> +<p>"Your master—"</p> +<p>"I have no master. Miss Emily is my mistress."</p> +<p>"I have been told his name was De Guy."</p> +<p>"Who is De Guy?"</p> +<p>"A lawyer of New Orleans."</p> +<p>"And what agency had you in the affair?"</p> +<p>"None whatever."</p> +<p>"Then Mr. Dumont and De Guy are the only persons concerned in +the transaction?"</p> +<p>"Yes."</p> +<p>"You are positive?"</p> +<p>"Yes."</p> +<p>"Then, how comes it, Mr. Maxwell, that they have intrusted you +with their secret? How came you by this knowledge?" said Hatchie, +fiercely, as he prepared, apparently, to swing up the attorney.</p> +<p>Maxwell was staggered by this question, and Hatchie perceived +his discomfiture. That Maxwell had any agency in the transaction he +only suspected; certainly it was not he whom he had seen with +Jaspar on the night of his escape from Bellevue. There was much +evidence for and much against him.</p> +<p>Maxwell, unwilling to criminate himself, was in a sad dilemma; +his ready wits alone could save him. But his hesitation procured +him another instant of suffocation.</p> +<p>"I obtained the knowledge from De Guy," said he, at last.</p> +<p>"How! did he voluntarily betray the confidence of his +employer?"</p> +<p>"No, from his inquiries concerning the affairs of the family, I +suspected something; when the will was read my impressions were +confirmed. I charged him with the crime."</p> +<p>"Did he acknowledge it?"</p> +<p>"He did."</p> +<p>"Then why did you not expose the plot?"</p> +<p>"It did not suit my purpose."</p> +<p>"What was your purpose?"</p> +<p>"To marry Miss Dumont."</p> +<p>The attorney's answers seemed plausible. His actions were in +conformity with his avowed purpose. If he wished to marry his +mistress, he would not have joined in the plot. But the bill of +sale, which Emily had mentioned to him, was against him. Poor +Hatchie was no lawyer, and was sadly perplexed by the conflicting +testimony.</p> +<p>"Where did you get that bill of sale?" said he.</p> +<p>Again the attorney hesitated, and again Hatchie pulled the rope +till he was ready to answer.</p> +<p>"Is it a forgery?" said Hatchie, slackening the rope.</p> +<p>"Probably it is," replied Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Who wrote it?"</p> +<p>"De Guy."</p> +<p>"This De Guy is a most consummate villain, and shall yet be +brought to justice. But how came it in your possession?"</p> +<p>"I received it from De Guy, as the agent of Mr. Dumont. In fine, +I <i>bought</i> the girl," said Maxwell, maliciously.</p> +<p>Hatchie's temper had nearly got the better of him, for he made a +spring on the rope, which threatened death to the attorney. But his +judgment overcame his passion, and he again turned his attention to +the great object before him.</p> +<p>"Now, Mr. Maxwell, as you are a lawyer," said Hatchie, "you are +aware of the disadvantages I shall labor under in making the +evidence you have furnished me available."</p> +<p>"I am," replied the attorney. "Do you think I would have yielded +to you, if I had not known it?"</p> +<p>"Have you told me the truth in these statements?" asked +Hatchie.</p> +<p>The attorney hesitated; but a sharp twinge at the neck compelled +him to say that he had.</p> +<p>"Then I shall be obliged to trouble you to repeat some of your +revelations. Now, mark me, Mr. Maxwell; I am going to procure the +woodman and his son, to witness your statements."</p> +<p>"Fool! what avail will they be, extorted with a rope about my +neck?"</p> +<p>"Perhaps we may be able to show you some law such as you never +read in your books. If, as I suspect, this carpet-bag contains +papers, I doubt not we shall find something to confirm your +evidence."</p> +<p>The face of the lawyer grew a shade paler; but he spoke not.</p> +<p>"Before I go, let me charge you, at your peril, not to be +obstinate; for here I solemnly assure you that you shall swing by +the branch above you, if you refuse to answer," said Hatchie, going +towards the cabin.</p> +<p>The scene of this exploit was at some distance from the +log-cabin of the woodman, and the mulatto had scarcely got out of +sight before Vernon appeared. He had been at a little distance from +the parties during the whole scene, but he had too much respect for +the prowess of his late conqueror to venture on a rescue. He had +once been tempted to do so, and had made the noise which had +disturbed Hatchie. The blackleg, without much sympathy for his +confederate, had rather regarded the whole scene as a good joke +than as a serious affair; and, as he approached the lawyer, his +merriment and keen satire were not relished by the victim.</p> +<p>"But how is it, Maxwell, about this will? You have never told me +about it," said Vernon, who, ruffian as he was, believed in fair +play.</p> +<p>"I will tell you another time; cut these ropes, and let us be +off."</p> +<p>"But let me tell you, my fine fellow, that though I can rob a +man who has enough, I would not be concerned in such a dirty game +as this," said Vernon, as he severed the ropes which bound the +attorney. "If you have been helping old Dumont to wrong his niece, +may I be hanged, as that nigger would have served you, if I don't +blow the whole affair!"</p> +<p>"You know nothing about it; but, let me tell you, I am not +concerned in the affair. The girl, I have no doubt, is a +slave."</p> +<p>The confederates now made all haste to depart from their +proximity to such dangers as both had incurred, and, by a +circuitous way, reached the river, where, taking a boat, they rowed +under the banks down stream.</p> +<p>Hatchie was disappointed, on his return, to find his prisoner +had escaped. A diligent search, by the precaution of the +confederates, was rendered fruitless.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER +XVIII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Why should my curiosity +excite me</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">To search and pry into the +affairs of others,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Who have to employ my thoughts so +many cares</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And sorrows of my own?" + LILLO.</span></p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont sat in the library at Bellevue. It was the evening +after his return from Vicksburg. Near him, engaged in examining a +heap of papers, was his new overseer, Dalhousie.</p> +<p>Jaspar was musing over the late turn his affairs had taken; and, +while he congratulated himself on his present triumphant position, +he could but regard with apprehension the future, which seemed to +smile only to lure him on to certain destruction. The trite saying, +"There is no peace for the wicked," is literally and universally +true. The lowering brow, the threatening scowl, the suspicious +glance, of the wicked uncle, were as reliable evidences of his +misery as his naked soul, torn with doubt and anguish, could have +been. Every new paper the overseer turned over produced a start of +apprehension, lest it might contain evidence of his villany. His +nerves had suffered terribly beneath the vision of guilt and +punishment that constantly haunted him. His new overseer, whom he +had partially admitted to his bosom as a confidant, had secured a +strong hold upon his fears. His presence seemed necessary to cheer +him in his lonely hours, to chase away the phantoms of vengeance +that pursued him. Harassed by doubts and fears, his constitution +was, in some degree, impaired, and his mind, losing the pillar upon +which it rested, was prone to yield also.</p> +<p>Dalhousie examined with minuteness the papers to which his +attention had been directed. Before him was a heap of documents of +various kinds, all in confusion,—bills and bonds, letters and +deeds, were thrown promiscuously together. His purpose was to sort +and file them away for future reference. This confusion among the +papers was not the work of Colonel Dumont; he had been strictly +methodical and accurate in all his business affairs. This fact was +attested by the occasional strips of pasteboard, on which were +marked various descriptions of papers, as well as by bits of red +tape that had secured the bundles.</p> +<p>Dalhousie perceived that the labyrinth he was engaged in +exploring had not been the labor of the former owner of Bellevue, +and he was perplexed to understand why Jaspar had taken such +apparent pains to disarrange them. But Jaspar did have a motive; he +had produced the disorder in his careless search for any paper +which might be evidence against him. So heedlessly, however, had he +ransacked the drawers, that, if any such were there, they must have +escaped his notice. He was too much excited to do the work with the +attention his own safety demanded.</p> +<p>Dalhousie continued to examine the papers, and Jaspar still +trembled lest something might turn up which would give the overseer +a confirmation of the opinions he had expressed at Vicksburg. Still +Jaspar had not the courage to undertake the task himself. He +allowed the overseer to perform it, in the very face of the danger +he wished to escape.</p> +<p>The overseer seemed to Jaspar's troubled vision perfectly +indifferent. He could discover no anxiety in his features, to +indicate that he had any other purpose than to do his employer's +bidding. A more close inspection would have developed a slight +twinkle, as of anticipation, in the marble face of Dalhousie.</p> +<p>As he turned paper after paper, his eye rested upon a packet +enclosed in a blank envelope. His curiosity was aroused, and, +glancing indifferently at Jaspar, he saw that his piercing eye +regarded him with intense scrutiny. Continuing his labor without +disturbing the mysterious packet, he waited until the sharp eye of +his companion was removed from him.</p> +<p>On the table by the side of Jaspar was a bottle of brandy, at +which, at short intervals, the miserable man paid his devoir. +Dalhousie did not, therefore, have to wait long before the keen +watcher left his chair, and, with his back to him, took a long +draught of the exciting beverage. The overseer, seizing the +favorable opportunity, slipped the packet into his pocket. As +indifferently as before, he completed the task, and Jaspar was +relieved when he saw the papers again filed away.</p> +<p>Dalhousie sought his room, and, scarcely heeding the salutation +of his wife, he seated himself, and drew forth the packet. Removing +the blank envelope, he found it was a letter, directed to "Emily +Dumont," with a request to Mr. Faxon that it might be delivered to +her after the writer's decease. This seemed to imply that the +writer had intended the clergyman as the keeper of the letter; but +with this surmise the overseer did not trouble himself. He turned +the letter over and over, examined the seal of Colonel Dumont, +which was upon it, and, at last, as though he had satisfied the +warning voice of conscience, he snapped the wax, and opened it. The +letter was quite a lengthy one, yet, without raising his eyes, he +completed the reading of it. A faint smile of satisfaction played +upon his lips, as he re-folded the paper, and returned it to the +envelope.</p> +<p>"You have a letter, Francois?" said his wife, who had watched +him in silence as he read, and who noticed the complacent smile its +contents had produced.</p> +<p>"Yes, Delia, and our fortune is at last come," replied +Dalhousie, rising, and bestowing a kiss upon the fair cheek of the +lady.</p> +<p>"Is it from France?"</p> +<p>"No, dear; it is from the land of spirits!" answered Dalhousie, +with a good-natured laugh.</p> +<p>"Indeed! I was not aware that you had a correspondent +there."</p> +<p>"But I have; and I am exceedingly obliged to him for putting me +in possession of such useful information as this letter +contains."</p> +<p>"Pray, who is your ghostly correspondent?"</p> +<p>"Colonel Dumont,—a deceased brother of the worthy Jaspar, +in whose employ we now are."</p> +<p>"Do not jest, Francois!" said the lady, as a feeling akin to +superstition rose in her mind.</p> +<p>"Jest or not, the letter was written by him," continued her +husband, still retaining his playful smile.</p> +<p>"To you?"</p> +<p>"Not exactly; but I presume he meant it for me, or it would not +have slipped so easily through Mr. Dumont's fingers into mine."</p> +<p>"To whom is it directed, Francois?"</p> +<p>"You grow inquisitive, Delia. I will tell you all about it in a +few days. I must go now and see that the hands are all in their +quarters;" and Dalhousie, to avoid unpleasant interrogatories, left +the room.</p> +<p>The overseer went the rounds of the quarters, more as a matter +of form than of any interest he felt in his occupation. A gentleman +by birth and education, these duties were extremely distasteful to +him,—embraced because necessity compelled him. His mind +seemed far away from his business, for a party of negroes passed +him on his return, upon whom he did not bestow the usual +benediction the boys receive when found out after hours.</p> +<p>"Strike while the iron is hot," muttered he, as he entered the +house, and gave his lantern to a servant. "If I don't do it +to-night, it may be too late another time. The letter is in safe +hands; and, as to the other traps, I must get them if I can. At any +rate, I will try."</p> +<p>Approaching the door of the library, he knocked, and was +requested to enter. Under pretence of receiving directions for his +next day's operations upon the plantation, he entered, and opened a +conversation with Jaspar. Walking carelessly up and down the room +while his employer issued his commands, he occasionally cast a +furtive glance at the secretary. Then, narrowing down his walk, he +approached nearer and nearer to it, until his swinging arm could +touch it as he passed. Finally he stopped, and leaned against the +secretary, with his hands behind him. He appeared very thoughtful +and attentive, while Jaspar, glad to find a theme he could converse +upon, expatiated upon his favorite methods of managing stock and +crops. The overseer listened patiently to all he said, occasionally +interrupting with a word of approbation. The enthusiastic planter, +suspecting nothing of the overseer, labored diligently in his +argument, and did not notice that, when the attentive listener +carelessly put his hands into his pockets, he conveyed with them +the key of one of the drawers.</p> +<p>Dalhousie, having effected the object which brought him to the +library, soon grew tired of the planter's arguments, and edged +towards the door, through which he rather rudely made his exit.</p> +<p>Jaspar again relapsed into the moody melancholy from which the +presence of the overseer had roused him. Sinking back into his +chair, he again was a prey to the armed fears that continually +goaded him. Occasionally he roused from his stupor, and, driven by +the startling apparition of future retribution, paced the room in +the most intense nervous excitement. Frequent were the stops he +made at the brandy-bottle on the table; but, for a time, even the +brandy-fiend refused to comfort him,—refused to excite his +brain, or pour a healing balm upon his consuming misery. Again he +sunk into his chair, overcome by the torture of his emotions, and +again the gnawing worm forced him to the bottle, until, at last, +nearly stupefied by the liquor, he slumbered uneasily in his chair. +But the terrible apparition, which seldom left him when awake, was +constant in his dreams; and, just as he was about to plunge into +the awful abyss that always yawned before him, he awoke, and +staggered to the bottle again. A gleam of consciousness now visited +his inebriated mind, and he bethought himself of retiring. With a +dim sense of his usual precaution, he reeled to the secretary, and +attempted to lock the drawers. He discovered that one key was +missing; but, too much intoxicated to reason upon the circumstance, +he took another draught of brandy, and ambled towards his +sleeping-room. He was too far gone to effect a landing at the head +of the stairs, and fell full-length upon the floor when he released +his hold of the banister.</p> +<p>Dalhousie was still up, and his knowledge of Jaspar's habits +enabled him to judge the occasion of the noise he heard, and he +immediately hastened to the rescue. "Lucky!" muttered he, as he +lifted the fallen man. "He must have been intoxicated when he +examined those papers, or he would have seen that letter."</p> +<p>Jaspar, who had not entirely lost his senses, muttered something +about an accident, and clung closely to his companion, who soon +deposited him on his bed.</p> +<p>The overseer, instead of returning to his room, descended to the +library, where the light was still burning. Locking the door, he +seated himself in the large stuffed chair, and drew from his pocket +the letter he had purloined from the secretary. Opening it, he +proceeded to a re-perusal of it. The letter was as follows:</p> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"MY DEAR CHILD:—When you read this letter, your father +will be no more. The last act of affection will have been +performed, and the ground closed over your only earthly protector. +I am aware that you will be exposed to many trials and temptations. +The latter you are, I trust, prepared to resist; the former must +come to all. I feel that I have done my duty to you, not only in +bestowing an abundance of this world's goods, but that I have not +entirely failed to implant in your mind the treasure 'which neither +moth nor rust can corrupt.' I have done all that I could do, and in +a short time I must lay my body in the grave, and leave you an +orphan. But you are in the hands, and under the protection, of a +Father who is infinitely more able to take care of you than I have +been. Into His hands, with my ransomed spirit, I undoubtingly +commit you.</p> +<p>"As I write this letter, I feel the hand of death upon me. In a +few short days, it may be only hours, I must go. I am the less +ready to bid you the everlasting adieu when I think of the dangers +that may surround you. In my last hours I am doomed to the torments +of suspicion. I pray God they may be groundless. Perhaps they are +only idle fancies, the dotings of an over-anxious father. I feel, +as the sands of life are fast ebbing out, that some great calamity +is lowering over you. I know not that a remark I accidentally +overheard should thus haunt me; but it has roused my suspicions, +and the presage of calamity will not depart from me. I cannot, with +the warning voice ever ringing in my mind, help taking steps to +guard you against the worst that may befall you.</p> +<p>"My dear child, if I should disclose my suspicions, and they +should prove unreasonable, I shall have done a grievous wrong to +him I suspect. Although you cannot save me from the misery of +doubting in my last hour, you can save me from injuring another in +your good opinion. If I have wronged him, let the injury die with +me. If my suspicions are not groundless, I offer you the means of +saving yourself from the calamity that impends.</p> +<p>"Should any event occur after my death which deprives you of any +of your inheritance, follow the directions I now give you.</p> +<p>"In the back of the lower drawer of the secretary you will find +a secret aperture. The back of the drawer is a thick board, upon +which is screwed, on the lower side, a thin slat. Take out the +screws and remove the piece they secure, and the aperture will be +seen. It contains a sealed packet, the contents of which require no +explanation.</p> +<p>"If nothing happens after my decease, and you peaceably obtain +all your rights, burn the packet without opening it. My unjust +suspicions, then, cannot influence you, or injure the person to +whom they refer.</p> +<p>"This letter you will receive from Mr. Faxon, to whom I +recommend you for counsel and consolation in every trial.</p> +<p>"And now, my child, I must bid you farewell. I feel my end +approaching. May God forever bless and preserve you!</p> +<p>"Your dying father,</p> +<p>"EDGAR DUMONT."</p> +</div> +<p>Dalhousie perused and re-perused this letter, until its contents +were fixed in his mind. He had many doubts and scruples, both +prudential and conscientious, in regard to the step he was about to +take: but the chimera of fortune prompted him to risk all in the +great project he had matured. Taking from his pocket a small +screw-driver, with which he had prepared himself, he opened the +drawer designated in the letter, the key of which he had secured. +Emptying the drawer of its contents, he turned it over, and, to his +great delight, perceived the slat as described in the letter. +Removing the screws, he soon had the satisfaction of holding in his +hand the packet which, he doubted not, would restore the heiress of +Bellevue to her home and her estates, if she were still alive; or +which would give him a hold upon Jaspar, by means of which he could +make his fortune.</p> +<p>Dalhousie was not a natural-born villain. It was the pressure of +necessity, the almost unconscious yielding of a weak resolution, +which had led him thus far in his present illegal and dishonorable +course. Of the heiress he knew nothing; and the thought of +restoring her had never entered his head, much more his heart. The +great purpose of his life was to make his fortune, and it was this +idea alone which influenced him in the present instance. He had +entered upon his duties at Bellevue only the day before; but so +impatient was he to realize the hope which had brought him there, +that every hour seemed burdened with the weight of weeks.</p> +<p>Carefully depositing its contents as he had found them, he +locked the drawer, and put the key upon the floor.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"The accursed plot he +overheard,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Its every point +portrayed;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Yet ere the villain's words were +cold.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">The counter-plot was +made."</span></p> +<p>Hatchie was chagrined at the loss of his prisoner. His diligent +search was of no avail. The Chalmetta's boat, which lay at the +wood-yard in the morning, was gone; so he had no doubt Maxwell had +made his escape in it. Having no further motive in remaining at the +wood-yard, he procured a small canoe, with the intention of joining +his mistress at Cottage Island.</p> +<p>Seated in the stern of the canoe, Hatchie propelled it with only +sufficient force to avoid the eddies which would have whirled his +frail bark in every direction. His thoughts wandered over the +events of the past few days. He moralized upon the conduct of the +attorney and the uncle, and nursed his indignation over them. +Hatchie was a moralist in his own way, but not a moralist only. The +great virtue of his philosophy, unlike much of a more scholastic +origin, was its practical utility. From the past, with its +conquered trials, he turned to the future, to inquire for its +dangers, to ask what snares it had spread to entangle the fair +being whom he worshipped with all a lover's fondness, without the +lover's sentiment.</p> +<p>We will not follow him in his peregrinations through the mazes +of the misty future, for they were interrupted by the appearance on +the water of a distant object, which excited his attention. A +searching and anxious scrutiny convinced him that it was the boat +in which Maxwell had made his escape. Though at a great distance +from him, he could see that it contained two men. Guardian as he +was of his mistress' honor and safety, the sight awakened all his +fears and called up all his energy. Did they know that his mistress +had gone to Cottage Island? It was possible that Vernon had +obtained a knowledge of her movements. The faithful fellow was +almost maddened at the thought.</p> +<p>The boat approached Cottage Island, and Hatchie observed them +pull in under the high bank. This movement was ominous of evil, and +all the mulatto's fears were confirmed, when, as they passed the +mouth of the little stream, he saw one of them rise in the boat and +point it out. Satisfied that his canoe was yet unnoticed by his +enemies, and dreading no immediate danger, he paddled across the +river so as to bring the island between them. When he had gained a +position which hid him from their view, he used all his immense +strength in propelling the canoe towards the island. A few minutes +sufficed to bring him up with the western shore of the islet, his +enemies being upon the opposite side. Keeping close to the high +bank, he paddled down-stream to the lower extremity of the island, +where the sound of voices caused him suddenly to check his +progress, and gain a landing. Drawing the canoe out of reach of the +current, he climbed up the bank, which, being near the down-stream +end of the island, sloped gradually down, till it terminated in the +low, sandy beach.</p> +<p>He reached the high bank without attracting the attention of the +party of whose motions he wished to obtain a knowledge. He could +now distinctly hear their conversation, though they were still at a +considerable distance from him. Cautiously he climbed a thick +cotton-wood tree, whose foliage completely screened him from +observation, and there awaited the nearer approach of Maxwell and +his confederate.</p> +<p>"Are you sure this is the island?" said Maxwell, when they had +come within hearing of Hatchie.</p> +<p>"This must be the one," replied Vernon. "We shall soon see +whether it is inhabited or not."</p> +<p>"With whom did the girl leave the wood-yard?"</p> +<p>"With a doctor who lives like a hermit on this island. I saw +them from a distance get into the sail-boat, and I asked a boatman +for the particulars."</p> +<p>"Who is the doctor?"</p> +<p>"Don't know. The boatman said it was an outlandish name, and he +had forgotten it. You mean to have the girl, do you?"</p> +<p>"I do, if possible."</p> +<p>"O, it's quite possible—nothing easier. You say the girl +belongs to you?"</p> +<p>"I do; did I not show you the bill of sale?"</p> +<p>"That might be a trick of your own, you know. It's a devilish +queer story."</p> +<p>"Pshaw! man, are you crazy? This thing has startled your +conscience more than all the crimes of a lifetime. What has gotten +into you, Vernon? I never knew you to moralize before."</p> +<p>"Look here, my boy, I can do almost anything; but I would not +wrong a woman,—no, not a <i>woman</i>,—I am above +that," said Vernon, with much emphasis.</p> +<p>"But, man, she is my slave—a quadroon."</p> +<p>"Property's property; but since I met the girl in the boat, I am +half inclined to believe she is no quadroon. Maxwell, I had a +sister once, and may my body be rent into a thousand pieces but I +would tear out the heart of the man who would serve her as you do +this girl. If she is your <i>property</i>, why, that alters the +case."</p> +<p>"Certainly it does; so, end your sermon, and tell me how to gain +possession of my <i>property</i>."</p> +<p>"We can storm the island."</p> +<p>"What! two of us?"</p> +<p>"I can get plenty of soldiers, if you will pay them."</p> +<p>"I will give a thousand dollars for her; and, if I get her +again, by heavens, she shall not escape me! I will put a pair of +ruffles on her wrists such as the dainty girl never got of her +milliner. How many persons are on the island?"</p> +<p>"That I don't know—perhaps half a dozen. Your hangman will +be there," and Vernon chuckled at the thought of the scene he had +witnessed near the wood-yard.</p> +<p>Maxwell's teeth grated, and Hatchie distinctly heard the +malediction he bestowed upon him. Fears for his personal safety did +not, for a moment, disturb him. Prudence alone prevented him from +rushing upon the villains, and thwarting in its embryo stage their +design upon his mistress.</p> +<p>"You mean," said Maxwell, "to take the girl from the house by +force?"</p> +<p>"There is no other way."</p> +<p>"Then we had better examine the island, or it will not be an +easy matter to land in a dark night."</p> +<p>"How does the owner land?"</p> +<p>"Probably by the little stream we saw above."</p> +<p>"Rather difficult navigation for a stranger. We had better land +in this part of the island. Let us walk through the thicket and +find the house."</p> +<p>Hatchie saw them attempt to pass through the thick brush; but +the task was not an easy one. By the aid of a bowie-knife, with +which they cut away some of the bushes, they penetrated to the +larger growth of trees, where the under-brush no longer impeded +their progress. They passed beyond the hearing of the mulatto, +though from his elevated position he occasionally obtained a view +of them, as they approached the cottage. Anxiously he waited their +return, in the hope of getting more definite ideas of the time and +method of the proposed attack upon the island.</p> +<p>After a careful survey of the premises, Maxwell and Vernon +returned to their former position.</p> +<p>"Quite an easy job," said Vernon; "the only difficulty is this +thick brush, which can be easily removed. I will cut away a part +now."