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diff --git a/old/14731.txt b/old/14731.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87fecfc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14731.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11882 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress +of Bellevue, by Warren T. Ashton + + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue + +Author: Warren T. Ashton + +Release Date: January 19, 2005 [eBook #14731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HATCHIE, THE GUARDIAN SLAVE; OR, +THE HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE*** + + +E-text prepared by Robert Shimmin, Charlie Kirschner, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 14731-h.htm or 14731-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/7/3/14731/14731-h/14731-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/7/3/14731/14731-h.zip) + + + + + +HATCHIE THE GUARDIAN SLAVE; + +OR + +THE HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE. + +A Tale of the Mississippi and the South-west + +by + +WARREN T. ASHTON. + +Boston: +B. B. Mussey and Company, +and +R. B. Fitts and Company + +1853. + +Reprinted 1972 from a copy in the +Fisk University Library Negro Collection +New World Book Manufacturing Co., Inc. +Hallandale, Florida 33009 + + + + + + + + "Here is a man, setting his fate aside, Of comely virtues." + + SHAKSPEARE + + "Is this the daughter of a slave?" + + KNOWLES. + + + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +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. + +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 _tale_; and the author has not stepped +out of his path to moralize upon Southern institutions, or any other +extraneous topic. But, as its _locale_ is the South, and its principal +character a slave, the story incidentally portrays some features of +slavery. + +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. + +BOSTON, November 18, 1852. + + + + +HATCHIE: + +THE GUARDIAN SLAVE. + +CHAPTER I. + + + "_Antony_. You grow presumptuous. + _Ventidius_. I take the privilege of plain love to speak. + _Antony_. Plain love!--Plain arrogance! plain insolence!" + + DRYDEN. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _debut_, 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. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +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. + +"I trust your honored father is well," said he, after disposing of the +usual commonplace introductions of conversation. + +"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." + +"Col. Dumout, I trust, is not seriously ill," returned Maxwell, with an +appearance of sympathy. + +"He is confined to his room, but not entirely to his bed. When shall I +say you will come?" said the lady. + +"I will be there within an hour after your own arrival, if you go +direct." + +"Very well, sir;" and she turned to depart. + +This intention on the part of the lady did not seem to meet the +approbation of the attorney. + +"Stay a moment, Miss Dumont," said he, in an embarrassed manner; "pray, +honor me with a moment's conversation." + +"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. + +"Be not so unkind,--a moment is all I ask," said Maxwell, with pleading +earnestness. + +"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. + +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. + +"Pardon me," said he, "I have not received the letter, and was not aware +that you intended to return it." + +"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. + +"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." + +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. + +Maxwell's pallid cheek reddened, as he perceived that his deceit was +exposed; but he instantly recovered his self-possession, and said, + +"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." + +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. + +"Mr. Maxwell," said she, "I am deeply grieved that you should have +suffered any unhappiness on my account." + +"I will bless you for even those words," returned Maxwell, hastily, +feeling that he had gained the first point. + +"But I do not intend to encourage your suit," promptly returned the +lady. + +"Be not again unkind! Veil not that heavenly sympathy in the coldness of +indifference again!" + +"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." + +"Yet I have always found something upon which to base a flickering +hope." + +"If you have, I regret it all the more." + +"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." + +"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. + +"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!" + +"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. + +"You know not to what a fate you doom me," said Maxwell, heedless of the +lady's rebuke. + +"There is no remedy;" and Miss Dumont grasped the door-knob. + +"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." + +"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. + +"I will not _annoy_ 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 _annoy_ you, even to save +myself from endless woe." + +"Forget this misplaced affection; for he assured my sentiments will +continue unchanged." + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +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 _protege_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +His meditations were again interrupted, by his attendant's announcement +of "Mr. Dumont." + +"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. + +"Nothing," replied the visitor, gruffly. + +"Your niece left the office an hour since," continued Maxwell. "She +requested me immediately to visit your brother." + +"Which you have not done," returned the visitor, whom we will style +Jaspar, to distinguish him from his brother, Colonel Dumont. + +"But which I intend to do at once, a little matter having detained me +longer than I supposed it would." + +"I will save you the trouble. The business upon which my brother wished +to see you was concerning his will." + +"Indeed, sir! I hope he is not dangerously ill," said Maxwell, in +apparent alarm. + +"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. + +"I am glad he is no worse, though it is better at all times to be +prepared for the final event." + +"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?" + +"An hour or two." + +"I will wait, then, as he requested me to bring you with me on my +return." + +"It shall be done with all possible haste. There are cigars, and the +morning papers. Pray make yourself comfortable." + +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 _his_ +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. + +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. + +"This is an important paper," said Maxwell, noticing Jaspar's +impatience, "and must be executed with great care." + +"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. + +"O, no! I hope not," replied Maxwell, exhibiting the prototype of +Jaspar's smile. + +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. + +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? + +But, while he considers, let us turn our attention to the development of +the history and circumstances of the Dumont family. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + "_Lorenzo_. You loved, and he did love! + _Mariana_. To say he did + Were to affirm what oft his eyes avouched, + What many an action testified--and yet, + What wanted confirmation of his tongue." + + KNOWLES. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _protege_; 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. + +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. + +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 _his_ +bouquet was more fondly cherished than the offerings of others; that +_his_ hand, as she alighted from the carriage, was more gladly received +than any other; that _his_ conversation never wearied her; in short, +there was in all their intercourse an unmistakable exponent of feelings +deeper than those of common friendship. + +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. + +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. + +He loved Emily, and his poverty seemed to shut him out from the hallowed +field to which his heart fondly sought admission. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"So soon?" said she, scarcely able to conceal the tremulous emotion +which agitated her. + +"So soon! I have finished the month allotted to me," replied Henry +Carroll, with a weak effort to appear gayer than he felt. + +"Allotted to you! And pray are you stinted in the length of your visit?" + +"My orders will not permit a longer stay, happy as I should be to +remain; and I have already trespassed long on your hospitality." + +"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?" + +"True, I have. I can never repay the debt of gratitude for the many +kindnesses I have received at your good father's hands." + +"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." + +"However lightly you, or your father, may regard my obligations to him, +I cannot view them coldly." + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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. + +"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. + +"Nay, Miss Dumont, do not misinterpret my words. I am not weary, I +cannot be weary, of Bellevue and its fair and good inmates." + +"Then what mean you by saying you have staid too long?" + +"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. + +"How strange you talk, Henry! What mystery is this?" said Emily, to whom +prudential motives were unknown. + +"If it be a mystery, pray do not press me to unravel it, for I cannot." + +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. + +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. + +"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--" + +"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, + +"And so, my pretty sister, you are for the first time entering upon your +sisterly relations?" + +"The first time! Have I not always given you evidence of a sister's +esteem?" + +"Pardon me. I only jested," said Henry, as the playful smile left his +countenance. + +"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." + +"Nay, my sweet sister,--since sister I am permitted to call you,--you +must forgive me if I am obstinate just this once." + +"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?" + +This raillery was intended to have been uttered with a pert archness; +but the crimson cheek and tremulous lips entirely defeated the +intention. + +"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. + +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. + +"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." + +"Then I may hope you will often repeat it," replied Emily, sadly. + +"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." + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +Colonel Dumont gave his _protege_ 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 _sister_. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "_Macbeth_.--What is 't ye do? + _Witches_.--A deed without a name." + + Shakespeare. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Such was Jaspar Dumont, whom we left in Maxwell's office at the close of +our first chapter. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +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. + +"This Carroll is a lucky fellow," said he. + +"The devil is always the luckiest fellow in the crowd," growled Jaspar, +with an oath. + +"You are right, sir," returned Maxwell, pleased to see no better feeling +between his rival and the uncle. + +"But who is this Carroll?" said he. + +"A hungry cub, whom the colonel has helped along in the world." + +"Well, he has proved himself a brave and skilful officer, and reflects +credit on your brother's judgment in the selection of a _protege_," +returned Maxwell, adroitly. + +"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. + +"But there is still an immense property left, even after deducting the +liberal charitable donations," said Maxwell. + +"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." + +"Which will eventually go into the hands of Captain Carroll,--lucky dog, +he!" returned Maxwell, striving to provoke Jaspar still more. + +"What! what mean you, man?" said Jaspar, with a scowl, as he caught a +glimpse of the attorney's meaning. + +"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?" + +"Intimacy! what do you mean? Speak out! no equivocation!" said Jaspar, +almost fiercely. + +"Do you not see that she will yet be the wife of Captain Carroll?" + +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. + +"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." + +"It _is_ hard upon you," said Maxwell, who had overheard Jaspar's +mutterings. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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. + +"That's right, always be secret," said Jaspar, without any of the +appearance of obligation for the favor which the attorney expected to +see. + +"I have secrets in my possession which would ruin some of the best +families in the State of Louisiana." + +"Without doubt," replied Jaspar, coldly. + +The attorney resumed his writing, and pronounced in an audible tone each +sentence as he committed it to the paper. + +"To my beloved brother--Jaspar Dumont--I give and bequeath the sum of +fifty thousand dollars." + +These words, as intended, again fired Jaspar's passions. + +"Is there no remedy for this?" asked he, hastily. + +"No legal remedy," replied Maxwell, indifferently, as he continued his +task. + +"Is there any, legal or illegal?" + +"None that an honest man would be willing to resort to." + +"That any man would resort to?" and Jaspar was not a little provoked at +the attorney's moral inferences. + +"I know of none." + +"I do." + +"Then why do you not put it into operation before it is too late? The +will is now nearly written." + +"Pshaw! man; you do not understand me. A bolder step than you are +thinking of." + +"Well, what do you wait for?" + +"I need assistance." + +"If I can afford you any aid, _honorably_, I shall be most happy." + +"_Honorably_! What the devil do you mean by _honorably_?" said Jaspar, +exasperated by this unexpected display of morality. + +"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. + +"Fudge! how long have you been so conscientious?" sneered Jaspar. + +"When a man has a reputation to make or break, it becomes him to handle +it with care." + +"Out upon you, man! _Your_ reputation is not so fair, that you need be +so tender of it," replied Jaspar, with some severity. + +"Sir!" + +"O, you needn't '_sir_' me! You have led me to commit myself, and now +assume a virtue you possess not." + +"Sir, I value my reputation, and--" + +"Of course you do, but you would not sacrifice a fortune for it," +interrupted Jaspar, easily changing the tenor of the conversation. + +"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. + +"Now you talk sensibly," said Jaspar. + +"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." + +"Will you swear never to reveal what I shall propose?" + +"Yes, if paid for it," said Maxwell, frankly. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +The plot we will not here disclose. + +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. + +"But it is a diabolical transaction," suggested Maxwell. + +"Call it what you will, it is the only one that will work well." + +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. + +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, + +"I cannot consent to stain my hands with such gross injustice." + +"You cannot!" sneered Jaspar. + +"It would ruin me." + +"It was part of my intention to keep the transaction a secret," said +Jaspar, sarcastically. + +"Of course, and your confidence in me shall not be misplaced." + +Jaspar's fists were clenched, and a demoniacal expression rested on his +countenance, as he said, savagely, + +"You know your own interest too well to do otherwise." + +"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. _Honor_ will keep your secret,--threats +will not compel me to do so." + +"_Honor_! ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Jaspar. "Do you know, Maxwell, that you +are a ---- fool, to talk to me of your honor?" + +"Would you insult me, sir?" said, Maxwell, with vehemence. + +"O, no, my fine fellow! _Your_ honor!--ha, ha!" returned Jaspar, taking +from his pocket a little slip of paper. "Look here, my _honorable_ +worthy, do you know this check?" + +Maxwell's face assumed a livid hue, and a convulsive tremor passed +through his frame, as he read the check. + +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. + +"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 _honor_ to me. I have kept your secret +for my own interest, and now you will keep mine from the same motive." + +"But I _dare_ not do this thing," replied Maxwell, keenly sensitive to +the weakness of his position; "I lack the ability." + +"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. + +"It will not be for your interest or mine that I should do it," returned +Maxwell, determined, if possible, to avoid committing himself. + +"Why not?" said Jaspar. + +"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." + +"Think you I will trust another man with the possession of the secret?" + +"I shall compromise my own safety by writing the will, as you propose." + +"True,--who is this person?" + +"His name is--" and Maxwell hesitated; then a severe fit of coughing +apparently prevented his uttering the name--"his name is Antoine De +Guy." + +"Do I know him?" + +"You do, I think,--a kind of _street_ lawyer,--you must have met him at +the Exchange." + +"What looking man is he?" + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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. + +"Very good,--I will inquire about him." + +"And expose us both!" replied Maxwell, in much alarm. + +"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 +_this_ will. The colonel has a fancy to keep it secret, and this fancy +will be the salvation of our scheme." + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "He is a man, setting his fate aside, + Of comely virtues; + Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice, + But with a noble fury and a fair spirit + He did oppose his foe." + + Shakespeare. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Did any one see you?" asked Jaspar, whose teeth were chattering with +apprehension, notwithstanding his natural boldness. + +"Not that I am aware of," replied De Guy, in a silky tone, which, +proceeding from such a form, would have astonished the listener. + +"You met no one?" interrogated the anxious Jaspar. + +"Not a soul! Everything was still." + +"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. + +A light pull at the bell-rope brought to the library the body-servant of +the late planter. + +This "boy," who was known by the name of _Hatchie_, 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Hatchie," said Jaspar, as the mulatto entered the library, "are the +hands all in?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Hatchie, whose penetrating mind detected the +tremulous quiver of Jaspar's lip; "all in two hours ago, according to +regulations." + +"All right, then. You can go to bed now." + +"Yes, sir," replied Hatchie, with his customary obeisance, as he turned +to depart. + +"Stay a moment. Go to Miss Emily, and get the keys of the secretary," +said Jaspar, with assumed carelessness. + +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. + +Giving the keys to Jaspar, he left the room, and heard the creaking of +the bolt which fastened the door. + +As soon as the servant had departed, Jaspar called his confederate from +his concealment. + +"Are you ready for business?" said he. + +"I am," replied De Guy, "as soon as you pay me the first instalment. I +can't take a single step in the dark." + +"Here it is," and Jaspar took from his pocket the money. "Have you the +document?" + +"I have," replied De Guy, producing the fictitious will, which Maxwell +had drawn up in conformity with the instructions of Jaspar. + +"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. + +"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. + +"You shall have it; but first read this to me. I do nothing blindly." + +The attorney, in his silky tones, read the paper through, and Jaspar +pronounced it correct in every particular. + +"I see nothing in the way of entire success," said Jaspar, rubbing his +hands with delight at his prospective fortune. + +"Nor I," replied De Guy, "except that these witnesses will deny the +substance of it." + +"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." + +"But the will would not be worth a tittle in the law with such +witnesses." + +"Bah! the colonel knew no one would contest it. He did it at his own +risk." + +"But will they not contest _your_ will?" + +"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?" + +"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." + +"He had; but his oddity in this instance is a God-send." + +"But the _other_ document, Mr. Dumont! My stay is already too long!" + +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. + +"Now, De Guy," said he, "do your best." + +"Do not fear! I never yet saw a name I could not imitate." + +"So much the better; but be careful, I entreat you! Think how much +depends upon care!" + +"O, I can do it so nicely that your brother himself would not deny it, +if he should step out of his grave!" + +"Silence, man!" said Jaspar, angrily, as a superstitious thrill of +terror crept through his veins. + +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. + +[Illustration: Hatchie knocking down De Guy and Jasper, and stealing the +will. Page 46.] + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Is this the daughter of a slave? I know + 'Tis not with men as shrubs and trees, that by + The shoot you know the rank and order of + The stem. Yet who from such a stem would look + For such a shoot?" + + Knowles. + + +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! + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _that the said Emily was manumitted_, and should proceed under +the guidance of his brother to the place designated for the payment of +the legacy. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + +"O, Mr. Faxon!" sobbed Emily, but she could articulate no more. The +terrible reality of her situation had entirely overcome her. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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." + +"O, that I could die!" murmured Emily, as a feeling of despair crept to +her mind. + +"Nay, child, you must not repine at the will of Heaven. In God's own +good time He will call you hence." + +"I will not repine; but what a terrible life is before me!" + +"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." + +"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. + +"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." + +Emily caught at the slight hope thus extended to her; her eyes +brightened, and a little color returned to her pallid cheek. + +"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!" + +"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." + +"I will, I will! My father's and your good instructions shall not be +lost upon me, slave though I am. _Dear_ 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." + +"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?" + +"No, never, not the slightest," said Emily, wiping away the tears which +had gathered on her cheeks. + +"See if you cannot call to mind some slight circumstance, which you can +now recognize as such." + +Emily reflected a few moments, and then replied that she could not. + +"And your house-servants are all too young to remember as long ago as +your birth?" + +"All but Hatchie." + +"Perhaps you had better send for him, and I will question him. + +"I will, and I pray that his knowledge may favor me." + +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. + +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. + +"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." + +Emily's cheek again blanched, as she saw all hope in this quarter cut +off. + +"Poor Hatchie!" said she, as calmly as her excited feelings would +permit. "What was it, Uncle Jaspar?" + +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. + +"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." + +"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. + +"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." + +"But Hatchie was always honest and faithful," said Emily. + +"So he was, and I must share your surprise," returned Jaspar. + +"There is a possibility that it was not he," suggested Mr. Faxon. + +"There can be no doubt," said Jaspar, sharply. "The evidence is +conclusive." + +"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?" + +"He was, I believe," replied Jaspar, with a coolness that belied the +anxiety within him. + +"Were you _alone_ when you shot him, Mr. Dumont?" asked the clergyman, +sternly. + +"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. + +"Pardon me, sir," replied the minister, in a tone of mock humility. "Do +not let my curiosity affront you." + +"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." + +"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 _you_ in that capacity." + +"You seem to have departed very widely from your object," replied +Jaspar, with a sneer which he always bestowed upon religious topics. + +"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." + +"Indeed!" replied Jaspar, with a nervous start; "you have the will as +her father left it." + +"Uncle, you said my father's watch was stolen? Was it not in the iron +safe, with the other articles?" asked Emily, timidly. + +"It was," replied Jaspar, coldly. + +"How did he open it?" interrogated Mr. Faxon, taking up the suggestion +of Emily. + +"Did Hatchie return the keys to you last night?" asked Jaspar of Emily, +promptly. + +"He did not," replied she. + +"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. + +"You say that the canoe in which he was making his escape came ashore. +Where is it now? No canoe belongs to the estate." + +"There is not," said Jaspar, uneasily. + +"Perhaps an examination of it will disclose something of the robber, if +not of the will." + +"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. + +"Very likely," said the minister, with a kind of solemn sarcasm. "This +whole affair seems more like romance than reality." + +"I cannot believe my father was so cruel," cried Emily, the tears again +coming to the relief of her full heart. + +"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. + +"No, no! but, Uncle--" + +"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." + +"I will not call you uncle, but hear me," replied Emily, frightened at +Jaspar's violence. + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + +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 _own_ +Bellevue. + +On the following week, Jaspar and Emily proceeded to New Orleans, in the +family carriage, to take a steamer for Cincinnati. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + "Day after day, day after day, + We stuck,--nor breath, nor motion,-- + As idle as a painted ship + Upon a painted ocean." + + ANCIENT MARINER. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The superficial, worldly-minded man would have deemed Uncle Nathan's +_principles_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +"How long afore you start, cap'n?" inquired Uncle Nathan. + +"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." + +"Why, gracious!" said Uncle Nathan, hastily, as the waiter dodged into +the pantry, "I shan't have time to get my trunk down." + +"How far up do you go?" inquired Captain Drawler. + +"To Cincinnati, if you can carry me about right," replied Uncle Nathan, +with an eye to business. + +"Well, as you are going clear through, I will wait a few minutes for +you," suggested the captain. + +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. + +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. + +Two hours he waited, with the same exemplary patience; but still the +Chalmetta was a fixture. + +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. + +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! + +"All taken!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, aghast. "Haven't I paid for one?" + +The gentlemanly clerk acknowledged that he _had_ 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. + +Uncle Nathan did not see how this could be, and was informed that many +berths taken were not claimed.[1] + +[Footnote 1: 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.] + +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 minutiae. 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." + +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. + +"No prospect of getting off to-night, is there?" said he to Uncle +Nathan. + +"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'." + +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!" + +"You seem a leetle out o' sorts," returned Uncle Nathan, piqued at the +coldness with which his intelligence was received. + +"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." + +"You don't say so!" responded Uncle Nathan, with interest. "When did +they tell you they should start?" + +"The captain said in about ten minutes," answered Henry, with a smile. + +"Good gracious! he told me the same thing!" said Uncle Nathan, +astonished at the coincidence. + +"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." + +"Don't you think they will get started to-morrow?" + +"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." + +"Then he has taken me in most outrageously," said the New Englander, +with emphasis. + +"A very common occurrence, sir," replied Henry, who now explained to his +companion some of the tricks of Western steamboat captains. + +"Is there no remedy?" asked Uncle Nathan, anxiously. + +"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." + +"But will they give you back your passage-money again?" asked the +economical Yankee. + +"I have not paid it yet," replied Henry, now understanding the position +of his fellow-traveller. + +"Then how did you secure a berth? The sign in the cabin says 'No berth +secured till paid for.'" + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"Thank ye," replied Uncle Nathan, truly grateful for the kind sympathy +of the officer. "I had no sort of idee that they played _such_ tricks +upon travellers." + +"Fact, sir; this New Orleans is said to be a very naughty place," +returned Henry, amused at the simplicity of his companion. + +"True as gospel!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan, fervently. + +"Have you been here long?" + +"Only about ten days; but I have seen more iniquity in that time than I +supposed the whole airth contained." + +Henry smiled at the fervid utterance of his companion. + +"You are from the North, I perceive," said he. + +"Yes, sir, I am from Brookville, State of Massachusetts, which, thank +the Lord, is a long way from New Orleans!" + +"Still, there are some excellent people here," suggested Henry, who had +known and appreciated Southern kindness and hospitality. + +"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!" + +"Very different from New England, certainly," replied Henry, +good-naturedly, for it must be confessed he was not so much shocked at +these desecrations. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "--And deep the waves beneath them bending glide. + The youth, who seemed to watch a time to sin, + Approached the careless guide, and thrust him in." + + PARNELL. + + "Accoutred as I was, I plunged in." + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +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." + +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. + +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. + +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 _down_ river! + +"What in all natur' can be the meanin' of this?" exclaimed our +Northerner, wofully perplexed. + +"I cannot tell," replied Henry; "but I am much afraid we shall yet have +to stay over Sunday in New Orleans." + +"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." + +"Rather a hard penance; but let us first see what this movement will +amount to." + +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. + +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." + +The captain's assertion, with the exception of the ten minutes, was soon +verified by the boat touching at a sort of depot for naval and military +stores. The "_freight_" 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Hould on!" shouted he; "hould on, will yous, and take on this bit of a +box?" + +"Does it belong with the others?" asked the captain. + +"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?" + +"Take it aboard," said Captain Brawler to the deck hands, after +examining the direction. + +The men lifted the box rather rudely, in a manner which seemed to hurt +poor Pat's feelings. + +"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!" + +"Lively there," cried Captain Drawler, "lively, men!" + +"Bad luck to your soul for a blackguard, as ye are!" shouted Pat. "Where +did you lave your pathriotism?" + +The box was by this time on deck, and the captain, to do him justice, +made all haste to proceed on his voyage. + +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. + +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. + +"We are at last fairly started," said Henry, seating himself by the side +of Uncle Nathan, on the boiler deck. + +"Thank fortin, we are!" responded the farmer, heartily. "We are fast +getting away from that den of sin." + +"And you may preserve your morals yet," said Henry, with a pleasant +laugh. + +"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." + +"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." + +"He looks as though he had seen hard times," added Uncle Nathan, +indifferently. + +"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." + +"Troth I will, then, for I see yous wear the colors of Uncle Sam," +replied the Irishman, making his way to the boiler deck. + +"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." + +"Which means," replied Henry, "as you have not, I should treat you?" + +"That's jist it, your honor. I persave your honor is college-larnt by +the way yous see into my heart." + +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. + +Pat got the "smile," and with a grateful heart returned to his patron. + +"Thank your honor, kindly," said Pat. + +"Now tell me, Pat, what regiment you served in," said Henry. + +"In the first Pennsylvanians,--Captain Farrell's company." + +"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?" + +"Troth, I was, thin. He was every inch a sodger and a gintleman." + +"And the box you brought on board contains his remains?" + +"Upon me sowl it contains the body of as good a man as iver breathed the +breath o' life," replied Pat, very emphatically. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"A genuine Irishman!" said Henry, as Pat descended to the main deck; +"one in whom gratitude and faithfulness are as strong as life itself!" + +"He seems a good sort of man," returned Uncle Nathan, who had but little +appreciation of the Irish heart. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +At the tea-table there was little conversation beside the ordinary +courtesies of the occasion. Jaspar said but little. + +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. + +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. + +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! + +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. + +Emily related to him the circumstances of her father's death, and of the +reading of the will. + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Henry, in astonishment. + +"It is strange; but I cannot see any reason to disbelieve it, except +that my father's character assures me it is not so." + +"Which would be a very good reason for disbelieving it. And you are now +on your way to Cincinnati?" + +"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." + +"Good Heavens! Emily, do not talk so! You freeze the blood in my veins!" + +"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. + +"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!" + +"And can you regard me as you once did? A--" + +"An angel. Yes, truly, as an angel of the higher order." + +"Nay, nay, this sounds not like the Henry Carroll of a month since. You +are a flatterer," said Emily, with a smile. + +"I did but say what I would have gladly said then," replied Henry. + +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. + +"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. + +"I am as I was then; but you were a child of affluence, and I feared +to--to--" + +"Why did you fear?" asked Emily, not waiting to hear the word Henry was +stammering to enunciate. "Had you no confidence in your sister?" + +"I did have confidence in the _sister_. But I fear it was not a sister's +confidence I sought." + +"Indeed!" said Emily, her emotions destroying the appearance of surprise +the word was intended to convey. + +"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?" + +A slight pressure of the hand he held was all the answer he +received--was, indeed, all he asked. + +"You forget what I am," murmured Emily. + +"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!" + +"Why did you wish it? Did you think that gold would blacken my heart?" + +"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." + +"My father never had an avaricious disposition," replied Emily, warmly. + +"Far from it; but he might have had some views, in regard to his +daughter, with which I might have interfered." + +"But you were a rebel against his views, notwithstanding," said Emily, +with a smile, and a deep blush, which the darkness concealed from Henry. + +"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. + +[Illustration: Hatchie and Henry rescuing Emily from the Mississippi. +Page 79] + +"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." + +"A request," replied Henry, proudly, "which I shall entirely disregard." + +"Then, by--you will receive the penalty of your obstinacy!" said Jaspar, +in a passion. + +"I am not to be intimidated by threats." + +"Do not provoke him, Henry" said Emily, fearful for the safety of him +whom the last hour had doubly endeared to her. + +"Mr. Dumont, _her_ request I will obey," and Carroll walked forward. + +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. + +"Where is the man who saved her?" said the disappointed Jaspar, after +assisting Emily to her state-room. + +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. + +"Where is he? Who is he?" shouted Jaspar, eagerly. + +"_Here_!" cried a voice from the crowd. + +Jaspar started and turned pale, for the voice was a familiar one. + +"Where is he?" called Jaspar again, concluding that he must have +mistaken the voice. + +"Here!" again came forth from the crowd, and Hatchie stepped forward. + +"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. + +"Here is the reward," stammered he, holding out the money. + +"Never!" said Hatchie; and, before the crowd could clearly understand +the nature of the case, he had vanished behind a heap of freight. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + "'Tis much he dares; + And to that dauntless temper of his mind + He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor + To act in safety." SHAKSPEARE. + + +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 reaeppearance upon the deck +of the Chalmetta must be accounted for. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Should he carry it to Mr. Faxon, or even to Miss Emily herself, Jaspar +might obtain possession of it by some means. + +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. + +After waiting till the lights were extinguished in the library, he +entered the house, and obtained his money and clothing. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Pat's description of the boxes suggested to Hatchie the means of getting +to Cincinnati. + +"Could you get me a box like those which contain these coffins?" asked +he. + +"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?" + +"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. + +"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. + +"And I shall want your help, too." + +"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." + +"I intend to get to Cincinnati in it." + +"Is it in the box?" exclaimed Pat, astonished beyond measure. "Sure you +will smodther!" + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +Upon the outside the box was similar to the others, and was duly marked +and consigned. + +Hatchie's quarters were near the depot 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + "But as thou art a man + Whom I have picked and chosen from the world, + Swept that thou wilt be true to what I utter; + And when I've told thee that which only gods, + And men like gods, are privy to, then swear + No chance, or change, shall wrest it from thy bosom." + + OTWAY. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Now, Partrick," said Uncle Nathan, on the evening after Emily's rescue, +"rum never did any one any good." + +"'Pon my soul it did, thin,--it makes me happy whin sorra thing else in +the wide world will comfort me," replied Pat. + +"But that an't nateral happiness; it an't the sort that comes of doin' +good to your feller-creturs." + +"It sinds throuble away--what else is happiness?" + +"But how do you feel arterwards? That's the pint." + +"Arrah! bad enough, sure. Yous have the betther of me there." + +"Then leave it off, Partrick," responded Uncle Nathan, drawing the +pledge from his pocket. "Sign the pledge, and you are safe." + +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." + +"'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." + +"Why so, Partrick--what do you mean?" said Uncle Nathan, mystified by +the sudden change of manner in the new convert. + +"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?" + +"Sartain," replied Uncle Nathan, his curiosity fully excited. + +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. + +"Whisht now, and draw near," said he. "Can yous keep a sacret?" + +"Well, I think I could, if it was an honest one." + +"Faix, thin, it _is_ an honest one. Sure yous come from the North, and +don't belave in keeping the naigers in bondage?" + +"To be sure not." + +"Well, then, would yous help a naiger out of throuble, if yous could as +well as not?