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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15328-8.txt b/15328-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..07c0987 --- /dev/null +++ b/15328-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15739 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Hunter, by John Turvill Adams + +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: The Lost Hunter + A Tale of Early Times + +Author: John Turvill Adams + +Release Date: March 11, 2005 [EBook #15328] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST HUNTER *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Shimmin, S.R.Ellison and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + THE LOST HUNTER. + + A Tale of Early Times. + + + "And still her grey rocks tower above the sea + That murmurs at their feet, a conquered wave; + 'Tis a rough land of earth, and stone, and tree, + Where breathes no castled lord or cabined slave; + Where thoughts, and tongues, and hands, are bold and free, + And friends will find a welcome, foes a grave; + And where none kneel, save when to heaven they pray, + Nor even then, unless in their own way." + HALLECK + + + NEW YORK: + + DERBY & JACKSON, 119 NASSAU STREET. + CINCINNATI:--H.W. DERBY. + + 1856. + + +ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by + +J.C. DERBY, + +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for +the Southern District of New York. + +W.H. TINSON, Stereotyper. + +PUDNEY & RUSSELL Printers. + + + + +APOLOGY + + +As one might justly be considered a clown, or, at least, not well +bred, who, without tapping at the door, or making a bow, or saying "By +your leave," or some other token of respect, should burst in upon +a company of persons unknown to him, and instead of a welcome would +deserve an unceremonious invitation to betake himself elsewhere +forthwith; so, I suppose, in presenting myself before you, my +honored Public, it is no more than civil to say something by way of +introduction. At least, I have observed from my obscure retreat in the +quiet village of Addlebrains, that the fashion in this respect, which +has prevailed, certainly, since the time of St. Luke, who commences +his Gospel with a preface to Theophilus, has come down to the present +day, differing therein from other fashions, which, for the most part, +are as transitory as the flowers of the field, and commending itself +thereby to the thoughtful consideration of the judicious; for it +cannot be deemed there is no value in that which has received the +sanction of centuries. Influenced by reflections of this description +and the like, I sat down one day in the little retreat, which the +indulgent partiality of my friends is accustomed to dignify with the +title of my "study," to endeavor to write a preface, and introduce +myself in a becoming manner to my readers. I was the more anxious +to do this properly, because, although a mere countryman, a sort of +cowhide shoe, as I may say, and therefore lacking that gloss, which, +like the polish on a well-brushed boot, distinguishes and illustrates +the denizens of our metropolis in an eminent degree, as I know from +personal experience, having been twice in New York, and, as I am told, +also, the citizens of Boston and Philadelphia, and other provincial +towns, with a milder lustre, I would not like to be supposed entirely +destitute of refinement. It would be strange if I were, inasmuch as I +enjoyed in my youth, the privilege of two terms and a half instruction +in the dancing school of that incomparable professor of the +Terpsichorean science, the accomplished Monsieur St. Leger Pied. It +is in consequence of this early training, perhaps, that I am always +pained when there is any deflection or turning aside from, or neglect +of, the graceful, the becoming, and the proper. + +It will be observed that my last quarter was cut short in the middle; +which untoward event arose from no arrogance or supercilious conceit +on my part, as though I had perfected myself in the mysteries of +pigeon-wing and balancez, but from the abrupt departure of +the professor himself, who, true to the name indicative of his +constitutional levity, found it convenient to disappear betwixt two +days, with the advance pay of my whole term in his pocket, and +without stopping to make even one of his uncommonly genteel bows. The +circumstance was peculiarly disagreeable to me, in consequence of the +school being assembled when our loss was discovered, and of my having +succeeded in engaging, for the greater part of the evening, the hand +of a young lady, whose charms had made a deep (though, as subsequent +events proved, not a durable) impression on my susceptible heart. +Monsieur was our only musician, and, of course, with his violin +went the dancing. The cause of his evasion or flight was variously +accounted for, some ascribing it to a debt he had contracted for +kid gloves and pumps, and others to dread of the wrath of a young +gentleman, whose sister he had been so imprudent as to kiss in the +presence of another girl, not remarkable for personal attractions, to +whom he had never paid the same compliment. As was to be expected, she +was scandalized at the impropriety and want of taste, and immediately +made it known, in spite of the entreaties of the blushing beauty and +the "pardons" of Monsieur. As Virgilius has it, + + "Manet altã mente i epõstum, + Judicium Paridis spretæque injuria formæ." + +In my opinion, it was the kiss that cost poor Monsieur Pied his +school, and me a dollar and a half, three dollars being the price +for a term's instruction. Not, I beg to be understood, that I care +anything about the money, but in relating an event I like to be +circumstantial and strictly accurate. But I find that, wiled away by +the painfully pleasing reminiscences of my youth, I am wandering +from my undertaking, which is, not to narrate the misadventures of a +dancing-master, but to compose a preface. + +I had seated myself, as I was saying, in my little den or confugium, +where, as in a haven of rest, I love to hide myself from the +distractions of the world, and concentrate my thoughts, and which has +been to me the scene of many sad as well as pleasant hours, and dipped +my goose quill (anathema maranatha on steel pens, which I cannot help +fancying, impart a portion of their own rigidity to style, for if the +stylus be made of steel is it not natural that the style by derivation +and propinquity should be hard?) into the ink-stand, after first +casting my eyes on the busts of Shakespeare and Milton, which, cast +in plaster, adorn my retirement, half imploring them to assist in so +important an enterprise, when the door opened, and who should enter +but my dear friend, the Rev. Increase Grace? But here let me remark +parenthetically, the habit of dealing in parentheses being one I +especially dislike, only necessity compelling me thereto, and before I +proceed further, that the word "confugium," which, both on account of +its terse expressiveness, as well as its _curiosa felicitas_ in the +present application, I have chosen in order to define my den, has not, +I hope, escaped the notice of the discriminating scholar. Moreover, +I trust that I shall not incur the imputation of vanity if I take to +myself some little credit for the selection. It will be observed that +it is a compound term, the