</p> +<p>"Very well," responded Maxwell, as his associate proceeded to +cut away the bushes, and form a pathway through, the thicket. "When +shall the thing be done?"</p> +<p>"As to that I can hardly say. When we get to Vicksburg we can +decide. Better let the girl rest a week or so; for it may take that +time to get things ready. You can't hire men to do such work as +easily as you can to cut wood and dig ditches. It takes skill and +caution."</p> +<p>"Very well, I am in no haste."</p> +<p>For nearly an hour Vernon labored at his task, and completed a +path through which the party could easily pass to the cottage.</p> +<p>The object of their visit accomplished, Hatchie saw them return +to their boat, and row down the river. After they had disappeared +round a bend, he descended from the tree, and examined the labors +of Vernon. He found the bushes which had been cut down were nicely +placed at each end of the path in an upright position, so as to +conceal it from the eyes of the passer. For a long time the mulatto +reflected upon the conversation he had heard, and considered the +means of defeating the diabolical plot. Against a band of ruffians, +such as Vernon would enlist for the service, he could not contend +single-handed. To remove his mistress from the island, while Henry +Carroll lay helpless there, would not be an acceptable proposition +to her. Resolving to lay the information he had gained before Dr. +Vaudelier, he returned to his canoe, and, having rounded the +island, reached the cottage by the usual passage.</p> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<p>Henry Carroll still slept. For six hours he had lain under the +influence of the powerful opiate. Emily entered his chamber in +company with the doctor, on their return from the wood-yard. The +sight of Henry, pale and worn as he appeared, excited all her +sympathy. His right arm, which was uninjured, lay extended on the +bed; she gently grasped it, and, bending over him, imprinted upon +his pallid lips a kiss, that was unknown and unappreciated by its +recipient. Only a few days before she had listened to the eloquent +confession of him who now lay insensible of her presence. She was a +true woman, and the presence of Dr. Vaudelier did not restrain the +expression of her woman's heart. It was visible in her pale cheek, +in her heaving breast, and in her sparkling eye, from which oozed +the gentle tear of affectionate sympathy.</p> +<p>She held his hand; unconsciously, at the silent bidding of her +warm heart, she gently pressed it. As though the magnetism of love +had communicated itself to the sleeper, he sighed heavily, and +uttered a groan of half-subdued anguish. His eyelids fluttered; he +was apparently shaking off the heaviness of slumber. His lips +quivered, and Emily heard them faintly articulate her name.</p> +<p>At the request of the good physician, she reluctantly withdrew +from the apartment.</p> +<p>The sufferer endeavored to turn in the bed; the effort drew from +him a groan of agony, which, in a more wakeful state, a proud +superiority over every weakness would not have permitted him to +utter. His eyes opened, and he stared vacantly about the darkened +chamber. The doctor took his hand, and examined his pulse.</p> +<p>"How do you feel, captain? Does your head ache?" asked he.</p> +<p>"Slightly; I am better, I think," replied the invalid, +faintly.</p> +<p>"And you are better," said the doctor, with evident +satisfaction. "The scalds are doing very well, and the wound on +your head is not at all serious."</p> +<p>"Now, sir, will you tell me where I am?"</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier imparted the information.</p> +<p>"Emily! Emily! Won but lost again!" murmured Henry. "Would that +we had sunk together beneath the dark tide!"</p> +<p>"Do not distress yourself, my dear captain. We must be careful +of this fever."</p> +<p>"Distress myself!" returned Henry, not a little provoked at the +coolness of the doctor. "You know not the loss I have +sustained."</p> +<p>"But you must keep calm."</p> +<p>"Doctor, did you ever love?" asked Henry, abruptly, as he gazed +rather wildly at his host.</p> +<p>This was a severe question to a man whose matrimonial experience +was of such a disagreeable nature. But he remembered the day before +marriage,—the sunny dreams which had beguiled many a weary +hour,—and he sympathized with the unhappy man.</p> +<p>"I have," replied the doctor, solemnly, so solemnly that it +chilled the ardent blood of the listener. "I have loved, and can +understand your present state of feeling."</p> +<p>"Then you know, if I do not regain her whom I have lost, I had +better die now than endure the misery before me."</p> +<p>The doctor was not quite so sure of this, but he did not express +the thought.</p> +<p>"You will regain her," said he.</p> +<p>"Alas! I fear not. The boat was almost a total wreck. I saw +scores of dead and dying as I clung to my frail support."</p> +<p>"Fear not. Believe me, captain, I am a prophet; she shall be +restored to your arms again."</p> +<p>"I thank you for the assurance; but I fear you are not an +infallible prophet."</p> +<p>"In this instance, I am."</p> +<p>Henry looked at the doctor, and saw the smile of satisfaction +that played upon his usually stern features. It augured +hope—more than hope; and, as the wrecked mariner clings to +the disjointed spar, his mind fastened upon that smile as the +forerunner of a blissful reunion with her his soul cherished.</p> +<p>"Be calm, sir, be calm; she is safe," continued Dr. +Vaudelier.</p> +<p>"Do you know it?" almost shouted Henry, attempting to rise.</p> +<p>"Be quiet, sir," said the doctor, in a voice approaching to +sternness; "be quiet, or I shall regret that I gave you reason to +hope."</p> +<p>"Where is she?" asked Henry, sinking back at the doctor's +reproof, and heeding not the darting pain his attempt to rise had +produced.</p> +<p>"She is safe; let this suffice. I see you cannot bear more +now."</p> +<p>"I can bear anything, sir, anything. I will be as gentle as a +lamb, if you will tell me all you know of her."</p> +<p>"If you keep entirely quiet, we will, in a few days, let her +speak for herself."</p> +<p>"Then she is safe; she has escaped every danger?"</p> +<p>"She has."</p> +<p>"And was not injured?"</p> +<p>"No; she was taken, it seems, from the wreck by a villain. Thank +God, she has escaped his wiles!"</p> +<p>Henry's indignation could scarcely be controlled, even by the +reflection that Maxwell's wicked intentions had been turned, by an +overruling Providence, into the means of her safety.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier related to his patient the incident of the +wood-yard; not, however, without the necessity of frequently +reproving his auditor, whose exasperation threatened serious +consequences. When, at the conclusion of the narration, he told +Henry that the loved one was at that moment beneath his roof, he +could scarcely restrain his immoderate joy within the bounds of +that quiet which his physician demanded.</p> +<p>"May I not see her?" said he.</p> +<p>"That must depend entirely upon your own behavior. You have not +shown yourself a very tractable patient thus far."</p> +<p>"I will be perfectly docile," pleaded Henry.</p> +<p>"I fear I cannot trust you. You are so excitable, that you +explode like a magazine of gunpowder."</p> +<p>"No, no; I solemnly promise to keep perfectly quiet. She will, I +know, be glad to see me, wounded and stricken though I am."</p> +<p>"She has already seen you."</p> +<p>"Indeed!"</p> +<p>"Yes; and not content with <i>seeing</i> you merely, your lips +are not yet cold from the kiss she imprinted upon them;" and a +smile, not altogether stoical, lit up the doctor's cold expression. +"You shall see her, but the instant I perceive that the interview +is prejudicial to your nerves, I shall remove her."</p> +<p>"Thank you, doctor!" said Henry, fervently.</p> +<p>"O, it is part of my treatment. It may do you more good than all +my physic. I have known such cases."</p> +<p>"I am sure it will," returned the patient.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier retired, and after a serious charge to Emily, he +reëntered, leading the Hygeia who was to restore the sick +man.</p> +<p>"Be careful," was the doctor's monition, as he elevated his +fore-finger, in the attitude of caution; "be careful."</p> +<p>"O, Emily!" exclaimed Henry, more gently than the nature of the +interview would seem to allow, as he extended his hand to her.</p> +<p>Emily silently took the hand, and while a tell-tale tear started +from her eye, she pressed it gently; but the pressure startled the +sick man's blood, and sent it thrilling with joy through its lazy +channels. The invalid, as much as the pressure of the hand warmed +his heart, seemed not to be satisfied with the hand alone; for he +continued to draw her towards himself, until her form bent over +him, and their lips met. It was the first time when both were +conscious of the act. We will not go into ecstasies over the +unutterable bliss of that moment. We will not deck our page with +any unseemly extravagances. If the experience of the reader has led +him through the hallowed mystery of the first kiss of love, he +needs not another's fancy to revive the beatific vision. If not, +why, thousands of coy and blushing damsels, equally in the dark, +are waiting, from whom he may select one to assist him in solving +the mystery. Besides, it is not always wise to penetrate the +secrets of the heart, even in a novel; for there is a sacredness +about them, a kind of natural free-masonry, which must not be made +too common.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier, when he saw that the patient was disposed to +behave himself in a reasonable manner, withdrew from the room, and +left them to the undisturbed enjoyment of their happy reunion. In +an hour he returned, and peremptorily forbade all further +conversation. He permitted Emily to remain in the room, however, on +the promise to allow the invalid to use no further exertion in +talking.</p> +<p>All day, like a ministering angel, she moved about his couch, +and laved his fevered brow. All his art could not lure her into any +conversation beyond the necessary replies to his questions +concerning his physical condition. Henry was too thankful for being +permitted to enjoy her presence to forfeit the boon by any +untractableness, and, for one of his excitable temperament, he was +exceedingly docile.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Appius</i>. Well, +Claudius, are the forces</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">At hand?</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Claudius</i>. They are, and +timely, too; the people</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Are in unwonted +ferment."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">KNOWLES.</span></p> +<p>It was midnight at Cottage Island,—the third night after +the events of the preceding chapter. Henry Carroll, by the skilful +treatment of his host, was in a great degree relieved from his +severe pain, and had now sunk into a natural and quiet slumber. By +his bedside sat Dr. Vaudelier. Emily had, an hour before, retired +to the rest which her exhausted frame demanded. For the past three +days she had watched patiently and lovingly by the invalid. And now +she had only been induced to retire by the promise of the doctor to +call her, if any unfavorable symptom appeared.</p> +<p>The threatened assault upon the island had been thoroughly +considered, and for the past two nights the island wore the +appearance of a garrisoned fortress, rather than the secluded abode +of a hermit. Emily knew of the peril which now menaced her, but the +ample means at hand for protection rendered it insignificant. All +thought, even of her own security, was merged in her generous +interest in the comfort of the sufferer.</p> +<p>The good physician was uneasy and disturbed, as he sat by the +bedside of his patient. The circumstances which surrounded him were +novel in the extreme. Accustomed as he had been to the quiet which +always reigned in his domain, to find himself, as it were, the +inmate of a fortress, in momentary expectation of an attack, was so +singularly odd, that his natural indifference deserted him. He had +collected quite a large force of his humble neighbors to assist him +in his present emergency, and they were now making their final +arrangements to meet the assault.</p> +<p>The doctor was restless; but it was not on account of any fear +of his personal safety,—he was above that. The lonely and +innocent being whom he had undertaken to protect had filled his +mind with a sense of responsibility. A single day had been long +enough for Emily to win a way to his affections, and he had grown +to regard her with the tender care of a father. Occasionally he +left his place at the bedside, and went to the window, as if to +assure himself that the attack had not already commenced.</p> +<p>In front of the cottage a different sentiment prevailed among +the motley group there assembled. There were twenty men, including +Hatchie, all armed with rifle and bowie-knife, and every one +anxious for the fight to commence. Besides their arms, each man was +provided with a small cord, and a torch of pitch-wood, the end of +which had been plentifully besprinkled with turpentine.</p> +<p>The party was composed mostly of woodmen and boatmen, who had +promptly and willingly obeyed the doctor's summons. Like most men +of their class in that locality, they were hardy and reckless; they +had not that healthy horror of a mortal combat which the moralist +would gladly see. Dr. Vaudelier had always been their friend; had +always promptly and kindly aided them in their necessities, whether +moral, physical, or pecuniary. As he had laved the fevered brows of +their wives and children, so had he said prayers over their dead, +in the absence of a clergyman. He had exhorted the intemperate and +the dishonest, and with his purse relieved the needy in their +distress. They were not ungrateful; they appreciated his many +kindnesses, and rejoiced in an opportunity to serve him. These men, +notwithstanding their rude speech, their rough exteriors, and their +reckless dispositions, were true-hearted men. They reciprocated the +offering of a true friendship, not by smooth speeches and unmeaning +smiles, but by actions of manly kindness. The philosopher in ethics +may say what he pleases of the refinements of sympathy; we would +not give a single such heart as those gathered on Cottage Island +for a whole army of puling, sentimental, hair-splitting moralizers. +They were men of action, not of words; and, though they hesitated +not, in what they deemed a good cause, to close with their man in +deadly combat, they were true as steel to a friend in the hour of +his need.</p> +<p>With these men the exploits of Hatchie, which had been related, +and perhaps exaggerated, by Jerry Swinger, who was a leading spirit +of the party, had been much applauded, and he had, in spite of the +odium of his social position, obtained a powerful influence over +them. They heard him with attention, and deferred to his skill and +judgment. By his advice, and to remove the confusion of the affray +from the vicinity of the cottage, it was determined to receive the +invaders near the beach where he had overheard Vernon propose to +land. Jerry Swinger, whom natural talent and the wish of the party +seemed to indicate as leader, marched the expedition towards the +avenue which had been made in the bushes by the ruffians.</p> +<p>For so many men, excited as they were by the anticipation of a +conflict, they were remarkably quiet and orderly. Dr. Vaudelier had +cautioned them to avoid all noise, and not to fire a rifle unless +absolutely necessary. He had also instructed them to make prisoners +of the assailants, if possible, without injuring them.</p> +<p>Jerry Swinger stationed his party near the avenue, ready to +spring upon and overpower the foe, when the favorable moment should +arrive.</p> +<p>An hour passed by, and the impatience of the ambushed woodmen +seemed likely to give their faithful leader some trouble, when the +careful dip of oars near the shore saluted their ears. In a whisper +Jerry gave the oft-repeated caution for silence, and charged them +to be prompt when the moment came.</p> +<p>The assaulting party approached the shore. There were two boats, +the foremost of which contained eight men, under the direction of +Maxwell, and the other six, led by Vernon. The latter had +reconnoitred the island several times, and had somewhat modified +the plan of the attack, on discovering that the cottage, for the +past two nights, had been occupied by more than its usual +occupants. Several men had been seen to land there; but, as his +preparations on the lower part of the island were undisturbed, it +never occurred to him that his purpose would be anticipated.</p> +<p>Vernon had procured the services of fourteen men, +chicken-thieves, and others of desperate fortunes, to engage in the +enterprise, by holding out to them the hope of plunder, of which +the cottage, he assured them, would afford an abundant harvest. The +real purpose of the expedition was, therefore, unknown to any of +the party, except the leaders. The prospect of a sharp fight had +not in the least dampened the ardor of their hopes. With men of +their craft it was a dull season, and the prospect of "cracking a +crib" plentifully stored with valuables was quite a pleasant +anticipation.</p> +<p>It was arranged that Maxwell, with the larger portion of the +desperadoes, should land at the lower part of the island, and, if +any defenders appeared, commence hostilities, and draw them away +from the house, while Vernon, with the most experienced of the +"cracks-men," should assault the house, and effect the purpose of +the enterprise. In the person of one of the chicken-thieves a pilot +for the creek was discovered; and, to make assurance doubly sure, +it was decided that Vernon should approach the cottage by the usual +channel.</p> +<p>Maxwell's boat was beached, while that of Vernon proceeded up +the river to the little stream. The skill of his pilot, of whom +Vernon had felt many doubts, soon brought him to the creek. The +current, he found, was quite rapid, and he feared it would carry +him into the midst of the "enemy's camp" before Maxwell should have +made his demonstration. As the boat was whirled along towards the +centre of the island, for the oars could not be used, on account of +their noise, his position seemed to grow desperate. Vernon was on +the point of risking the noise, and taking to the oars, when he +discovered an overhanging branch, which he seized as the boat +passed under it. Fortunately for him, a bend in the stream turned +the current from the middle of the creek, or its violence would +have drawn him into the water. By the aid of his companions, he +succeeded in making the boat fast to the branch. He listened; but +all was still. There were no indications of the approach of the +other party.</p> +<p>Seating himself in the stern-sheets of the boat, he again +considered the operations in which he was soon to engage; but, as +these were necessarily to be directed by the circumstances of the +moment, his deliberations soon gave way to that impatience which +the perpetrator of crime experiences at an unexpected delay. His +eager spirit was, however, soon gratified by sounds of conflict, +which proceeded from the part of the island where Maxwell had +landed. Awhile he listened, and the sounds grew more and more +distinct. Loosing the boat from its aërial moorings, it was +again driven by the current towards the landing in front of the +cottage. Preparations were now made to effect the grand object, +and, landing by the side of the doctor's yacht, Vernon found no one +to oppose his progress, though the sounds from the lower extremity +of the island indicated that the affray was growing hotter and more +violent. At the head of his party, Vernon was about to enter the +house, when the approach of a body of men from the scene of action +caused him to pause, and await their approach.</p> +<p>Maxwell had landed on the beach, and, not suspecting the +proximity of the ambush which waited to receive him, had proceeded +towards the avenue made at his first visit to the island. Removing +the loose bushes, they attempted to pass through; but no sooner +were they fairly involved among the young trees than Jerry Swinger +shouted his first order, to light the torches, and, in an instant, +the woods were illuminated, and the position of both parties +disclosed. This was, undoubtedly, a masterly stroke of preparation +on the part of Jerry. The torches, on the application of the match, +emitted a broad sheet of flame, which glared upon the invaders like +a sudden flash of lightning, and utterly confounded them. It seemed +like the bolt of Omnipotence thrown across their path in the hour +of their great transgression.</p> +<p>Maxwell was unprepared for an immediate attack. He had +calculated on effecting a junction with Vernon in the vicinity of +the cottage. Before his party had time to recover from the panic, +they were surrounded by the resolute woodmen. The attorney, who was +as brave and active as he was unprincipled and cunning, was not a +man to be defeated without a stout resistance. Encouraging his +party by shouts, and by his own example, a general engagement +ensued.</p> +<p>Hatchie no sooner saw the foe of his mistress' peace, than, +stepping between him and Jerry Swinger, who also had an account to +settle with him, he knocked down the pistol which was levelled at +his head, and grasped him by the throat. In the hands of Hatchie +the attorney was as nothing. The stalwart mulatto cast him upon the +ground, and, with his cord, bound him hand and foot. The leader +vanquished, it was the work of but a few moments to secure the rest +of the assailants.</p> +<p>Jerry Swinger learned, from sundry exclamations of the defeated +party, that another portion of the expedition was to land at the +creek. Leaving a few of his men in charge of the prisoners, he made +all haste, with the remainder, towards the cottage.</p> +<p>The affray had occupied but a few moments. The sturdy woodmen, +accustomed to such scenes, and animated by a high motive, had done +their duty promptly and efficiently, as the woful appearance of the +disconcerted ruffians testified. Some hard blows had been dealt; +some few upon both sides were severely wounded; but, considering +the desperate character of the invaders, the masterly tact of Jerry +Swinger had evidently saved much bloodshed.</p> +<p>Hatchie, as soon as he had secured his prisoner, hastened, +somewhat in advance of Jerry's party, towards the cottage.</p> +<p>Vernon waited the approach of the party in front of the cottage. +While it was yet at some distance, he discovered Hatchie, whom he +recognized by the light of his torch, running in front of it. The +appearance of the mulatto, alone, he interpreted as the signal of +victory to the party in conjunction with him, who, he imagined, +were pursuing him. Resolving, therefore, to lose no more time, he +advanced towards the house, ordering two of his followers to secure +Hatchie.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier had heard the sounds of the distant encounter, and +occasionally sought the window to assure himself the invaders did +not approach the cottage. The glaring torch of Hatchie, who was +running towards the house, gave him some misgivings, and, seizing +the pistols which lay upon the table, he went to the door, on +opening which he was confronted by Vernon.</p> +<p>"Come on, boys! come on!" shouted the ruffian, as he pushed by +the doctor. "The way is clear; let us make quick work."</p> +<p>The pistol of Dr. Vaudelier had been raised to shoot down the +assailant; but his hand dropped at the sound of his voice, he +staggered back and let the weapon fall from his hand, and uttered +an exclamation of intense feeling.</p> +<p>"This way, men! this way!" shouted Vernon, as he pressed on.</p> +<p>Entering the room at the right of the entry, in which a bed had +been temporarily placed for the use of Emily, he found the +affrighted girl, who had been aroused from her transient slumber by +the noise of the attack. Rising from the bed upon which she had +merely thrown herself, she was confounded by the appearance of her +former persecutor.</p> +<p>"Ah, my pretty bird, you are again in my power, and I shall take +care that no weak indulgence again deprives me of your society," +said Vernon, as he seized her arm, and attempted to hurry her from +the room.</p> +<p>"Unhand me, villain!" exclaimed she, roused to desperation by +the sudden and painful change which had overtaken her.</p> +<p>"Do not pout, my pretty dove! there is no chance to escape this +time. Your valuable assistant, that bull-headed nigger, cannot help +you; so I advise you to come quietly with me."</p> +<p>"Never, villain! I never will leave this house alive!"—and +she struggled to free herself from the ruffian's grasp.</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, lady! do not be unreasonable."</p> +<p>"Help! help!" shouted Emily, with the energy of desperation.</p> +<p>"No use, my pretty quadroon; I put your man, Hatchie, into the +hands of two stout fellows; he cannot come, even at your +bidding."</p> +<p>The ruffian had hardly finished the sentence before a heavy blow +on the back of the head laid him prostrate upon the floor.</p> +<p>"You are a false prophet," said Hatchie, quietly, as he assisted +his mistress to a sofa, while Jerry Swinger, who had followed him, +examined the condition of the fallen man.</p> +<p>"Thank God!" continued Hatchie, "we have beaten them off."</p> +<p>"Heaven is kinder to me than I deserve," murmured Emily, +bursting into tears, as the terrible scene through which she had +just passed was fully realized. "But where is Henry—Captain +Carroll—is he safe?"</p> +<p>"All safe, ma'am; the catamounts have not been in his room," +replied Jerry Swinger. "Cheer up, ma'am; it mought have been +worse."</p> +<p>"Let us carry this carrion from the house," said Hatchie, +seizing the prostrate Vernon in no gentle gripe. "Let us fasten him +to a tree, and I will not take my eye from him or the lawyer till +both are hung."</p> +<p>"Stay, stay, Hatchie!" exclaimed Dr. Vandelier, who at that +moment entered. "<i>He is my son</i>!"</p> +<p>"Good heavens!" said Emily, rising from her recumbent posture on +the sofa.</p> +<p>"It is indeed true," replied the doctor, in a melancholy tone. +"I would that he had died in the innocency of his childhood. I +recognized him as he entered the house, and had nearly lost my +consciousness, as the terrible reality stared me in the face, that +my son, he whose childhood I had watched over, who once called me +by the endearing name of father, is a common midnight assassin!</p> +<p>"Is he your persecutor?" continued the doctor, relieved by an +abundant shower of tears which the terrible truth had called to his +eyes. "Is he the person who has caused you so much trouble?"</p> +<p>"No, no, sir!" responded Emily, eager to afford the slightest +comfort to the bereaved heart of the father; "he only acted for +Maxwell."</p> +<p>"A hired villain! without even the paltry excuse of an +interested motive to palliate the offence. O God! that I should be +brought so low!"—and the doctor wrung his hands in +anguish.</p> +<p>"Perhaps, sir," said Emily, "he is not so bad as you think; let +us hear before we condemn him."</p> +<p>Her resentment, if her gentle nature had for a moment harbored +such a feeling, had all given way to the abundant sympathy she felt +for the doctor in his deep distress. Forgiving as the spirit of +mercy, she now applied restoratives to the man who had so lately +attempted to wrong her; and Dr. Vaudelier, with a sad heart, +assisted her in her merciful duty.</p> +<p>Hatchie, on his approach to the cottage, had been assailed by +the men whom Vernon had sent to secure him. A severe encounter had +ensued, and although Hatchie's great muscular power and skill had +enabled him to keep his assailants at bay, he would eventually have +had the worst of it; but Jerry Swinger came to his aid in season +for him to save his mistress from injury. Vernon's party, like that +of Maxwell, were all secured.</p> +<p>The noise caused by the entrance of Vernon had awakened Henry +Carroll from his slumbers. He listened, but could not make out the +occasion of it; for, in consideration of his feeble condition, he +had not been informed of the meditated attack. The cry for help +uttered by Emily convinced him of the nature of the disturbance. +His first impulse was to rise and rush to her assistance; but of +his inability to do this he was painfully reminded in his attempt +to rise. The heavy fall of Vernon on the floor, and the voice of +Hatchie, assured him that, whatever the affair might be, it had +assumed a new phase. His painful apprehensions were quieted by the +appearance of Hatchie, who in a concise manner related the events +of the night.