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"Sartain; tell your story, and, if I can't do you any good, I won't do +you any harm." + +"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." + +"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. + +"To be sure, a _frind_!" replied Pat, with emphasis. + +"I _will_ befriend him," replied Uncle Nathan, his natural inclination +triumphing over his fear of the law. + +"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. + +"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." + +"But he will expose himself, and she may deliver him up." + +"Divil a bit! Didn't he save her from dhrowning, last night?" exclaimed +Pat, warmly, for this act of Hatchie excited all his admiration. + +"Good gracious! you don't say so!" and Uncle Nathan understood the +mystery of the previous night. + +"Sorra a word o' lie in it." + +"But where in natur is the feller?" asked the wonder-struck Yankee, his +curiosity getting the better of every other consideration. + +"Whisht, now," whispered Pat; "he is in one of those boxes, with the +dead men! Do yous mind?" + +"Good gracious! how you talk! In a coffin?" + +"Divil a coffin at all. Sure as nate a bit of a box as iver held a +Christian." + +"But why does he wish to speak with the lady?" + +"Sorra know I know," replied Pat, to whom Hatchie had communicated no +more than was necessary. + +"Does he wish to see her in person?" + +"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?" + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + + "_Duke_.--How's this? + The treason's + Already at the doors." + + VENICE PRESERVED. + + "_Amelia_.--I thought I heard a step. + _Charles_.--'T is your tyrant coming." + + PROCTOR. + + +Jaspar and De Guy were for a long time closeted in the state-room. On +their reaeppearance 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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _Mr. Maxwell_ 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 +_utter_ 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. _She_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +"In your legal capacity, I presume?" said she, with a smile and a +crimson face. + +"Certainly, certainly," replied Maxwell, not a little disconcerted to +discover this troublesome caution. + +"Will you take a seat, then? I think no one will feel an interest in our +conversation beside ourselves." + +"Excuse me," replied Maxwell, in his blandest tones, "a few words of our +conversation overheard might expose persons we wish not to injure." + +"Perhaps it had better be deferred to a more convenient opportunity." + +"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." + +Emily, with many doubts, accepted his arm, and they proceeded to the +promenade deck. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"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!" + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"I am greatly relieved by this assurance, and, with your leave, will +proceed with my narrative." + +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. + +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. + +Maxwell has now, with an adroitness peculiar to the successful lawyer, +made _himself_ 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! + +Emily was certainly grateful for the deep interest he had manifested in +her behalf, and she expressed her gratitude with modest earnestness. + +"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." + +"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. + +"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." + +"I trust, Mr. Maxwell, you will receive the great reward which is sure +to follow every noble and true action." + +Emily was sadly perplexed to understand this new and singular +phenomenon. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +"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--" + +"Excuse me, sir," indignantly interrupted Emily, "I must retire." + +"Nay, nay, Miss Dumont! I meant no offence. Hear me but for a moment!" + +"Not another instant, sir! You have deceived me." + +"Upon my honor, I have not. I possess the evidence by which your +birthright and possessions may be restored." + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +"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?" + +"I have offended you, Miss Dumont," said he, in the humblest tones; "can +I hope to be forgiven?" + +"Your future conduct alone can secure my forgiveness." + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +"I have a plan to propose," said he, "which will immediately secure to +you all your rights." + +"Pray what is it?" asked Emily, eagerly. + +"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." + +This last sentence was said in a whisper, and in a tone of assurance, +as though he felt she would gladly accept the alternative. + +"Sir!" exclaimed Emily, aghast with astonishment and indignation, for +the abruptness of the degrading proposition nearly deprived her of the +power of speech. + +"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." + +"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. + +"I beg madam will reflect before she decides," said Maxwell, in a +satirical tone. + +"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. + +"Softly, lady, softly!" + +"Leave me, sir! leave me, or I will call upon my uncle to protect me +from further insult!" + +"Your _uncle_, I fear, was left at the last wood-yard; so I heard my +friend De Guy say." + +Emily felt herself the victim of a plot, and, rousing all her energies, +she said, + +"I see it all. The machinations of a villain--for such you are--shall be +foiled." + +"Miss Dumont," said Maxwell, his passions roused by the severity of her +epithet, "do you forget your condition? You are a _slave_! Your supposed +uncle is not here. You have no free papers, and are liable to be +committed to the next jail." + +"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. + +"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." + +"But he has a strong arm!" shouted Henry Carroll, as with a single blow +he struck the attorney to the deck. + +"This way, Emily," said he to the weeping girl, who clung tremblingly to +him; "you are safe now." + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + "Caught, caught + In thine own trap! Thou hast confessed it all,-- + The means, the end, the motive,--laid all Bare! + O, thou poor knave!--and that convenient friend + Who swears or unswears, speaks or holds his peace, + At thy command,--you have conspired together!" + + LOVELL. + + +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 elite 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. + +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. + +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 _gentleman_ and _man of honor_ +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. + +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 _cabarets_ of Mexico. + +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. + +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. + +Maxwell vainly remonstrated, but was obliged to comply with the wishes +of the robber, or lose his services. + +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. + +We must return to Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, whom we left on their way +to the fugitive in the hold of the steamer. + +"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." + +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. + +"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. + +Uncle Nathan found the hand was warm, and felt completely relieved of +the sensation of fear which had come over him. + +"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. + +"You are a _friend_, I trust," replied Hatchie, who, although he +implicitly relied on the _faith_ 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 _her_ 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. + +"I _am_ 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. + +"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 _me_. But, sir, you are a stranger to me, and I +know not that I may trust you." + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"Not exactly to talk _with_ 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 _her_ 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." + +"That old gentleman who is with her?" interrupted Uncle Nathan. + +"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--" + +"Good gracious, I hope so!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan, whose sympathies +wore awakened by the brief narrative of the mulatto. + +"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." + +"True," replied Uncle Nathan, appreciating his companion's reasoning, +and admiring his warm devotion to his mistress. + +"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. + +"I will do the best I can." + +"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." + +"I will do everything I can," replied Uncle Nathan, warmly, for his +heart was touched at the wrongs of Emily. + +"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." + +"You may depend upon me. I will take good care of the document. But +shan't I say anything to the lady about it?" + +"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." + +"I will see everything done about right; and I hope soon to meet you in +the land of liberty." + +"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." + +"Goodness!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan; "I never should have thought it!" + +Hatchie's devotion to his mistress, so eloquently expressed, jostled +rather rudely the Northerner's prejudices concerning the treatment of +slaves. + +The conversation was here interrupted by three taps on the deck above +them, produced by the brogan of Pat Fegan. + +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. + +"Whisht, now," said Pat, whispering down the hatch. "Jump up, Mr. +Binson!" + +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. + +"How the divil did yous tumble in there?" screamed Pat, as two persons +approached. "Are yous hurted?" + +"A little," replied Uncle Nathan, perceiving the ruse of his coadjutor. + +"I fear yous are. Thry are your legs broke?" continued Pat, whose energy +of utterance gave a fair appearance to the deceit. + +"Are you much hurt?" asked one of the persons who had by their presence +disturbed the conference. + +"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. + +"Bad luck to 't, but 'twas a wicked fall!" said Pat, fearful that his +conscientious companion would expose the deceit. + +"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. + +"Thank ye, I don't need any," replied Uncle Nathan, hobbling off, +accompanied by Pat. + +"Now, is the coast clear?" said Vernon, who carried a lantern he had +borrowed from the mate. + +"All clear; but put out that light,--the engineers will notice us," +replied Maxwell. + +"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." + +"What do you want in the hold?" asked Maxwell, in an irritable tone. + +"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." + +"It is bad business, and I wish you had not done this thing. As I told +you before, _I_ have nothing to do with it. I feel myself rather above +common robbery." + +"Self-esteem! But you came down on your own business, not on mine. You +can return, and not trouble yourself any further," growled Vernon. + +"I need your help, and will pay you for it." + +"Very well, then, wait till _this_ job is finished." + +"Go on! I will follow," replied Maxwell, finding remonstrance vain. + +After a careful scrutiny of the premises, Vernon concealed his lantern +under his coat, and leaped into the hold, followed by Maxwell. + +"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." + +"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. + +"Why not? We need not disturb the bodies,--only open the outside box." + +"Very well," said Maxwell, who felt how useless it was to oppose his +companion. "But remember, I have nothing to do with the robbery." + +"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. + +"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?" + +"Certainly; but what's the plan?" asked Vernon, indifferently. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +Having effected the object which brought them to the hold, the two +ascended again, and made their way to the cabin. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + "He must be taught to know he has presumed + To stand in competition with me. + --You will not kill him?" SHIRLEY. + + --"Wherefore com'st thou? + --To comfort you, and bring you joyful news." + MARLOW. + + +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. + +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, _he_ who had espoused the cause of innocence, why it was +simply impossible! + +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. + +The boat would arrive at Natchez about daylight, and would remain there +long enough to allow the meeting to take place. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Are you sure this is his room?" asked Hatchie, in a smothered whisper. + +"Troth, I am, thin," responded his companion; "but be aisy, or you'll +wake him." + +"The worse for him," replied Hatchie, as his teeth ground together. + +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. + +Seating himself behind a heap of merchandise, Hatchie proceeded to +examine the pistols by the light of a lantern which Pat had _borrowed_ +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. + +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. + +"Now be careful they do not see you do it," said Vernon, in a low, +careless tone. + +The pistols were handed to the principals, the signal was given, and +both fired nearly at the same instant. + +"Confound it!" exclaimed Maxwell, dropping his pistol, and grasping the +left arm, which had been hit by Henry's ball. "How does this happen?" + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"I am. Her father was my best friend. I spent a few weeks with him a +short time before his death." + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +But the anguish of her painful position _would_ 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. + +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. + +"Please, ma'am, a gentleman out in the cabin says he wants to speak to +you." + +"A gentleman wishes to speak to me? Did he send his name?" + +"No, ma'am. He said you wouldn't know him, if he did; so it was no use +to send it." + +"Pray, what looking gentleman is he?"--her mind reverting to Maxwell. + +"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." + +"Pray, ask him to send his name." + +"Yes, ma'am," said the chambermaid, retiring. + +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. + +The chambermaid presently returned, and said the gentleman's name was +Benson. + +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. + +"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, as soon as he reached the +position assigned him; "you are Miss Dumont, I believe?" + +"The same," said she, as calmly as her fluttering heart would permit. +"May I beg to know your business with me?" + +"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." + +"Really, sir, you astonish me! May I be allowed to ask how you became +acquainted with my affairs?" + +"All in good time, ma'am; I have in my possession a document, which, I'm +told, will set matters all right with you." + +"What is it, sir?"--and Emily was still more astonished at the +singularity of the adventure. + +"_It is your father's will_, ma'am," replied Uncle Nathan, disdaining +all preface and preliminary to this important remark. + +"My father's will, sir! Impossible!" + +"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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "Louder than the loud ocean, like a crash + Of echoing thunder." BYRON. + + +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. + +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. + +"We must watch to-night," said he. + +"Sartain, we'll keep a good look-out; but the scamp can't do anything +while he is wounded." + +"But he had confederates." + +"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. + +"Sure, the naiger would like to spake wid yous," said Pat, in a whisper. + +"What's the matter, Pat?" asked Henry. + +"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." + +"No, no, Partrick, that's too bad," interrupted Uncle Nathan, +reprovingly; "I must teach you to tell the truth." + +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. + +"Long life to your honor, if that be true!" exclaimed Pat; "and you +won't blow on the naiger?" + +"I have too strong an interest in him to do anything to his injury," +replied Henry. "But show me the way to him, Pat." + +"One at a time, if yous plaze," said Pat, as he perceived Uncle Nathan +about to follow them. + +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. + +"Hould aisy," said Pat, as they approached the fugitive; "don't be +afraid,--I have brought yous a frind." + +"I hope you will not bring me too many friends," replied Hatchie, a +little disconcerted. + +"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." + +"Not all," replied Hatchie; "you cannot know how much anxiety I have +endured. Miss Emily is not yet safe." + +"But we can easily foil the villain's future designs." + +"We will, at least, endeavor to do so." + +"I believe I have seen you before; we were companions in the rescue." + +"We were, and God bless you for the noble service you rendered my +mistress!" + +"That service was all your own, my gallant fellow." + +"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." + +"This foul conspiracy,--will they put it in execution to-night?" + +"I heard the villain they call Vernon, an hour ago, engage a deck hand +to help him row the boat." + +"Then there is indeed danger. I had thought Maxwell's wound would have +prevented it for a season." + +"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." + +"Vernon," said Henry, musing; "he was Maxwell's second." + +"Yes. That duel was a plot to murder you." + +"How so?" + +Hatchie explained the plan of Vernon, which had been rendered futile by +his precaution. + +"The scoundrel! but how knew you this, and how happens it that I escaped +while he is wounded?" said Henry. + +"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." + +"A bag of money!" interrupted Henry, his thoughts diverted from the +subject. + +"Ay, a bag of money." + +"Do you know where they hid it?" + +"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. + +"Because I have been robbed of all I had in the world," replied Henry, +seeing the shade upon Hatchie's brow. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the mulatto, his doubts removed, and pleased in +being able to restore his money. + +"The money is undoubtedly mine. Your noble devotion to your mistress has +thus proved a fortunate thing for me. But about the pistols?" + +Hatchie related the means he had used to derange Maxwell's plan. + +"I shall never be able to repay the debt I owe you," said Henry, warmly, +as the mulatto finished his story. + +"I did it for my mistress' sake. I learned that you were her friend." + +"And she will bless you for the act." + +"Now, what shall be done to insure her safety to night? for they will +attempt her abduction, I doubt not." + +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. + +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. + +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!" + +Henry sought his state-room, where he found Uncle Nathan impatiently +waiting to hear the result of the interview. + +"There is danger," said Henry, "and we must be ready to do our duty +manfully." + +"Good gracious! you don't say so!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan. + +"We must watch to-night, and, if need be, fight!" + +"How you talk! You don't think the feller with the sore arm will try to +do anything to-night?" + +"I fear he will;" and Henry opened his trunk, and took therefrom a pair +of revolvers. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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. + +"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." + +"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--" + +"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." + +"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. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Now is our time," said Maxwell, in a whisper. + +"Here goes, then!" replied Vernon. + +"Be careful that you do not injure her,--and bring her clothes." + +"Ay, ay! Have the boat ready quick, for, if I mistake not, the sooner we +are out of this boat the better." + +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! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + "False world, thou ly'st; thou canst not lend + The least delight; + Thy favors cannot gain a friend, + They are so slight." FRANCIS QUARLES. + + +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 +_locomotive_ powers,--for, strange as it may seem, they annually take a +step down stream! Observation has shown a change of position almost +incredible. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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! + +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. + +He travelled up the river in search of seclusion, and accidentally had +noticed the island upon which he afterwards fixed his residence. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Where is she? Is she safe?" murmured the sufferer, as his returning +consciousness afforded a partial knowledge of his condition. "Where am +I?" + +"You are among friends, sir,--among friends. Do not distress yourself," +replied the doctor, in a soothing tone. + +"Where is she? Great God! what has become of her?" exclaimed the wounded +man, with startling energy. + +"You must be quiet, sir, or you will injure your arm," said Dr. +Vaudelier, mildly restraining the excited man. + +"O, Emily, Emily!" groaned the sufferer. "Why did I leave you? Why did +we not perish together?" + +"Be calm, sir,--be calm! You have lost a friend in this terrible +disaster?" + +"I have. O that I could have died with her!" + +"Are you sure she has perished?" + +"She could scarcely have survived the explosion." + +"Was she not in the ladies' cabin?" + +"She was." + +"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." + +"Thank God for this intelligence!" ejaculated Henry Carroll,--for the +reader has already discovered that it was he whom the doctor had +rescued. + +"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." + +"Heaven protect her!" exclaimed Henry. + +"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." + +"I will try to be quiet, but I cannot but be anxious till I know the +whole truth." + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + "But thou, a wretched, base, false, worthless coward! + All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee. + Prythee avoid, nor longer cling thus round me, + Like something baneful, that my nature's chilled at." + + OTWAY. + + +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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"Alas! I fear his power will not avail against this hardened villain." + +"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." + +"I fear they cannot aid me." + +"Yes, they can. My Jerry alone would turn 'em inside out, if they are +sarcy." + +"I can scarcely hope the villains--" + +"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. + +"Mr. Maxwell," said Emily, rising, "if you have any mercy, or pity for +my misfortunes, let me be left alone." + +"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." + +"A carriage! For what?" + +"To convey you to a steamboat-landing." + +"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. + +"Silence, old woman!" said Maxwell, sternly, for he feared the dame +would increase Emily's distrust of him. + +"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!" + +"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." + +"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." + +"For Cincinnati?" sneered Maxwell, who found the old woman's tongue a +very formidable weapon. + +"I dare say there will," responded the dame. + +"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." + +"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." + +"That I will," promptly responded the dame. + +"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. + +"By what right, sir, do you _insist_ upon it? I was not aware that you +were invested with any legal control over me." + +"Then you are mistaken. I act upon undoubted authority." + +"Indeed, sir, are you my guardian?" said Emily, shuddering at the +thought of the will. + +"Not technically a guardian. My authority is a little more definite." + +"I do not understand you, sir." + +"It is immaterial. Perhaps you had better go with me peaceably, +however," said Maxwell, with a carelessness foreign to his feelings. + +"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 _command_ you, leave my +presence!" + +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. + +"That was very prettily done, lady; but I cannot obey. It is useless to +multiply words. You _must_ go with me;" and Maxwell extended his hand. + +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. + +"Go along, now, about your business, and don't bother the lady any +more!" said the old woman, taking advantage of the momentary silence. + +"Miss Dumont, I once more ask you to go with me peaceably," said +Maxwell, not heeding the dame's remark. + +"And once more I answer, _I will not_!" + +"I should be sorry to use compulsion. Do you forget your condition?" + +"I do not," replied Emily, with a tremor, but without the loss of her +self-possession. "I am of the best blood of Louisiana." + +"But still a _slave!_" + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed the hostess. + +"I am _not_ a slave! You know this is the plot of a villain like +yourself. The true will has been found." + +"Indeed! Is it here?" said Maxwell, with a sneer, for while he had Emily +in his power he feared nothing. + +"No; but it shall be brought forth in due season." + +"Until which time you are a slave; and not only a slave, but _my_ +slave," replied Maxwell, with perfect coolness, as he drew from his +pocket-book the forged bill of sale. + +"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. + +"Will you read this paper?" continued Maxwell. + +"No; like the will, it is a forgery!" replied Emily, determined to die +rather than yield herself to the guidance of the attorney. + +"It gives me an undeniable right to your person, and you must obey me. +The carriage waits in the road." + +"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. + +"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--" + +"Then you own that it is a plot?" + +"I acknowledge nothing." + +"But you know it is a base trick?" + +"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?" + +"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. + +"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." + +"Your honor!" said Emily, bitterly. "It is but a poor dependence for an +unprotected female." + +"Gently, Miss Dumont! Do not rouse the demon within me by such taunts." + +"I fear the worst demon of your nature is already in the ascendency." + +"Enough! Will you go, or will you not?" said Maxwell, impatiently. + +"I will not!" + +"Then I must claim you as my slave,--do not start!--and _compel_ you." + +"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. + +"It must be done! I will hesitate no longer!" said Maxwell, seizing +Emily by the arm. + +"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." + +"But, woman, she is my property," answered Maxwell, not a little +intimidated by the ferocious aspect of the matron. + +"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. + +"No, ma'am, I won't believe him," responded Mrs. Swinger, as her heart +triumphed over the argument of the lawyer. + +"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." + +The hostess was not a little perplexed by the document, and Emily +observed, with terror, that she wavered in her purpose. + +"It is a gross forgery!" exclaimed Emily, with a glance of earnest +pleading, which the rough but kind-hearted woman could not resist. + +"I don't care nothin' about your bill of sale! The gal is safe," said +Mrs. Swinger, with emphasis. + +Maxwell, resolving to execute his design, again seized Emily by the arm, +and was on the point of hurrying her out of the cabin. + +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. + +"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. + +"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!" + +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. + +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. + +The worthy Jerry Swinger; the good woman's beau ideal of a man, reached +the cabin at the moment Vernon entered. + +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. + +"What's all this about?" said Jerry, as he entered the cabin. + +"Save me, sir,--save me from these villains!" exclaimed Emily, whose +piteous accents penetrated the heart of the honest woodman. + +"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." + +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!" + +"Look here, stranger," said Jerry, approaching the attorney, "if you +touch that trigger, I'll pull your heart out!" + +Vernon saw that his time had come, and, grappling with the woodman, they +both fell upon the mud floor of the cabin. + +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. + +"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!" + +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. + +"O, Hatchie, Hatchie! you have again saved me!" exclaimed Emily, as she +saw her deliverer reenter. "Thank God! I am safe, though at what a +terrible sacrifice!" + +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. + +"O, Hatchie! what do I not owe you for this service!" + +"I am so happy to serve you, Miss Emily!" replied Hatchie, rejoiced to +hear again his mistress' voice. + +"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." + +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. + +"Whar's Suke?" said he. + +Then perceiving her outstretched form upon the bed, he calmly, but very +sorrowfully, asked, "Is she dead?" + +"No, thank God! she is not dead; but I fear she is badly injured," +replied Emily, who was still bending over the sufferer. + +The woodman approached the bed-side, and, observing the faint breathing +which gently heaved her chest, he seemed comforted. + +"Whar's the wound?" asked he, in a melancholy tone. + +"In her side," replied Emily; "the bullet seems to have penetrated the +region below the heart." + +"Poor gal! I'm feered it's all up with her. She has been a good woman to +me." + +"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. + +"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. + +"But let us hope for the best. Is there a physician in the vicinity?" + +"Ay, stranger, there is one that sometimes helps the poor folks about +here." + +"Then, Hatchie, you can go for him." + +"Stop a little! The doctor is an oncommon strange man, and lives on an +island down the bend." + +"I will go for him," said Hatchie. + +"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." + +"But we must be as speedy as possible," suggested Emily. + +The arrival of the woodman's son terminated the difficulty. It was +arranged that Hatchie should go with him, to assist in rowing back. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + "Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell; + Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave; + Then some leaped overboard with dreadful yell, + As eager to anticipate their grave." BYRON. + + +We left the Chalmetta in a situation which demands explanation. + +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 _her_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Fear nothing, lady; you are safe," said Maxwell. + +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. + +"Thank God, I am safe!" said she, after a pause. + +"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. + +"But why do you go this way?" asked Emily, as she saw the Flatfoot +approach the wreck. + +"I only wish to convey you from the scene of danger." + +"Then why not go to that steamer?" + +"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." + +"May we not render some assistance?" + +"No doubt there are more assistants than can labor to advantage now." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Suddenly his countenance assumed its former lowering aspect, his brows +knit, and his lips compressed. + +"Missing!" muttered he. "What the devil does _missing_ mean? What can it +mean but dead, defunct, gone to a better world, as the canting +hypocrites say?" + +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. + +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. + +"Has the Dragon returned?" asked Jaspar. + +"Yes, sar, jus got in, Massa." + +"Is there any person in the house who went up in her?" + +"Yes, massa, one gemman in de office." + +"Who is he?" + +"Massa--massa--" and the darkey scratched his head, to stimulate his +memory, which act instantly brought the name to his mind. + +"Massa _Lousey_." + +"Mister what, you black scoundrel!" + +"Yes, sar,--Massa Lousey; dat's de name." + +"Lousey?" repeated Jaspar. + +"Stop bit," said the waiter, a new idea penetrating his cranium. "Dar +Lousey, dat's de name, for sartin." + +"Dalhousie," responded Jaspar. "Give my compliments to Mr. Dalhousie, +and ask him to oblige me with a few moments' conversation in this room." + +"Yes, sar;" and the waiter retired, muttering, "Dar Lousey." + +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. + +"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." + +"No trouble, Mr. Dumont, I am extremely happy to serve you," replied +Dalhousie, whose obsequious manners were ample evidence of his +sincerity. + +"My niece was on board of her," continued Jaspar, "and I see her name in +the list of missing." + +"Your _niece_!" 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. + +"No matter," returned Jaspar, sharply; "she went by the name of Dumont. +Did you find any bodies?" + +"We picked up the remains of six men and two females." + +"Can you describe the females? How were they dressed?" asked Jaspar, in +an excited manner. + +"One was dressed in black. The other had on a common calico." + +"But the one in black,--describe her,--her hair,--was she tall or +short?" interrupted Jaspar, hurriedly. + +"Her hair was in curls. She was apparently about twenty-six or seven, +and rather short in stature." + +"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?" + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +"Had she any jewels--ornaments of any kind?" asked Dalhousie, after the +silence had grown disagreeable to him. + +"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?" + +"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. + +"Of course not," replied Jaspar, impatiently. "What has this to do with +the matter?" + +"Did your niece wear a ring?" + +"Yes, a mourning ring." + +"Do you know the ring? Could you identify it?" + +"Certainly," replied Jaspar, who remembered having seen an ornament of +this description on the finger of Emily. + +"Will you describe it to me, if you please?" + +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. + +"Is this the one?" asked Dalhousie, with an anxiety which he could +scarcely conceal, as he produced a ring. + +"That _is_ it," replied Jaspar, confidently; and the jewel did bear some +resemblance to that worn by Emily. + +"But where did you obtain this?" + +"I must insist on the most inviolable secrecy." + +"Certainly, certainly," said Jaspar, eagerly. + +"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." + +"Very well. I pledge you my honor," replied Jaspar, impatiently. "You +took it from the corpse of the lady in black." + +"I did, and you must be aware that such an act would subject me to +inconvenience, if known." + +"Don't be alarmed; your secret is safe." + +"But are you sure this is the ring worn by your niece?" + +"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. + +"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. + +"This appears to be decisive evidence," replied Dalhousie. "Your +_niece_, then, must be the person brought down by the Dragon." + +"Without doubt." + +"As this matter, then, is settled to your satisfaction--" + +"Sir!" exclaimed Jaspar. + +"I beg your pardon," resumed Dalhousie, with a supercilious air; "I only +meant that your mind was satisfied--relieved from a painful anxiety." + +"A very painful anxiety," replied Jaspar. + +"I understand, sir, you own a large plantation." + +"Well." + +"Perhaps you need an overseer?" + +Jaspar acknowledged that he did need an overseer. + +"I should be happy to make an engagement with you," said the other, in +complaisant tones. + +"I don't think you would suit me. You are too genteel, by half," +returned Jaspar, bluntly. + +"I have been in a better position, it is true. I was born in France, but +I understand the business." + +"Did you ever manage a gang of niggers?" + +After a little hesitation, Dalhousie replied that he had. + +"We will talk of it some other time," said Jaspar, satisfied, from the +air and manner of the other, that his statement was false. + +Dalhousie put on his hat, and, taking the mourning ring from the table, +was about to enfold it in a bit of paper. + +"What are you about, sir?" exclaimed Jaspar, as he witnessed the act. + +"The ring is my property, is it not?" said Dalhousie. + +"Put it down, or, by heavens, I will expose your rascality in taking +it!" + +"Do not be hasty, sir. I have not studied your looks, the last hour, +without profiting by them." + +"What do you mean by that?" said Jaspar, a little startled. + +"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." + +"_Fool_! she was not my niece!" + +"Why are you so anxious to establish her decease?" + +"Was I anxious?" said Jaspar, not knowing how far he might have betrayed +himself. + +"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. + +Jaspar did not reply, and it was plain Dalhousie's remarks had had their +effect. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The body of the deceased lady was claimed by Dalhousie, in behalf of +Jaspar, and interred in Vicksburg. + +In company with the new overseer and his wife, Jaspar returned the next +day to Bellevue. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "Say quick! quoth he; I bid thee say, + What manner of man art thou? + + "Forthwith, this frame of mine was wrenched + With a woful agony, + Which forced me to begin my tale; + And then it left me free." ANCIENT MARINER. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"We have, indeed; but I trust no lives will be lost," replied Emily. + +"No; the woman will do very well. The wound is a severe one, but not +dangerous. Her strong constitution will resist all fatal consequences." + +"I trust it may, for this has been a day of disaster, without the loss +of more life." + +"You were a passenger in the Chalmetta?" + +"I was." + +"Then you have had a narrow escape." + +"But a more narrow one since the explosion. Thank Heaven, I have been +preserved from both calamities!" + +"Had you no friends on board?" + +"I had--one friend;" and she hesitated. "I fear he has perished." + +"Hope for the best!" replied the doctor, kindly. + +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. + +"I have no alternative but hope," said Emily; "but it seems like hoping +against the certainty of evil." + +"I saved the life of a gentleman this morning who must shortly have +perished without aid. He, too, had lost a dear friend." + +"Indeed!" said Emily, with interest. + +"Yes; but he was much injured, and will require the most diligent care." + +"I trust your merciful endeavors will be crowned with success. Do you +know the gentleman?" + +"I do not. He has not yet been able to converse much. He was dressed in +the uniform of an officer." + +"An officer! Perhaps it is he!" exclaimed Emily. + +Dr. Vaudelier was much interested in the adventure, and the pale, +anxious features of Emily excited his sympathy for her. + +"As I dressed his wounds," said he, "I noticed the initials upon his +linen. Perhaps these may afford some clue." + +"What were they?" exclaimed Emily, scarcely able to articulate, in the +intensity of her feelings. + +"H.C." + +"It is he! It is he! And you say he is wounded?" + +"I am sorry to say he is." + +"Can I go to him?" said Emily, grasping the doctor's arm. + +"I fear your presence will excite him. Are you a relative?" + +"No, not a relative," replied Emily, blushing; "but I know he would like +to see me." + +"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." + +"Let me watch over him while he sleeps. He need not know I am near." + +"Rather difficult to manage, but you shall see him. Will you return with +me?" + +"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. + +"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." + +Dr. Vaudelier tried to smile at this sally; but the effort was too much +for him, and he sank under it. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Hatchie examined the lock upon the carpet-bag, and found that it +entirely secured the contents from observation. + +"I will trouble you for the key of this bag," said he, politely, as he +rose and approached the attorney. + +"What mean you, fellow? Would you rob me?" exclaimed Maxwell. + +"Not at all, sir; do not alarm yourself. The key, if you please. In +which pocket is it?" + +Hatchie approached, with the intention of searching his prisoner. + +"Stand off, villain!" cried Maxwell, as he gave the mulatto a hearty +kick in the neighborhood of the knee. + +"Very well, sir," said Hatchie, not at all disconcerted by the blow. + +Taking the rope he had brought, he dexterously passed it round the legs +of the attorney, and made it fast to the tree. + +"Now, sir, if you will tell which pocket contains the key, you will save +yourself the indignity of being searched." + +"Miserable villain! if you wish to commit violence upon me, you must do +it without my consent." + +"Sorry to disoblige you, sir," said Hatchie, with an affectation of +civility; "but I must have the key." + +"I have not the key; it is lost. If I had, you should struggle for it." + +"You will pardon me for doubting your word. I must satisfy myself." + +"Help! help!" shouted the attorney, as his tormentor proceeded to put +his threat in execution. + +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. + +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. + +"Now, Mr. Maxwell," said he, "as you have given me encouragement that +you _can_ tell the truth, I have a few questions to put to you." + +"I will answer no questions," replied Maxwell, sullenly. + +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. + +"Please to consider, sir. You are entirely in my power." + +"No matter; do with me as you please,--I will answer no questions." + +"Think of it; and be assured I will do my best to _compel_ an answer. If +I do not succeed, you will be food for the buzzards before yonder sun +sets." + +"What, fellow! would you murder me?" exclaimed Maxwell, in alarm. + +"I would not; if you compel me to use violence, the consequences be upon +your own head. Will you answer me?" + +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. + +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. + +Seating himself again on the log, with the other end of the rope in his +hand, he looked sternly upon the attorney, and said, + +"Now, sir, I put the question again. Will you answer me?" + +"Never!" said Maxwell, in desperation. + +"Very well, then; if you have any prayers to say, say them now; your +time is short." + +"Fool! villain! murderer! I have no prayers to say. I am not a +drivelling idiot, or fanatic; I can die like a man." + +"You had better reconsider your determination." + +"No, craven! woolly-headed coward! I will not flinch. Do you think to +_drive_ a gentleman into submission?" + +"Be calm, Mr. Maxwell; do not waste your last moments in idle +invectives. The time were better spent in penitence and prayer." + +"Pshaw! go on, if you dare, with your murderous work!" + +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. + +After giving the victim time to recover from the choking sensation, the +mulatto repeated his question. + +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. + +"Will you answer my questions?" repeated Hatchie, sternly. + +"What would you have me answer?" replied Maxwell, doggedly. + +"Did you forge the will by which my mistress is deprived of her rights?" + +"No." + +"Do you know who did?" + +Maxwell hesitated, and Hatchie again pulled the rope till his face was +crimson. + +"Who forged the will?" repeated Hatchie, slackening the rope. + +"I did not," replied Maxwell, as soon as he could regain breath enough +to speak. + +"Who did?" + +"I know not." + +[Illustration: Hatchie forcing secrets from Maxwell. Page 178] + +Hatchie pulled the rope again. + +"Your master--" + +"I have no master. Miss Emily is my mistress." + +"I have been told his name was De Guy." + +"Who is De Guy?" + +"A lawyer of New Orleans." + +"And what agency had you in the affair?" + +"None whatever." + +"Then Mr. Dumont and De Guy are the only persons concerned in the +transaction?" + +"Yes." + +"You are positive?" + +"Yes." + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +"I obtained the knowledge from De Guy," said he, at last. + +"How! did he voluntarily betray the confidence of his employer?" + +"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." + +"Did he acknowledge it?" + +"He did." + +"Then why did you not expose the plot?" + +"It did not suit my purpose." + +"What was your purpose?" + +"To marry Miss Dumont." + +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. + +"Where did you get that bill of sale?" said he. + +Again the attorney hesitated, and again Hatchie pulled the rope till he +was ready to answer. + +"Is it a forgery?" said Hatchie, slackening the rope. + +"Probably it is," replied Maxwell. + +"Who wrote it?" + +"De Guy." + +"This De Guy is a most consummate villain, and shall yet be brought to +justice. But how came it in your possession?" + +"I received it from De Guy, as the agent of Mr. Dumont. In fine, I +_bought_ the girl," said Maxwell, maliciously. + +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. + +"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." + +"I am," replied the attorney. "Do you think I would have yielded to you, +if I had not known it?" + +"Have you told me the truth in these statements?" asked Hatchie. + +The attorney hesitated; but a sharp twinge at the neck compelled him to +say that he had. + +"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." + +"Fool! what avail will they be, extorted with a rope about my neck?" + +"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." + +The face of the lawyer grew a shade paler; but he spoke not. + +"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. + +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. + +"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. + +"I will tell you another time; cut these ropes, and let us be off." + +"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!" + +"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." + +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. + +Hatchie was disappointed, on his return, to find his prisoner had +escaped. A diligent search, by the precaution of the confederates, was +rendered fruitless. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + "Why should my curiosity excite me + To search and pry into the affairs of others, + Who have to employ my thoughts so many cares + And sorrows of my own?" LILLO. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"Yes, Delia, and our fortune is at last come," replied Dalhousie, +rising, and bestowing a kiss upon the fair cheek of the lady. + +"Is it from France?" + +"No, dear; it is from the land of spirits!" answered Dalhousie, with a +good-natured laugh. + +"Indeed! I was not aware that you had a correspondent there." + +"But I have; and I am exceedingly obliged to him for putting me in +possession of such useful information as this letter contains." + +"Pray, who is your ghostly correspondent?" + +"Colonel Dumont,--a deceased brother of the worthy Jaspar, in whose +employ we now are." + +"Do not jest, Francois!" said the lady, as a feeling akin to +superstition rose in her mind. + +"Jest or not, the letter was written by him," continued her husband, +still retaining his playful smile. + +"To you?" + +"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." + +"To whom is it directed, Francois?" + +"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. + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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." + +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. + +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: + + "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. + + "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. + + "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. + + "Should any event occur after my death which deprives you of any of + your inheritance, follow the directions I now give you. + + "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. + + "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. + + "This letter you will receive from Mr. Faxon, to whom I recommend + you for counsel and consolation in every trial. + + "And now, my child, I must bid you farewell. I feel my end + approaching. May God forever bless and preserve you! + + "Your dying father, + + "EDGAR DUMONT." + +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. + +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. + +Carefully depositing its contents as he had found them, he locked the +drawer, and put the key upon the floor. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + + "The accursed plot he overheard, + Its every point portrayed; + Yet ere the villain's words were cold. + The counter-plot was made." + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Are you sure this is the island?" said Maxwell, when they had come +within hearing of Hatchie. + +"This must be the one," replied Vernon. "We shall soon see whether it is +inhabited or not." + +"With whom did the girl leave the wood-yard?" + +"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." + +"Who is the doctor?" + +"Don't know. The boatman said it was an outlandish name, and he had +forgotten it. You mean to have the girl, do you?" + +"I do, if possible." + +"O, it's quite possible--nothing easier. You say the girl belongs to +you?" + +"I do; did I not show you the bill of sale?" + +"That might be a trick of your own, you know. It's a devilish queer +story." + +"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." + +"Look here, my boy, I can do almost anything; but I would not wrong a +woman,--no, not a _woman_,--I am above that," said Vernon, with much +emphasis. + +"But, man, she is my slave--a quadroon." + +"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 +_property_, why, that alters the case." + +"Certainly it does; so, end your sermon, and tell me how to gain +possession of my _property_." + +"We can storm the island." + +"What! two of us?" + +"I can get plenty of soldiers, if you will pay them." + +"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?" + +"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. + +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. + +"You mean," said Maxwell, "to take the girl from the house by force?" + +"There is no other way." + +"Then we had better examine the island, or it will not be an easy matter +to land in a dark night." + +"How does the owner land?" + +"Probably by the little stream we saw above." + +"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." + +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. + +After a careful survey of the premises, Maxwell and Vernon returned to +their former position. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"Very well, I am in no haste." + +For nearly an hour Vernon labored at his task, and completed a path +through which the party could easily pass to the cottage. + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + +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. + +At the request of the good physician, she reluctantly withdrew from the +apartment. + +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. + +"How do you feel, captain? Does your head ache?" asked he. + +"Slightly; I am better, I think," replied the invalid, faintly. + +"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." + +"Now, sir, will you tell me where I am?" + +Dr. Vaudelier imparted the information. + +"Emily! Emily! Won but lost again!" murmured Henry. "Would that we had +sunk together beneath the dark tide!" + +"Do not distress yourself, my dear captain. We must be careful of this +fever." + +"Distress myself!" returned Henry, not a little provoked at the coolness +of the doctor. "You know not the loss I have sustained." + +"But you must keep calm." + +"Doctor, did you ever love?" asked Henry, abruptly, as he gazed rather +wildly at his host. + +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. + +"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." + +"Then you know, if I do not regain her whom I have lost, I had better +die now than endure the misery before me." + +The doctor was not quite so sure of this, but he did not express the +thought. + +"You will regain her," said he. + +"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." + +"Fear not. Believe me, captain, I am a prophet; she shall be restored to +your arms again." + +"I thank you for the assurance; but I fear you are not an infallible +prophet." + +"In this instance, I am." + +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. + +"Be calm, sir, be calm; she is safe," continued Dr. Vaudelier. + +"Do you know it?" almost shouted Henry, attempting to rise. + +"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." + +"Where is she?" asked Henry, sinking back at the doctor's reproof, and +heeding not the darting pain his attempt to rise had produced. + +"She is safe; let this suffice. I see you cannot bear more now." + +"I can bear anything, sir, anything. I will be as gentle as a lamb, if +you will tell me all you know of her." + +"If you keep entirely quiet, we will, in a few days, let her speak for +herself." + +"Then she is safe; she has escaped every danger?" + +"She has." + +"And was not injured?" + +"No; she was taken, it seems, from the wreck by a villain. Thank God, +she has escaped his wiles!" + +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. + +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. + +"May I not see her?" said he. + +"That must depend entirely upon your own behavior. You have not shown +yourself a very tractable patient thus far." + +"I will be perfectly docile," pleaded Henry. + +"I fear I cannot trust you. You are so excitable, that you explode like +a magazine of gunpowder." + +"No, no; I solemnly promise to keep perfectly quiet. She will, I know, +be glad to see me, wounded and stricken though I am." + +"She has already seen you." + +"Indeed!" + +"Yes; and not content with _seeing_ 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." + +"Thank you, doctor!" said Henry, fervently. + +"O, it is part of my treatment. It may do you more good than all my +physic. I have known such cases." + +"I am sure it will," returned the patient. + +Dr. Vaudelier retired, and after a serious charge to Emily, he +reentered, leading the Hygeia who was to restore the sick man. + +"Be careful," was the doctor's monition, as he elevated his fore-finger, +in the attitude of caution; "be careful." + +"O, Emily!" exclaimed Henry, more gently than the nature of the +interview would seem to allow, as he extended his hand to her. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "_Appius_. Well, Claudius, are the forces + At hand? + + "_Claudius_. They are, and timely, too; the people + Are in unwonted ferment." + + KNOWLES. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Jerry Swinger stationed his party near the avenue, ready to spring upon +and overpower the foe, when the favorable moment should arrive. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 aerial 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Hatchie, as soon as he had secured his prisoner, hastened, somewhat in +advance of Jerry's party, towards the cottage. + +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. + +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. + +"Come on, boys! come on!" shouted the ruffian, as he pushed by the +doctor. "The way is clear; let us make quick work." + +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. + +"This way, men! this way!" shouted Vernon, as he pressed on. + +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. + +"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. + +"Unhand me, villain!" exclaimed she, roused to desperation by the sudden +and painful change which had overtaken her. + +"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." + +"Never, villain! I never will leave this house alive!"--and she +struggled to free herself from the ruffian's grasp. + +"Nay, nay, lady! do not be unreasonable." + +"Help! help!" shouted Emily, with the energy of desperation. + +"No use, my pretty quadroon; I put your man, Hatchie, into the hands of +two stout fellows; he cannot come, even at your bidding." + +The ruffian had hardly finished the sentence before a heavy blow on the +back of the head laid him prostrate upon the floor. + +"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. + +"Thank God!" continued Hatchie, "we have beaten them off." + +"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?" + +"All safe, ma'am; the catamounts have not been in his room," replied +Jerry Swinger. "Cheer up, ma'am; it mought have been worse." + +"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." + +"Stay, stay, Hatchie!" exclaimed Dr. Vandelier, who at that moment +entered. "_He is my son_!" + +"Good heavens!" said Emily, rising from her recumbent posture on the +sofa. + +"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! + +"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?" + +"No, no, sir!" responded Emily, eager to afford the slightest comfort to +the bereaved heart of the father; "he only acted for Maxwell." + +"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. + +"Perhaps, sir," said Emily, "he is not so bad as you think; let us hear +before we condemn him." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The last lingering doubt of the suspicious invalid was removed by the +entrance of Emily herself. + +"You are safe, dear Emily!" exclaimed he. + +"I am, thank God!" + +"And I could not assist in your defence!" + +"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." + +"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." + +"You speak too well of me. But you have been excited by this tumult, +Henry." + +"I was a little disturbed; but, unable to help myself, I could do +nothing for others,--not even for you, dearest." + +"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." + +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 _his +son_ 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. + +With an absent manner, he inquired into the condition of the patient, +and took the necessary steps to soothe him to slumber again. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + "_Friar_ Can you forgive? + _Elmore_. As I would be forgiven." + + LOVELL. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Well, stranger, how do you feel yourself, this morning?" asked Jerry. + +"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. + +"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." + +"I will try to do so." + +"You will larn to, if he mought have one more chance at that head of +yours." + +"Who is he?" + +"He's an oncommon fine fellow, and made your cake dough once before." + +"Ah, was it Miss Dumont's--that is, the quadroon's servant." + +"Quadroon, man!--that's all humbug. But he's the boy, and is bound to +fotch his missus out straight, in the end." + +"Well, if she is his mistress, I hope he may. I wish her no harm, +however much appearances belie me." + +"Is that a fack, stranger?" + +"Certainly; she never did me any harm." + +"Then what mought be the reason you were so onmerciful to her?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"'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." + +"Don't flatter yourself, stranger!" + +"I have a mortal aversion to courts of justice." + +"Quite likely," returned Jerry, pleased with the man's frankness. + +"Besides, I belong to a respectable family, who will not mind paying +something handsome to avoid exposure." + +"Can't be bought, stranger; besides, respectable villains arn't any +better nor others." + +"True; but, you know, their friends, who are educated, are more +sensitive in such matters than others." + +"That mought be true, for's aught I know; but it's mighty strange you +never thought of that sarcumstance before." + +"Never was in limbo before." + +"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?" + +"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. + +"And your name is Vernon?" + +"It is." + +"Is that your family name, or only a borried one?" + +"It is my real name," replied Vernon, not a little perplexed by the +coolness and method of the woodman's queries. + +"I rather guess not," suggested Jerry, mildly. + +"'Pon my honor--" + +"Think again,--maybe you mought fotch the real one to your mind." + +Vernon, whose temper was not particularly gentle under contradiction, +was nettled, and disposed to be angry. + +"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." + +"Perhaps I do," replied Jerry. "If you don't know any better than that, +why, then, I do know best. It arn't Vernon." + +"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. + +"I don't mean to insult you, stranger; but facts is facts, all over the +world," said Jerry, untouched by the other's rebuke. + +"What mean you?" + +"Nothin', stranger, only I know you. Your mother arn't livin'." + +"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. + +"My mother is not living," continued he; "but how know you this?" + +"It don't matter, stranger. Have you seen your father lately?" + +"Not for many years. I am an outcast from his presence," replied Vernon, +with some appearance of feeling. + +"That's onfortunate; does he know what sort of a lark you are?" + +"I hope not," replied Vernon, with a sickly smile. + +"But he does; he knows all about this ongodly scrape you got into last +night." + +"What mean you?" said the ruffian, sternly. + +"Mean? Why, just exactly what I say, Mr. Vaudelier! Don't start! I know +you as well as you know yourself." + +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. + +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. + +"Your father," said Jerry, "is a good man, and you mought go round the +world without finding a better." + +"Very true!" replied Vernon, moved to a degree he was unwilling to +acknowledge. + +"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." + +"Send those men away, captain! I will not attempt to escape." + +Jerry complied, and the watchers took their departure. + +"Where is my father?" + +"Close by, stranger. May be you'd like to see him?" + +"On no account!" + +"That's a good sign, anyhow," muttered Jerry. "You will have to see him, +I am afraid. You are under his ruff." + +Vernon, completely overcome, staggered to a chair, and covered his face +with his hands. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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." + +"How can I!" + +"Be an honest man." + +"I fear I never can be that." + +"Try it! There is something left of you." + +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. + +"Jerome," said he, "you will bring my gray hairs with sorrow down to the +grave." + +"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!" + +"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?" + +"Father," said the convicted Vernon, "I did not know it was your house, +or I could never have done it." + +"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. + +"Forgive me, father!" exclaimed the repentant son. "Forgive me!" + +"God and your country alone can forgive crimes like yours!" + +"Easy with him, doctor!" interposed Jerry, fearful lest the son's +repentance should be dissipated before the father's sternness. + +"I will atone for all, to the best of my ability." + +"Would that you might do so!" + +"I will! Heaven witness my sincerity!" + +"Your first act of atonement must be to the lady you have so deeply +injured." + +"I would be her slave for life!" + +"If you are sincere, you will disclose all you know of the wrongs which +have been inflicted upon her." + +"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." + +"You were too willing to believe him," said the doctor, sternly. + +"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." + +"Let Miss Dumont be called, Jerry." + +Emily came at the summons, and Dr. Vaudelier informed her of the +position of the matter. + +"Can you forgive me, Miss Dumont, for the wrong I have done?" + +"Freely, sir; and may God enable you to persevere in the course you have +taken!" + +"Thank you! With an angel's prayer, I shall begin the new life with the +strength your good wishes impart." + +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. + +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. + +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 _meanness_ 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. + +"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." + +"Trust me, sir! I am strong in this lady's service." + +"I shall not doubt you, my son, until I have occasion to do so. I am +satisfied, if Miss Dumont is." + +"I feel perfectly confident in the good faith of your son, and am +indebted to him for the zeal he manifests in my cause." + +"Thank you, Miss Dumont," said Vernon. "You are too generous; but, be +assured, your confidence shall not be abused." + +It was determined that Vernon should immediately depart for Vicksburg, +whither Maxwell had gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "He gives me leave to attend you, + And is impatient till he sees you." + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +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. + +"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. + +"That is my name, sir; and to whom am I indebted for this unexpected +pleasure?" + +"De Guy, sir,--Antoine De Guy, at your service," squeaked the visitor, +with whom the reader is already acquainted. + +"Well, sir, may I inquire the object of your visit?" + +"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." + +"Who informed you, sir?" + +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. + +"What is your business with the lady?" asked the doctor, to whom the +idea of a new enemy of Emily had already presented itself. + +"That, sir, I can best disclose to the lady in person," squeaked the +street-lawyer, with a low bow. + +"This way then," and the doctor led him to the library, into which he +soon after conducted Emily. + +"Miss Dumont?" said De Guy, rising and making a profound obeisance as +she entered. "My name is De Guy." + +Emily bowed slightly, but made no reply. + +"May I beg that our interview may be private?" said the attorney, +glancing at Dr. Vaudelier. + +"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. + +"Very well, madam; though I think, from the nature of my business, you +would wish it to be confidential." + +"Perhaps I had better withdraw," suggested the physician. + +"By no means, my dear sir; if this gentleman's visit relates to business +matters, I must beg the favor of your counsel." + +"As you please, Miss Dumont; I come charged with a message from your +uncle, my respected client, Mr. Dumont." + +"Indeed, sir!" replied Emily, a slight tremor creeping through her +frame; "pray deliver it at once." + +"It is simply to say your immediate presence at your late residence is +necessary." + +"Where did you see my uncle?" asked she. + +"At Bellevue, madam, yesterday morning. I arrived at eleven o'clock +to-day." + +"When did Mr. Dumont return from his journey up the river?" asked Dr. +Vaudelier. + +De Guy reflected a moment; from the shade of displeasure on his +countenance, it was evident he disliked the interference of the doctor. + +"About four days ago." + +"When did you last see your uncle, Miss Dumont?" asked the doctor. + +"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. + +"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." + +"Not at all," interrupted De Guy. + +"You speak as though you were familiar with his motions," said Dr. +Vaudelier, with a penetrating glance at the attorney. + +"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." + +"Indeed, sir!" + +"Such is the fact," continued the attorney, with professional ease; "he +has sent for Miss Dumont in order to effect a compromise." + +"A compromise!" exclaimed Emily, with disdain; "there can be no +compromise, short of restoring, absolutely, my rights!" + +"It is very probable he is quite ready to do so," replied the +accommodating attorney. + +"May I ask what has produced this singular and sudden change in the +purpose of my uncle?" + +"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. + +Emily was somewhat moved, by the revelation of the attorney, from the +stern reserve she had manifested, and said, + +"I am grateful for your interest in my behalf." + +"Do not mention it, madam. There is a pleasure in doing one's duty, +which is superior to every other gratification." + +"May I ask what prompted you to give such advice?" asked Dr. Vaudelier, +incredulously. + +"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. + +"Humph!" said the doctor, with a doubtful sneer. + +"Principle before professional advantage, is my motto, sir," continued +De Guy. + +"Pray, what gave you the first intimation that all was not right between +this lady and her uncle?" + +"The voluntary confession of Mr. Dumont," replied De Guy, readily. + +"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." + +"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." + +"Well." + +"And Mr. Dumont saw the boy the night before he left the steamer." + +"True." + +"Was not the reaeppearance, the rising from the dead, of this man, quite +enough to convince him that all his plans had failed?" + +"Why so?" + +"The boy had the will!" + +"It is all plain to me," said Emily, more disposed to trust De Guy than +Dr. Vaudelier was. + +"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." + +"Perhaps this is only a plan to get the lady into his power again," +suggested Dr. Vaudelier. + +"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." + +"And well it might be," said the doctor. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"I trust she will," responded De Guy, meekly; "I trust she will, and, +with all convenient haste, try to mitigate his distress." + +"I will! I will!" exclaimed Emily. + +"Perhaps you will accompany me, as your uncle suggests," insinuated De +Guy. + +"There is certainly no need of such haste as this," said the doctor. + +"Her uncle may change his mind." + +"Then his penitence is not sincere, and he cannot be trusted." + +"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. + +"I can go in a few days," said Emily. "Captain Carroll, you think, is +out of danger now?" + +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. + +"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." + +Emily blushed, but made no reply, other than a sweet smile, betokening +the happiness such an event would give her. + +"I fear, madam, the delay will be dangerous," suggested De Guy, who did +not relish the proposition of the doctor. + +"Why dangerous? If Mr. Dumont changes his mind, we have the means of +proving that that miserable will is false." + +"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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"But, my dear sir, the delay will be fatal, both to the lady and her +uncle," said the attorney, with alarm. + +"It cannot be helped," said the doctor. + +"Mr. Dumont's health, I fear, will render it unsafe to wait so long. +Miss Dumont does not wish her uncle to die unforgiven." + +"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. + +"Die unforgiven," muttered the doctor. "Is he sick?" + +"He is, sir, and near his end." + +"Why have you not mentioned this circumstance before? It seems of +sufficient importance to merit a passing word." + +"I wished not to distress the lady. I think I hinted that he was in +great distress." + +"I fear some evil, Miss Dumont." + +"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. + +"This alters the case," said the doctor, musing. + +"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. + +"I do, very well," replied the doctor. + +"Our family physician!" exclaimed Emily. + +"Here, madam, is his certificate of your uncle's physical condition," +said De Guy, handing her the paper. + +Emily read the paper, and handed it to the doctor. + +"Very satisfactory," said he; "you will pardon me for doubting your +word--" + +"Don't mention it, sir," replied De Guy, blandly. "I fully appreciate +your motive, and honor you for it. And you know Mr. Faxon?" + +"O, yes--what of him," said Emily, eagerly. + +"A letter from him," replied De Guy, giving her the missive. + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +It was arranged that Hatchie should accompany her, and that the party +should take the morning boat from Vicksburg. + +Hatchie was immediately summoned to receive instructions in relation to +their departure. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "_Jaffier_. O, Belvidera! + _Belvidera_. Why was I last night delivered to a villain? + _Jaffier_. Ha! a villain? + _Belvidera_. Yes, to a villain!" + + OTWAY. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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? + +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. + +Emily was ill at ease during the passage; not that she felt unsafe, or +dreaded treachery, but something seemed to whisper that evil _might_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Where is Hatchie?" was the first question she asked; for Hatchie had +always been on the spot whenever and wherever she needed his services. + +"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. + +"Such was not my intention," replied she, as a cold tremor--she knew not +why--agitated her. + +"I am sorry to have mistaken your purpose; the ride to Bellevue is a +long one to take without any refreshment." + +"I mind it not; my haste is too great to admit of any delay." + +"I sent by your servant to order an early breakfast, and a carriage at +seven o'clock." + +"Very well, I will conform to the arrangement you have made," replied +Emily, with a dissatisfied air. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 "_Anthony Marwell, Attorney and Counsellor at +Law_." + +"Please to walk up stairs," squeaked the attorney, drawing her after him +to the inside of the door, which he immediately closed and bolted. + +"Not a step further, sir!" said she, with as much firmness as she could +command. "What means this? Am I again betrayed?" + +"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. + +"Unhand me, sir!" screamed Emily, as loud as her agitated condition +would permit. + +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. + +Unlocking the office door, he was confronted by an old negress, who had +charge of the sweeping and cleaning department of the building. + +"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. + +"Hush, Dido--" + +"Sar! who are you dat come inter Massa Maxwell's room widout no leave?" + +"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. + +"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." + +"Don't let her get away; take good care of her, and you shall have half +a dozen just such pieces." + +"Never fear, Massa, I's use to de business." + +De Guy left the building, satisfied, it would seem, of the negress' +fidelity. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "_Lieut_. Forgive me, sir, what I'm compelled t' obey: An order for + your close confinement. + + "_King H_. Whence comes it, good lieutenant? + + "_Lieut_. Sir, from the Duke of Gloster. + + "_King H_. Good-night to all, then!" + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Do you feel no better, Delia?" asked he, tenderly. + +"Alas, no! The sands of life are fast ebbing out. O, for a single drop +of cold water!" + +"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. + +"Do not let me distress you, Francois! Let me die!--I am ready to die," +said she, faintly. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Dalhousie fixed his eyes upon the pit. A new thought animated him. "_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. + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"You must husband your strength, Francois," said she; "rest a little." + +"The hope of deliverance is too strong to let me sacrifice another +moment in idleness," replied Dalhousie, without ceasing from his labors. + +"But, Francois, you will kill yourself, if you work so hard." + +"That would be an honorable death, at least." + +"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. + +"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." + +"I fear I must lay still,--I cannot rise," said she, sinking back with +the exhaustion of the effort. + +Dalhousie threw down his shovel, and hastened to her side. + +"Do not attempt to rise again, dear," said he. "Let me get you some more +water." + +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. + +"Do you feel better?" + +"Much better." + +"Now keep perfectly quiet, and I will resume my task." + +"I will; but pray, Francois, do not work so hard; temper your enthusiasm +with reason. You cannot succeed, unless you are careful." + +"I will, dear; I will rest every little while." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + "_Cassius_. At such a time as this, it is not meet + That every nice offence should bear its comment. + --You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus!" + SHAKSPEARE. + + +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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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 _thing_, 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. + +While engaged in these musings, a knock at the door startled him to his +feet. It was not the overseer's knock. + +A servant announced a strange gentleman, who declined to give his name. + +"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. + +The stranger entered the library. It was De Guy. At his appearance +Jaspar's fears gave way to a most uncontrollable fit of passion. + +"Villain!" exclaimed he, "how dare you enter my house, after what has +passed?" + +"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. + +Jaspar compressed his lips, and grated his teeth, while a smothered oath +escaped him. But his rage soon found a more audible expression. + +"Friends!" By ----, I should think we had been _friends!_" said he, +fiercely. + +"Certainly, my dear sir,--_friends_." + +"Then save me from my friends!" + +"Better say your enemies! I fear you have a great many." + +"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. + +"I came to forward our mutual interest." + +"Then, by ----, you can take yourself off! You and I will part company." + +"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. + +"I am _not_ 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. + +"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. + +"Served me faithfully!" sneered Jaspar. "You served me a cursed shabby +trick above Baton Rouge, at the wood-yard." + +"My _dear_ sir, you wrong me! I did not injure you bodily, I trust?" + +"No, sir! You have not that satisfaction." + +"I rejoice to hear it. All that I did was for your benefit," returned +the attorney, complacently. + +"Do you take me for an idiot?" + +"By no means! You have shown your shrewdness too often to permit such a +supposition." + +"What do you mean, then?" said Jaspar, a little mollified, in spite of +himself, by the conciliatory assurance of De Guy. + +"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." + +Jaspar opened his eyes, and fixed them in a broad stare upon big +companion. + +"Explain yourself," said he. + +"Everything has come out right,--has it not?" + +"Yes." + +"You are in quiet possession?" + +"Yes." + +"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." + +"I do not understand you." + +"Where is your niece now?" asked the attorney, as a shade of anxiety +beclouded his brow. + +"She was lost in the explosion," replied Jaspar, with a calmness with +which few persons can speak of the loss of near friends. + +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. + +"Precisely so!" exclaimed the attorney, as though no shade of doubt or +anxiety had crossed him. "The Chalmetta exploded her boiler." + +"Well!" + +"Both Miss Dumont and her troublesome lover were lost,--were they not?" + +"Yes." + +"And, if you had continued on board, you would probably have shared +their fate." + +"Yes; but do you mean to say you blowed the steamer up? asked Jaspar, +with a sneer. + +"Exactly so!" + +"Fool! do you expect me to believe such a miserable rigmarole as this?" + +"I hope you will, for it is strictly true," returned the attorney, +convincingly. + +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. + +"You do not think me capable of _inventing_ such a story, I trust," said +De Guy, seriously. + +"Ha! ha! ha! you have joined the church, haven't you, since we met +last?" + +"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." + +"Your creed must be an original one!" replied Jaspar, with a sickly +laugh. + +"It _is_ 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." + +"Enough of this!" said Jaspar, sternly, for a joke soon grew stale with +him. + +"Be it so; but remember the story is true." + +"And you did me the favor to blow up the steamer!" sneered Jaspar. + +"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." + +"Was this part of your creed, too?" + +"Certainly," and the attorney launched out into a dissertation of +theology and kindred topics, with which we will not trouble the reader. + +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. + +"I see," said he, interrupting De Guy, "you have been my friend." + +This remark was the result of his deliberations. He might need the +services of the attorney. + +"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?" + +"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. + +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, + +"You sent for me, Mr. Dumont?