latter part, "fugium" (from fuga, flight), +characterizing the purpose to which my secluded nook is applied as +a refuge, whither I fly from the unmeaning noise and vanity of the +world; and the prefix, "con" (equivalent to cum, with), conveying +the idea of its social designation. For I should be loth to have it +thought that, like Charles Lamb's rat, who, by good luck, happening to +find a Cheshire cheese, kept the discovery a profound secret from +the rest of the rats, in order to monopolize the delicious dainty, +pretending all the while that his long and frequent absences at a +certain hole were purely for purposes of heavenly contemplation, his +mind having of late become seriously impressed, and, therefore, he +could not bear interruption, I am in the habit of ensconcing myself +with a selfish exclusion therein. Far from it: the door is never +barred against admission, and my confugium rather means (though the +dictionaries with their usual vagueness so much to be lamented, have +not succeeded in eviscerating its full signification) a common place +of retirement for myself and intimate friends. Hence it was not as an +intrusion, but, on the contrary, as an acceptable call, that I greeted +the arrival of Increase. There must have been an unusual degree of +gravity in my countenance corresponding with the importance of the +work I was about to undertake, for the reverend gentleman had hardly +taken a seat before he observed it, and inquired into its cause. We +are upon that footing of intimacy, that there was no impropriety in +the question, and I unhesitatingly acquainted him with my purpose. + +"I should as soon think," said the Rev. Increase, "of building a +verandah before a wood-house, or putting mahogany doors into my old +toppling down church." + +The remark was not very complimentary, but great freedom of speech +prevails between us, and I took no offence; especially as I knew that +the Rev. gentleman was smarting under a disappointment in the sale +of a volume of sermons, whence he had expected great things, from +the publication of which I had vainly endeavored to dissuade him, and +whose meagre proceeds fully justified my forebodings. The mention of +my work naturally recalled this afflictive dispensation, and _hinc +illæ lacrimæ_. Reading his mind, I answered, therefore, as gently as +a slight tremor in my voice would allow, that there was no accounting +for tastes, and that as trifling a thing as a song had been known to +outlive a sermon. + +I declare I meant no harm, but his reverence (one of the best men in +the world, but who, in every sense of the word, belongs to the "church +militant,") instantly blazed up-- + +"I dare say," he said, bitterly, "that you understand the frippery +taste of this trivial age better than I. A capability to appreciate +solid reading, reading that cultivates the understanding while it +amends the heart, seems to be with the forgotten learning before the +flood. They who pander to this diseased appetite have much to answer +for; not," he was pleased to add--his indignation cooling off like a +steam-boiler which has found vent, "that the trifle on which for the +last few months you have been wasting your time has not a certain kind +of merit, but it seems a pity, that one, capable of better things, +should so miserably misapply his powers." + +These sentiments were not entirely new to me, else I might have become +a little excited; for, during the whole time while I was engaged in +the composition of the work, my friend, who is, also, in the habit +of communicating his literary enterprises to me, would insist upon my +reading him the chapters, as fast as they came along, manifesting no +little curiosity in the manner in which I should disengage myself from +difficulties in which he supposed me from time to time involved, +and exuberant delight at the ingenious contrivances, as, in a +complimentary mood, he once said, by which I eluded them. It is true, +all this betrayal of interest was accompanied by various pishes and +pshaws, and lamentations over the trifling character of my pursuits; +but, like too many others, both in his cloth and out of it, his +conduct contradicted his language, and I was encouraged by the former, +while I only smiled at the latter. + +"If such be your opinion," said I, suddenly seizing the manuscript, +which lay before me, and making a motion to throw it into the fire; +"if such be your candid opinion, I had better destroy the nonsense at +once." + +"Hold!" cried the Rev. Increase, arresting my hand, "you are +shockingly touchy and precipitate; how often have I cautioned you +against this trait of your character. Because your workling does not +deserve to be mentioned in the same category with works of solid and +acknowledged merit, like, for instance, Rollin's Ancient History +or Prideaux' Connexion, and can, at best, enjoy but an ephemeral +existence, does it deserve to have no existence at all? On your +principle, we should have no butterflies, because their careless lives +last but a day." + +"Well, Increase," said I, "if, like the butterfly, whose short and +erratic presence imparts another beauty to green fields and blue +skies, and blossoms, and songs of birds, my little book shall be able +to seduce a smile to the lips, or cheat away a pain from the bosom +of one of those whom you are so fond of calling 'pilgrims through a +dreary wilderness,' I shall feel amply compensated for the waste of my +time." + +"If your expectations are so moderate, I see no harm in your indulging +them," said my friend; "but I cannot help wishing you had oftener +taken my advice in its composition." + +"I have great respect for your opinion," I answered, "but I find it +impossible to pass the ideas of another through the crucible of my +mind and do them justice. Somehow or other, when I am expecting a +stream of gold, it turns out a _caput mortuum_ of lead. No, my better +course is to coin my copper in my own way. But, tell me frankly, what +offends you." + +My Rev. friend had, by this time, forgotten his unfortunate volume of +sermons, and resumed his good nature. + +"Offends me? my dear friend, and half-parishoner (for I notice a bad +habit you have got into, of late, of attending church only in the +morning--pray reform it), you use a very harsh term. There is nothing +in the book that offends me; although," he added, cautiously, "I +do not mean to say that I sanction entirely either your religious, +philosophical, or political speculations. I am no flatterer, and claim +the privilege of a friend to speak my mind." + +"My dear Increase," said I, pressing his hand, "I love you all the +more for your sincerity; but why do you call them my speculations? I +have expressed no opinions. They are the opinions of the characters, +and not mine. I wish you and all the world distinctly to understand +that." + +"And yet the world will hold you to account for them. If a man fires +a gun into a crowd, is he not responsible for any mischief that may be +the consequence?" + +"I do not expect to make so loud a report," said I, smiling; "but I +protest against your doctrine. Why, according to that, an author is +accountable for all the opinions of his dramatis personæ, however +absurd and contradictory they may be." + +"I do not go so far as that. I hold that the author is only +responsible for the effect produced: if that effect be favorable to +virtue, he deserves praise; if the contrary, censure." + +"I admit the justice of the view you take, with that limitation; and I +trust it is with a sense of such accountability I have written," said +I. "May I, then, flatter myself with the hope that you will grant me +your imprimatur?" + +"You have it," said he; "and may no critic regard your book with less +indulgent eyes than mine. But what name do you give the bantling?" + +"Oh," said I, "I have not concluded, I fancy that one name is nearly +as good as another." + +"I don't know about that," said the Rev. Increase. "A couple who +brought their child lately to me to be baptized did not think so, +at any rate. I inquired what was the name chosen, when, to my +astonishment, I heard sounds which resembled very much one of the +titles bestowed upon the arch enemy of mankind. Supposing that my ears +deceived me, I inquired again, when the same word, to my horror, was +more distinctly repeated. 