</p> +<p>The last lingering doubt of the suspicious invalid was removed +by the entrance of Emily herself.</p> +<p>"You are safe, dear Emily!" exclaimed he.</p> +<p>"I am, thank God!"</p> +<p>"And I could not assist in your defence!"</p> +<p>"Heaven will protect me, Henry. It seems as if a veritable angel +hovered over my path to shield me from the thousand perils that +assail me."</p> +<p>"The angels do hover around you, Emily; you are so pure, and +good, and true, that they are ever near you, even in your own +heart. Angels always minister to the good,—to those who +resist the temptations of the world."</p> +<p>"You speak too well of me. But you have been excited by this +tumult, Henry."</p> +<p>"I was a little disturbed; but, unable to help myself, I could +do nothing for others,—not even for you, dearest."</p> +<p>"I know what you would have done, if you had been able. I know +your heart, and I feel just as grateful as though your strong arm +had rescued me."</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier, who had succeeded in restoring Vernon—or, +by his true name, Jerome Vaudelier—to consciousness, now +entered the room. He appeared more melancholy and harassed in mind +than Emily had before seen him. His soul seemed to be crushed by +the terrible realization that <i>his son</i> was a common +felon—worse than felon, the persecutor of innocence. A soul +as sensitive as his to the distinctions of right and wrong could +hardly endure the misery of that hour.</p> +<p>With an absent manner, he inquired into the condition of the +patient, and took the necessary steps to soothe him to slumber +again.</p> +<p>Hatchie, having satisfied himself that the prisoners were all +safe, left them under guard of the woodmen, and returned to the +chamber of the sick man; and, at the doctor's urgent request, Emily +left Henry to his care.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Friar</i> Can you +forgive?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Elmore</i>. As I would be +forgiven."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">LOVELL.</span></p> +<p>On the morning following the defeat of Maxwell and Vernon, it +became necessary to make some disposition of the prisoners, so that +the conquerors could attend to their daily duties. Their number was +too large to be left upon the island in the absence of its +defenders. A consultation between Dr. Vaudelier and the principals +of the party took place. There were so many difficulties in the way +of bringing the invaders to justice, that it was finally decided to +release them all. The burden of the evidence was against the +physician's son. The doctor, however much he deprecated the deed, +was anxious to save his son from the publicity of a trial. His +friends, seeing the melancholy truth, relieved his mind by +suggesting that all of them be released, which was accordingly +done.</p> +<p>Vernon had entirely recovered from the effects of Hatchie's +blow, and was seated at the window of his apartment, contemplating +the means of escape. At his father's request, two men had sat by +him during the night, as much to prevent his escape as to minister +to his wants. The watchers were still in the room. Vernon was not +yet informed of the relation he sustained to the proprietor of the +mansion in which he now involuntarily abode. He thought that, +considering the unequivocal circumstances under which he had been +made a prisoner, he was treated with a great deal of gentleness; +but to him the reason was not apparent. He had been an alien from +his father's house for a long period, and was not acquainted with +the history of the past three or four years of the doctor's +life.</p> +<p>His mind was now occupied in devising the means of escape; and +just as he had struck upon a feasible project, he was interrupted +by the entrance of Jerry Swinger, who had been sent by Dr. +Vaudelier to ascertain the present frame of his son's mind, and +broach to him the tidings that he was beneath his father's +roof,—a circumstance of which his watchers were also +ignorant.</p> +<p>"Well, stranger, how do you feel yourself, this morning?" asked +Jerry.</p> +<p>"Better. That was a cursed hard rap which some one gave me, last +night," replied Vernon,—as, from the force of habit, we must +still call him.</p> +<p>"That are a fack, stranger; the man that gin you that blow has a +moughty hard fist; and I advoise you to keep clear of him, or he +will beat you into mince-meat."</p> +<p>"I will try to do so."</p> +<p>"You will larn to, if he mought have one more chance at that +head of yours."</p> +<p>"Who is he?"</p> +<p>"He's an oncommon fine fellow, and made your cake dough once +before."</p> +<p>"Ah, was it Miss Dumont's—that is, the quadroon's +servant."</p> +<p>"Quadroon, man!—that's all humbug. But he's the boy, and +is bound to fotch his missus out straight, in the end."</p> +<p>"Well, if she is his mistress, I hope he may. I wish her no +harm, however much appearances belie me."</p> +<p>"Is that a fack, stranger?"</p> +<p>"Certainly; she never did me any harm."</p> +<p>"Then what mought be the reason you were so onmerciful to +her?"</p> +<p>"I never used her hardly. My friend said she was his slave, and +all I wished was to have him obtain his own. In short, I was paid +for my services."</p> +<p>"No doubt of it, stranger. But I can't see how the tenth part of +a man could hunt down such a gal as that,—it's onnateral. +Besides, you didn't believe she was a slave."</p> +<p>"'Pon my honor I did, or I would not have lifted a finger. But I +see you have released the rest of your prisoners,—I hope you +will be as generous towards me."</p> +<p>"Don't flatter yourself, stranger!"</p> +<p>"I have a mortal aversion to courts of justice."</p> +<p>"Quite likely," returned Jerry, pleased with the man's +frankness.</p> +<p>"Besides, I belong to a respectable family, who will not mind +paying something handsome to avoid exposure."</p> +<p>"Can't be bought, stranger; besides, respectable villains arn't +any better nor others."</p> +<p>"True; but, you know, their friends, who are educated, are more +sensitive in such matters than others."</p> +<p>"That mought be true, for's aught I know; but it's mighty +strange you never thought of that sarcumstance before."</p> +<p>"Never was in limbo before."</p> +<p>"That's the go, is't? Look-a-here, stranger, is it the darbies, +or the crime, which brings the disgrace upon the family? Accordin' +to my notion,—and I believe I've got something besides nits +and lice in my head,—it's the deed, and not the punishment, +that fotches the disgrace. But whar does your family live?"</p> +<p>"In New Orleans," replied Vernon, who knew nothing to the +contrary, though we are not sure that, if he had, it would have +made any difference in his reply.</p> +<p>"And your name is Vernon?"</p> +<p>"It is."</p> +<p>"Is that your family name, or only a borried one?"</p> +<p>"It is my real name," replied Vernon, not a little perplexed by +the coolness and method of the woodman's queries.</p> +<p>"I rather guess not," suggested Jerry, mildly.</p> +<p>"'Pon my honor—"</p> +<p>"Think again,—maybe you mought fotch the real one to your +mind."</p> +<p>Vernon, whose temper was not particularly gentle under +contradiction, was nettled, and disposed to be angry.</p> +<p>"Perhaps you know best," said he, conquering his passion, and +assuming one of those peculiarly convincing smiles, which must be +an hereditary possession in the family of the "father of lies."</p> +<p>"Perhaps I do," replied Jerry. "If you don't know any better +than that, why, then, I do know best. It arn't Vernon."</p> +<p>"It is not manly, captain, to insult a prisoner," replied +Vernon, with an air of dignity, which came from the same source as +the liar's smile.</p> +<p>"I don't mean to insult you, stranger; but facts is facts, all +over the world," said Jerry, untouched by the other's rebuke.</p> +<p>"What mean you?"</p> +<p>"Nothin', stranger, only I know you. Your mother arn't +livin'."</p> +<p>"No," returned Vernon, with a start; for, with all his vices and +his crimes, a sense of respect for the name and honor of his family +had outlived the good principles imbibed upon a mother's knee. +Although a villain in almost every sense of the word, there were +many redeeming traits in his character, which the reader will be +willing to believe, on recalling his expressions of +conscientiousness uttered to Maxwell. Family pride is often +hereditary, and the reverses and degradations of a lifetime cannot +extinguish it. It was so with Vernon. His real name was unknown, +even among his most intimate associates. He had early taken the +precaution—not in deference to the feelings of his +father—to assume a name; it was from pride of birth, which +shuddered more at the thought of a stain upon the family escutcheon +than at all the crimes which may canker and corrode the heart.</p> +<p>"My mother is not living," continued he; "but how know you +this?"</p> +<p>"It don't matter, stranger. Have you seen your father +lately?"</p> +<p>"Not for many years. I am an outcast from his presence," replied +Vernon, with some appearance of feeling.</p> +<p>"That's onfortunate; does he know what sort of a lark you +are?"</p> +<p>"I hope not," replied Vernon, with a sickly smile.</p> +<p>"But he does; he knows all about this ongodly scrape you got +into last night."</p> +<p>"What mean you?" said the ruffian, sternly.</p> +<p>"Mean? Why, just exactly what I say, Mr. Vaudelier! Don't start! +I know you as well as you know yourself."</p> +<p>Vernon bit his lips; he was confounded at hearing his name +uttered,—a name which had not greeted his ears for many +years. His passion was disarmed before the rude but cutting speech +of the woodman, whose knowledge of human nature, bred in the woods +as he had been, was remarkable. There are men in the world, +supposed to be entirely intractable, who, when rightly approached, +prove as gentle as lambs. There is no evil without its antidote, +however deeply it may be hid from the knowledge of man; and there +is no man so vile that he cannot be reformed. The image of God, +marred and disfigured as it may be, exists in every man, as the +faultless statue exists in the rough block of marble; from which, +when the fashioning hand, aided by the magic of genius, touches it, +the imago of beauty shall come forth. So, when man, in whom always +exists the elements of the highest character, shall be approached +by the true reformer,—the highest and truest +genius,—the bright ideal shall assume the actual form.</p> +<p>The woodman had touched a chord in the heart of the gambler +which vibrated at his touch. It was not the words, but the genuine +sympathy with which they were laden, that overcame the indifference +of the vicious man. Perceiving his advantage, the woodman followed +it up, repeatedly disarming the bolt of passion, which was poised +in the mind of his auditor.</p> +<p>"Your father," said Jerry, "is a good man, and you mought go +round the world without finding a better."</p> +<p>"Very true!" replied Vernon, moved to a degree he was unwilling +to acknowledge.</p> +<p>"Now, if you jest turn over a new leaf in the book of life, and +try to fotch out right in the end, I believe the old man would cry +quits on the old score."</p> +<p>"Send those men away, captain! I will not attempt to +escape."</p> +<p>Jerry complied, and the watchers took their departure.</p> +<p>"Where is my father?"</p> +<p>"Close by, stranger. May be you'd like to see him?"</p> +<p>"On no account!"</p> +<p>"That's a good sign, anyhow," muttered Jerry. "You will have to +see him, I am afraid. You are under his ruff."</p> +<p>Vernon, completely overcome, staggered to a chair, and covered +his face with his hands.</p> +<p>"Not so bad a boy as one mought suppose," soliloquized Jerry, as +he went to the door, and requested the servant to summon Dr. +Vaudelier. "The fellow has fed on husks long enough, and, as the +scripter says, he is goin' to rise and go to his dad."</p> +<p>"Do not let my father see me,—anything, rather than that!" +exclaimed Vernon, rising, and grasping the woodman's arm. "I am a +great villain!"</p> +<p>"That's very true, stranger; but you have got into the scrape, +and the best thing you can do is to get out on't."</p> +<p>"How can I!"</p> +<p>"Be an honest man."</p> +<p>"I fear I never can be that."</p> +<p>"Try it! There is something left of you."</p> +<p>At this moment Dr. Vaudelier entered the room. His aspect was +stern and forbidding, and the son buried his face in his hands +after the first glance at him.</p> +<p>"Jerome," said he, "you will bring my gray hairs with sorrow +down to the grave."</p> +<p>"Easy with him, doctor, easy! He is a little touched, and, if +you manage him right, you can fotch him over. He is under +conviction now. Don't let on yet!"</p> +<p>"Jerome, this is a sorry visit you have made me," continued the +doctor. "Are you entirely lost to all shame, that you could thus +enter my house with a band of ruffians behind you?"</p> +<p>"Father," said the convicted Vernon, "I did not know it was your +house, or I could never have done it."</p> +<p>"Alas, that a son of mine should have become a midnight +assassin!" and Dr. Vaudelier covered his face with his hands, and +sobbed like a child.</p> +<p>"Forgive me, father!" exclaimed the repentant son. "Forgive +me!"</p> +<p>"God and your country alone can forgive crimes like yours!"</p> +<p>"Easy with him, doctor!" interposed Jerry, fearful lest the +son's repentance should be dissipated before the father's +sternness.</p> +<p>"I will atone for all, to the best of my ability."</p> +<p>"Would that you might do so!"</p> +<p>"I will! Heaven witness my sincerity!"</p> +<p>"Your first act of atonement must be to the lady you have so +deeply injured."</p> +<p>"I would be her slave for life!"</p> +<p>"If you are sincere, you will disclose all you know of the +wrongs which have been inflicted upon her."</p> +<p>"I fear, for her sake, that my knowledge is too limited to avail +anything to her. Maxwell assured me she was his slave, and showed +me the bill of sale. I believed him, or he could never have had my +help."</p> +<p>"You were too willing to believe him," said the doctor, +sternly.</p> +<p>"I told him, at the outset, that I would expose all I knew +(which is but little), if I discovered she was not a slave. I will +tell you all."</p> +<p>"Let Miss Dumont be called, Jerry."</p> +<p>Emily came at the summons, and Dr. Vaudelier informed her of the +position of the matter.</p> +<p>"Can you forgive me, Miss Dumont, for the wrong I have +done?"</p> +<p>"Freely, sir; and may God enable you to persevere in the course +you have taken!"</p> +<p>"Thank you! With an angel's prayer, I shall begin the new life +with the strength your good wishes impart."</p> +<p>Vernon now related all he knew of the machinations of the +attorney, concealing no part of his own or his confederate's +villany. Of the will he knew nothing, his operations having been +confined to the attempts to obtain possession of her person.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier was satisfied that his son had told the whole +truth. It was a source of much satisfaction to him that he had +chosen the better part. His fervent prayer ascended that the +penitent might be faithful to his good resolutions.</p> +<p>All the circumstances relating to the will were unknown to +Vernon, which was the occasion of much congratulation both to his +father and to Emily. It seemed to relieve him from some portion of +the guilt which the subsequent transactions fastened upon him; and, +when these circumstances were related to him, a burst of generous +indignation testified that he, the blackleg, the robber, was above +such villany. However depraved in some respects, that vice which is +commonly called <i>meanness</i> had no place within him. He was, or +rather had been, of that class of operators who "rob the rich to +pay the poor;" who have no innate love of vice, only a desire to be +free from wholesome restraint, and have at hand, without toil or +sacrifice, the means of enjoying life to the utmost.</p> +<p>"Jerome," said Dr. Vaudelier, "this Maxwell must be watched, +and, if you are true to yourself, no one can do this duty as well +as you."</p> +<p>"Trust me, sir! I am strong in this lady's service."</p> +<p>"I shall not doubt you, my son, until I have occasion to do so. +I am satisfied, if Miss Dumont is."</p> +<p>"I feel perfectly confident in the good faith of your son, and +am indebted to him for the zeal he manifests in my cause."</p> +<p>"Thank you, Miss Dumont," said Vernon. "You are too generous; +but, be assured, your confidence shall not be abused."</p> +<p>It was determined that Vernon should immediately depart for +Vicksburg, whither Maxwell had gone.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"He gives me leave to attend +you,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And is impatient till he sees +you."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>It was the afternoon of the same day, as Dr. Vaudelier was +reclining upon a rustic seat near the landing, he was surprised by +the appearance of a canoe coming down the creek. The canoe +contained an elderly gentleman, and a negro, who, after several +unsuccessful attempts, succeeded in landing the passenger upon the +little pier. He was about fifty years of age, apparently. His hair +and whiskers were a mixture of gray and black; his countenance was +full, and his complexion florid, which contrasted oddly with the +green spectacles that rested upon his nose.</p> +<p>"Do I have the honor of addressing Dr. Vaudelier?" said, the +stranger, in a tone so soft and silky that the doctor could hardly +persuade himself it did not proceed from a woman.</p> +<p>"That is my name, sir; and to whom am I indebted for this +unexpected pleasure?"</p> +<p>"De Guy, sir,—Antoine De Guy, at your service," squeaked +the visitor, with whom the reader is already acquainted.</p> +<p>"Well, sir, may I inquire the object of your visit?"</p> +<p>"Certainly, sir. I am informed there is a lady at present +residing with you, one of the unfortunate persons who were on board +the Chalmetta at the time of her late disaster. A Miss Dumont."</p> +<p>"Who informed you, sir?"</p> +<p>De Guy hesitated a little, and then said he heard a number of +gentlemen discuss the late disaster at the hotel in Vicksburg; that +one of them had mentioned this fact—he really could not tell +the gentleman's name.</p> +<p>"What is your business with the lady?" asked the doctor, to whom +the idea of a new enemy of Emily had already presented itself.</p> +<p>"That, sir, I can best disclose to the lady in person," squeaked +the street-lawyer, with a low bow.</p> +<p>"This way then," and the doctor led him to the library, into +which he soon after conducted Emily.</p> +<p>"Miss Dumont?" said De Guy, rising and making a profound +obeisance as she entered. "My name is De Guy."</p> +<p>Emily bowed slightly, but made no reply.</p> +<p>"May I beg that our interview may be private?" said the +attorney, glancing at Dr. Vaudelier.</p> +<p>"This gentleman is my friend and confidant; it is not necessary +that he should retire," replied Emily, as Dr. Vaudelier was moving +towards the door.</p> +<p>"Very well, madam; though I think, from the nature of my +business, you would wish it to be confidential."</p> +<p>"Perhaps I had better withdraw," suggested the physician.</p> +<p>"By no means, my dear sir; if this gentleman's visit relates to +business matters, I must beg the favor of your counsel."</p> +<p>"As you please, Miss Dumont; I come charged with a message from +your uncle, my respected client, Mr. Dumont."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir!" replied Emily, a slight tremor creeping through +her frame; "pray deliver it at once."</p> +<p>"It is simply to say your immediate presence at your late +residence is necessary."</p> +<p>"Where did you see my uncle?" asked she.</p> +<p>"At Bellevue, madam, yesterday morning. I arrived at eleven +o'clock to-day."</p> +<p>"When did Mr. Dumont return from his journey up the river?" +asked Dr. Vaudelier.</p> +<p>De Guy reflected a moment; from the shade of displeasure on his +countenance, it was evident he disliked the interference of the +doctor.</p> +<p>"About four days ago."</p> +<p>"When did you last see your uncle, Miss Dumont?" asked the +doctor.</p> +<p>"I have not seen him since the second day of our +journey,"—which was the time that Jaspar had been left at the +wood-yard.</p> +<p>"Probably, then, he has returned to Bellevue. It is singular +that, under the instructions of the will, he should leave you in +this unceremonious manner."</p> +<p>"Not at all," interrupted De Guy.</p> +<p>"You speak as though you were familiar with his motions," said +Dr. Vaudelier, with a penetrating glance at the attorney.</p> +<p>"To some extent, I am," replied the silky-toned lawyer, with a +smile which was intended to declare his own innocence in any of the +plots of Jaspar. "He has voluntarily acquainted me with some of the +particulars of this unfortunate affair."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir!"</p> +<p>"Such is the fact," continued the attorney, with professional +ease; "he has sent for Miss Dumont in order to effect a +compromise."</p> +<p>"A compromise!" exclaimed Emily, with disdain; "there can be no +compromise, short of restoring, absolutely, my rights!"</p> +<p>"It is very probable he is quite ready to do so," replied the +accommodating attorney.</p> +<p>"May I ask what has produced this singular and sudden change in +the purpose of my uncle?"</p> +<p>"Well, madam, it would be difficult to explain the precise +reasons. His mind seemed troubled; I advised him to unburden to me, +which he did. The conclusion of the whole matter is, he has taken +this step by my advice," said De Guy, with an air of the deepest +humility.</p> +<p>Emily was somewhat moved, by the revelation of the attorney, +from the stern reserve she had manifested, and said,</p> +<p>"I am grateful for your interest in my behalf."</p> +<p>"Do not mention it, madam. There is a pleasure in doing one's +duty, which is superior to every other gratification."</p> +<p>"May I ask what prompted you to give such advice?" asked Dr. +Vaudelier, incredulously.</p> +<p>"The consciousness that my duty to this lady demanded it. It was +not exactly in keeping with the profession, I am aware; but I felt +obliged to sacrifice professional consistency to the call of +justice," said the attorney, in such a way as to leave it doubtful +whether he was perpetrating a jest or a moral axiom.</p> +<p>"Humph!" said the doctor, with a doubtful sneer.</p> +<p>"Principle before professional advantage, is my motto, sir," +continued De Guy.</p> +<p>"Pray, what gave you the first intimation that all was not right +between this lady and her uncle?"</p> +<p>"The voluntary confession of Mr. Dumont," replied De Guy, +readily.</p> +<p>"You do not believe Mr. Dumont would have abandoned his purpose, +just as it was in the very act of being consummated, without a +strong motive."</p> +<p>"True; I understand that the body-servant of the late Colonel +Dumont is upon this island. He must have informed the lady, by this +time, of his share in the transaction."</p> +<p>"Well."</p> +<p>"And Mr. Dumont saw the boy the night before he left the +steamer."</p> +<p>"True."</p> +<p>"Was not the reäppearance, the rising from the dead, of +this man, quite enough to convince him that all his plans had +failed?"</p> +<p>"Why so?"</p> +<p>"The boy had the will!"</p> +<p>"It is all plain to me," said Emily, more disposed to trust De +Guy than Dr. Vaudelier was.</p> +<p>"Perfectly plain, madam; it is not at all strange that he should +adopt this course. He must trust to his niece's good-nature to save +him from exposure."</p> +<p>"Perhaps this is only a plan to get the lady into his power +again," suggested Dr. Vaudelier.</p> +<p>"I assure you it is not. He is sorely troubled in mind, even +now, at the guilt which is fastened upon him. His conscience is +awakened."</p> +<p>"And well it might be," said the doctor.</p> +<p>"True," responded the silky attorney, with an appearance of +honest indignation; "but when we see a man disposed to repent, we +should be ready to assist him."</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier involuntarily turned his thoughts to the incidents +of the morning,—called to mind the feelings which had been +awakened in the presence of his penitent son, and he felt the full +force of De Guy's argument.</p> +<p>"If Mr. Dumont is disposed to repent of the injury he has done +his niece, and make atonement for it, I should, by all means, +advise her to follow the course which, I am sure, her gentle nature +suggests. 'To err is human; to forgive, divine.' The lady is a +Christian, and will act in the true spirit of Christianity."</p> +<p>"I trust she will," responded De Guy, meekly; "I trust she will, +and, with all convenient haste, try to mitigate his distress."</p> +<p>"I will! I will!" exclaimed Emily.</p> +<p>"Perhaps you will accompany me, as your uncle suggests," +insinuated De Guy.</p> +<p>"There is certainly no need of such haste as this," said the +doctor.</p> +<p>"Her uncle may change his mind."</p> +<p>"Then his penitence is not sincere, and he cannot be +trusted."</p> +<p>"I should scarcely call it penitence, sir, since it is only the +fear of discovery which has driven him to this step," said the +attorney, branching off in to a new school of ethics.</p> +<p>"I can go in a few days," said Emily. "Captain Carroll, you +think, is out of danger now?"</p> +<p>De Guy started, and a scowl of the deepest malignity +overshadowed his countenance, which had before been that of a meek +and truthful man. The change was so sudden that he seemed to be a +man within a man, and the two creatures of an opposite character. +Neither the doctor nor Emily noticed the start, or the sudden +change of expression; and the attorney, seemingly aware of the +danger of wearing two faces, restored the former aspect.</p> +<p>"I think he is entirely out of danger," replied Dr. Vaudelier, +in reply to Emily's question. "Perhaps he will be able to accompany +you in a few days."</p> +<p>Emily blushed, but made no reply, other than a sweet smile, +betokening the happiness such an event would give her.</p> +<p>"I fear, madam, the delay will be dangerous," suggested De Guy, +who did not relish the proposition of the doctor.</p> +<p>"Why dangerous? If Mr. Dumont changes his mind, we have the +means of proving that that miserable will is false."</p> +<p>"You forget, sir, that Mr. Benson may be lost, and with him the +will," interposed Emily, whose love of truth did not enable her to +conceal the weakness of her case.</p> +<p>"Indeed! Is the will in the hands of a third party?" said the +attorney, with apparent indifference, while, in reality, he was +inwardly chuckling with delight.</p> +<p>"It matters not," replied the doctor; "the lady's case is safe. +You can inform Mr. Dumont that his niece will present herself in a +week or ten days."</p> +<p>"But, my dear sir, the delay will be fatal, both to the lady and +her uncle," said the attorney, with alarm.</p> +<p>"It cannot be helped," said the doctor.</p> +<p>"Mr. Dumont's health, I fear, will render it unsafe to wait so +long. Miss Dumont does not wish her uncle to die unforgiven."</p> +<p>"I will go, sir; I will go at once," exclaimed Emily, shocked at +the condition of Jaspar, and anxious, as was her nature, to relieve +the sufferings he must endure in her absence. She forgot how basely +he had wronged her—how he had attempted her life; the divine +sentiment, "Love your enemies," prevailed over every other +consideration.</p> +<p>"Die unforgiven," muttered the doctor. "Is he sick?"</p> +<p>"He is, sir, and near his end."</p> +<p>"Why have you not mentioned this circumstance before? It seems +of sufficient importance to merit a passing word."</p> +<p>"I wished not to distress the lady. I think I hinted that he was +in great distress."</p> +<p>"I fear some evil, Miss Dumont."</p> +<p>"Be assured, sir, if Mr. Dumont meditates any further wrong, he +has not the power of putting it into effect. He is prostrate upon +his bed, and if his niece does not see him soon, it will be too +late, if it is not so already. The stricken man must soon stand for +judgment in another world," said De Guy, solemnly.</p> +<p>"This alters the case," said the doctor, musing.</p> +<p>"But, sir," continued the attorney, "I was aware that, after +what has happened, my mission would be attended with many +difficulties, and I have not come unprepared to overcome them. I do +not wonder that you have no confidence,—I confess I should +not have, under like circumstances. You know Dr. Le Verier?" and +the attorney drew from his pocket a bundle of papers, and opening +one, he glanced at the signature upon it, as he pronounced the +name.</p> +<p>"I do, very well," replied the doctor.</p> +<p>"Our family physician!" exclaimed Emily.</p> +<p>"Here, madam, is his certificate of your uncle's physical +condition," said De Guy, handing her the paper.</p> +<p>Emily read the paper, and handed it to the doctor.