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"You see It is not there," said Jaspar, fixing his sharp gray eye upon +the overseer. + +"It is not," said Dalhousie, advancing to the secretary. "Probably it +has fallen upon the floor--" and he stooped down to look for it. + +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. + +"Didn't you put it into your pocket, by mistake?" suggested Jaspar. + +"Certainly not," replied Dalhousie; "here it is;" and, picking up the +key, he handed it to Jaspar. "I was certain I left it here." + +Jaspar felt much relieved. + +"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. + +"No trouble at all," returned the overseer. "Now that I am here, a few +words with you would be particularly agreeable to me." + +Jaspar's curiosity was instantly excited, and, forgetting the paper and +De Guy, he requested him to proceed immediately with his business. + +"It is a matter of much interest to both of us," continued Dalhousie, +embarrassed by the difficulties of his position. + +"Well, sir, go on," said Jaspar, impatiently, for the overseer's +hesitation had rather a bad odor. + +"I may as well speak bluntly and to the point," stammered Dalhousie, +still reluctant to state his business. + +"Why don't you? I am not a sentimental girl, that you need make a long +preface to your oration." + +"I will, sir. Every man is in duty bound to consider his own interest--" + +"Certainly, by all means. Go on." + +"In regard to your relations with your niece--" and Dalhousie paused +again. + +Jaspar's reddening face and the curl upon his lip indicated the volcano +of passion which would soon burst within him. + +"Proceed, sir," said he, struggling to be calm. + +"In regard to your relations with your niece, you are aware that I am +somewhat acquainted with them." + +"I am; I hope you do not know too much for your own good. You know I am +not to be trifled with." + +"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." + +"I do not prevent you." + +"I lack the means." + +"And you wish me to furnish them?" + +"I do." + +"And how large a sum do you need?" + +"A pretty round sum. I will keep entirely away from this part of the +country, so that you need not fear me." + +"Fear you!" sneered Jaspar, rising and draining a glass of brandy. "I +fear no man, no devil, no angel!" + +"Perhaps you are not aware that your reputation is in my hands." + +"Not at all, sir," said Jaspar, coldly. + +"Know, then, that I have a copy of the genuine will, and the means of +attesting it!" + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Jaspar, after recovering some portion of his former calmness, said, + +"May I ask how you obtained possession of the document?" + +"That question, sir, I must decline answering." + +"You will, at least, show me the paper?" + +"That also I must decline." + +Jaspar bit his lip. + +"How shall I know, then, that you are not deceiving me?" + +"I assure you that I have the document, and you must trust to my honor +for the rest." + +"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!" + +"Very well, sir, I shall be under the necessity of seeking out your +niece." + +"My niece!" roared Jaspar, terror-stricken. "Did you not see her buried +at Vicksburg?" + +"It might have been she, but it is scarcely possible." + +"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. + +"Where is the ring?--the ring!" said he, stopping in front of the +overseer. "Didn't you give me her ring?" + +"I gave you a ring," said Dalhousie, calmly. + +"Was it not _her_ 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. + +"There is no longer any need of continuing the deception--" + +"Deception! Here is the ring, and here is the letter D. Doesn't it stand +for Dumont?" + +"Not at all. It stands for Delia, my wife's name, in this instance." + +"Your wife's name!" exclaimed Jaspar, striking his forehead furiously. + +"It does, sir, and for her mother's name also, whose memory it was +intended to commemorate." + +Jaspar's emotions were so violent, that the overseer began to fear some +fatal consequences might ensue. + +"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. + +This seemed to calm the violence of Jaspar's feelings, and with a strong +effort he recovered his command of himself. + +"My niece Is yet alive, is she?" said Jaspar, looking anxiously at the +overseer. + +"Perhaps not; but probably she is." + +"And it was not she that was buried?" + +"As to that, I cannot say; I never saw the lady alive." + +"And what are your plans?" asked Jaspar, with a glance of doubt at the +overseer. + +"I will go to France, if you provide the means." + +"Suppose I will not?" + +"Perhaps your niece will." + +"What if she is dead?" + +"I can better tell when I know that she is dead." + +"How much money do you require?" + +"Twenty thousand." + +"A large sum." + +"From millions your niece would gladly give more." + +"I will think of your proposition. Come in again in two hours, and you +shall have my answer." + +"Better give me an answer now." + +"I wish to consider." + +"You have only to choose between twenty thousand dollars and the whole +fortune. With your means at command, much reflection is not needed." + +"Show me the papers, and I will decide at once." + +"No." + +"Then I must consider whether your pretensions are well founded." + +"I will not be over nice; but any attempt to play me false shall rest +heavily on your own head." + +"Honor!" said Jaspar, with something like a smile, but more like a +sneer. + +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. + +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. + +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 _bought_ off! It was a +feast to his mind to anticipate the torture of the overseer! + +An exclamation of satisfaction escaped him, as he suddenly decided upon +the means of torture. In imagination he could see before him _the +thing_, 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. + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + "Thou hast stepped in between me and my hopes, + And ravished from me all my soul held dear." ROWE. + + +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. + +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. + +"What is to be done?" said Jaspar, in a tone which betrayed his deep +anxiety. + +"Get rid of him! His story is a fabrication," returned De Guy. + +"Not entirely. He knows too much for our safety." + +"So much the worse for him!" + +"Why? What would you do?" + +"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--_f-h-t_--him, if you can help it." + +"It would be the safest way," returned the other, not at all embarrassed +by the attorney's ambiguous method of expressing himself. + +"Perhaps not; though 'dead men tell no tales,' it is also true that +'murder will out.' Besides, I have conscientious scruples." + +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. + +"How would the slave jail do?" said he, with a fiendish smile. + +"Too public. Our object is to save the man's life,--an act of humanity; +but we must not endanger our own safety." + +"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." + +"If you are satisfied, it is enough. But how can you get him in?" + +"I can manage that, with your assistance," said Jaspar, who had already +arranged every particular. "But his wife?" + +"His wife! Has he a wife?" + +"Ay; and one who, if I mistake not, will give us more trouble than the +fellow himself." + +"She must be caged with him." + +"You say well, Mr. De Guy. But can you reconcile this advice with your +dainty humanity?" said Jaspar, with a sneer. + +"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." + +Jaspar grinned a sickly smile. + +"But the plan!" continued the attorney. "This loving couple will not +willingly occupy your fancy apartment." + +"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!" + +De Guy smiled. + +"You do not understand me?" + +The attorney confessed that he did not. + +"Nevertheless, go to the jail, and wait their coming. Unlock the doors, +and get out of sight. They will enter, like lambs." + +Jaspar explained a little further, and the attorney took his departure +to obey his instructions. + + * * * * * + +At the time appointed, Dalhousie returned to receive Jaspar's reply. + +"You are punctual," said the latter. + +"I am," replied Dalhousie, cavalierly. "This business admits of no +delay. Are you prepared to give me an answer?" + +"Yes," returned Jaspar, endeavoring to assume a crestfallen air. + +"Well, sir, do you accept my terms?" + +"I do, on one condition." + +"Name it." + +"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. + +"I agree to it." + +"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." + +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. + +"Then you cannot, if you would, consummate the bargain?" said he. + +"I said not so," returned Jaspar. "I only remarked that a difficulty had +presented itself." + +"Pray explain yourself." + +"The difficulty can be removed." + +"Well, how? What new risk must I run?" + +"No risk. To tell you all in a few words, I have the money in gold +buried on the estate." + +"That will suit me better. I prefer gold." + +"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." + +"It can easily be brought to light. An hour's work with the spade will +unearth it." + +"True; but I have not the strength to dig. Besides, I am engaged with a +friend in the nest room." + +Dalhousie accepted the excuse, for he had seen De Guy, as he was walking +in the garden, half an hour before. + +"I can dig it up myself. Show me the spot." + +"Very well; but sign the bond first." + +"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. + +"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. + +"But, suppose," said Dalhousie, after he had read the directions, "while +I am digging, you should close the doors upon me?" + +"Honor!" said Jaspar, laying his hand upon the place where the heart +belonged, with an amusing contortion of the facial muscles. + +"I have not the highest confidence in _your_ honor." + +"Perhaps not; but I can suggest a better protection. Have you any person +at hand upon whose faith you can rely?" + +"None but my wife," replied Dalhousie, carelessly, for the mortifying +fact seemed laden with nothing of bitterness. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Are they safe?" said he. + +"As safe as your jail-walls can make them. Your plan was a clumsy one, +but I _forced_ it to succeed." + +"Did they not enter without scruple?" + +"Yes, but the sentinel." + +"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." + +"Not always; but it matters not; they are safe. Now to business." + +"Business!" exclaimed Jaspar, with a start, and a wild stare at the +attorney. "The business is done." + +"Not all of it. There are other enemies in the field." + +"What mean you?" said Jaspar, alarmed. "Are we not safe yet?" + +"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." + +"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. + +"All in good time, my dear sir. Let me beg of you not to be discomposed +by anything I may say to you." + +Jaspar sneered, but ventured no reply. + +"I have served you faithfully, you must acknowledge." + +"I will acknowledge nothing," said Jaspar, testily. + +"The steamer exploded, you remember," returned De Guy, with an +expression of sly humor, which Jaspar did not appreciate. + +"I do remember it, by Heaven! But this villanous Dalhousie says my niece +was not known to have been killed." + +"Exactly so." + +"Sir! Do you mean to say that you _know_ she was not lost?" + +"Precisely so." + +"By ----! Sir, you have been making a merit of this very thing." + +"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!" + +"And a pretty mess you have made of it!" + +"Did the best that could be done, under the circumstances." + +"The game is up! I may as well hang myself, at once." + +"The very worst thing you could possibly do. A long life of happiness +and usefulness is yet before you, provided you follow my advice." + +"Your advice!" sneered Jaspar. + +"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." + +"The girl is alive, is she?" muttered Jaspar, heedless of the smooth +words of his companion. + +"Alive and well; and, moreover, is close at hand." + +"The devil, she is! And you have been dallying around me all day without +opening your mouth." + +"But remember, sir, you had another affair on your hands." + +"What avail to get that miserable overseer out of the way, when the girl +herself is at hand?" + +"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." + +"Well, what shall be done?" said Jaspar, rising suddenly and paying his +devoir to the brandy-bottle. + +"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?" + +"How, sir! What mean you?" + +"Favor me with an answer," replied the attorney, with admirable +_sang-froid_, 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." + +"Well, perhaps he was worth four or five hundred thousand. What then?" +replied Jaspar, doggedly. + +"No more? Surely, you forget. His city property was worth more than +double that sum." + +"No more, by Heavens!" said Jaspar. + +"Then, my dear sir, I fear you are a ruined man." + +"Sir!" and Jaspar started bolt upright. + +"See if you cannot think of something more," said De Guy, calmly. + +"He might possibly have left more." + +"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. + +"What are you about, sir? You are impudent!" + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +"Stay!" said Jaspar, replacing the pistol; "perhaps I can satisfy you, +though I cannot see what bearing it has upon the subject." + +"A very decided bearing, I should say," replied the attorney, not at all +disconcerted by what had happened. + +"Perhaps if I had said a million, it were nearer the truth." + +"Not a bit. You are still half a million out of the way, at least. Is it +not a million and a half?" + +"It may be," said Jaspar, hesitating. + +"Perhaps two millions." + +"No," said Jaspar, decidedly. + +"I suspected two was about the figure, but we will call it a million and +a half." + +"Well, what then?" said Jaspar, impatiently. + +"One-half of it would be a very pretty fortune," soliloquized De Guy, +loud enough to be heard by his companion. + +"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. + +"But, Mr. Dumont, you are not a married man, you know, and one-third of +it would be very handsome for you." + +"Very comfortable, indeed; and, no doubt, I ought to be very grateful to +you for allowing me so much." + +"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." + +"Your calculations are excellent!" said Jaspar, with a withering sneer. +"But suppose I should grumble at your taking the lion's share?" + +"O, but, my dear sir, you will not grumble! Your sense of justice will +enable you to perceive the equity of this division." + +"Enough of this! I am in no humor for jesting," said Jaspar, with a +frown. + +"Jesting!" exclaimed the attorney, with a well-made gesture of +astonishment; "I was never more in earnest in my life." + +"May I be allowed to inquire the name of your intended bride?" sneered +Jaspar. + +"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 _you_, +since you are to have the honor of providing the means of carrying my +matrimonial designs into effect." + +"I am certainly under obligations for your favorable consideration. But +the lady's name?" + +"Miss Emily Dumont! a beautiful creature--high-spirited--every way +worthy--" + +"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!" + +"Do not miss your aim!" coolly returned the attorney, drawing from his +pocket a revolver. "Miss not your aim, or the fortune is _all_ mine." + +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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"Pshaw! do not let avarice be your besetting sin. It is a vice too mean +for your noble nature." + +Jaspar tried to sneer again, but the muscles refused to perform their +office. He stood like a convicted demon before his sulphurous master. + +"It must be done," said De Guy; "there is no other way." + +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. + +"What are the details of your plan?" gasped he, faintly. + +"Marry the lady, and take up my abode in this mansion," replied the +attorney, promptly. + +"And turn me out of doors! Well, be it so. I must do as you will." + +"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. + +Jaspar had well-nigh recovered his self-possession under the stroke of +this, to him, severe satire; but De Guy gave him no time. + +"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." + +Jaspar signed the certificate, without reading it. A witness was called, +and the paper in due form was deposited in De Guy's pocket. + +"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." + +The attorney formally and politely ushered himself out of the library, +and took his departure for New Orleans. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + "Jaffier, you're free; but these must wait for judgment." + + OTWAY. + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +Drawing a revolver from his pocket, with which he had prudently prepared +himself before his interview with Jaspar, he proceeded on his way. + +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. + +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. + +Dalhousie was the first to speak. + +"Your business here?" demanded he, regardless of the courtesy to which +he had been all his life accustomed. + +"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." + +"He lives in yonder house," replied Dalhousie, pointing it out. + +The simplicity of the speaker dissipated his apprehensions, and his +curiosity was excited. + +"You know him, do you?" continued he. + +"Well, no--I can't say I do." + +"But you have business with him?" + +"Not particularly with him,--the Lord forbid!" replied the stranger, +devoutly. + +"Devil a bit with him, at all," added his companion. + +"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. + +"Sure, it's only to see the counthry, about here, we've come," replied +the Irish stranger. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan,--for we presume it is +unnecessary to _tell_ the reader that it was he,--"I know _that_." + +"Indeed, then you have some knowledge of him?" + +"Sartain! but do you know a minister in these parts by the name of +Faxon?" + +"I do; he lives close by." + +"Do you belong in this part of this country, Mister?" asked Uncle +Nathan, who seemed to make the question a prelude to other inquiries. + +"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." + +"Heavens and airth! you don't say so?" exclaimed Uncle Nathan. + +"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." + +"Good Heavens! who would have thought there was such a monster upon the +airth?" + +"By the powers!" ejaculated Pat Fegan. + +"Can't we help you?" asked Uncle Nathan. + +"Perhaps you can. I thank you, and, if it is not too late, she also will +thank you. My strength is nearly gone." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"We are safe, Delia! we are safe!" said Dalhousie, as he proceeded to +untie the bundle of fruit. + +"Safe! no, it cannot be--only a dream! But who are these persons?" + +"They are friends, Delia--friends who have come to help me in saving +you. Take one of these figs, dear. They will restore you." + +"Figs!" replied Delia, with a vacant look. + +"Yes, dearest; taste it,"--and he placed the fruit, which he had +divested of its rind, to her lips. + +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. + +"We are indeed safe, if you have found food,"--and she tasted the fig. + +"Eat it all, dear; here are plenty more, and melons, too." + +"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?" + +"No, dearest, they are _our_ 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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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." + +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." + +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. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + "To do a great right, do a little wrong." + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +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. + +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 _love_ 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. + +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. + +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 _ennui_ 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. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"Open the door, Max," responded a voice from the outside. + +"Mr. Maxwell not here, sar," said the colored lady, partly opening the +door. + +"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?" + +"No sar; he went away to de Norf about a monf ago." + +"Look here, you black imp," said the stranger, in a severe tone, "do you +mean to say that Max is _not_ in town?" + +"I do, for sartin, sar." + +"And he has left you to practise law for him in his absence?" returned +the visitor, with a grin. + +"No sar, I takes care ob de buildin." + +"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. + +"No, Massa, he tell me, monf ago, to keep de room in order." + +"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. + +"Is there no one in this room?" asked the gentleman. + +"No sar, de room is locked, and Massa Maxwell hab carry off de key." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The _ci devant_ 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. + +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. + +Hatchie was with her; but, alas! what could a slave do against the +powerful machinations of such a villain as Maxwell? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +He had not long deliberated, when, to his surprise,--albeit it was not +an event at all remarkable,--Maxwell entered the coffee-room. + +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. + +Undecided as yet how to proceed, Vernon returned his salutations with an +appearance of equal cordiality. + +"My dear fellow," said Maxwell, "I am rejoiced to see you in town again. +I was afraid you would quite desert us." + +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. + +"Indeed! why did you think so?" replied Vernon. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"O, it was quite current when I left Vicksburg." + +"A good joke, hey?" said Vernon, musing. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"Bravo, Vernon! You will yet be a rich man. You did it well. The old +fellow swallowed it all, didn't he?" + +"As an alderman does turtle-soup. But, Max, where did you slip to from +Vicksburg?" + +"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." + +"But you didn't know I had reformed then,--ha, ha, ha!" + +"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." + +"Max, who is this De Guy?" + +"De Guy," said Maxwell, with feigned astonishment; "don't know him." + +"Bah, Max! don't you know that you cannot _wool_ 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." + +"Indeed! did you do me this essential service?" said Maxwell, forgetting +that he had denied his connection with De Guy. + +"I did. If you had left the matter with me, I could have done it +better." + +"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." + +"So I suppose," said Vernon, with an assumption of indifference. + +"But all the sport is yet to come." + +"Indeed," said Vernon, burning with anxiety, but striving to maintain +his accustomed easy and reckless air. + +"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. + +"Wish you joy, Max! But you don't mean to marry the girl?" + +"Certainly." + +"What! a quadroon?" + +"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. + +"You helped him through with his scheme?" answered Vernon, with a bold, +careless air. + +"'Pon honor, I had nothing to do with it. Old Jaspar did it all +himself," replied Maxwell, with an oath. + +"Looks a little like you, though," said Vernon, with a nonchalance which +provoked Maxwell, whose temper was not of the mildest tone. + +"Nevertheless, it is none of mine, though the plan was a creditable one. +But it has brought old Jaspar into a wasp's nest." + +"How's that?" + +"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." + +"Good!" + +"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." + +"How can you do it?" + +"That's the point." + +"Looks rather complicated." + +"Exactly so; but energy and skill will accomplish wonders." + +"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. + +"Can I trust you still?" said Maxwell, in a low tone, and with an +anxious look, after a pause of several minutes. + +"I care not whether you trust me or not," replied Vernon, with +characteristic indifference. + +"Are you the man you were two months ago? If you are, I need ask no more +questions." + +"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." + +"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." + +"Good! that sounds liberal. But suppose it fail?" + +"It cannot fail." + +"What is the plan? You mean to help old Jaspar out of the scrape, and +save the girl too. How can you do it?" + +"There is only one way--marry the girl!" + +"Just so," replied Vernon, with an indifference it was hard to assume. + +"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." + +"Never fear them," said Vernon. "You will not proceed for a week or +two?" + +"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." + +"She is a difficult case," suggested Vernon, to fill up a pause in +Maxwell's speech. + +"Now, it has occurred to me," continued Maxwell, "that _you_ could +manage her like a young lamb." + +"I!" exclaimed Vernon. + +"Certainly. You stand well with her, do you not?" + +"Like a saint." + +"You can get up a rescue, or something of that sort, you know." + +"To be sure," replied Vernon, thoughtfully. + +"Pretend that you are going to effect her escape." + +"Capital!" said Vernon, suddenly; "I _will_ pretend to effect her +escape. But there is one difficulty--" and he suddenly checked his +apparent zeal, and assumed a thoughtful air. + +"A difficulty?" + +"Ay. I must be at Baton Rouge to-morrow night, or all my hopes up the +river are lost." + +"And you will return--" + +Vernon reflected, and then replied, + +"In four days." + +"That will do. Don't let it be more than four days." + +"No." + +"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." + +"A good thought. I _will_ write to him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + "Here is my hand for my true constancy." + + "There is a fair behavior in thee, captain; + I will believe thou hast a mind that suits + With this thy fair and outward character." + SHAKSPEARE. + + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"But of what use is this paper? The girl cannot read. Shall I take the +keys from her?" asked Vernon. + +"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. + +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. + +"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. + +"Open the door, and don't stop to chatter!" replied Vernon. + +"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. + +Emily was seated on a sofa, reading a book she had taken with her to +while away the time on board of the steamer. + +"Missus, a gemman, who hab brought a letter from Massa Guy," said Dido, +as she opened the door. + +"Bring the letter, then," replied Emily, scarcely raising her eyes from +the book. + +"No, Missus, de letter am for me, and I hab read it. It orders me to +'mit dis gemman." + +"That is sufficient," said Vernon, pushing the attendant back, and +closing the door. + +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. + +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. + +"Jerome Vaudelier, are you, too, the minister of a villain's wishes?" + +"Nay, Miss Dumont--" + +"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!" + +"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." + +"Bless you for the words! I feared you had again been tempted." + +"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. + +"You must go to Bellevue to-morrow, there to meet my father and Captain +Carroll," said he. + +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. + +"But, Hatchie--must I leave him in prison? It is not a meet reward for +his fidelity." + +"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." + +"I hope he may. Does this De Guy accompany you?" + +"No; but Maxwell says he will reach Bellevue as soon as we do." + +"Why is this? Why does not Maxwell present himself, and urge his +infamous proposals?" + +"I know not, unless it be that De Guy is the more artful of the two." + + * * * * * + +Let us change the scene to the next day, at the abode of Mr. Faxon. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"I too have been a wanderer, though a voluntary one, from the home of my +father," said she. + +"Nay, Delia," said Dalhousie, tenderly; "do not revert to your own +experience. Remember you are not strong enough to bear much excitement." + +"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." + +"I presume the company are not desirous of hearing the story of an +elopement," said Dalhousie, with a smile. + +"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." + +"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." + +"Alas! I know not whether he is living or not. I wrote to him several +times, but never received an answer." + +"Who was your father, madam?" said Mr. Faxon, with much sympathy in the +tones of his voice. + +"I dread even to mention the name I bore in the innocent days of +childhood." + +"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." + +The conversation was here interrupted by the announcement that a +gentleman waited to see Mr. Faxon. + +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. + +"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!" + +"Good reason for it, my dear sir. I was on board of the Chalmetta." + +"Were you, indeed! Thank God, you escaped with life! Were you much +injured?" + +"I was, but, thanks to the care of a good physician, I am nearly +restored again." + +"But our poor lady--Miss Dumont--have you any tidings of her? Report +said she was lost in the catastrophe." + +"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. + +"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." + +"I will attend you. But I have in the house several friends of Miss +Dumont--" + +"Bring them all with you," interrupted Henry, looking at his watch. +"The more witnesses the better, especially if they be friends." + +"But wait till I tell you who they are." + +"Excuse me, Mr. Faxon, I must not tarry longer. I will meet them at the +mansion." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + "What devil's here, dragging the dead to life, + To overthrow me?" + + "Who art thou? + Speak! speak!" + + "The features all are changed, + But the voice grows familiar on my ears." + + LOVELL + + +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. + +Near him sat De Guy, who had but just arrived. + +"The lady has come," said the attorney, adjusting his green spectacles; +"and I am here to claim the fulfilment of our contract." + +Jaspar looked up from the floor, upon which his eyes had been fastened, +and gazed with a fixed stare upon his companion. + +"You do not understand me," insinuated De Guy. + +"I do," said Jaspar, sternly; "I do; you have come to plunder me." + +"You do me injustice, my kind friend; I come to save you from the doom +of a felon." + +"To put your foot upon my neck, and leap out of the pit your villany has +dug!" + +"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. + +"True, I did," replied Jaspar, with a whining sullenness. "What would +you have of me now?" + +"Only that you fulfil the stipulations of the bargain." + +"Can I fulfil them? Can I marry you, even if the girl were willing?" + +"You can give your commands. Will she not obey them?" + +"Fool if she does!" muttered Jaspar, in a low tone. + +"She will be so glad to be restored to her home, I fancy she will not +think the terms are hard." + +"I don't know," said Jaspar, eying the attorney from head to foot. "I +consent to the marriage. I can do no more." + +"Perhaps you will be willing to use a little gentle force, to save your +own neck," said the attorney, with something like a sneer. + +"Anything, anything, that will silence your damning tongue, and rid me +of your teasing!" + +"Now, sir, you are reasonable." + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"This gentleman had better remain here," suggested De Guy. + +"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. + +"But really, madam, his presence would embarrass the business of the +interview." + +"He is a friend," stammered Emily, "and is acquainted with all the +circumstances of this affair." + +"I will attend her, sir," said Vernon, who had before remained silent. + +"Pardon me," said the attorney, looking sharply at Vernon, "but it will +be impossible to transact any business in presence of others." + +"Lead on," said Vernon, sternly; "I will attend the lady, in spite of +all objections." + +"Sir, you are insolent!" said the attorney, tartly, though without the +loss of his self-possession. + +"The gentleman will not in the least retard the business. Pray pass on," +interposed Emily, fearful of a collision between the parties. + +"It is impossible, madam. I must insist that he remain here. Such is Mr. +Dumont's express order." + +"Will you say to Mr. Dumont that the lady demands my attendance? Perhaps +he will yield the point," answered Vernon. + +"I will see him, but it is useless. I know his views;" and De Guy left +the room. + +"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." + +"Mr. Dumont persists in his purpose of meeting the lady alone," said De +Guy, as he reentered the drawing-room. + +"The lady, in your absence, has concluded to dispense with my +attendance," replied Vernon. + +"This way, madam,"--and the attorney, with punctilious politeness, led +the way. + +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. + +"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. + +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, + +"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." + +"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. + +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. + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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. + +"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. + +"I will restore your fortune, on one condition," said he. "You can +accept or reject it, at your option." + +"I beg your pardon," suggested the attorney, "these were not exactly the +terms of our contract." + +"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. + +"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. + +"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 _Maxwell_ was to be the suppliant +for her hand, and she could not see why his menial had the presumption +to claim her. + +"This gentleman!" repeated Emily. "I had rather die a thousand deaths!" + +"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. + +"Sir, your impertinence deserves a severer rebuke than I can +administer!" said Emily, the blood mounting to her face. + +"But it must be even so, madam," returned the attorney coolly. "Fate has +so decreed. Your good uncle's circumstances imperatively demand it." + +"Is this so, uncle?" + +"It is, Emily. You must submit to your fate, unpleasant though it may +be," said Jaspar, looking at her with an absent stare. + +"No, uncle, it shall not be so. I never will submit to such a fate. What +circumstances do you refer to?" + +"I am in this man's power." + +"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 +_thing_ as to marry that man!" + +"Nay, lady, _you_ 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. + +"He speaks truly, Emily. I have _sold_ you to him," replied Jaspar, +vacantly. + +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. + +"Uncle, do not brand your soul with infamy!" she said, quickly. + +"What!" exclaimed Jaspar, roused to a burst of passion. + +"Be not a villain!" returned Emily, whose good-nature was sorely tried. + +"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. + +"You must marry this man!" said he, fiercely striking the table with his +fist. + +"I never will!" replied Emily, trembling at Jaspar's violence, but firm +in her purpose. + +"Remember! girl, remember what you are!" said Jaspar, passionately. + +"Enough of this," said Emily. "I leave you for--" + +"Stay, lady! You must not leave the room," interrupted De Guy, laying +his hand upon her arm. + +"Remove your hand, villain, nor dare to pollute me with your touch!" +exclaimed Emily, shaking off his hand as though it had been +contamination. + +The hitherto placid features of the attorney darkened into a scowl of +malignity, as he said, + +"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." + +"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. + +"I will never countenance any of your unhallowed plots," replied Emily, +and she again moved towards the door. + +"You leave not the room till you consent to this union," interposed De +Guy. + +"Stand from my path, or I will summon assistance!" + +"Your summons would be in vain." + +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. + +"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. + +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. + +"Who is there?" shouted the attorney, alarmed at the intrusion. + +"Open," said Jerome, "or I force the door!" + +"What does this mean?" asked Jaspar, who had remained a quiet spectator +to the violence offered his niece. + +"I will soon ascertain," said De Guy, dragging Emily after him, towards +a large closet on the other side of the room. + +"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. + +"How is this? Villain! traitor!" shouted De Guy, drawing from his pocket +a revolver. + +"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. + +"Back, traitor, or you die!" said De Guy, in a voice which suddenly lost +its silky tone, and was firm and round. + +"Then I die like a man!" responded Vernon, still advancing. + +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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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! + +"What does this mean? Methinks I have seen that head of hair before," +said Henry Carroll. + +"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. + +"Take off his spectacles, Hatchie," said Henry. + +The glasses were removed, and a pair of piercing black eyes glared upon +them. + +"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. + +"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. + +"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. + +At this moment Mr. Faxon entered, and saw, with astonishment, the +evidence of the recent fray. + +"Justice is triumphant, I see," said he, taking Emily by the hand, and +affectionately congratulating her upon her return to Bellevue. + +"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. + +"Bless His holy name, my child; for, though we forget Him, He can never +forget us!" said the minister, devoutly. + +"Well, gentlemen," interrupted Jaspar, with a bitter scowl, "I trust, +when you have finished your cant, you will depart, and leave me in +peace." + +"We will, at this lady's pleasure," said Dr. Vaudelier. + +"Hell! would you trifle with me?" roared Jaspar, rising in a passion. +"Would you turn me out of my house?" + +"Never yours, Mr. Dumont! Heaven has restored the innocent and oppressed +to her rights," answered Mr. Faxon, calmly. + +"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." + +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. + +"The way of the transgressor is hard," remarked Mr. Faxon, in pitying +tones. + +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. + +"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 _dare_ do +it!" and he started suddenly to the floor. "Yes, I _dare_ do it, if you +mock me with your canting words!" + +His eyes rolled like a maniac's, and he gasped for breath, as he +continued, + +"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!" + +"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." + +"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. + +"You shall see; I will call them," said Mr. Faxon. + +Dalhousie and his wife, followed by Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, entered +the room. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Is it possible!" said he. + +"My God,--my father!" and father and daughter were locked in each +other's embrace. + +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. + +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. + +"Mr. Dumont," said he, "is this by your order?" + +"No," replied Jaspar, anxious to secure at least one friend. "No! I am +still in my own house, and the law will protect me." + +"Certainly," returned Maxwell; "this is all a farce. There is not a +single particle of evidence to disprove the will." + +"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." + +"What mean you, fellow?" said Jaspar. "What is it?" + +"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." + +"It is all over!" groaned Jaspar. + +"This is a forgery!" exclaimed Maxwell. + +"Ay, a forgery!" repeated Jaspar, catching the attorney's idea. "Who can +prove that this is a correct will, and the other false?" + +"I can," said Dalhousie. "Here is a duplicate copy, with letters +explaining the reason for making it, in the testator's own +hand-writing." + +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. + +Jaspar yielded the point; but Maxwell, in the hope of gaining time, +boldly proclaimed all the papers forgeries. + +"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. + +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. + +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. + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + "From that day forth, in peace and joyous bliss, + They lived together long, without debate; + Nor private jars nor spite of enemies + Could shake the safe assurance of their states." + + SPENSER. + + +Our story is told. It only remains to condense the subsequent lives of +our characters into a few lines. + +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. + +After the death of Jaspar, Maxwell was tried for a variety of crimes, +and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"God bless you, Miss Emily! Bless you!" said he, and the tear stole into +his eye, as he withdrew from the crowd. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HATCHIE, THE GUARDIAN SLAVE; OR, THE +HEIRESS OF BELLEVUE*** + + +******* This file should be named 14731.txt or 14731.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/7/3/14731 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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