'Lucifer!' said I, to myself, 'impossible! +I cannot baptize a child by such a name.' I bent over once more, and +a third time asked the question. The answer was the same, and repeated +louder and with an emphasis, as if the parents were determined to have +that name or none. By this time my situation had become embarrassing, +for there was I, in the presence of the whole waiting congregation, +standing up with the baby in my arms, which, to add to my +consternation, set up a squall as if to convince me that he was +entitled to the name. My bachelor modesty could stand the scene no +longer; so, hastily dipping my fingers in the font, and resolving he +should have a good name, as opposite as possible to the diabolical +one so strangely selected, I baptized the infant George Washington. +I thought the parents looked queerly at the time, but the rite was +performed, the baby had got an excellent name, and I was relieved. But +conceive, if you can, my confusion, when, after service, the father +and mother came into the vestry, and the latter bursting into tears, +exclaimed: 'Oh, thir, what have you done? Ith a girl, ith a girl! and +you've called her George Wathington! My poor little Luthy, my dear +little Luthy!' Alas! the mother lisped, and when I asked for the +name, meaning to be very polite, and to say, Lucy, sir, in reply to +my question, she had said, 'Luthy, thir,' which I mistook for Lucifer. +What was to be done? I consoled the afflicted parents as well as I was +able, and promised to enter the name in the parish registry and town +records as Lucy, which I did; but for all that, the girl's genuine, +orthodox name is George Washington!" + +"I see," said I, paying him for his joke with the expected laugh, +"there is something in a name, and we must be cautious in its choice." +The result was, that I followed my friend's advice in adopting the one +which was finally selected. Soon after the Rev. gentleman took his hat +and left me to my meditations. Thereupon I resumed my pen, and vainly +endeavored to write a preface. At last, in despair, I could hit +upon no better expedient than to explain to you, my dear Public, the +circumstances which prevent my doing it now. You will sympathize with +my mortification, and forgive my failure for the sake of the honest +effort, and no more think of condemning me, than you would the +aforesaid rustic, alluded to in the beginning of this my apology, +should he, instead of boisterously rushing in upon the company, +endeavor (his sense of the becoming overcoming his bashfulness) to +twist his body into the likeness of a bow, thereby only illustrating +and confirming the profound wisdom of the maxim, _non omnia possumus +omnes_. Should our awkward attempts be classed together, I shall +nevertheless indulge the hope, that better acquaintance with you will +increase my facility of saying nothing with grace, and improve my +manners, even as I doubt not that under the tuition of Monsieur Pied, +the aforesaid countryman might, in time, be taught to make a passable +bow. + +For ever, _vive_, my dear Public, and, until we meet again (which, +whether we ever do, will depend upon how we are pleased with each +other), _vale_. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + At last the golden orientall gate + Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, + And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, + Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, + And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE. + +It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--. The +beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that +hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and +gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the +approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist. With a murmur, so soft +it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it +mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned +with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising +into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here +and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to +derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong +contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand. +Occasionally the sharp cry of a king-fisher, from a withered bough +near the margin, or the fluttering of the wings of a wild duck, +skimming over the surface, might be heard, but besides these there +were no sounds, and _they_ served only to make the silence deeper. +It is at this hour, and upon an island in the river that our story +commences. + +The island itself is of an irregular shape and very small, being +hardly an acre in extent, and its shore covered with pebbles and +boulders of granite. Near the centre, and fronting the east, stands an +unpainted wood cabin of the humblest appearance, the shape and size +of which is an oblong of some thirty by fifteen feet. One rude door +furnishes the only means of entrance, and light is admitted through +two small windows, one on the east and the other on the west side. +Straggling patches of grass, a few neglected currant-bushes behind +the hut, and a tall holly-hock or two by the door are all the signs of +vegetation that meet the eye. + +At the door of this cabin, and at the time we are describing, stood +a solitary figure. He was a gaunt, thin man, whose stature rather +exceeded than fell below six feet. The object about his person which +first arrested attention was a dark grizzled beard, that fell half-way +down his breast, in strong contrast with a high white forehead, +beneath which glowed large dreamy eyes. The hair of his head, like his +beard, was long, and fell loosely over his shoulders. His dress was of +the coarsest description, consisting of a cloth of a dusky grey color, +the upper garment being a loose sort of surtout, falling almost to the +knees, and secured round the waist by a dark woollen sash. His age +it was difficult to determine. It might have been anywhere between +forty-five and fifty-five years. + +The attitude and appearance of the man, were that of devotion and +expectancy. His body was bent forward, his hands clasped, and his +eyes intently fastened on the eastern sky, along the horizon of which +layers of clouds, a moment before of a leaden hue were now assuming +deeper and deeper crimson tints. As the clouds flushed up into +brighter colors his countenance