</p> +<p>"Very satisfactory," said he; "you will pardon me for doubting +your word—"</p> +<p>"Don't mention it, sir," replied De Guy, blandly. "I fully +appreciate your motive, and honor you for it. And you know Mr. +Faxon?"</p> +<p>"O, yes—what of him," said Emily, eagerly.</p> +<p>"A letter from him," replied De Guy, giving her the missive.</p> +<p>Emily hastily broke the seal, and, as she examined its contents, +the attorney appeared uneasy, and watched her with a solicitude +such as attorneys seldom manifest in their clients, especially if +the pockets of the latter be empty.</p> +<p>"I will go immediately!" exclaimed Emily, as she finished +reading the letter. "Mr. Faxon says my Uncle Jaspar is quite a +different man, and is ready to restore all my rights."</p> +<p>"Finally," said De Guy, "here is your uncle's own signature. +This letter I wrote by his dictation, but he, with much difficulty, +signed his name."</p> +<p>Emily perused the paper, which was a promise that Jaspar would +restore all, and concluded with an earnest request for her to +return to Bellevue with all possible haste. Emily recognized the +signature, though it was apparently written by the trembling hand +of a dying man.</p> +<p>"The papers are quite satisfactory," said Dr. Vaudelier, as he +completed the reading of the note from Jaspar. "If you had +presented them at first, I should have been spared my uncourteous +suspicions. But you will pardon them, and consider that the lady's +case requires the utmost caution."</p> +<p>"It was only in deference to the lady's nerves that I broke the +intelligence gradually. I was quite willing to sacrifice myself, +for the moment, in your good opinion, for her sake. I trust you +will appreciate and regard my motives, as I do yours."</p> +<p>Henry Carroll, as may be supposed, was much against the plan of +Emily's returning to Bellevue with De Guy. But a death-bed scene +was a difficult thing to reason against, and he was obliged to +yield the point before the earnest eloquence of Emily, and more +calm persuasions of Dr. Vaudelier.</p> +<p>It was arranged that Hatchie should accompany her, and that the +party should take the morning boat from Vicksburg.</p> +<p>Hatchie was immediately summoned to receive instructions in +relation to their departure.</p> +<p>At the mention of Hatchie's name, the attorney grew marvellously +uneasy, and suddenly recollected that the negro who had conveyed +him to the island was waiting for him. He therefore proposed that +Dr. Vaudelier should escort Emily to Vicksburg in the morning, +which was readily agreed to, and De Guy made a precipitate retreat, +without confronting the mulatto.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER +XXIII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Jaffier</i>. O, +Belvidera!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Belvidera</i>. Why was I last +night delivered to a villain?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Jaffier</i>. Ha! a +villain?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>Belvidera</i>. Yes, to a +villain!"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">OTWAY.</span></p> +<p>Agreeably to the arrangement of the previous night, Emily was on +board of the "Montezuma," prepared to commence her journey to +Bellevue. While De Guy conducted Emily to the ladies' cabin, +Hatchie was getting her few articles of baggage on board, and the +boat was fairly under weigh without the faithful mulatto's having +had a sight of the new protector of Emily. The attorney +congratulated himself on this circumstance; his mind had thus been +released from the pressure of a most painful anxiety. His plan was +now accomplished.</p> +<p>But the meeting could not be much longer deferred. De Guy, +however, now that they were free from the friends of Emily, no +longer dreaded it.</p> +<p>The dinner hour arrived, and Hatchie was standing by the side of +his mistress on the gallery, when De Guy approached and announced +the fact. His voice startled Hatchie. It was the same squeaking +tone he had heard at Bellevue on the night of his escape. He turned +to look upon the speaker, and was confounded to behold the very +person who had plotted with Jaspar on that memorable night! With a +presence of mind which never deserted him, he held his peace, +resolved not to frighten his mistress by exposing the fact.</p> +<p>Hatchie stood lost in thought on the gallery long after De Guy +had conducted his mistress to the dinner-table. The mulatto was in +a quandary,—a worse quandary than the congressional hero of +Kentucky has described in any of his thousand relations of +hair-breadth escapes. His mistress was fairly committed to her new +destiny, and how could he extricate her?</p> +<p>He resolved to do the only thing he possibly could do,—to +watch unceasingly, to be ever ready to defend his mistress in case +of necessity. The papers which De Guy had brought from Bellevue, +and which he heard described by the doctor, did much to assure him +that no evil was intended towards her; but the man who had been a +villain once was, in his opinion, exceedingly apt to be so +again.</p> +<p>Emily was ill at ease during the passage; not that she felt +unsafe, or dreaded treachery, but something seemed to whisper that +evil <i>might</i> be near her. An undefined sensation of doubt +seemed to beset her path, and urge upon her the unpleasant +necessity of extreme caution. She was conscious of being engaged in +a good work. She had forgiven her great enemy, and was now on her +way to smooth his dying pillow. There was something lofty and +beautiful in the thought, and she derived much consolation from +it.</p> +<p>De Guy rarely intruded himself upon her notice during the +passage. At meal-hours he was scrupulously polite and attentive, +but he was as cold and formal as she could desire. She never +ventured upon the promenade deck, unless her faithful Hatchie was +near.</p> +<p>The mulatto, with all his watchfulness, was unable to discover +any indications of treachery on the part of De Guy, though an +apparently confidential conversation with the captain of the +steamer, on the night before their arrival at New Orleans, had +rather an unfavorable appearance.</p> +<p>It was late at night when the Montezuma arrived at New Orleans. +The steamer quietly took her berth at the levee, so that few of the +passengers took any notice of their arrival, and contentedly turned +over in their berths to wait the advent of the coming day.</p> +<p>Hatchie, who occupied a room near the boiler deck, had been +awakened by the confusion of making fast the steamer. His watchful +vigil over the safety of his mistress did not permit him to slumber +while the possibility of danger existed. He had, therefore, risen; +but scarcely had he completed his dress, when the door of his room +was suddenly opened, and himself violently seized by two stout men. +The attack had been so sudden, and the movements of the assailants +so well directed, that resistance was hopeless. Before he fully +realized the presence of his foes, his hands were pinioned behind +him. In this condition, without knowing why or by whom he was +assailed, he was hurried away to the calaboose.</p> +<p>At an early hour in the morning carriages and drays began to +assemble on the levee, and all the noise and bustle of landing +passengers, baggage and freight, commenced.</p> +<p>Emily Dumont, as soon as it was fairly light, rose from her +couch, and made her preparations to leave the steamer. Fully +equipped for her journey to Bellevue, she entered the cabin, where +De Guy soon presented himself.</p> +<p>"Where is Hatchie?" was the first question she asked; for +Hatchie had always been on the spot whenever and wherever she +needed his services.</p> +<p>"I have taken the liberty to send him up to the St. Charles with +your luggage. You will, of course, breakfast there," said the +attorney, blandly.</p> +<p>"Such was not my intention," replied she, as a cold +tremor—she knew not why—agitated her.</p> +<p>"I am sorry to have mistaken your purpose; the ride to Bellevue +is a long one to take without any refreshment."</p> +<p>"I mind it not; my haste is too great to admit of any +delay."</p> +<p>"I sent by your servant to order an early breakfast, and a +carriage at seven o'clock."</p> +<p>"Very well, I will conform to the arrangement you have made," +replied Emily, with a dissatisfied air.</p> +<p>A carriage was called from the mass which had congregated, whose +drivers were not a whit behind those of the metropolitan city in +earnest perseverance; and De Guy assisted her into it, seating +himself at a respectful distance on the forward seat.</p> +<p>Now, the act of engaging a cab or a carriage is of itself quite +an easy matter; but we question whether passengers are generally as +well suited as in the present instance. Without troubling the +worthy Mr. De Guy with any foolish queries as to where he should +drive them, the Jehu mounted his box, and conducted his team +apparently to the entire satisfaction of his fare. It may be that +the intelligent driver had a way of divining the wishes of his +customers; or it may be that De Guy, in deference to any supposed +repugnance to business matters on the part of his companion, had +previously discussed this topic. Without any design of prejudicing +the reader's mind in favor of the latter supposition, we confess +our inclination to accept it as correct.</p> +<p>Emily vainly attempted to assure herself that her companion was +conducting her in good faith to the home of her early years. An +undefined feeling of insecurity was painfully besetting her, +whichever way she turned. She considered and reconsidered the +evidences he had brought to Cottage Island of the truth of his own +statements, and of his own trustworthiness. It was all in vain. +Could those papers have been forgeries? It was a terrible thought +to her.</p> +<p>The carriage stopped, and the attorney invited her to alight. +Change—anything, was a relief to the painful sensations which +had almost overpowered her, and without reflection she did so. Her +faculties were so confused she did not notice that it was not the +private entrance of the St. Charles. She took everything for +granted, and accepted the offered arm of De Guy. She crossed the +broad side-walk, and, raising her eyes, was overwhelmed by seeing +at the side of the door she was about to enter the sign of +"<i>Anthony Marwell, Attorney and Counsellor at Law</i>."</p> +<p>"Please to walk up stairs," squeaked the attorney, drawing her +after him to the inside of the door, which he immediately closed +and bolted.</p> +<p>"Not a step further, sir!" said she, with as much firmness as +she could command. "What means this? Am I again betrayed?"</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, madam, walk up quietly," said De Guy, in a soothing +tone, as he applied a little gentle force to the arm he held.</p> +<p>"Unhand me, sir!" screamed Emily, as loud as her agitated +condition would permit.</p> +<p>But De Guy heeded her not; and, without condescending to utter +another word, he took her up like a child, and bore her up the +stairs to Maxwell's office. Turning the key to prevent +interruption, he opened the lawyer's private apartment in the rear, +and placed the fainting girl upon the bed, and retired.</p> +<p>Unlocking the office door, he was confronted by an old negress, +who had charge of the sweeping and cleaning department of the +building.</p> +<p>"Sar! what's all dis about?" screamed she, in no gentle tone; +for the colored lady had witnessed De Guy's achievement from the +stair-case above.</p> +<p>"Hush, Dido—"</p> +<p>"Sar! who are you dat come inter Massa Maxwell's room widout no +leave?"</p> +<p>"Never mind who I am, Dido. There is a lady in the bedroom, by +whom Mr. Maxwell sets his life—do you hear?—sets his +life. She has fainted, and you must take care of her,"—and De +Guy slipped a half-eagle into the negress' hands.</p> +<p>"Dat alters de case," said the black lady, eying the money with +much satisfaction. "Massa Maxwell's a sly dog. I take good care ob +de lady—not de fus time, nuder."</p> +<p>"Don't let her get away; take good care of her, and you shall +have half a dozen just such pieces."</p> +<p>"Never fear, Massa, I's use to de business."</p> +<p>De Guy left the building, satisfied, it would seem, of the +negress' fidelity.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<i>Lieut</i>. Forgive me, sir, what I'm compelled t' obey: An +order for your close confinement.</p> +<p>"<i>King H</i>. Whence comes it, good lieutenant?</p> +<p>"<i>Lieut</i>. Sir, from the Duke of Gloster.</p> +<p>"<i>King H</i>. Good-night to all, then!" SHAKSPEARE.</p> +</div> +<p>Connected with the estate at Bellevue, of which Jaspar Dumont +was now in actual possession, was a small slave jail. It had been +constructed under the immediate direction of Jaspar, to afford a +place of confinement for the runaway or refractory negroes of the +plantation. It was located at some distance from the proprietary +mansion, and from the quarters of the negroes. Jaspar's taste in +matters of this kind was of the most refined character, and he had +caused it to be constructed on a plan and in a manner that would +seem to bid defiance to the skill of a Baron Trenck, or a Stephen +Burroughs. The material was granite, brought at no trifling expense +from the North. There were no windows upon the sides, and only one +entrance, which was secured by double iron doors. Light and air +were supplied, in meagre quantities, by means of a skylight in the +roof, which was regulated by a cord passing down upon the +outside.</p> +<p>This jail, either by accident or design, was so constructed that +any noise inside was not transmitted to the outside. Whether this +was because of the reflecting properties of the walls, which might +have sent the sound echoing out at the skylight on the apex of the +four-sided roof, or because of some other natural causes, we shall +not take up the reader's time in discussing. Its inmates might +startle Heaven with their cries, but certainly every ear on earth +below must be deaf to their wail. This circumstance seemed typical +of the actual fact of oppression; but we are sure that Jaspar never +meant to typify the groans, by man unheeded, of the victims of +tyranny ascending to be heard above.</p> +<p>It was the day after the events related in the last chapter, and +the negro jail was tenanted; but not by a refractory or a runaway +slave. It was now devoted to a more dignified purpose, being +occupied by a white man and his wife, the victims of Jaspar +Dumont's hatred and fears. They had already been prisoners for the +past forty-eight hours. No sound from the wide, wide world without +had reached them; and, though the man had shouted himself hoarse in +endeavors to arrest the attention of any casual passer-by, the +sound of his voice had risen to Heaven, but had not been heard by +any mortal ear.</p> +<p>On a heap of dirty straw, in one corner, lay a female. She was +feeble and helpless. By her side, gazing sadly upon her, was her +companion, pale and haggard, and apparently conquered in spirit. +The sufferings of the frail being by his side seemed to pierce him +to the soul. He felt not for himself; his thoughts, his feelings, +all were devoted to her, whom he had loved and respected through +many vicissitudes, whose kindly sympathy had cheered his heart in +many of the severest of earth's trials. They had passed through +peril and poverty together, and now the cup of tribulation seemed +full to the brim. They were doomed to death,—not to the death +of the malefactor, but as victims of private interest. No friendly +jailer had been near, to bring them even a cup of cold water to +assuage their consuming thirst. Not a morsel of food had they +tasted since their incarceration! The terrible doom to which they +were consigned was too apparent; there was nothing to foreshadow +even the slightest hope of redemption. A few days' intercourse with +their inhuman persecutor had demonstrated too plainly that he was +equal to any crime which his own safety demanded.</p> +<p>The female turned uneasily upon her rude and filthy bed. Her +companion bent over her, and, as a flood of tears poured from his +sunken eyes, he imprinted a kiss upon her pale cheek.</p> +<p>"Do you feel no better, Delia?" asked he, tenderly.</p> +<p>"Alas, no! The sands of life are fast ebbing out. O, for a +single drop of cold water!"</p> +<p>"God in heaven! must I see her die, with no power to save?" +exclaimed Dalhousie,—for it was he,—striking his hands +violently upon his forehead.</p> +<p>"Do not let me distress you, Francois! Let me die!—I am +ready to die," said she, faintly.</p> +<p>Dalhousie could make no reply. His emotions were too powerful to +permit his utterance. Maddened by despair, into which the terrible +situation of his cherished wife had plunged him, he paced the jail +with long strides, gazing about him, as if to seek some desperate +remedy for his woes. Escape had scarcely presented itself to his +mind. He had not the energy of character which rises superior to +every ill, and had bent himself supinely to the fate which awaited +him. To work through the solid walls of the jail seemed to him an +impossibility, even if provided with the necessary implements. The +scheme was too vast for his mind, unaccustomed, as it was, to +contend with great difficulties.</p> +<p>Despair seemed to create, at this moment, a new man within him, +armed with energy to break through every obstacle which might +oppose him. His feeble, suffering companion demanded an effort for +her relief, and such a demand even his supine nature could not +resist.</p> +<p>Near one side of the jail was a shallow pit, which had, +apparently, been quite recently excavated. In it lay the shovel +with which the earth had been thrown out.</p> +<p>Dalhousie fixed his eyes upon the pit. A new thought animated +him. "<i>I</i> began to dig that pit for gold; I will continue it +for water," muttered he, as he seized the shovel, and commenced +digging. Awhile he labored with the energy of desperation; but, +enfeebled by long fasting, and unused to such severe toil, he soon +felt his strength give way. It appeared to be his only hope, the +only ministration of comfort to the loved one beside him, and he +strove manfully against the weakness which beset him. An hour he +labored; but not a drop of moisture rewarded his toil. Overcome by +his exertions, he seated himself upon the brink of the pit, and +gave way to the agonizing emotions which filled his soul. A sigh +from his wife roused him to a new effort, and, partially +invigorated by the few moments' rest, he again applied himself to +his task. The ground was of a moist character, and he had every +encouragement of soon finding the coveted treasure. Animated by +this hope, he redoubled his efforts, and for another hour despair +nerved his arm, and strengthened his sinking frame. Still the +buried treasure eluded his search. Exhausted by his exertions, he +sunk heavily upon the side of the pit, and the big tears coursed +down his hollow cheeks. Deserted by man, he felt that there was no +God in heaven; and no divinely-born sentiment came to cheer him in +the hour of his despondency. He felt that the hand of death must +soon take him and his loved wife into its cold embrace. With much +effort he drew himself to her side, and endeavored to compose his +mind for the struggle with the destroyer.</p> +<p>Two hours he lay by her side; but his time had not yet come. +Rested from the severe fatigue he had undergone, he felt a new +vigor stealing through his frame. Something like hope again flitted +before his desponding mind, and, partially raising himself from his +recumbent posture, he gazed about the apartment. The pit he had dug +was yawning near him. A shudder convulsed his frame, as it reminded +him of the open grave that gaped to receive him. Had he not dug +this grave for himself?</p> +<p>The instinct of self-preservation drew him to his feet. Seizing +the shovel, he advanced to the pit, when, to his unspeakable +delight, he perceived that the bottom of it was covered with black, +dirty water. The sight roused his dormant energies, and he saw +before him years of life and happiness. Leaping into the pit, he +drank from the putrid pool, using the palms of his hands for a +drinking vessel.</p> +<p>Tearing off the top of his glazed cap, he succeeded in making a +very tolerable cup of it, with which he conveyed some of the +precious liquid to the parched lips of his sinking wife. The act +roused her from the absent mood to which she had abandoned herself. +She took a long draught of the discolored beverage, and, had it +been the pure mountain spring, its effect could scarcely have been +more magical. It not only refreshed the body, but inspired the +mind. With this dawning hope the poor prisoners built the flimsy +fabric of future joy and safety.</p> +<p>Dalhousie had lived years in the hours of his confinement. +Experience, the stern mentor of humanity, had ministered to him, +and imparted the strength and resolution which often require years +to mature. Thoughts, and feelings, and energies, to which he had +before been a stranger, came bounding through his mind, as the +mighty river, which, having broken away the feeble barrier man had +set in its course, roars and thunders down its before forsaken +path. The powerful impulse of hope, stimulated by this successful +act, made him curse his supineness in calmly yielding to the awful +fate which awaited him. His best hours—his hours of +unimpaired strength—had now passed away; there was no +fountain at which he could renew it. But energy now burned within +him, and, like an invisible power, seemed to drive him on to some +great act. The impulse was irresistible; hopeless as his case had +before appeared, he determined to escape. But how? This question +had not yet presented itself. Escape from the jail!—from +death!—himself,—more than himself, his wife! Stone +walls lost their appalling firmness, and were no more than downy +masses, which his breath could blow away.</p> +<p>Animated by this irresistible impulse, he took the shovel, and +sounded upon the walls; but they were everywhere firm and solid +beneath his blow. It seemed useless to his usually inert mind, and +he was about to abandon himself again to the jaws of despair, when +a new thought suggested itself. Fired with the inspiration of the +new idea, he impulsively proceeded to carry it into execution. By +the side of the wall, with vigorous strokes, he commenced digging, +with the intention of undermining it. Without a thought of his +enfeebled body, he plied the shovel with the energy of desperation. +Instead of making a calm calculation, and proceeding with such an +economy of strength as would enable him to complete the work, he +labored as though the task before him could be easily and quickly +accomplished.</p> +<p>His wife, somewhat revived by the draught she had taken, +penetrated the purpose of her husband; but she saw that his +strength must entirely fail him ere the work could be +accomplished.</p> +<p>"You must husband your strength, Francois," said she; "rest a +little."</p> +<p>"The hope of deliverance is too strong to let me sacrifice +another moment in idleness," replied Dalhousie, without ceasing +from his labors.</p> +<p>"But, Francois, you will kill yourself, if you work so +hard."</p> +<p>"That would be an honorable death, at least."</p> +<p>"And leave me to linger here?—No, let us die together, if +die we must. Perhaps I can help you,"—and she strove to +rise.</p> +<p>"Do not rise, Delia,—keep quiet; I am strong, and will yet +deliver you from this dungeon. Lay quiet, dear; do not add to my +distress."</p> +<p>"I fear I must lay still,—I cannot rise," said she, +sinking back with the exhaustion of the effort.</p> +<p>Dalhousie threw down his shovel, and hastened to her side.</p> +<p>"Do not attempt to rise again, dear," said he. "Let me get you +some more water."</p> +<p>He again filled the rude cup at the pit, and, after she had +taken a long draught of it, he laved her head, an operation which +appeared to refresh her.</p> +<p>"Do you feel better?"</p> +<p>"Much better."</p> +<p>"Now keep perfectly quiet, and I will resume my task."</p> +<p>"I will; but pray, Francois, do not work so hard; temper your +enthusiasm with reason. You cannot succeed, unless you are +careful."</p> +<p>"I will, dear; I will rest every little while."</p> +<p>Dalhousie resumed his labor, and, convinced by his wife's +reasoning, he labored more moderately. While he toils at this +apparently hopelessly task, we will return to the night when we +left him in the library, after having obtained possession of the +secret packet.</p> +<p>The overseer, after leaving the library, was perplexed to +determine his future course. He was in possession of a mighty +secret, a secret which involved his employer's very existence. The +realization of a thousand golden dreams was at hand, and he was +resolved, without an over-nice balancing of conscientious scruples, +to make the most of the information he had obtained. There were two +methods of procedure open to him, and his perplexity was occasioned +by this fact. In this instance his resolution was not at fault, for +the reins were in his own hands. It was not like hewing a path +through the granite barriers of difficulty, against the very frown +of destiny. He imagined that some overruling power had made the +path, and invited him to walk in it.</p> +<p>Should he make his fortune by means of the uncle or the niece? +The question of his existence had narrowed itself down to this +point. It was sure, he felt, from one or the other.</p> +<p>Being of a naturally generous disposition, with strong +affections, and having not a little of the natural sense of justice +in his composition, he was decidedly in favor of permitting the +niece to enrich him. This was his personal preference; but he was +sensible of the truth of the axiom, that individual preferences +must sometimes be sacrificed to the success of the main object; +and, if the circumstances demanded it, he felt able to make the +sacrifice.</p> +<p>If he forwarded the packet to its proper destination, the lady +would, without doubt, be soon restored to her possessions. This was +the course he preferred, as well as the course which justice and +morality demanded. But, alas! his moral sentiment was not +sufficiently developed to make him pause before taking the opposite +course, if his present and temporary interest should seem to demand +it. A departure from the strict injunction of conscience is sure to +bring misery; and this was doubly true in his case.</p> +<p>The uncle was in actual possession, and he called to mind the +old maxim, that "possession is nine points in the law." He was +unwilling to risk the bright prospects, which had so suddenly +opened upon him, on the tenth point. Fearing that Jaspar's +unscrupulous character would enable him to defeat the heiress, he +had not the courage to do his duty and trust Heaven for the +reward.</p> +<p>With this view of his position, he reluctantly—we will do +him the justice to say reluctantly—abandoned the project of +restoring the niece to her birthright. Thus was the great purpose +of his life narrowed down to one point, and he retired to his +pillow to consider in what manner he should approach Jaspar.</p> +<p>Simple as this single point had before appeared, he found, on +reflection, that it was environed with difficulties and dangers. +Jaspar was intrenched in his own castle, and it would require some +address even to approach near enough to hold a parley. Conclusive +as were the evidences in his possession of Jaspar's perfidy, they +might, by the aid of cunning and gold, be made to appear as +forgeries, gotten up for the purpose of extorting money. The stake +was a great one, and he determined with a bold hand to play the +game.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"<i>Cassius</i>. At such a +time as this, it is not meet</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">That every nice offence should +bear its comment.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">—You wrong me every way; +you wrong me, Brutus!"</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont, on the morning after the abstraction of the +papers by Dalhousie, rose from his inebriated slumbers; but his +rest was a misnomer. The strong excitement, which a few weeks +before had served to keep his mind occupied, had now passed away. +His villany was accomplished; but it had not purchased the +satisfaction he coveted—it had cost too much sacrifice of +soul. Brandy was his only solace; and even this only conjured up +demons of torture in his fevered imagination.</p> +<p>He was conscious that on the previous night he had drank too +much. There seemed to be a chasm in his recollection which all his +efforts could not fill. He might, while in a measure unconscious of +his actions, have betrayed some of his momentous secrets. The +overseer, of whose presence he had an indistinct remembrance, might +have obtained some further clue to the great mystery. These were +annoying reflections, and while he resolved to be more temperate in +future, how fervently he adjured his patron demon to ward off any +danger he might have courted in his inebriation!</p> +<p>After his accustomed ride through the cane-fields, he retired to +the library. The decanter had been replenished with brandy, and his +late resolutions did not deter him from freely imbibing of its +contents. The equilibrium was restored. His mind, stimulated by the +fumes of the liquor, resumed its usual buoyancy. He paced the room, +and drank frequent draughts of the fiery beverage.</p> +<p>Suddenly he stopped in his perambulation, as a faint +recollection of the lost key came to his mind. He searched his +pockets; but it could not be found. The drawer was locked. +Suspicious as he was fearful, he trembled lest in his oblivious +moments he had compromised his secret. He sent for the overseer, +determined to know and provide for the worst.</p> +<p>After the messenger left, his reflections assumed a new +direction. He tried to laugh away his suspicions, applied epithets +to himself which it would not have been safe for another to have +applied, and in good round oaths cursed his own stupidity. In his +privacy he was a pattern of candor, and bestowed upon himself such +a rating as, to another, would have given fair promise of good +results.</p> +<p>He satisfied himself that the drawer could contain nothing to +implicate him; and, even if it did, why, he was safe enough in the +hands of Dalhousie. The overseer he regarded as a kind of +<i>thing</i>, who, while he retained him in his service, would +never injure him. Jaspar, for some reason or other, had formed no +very elevated opinion of Dalhousie's acuteness. He had bought him +off cheaply once, and could do so again. If he refused to be bought +off cheaply,—and Jaspar grated his teeth at the +reflection,—why, a method could be devised to get rid of +him.</p> +<p>While engaged in these musings, a knock at the door startled him +to his feet. It was not the overseer's knock.</p> +<p>A servant announced a strange gentleman, who declined to give +his name.</p> +<p>"Show him in," said Jaspar, re-seating himself, and striving to +assume a tranquillity which did not pervade his mind. Since the +consummation of his base scheme he had been a prey to nervous +starts, and the announcement of a stranger stirred the blood in its +channels, and sent his heart into his throat. This nervous +excitement had been increasing upon him every day, and his devotion +to the bottle by no means tended to allay it. Such are the +consequences of guilt. If the victim, before he yields to +temptation, could anticipate the terrible state of suspense into +which his guilt would plunge him,—if he could see only a +faint reflection of himself, starting at every sound in nervous +terror, as before the appearance of some grim spirit of +darkness,—he would never have the courage to commit a +crime.</p> +<p>The stranger entered the library. It was De Guy. At his +appearance Jaspar's fears gave way to a most uncontrollable fit of +passion.</p> +<p>"Villain!" exclaimed he, "how dare you enter my house, after +what has passed?"</p> +<p>"Gently, my dear sir! You forget that we have been friends, and +that our mutual safety requires us to remain so still," said De +Guy, in his silky tone and compromising manner.</p> +<p>Jaspar compressed his lips, and grated his teeth, while a +smothered oath escaped him. But his rage soon found a more audible +expression.</p> +<p>"Friends!" By ——, I should think we had been +<i>friends!</i>" said he, fiercely.</p> +<p>"Certainly, my dear sir,—<i>friends</i>."</p> +<p>"Then save me from my friends!"</p> +<p>"Better say your enemies! I fear you have a great many."</p> +<p>"Save me from both! May I ask to what fortunate circumstance I +am indebted for the honor of this visit?" said Jaspar, +sarcastically mimicking the silky tones, of the attorney.</p> +<p>"I came to forward our mutual interest."</p> +<p>"Then, by ——, you can take yourself off! You and I +will part company."</p> +<p>"Indeed, sir, this is ungenerous, after I have assisted you into +your present position, to treat me in this manner," replied the +attorney, smilingly shaking his head.</p> +<p>"I am <i>not</i> indebted to you for my life, or my position! +You have been a traitor, sir!—a traitor! and, tear out my +heart, but I will swing, before I have anything further to do with +you!" roared Jaspar, with compound emphasis, as he rose from his +chair, and advanced to the brandy-bottle.</p> +<p>"Gently, Mr. Dumont, gently! Do not get into a passion! May I +ask what you mean by traitor? Have I not served you faithfully?" +interrogated the attorney, with a smile of assurance.</p> +<p>"Served me faithfully!" sneered Jaspar. "You served me a cursed +shabby trick above Baton Rouge, at the wood-yard."</p> +<p>"My <i>dear</i> sir, you wrong me! I did not injure you bodily, +I trust?"</p> +<p>"No, sir! You have not that satisfaction."</p> +<p>"I rejoice to hear it. All that I did was for your benefit," +returned the attorney, complacently.</p> +<p>"Do you take me for an idiot?"</p> +<p>"By no means! You have shown your shrewdness too often to permit +such a supposition."</p> +<p>"What do you mean, then?" said Jaspar, a little mollified, in +spite of himself, by the conciliatory assurance of De Guy.</p> +<p>"Simply that your interest demanded your absence. I had not the +time, then, to convince you of the fact; and, I trust, you will +pardon the little subterfuge I adopted to promote your own +views."</p> +<p>Jaspar opened his eyes, and fixed them in a broad stare upon big +companion.</p> +<p>"Explain yourself," said he.</p> +<p>"Everything has come out right,—has it not?"</p> +<p>"Yes."</p> +<p>"You are in quiet possession?"</p> +<p>"Yes."</p> +<p>"Then, sir, you may thank me for that little plan of mine at the +wood-yard. If I had not prevented you from continuing your journey, +all your hopes would have been blasted."</p> +<p>"I do not understand you."</p> +<p>"Where is your niece now?" asked the attorney, as a shade of +anxiety beclouded his brow.</p> +<p>"She was lost in the explosion," replied Jaspar, with a calmness +with which few persons can speak of the loss of near friends.</p> +<p>The attorney was particularly glad at this particular moment to +ascertain that this, as he had before suspected, was Jaspar's +belief, and that this belief had lulled him into security. He was +not, however, so candid as to give expression to his sentiments on +the subject.</p> +<p>"Precisely so!" exclaimed the attorney, as though no shade of +doubt or anxiety had crossed him. "The Chalmetta exploded her +boiler."</p> +<p>"Well!"</p> +<p>"Both Miss Dumont and her troublesome lover were +lost,—were they not?"</p> +<p>"Yes."</p> +<p>"And, if you had continued on board, you would probably have +shared their fate."</p> +<p>"Yes; but do you mean to say you blowed the steamer up? asked +Jaspar, with a sneer.</p> +<p>"Exactly so!"</p> +<p>"Fool! do you expect me to believe such a miserable rigmarole as +this?"</p> +<p>"I hope you will, for it is strictly true," returned the +attorney, convincingly.</p> +<p>Jaspar looked incredulous, and resorted to the brandy-bottle, +which seemed to bear the same relation to him that the oracle of +Delphi did to the ancient Greeks.</p> +<p>"You do not think me capable of <i>inventing</i> such a story, I +trust," said De Guy, seriously.</p> +<p>"Ha! ha! ha! you have joined the church, haven't you, since we +met last?"</p> +<p>"I see, sir, you think, because I assisted you in your plans, +that I have no honor, no conscience, no humanity. Why, sir, what I +have done for you was only a duty which my religion demanded of +me."</p> +<p>"Your creed must be an original one!" replied Jaspar, with a +sickly laugh.</p> +<p>"It <i>is</i> an original one. You thought yourself better +entitled to your brother's property than this giddy girl. So did I; +and it was my duty to see justice done. A matter of conscience with +me, upon my honor."</p> +<p>"Enough of this!" said Jaspar, sternly, for a joke soon grew +stale with him.</p> +<p>"Be it so; but remember the story is true."</p> +<p>"And you did me the favor to blow up the steamer!" sneered +Jaspar.</p> +<p>"At the risk of my own life, I did. I bribed the firemen to +crowd on the steam, and the engineers to keep down the +safety-valve,—all under the excitement of a race, though with +special reference to your interest."</p> +<p>"Was this part of your creed, too?"</p> +<p>"Certainly," and the attorney launched out into a dissertation +of theology and kindred topics, with which we will not trouble the +reader.</p> +<p>Jaspar heard it not, for he was busy in considerations of a less +metaphysical character. He was thinking of his present position, +and of the overseer, whose step he heard on the veranda.</p> +<p>"I see," said he, interrupting De Guy, "you have been my +friend."</p> +<p>This remark was the result of his deliberations. He might need +the services of the attorney.</p> +<p>"I expect my overseer on business in a moment," continued he, +"and I should like to see you again, after he has gone. May I +trouble you to step into this room for a few moments?"</p> +<p>"Certainly," replied De Guy, who was congratulating himself on +his success in conciliating the "bear of Bellevue," as he styled +him among his boon companions.</p> +<p>Jaspar closed the door upon the attorney, and was in the act of +lighting a cigar, when Dalhousie entered. The overseer endeavored +to discover in the countenance of his employer some indications of +his motive in sending for him; but Jaspar maintained a perfect +indifference, which defeated his object, Neither spoke for several +moments; but at last the overseer, embarrassed by the silence, +said,</p> +<p>"You sent for me, Mr. Dumont?"</p> +<p>"I did," said Jaspar, suddenly, as though the words had roused +him from his profound abstraction; "I did; one of my keys is +missing, so that I cannot open the drawer. You arranged its +contents, I believe."</p> +<p>"Yes," said Dalhousie, flustered, for he was not so deeply +skilled in the arts of deception as to carry them on without some +compunction; "but I left the key in the drawer."</p> +<p>"You see It is not there," said Jaspar, fixing his sharp gray +eye upon the overseer.</p> +<p>"It is not," said Dalhousie, advancing to the secretary. +"Probably it has fallen upon the floor—" and he stooped down +to look for it.</p> +<p>Jaspar watched him in silence, as he felt about the floor. The +overseer was in no haste to find it, though his eyes were fixed on +it all the time.</p> +<p>"Didn't you put it into your pocket, by mistake?" suggested +Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Certainly not," replied Dalhousie; "here it is;" and, picking +up the key, he handed it to Jaspar. "I was certain I left it +here."</p> +<p>Jaspar felt much relieved.</p> +<p>"Sorry to have troubled you," said he, "but I wanted a +paper—" and he rose and opened the drawer, as if in quest of +it.</p> +<p>"No trouble at all," returned the overseer. "Now that I am here, +a few words with you would be particularly agreeable to me."</p> +<p>Jaspar's curiosity was instantly excited, and, forgetting the +paper and De Guy, he requested him to proceed immediately with his +business.</p> +<p>"It is a matter of much interest to both of us," continued +Dalhousie, embarrassed by the difficulties of his position.</p> +<p>"Well, sir, go on," said Jaspar, impatiently, for the overseer's +hesitation had rather a bad odor.</p> +<p>"I may as well speak bluntly and to the point," stammered +Dalhousie, still reluctant to state his business.</p> +<p>"Why don't you? I am not a sentimental girl, that you need make +a long preface to your oration."</p> +<p>"I will, sir. Every man is in duty bound to consider his own +interest—"</p> +<p>"Certainly, by all means. Go on."</p> +<p>"In regard to your relations with your niece—" and +Dalhousie paused again.</p> +<p>Jaspar's reddening face and the curl upon his lip indicated the +volcano of passion which would soon burst within him.</p> +<p>"Proceed, sir," said he, struggling to be calm.</p> +<p>"In regard to your relations with your niece, you are aware that +I am somewhat acquainted with them."</p> +<p>"I am; I hope you do not know too much for your own good. You +know I am not to be trifled with."</p> +<p>"I am not concerned for my own safety," replied Dalhousie, a +little stung by the implied threat of Jaspar; "but I wish to +provide for your safety. I intend to go to France."</p> +<p>"I do not prevent you."</p> +<p>"I lack the means."</p> +<p>"And you wish me to furnish them?"</p> +<p>"I do."</p> +<p>"And how large a sum do you need?"</p> +<p>"A pretty round sum. I will keep entirely away from this part of +the country, so that you need not fear me."</p> +<p>"Fear you!" sneered Jaspar, rising and draining a glass of +brandy. "I fear no man, no devil, no angel!"</p> +<p>"Perhaps you are not aware that your reputation is in my +hands."</p> +<p>"Not at all, sir," said Jaspar, coldly.</p> +<p>"Know, then, that I have a copy of the genuine will, and the +means of attesting it!"</p> +<p>Jaspar was prepared for almost anything, but this was too much. +He paced the room with redoubled energy. His bravado had vanished, +and he was as near pale as his bloated visage could approach to +that hue. He strode up and down the room in silence, while his +heart beat the reveille of fear. For a time his wonted firmness +forsook him, and he felt as weak as a child, and sunk back into a +chair.</p> +<p>By degrees he grew calmer. The case was a desperate one. Again +he swallowed a long draught of brandy, which seemed to reduce his +nerves to a state of subjection. Gradually he rallied the +dissipated powers of his mind, and was ready to meet the emergency +before him.</p> +<p>Dalhousie, after making his appalling announcement, had thrown +himself into a chair, to await the effect of his words. He seemed +in no hurry to continue the subject. Thus far the effect warranted +his most sanguine hopes of the realization of his great +schemes.</p> +<p>Jaspar, after recovering some portion of his former calmness, +said,</p> +<p>"May I ask how you obtained possession of the document?"</p> +<p>"That question, sir, I must decline answering."</p> +<p>"You will, at least, show me the paper?"</p> +<p>"That also I must decline."</p> +<p>Jaspar bit his lip.</p> +<p>"How shall I know, then, that you are not deceiving me?"</p> +<p>"I assure you that I have the document, and you must trust to my +honor for the rest."</p> +<p>"Honor!" exclaimed Jaspar, giving way to his passion. "No one +but a scoundrel ever talks of his honor! By ——, I only +want to hear that word, to know that the man is a —— +rascal!"</p> +<p>"Very well, sir, I shall be under the necessity of seeking out +your niece."</p> +<p>"My niece!" roared Jaspar, terror-stricken. "Did you not see her +buried at Vicksburg?"</p> +<p>"It might have been she, but it is scarcely possible."</p> +<p>"Hell!" shouted Jaspar, unable to govern his fury. With long +strides he paced the room, his teeth grating like a madman's, and +his eyes bloodshot and glaring like those of a demon. His fears +seemed to arm him with desperate fury.</p> +<p>"Where is the ring?—the ring!" said he, stopping in front +of the overseer. "Didn't you give me her ring?"</p> +<p>"I gave you a ring," said Dalhousie, calmly.</p> +<p>"Was it not <i>her</i> ring? Did it not have her initial, and +her father's hair in it?" and Jaspar flew to the secretary, where +he had deposited the evidence of his niece's supposed death.</p> +<p>"There is no longer any need of continuing the +deception—"</p> +<p>"Deception! Here is the ring, and here is the letter D. Doesn't +it stand for Dumont?"</p> +<p>"Not at all. It stands for Delia, my wife's name, in this +instance."</p> +<p>"Your wife's name!" exclaimed Jaspar, striking his forehead +furiously.</p> +<p>"It does, sir, and for her mother's name also, whose memory it +was intended to commemorate."</p> +<p>Jaspar's emotions were so violent, that the overseer began to +fear some fatal consequences might ensue.</p> +<p>"Calm yourself, Mr. Dumont. Do not let your passions overcome +you. I have no intention of making an evil use of this +information," said he, in a soothing tone.</p> +<p>This seemed to calm the violence of Jaspar's feelings, and with +a strong effort he recovered his command of himself.</p> +<p>"My niece Is yet alive, is she?" said Jaspar, looking anxiously +at the overseer.</p> +<p>"Perhaps not; but probably she is."</p> +<p>"And it was not she that was buried?"</p> +<p>"As to that, I cannot say; I never saw the lady alive."</p> +<p>"And what are your plans?" asked Jaspar, with a glance of doubt +at the overseer.</p> +<p>"I will go to France, if you provide the means."</p> +<p>"Suppose I will not?"</p> +<p>"Perhaps your niece will."</p> +<p>"What if she is dead?"</p> +<p>"I can better tell when I know that she is dead."</p> +<p>"How much money do you require?"</p> +<p>"Twenty thousand."</p> +<p>"A large sum."</p> +<p>"From millions your niece would gladly give more."</p> +<p>"I will think of your proposition. Come in again in two hours, +and you shall have my answer."</p> +<p>"Better give me an answer now."</p> +<p>"I wish to consider."</p> +<p>"You have only to choose between twenty thousand dollars and the +whole fortune. With your means at command, much reflection is not +needed."</p> +<p>"Show me the papers, and I will decide at once."</p> +<p>"No."</p> +<p>"Then I must consider whether your pretensions are well +founded."</p> +<p>"I will not be over nice; but any attempt to play me false shall +rest heavily on your own head."</p> +<p>"Honor!" said Jaspar, with something like a smile, but more like +a sneer.</p> +<p>With compressed lips, and the scowl of a demon, Jaspar witnessed +the departure of the overseer. His case looked desperate, and he +felt something like the gloominess of despair. Dalhousie could be +disposed of, but the niece!—the niece, if she yet lived, +would be the destruction of all his avaricious schemes.</p> +<p>As usual when agitated, he paced the room; and, as he reflected +upon the danger, and the desperate remedies which suggested +themselves, his manner grew more and more demoniacal. He resolved +to trust no man. This was a dark thought, and could proceed only +from the darkest mind.</p> +<p>The twenty thousand dollars he could pay; but the man who had +such a hold upon him would never be satisfied while a dollar +remained. And revenge was sweet! No! Dalhousie must not be +<i>bought</i> off! It was a feast to his mind to anticipate the +torture of the overseer!</p> +<p>An exclamation of satisfaction escaped him, as he suddenly +decided upon the means of torture. In imagination he could see +before him <i>the thing</i>, who had dared to threaten him, +lingering out the moments of a hated life in slow agony. The vision +was one of pleasure, and he rubbed his hands with delight.</p> +<p>The means of accomplishing his dark purpose then came up for +consideration, and in this connection he happened to think of De +Guy. He must be the minister of his vengeance, and the herald of +his future safety; and he summoned him again to his presence.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Thou hast stepped in between +me and my hopes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And ravished from me all my soul +held dear." ROWE.</span></p> +<p>De Guy returned to the library at Jaspar's summons. The shrewd +attorney at once perceived the conflict which agitated the mind of +his patron. He had come to Bellevue with a purpose, and, as +Jaspar's disturbed mind seemed to favor that purpose, he hailed it +as an omen of success. But what had so agitated him? Jaspar was not +a man to be depressed by any trivial circumstance.</p> +<p>The attorney did not have to wait long in suspense, for Jaspar +related the particulars of his interview with Dalhousie, and +mentioned the price he had named to insure his silence. It was now +De Guy's turn to be disturbed. The purpose for which he had come +was likely to be thwarted by this new aspirant for a share in the +Dumont estates.</p> +<p>"What is to be done?" said Jaspar, in a tone which betrayed his +deep anxiety.</p> +<p>"Get rid of him! His story is a fabrication," returned De +Guy.</p> +<p>"Not entirely. He knows too much for our safety."</p> +<p>"So much the worse for him!"</p> +<p>"Why? What would you do?"</p> +<p>"Shut his mouth! It matters not how. You do not want to—" +and the attorney drew his under lip beneath his upper teeth, and +produced an explosive sound, very much like the crack of a pistol, +or a champagne-cork, but which Jaspar did not mistake for the +latter. "You do not want to—<i>f-h-t</i>—him, if you +can help it."</p> +<p>"It would be the safest way," returned the other, not at all +embarrassed by the attorney's ambiguous method of expressing +himself.</p> +<p>"Perhaps not; though 'dead men tell no tales,' it is also true +that 'murder will out.' Besides, I have conscientious +scruples."</p> +<p>Jaspar sneered at this last remark; but the attorney was too +useful an adviser at that moment to be lightly provoked, and he +suppressed the angry exclamation which rose to his lips.</p> +<p>"How would the slave jail do?" said he, with a fiendish +smile.</p> +<p>"Too public. Our object is to save the man's life,—an act +of humanity; but we must not endanger our own safety."</p> +<p>"No mortal man can ever know that he is confined there. The jail +was built under my own direction, and, owing to its peculiar +construction, not even the hands on the estate will know that it is +occupied. I always keep the keys myself."</p> +<p>"If you are satisfied, it is enough. But how can you get him +in?"</p> +<p>"I can manage that, with your assistance," said Jaspar, who had +already arranged every particular. "But his wife?"</p> +<p>"His wife! Has he a wife?"</p> +<p>"Ay; and one who, if I mistake not, will give us more trouble +than the fellow himself."</p> +<p>"She must be caged with him."</p> +<p>"You say well, Mr. De Guy. But can you reconcile this advice +with your dainty humanity?" said Jaspar, with a sneer.</p> +<p>"Certainly, I can! It were cruelty to separate man and wife, +even in death. If I had a wife, I should be sorry to part with her +under any circumstances."</p> +<p>Jaspar grinned a sickly smile.</p> +<p>"But the plan!" continued the attorney. "This loving couple will +not willingly occupy your fancy apartment."</p> +<p>"Leave that to me. Go to the jail. Here are the keys. I will +send them to you. When they are in, lock the doors!"</p> +<p>De Guy smiled.</p> +<p>"You do not understand me?"</p> +<p>The attorney confessed that he did not.</p> +<p>"Nevertheless, go to the jail, and wait their coming. Unlock the +doors, and get out of sight. They will enter, like lambs."</p> +<p>Jaspar explained a little further, and the attorney took his +departure to obey his instructions.</p> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<p>At the time appointed, Dalhousie returned to receive Jaspar's +reply.</p> +<p>"You are punctual," said the latter.</p> +<p>"I am," replied Dalhousie, cavalierly. "This business admits of +no delay. Are you prepared to give me an answer?"</p> +<p>"Yes," returned Jaspar, endeavoring to assume a crestfallen +air.</p> +<p>"Well, sir, do you accept my terms?"</p> +<p>"I do, on one condition."</p> +<p>"Name it."</p> +<p>"It is, that you sign this bond never again to land in America, +and to preserve entire silence in regard to the information you +have obtained;" and Jaspar read an instrument he had drawn up, to +blind the eyes of the overseer.</p> +<p>"I agree to it."</p> +<p>"It is well. But a further difficulty presents itself. I have +not so much money in the world. The estate, perhaps you know, +consists mostly of real estate, stocks, negroes, &c. I have not +five thousand dollars by me."</p> +<p>The overseer looked at Jaspar with a keen, contemptuous glance, +as if to read any attempt on his part to dupe him; but the wily +planter moved not a muscle.</p> +<p>"Then you cannot, if you would, consummate the bargain?" said +he.</p> +<p>"I said not so," returned Jaspar. "I only remarked that a +difficulty had presented itself."</p> +<p>"Pray explain yourself."</p> +<p>"The difficulty can be removed."</p> +<p>"Well, how? What new risk must I run?"</p> +<p>"No risk. To tell you all in a few words, I have the money in +gold buried on the estate."</p> +<p>"That will suit me better. I prefer gold."</p> +<p>"It is buried three feet under ground, in the slave jail. I +selected that place to bury it, because I could dig without +attracting attention."</p> +<p>"It can easily be brought to light. An hour's work with the +spade will unearth it."</p> +<p>"True; but I have not the strength to dig. Besides, I am engaged +with a friend in the nest room."</p> +<p>Dalhousie accepted the excuse, for he had seen De Guy, as he was +walking in the garden, half an hour before.</p> +<p>"I can dig it up myself. Show me the spot."</p> +<p>"Very well; but sign the bond first."</p> +<p>"Of course, if you keep not your faith with me, the bond is +nothing," said Dalhousie, as he affixed his signature to the paper, +which Jaspar folded carefully, and put in his pocket.</p> +<p>"Here are directions which will enable you to find it without +the necessity of my attending you;" and he handed him a slip of +paper, upon which were written minute directions to the supposed +locality of the treasure.</p> +<p>"But, suppose," said Dalhousie, after he had read the +directions, "while I am digging, you should close the doors upon +me?"</p> +<p>"Honor!" said Jaspar, laying his hand upon the place where the +heart belonged, with an amusing contortion of the facial +muscles.</p> +<p>"I have not the highest confidence in <i>your</i> honor."</p> +<p>"Perhaps not; but I can suggest a better protection. Have you +any person at hand upon whose faith you can rely?"</p> +<p>"None but my wife," replied Dalhousie, carelessly, for the +mortifying fact seemed laden with nothing of bitterness.</p> +<p>"So much the better. She will be true. Station her at the door, +and, if she sees me approach, you can be sure to be on the outside +when I close the door."</p> +<p>Jaspar's air of sincerity did as much to assure him as the +fitness of the plan suggested, and the overseer determined to adopt +it.</p> +<p>Briefly he narrated to his wife—though with some +variations and concealments, for he knew she would not endorse all +his operations—the history of the affair, and the good +fortune that awaited him; and requested her attendance at the jail, +to stand sentry over the gloomy den, while he dug up the +treasure.</p> +<p>De Guy's patience was nearly exhausted when the overseer and his +wife made their appearance. He had only time to conceal himself in +a cane-field, when the doomed couple reached the jail. Dalhousie +walked twice round it, before he ventured to enter the building. +Stationing his wife at the door, he proceeded to measure out the +locality of the supposed treasure.</p> +<p>De Guy watched them. For half an hour he remained quiet, when +the vigilance of the lady-sentinel began to abate, and, by the +exercise of extreme caution, he succeeded in reaching, +undiscovered, the rear of the jail. Cat-like, he crept to the +corner, and listened. He could hear their conversation. Carefully +he stole round to the corner nearest to the door. For an instant +the wife had left her station, to observe the progress of her +husband's labor. The time had come, and the attorney was not the +man to let the favorable moment pass unimproved. With a rapidity +which seemed utterly incompatible with his rotund corporation, he +flew to the door, and sprung the trap upon the hapless pair, in the +midst of their vision of wealth and happiness.</p> +<p>Carefully locking the doors of the dungeon, he walked back to +the mansion as coolly as though he had only impounded his +neighbor's cow. Entering the library, he found Jaspar impatiently +waiting his return.</p> +<p>"Are they safe?" said he.</p> +<p>"As safe as your jail-walls can make them. Your plan was a +clumsy one, but I <i>forced</i> it to succeed."</p> +<p>"Did they not enter without scruple?"</p> +<p>"Yes, but the sentinel."</p> +<p>"Pshaw! did you not know she would desert her post? If she saw +not danger, she would fear none in the day-time,—it is +woman-like."</p> +<p>"Not always; but it matters not; they are safe. Now to +business."</p> +<p>"Business!" exclaimed Jaspar, with a start, and a wild stare at +the attorney. "The business is done."</p> +<p>"Not all of it. There are other enemies in the field."</p> +<p>"What mean you?" said Jaspar, alarmed. "Are we not safe +yet?"</p> +<p>"Not quite," replied the smooth attorney, with a quiet smile. +"The game you played was a deep one, and you must needs persevere +to the end."</p> +<p>"Explain yourself, man; don't trifle with me," said Jaspar, +roused by the smooth smile of the attorney; for that smile seemed +to him full of meaning.