kindled with excitement. His form +seemed to dilate, his eyes to flash, his hands unclasped themselves, +and he stretched out his arms, as if to welcome a long expected +friend. But presently the rays of the sun began to stream over the +swelling upland and light up the surface of the river, and fainter and +fainter shone the clouds, until they gradually melted into the blue +depth away. It was then a shade of disappointment, as it seemed, +passed over the face of the man. Its rapt expression faded, he cast +a look almost of reproach to heaven, and his feelings found vent in +words. + +"Hast Thou not said, 'Behold, I come quickly?' Why then delay the +wheels of Thy chariot? O, Lord, I have waited for Thy salvation. In +the night-watches, at midnight, at cock-crowing, and in the morning, +have I been mindful of Thee. But chiefly at the dawn hath my soul gone +forth to meet Thee, for then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man +in Heaven, and they shall see him coming in the clouds of Heaven, with +power and great glory. And he shall send His angels with a great sound +of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from one end of +Heaven to the other." + +His eyes glared wildly round, then fell and fastened on the ground, +and for a few moments he remained immovable as a statue, after which, +with an air of dejection, he turned as if about to enter the hut. At +that moment the report of a gun from the shore close by was heard, and +looking, up he saw a man fall from the sloping bank upon the beach. + +If there had been any appearance of weakness or infirmity before in +the Recluse, it now vanished. Nothing could exceed the promptitude and +energy of his movements. To rush to the water, to throw himself into +a boat, to unfasten it from the stake to which it was tied, and with a +vigorous push to send it half-way across the channel, was the work of +but an instant. A few dextrous and strong strokes of the paddle soon +sent it grating on the pebbled shore, and with a bound he was by the +side of the prostrate man. He lay with his face to the ground, with +one arm stretched out, and the other cramped up beneath his body. Near +him the leaves and grass were stained with drops of blood, and at a +short distance a gun was lying. + +The old man passed his arm around the stranger, to raise him from his +recumbent position. The motion must have occasioned pain, for a low +groan was heard. But it, at least, attested the presence of life, +and there was consolation in even those sad sounds. With all the +tenderness of a mother he raised the wounded man in his arms, and +endeavored to discover the place and character of the wound, in order +to staunch, if possible, the bleeding. But it was soon apparent that +all such attempts would be useless, and only tend to aggravate the +pain without leading to any desirable result, so long as the clothing +was allowed to remain on. The better course seemed to be to remove him +immediately to the hut. As gently, therefore, as possible, the old man +bore him to the boat, and deposited him upon its bottom. A few strokes +of the paddle sent it back again to the island, and soon the wounded +stranger was lying on a rude, but welcome bed. Here the first thing to +be done was to divest him of his coat and such other clothing as hid +the wound. Having performed this duty, which was done by cutting off +the coat and tearing the under garments, the next care of the old man +was, in the best manner in his power, to apply bandages to stop the +blood, which trickled from the right side and shoulder. This was done +with no little skill, as by one who did not then see a gun-shot wound +for the first time. The process was accompanied by an occasional +groan, when the bandages pressed the wounded parts too closely, which +the sufferer seemed to try to suppress, appearing, at the same time, +to endeavor to express his thanks, by a smile and the soft glances of +his eyes. Any attempt at exertion was instantly repressed by his kind +nurse, who never failed, when it occurred, to enjoin quiet. + +"Thou art weak from loss of blood, young man," he said, "but I am +mistaken if there is much danger. Yet, a narrow escape hast thou had. +Be thankful to that Providence, by whom the hairs of thy head are all +numbered, and who permitteth not a sparrow to fall without notice to +the ground, for so directing the shot that they only tore the outer +flesh, without reaching a vital part. And so, hereafter, when the +evils of life shall assail thee, may they penetrate no deeper than the +surface, nor affect thy immortal soul." + +Here the young man made a motion, as if about to speak, but he was +interrupted by the other. + +"Nay," said the Recluse, "thou must obey me for thy own good, and I +have forbid all speech. It will start the blood, and weaken thee still +more. Compose thyself, now, while I leave thee but for an instant, to +discover, if I can, a boat going to Hillsdale." + +We will avail ourselves of the absence of the Recluse to describe the +interior of the hut and its occupant. And to begin with the latter--he +was a dark-haired youth, of twenty-one or two years of age, the +natural paleness of whose complexion was enhanced as well by the raven +color of his hair as by the loss of blood. His features were quite +regular, and surmounted by a brow rather high than broad. The eyes +were the most remarkable, and commanded instant attention. They were +large, black and flashing, and, in spite of the injunctions of the old +man, wide open and roving round the apartment. By the manner in which +he had been addressed, it was evident he was unknown. + +The chamber itself was a square of about fifteen feet, or one-half +of the hut, with a fire-place made of large stones and bricks, and +lighted by one window, and was lathed and plastered. Its furniture +consisted of the bed above mentioned, lying on a low pine frame, +originally painted red, but now somewhat defaced and worn; of a couple +of basket-bottomed chairs; a stone jar, to contain water; a rifle +and powder-horn, supported by two nails driven into the wall; a pine +table, and a set of shelves filled with books. This was the back-room, +and opened into another of the same size, differing from the former +in having no fire-place and being not lathed. This latter room was +destitute of furniture, unless a work-bench, on which were a few +tools; a chopping-block, made of the segment of the body of a +large tree; a cooper's horse; a couple of oyster rakes and some +fishing-rods, could be called such. In two of the corners stood +bundles of hickory poles, and on the floor were scattered a quantity +of withes, designed, apparently, for basket-making. These articles +had, probably, some connection with the pursuits of the tenant of the +hut. On the walls, on pegs, hung a number of baskets, of different +sizes--some finished, and some in an unfinished condition. + +The Recluse, upon leaving his guest, proceeded to the west side of +the little island, and cast a searching glance in every direction, +to ascertain if any one were in sight. No boat was visible, and he +immediately retraced his steps. + +Noiselessly he stole back to the couch of his guest, whom he found +apparently asleep, though, in truth, the slumber was simulated out +of deference to the anxieties of the old man. Several times he passed +backwards and