</p> +<p>"All in good time, my dear sir. Let me beg of you not to be +discomposed by anything I may say to you."</p> +<p>Jaspar sneered, but ventured no reply.</p> +<p>"I have served you faithfully, you must acknowledge."</p> +<p>"I will acknowledge nothing," said Jaspar, testily.</p> +<p>"The steamer exploded, you remember," returned De Guy, with an +expression of sly humor, which Jaspar did not appreciate.</p> +<p>"I do remember it, by Heaven! But this villanous Dalhousie says +my niece was not known to have been killed."</p> +<p>"Exactly so."</p> +<p>"Sir! Do you mean to say that you <i>know</i> she was not +lost?"</p> +<p>"Precisely so."</p> +<p>"By ——! Sir, you have been making a merit of this +very thing."</p> +<p>"True, but policy, policy! You will recollect you were not in a +particularly amiable mood when I had the honor to introduce myself +this morning. It was necessary to conciliate you, and my plan +succeeded admirably. Besides, I blowed up the steamer with the +intention of serving you, and I ought to have the credit of my good +intentions!"</p> +<p>"And a pretty mess you have made of it!"</p> +<p>"Did the best that could be done, under the circumstances."</p> +<p>"The game is up! I may as well hang myself, at once."</p> +<p>"The very worst thing you could possibly do. A long life of +happiness and usefulness is yet before you, provided you follow my +advice."</p> +<p>"Your advice!" sneered Jaspar.</p> +<p>"I shall have the pleasure of convincing you that my advice will +be the best that could possibly be given to a man in your +condition."</p> +<p>"The girl is alive, is she?" muttered Jaspar, heedless of the +smooth words of his companion.</p> +<p>"Alive and well; and, moreover, is close at hand."</p> +<p>"The devil, she is! And you have been dallying around me all day +without opening your mouth."</p> +<p>"But remember, sir, you had another affair on your hands."</p> +<p>"What avail to get that miserable overseer out of the way, when +the girl herself is at hand?"</p> +<p>"One thing at a time. That excellent old man, Dr. Franklin, +always advised this method. The overseer is safe; now turn we to +other matters."</p> +<p>"Well, what shall be done?" said Jaspar, rising suddenly and +paying his devoir to the brandy-bottle.</p> +<p>"I will tell you," replied the attorney, rising from his chair +and coolly imitating Jaspar's example at the bottle. Then throwing +himself lazily upon the sofa—"I will tell you. The case is +not desperate yet. How much is the amount of the old colonel's +property?"</p> +<p>"How, sir! What mean you?"</p> +<p>"Favor me with an answer," replied the attorney, with admirable +<i>sang-froid</i>, as he drew from his pocket a cigar-case, and, +taking therefrom a cigar, proceeded to light it with a patent +vesuvian. Politely tendering the case to Jaspar, who rudely +declined the courtesy, he continued, "It is necessary to our +further progress that I have this information."</p> +<p>"Well, perhaps he was worth four or five hundred thousand. What +then?" replied Jaspar, doggedly.</p> +<p>"No more? Surely, you forget. His city property was worth more +than double that sum."</p> +<p>"No more, by Heavens!" said Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Then, my dear sir, I fear you are a ruined man."</p> +<p>"Sir!" and Jaspar started bolt upright.</p> +<p>"See if you cannot think of something more," said De Guy, +calmly.</p> +<p>"He might possibly have left more."</p> +<p>"Haven't you the schedule? Pray allow me to look at it;" and the +attorney rose and approached the secretary. With the ease of one +perfectly at home, and acquainted with every locality, he opened +the drawer which contained the business papers of the estate.</p> +<p>"What are you about, sir? You are impudent!"</p> +<p>"Not at all, sir. I wish to satisfy myself that the property is +worth more,"—and he commenced fumbling over the contents of +the drawer.</p> +<p>"Take your hands out of that drawer, or I will blow your brains +out!" said Jaspar, fiercely, as he seized a pistol from the +table.</p> +<p>"Very well," replied the attorney, closing the drawer; "you +shall have it as you will. I shall bid you a good-day,"—and +he prepared to depart.</p> +<p>"Stay!" said Jaspar, replacing the pistol; "perhaps I can +satisfy you, though I cannot see what bearing it has upon the +subject."</p> +<p>"A very decided bearing, I should say," replied the attorney, +not at all disconcerted by what had happened.</p> +<p>"Perhaps if I had said a million, it were nearer the truth."</p> +<p>"Not a bit. You are still half a million out of the way, at +least. Is it not a million and a half?"</p> +<p>"It may be," said Jaspar, hesitating.</p> +<p>"Perhaps two millions."</p> +<p>"No," said Jaspar, decidedly.</p> +<p>"I suspected two was about the figure, but we will call it a +million and a half."</p> +<p>"Well, what then?" said Jaspar, impatiently.</p> +<p>"One-half of it would be a very pretty fortune," soliloquized De +Guy, loud enough to be heard by his companion.</p> +<p>"No doubt of it," replied Jaspar, with a ghastly smile, which +betrayed but little of the terrible agitation that racked him, as +he heard these words.</p> +<p>"But, Mr. Dumont, you are not a married man, you know, and +one-third of it would be very handsome for you."</p> +<p>"Very comfortable, indeed; and, no doubt, I ought to be very +grateful to you for allowing me so much."</p> +<p>"Exactly so. Gratitude is a sentiment worthy of cherishing. The +fact is, Mr. Dumont, I intend to marry; and, for a man of my +expensive habits, one-half is hardly an adequate share. You are a +single man, and not likely to change your condition at present, so +that you can have no possible use, either for yourself or for your +heirs, for any more than one-third."</p> +<p>"Your calculations are excellent!" said Jaspar, with a withering +sneer. "But suppose I should grumble at your taking the lion's +share?"</p> +<p>"O, but, my dear sir, you will not grumble! Your sense of +justice will enable you to perceive the equity of this +division."</p> +<p>"Enough of this! I am in no humor for jesting," said Jaspar, +with a frown.</p> +<p>"Jesting!" exclaimed the attorney, with a well-made gesture of +astonishment; "I was never more in earnest in my life."</p> +<p>"May I be allowed to inquire the name of your intended bride?" +sneered Jaspar.</p> +<p>"A very proper question; and, considering our intimate +friendship, a very natural one. Although my intention is a profound +secret, and one I should not like to have go abroad at present, +especially as her nearest of kin might possibly object, still I +shall venture to inform <i>you</i>, since you are to have the honor +of providing the means of carrying my matrimonial designs into +effect."</p> +<p>"I am certainly under obligations for your favorable +consideration. But the lady's name?"</p> +<p>"Miss Emily Dumont! a beautiful +creature—high-spirited—every way worthy—"</p> +<p>"Damnation! this is too much," growled Jaspar, fiercely, as he +seized the pistol which lay near him, and levelled it at De Guy. +"You cursed villain! You and I must cry quits!"</p> +<p>"Do not miss your aim!" coolly returned the attorney, drawing +from his pocket a revolver. "Miss not your aim, or the fortune is +<i>all</i> mine."</p> +<p>Jaspar was overcome by the coolness of De Guy, and, throwing +down the pistol, he sank back into his chair, overpowered by the +violence of his emotions.</p> +<p>"De Guy!" said he; "fiend! devil! you were born to torment me. +There is no hotter hell than thine! Do thy work. I must bear +all,"—and Jaspar felt that he was sold to the fiend before +him.</p> +<p>"My dear sir, do not distress yourself," replied the attorney, +resuming his supercilious manner, which he had laid aside in the +moment of peril. "I offer you the means of safety. You will escape +all the dangers that lower over you by my plan, which, I am glad to +see, you perfectly understand."</p> +<p>"And lose the price for which I sold my soul? Even Judas had his +forty pieces of silver—the more fool he, to throw them away! +I could not do this thing, if I would. My soul is bound to my +money."</p> +<p>"Pshaw! do not let avarice be your besetting sin. It is a vice +too mean for your noble nature."</p> +<p>Jaspar tried to sneer again, but the muscles refused to perform +their office. He stood like a convicted demon before his sulphurous +master.</p> +<p>"It must be done," said De Guy; "there is no other way."</p> +<p>Jaspar heard the words, and struggled to avoid the conclusion +towards which they pointed. The demon bade him yield, and the +command was imperative. He could not resist—his will was +gone.</p> +<p>"What are the details of your plan?" gasped he, faintly.</p> +<p>"Marry the lady, and take up my abode in this mansion," replied +the attorney, promptly.</p> +<p>"And turn me out of doors! Well, be it so. I must do as you +will."</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, my dear sir; you wrong me. You shall still be the +honored inmate of our dwelling,—the affectionate uncle of +your Emily, as of old," said the attorney, with infinite good +humor.</p> +<p>Jaspar had well-nigh recovered his self-possession under the +stroke of this, to him, severe satire; but De Guy gave him no +time.</p> +<p>"We must proceed in some haste," continued the attorney, seizing +a pen, and writing as he spoke. "My time is short, and I have +already been somewhat lavish of it. Here, sign this paper; it is +your consent to my union with your niece. Call some one to witness +it."</p> +<p>Jaspar signed the certificate, without reading it. A witness was +called, and the paper in due form was deposited in De Guy's +pocket.</p> +<p>"Now, sir, the lady is not altogether willing to consent to this +arrangement; but you must persuade her, and, if need be, compel +her, to consent. She will be here in a few days. After the +marriage, it will only remain for me to make over to you one-third +of the property, which, as her husband, I can then legally do. Be +firm, and behave like a man, and your troubles are ended. +Everything will be hushed up, and you can spend the evening of your +days in peace and quiet. I bid you good-day."</p> +<p>The attorney formally and politely ushered himself out of the +library, and took his departure for New Orleans.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER +XXVII.</h2> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Jaffier, you're free; but these must wait for judgment."</p> +<p>OTWAY.</p> +</div> +<p>We left Dalhousie engaged in the seemingly hopeless task of +undermining the wall of the slave jail, at which he labored for +several hours, resting at intervals, as his exhausted frame +demanded. The prospect of realizing his hope encouraged him, and +lent an artificial strength to his arm. He had already excavated a +pit several feet in depth, but had not reached the bottom of the +foundation wall. The quantity of earth piled upon the brink of the +pit required extra exertion to remove it, but he toiled on with the +energy of despair.</p> +<p>After laboring several hours more, he discovered, to his great +joy, the bottom of the foundation. Again he plied the spade, and, +by almost superhuman exertions, he succeeded in excavating a hole +under the stones, which, below the surface of the ground, were not +laid in mortar. After loosening all the small stones around a +larger one, he found that he could pry it out, which, with much +labor, he accomplished. The removal of the other stones was +comparatively an easy task, and a little time sufficed to clear a +space up to the solid masonry.</p> +<p>But here a new difficulty presented itself. The hole he had dug +was already half filled with the stones he had tumbled from their +positions. His strength was not sufficient to remove them, and he +was compelled to dig again, in order to prosecute his labors.</p> +<p>The wall removed, he commenced digging outside of the foundation +wall. Patiently he dug down to obtain sufficient room for the +deposit of earth from the outside. Slowly and laboriously he +undermined the ground, till the surface above him caved in, +and—joy to his panting soul!—the air, the pure air of +heaven, rushed in through the aperture! Hastily enlarging the +cavity, and removing the earth to the inside, he ascended to the +surface of the ground. A feeling of gratitude thrilled through his +frame, as he once more inhaled the free air of heaven, that he had +escaped the terrible fate which a few hours before had seemed +inevitable.</p> +<p>With faltering step,—for now that his Herculean task was +accomplished, the reality of his weakened physical condition was +painfully apparent,—he walked round the jail, to satisfy +himself that no one was in the vicinity. The sun was set, and the +shades of night were gathering upon the earth. The time was +favorable for his escape. Having satisfied himself that he was +unobserved, he hastened to the garden, which was close at hand, to +procure the means of invigorating his own body, and restoring to +life and animation the partner of his captivity. Fruit of various +kinds—melons, figs—rewarded his anxious search. Filling +his handkerchief with cantelopes and figs, he hastened back to the +jail, with all the speed his weary limbs would permit. His thoughts +were fixed upon his wife, whose suffering had pierced his soul more +deeply than all the anxiety and doubt he had experienced on his own +account. As he tottered along, he asked himself if he should eat of +the fruit he carried ere she had tasted of the banquet. He drew one +of the rosy-cheeked, juicy figs from the handkerchief. It was no +loss of time—no deferring of the succor she needed—to +eat as he walked; run he could not, though he fain would have +quickened his tardy pace. It would restore his strength, and enable +him the better to protect and rescue her. It was not wrong, though, +from the deep well of his affection, came up something like a +reproach for his selfishness. He ate the fruit. The effect was, or +seemed to be, magical. He thought he could feel it imparting +strength to his exhausted form. Again he ate, and in the pleasant +sensation to his unsated palate, his imagination, as much as the +fruit, nerved his muscles, and he walked with a firmer step.</p> +<p>He had not completed one-half the distance back, when he +discovered two men in the vicinity of the jail. A cold shudder +nearly paralyzed him. Was his labor all in vain? Had he with so +much trial and suffering effected his escape, only to be +incarcerated again? The thought was maddening, and he resolved to +die rather than be returned to the dungeon.</p> +<p>Drawing a revolver from his pocket, with which he had prudently +prepared himself before his interview with Jaspar, he proceeded on +his way.</p> +<p>On a nearer approach, the men appeared to be strangers to him. +They might, however, be in the employ of Jaspar. They might be +engaged in watching over his captivity.</p> +<p>He approached nearer. He had never seen either of them before. +They did not look like men whom Jaspar would have been likely to +select for such a purpose as he apprehended. Still, he took the +precaution to examine the caps upon his pistol, and have his +bowie-knife in a convenient place for immediate use.</p> +<p>Dalhousie was the first to speak.</p> +<p>"Your business here?" demanded he, regardless of the courtesy to +which he had been all his life accustomed.</p> +<p>"The fact on 'tis," replied one of the strangers, a little +startled by the rude manner of Dalhousie, "the fact on 'tis, we are +lookin' arter the mansion of a Mr. Dumont. Perhaps you will oblige +us by tellin' us which way to go."</p> +<p>"He lives in yonder house," replied Dalhousie, pointing it +out.</p> +<p>The simplicity of the speaker dissipated his apprehensions, and +his curiosity was excited.</p> +<p>"You know him, do you?" continued he.</p> +<p>"Well, no—I can't say I do."</p> +<p>"But you have business with him?"</p> +<p>"Not particularly with him,—the Lord forbid!" replied the +stranger, devoutly.</p> +<p>"Devil a bit with him, at all," added his companion.</p> +<p>"Since no one else resides under the same roof with him, may I +ask the reason of your visit there, if I am not too bold?" said +Dalhousie.</p> +<p>"Sure, it's only to see the counthry, about here, we've come," +replied the Irish stranger.</p> +<p>"No, Partrick, you know that is not the truth. Never tell a lie +for anything, Partrick. Our business an't with him, but it consarns +him. We don't care about mentioning it to everybody."</p> +<p>"I do not mean to be impertinent," said Dalhousie; "but perhaps +I may be able to serve you. The man you seek is a villain!"</p> +<p>"Good gracious!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan,—for we presume it +is unnecessary to <i>tell</i> the reader that it was he,—"I +know <i>that</i>."</p> +<p>"Indeed, then you have some knowledge of him?"</p> +<p>"Sartain! but do you know a minister in these parts by the name +of Faxon?"</p> +<p>"I do; he lives close by."</p> +<p>"Do you belong in this part of this country, Mister?" asked +Uncle Nathan, who seemed to make the question a prelude to other +inquiries.</p> +<p>"I do. But I must leave you now. I am the bearer of life to one +whom I love dearer than myself. I have been foully wronged by the +man you visit."</p> +<p>"Heavens and airth! you don't say so?" exclaimed Uncle +Nathan.</p> +<p>"Doomed to a death by starvation, with my wife, in yonder jail, +by his malice, I have just effected my escape. My wife is nearly +dead, but I hope to restore her with these fruits."</p> +<p>"Good Heavens! who would have thought there was such a monster +upon the airth?"</p> +<p>"By the powers!" ejaculated Pat Fegan.</p> +<p>"Can't we help you?" asked Uncle Nathan.</p> +<p>"Perhaps you can. I thank you, and, if it is not too late, she +also will thank you. My strength is nearly gone."</p> +<p>Dalhousie, followed by Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, proceeded +towards the jail, the former relating, as they went, the terrible +incidents of their captivity, and the means by which he had +effected their happy deliverance.</p> +<p>On the night of the explosion of the Chalmetta's boiler, Uncle +Nathan and Pat Fegan had saved their lives by jumping overboard, +and had been picked up by the Flatfoot. The true-hearted New +Englander had made a diligent search for the parties who had +intrusted the will in his keeping, but without success. He had been +enabled to gain no tidings of any of them, and was now continuing +his search to the mansion of the Dumont family.</p> +<p>The party reached the jail, and Dalhousie leaped into the pit, +followed by his companions. The poor wife seemed to have no +realization of the event which had set them free, and gazed with a +wild stare upon her husband and those who accompanied him.</p> +<p>"We are safe, Delia! we are safe!" said Dalhousie, as he +proceeded to untie the bundle of fruit.</p> +<p>"Safe! no, it cannot be—only a dream! But who are these +persons?"</p> +<p>"They are friends, Delia—friends who have come to help me +in saving you. Take one of these figs, dear. They will restore +you."</p> +<p>"Figs!" replied Delia, with a vacant look.</p> +<p>"Yes, dearest; taste it,"—and he placed the fruit, which +he had divested of its rind, to her lips.</p> +<p>The act seemed to restore her wandering mind to its equilibrium, +and she painfully lifted herself on the pallet of straw, and took +the fruit in her hand. She gazed upon it with a kind of silent +rapture, while a faint smile rested upon her pallid lips.</p> +<p>"We are indeed safe, if you have found food,"—and she +tasted the fig.</p> +<p>"Eat it all, dear; here are plenty more, and melons, too."</p> +<p>"Let me see you eat, Francois; it will do me more good than to +eat myself. You have labored hard. Can we get out of this place? +Are not these Mr. Dumont's friends? Have they come to fill up the +pit you have dug?"</p> +<p>"No, dearest, they are <i>our</i> friends," said Dalhousie, +pained by the wandering, wild state of her mind, and fearful that +it might end in insanity. "We will leave this place as soon as you +have eaten some of these figs and melons. I am almost restored by +the joy of this moment, dearest; and you must strive to be of good +cheer."</p> +<p>Dalhousie and his wife ate freely of the fruit, while Uncle +Nathan and Pat gazed in silence upon the scene. But Delia was not +so easily restored. Her mental and physical sufferings appeared to +have given her constitution a shock from which it would take time +to recover.</p> +<p>A conference took place between the parties, to decide upon the +best means of removing the lady, who was utterly incapable of +moving a step, and scarcely of lifting her form on her rude couch. +Uncle Nathan was not long in devising a method; and, directing Pat +to enlarge the aperture through which the captives were to escape, +he went in search of some canes, with which to construct a litter. +Pat applied himself vigorously to his task, tumbling over the huge +stones like playthings, and handling the shovel with all that +dexterity for which the Celtic race is so distinguished.</p> +<p>A rude litter was constructed, on which were laid the coats of +the party, so as to render it as comfortable as possible to the +sufferer. Uncle Nathan and Dalhousie, with much tenderness, though +not without pain to the invalid, succeeded in getting her through +the aperture into the open air, where she was placed upon the +litter.</p> +<p>It was decided to carry her to the house of Mr. Faxon, upon +whose active sympathies they relied for shelter and assistance; and +they went with the more confidence, because Uncle Nathan had heard +from Emily the interest he took in her affairs. The litter was +borne by Uncle Nathan and Pat, while Dalhousie walked by its side, +to cheer the heart of his wife by promises of future joy, which the +uncertain future might never redeem.</p> +<p>Mr. Faxon received the party with scarcely an inquiry as to the +nature of the misfortune which brought them to his door. There was +a person in distress, and this was all his great, sympathetic heart +needed to bid him open wide his doors.</p> +<p>Delia Dalhousie was placed upon a bed, a negro was despatched +for a physician, and every effort used to alleviate her physical +and mental sufferings.</p> +<p>After the wants of the sufferers had been supplied, Mr. Faxon +listened with horror and indignation to the tale of Dalhousie's +confinement, and the causes which led to it; for the overseer was +so candid as to relate all, not even omitting the bribe he had +agreed to take of Jaspar.</p> +<p>"It is thus, Mr. Dalhousie, that our plans are defeated, when +they are unworthy," said he. "Let this be a lesson to you for the +future. Never do or countenance a wrong action, and, whatever +befalls you in this changing world, you will have an approving +conscience to smile upon you, and lighten the darkest hour of +adversity. But your tale brings me consolation. There is yet hope +that Miss Dumont is alive. The cruel story of her death has +darkened the abode of many a warm heart, even in spite of the +reflection that she was a slave. She was a true woman, and I pray +that God may spare her yet many years to bless the needy and the +unfortunate."</p> +<p>Dalhousie felt the full weight of Mr. Faxon's rebuke, and +acknowledged the justice of the punishment he had received. Uncle +Nathan heard with astonishment the wickedness of which the uncle of +Emily had been guilty, and his simple New England heart was sorely +perplexed by it. He had no "idea" of such depravity, and he was +tempted, even in spite of the Scripture injunction to the contrary, +to "thank God that he was not like other men."</p> +<p>In the course of the conversation to which the incidents of the +evening had given rise, the honest farmer found an opportunity to +broach the subject of his mission; and the time was occupied, until +a late hour, in discussing the means of doing justice to the +injured, in restoring to Bellevue its rightful mistress.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER +XXVIII.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"To do a great right, do a +little wrong."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>Emily Dumont remained a close prisoner in the rear apartment of +Maxwell's office. Dido, the old negress, was her only attendant +during her incarceration; for, though the room was supplied with +every luxury the most pampered appetite could desire, her +confinement deserved no better name. She recognized the place, and +doubted not she should be again subjected to the infamous +persecution of her old enemy. She wondered that he had not already +presented himself, and concluded he could not yet have returned +from his up-river journey, or he would have done so. No one visited +her but the negress, whose conversation, in her eagerness to serve +the liberal proprietor of the office, was disgusting to her refined +sensibilities. Not oven De Guy came, to give her any intimation of +the nature of the fate which awaited her.</p> +<p>Maxwell's mind, she was satisfied, was fixed upon the possession +of her estates. She could not now entertain the belief which once, +in her weak pity, she had countenanced, that the attorney could +<i>love</i> her. O, no! God forbid that even the human heart can +love, and, at the same time, persecute the object of its +affections! It was her estates; and she half resolved to compromise +with her tormentor by yielding him one-half of her property, on the +condition of his restoring the other half, for she doubted not that +he was able to do so. But there was something so debasing to her +sentiment of truth and justice in the fact of bargaining with so +base a man, that she could not conquer her prejudice, and finally +determined to suffer everything rather than succumb to the +villain.</p> +<p>Hope had not yet abandoned her. She had too much confidence in +the omnipresent justice of an overruling Providence to doubt that +all would yet end well.</p> +<p>Dido was her jailer, and she scarcely left the office, through +which alone egress was had from the apartment of Emily. There she +dozed away the day and night, freely indulging in the fashionable +habit of "imbibing," to chase away the <i>ennui</i> of the heavy +hours. Her liberal perquisites enabled her to gratify her appetite +without stint or measure, though a sort of demi-consciousness of +her responsibility deterred her from an entire abandonment to the +pleasures of the cup.</p> +<p>The apartment in which Emily was confined was lighted by windows +of stained glass, opening into the main office, so that there was +no immediate connection with the open air. This fact rendered the +room so secure that Dido rested perfectly easy from the fear of +interruption, save from the front of the building.</p> +<p>The colored guardian, having imbibed rather inordinately one +day, was disposed to court the favor of the sleepy god, and +stretched herself at full length upon one of the easy lounges of +the office. Her eyelids opened and closed languidly, as though she +was about to sink away into dreamy unconsciousness, when she was +startled by a loud knocking at the door.</p> +<p>"Who's dar?" shouted Dido, springing to her feet; for a visit to +the office, at this season of the year, was of rare occurrence.</p> +<p>"Open the door, Max," responded a voice from the outside.</p> +<p>"Mr. Maxwell not here, sar," said the colored lady, partly +opening the door.</p> +<p>"Not here!" returned the visitor, pushing into the office in +spite of the negress, who was disposed to prevent his entrance. +"Isn't Max in town?"</p> +<p>"No sar; he went away to de Norf about a monf ago."</p> +<p>"Look here, you black imp," said the stranger, in a severe tone, +"do you mean to say that Max is <i>not</i> in town?"</p> +<p>"I do, for sartin, sar."</p> +<p>"And he has left you to practise law for him in his absence?" +returned the visitor, with a grin.</p> +<p>"No sar, I takes care ob de buildin."</p> +<p>"Fudge! Maxwell always shuts up his room when he leaves town;" +and the stranger walked round the room towards the private +apartment, much to the consternation of Dido.</p> +<p>"No, Massa, he tell me, monf ago, to keep de room in order."</p> +<p>"No doubt he did," returned the stranger, placing his hand on +the handle of the door, and attempting to open it, which, by Dido's +precaution, was ineffectual.</p> +<p>"Is there no one in this room?" asked the gentleman.</p> +<p>"No sar, de room is locked, and Massa Maxwell hab carry off de +key."</p> +<p>The stranger walked several times round the room, and thoroughly +scrutinized everything; after which, to the entire satisfaction of +the colored lady, he took his departure. Passing out of the +building, he crossed the street and entered a coffee-room, at the +front window of which he seated himself, as if with the intention +of watching Maxwell's office.