forwards from the chamber to the door before he had the +satisfaction to find the object of his search. At length, a canoe was +discovered coming up the river, containing two persons, who, on nearer +approach, were seen to be Indians, a man and a woman, belonging to +the remnant of a tribe, lingering about their ancient hunting-grounds +along the banks of the river. The game, indeed, that once abounded in +the woods, had disappeared, and the blue stream and swelling hills, +and green plains, and intrusive industry and increasing villages of +the whites, but reminded them of present weakness and former power. +But, the sensibility to degradation was blunted. They had, gradually, +become assimilated to their condition; the river abounded in shell and +other fish; they could maintain existence, scanty and mean though +it was, and they preferred this certainty to the nobler, but more +precarious life of the Western tribes. As the canoe approached, the +Recluse beckoned with his hand, and the bow was turned towards the +islet. + +"Welcome, Esther," he said, "goest thou to the town?" + +A silent nod of the head was the reply. + +"Wilt thou carry me a message?" + +A nod of acquiescence answered as before. + +"Go, then, quickly, and tell John Elmer, that a man, wounded by a gun, +is lying in my hut, and I desire him to come instantly." + +The squaw again nodded, and, without making an inquiry, with the +natural apathy of her race, she said-- + +"What Father Holden say, I do." + +The Indian, who, until now, had been silent, here addressed her in his +own tongue. + +"Can the Partridge," he said, "use her wings to no better purpose than +to fly upon the errands of her white master?" + +"Ohquamehud," said the squaw, "is a wise warrior, and his eyes are +sharp, but they see not into the heart of a woman. If the sunshine and +the rain fall upon the ground, shall it bring forth no fruit?" + +"It is well," said the Indian, in a sarcastic tone; "Peéna is well +named; and the Partridge, though the daughter of a Sachem, shall +flutter through the air to do the bidding of the white man." + +The eyes of Peéna, or the Partridge, flashed, and she was about to +return an angry reply, when she was prevented by the man whom she had +called Father Holden. + +"Hasten!" he said, in the same language, forgetting himself, in the +excitement of the moment, and unconsciously using the same figurative +diction, "or the fountain of the red stream may be dried up before +the medicine-man comes. Hasten! It is noble to do good, and the Great +Spirit shall bless the deed." + +Great was the astonishment of the Indians at discovering they had been +understood, and hearing themselves addressed in their own tongue. +But only an expressive hugh! and an involuntary stroke of the paddle, +which sent the canoe dancing over the water, betrayed their surprise. +Holden stood for a moment gazing after them, then turning, directed +his steps towards the hut. We will not follow him, but pursue the +departing Indians. + +For five minutes, perhaps, they paddled on in silence, each apparently +unwilling to betray any curiosity about a circumstance that engrossed +the thoughts of both. At last the woman spoke. + +"The Great Spirit has taught the words of the wigwam to the man with +the Long Beard." + +A shrug of the shoulders and another hugh! were the only notice taken +by her companion of the observation. Again a silence followed, which +was broken this time by the man. As if to express his dissent from the +conjecture of the squaw, he said, + +"The Long Beard has drunk of the streams that run towards the setting +sun, and there he learned the speech of warriors. Did he charm +the ears of Peéna with their sounds when he taught her to run his +errands?" + +The blood crimsoned deeper into the cheeks of the woman, but with +an effort she subdued the rising feeling of resentment, while she +answered, + +"Let Ohquamehud listen, and the darkness shall depart from his path. +The sun has eaten the snows of fifteen winters, and fifteen times the +song of the summer birds have been silent since the Long Beard came +to the river of the Pequots. And the pale faces desired his +companionship, but he turned away his steps from theirs, and built his +wigwam on the Salmon Isle, for the heart of the Long Beard was lonely. +There he speaks to the Great Spirit in the morning clouds. The young +cub that sprung from the loins of Huttamoiden had already put on his +moccasins for the Spirit land, and the tears of Peéna were falling +fast when the Long Beard came to her wigwam. And he stretched his arms +over the boy and asked of the Great Spirit that he might stay to lead +his mother by the hand when she should be old and blind, and to pluck +the thorns from her feet. And the Great Spirit listened, for he loves +the Long Beard, and unloosed the moccasins from the feet of the boy, +and the fire in his breath went out, and he slept, and was well. +Therefore is Peéna a bird to fly with the messages of the Long Beard. +But this is the first time she has heard from white lips the language +of the red man." + +The Indian could now comprehend the conduct of the woman. It was +natural she should be grateful to the savior of her child's life, and +ready to show the feeling by the little means in her power. Could he +have looked into her heart, he would have seen that there was more +than mere gratitude there. Holden's conduct, so different from that +of other white men; the disinterested nature of his character showing +itself in acts of kindness to all; his seclusion; his gravity, +which seldom admitted of a smile; his imposing appearance, and his +mysterious communings with some unseen power--for she had often seen +him as he stood to watch for the rising sun, and heard his wild bursts +of devotion--had made a deep impression on the squaw, and invested +him with the attributes of a superior being; a feeling which was +participated in by many of the Indians. + +But if Ohquamehud could have seen all this, it would have served +only to aggravate the suspicions he begun to entertain about the +Long Beard, as he and the woman called Holden. As an Indian, he was +suspicious of even the kindness of the white man, lest some evil +design might lurk beneath. What wonder, when we consider the relation +of one to the other? How much of our history is that of the wolf, who +charged the lamb, who drank below him, with muddying the stream? + +Ohquamehud, a Pequot by birth, was a stranger who, but a few days +before, had come from a Western tribe, into which he had been adopted, +either to visit the graves of his fathers, or for some of those +thousand causes of relationship, or friendship, or policy, which will +induce the North American Indian to journey hundreds of miles, and saw +the Recluse, for the first time, that morning. If the gratitude of the +squaw was explained, which, he doubted not, was undeserved, the Long +Beard's knowledge of the Indian tongue was not. How it was that he +should be thus familiar with and speak it with a grace and fluency +beyond the power of the few scattered members of the tribe in the +neighborhood, the most of whom had almost lost all remembrance of +it, was to him an interesting mystery. He mused in silence over his +thoughts, occasionally stopping the paddle and passing his hand over +his brow, as if to recall some circumstance or idea that constantly +eluded his grasp. In this manner they proceeded until, on turning a +high point of land, the little village of Hillsdale appeared in sight. + +Those who see now that handsome town, for the first time, can have but +little idea of its appearance then. But, though the large brick +stores that line its wharves, and the costly mansions of modern +times, clustering one above the other on the hill-sides, and its fine +churches of granite and Portland stone, were not to be seen, yet, it +was even then a place that could not fail to attract attention. + +The situation is one of exceeding beauty. Two bright streams--the +Wootúppocut, whose name indicates its character, its meaning being +"clear water," and the Yaupáae, or "margin of a river," which, why it +should be so called it is not as easy to explain, unite their waters +to form the noble Severn. It is a pity that the good taste which +preserved the original names of the two first, had not also retained +the title of the last--the Sakimau, or Sachem, or chief, by which it +was known to the Indians. It is possible the first settlers in the +country thought, that allowing two rivers to retain their aboriginal +appellations was a sufficient tribute to good taste, while they made +the change of name of the third an offering to affection, many of them +having drawn their first breath on the pleasant banks of the English +river Severn. It was on the tongue of land, or promontory, formed by +the confluence of the two rivers that composed the Severn, that the +principal part of the town was situated. + +On the promontory facing the south, and rising boldly from the water, +the white-painted village ascended half-way up its sides, its two +principal streets sweeping away, in curving lines, round the base, +upward to a piece of level land, into which the north side of the +hill gently declined. At the most northern part of this level, the +two streets united, at a distance of a mile from the wharves, into one +which thence winded a devious course two or three miles further along +the Yaupáae. Above the highest roofs and steeples, towered the green +summit of the hill, whose thick-growing evergreens presented, at all +seasons, a coronal of verdure. One who stood on the top could see come +rushing in from the east, through a narrow throat, and between +banks that rose in height as they approached the town, the swift +Wootúppocut, soon to lose both its hurry and its name in the deeper +and more tranquil Severn, of which it is the principal tributary, +while on the west he beheld, gliding like a silver snake through green +meadows, the gentle Yaupáae, lingering, as if it loved the fields +through which it wandered, until suddenly quickening its pace, with a +roar as of angry vexation, it precipitated itself in eddies of boiling +foam, whose mist rose high into the air, down a deep gorge, between +overhanging rocks, through which it had forced a passage. Thence +the stream, subsiding into sudden tranquillity, expanded into a cove +dotted with two or three little islands, and flowing round the base of +the hill which declined gradually towards the west, united itself with +the Wootúppocut. Far beneath his feet he saw the roofs of the houses, +and steeples of churches, and masts of sloops, employed in the +coasting business, and of brigs engaged in the West India trade, and +noticed a communication, partly bridge and partly causey, thrown over +the mouth of the Yaupáae and uniting the opposite banks; for, on the +western side, along the margin and up the hill, houses were thickly +scattered. + +The canoe soon glided alongside of one of the wharves, and the Indians +disappeared in the streets. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + With us there was a Doctor of Physic: + In all this world ne was there none him like, + To speak of physic and of surgery. + + * * * * * + + He knew the cause of every malady, + Were it of cold, or hot, or moist, or dry, + And where engendered, and of what humor: + He was a very perfect practiser. + The cause y know, and of his harm the root, + Anon he gave to the sick man his boot. + + CHAUCER. + + +The first care of the faithful Peéna or Esther, was to seek the +doctor. She found him at home, and was instantly admitted to his +presence. + +"Queen Esther," he exclaimed, the moment he saw her, "is it thou? +Welcome, descendant of a line of kings. Would'st like some cider?" He +spoke the word "cider" like the Indians, with a rising inflection on +the last syllable. It was an offer no Indian could resist, and the +squaw answered simply in the affirmative. From a pitcher of the +grateful beverage, which shortly before had been brought into the +room, and which, indeed, suggested the offer, the doctor filled a +foaming glass, and the squaw was not long in draining its contents, +after which she delivered herself of her errand. + +"Esther," exclaimed the doctor, rising and hastening to collect his +instruments and medicine pouch, "thou hast circumvented me. Why did +you not tell me before? Here have I been pouring cider into your +royal gullet, when I should have hastened to take a bullet out of some +plebeian carcass. Can you tell me the name of the wounded man?" + +The squaw shook her head, and only said, "Esther not know." + +By this time his preparations were completed, which he had not allowed +the conversation to interrupt, and closely followed by the woman, he +hastened to the wharf. Here casting an eye to the flys that waved from +the masts of some of the vessels, and observing the wind was fair, he +rejected her offer to take him in the canoe, and throwing himself +into a little sail-boat, was soon busily engaged in untying the sails. +While thus employed a voice saluted his ears: + +"Why, doctor, what is in the wind now?" + +The person who thus addressed him was a young man of probably not more +than twenty-five years of age. His dress indicated that he belonged to +the wealthier class of citizens, and there was something pleasing in +his manners and address. + +"Glad to see you, William," said the doctor. "I want a crew; come, +ship for a cruise." + +"But where away, doctor?" + +"To Holden's island, to visit a wounded man. Jump aboard, and tend +jib-sheets." + +By this time the sails were hoisted, and, the young man complying with +the invitation, the little craft was soon under weigh, and rapidly +proceeding down the river. The distance was only three or four miles, +and quickly passed over. They were met on the beach by Holden, to whom +the gentlemen were both known, but he was unable to inform them of the +name of the wounded man. As soon as the doctor beheld him, however, he +exclaimed: + +"It is Mr. Pownal. God forbid the hurt should be serious." + +The countenance of the doctor's companion, and the few words he +uttered, denoted also recognition of the stranger. + +"So, my poor fellow," said the doctor, as the sufferer extended a +hand, and expressed in a few words his pleasure at the coming of the +two, "that is enough, I claim a monopoly of the talking." + +He proceeded at once to examine the wound, which he did with great +care and in silence. He found, as Holden had said, that the charge +had only grazed the surface, tearing the flesh from the side up to +the shoulder, pretty deeply, indeed, but making an ugly, rather than +a dangerous wound. After the task was completed, and lint and fresh +bandages were applied, the doctor sunk with a sigh, as of relief, upon +a chair, and assured the young man that he only needed rest for the +present, and in a day or two might return to his friends. + +"I would rather lose six ordinary patients than you, Tom Pownal," he +said. "Why you are my beau ideal of a merchant, the Ionic capital of +the pillar of trade. Now, let not your mind be + + 'Tossing on the ocean; + There, where your argosies with portly sail, + Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood; + Or, as it were the pageants of the sea, + Do overpower the petty traffickers.' + +Quiet, my dear boy, both of mind and body, are your indispensables. I +want you to understand that: + + 'I tell thee what, Antonio-- + love thee, and It is my love that speaks.'" + +Pownal promised to be very obedient, in consideration whereof the +doctor guaranteed he should receive great satisfaction from his wound. +"You shall see for yourself," he said, "how beautifully it will heal. +To a scientific eye, and under my instruction you shall get one, there +is something delightful in witnessing the granulations. We may say of +Nature, as Dr. Watts sings of the honey-bee: + + 'How skillfully she builds her cell, + How neat she stores the wax!' + +I consider you a fortunate fellow." + +The young men were obliged to smile at the doctor's way of viewing the +subject; but he paid little attention to their mirth. + +"And I will remain, meanwhile, with you," said William Bernard, which +was the name of the gentleman who had accompanied the physician, +addressing himself to Pownal, "if our good friend,"--and here he +looked at Holden--"has no objection." + +The Recluse signified his assent; and Pownal, thanking his friend, the +doctor gave his sanction to the arrangement. + +"It will do you no harm, William," he said, "to rough it for a night +or two, and you will prove yourself thereby of a different stamp from +Timon's friends." And here the doctor, who loved to quote poetry, +especially Shakspeare's, better than to administer medicine, indulged +again in his favorite habit: + + "'As we do turn our backs + From our companion thrown into his grave, + So his familiars, to his buried fortunes, + Slink all away; leave their false vows with him, + Like empty purses picked, and his poor self + A dedicated beggar to the air.' + +But, Mr. Holden, lend me thy ears a moment, and thy tongue, too, if +you please, for you must tell me how this happened. I do not care to +disturb Pownal with the inquiry." + +So saying, he walked out of the chamber, followed by the Recluse. + +"Tell me first," said Holden, as they stood in the open air, "what +thou thinkest of the wound." + +"Ha!" cried the doctor, "'tis not so deep as a well nor so wide as a +church door; but 'tis enough--'twill serve." + +"What!" exclaimed the Recluse, "hast thou been deceiving the boy! But +no, thou art incapable of that; and, besides, I have seen too many +wounds to apprehend danger from this." + +"I see, friend, you have read Shakspeare to some purpose," cried the +doctor; "but know that I spoke not in the sense in which Mercutio +speaks of the wound that Tybalt gave him. My mirth is not so grave as +poor Mercutio's. Look you, now, I told you but the simple truth, and +what your own eyes have seen. The wound _is not_ so deep as a well, +nor so wide as a church door. If it were--admitting the physical +possibility--Pownal would be a monster to look at, and no dressings of +mine would be of any use. And it is enough, too. You would not have it +more. Besides, 'twill serve; that is, to keep him a day or two in +your cabin. And herein consists one of the innumerable excellences of +Shakspeare. Every sentence is as full of matter as my saddle-bags of +medicine. Why, I will engage to pick out as many meanings in each as +there are plums in a pudding. But, friend, I am sure you must have a +copy. Let me see it." + +"I know little of these vanities," replied Holden. "In my giddy youth, +I drank such follies, even as the ass sucketh up the east wind. But +it pleased the Lord to open mine eyes. In thoughts from the visions of +the night," he continued--and his eyes shone brighter, and his stature +seemed to increase--"when deep sleep falleth on men, fear came upon me +and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a vision passed +before me, and the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but +I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine +eyes--there was silence, and then I heard a voice saying, 'Behold, +I come quickly; watch and pray, for thou knowest not the day nor the +hour!' I was not disobedient to the heavenly warning, and thenceforth +the pomps and vanities of the world have been as the dust beneath my +feet." + +This was not the first time that the doctor heard the Recluse speak of +his peculiar opinions; but, although always ready to avow and dilate +upon them when others were willing to listen, he had uniformly +manifested an unwillingness to allude to himself or the incidents of +his life. Whenever, heretofore, as sometimes happened, the curiosity +of his auditors led the conversation in that direction, he had +invariably evaded all hints and repulsed every inquiry. But his mood +seemed different to-day. Elmer was a friend whom Holden highly prized, +and he could therefore speak the more freely in his presence; but this +is not sufficient to account for the dropping of his reserve. We know +no other explanation than that there are times when the heart of every +one is opened, and longs to unburden itself, and this was one of them +that unsealed the lips of the Solitary. + +"Is it long since the revelation?" inquired the doctor. + +"Too long," said Holden, "did I wander in the paths of sin, and +in forgetfulness of my God, and my youth was wasted in that which +satisfieth not, neither doth it profit. My heart was very hard, and it +rose up in rebellion against the Lord. Then it pleased Him (blessed be +His holy name) to bray me in the mortar of affliction, and to crush +me between the upper and the nether millstone. Yet I heeded not; and, +like Nebuchadnezzar, my mind was hardened in pride, continually. Then, +as the King of Babylon was driven forth from the sons of men, and his +heart made like the beasts', and his dwelling was with the wild asses, +and they fed him with grass, like oxen, and his body was wet with +the dew of heaven, even so did the Spirit drive me forth into the +tabernacles of the wild men of the forest and the prairie, and I +sojourned with them many days. But He doth not always chide, neither +keepeth He His anger for ever. In His own good time, He snatched me +from the fiery furnace, and bade me here wait for His salvation; and +here, years, long years, have I looked for His promise. O, Lord, how +long!" + +The doctor's question was unanswered, either because Holden forgot +it, in his excitement, or that he was incapable of giving any accurate +account of the passage of time. But thus much the doctor could gather +from his incoherent account, that, at some period of his life, he +had suffered a great calamity, which had affected his reason. In this +condition, he had probably joined the Indians, and passed several +years among them, and afterwards, upon a partial restoration of +intellect, adopted the wild notions he professed. What had passed +during those years, was a secret known only