</p> +<p>This person was the reader's old acquaintance, Vernon,—or, +more properly, Jerome Vaudelier, whose intervening history we are +now called upon to relate. It will be remembered that, at the +request of his father, and at the earnest desire of Henry Carroll, +as well as by the promptings of his own wish to do justice to the +heiress, he had gone to Vicksburg, for the purpose of keeping an +eye on the movements of Maxwell. On his arrival at the hotel, he +found the attorney, and dined With him; but after dinner he +suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. All Vernon's inquiries were +of no avail. The landlord said he had paid his bill, and that was +the last he had seen of him. Vernon was perplexed, and on learning +that no boat had left since dinner, he was at a loss which way to +proceed. Late in the afternoon he obtained, as he thought, some +clue to him; and he departed, without loss of time, to Jackson, +whither the attorney was supposed to have gone. His search, +however, was futile, and he returned to Vicksburg by the morning +train. Much disheartened, he was compelled to go to Cottage Island +with the intelligence that his efforts had been foiled. On his +arrival, he learned, to his astonishment, that Emily had just gone +to Bellevue in company with De Guy—a person of whom he had no +knowledge.</p> +<p>Though Dr. Vaudelier and Henry Carroll had been satisfied with +the evidences brought by De Guy, Vernon was not. He knew better +than they the character of Maxwell, and it was determined that he +should proceed immediately to New Orleans, to guard against the +possibility of any evil to which Emily might be subjected.</p> +<p>On the morning after De Guy's departure, he proceeded down the +river, and landed in the vicinity of Bellevue, to which he +immediately made his way. Without a direct application to any one, +he learned that Emily had not yet arrived. He waited in the +vicinity another day, but obtained no tidings of her. His worst +fears were now confirmed. De Guy had deceived them.</p> +<p>This De Guy, then, was an emissary of Maxwell. To his mind, now +animated by a high purpose, the reflection was annoying. To the +fate of Emily his new destiny seemed to be attached. His greatest +error—at least, the one most troublesome to his awakened +conscience—was the act of oppressing Emily. He felt that the +washing of the stains from his character depended upon securing her +rights.</p> +<p>The <i>ci devant</i> desperado, as we have before indicated, was +radically changed at heart, and he now felt more interest in the +welfare of Emily than he had ever before harbored for any human +being.</p> +<p>His position was full of embarrassments. He learned, while at +Bellevue, that Jaspar was not, and had not been, sick. This +information decided his future course. The mission of De Guy had +only been a decoy, to lure her into the hands of Maxwell.</p> +<p>Hatchie was with her; but, alas! what could a slave do against +the powerful machinations of such a villain as Maxwell?</p> +<p>After obtaining the information which satisfied him of the +imposture, he proceeded to New Orleans. Knowing the name of the +steamer in which De Guy had taken passage from Vicksburg, he +hastened to the levee, to gain what tidings he might from the +officers of the Montezuma. He found that a lady and gentleman +answering to his description had taken a carriage on the morning of +their arrival, and this was all they knew. In answer to his +inquiries for Hatchie, he learned that a servant had been handed +over to the police, to be imprisoned in the calaboose till called +for.</p> +<p>This was scanty information upon which to continue his search. +His first step was to go to the calaboose, where he managed to +obtain an interview with Hatchie. The poor fellow was in an agony +of grief,—not on his own account, but on that of his +mistress, for he well understood the reason of this +imprisonment.</p> +<p>Hatchie, of course, could give him no information of the +whereabouts of Emily, nor offer any suggestion; and Vernon was +compelled to leave the disheartened mulatto, with only a promise of +speedily effecting his deliverance.</p> +<p>Vernon's next step was to ascertain the present abiding place of +Maxwell, if, indeed, he was in the city; and for this purpose he +had gone to his office. The open room did not verify the statements +of the negress. He knew that Maxwell always closed up his rooms +when he left the city, and the fact of their being open now tended +to fix suspicion upon him, or rather to confirm the suspicions +before entertained. He had made the visit to the attorney's rooms +to gain information; and, being partly convinced, by the manner of +the negress, that the rear chamber was occupied, he retired to the +coffee-room to digest the knowledge, and, if possible, arrive at +some conclusion through it, as well as at the same time to keep +watch of the movements at the office.</p> +<p>Who was this De Guy, who had been the agent of +Maxwell?—for such he determined to believe him, until +convinced to the contrary. He canvassed their mutual acquaintances, +but could remember no such person. Intimate as he had been with all +the associates of Maxwell, he could not identify this bold and +cunning confederate.</p> +<p>He had not long deliberated, when, to his surprise,—albeit +it was not an event at all remarkable,—Maxwell entered the +coffee-room.</p> +<p>Before Vernon had time to decide whether or not he should charge +the lawyer with the abduction of Emily, that worthy approached his +chair, and, with much cordiality,—more than he had formerly +bestowed upon him,—extended his hand, and expressed his +happiness at again meeting him in the city.</p> +<p>Undecided as yet how to proceed, Vernon returned his salutations +with an appearance of equal cordiality.</p> +<p>"My dear fellow," said Maxwell, "I am rejoiced to see you in +town again. I was afraid you would quite desert us."</p> +<p>This language was new and strange to Vernon. It sounded like the +days in which he had been respectable—before his vices had +found him out.</p> +<p>"Indeed! why did you think so?" replied Vernon.</p> +<p>"Why, Vernon, there was some kind of a ridiculous story current +at Vicksburg, to the effect that you had joined the church, or +something of that sort."</p> +<p>"Ha, ha! funny!" said Vernon, adopting the free and easy style, +which had formerly distinguished his colloquial efforts. "Where did +you pick up the story?"</p> +<p>"O, it was quite current when I left Vicksburg."</p> +<p>"A good joke, hey?" said Vernon, musing.</p> +<p>When Maxwell left Vicksburg, it was impossible that any such +story could have been extant. Of his reformation no one but the +people of Cottage Island could have known anything. It seemed a +little mysterious that Maxwell should know of it; but the fact of +De Guy's visit to the house of his father came to his assistance, +and the mystery was solved. De Guy had communicated this +information to Maxwell, and thus he was enabled to establish +conclusively the connection between them.</p> +<p>Vernon's plan for the future was adopted; and manifesting no +surprise, he denied the fact of his reformation, however strong the +circumstances might be against him. He had often been implicated in +fouler deceptions than this in a worse cause, and, in spite of his +great resolves, he did not hesitate in this instance.</p> +<p>"Quite a sell, wasn't it, this reformation? The old gentleman +has a fine place up there,—money in the bank,—hey, boy? +I saw through the whole of it, as soon as I heard the absurd +story," said Maxwell, who, to do him justice, did not believe the +tale. It was too much for his credulity, that a thing like Vernon +could be animated by a good motive,—could, by any +possibility, abandon the error of his ways.</p> +<p>"Just so, Max. The fact is, I found the old fellow had plenty of +money, and no one but me to leave it to; so I thought it would be a +devilish pity to have it all go to found a hospital, an orthodox +college, or some such absurdity, and I could not resist the +temptation to become a little saintly, just for a few days."</p> +<p>"Bravo, Vernon! You will yet be a rich man. You did it well. The +old fellow swallowed it all, didn't he?"</p> +<p>"As an alderman does turtle-soup. But, Max, where did you slip +to from Vicksburg?"</p> +<p>"To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid of your penitence, +and thought it was not safe to be in the same coach with you; so I +gave you the slip, by going down the river by land a few miles, and +then taking the boat."</p> +<p>"But you didn't know I had reformed then,—ha, ha, ha!"</p> +<p>"Yes. I heard something about it before I left the +island,—I overheard that Jerry Swinger and the mulatto boy +speaking of it. But I own, Vernon, I was too hasty, to judge you +unheard."</p> +<p>"Max, who is this De Guy?"</p> +<p>"De Guy," said Maxwell, with feigned astonishment; "don't know +him."</p> +<p>"Bah, Max! don't you know that you cannot <i>wool</i> me? By the +way, that was a clumsy trick of yours, sending this De Guy after +the girl. When he had gone, the captain would have chased him, if I +had not come and assured them that the terrible Maxwell could not +possibly be concerned in the affair."</p> +<p>"Indeed! did you do me this essential service?" said Maxwell, +forgetting that he had denied his connection with De Guy.</p> +<p>"I did. If you had left the matter with me, I could have done it +better."</p> +<p>"Well, Vernon, I see you are all right yet; but the thing worked +to a charm. De Guy is the cleverest fellow out. The girl is +safe."</p> +<p>"So I suppose," said Vernon, with an assumption of +indifference.</p> +<p>"But all the sport is yet to come."</p> +<p>"Indeed," said Vernon, burning with anxiety, but striving to +maintain his accustomed easy and reckless air.</p> +<p>"Yes, Vernon, all the hard work we did up the river shall not be +in vain. I shall win the prize!" and Maxwell rubbed his hands at +the pleasant anticipation.</p> +<p>"Wish you joy, Max! But you don't mean to marry the girl?"</p> +<p>"Certainly."</p> +<p>"What! a quadroon?"</p> +<p>"Pshaw! that story is all blown through. Her old uncle, up the +river, got up that abstraction, so as to finger her property," said +Maxwell, forgetting, in his candor, the scruples which his +companion had expressed on a former occasion with relation to +persecuting a white woman,—scruples which Vernon did not seem +disposed to press upon the attorney's memory.</p> +<p>"You helped him through with his scheme?" answered Vernon, with +a bold, careless air.</p> +<p>"'Pon honor, I had nothing to do with it. Old Jaspar did it all +himself," replied Maxwell, with an oath.</p> +<p>"Looks a little like you, though," said Vernon, with a +nonchalance which provoked Maxwell, whose temper was not of the +mildest tone.</p> +<p>"Nevertheless, it is none of mine, though the plan was a +creditable one. But it has brought old Jaspar into a wasp's +nest."</p> +<p>"How's that?"</p> +<p>"I had my eye on the girl, ever since the colonel died. I saw +through Jaspar's plot, and a little bravado made him tell me all +about it."</p> +<p>"Good!"</p> +<p>"Just so; and, as they are old clients of mine, why, I could not +do less than get them out of the scrape, and remove the stain from +the name of the fair heiress."</p> +<p>"How can you do it?"</p> +<p>"That's the point."</p> +<p>"Looks rather complicated."</p> +<p>"Exactly so; but energy and skill will accomplish wonders."</p> +<p>"Very true," replied Vernon, in his usual quiet manner, well +knowing that Maxwell would take the alarm if he appeared in the +least inquisitive,—so he contented himself with this simple +ejaculation.</p> +<p>"Can I trust you still?" said Maxwell, in a low tone, and with +an anxious look, after a pause of several minutes.</p> +<p>"I care not whether you trust me or not," replied Vernon, with +characteristic indifference.</p> +<p>"Are you the man you were two months ago? If you are, I need ask +no more questions."</p> +<p>"I am. And now let me tell you, if you have work for me, the pay +must be liberal. I have reformed in one respect, and that is from +low prices to high ones. I have done too many of your little chores +for nothing. Good pay is my motto now."</p> +<p>"Be it so," replied Maxwell, whose suspicions, as Vernon had +intended, were diverted by this by-talk. "I will pay you well. If +my plan succeeds, three thousand."</p> +<p>"Good! that sounds liberal. But suppose it fail?"</p> +<p>"It cannot fail."</p> +<p>"What is the plan? You mean to help old Jaspar out of the +scrape, and save the girl too. How can you do it?"</p> +<p>"There is only one way—marry the girl!"</p> +<p>"Just so," replied Vernon, with an indifference it was hard to +assume.</p> +<p>"Here are the whole details of the plan. I have Jaspar's consent +to my marriage with the girl, but I dare not attempt to consummate +the scheme in the city. She is so cursed obstinate, that it is a +hard matter to manage her. I saw Jaspar last night, and we +concluded to have the ceremony performed at Bellevue, as soon as +possible, or that fiery son of Mars and your worthy patriarch will +be down upon us, and spoil the whole."</p> +<p>"Never fear them," said Vernon. "You will not proceed for a week +or two?"</p> +<p>"A week or so will make no difference. But I am afraid it will +take more time than that to induce her to consent. The difficulty +which has troubled me more than any other is to get her to +Bellevue. She tells Dido that she will not go alive. She fears +Jaspar more than she does me, and rightly suspects that if she +yields she will have to encounter both. She has not seen me since +the row at the wood-yard, and I intend to transact all business +with her through De Guy."</p> +<p>"She is a difficult case," suggested Vernon, to fill up a pause +in Maxwell's speech.</p> +<p>"Now, it has occurred to me," continued Maxwell, "that +<i>you</i> could manage her like a young lamb."</p> +<p>"I!" exclaimed Vernon.</p> +<p>"Certainly. You stand well with her, do you not?"</p> +<p>"Like a saint."</p> +<p>"You can get up a rescue, or something of that sort, you +know."</p> +<p>"To be sure," replied Vernon, thoughtfully.</p> +<p>"Pretend that you are going to effect her escape."</p> +<p>"Capital!" said Vernon, suddenly; "I <i>will</i> pretend to +effect her escape. But there is one difficulty—" and he +suddenly checked his apparent zeal, and assumed a thoughtful +air.</p> +<p>"A difficulty?"</p> +<p>"Ay. I must be at Baton Rouge to-morrow night, or all my hopes +up the river are lost."</p> +<p>"And you will return—"</p> +<p>Vernon reflected, and then replied,</p> +<p>"In four days."</p> +<p>"That will do. Don't let it be more than four days."</p> +<p>"No."</p> +<p>"And, Vernon, you had better write to the military lover that +the lady is doing well—that Jaspar's health is improving, +&c. They won't hurry down, then."</p> +<p>"A good thought. I <i>will</i> write to him."</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Here is my hand for my true +constancy."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"There is a fair behavior in +thee, captain;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">I will believe thou hast a mind +that suits</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">With this thy fair and outward +character."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SHAKSPEARE.</span></p> +<p>"Villain!" muttered Vernon, as Maxwell left the coffee-room, +"your work of iniquity is nearly done. If from the depths of my +seared heart can come up one single good impulse to guide me, I +will bring the guilty and the innocent to their just desert."</p> +<p>He had told Maxwell that he should go to Baton Rouge, and +prudence required him to go. He had certain intelligence that a +boat would leave in an hour, and he hastily wrote the letter to +Captain Carroll. This letter was not exactly of the tenor Maxwell +had bargained for, inasmuch as the object of it was to request the +immediate presence of his father and Henry at Bellevue, which +promised soon to be the theatre of war. With this letter in his +pocket, he made his way to the levee, and departed for Baton +Rouge.</p> +<p>It was with some compunction that he took this seemingly +inconsistent step. It was, for the time, turning his back upon the +object to which he had devoted himself. It was necessary for him to +gain time, even at the sacrifice of Emily's feelings, for a short +season, so that his father and Henry Carroll might reach Bellevue +as soon as Emily. He had written them all the details of the plan. +His own purpose was to have Emily's strongest friends at hand on +her arrival at Bellevue, so as effectually to foil the machinations +of Jaspar and Maxwell. His own visit to Baton Rouge was only a +feint to avoid a meeting with Maxwell in the interim, thus keeping +the appearance in unison with the pretension.</p> +<p>The river had risen some three or four feet, and the large and +rapid steamers had commenced running. The "Raven," to the clerk of +which he had intrusted the letter for Cottage Island, was a +remarkably fast boat, and he had every reason to hope that his plan +would be successful.</p> +<p>Three days he remained at Baton Rouge, in a state of impatience +and inactivity, rendered doubly uncomfortable by the fear that +Maxwell might change his plan in his absence.</p> +<p>A downward steamer was approaching the city, and he hastened on +board. His letter had been faithfully delivered, for almost the +first person he discovered on board the boat was Henry Carroll, and +Dr. Vaudelier was close at hand. This was excellent, and he +congratulated himself on the bright prospect before him.</p> +<p>It was arranged that the doctor and his late patient should +remain in the vicinity of Bellevue until the following day, when +Vernon would convey Emily to her home. They were accordingly landed +at the Red Church, and Vernon proceeded to New Orleans.</p> +<p>Maxwell greeted him with a cordiality which showed the interest +he felt in the scheme, the consummation of which would realize his +dreams of luxurious indulgence. They wended their way, without loss +of time, up the street, deciding that Vernon should at once broach +the proposition to Emily of going up to Bellevue. The attorney, +when they had arrived within a short distance of the office, +directed Vernon to proceed alone, agreeing to meet him at a +coffee-room in the neighborhood.</p> +<p>On reaching the office, a new difficulty was presented. The +inflexible guardian of Emily refused to allow Vernon to see her, +stoutly persisting that De Guy would not permit it. Vernon was +obliged to resort to Maxwell in this dilemma, who, affirming that +he did not wish Emily to know of his presence in town, had kept the +secret from the negress. So what could he do? But, bidding Vernon +wait, he left the coffee-room, and soon returned with an order +signed by De Guy, whom, Maxwell affirmed, he had been so fortunate +as to meet at the Exchange.</p> +<p>"But of what use is this paper? The girl cannot read. Shall I +take the keys from her?" asked Vernon.</p> +<p>"The note will be sufficient. Show it to her; she will pretend +to read it, and would, if it were in Hebrew or Sanscrit," said +Maxwell, who then repeated the caution he had before given, not to +betray the fact of his presence in the city.</p> +<p>Vernon presented the note to the negress, who, with a +business-like air, opened it; and, though he could perceive that +she held it up-side down, she examined it long and attentively, +sputtering with her thick lips, as though actually engaged in the +to her impossible operation of reading it.</p> +<p>"Dis alters de case, Massa. Why you no show dis paper before?" +said Dido, with an air of huge importance, which would have done +credit to the captain of a country company of militia.</p> +<p>"Open the door, and don't stop to chatter!" replied Vernon.</p> +<p>"Yes, Massa, I have read de letter, and now I knows dat Massa +Guy wants you to see de leddy. Dat alters de case. I has nussin +furder to say," muttered Dido, as she unlocked the chamber +door.</p> +<p>Emily was seated on a sofa, reading a book she had taken with +her to while away the time on board of the steamer.</p> +<p>"Missus, a gemman, who hab brought a letter from Massa Guy," +said Dido, as she opened the door.</p> +<p>"Bring the letter, then," replied Emily, scarcely raising her +eyes from the book.</p> +<p>"No, Missus, de letter am for me, and I hab read it. It orders +me to 'mit dis gemman."</p> +<p>"That is sufficient," said Vernon, pushing the attendant back, +and closing the door.</p> +<p>Emily rose; and great was her surprise at perceiving the son of +her late benefactor. An avalanche of doubt rushed through her mind, +and she could not conjecture the occasion of this visit. She had +left him at his father's house. Had he forsaken his new-born +repentance? Was he again the minister of Maxwell's evil purposes? +She had been a prey to the most distressing anticipations, and had +now settled down into the calmness of resignation. Resolved to die +rather than become the bride of Maxwell, she had spent the hours +and days of her imprisonment in nerving herself to meet whatever +bitter fate might await her, in maintaining her purity and her +principle.</p> +<p>The appearance of Jerome Vaudelier caused her a thrill of +apprehension, but it was quickly supplanted by a feeling of +interest in the individual himself. Her own gloomy position seemed +divested of its sombreness, as she felt that the penitence of the +erring soul had not been a reality.</p> +<p>"Jerome Vaudelier, are you, too, the minister of a villain's +wishes?"</p> +<p>"Nay, Miss Dumont—"</p> +<p>"Say that you are yet true to yourself; that you have not +forgotten those solemn vows you made in the home of your father; +say that you are not the tool of the vile Maxwell—say it +before you speak your business with me!"</p> +<p>"Miss Dumont, I acknowledge that the present appearance is +against me; but I assure you I have come only as the minister of +good to you."</p> +<p>"Bless you for the words! I feared you had again been +tempted."</p> +<p>"So I have, lady, and apparently have yielded; but it was only +to save you. Listen to me, and I will disclose all the details of +the plots which are even now ripening to ensnare you,"—and +Vernon, in a low tone, briefly narrated everything, and the means +which were in operation to secure her safety.</p> +<p>"You must go to Bellevue to-morrow, there to meet my father and +Captain Carroll," said he.</p> +<p>The color came to her pale cheek, at the mention of her lover's +name. She felt that Vernon meant to be true to her, and true to +himself. And it required no persuasion to induce her to acquiesce +in the arrangements.</p> +<p>"But, Hatchie—must I leave him in prison? It is not a meet +reward for his fidelity."</p> +<p>"It cannot be avoided, Miss Dumont. I will see him to-day, and +when his honest heart knows that you are in safety, he will be just +as happy in a prison as in a palace. He shall be set at liberty in +a few days."</p> +<p>"I hope he may. Does this De Guy accompany you?"</p> +<p>"No; but Maxwell says he will reach Bellevue as soon as we +do."</p> +<p>"Why is this? Why does not Maxwell present himself, and urge his +infamous proposals?"</p> +<p>"I know not, unless it be that De Guy is the more artful of the +two."</p> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<p>Let us change the scene to the next day, at the abode of Mr. +Faxon.</p> +<p>Dalhousie and his wife, by the kind attentions of their host, +were restored to a comparatively healthy state. The lady had +suffered much in her physical and mental constitution, and a shade +of deep melancholy rested upon her handsome features. She could not +forget the horrors of the dungeon in which she had been confined. +It seemed a great epoch in her life; all before it was strange and +undefined, while every trivial incident since was a great paragraph +in her history.</p> +<p>Mr. Faxon was seated in his library, surrounded by his guests. +The affairs of the Dumont family had again been discussed, for to +them they were full of interest.</p> +<p>The good minister feelingly expatiated upon the bitterness of +the heiress' lot, brought up as she had been amid all the +refinements of polished society, whose sensibilities were rendered +doubly acute by nature and the circumstances which environed her, +to be thus degraded into the condition of a base-born, despised +being,—to be so suddenly hurled from honor and +opulence,—it was a dreadful blow! So feelingly did he narrate +the particulars, so tenderly did he describe the loneliness of her +position, that his hearers were deeply affected, and Delia shed a +flood of tears.</p> +<p>"I too have been a wanderer, though a voluntary one, from the +home of my father," said she.</p> +<p>"Nay, Delia," said Dalhousie, tenderly; "do not revert to your +own experience. Remember you are not strong enough to bear much +excitement."</p> +<p>"I did not intend to speak of my own experience; but the +sufferings of poor Miss Dumont call to my mind the remembrance of +similar feelings."</p> +<p>"I presume the company are not desirous of hearing the story of +an elopement," said Dalhousie, with a smile.</p> +<p>"Nor I to relate one. The pure devotion of Miss Dumont to the +memory of her father recalls the affection, the fond indulgence, of +my own father. I have not, as she has, the consciousness of having +never wilfully abused his confidence."</p> +<p>"If you have erred, madam," said Mr. Faxon, "your father still +lives, does he not? Perhaps it is not yet too late to atone for the +fault."</p> +<p>"Alas! I know not whether he is living or not. I wrote to him +several times, but never received an answer."</p> +<p>"Who was your father, madam?" said Mr. Faxon, with much sympathy +in the tones of his voice.</p> +<p>"I dread even to mention the name I bore in the innocent days of +childhood."</p> +<p>"Fie, Delia!" said Dalhousie, with a pleasant laugh, "what have +you done to sink yourself so far in your own estimation? You and +your father differed as to the propriety of our marriage; to you, +as a true woman, your course was plain. This is the height and +depth of your monstrous sin."</p> +<p>The conversation was here interrupted by the announcement that a +gentleman waited to see Mr. Faxon.</p> +<p>The good clergyman had a habit of promptness in answering all +calls upon him. This custom had been acquired by the reflection +that a poor dying mortal might wait his blessing, ere he departed +on his endless journey; that, sometimes, a moment's delay could +never be atoned for; therefore he rose on the instant, and hastened +to the parlor, where the visitor waited.</p> +<p>"Ah! is it possible—Captain Carroll!" said he, as he +grasped Henry's hand; "I am glad to see you. But how pale and thin +you look!"</p> +<p>"Good reason for it, my dear sir. I was on board of the +Chalmetta."</p> +<p>"Were you, indeed! Thank God, you escaped with life! Were you +much injured?"</p> +<p>"I was, but, thanks to the care of a good physician, I am nearly +restored again."</p> +<p>"But our poor lady—Miss Dumont—have you any tidings +of her? Report said she was lost in the catastrophe."</p> +<p>"She is safe, though, unfortunately, at present in bad hands;" +and Henry related to the astonished minister the events of Emily's +history since her departure from Bellevue, not concealing even the +details of his present relations with her.</p> +<p>"And now, my dear sir," said he, rising to depart, "the crisis +has come. Dr. Vaudelier waits close by, and we are ready to witness +the denouement of this climax of plots. It is already time for +Jerome and Emily to arrive, and we desire your immediate presence +at the mansion-house."</p> +<p>"I will attend you. But I have in the house several friends of +Miss Dumont—"</p> +<p>"Bring them all with you," interrupted Henry, looking at his +watch. "The more witnesses the better, especially if they be +friends."</p> +<p>"But wait till I tell you who they are."</p> +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Faxon, I must not tarry longer. I will meet them +at the mansion."</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"What devil's here, dragging +the dead to life,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">To overthrow me?"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Who art thou?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Speak! speak!"</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"The features all are +changed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">But the voice grows familiar on +my ears."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">LOVELL</span></p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont was seated in the library. The ravages of care and +vice were growing more plainly visible on his face. His countenance +was haggard, and his complexion seemed to be a struggle between the +wanness of care and the redness of intemperance.</p> +<p>Near him sat De Guy, who had but just arrived.</p> +<p>"The lady has come," said the attorney, adjusting his green +spectacles; "and I am here to claim the fulfilment of our +contract."</p> +<p>Jaspar looked up from the floor, upon which his eyes had been +fastened, and gazed with a fixed stare upon his companion.</p> +<p>"You do not understand me," insinuated De Guy.</p> +<p>"I do," said Jaspar, sternly; "I do; you have come to plunder +me."</p> +<p>"You do me injustice, my kind friend; I come to save you from +the doom of a felon."</p> +<p>"To put your foot upon my neck, and leap out of the pit your +villany has dug!"</p> +<p>"Very well, my dear sir, if you are of this mind, my course is +plain. Did you not agree to this arrangement?" said De Guy, with a +smile, which was meant to soften the hard question.</p> +<p>"True, I did," replied Jaspar, with a whining sullenness. "What +would you have of me now?"</p> +<p>"Only that you fulfil the stipulations of the bargain."</p> +<p>"Can I fulfil them? Can I marry you, even if the girl were +willing?"</p> +<p>"You can give your commands. Will she not obey them?"</p> +<p>"Fool if she does!" muttered Jaspar, in a low tone.</p> +<p>"She will be so glad to be restored to her home, I fancy she +will not think the terms are hard."</p> +<p>"I don't know," said Jaspar, eying the attorney from head to +foot. "I consent to the marriage. I can do no more."</p> +<p>"Perhaps you will be willing to use a little gentle force, to +save your own neck," said the attorney, with something like a +sneer.</p> +<p>"Anything, anything, that will silence your damning tongue, and +rid me of your teasing!"</p> +<p>"Now, sir, you are reasonable."</p> +<p>"Summon the girl," said Jaspar, impatiently. "I will say all I +have to say in a few words. But, if she foils you, it is not my +fault."</p> +<p>"True sir; but Miss Dumont, at this critical juncture of her +affairs, will have respect for your counsels;" and the attorney +withdrew to call her.</p> +<p>Emily entered the abode of her early years, and the memories of +the past came crowding thick upon her. She seemed to realize that +her sorrows were near an end, but the hope which such a pleasant +thought inspired could not entirely overcome the gloom which the +scene around her was calculated to produce. It was here she had +often rambled with her father, and a thousand trivial incidents +presented themselves to remind her of him.</p> +<p>As she entered the house, she clung to the arm of Vernon, as +though she was entering the abode of evil spirits; for, with all +the memories of the past, she could not forget that the home of her +childhood was inhabited by her inhuman uncle.</p> +<p>She had been but a short time seated in the old, familiar +drawing-room, like a stranger now, when De Guy entered, to request +her presence in the library. She rose, and looked at Vernon, who, +understanding the glance, approached, as if to bear her +company.</p> +<p>"This gentleman had better remain here," suggested De Guy.</p> +<p>"I prefer that he should attend me," said Emily, firmly, even +while her heart rose to her throat, at the thought of meeting her +uncle.</p> +<p>"But really, madam, his presence would embarrass the business of +the interview."</p> +<p>"He is a friend," stammered Emily, "and is acquainted with all +the circumstances of this affair."</p> +<p>"I will attend her, sir," said Vernon, who had before remained +silent.</p> +<p>"Pardon me," said the attorney, looking sharply at Vernon, "but +it will be impossible to transact any business in presence of +others."</p> +<p>"Lead on," said Vernon, sternly; "I will attend the lady, in +spite of all objections."</p> +<p>"Sir, you are insolent!" said the attorney, tartly, though +without the loss of his self-possession.</p> +<p>"The gentleman will not in the least retard the business. Pray +pass on," interposed Emily, fearful of a collision between the +parties.</p> +<p>"It is impossible, madam. I must insist that he remain here. +Such is Mr. Dumont's express order."</p> +<p>"Will you say to Mr. Dumont that the lady demands my attendance? +Perhaps he will yield the point," answered Vernon.</p> +<p>"I will see him, but it is useless. I know his views;" and De +Guy left the room.</p> +<p>"Do not hesitate to go with him, Miss Dumont; I will be close at +hand; but no violence will be offered you. I see my father and +Captain Carroll coming up the road," said Vernon, looking out the +window. "Yield, if necessary, and fear nothing."</p> +<p>"Mr. Dumont persists in his purpose of meeting the lady alone," +said De Guy, as he reëntered the drawing-room.</p> +<p>"The lady, in your absence, has concluded to dispense with my +attendance," replied Vernon.</p> +<p>"This way, madam,"—and the attorney, with punctilious +politeness, led the way.</p> +<p>Vernon threw himself upon a sofa, as they were leaving; but no +sooner had the door closed, than he rose in haste, and left the +apartment. Reaching the veranda of the house, he met Dr. Vaudelier +and Henry Carroll, who followed him back to the drawing-room.</p> +<p>"This way, silently, if you please," said he, and then closed +the door. A moment sufficed to inform the new comers of the +position of affairs; then Vernon left the room, and went to the +library door, which he found, by Henry's direction. Stationing +himself in a recess behind some coats, he waited till his presence +should be needed.</p> +<p>The meeting between Emily and her uncle was not embarrassed by +any formal greetings. Jaspar did not even raise his eyes from the +floor, as she entered. He heard the door close, and being aware by +the silence of the parties—for De Guy had judged an +announcement unnecessary—that they were ready to hear him, he +said, in a gentle tone,</p> +<p>"Emily, I have sent for you to receive a proposition, which will +finally terminate the unfortunate circumstances that have shrouded +our family in hostility and misery."</p> +<p>"Indeed, uncle, I have no feeling of hostility towards you. God +forbid!" replied Emily, upon whose agitated senses Jaspar's mild +words had fallen like promises of peace.</p> +<p>Jaspar was astonished. He had lost much of the severity of his +disposition in the miseries which had overtaken him. He was +humiliated, his spirit broken, and he could not understand why his +victim did not upbraid him, as he expected, for the wrongs he had +inflicted. A momentary hope of reconciliation on better terms +crossed his mind; but there stood the attorney, who would permit no +other compromise.</p> +<p>"I restore your fortune," said Jaspar, with a shudder, as he +raised his head for the first time from the floor to look upon his +niece,—"I restore it, on one condition."</p> +<p>"Name not the fortune, uncle; your peace and happiness are far +dearer to me than all the wealth of the world. You have wronged me, +but I freely forgive you; and Heaven will also forgive you, if you +sin no more. O, uncle, I beseech you dismiss this evil man, and let +me be to you as a daughter!"</p> +<p>"Let us attend to business, if you please, Mr. Dumont," said the +attorney, in a whining tone; for, it must be confessed, the +conversation had assumed a different turn from what he had +anticipated.</p> +<p>"I must state the business for which I requested your presence," +said Jaspar, not a little moved by the words of Emily. Human nature +is a strange compound of inconsistencies. This man, whose life had +been stained with crime, was now disposed to regard the past with +contrition. We have seen him scorning even an allusion to the +higher life of the soul,—but success was then within the +reach of his crime-stained hand! Now, failure on every hand awaited +him, and all those bravadoes with which he had kept down his better +nature deserted him. Not one scornful thought came to banish the +good angel from his presence. But the feeling was of short +duration. It was but a momentary contrition, which a selfish hope +or a burst of passion could dissipate.</p> +<p>"I will restore your fortune, on one condition," said he. "You +can accept or reject it, at your option."</p> +<p>"I beg your pardon," suggested the attorney, "these were not +exactly the terms of our contract."</p> +<p>"Name the condition, uncle," added Emily, indifferently; for she +was anxious to have the business, whatever it might be, finished, +so that she could again plead with Jaspar for his personal +reformation, for she was a little encouraged by the appearance of +humiliation he had manifested.</p> +<p>"I restore your fortune, on condition that you give your hand to +this gentleman in marriage;"—and Jaspar again fixed his eyes +on the floor, as if he dreaded the outbreak of a storm.</p> +<p>"This gentleman!" exclaimed Emily, indignantly. "This +gentleman!"—and she gazed upon him with a proud look of +contempt, from which the attorney would fain have hid his head. Her +surprise was equal to her indignation. Vernon had told her that +<i>Maxwell</i> was to be the suppliant for her hand, and she could +not see why his menial had the presumption to claim her.</p> +<p>"This gentleman!" repeated Emily. "I had rather die a thousand +deaths!"</p> +<p>"Then, madam, we shall be obliged to compel you to this step," +replied De Guy, stung by the scorn of Emily, and distrusting the +energy of Jaspar.</p> +<p>"Sir, your impertinence deserves a severer rebuke than I can +administer!" said Emily, the blood mounting to her face.</p> +<p>"But it must be even so, madam," returned the attorney coolly. +"Fate has so decreed. Your good uncle's circumstances imperatively +demand it."</p> +<p>"Is this so, uncle?"</p> +<p>"It is, Emily. You must submit to your fate, unpleasant though +it may be," said Jaspar, looking at her with an absent stare.</p> +<p>"No, uncle, it shall not be so. I never will submit to such a +fate. What circumstances do you refer to?"</p> +<p>"I am in this man's power."</p> +<p>"God be with you, then! But I understand it all. He seeks my +fortune, not myself. I would rather he had the whole of it, than +become such a <i>thing</i> as to marry that man!"</p> +<p>"Nay, lady, <i>you</i> are of more worth to me than your +fortune, large as it is. I have contracted with your uncle for your +hand, and he must pay the price," said De Guy.</p> +<p>"He speaks truly, Emily. I have <i>sold</i> you to him," replied +Jaspar, vacantly.</p> +<p>Emily was stung to the quick. This remark, she supposed, was in +allusion to her alleged condition; and the tears rose to her eyes, +while the indignant blood mounted to her cheek.</p> +<p>"Uncle, do not brand your soul with infamy!" she said, +quickly.</p> +<p>"What!" exclaimed Jaspar, roused to a burst of passion.</p> +<p>"Be not a villain!" returned Emily, whose good-nature was sorely +tried.</p> +<p>"Girl, beard not the lion in his den! I had half relented, but +now I feel strong again!" and he rose and tottered to the table, on +which his brandy-bottle stood. After taking a deep draught, he +reseated himself.</p> +<p>"You must marry this man!" said he, fiercely striking the table +with his fist.</p> +<p>"I never will!" replied Emily, trembling at Jaspar's violence, +but firm in her purpose.</p> +<p>"Remember! girl, remember what you are!" said Jaspar, +passionately.</p> +<p>"Enough of this," said Emily. "I leave you for—"</p> +<p>"Stay, lady! You must not leave the room," interrupted De Guy, +laying his hand upon her arm.</p> +<p>"Remove your hand, villain, nor dare to pollute me with your +touch!" exclaimed Emily, shaking off his hand as though it had been +contamination.</p> +<p>The hitherto placid features of the attorney darkened into a +scowl of malignity, as he said,</p> +<p>"Madam, we have been too long subject to your caprice. Here let +it end. Know that mighty interests depend upon the union this day +to be consummated, and we refuse longer to submit to your +whims."</p> +<p>"Yes, Emily, the honor and safety of your family name depend +upon your acquiescence in this plan," said Jaspar, whose passion +had moderated a little.</p> +<p>"I will never countenance any of your unhallowed plots," replied +Emily, and she again moved towards the door.</p> +<p>"You leave not the room till you consent to this union," +interposed De Guy.</p> +<p>"Stand from my path, or I will summon assistance!"</p> +<p>"Your summons would be in vain."</p> +<p>With a proud step and a curling lip, Emily attempted to advance; +but De Guy seized her by the arm, and restrained her. She struggled +to free herself from the villain's grasp, without success. Knowing +that Vernon was within hearing of her, she called "Jerome," at the +top of her voice.</p> +<p>"No use, madam. The gentleman whose name you utter is a friend +of mine," said the attorney. "He conveyed you here as an emissary +of mine. Haven't you known him before?" said De Guy, with a mixture +of sarcasm and triumph in the tones of his squeaky voice.</p> +<p>The door-handle was at this moment seized on the outside. The +door was wrenched and pushed, but it did not yield, for De Guy had +taken the precaution to lock it.</p> +<p>"Who is there?" shouted the attorney, alarmed at the +intrusion.</p> +<p>"Open," said Jerome, "or I force the door!"</p> +<p>"What does this mean?" asked Jaspar, who had remained a quiet +spectator to the violence offered his niece.</p> +<p>"I will soon ascertain," said De Guy, dragging Emily after him, +towards a large closet on the other side of the room.</p> +<p>"Help! help!" again screamed Emily; and, ere she had the second +time uttered the word, a crash was heard, the library-door +splintered, and Vernon stood in the room.</p> +<p>"How is this? Villain! traitor!" shouted De Guy, drawing from +his pocket a revolver.</p> +<p>"Unhand the lady!" said Vernon, in a severe tone, as, at the +same time, he drew from his pocket a pistol. "Unhand her!" and he +approached the lawyer.</p> +<p>"Back, traitor, or you die!" said De Guy, in a voice which +suddenly lost its silky tone, and was firm and round.</p> +<p>"Then I die like a man!" responded Vernon, still advancing.</p> +<p>Jaspar's ferocious nature, stimulated to activity by the +prospect of a fight, now promised to revive his spirits and nerve +his arm. He advanced behind Vernon, and, ere he was aware, had +clasped both hands around him. Vernon tried to free himself from +the bearish hug, and they both fell to the floor. Jaspar still held +tight, and the struggle promised to be a severe one.</p> +<p>De Guy perceived the movement of Jaspar, and, as soon as the +combatants had fallen to the floor, he restored the pistol to his +pocket, so that, unembarrassed, he might convey Emily to a place of +security, until this unlooked-for contest was ended. Scarcely was +the pistol in his pocket, when the window behind him flew open, and +the attorney was in the iron grip of a powerful arm! Emily, freed +from her assailant, retreated to the other side of the room, where, +glancing in terror upon the new assault, she saw De Guy thrown +violently upon the floor by her ever-present and ever-faithful +slave, Hatchie!</p> +<p>The mulatto, having been allowed the liberty of the yard early +in the evening before, had contrived to effect his escape from the +calaboose, and had walked the whole distance from Now Orleans.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll and Dr. Vaudelier had heard the confusion, and +judged that the conflict had begun with something more than the war +of words. Hatchie had scarcely done his work when Henry reached the +library, and rescued Vernon from the hands of Jaspar.</p> +<p>The contest was ended, and the victors and vanquished stood +contemplating each other in mute astonishment. Dr. Vaudelier, who +had followed Henry into the room, assisted Jaspar to rise, and +conducted him to a chair. The courage of the vanquished seemed +entirely to have oozed out, and they remained doggedly considering +the new state of things.</p> +<p>Hatchie bent over his fallen foe, and, drawing from his pocket +the revolver and bowie-knife which rendered him a formidable +person, he loosed his firm hold of him, as if it was an +acknowledgment of weakness to hold him longer a close prisoner. +Seizing the prostrate lawyer by the hair, he bade him rise, at the +same time giving a sharp twist to the ornamental appendage of his +cranium. But the hair yielded to the motion of his hand, and the +entire scalp scaled off, bringing with it the huge parti-colored +whiskers, and revealing a beautiful head of black, curly hair, +where the mixed color had before predominated!</p> +<p>"What does this mean? Methinks I have seen that head of hair +before," said Henry Carroll.</p> +<p>"The face is not of the natural color," added Dr. Vaudelier, +remarking that the skin of the forehead, which the wig had +concealed, was very white, and almost transparent, while the face +was besmeared with the color that composed the florid complexion of +the attorney.</p> +<p>"Take off his spectacles, Hatchie," said Henry.</p> +<p>The glasses were removed, and a pair of piercing black eyes +glared upon them.</p> +<p>"It is Maxwell, by ——," shouted Jaspar, who had in +some measure recovered from the exhaustion of his struggle with +Vernon, and had watched with much anxiety the "unearthing" of his +confederate.</p> +<p>"It is Maxwell," responded Hatchie, tearing open the vest which +encircled the attorney's portly form, and displaying the cushion +that had been used to extend his corporation.</p> +<p>"Merciful Heaven! how narrowly have I escaped!" exclaimed Emily, +laying her head in giddy faintness upon the shoulder of Henry, who, +at the moment he was at liberty, had flown to her side.</p> +<p>At this moment Mr. Faxon entered, and saw, with astonishment, +the evidence of the recent fray.</p> +<p>"Justice is triumphant, I see," said he, taking Emily by the +hand, and affectionately congratulating her upon her return to +Bellevue.</p> +<p>"Heaven has been more indulgent to me than I deserve,—has +preserved me from a thousand perils I knew not of; and has, at +last, placed me again in this haven of repose!" replied Emily.</p> +<p>"Bless His holy name, my child; for, though we forget Him, He +can never forget us!" said the minister, devoutly.</p> +<p>"Well, gentlemen," interrupted Jaspar, with a bitter scowl, "I +trust, when you have finished your cant, you will depart, and leave +me in peace."</p> +<p>"We will, at this lady's pleasure," said Dr. Vaudelier.</p> +<p>"Hell! would you trifle with me?" roared Jaspar, rising in a +passion. "Would you turn me out of my house?"</p> +<p>"Never yours, Mr. Dumont! Heaven has restored the innocent and +oppressed to her rights," answered Mr. Faxon, calmly.</p> +<p>"Uncle," said Emily, earnestly, "let me entreat you to lay aside +the terrible aspect you have worn, and be again even as you once +were. The past shall be forgotten, and I will strive to make the +future happy."</p> +<p>Jaspar gazed at her with a vacant stare, and, muttering some +unintelligible words, sunk back into his chair, and buried his face +beneath his hands. The consciousness of the utter failure of the +plan he had cherished for years, and the terrible obloquy to which +his crime subjected him, rushed like an earthquake into his mind. +He was completely subdued in spirit, and groaned in his +anguish.</p> +<p>"The way of the transgressor is hard," remarked Mr. Faxon, in +pitying tones.</p> +<p>These words were heard by Jaspar. They touched his pride. He +could not endure the notes of pity. He raised his head, and his +eyes glared with the fury of a demon.</p> +<p>"Leave the house, sir!" gasped he, choking with passion. "Leave +my house, or I will tear you limb from limb! I can do it, and I +<i>dare</i> do it!" and he started suddenly to the floor. "Yes, I +<i>dare</i> do it, if you mock me with your canting words!"</p> +<p>His eyes rolled like a maniac's, and he gasped for breath, as he +continued,</p> +<p>"I am a murderer already!—a double murderer! Dalhousie and +his wife have felt my vengeance. They have starved like dogs! Their +prison is their tomb!"</p> +<p>"Compose yourself, Mr. Dumont," said Mr. Faxon; "your soul is +still free from the heavy burden of such a guilt. Dalhousie and his +wife live."</p> +<p>"You lie, canting hypocrite! No mortal arm can save them. They +have been eight days in my slave jail. Here are the keys," gasped +Jaspar, drawing them from his pocket.</p> +<p>"You shall see; I will call them," said Mr. Faxon.</p> +<p>Dalhousie and his wife, followed by Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, +entered the room.</p> +<p>Jaspar fixed his glaring eyes upon those whom he supposed were +rotting within the precincts of his Inquisition. His power of +speech seemed to have deserted him, and he shook all over like an +aspen-leaf.</p> +<p>To Jaspar alone on the estate was the secret of Dalhousie's +imprisonment known. He had not approached the jail, and if any +other person was aware that it had been undermined, they had not +communicated the fact to him.</p> +<p>As the last party entered, Dr. Vaudelier turned to look upon the +new comers. Starting suddenly from his chair, he approached them, +and gazed with earnestness into the face of Delia.</p> +<p>"Is it possible!" said he.</p> +<p>"My God,—my father!" and father and daughter were locked +in each other's embrace.</p> +<p>Maxwell, stripped of his disguise, and ruined in his own +opinion, and in the opinion of everybody else, had watched all the +proceedings we have narrated in silence. Ashamed of the awkward +appearance he made in his undress, and confused by the sudden +change in his affairs, he was at a loss to know which way to +turn.</p> +<p>Henry Carroll realized the sense of embarrassment that pervaded +all parties, and was desirous of putting an end to the state of +things which promised nothing but strife and confusion. So he +directed Hatchie to fasten Maxwell's hands together, and keep him +secure. This step the attorney seemed not inclined to permit, and a +struggle ensued.</p> +<p>"Mr. Dumont," said he, "is this by your order?"</p> +<p>"No," replied Jaspar, anxious to secure at least one friend. +"No! I am still in my own house, and the law will protect me."</p> +<p>"Certainly," returned Maxwell; "this is all a farce. There is +not a single particle of evidence to disprove the will."</p> +<p>"Well, now, I reckon there is a leetle grain," said Uncle +Nathan, stepping forward and producing the will, which had been +intrusted to him on board the Chalmetta. "This will set matters +about right, I rayther guess."</p> +<p>"What mean you, fellow?" said Jaspar. "What is it?"</p> +<p>"The genuine will," replied Hatchie, still holding Maxwell. "I +gave it into his hands. To explain how I came by it, I need only +call your attention to a certain night, when I surprised you and +this honorable gentleman in this very apartment."</p> +<p>"It is all over!" groaned Jaspar.</p> +<p>"This is a forgery!" exclaimed Maxwell.</p> +<p>"Ay, a forgery!" repeated Jaspar, catching the attorney's idea. +"Who can prove that this is a correct will, and the other +false?"</p> +<p>"I can," said Dalhousie. "Here is a duplicate copy, with letters +explaining the reason for making it, in the testator's own +hand-writing."</p> +<p>Dalhousie candidly stated the means by which he had obtained +possession of the papers, and trusted his indiscretion would be +overlooked. Dr. Vaudelier frowned, as his son-in-law related the +unworthy part he had performed, and perhaps felt a consciousness of +the good intentions which had years before induced him to refuse +his consent to the marriage of his daughter.</p> +<p>Jaspar yielded the point; but Maxwell, in the hope of gaining +time, boldly proclaimed all the papers forgeries.</p> +<p>"It matters not; we will not stop to discuss the matter now. Tie +his hands, Hatchie," said Henry Carroll, and, with the assistance +of others, he was bound, and handed over to a constable, upon the +warrant of Mr. Faxon, who was a justice.</p> +<p>The party separated,—Henry and Emily seeking the grove in +front of the house, to congratulate each other on the happy +termination of their season of difficulty. The meeting between Dr. +Vaudelier and his son and daughter was extremely interesting, and +the hours passed rapidly away, in listening to the experience of +each other. The meeting concluded with the making of new resolves, +on the part of Dalhousie, to seek "the great purpose of his life" +by higher and nobler means.</p> +<p>As the dinner-hour approached, the happy parties were summoned +by Mr. Faxon to visit his house, and partake of his hospitality. +The good man was never happier in his life than when he said grace +over the noon-day meal, surrounded by the restored heiress of +Bellevue, and her happy friends.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION.</h2> +<p><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"From that day forth, in peace +and joyous bliss,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">They lived together long, without +debate;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Nor private jars nor spite of +enemies</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Could shake the safe assurance of +their states."</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">SPENSER.</span></p> +<p>Our story is told. It only remains to condense the subsequent +lives of our characters into a few lines.</p> +<p>Jaspar Dumont lingered along a few weeks after the return of +Emily; but his life had lost its vitality. Continued devotion to +the demon of the bottle laid him low,—he was found dead in +the library, having been stricken with an apoplectic fit.</p> +<p>After the death of Jaspar, Maxwell was tried for a variety of +crimes, and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years.</p> +<p>Dr. Vaudelier, accompanied by Dalhousie and his wife, removed to +New Orleans, where they spent many happy years, devoted to those +pure principles of truth and justice which the events of our +history contributed not a little to create and strengthen.</p> +<p>Vernon,—or, as he has changed his character, we may +venture to change his name,—Jerome Vaudelier, went to +California in the first of the excitement; where, amid the +temptations of that new and dissolute land, he yet maintains the +integrity he vowed to cherish on the night of the attack upon +Cottage Island.</p> +<p>Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan spent a few days at Bellevue, and +then started for the North. The honest yeoman, either on account of +the many adventures they had passed through together, or because +Pat was a true convert of his, had taken quite a fancy to the +Hibernian, and insisted that he should accompany him home. Pat +became a very worthy man, after abandoning the "critter," which had +been his greatest bane. For three years he served our New Englander +faithfully on the farm, at the end of which period his desire to +get ahead prompted him to take a buxom Irish girl to his bosom, and +go to farming on his own hook. A visit of Henry and Emily, about +this time, to the worthy farmer, contributed to forward this end; +for Pat, with Celtic candor and boldness, stated to them his views +and purposes. Before the heiress left, Pat's farm was bought and +paid for, besides being well stocked, by her princely +liberality.</p> +<p>Jerry Swinger and his wife, who had rendered such important +services to Emily, were not forgotten. The honest woodman disdained +to receive compensation for any service he or his good wife had +rendered, but Emily found a way to render them comfortable for +life, without any sacrifice of pride on their part.</p> +<p>One year after the events which close our history the great +mansion at Bellevue was the scene of gay festivities. Dr. Vaudelier +and his daughter, and Dalhousie, and Jerry Swinger and all his +family, were there, because, in the hour of its owner's greatest +happiness, she could not be without those who had been her friends +in the season of adversity. All the country round was +there,—New Orleans was there,—everybody was there, to +witness the nuptials of the fair heiress and the gallant Captain +Carroll.</p> +<p>The great drawing-room was brilliantly illuminated. The happy +couple entered the room, and stood up before Mr. Faxon. A step +behind Emily, watching the proceedings with as much interest as a +fond father would witness the espousal of a beloved daughter, stood +Hatchie. Race and condition did not exclude him from the proud and +brilliant assemblage that had gathered to honor the nuptials of his +mistress.</p> +<p>They were married, and, ere the good minister had concluded his +congratulations, the huge yellow palm of the faithful slave was +extended to receive the white-gloved hand of the bride. Nor did she +shrink from him. With a sweet smile, and a look which told how deep +were her respect and admiration, she gave him her hand, heedless of +the proud circle which had gathered around her to be first in their +offering of good wishes.</p> +<p>"God bless you, Miss Emily! Bless you!" said he, and the tear +stole into his eye, as he withdrew from the crowd.</p> + +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HATCHIE, THE GUARDIAN SLAVE; OR, THE HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 14731-h.txt or 14731-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/7/3/14731">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/7/3/14731</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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