to himself, if, indeed, +the events had not disappeared from his memory. + +"You have suffered bitterly," said the doctor. + +"Talk not of suffering," exclaimed Holden. "I reckon all that man can +endure as not to be compared with the crown of glory that awaits him +who shall gain entrance into the Kingdom. What is this speck we call +life? Mark," he continued, taking up a pebble and dropping it into the +water, "it is like the bubble that rises to burst, or the sound of my +voice that dies as soon away. Thereon waste I not a thought, except to +prepare me for the coming of my Lord." + +"You think, then, this solitary life the best preparation you can make +for the next?" + +"Yes," said Holden; "I work not my own will. Can the clay say to the +potter, what doest thou? Behold, I am in the hand of One wiser and +mightier than I. Nor hath he left me without duties to perform. I am +one crying in the wilderness, and though the people heed not, yet must +the faithful witness cry. I have a work to perform, and how is my soul +straitened until it be done? Canst thou not thyself see, by what +hath happened to-day, some reason why the solitary is upon his lonely +island? Had he loved the crowded haunts of men, a fellow-being had, +perhaps, perished." + +The allusion to the occurrence of the morning recalled the doctor's +attention to the purpose for which he had left the chamber, and which +he had forgotten, in listening to the talk of the enthusiast. He +now directed the conversation to the subject of the wound, and heard +Holden's account. He became convinced, both from his statement, and +from a few words Pownal himself had dropped, as well as from the sight +of the gun which Holden had picked up, and found just discharged, that +the wounding was accidental, and occasioned by the young man's own +fowling-piece. Having satisfied himself on this point, the doctor, +with his companion, re-entered the hut. It was only to give a few +parting directions to Bernard, to enjoin quiet upon his patient, and +to take leave of him, which he did, in the words of his favorite-- + + "Fare thee well! + The elements be kind to thee, and make + Thy spirits all of comfort." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Ici il fallut que j'en divinasse plus qu'on ne m'en disoit. + MEMOIRES DE SULLY. + + +A week after the events narrated in the preceding chapters, a small +company was collected in a parlor of one of the houses of Hillsdale. +It consisted of a gentleman, of some fifty years of age; his wife, a +fine-looking matron, some years his junior; their daughter, a bright +blue-eyed flaxen-haired girl, rounding into the most graceful form of +womanhood, and a young man, who is not entirely a stranger to us. + +The judgment of the doctor, respecting the wound of Pownal--for it is +he--had proved to be correct, and, on the second day after the hurt, +he had returned to the village, with his friend William Bernard, in +the house of whose father he was, for the present, domiciliated. The +young men had been acquainted before, and the accident seemed to have +established a sort of intimacy between them. It was, therefore, with +no feeling of reluctance, that Pownal accepted an invitation to desert +his boarding-house for a while, for the hospitality of his friend. +Perhaps, his decision was a little influenced by the remembrance of +the blue eyes of Miss Bernard, and of the pleasant effect which, from +their first acquaintance, they had exerted upon him. However that +may be, it is certain, that, although somewhat paler than usual, he +appeared to be quite contented with his condition. + +It was evening, and candles were lighted, and Mr. Bernard, or as +he was more commonly, or, indeed, almost universally, called, Judge +Bernard, from having been one of the judges of the Superior Court, was +sitting in an arm-chair, reading a newspaper; Mrs. Bernard was busy +with her knitting; the young lady employed upon one of those pieces +of needle-work, which, in those days, were seldom out of female hands, +and Pownal looking at her all he dared, and listening to an occasional +paragraph read by the Judge from his newspaper. + +"You are the cause of quite a sensation in our little community, +Thomas," said the Judge, laying down his spectacles and newspaper +at the same time. "Mr. Editor Peters and the gossips ought to be +infinitely obliged to you for wounding yourself, and affording him an +opportunity to display his inventive genius and the brilliancy of his +imagination, and giving them something to talk about. Here, Anne, read +the article aloud for our edification." + +The young lady ran her eye hastily down the column, and could not +restrain her laughter. + +"Excuse me, papa," she said, "it is too much for my poor nerves. Only +think of it; Mr. Peters loads Mr. Pownal's gun with sixteen buck-shot, +topples him off a precipice twenty feet high, breaks three of his +ribs, and makes a considerable incision in his skull. Never was there +such a wonderful escape. It is too horrible." + +"How the newspapers are given to big stories!" said Mrs. Bernard. + +"I dare say," cried Anne, "the editor has authority for what he +says, for now that my attention is drawn to it, I think there must +be something in the incision. Have you not remarked, mamma, that Mr. +Pownal is at times light-headed?" + +"Anne!" exclaimed her mother, smiling, "I am ashamed to hear a young +girl rattle on so." + +"I am not aware of being more light-headed than usual," said Pownal, +"but I am certain no one can be in Miss Bernard's company, and not be +light-hearted." + +"Very prettily spoken! Mr. Thomas Pownal is practising his wit upon a +country maiden, in order to be in training when he returns to open the +campaign among the New York ladies." + +"I am too happy here," said Pownal, in a low tone, "to wish to return +to the city." + +An almost imperceptible blush suffused the cheeks of Miss Bernard. She +looked up from the newspaper, but her eyes encountering those of the +young man, instantly fell. + +"What fine speeches are you making to one another?" broke in the +Judge. "My dear, do not hold down your head. It throws the blood into +your face." + +"Papa," cried his daughter, desirous to divert attention from herself, +"can you find nothing instructing in the paper to read to us? Is there +no report of any speech?" + +"Speeches, indeed! Thank Heaven, there is no speech in this paper. +The session of Congress has not commenced, and the deluge of words, in +comparison with which Noah's flood was a summer's shower, therefore, +not begun. Why, my dear little daughter, do you remind me of the +national calamity?" + +"To atone for the offence, papa, let me tell you that Mr. Armstrong +and Faith promised to come to see us this evening, and from the sound +of the opening of the front gate, I suspect they are close at hand." + +Anne's conjecture proved true, for shortly after the expected visitors +were announced, and the usual greetings having passed, they were all +soon seated. + +But before proceeding further, it may not be amiss to give some +description of persons destined to play a not unimportant part in our +story. + +Mr. Armstrong was of middle age, of the ordinary stature, and with a +face which still possessed great beauty. A noble brow, hair originally +black, but prematurely grey, large dark eyes, a straight nose, and +a well-formed mouth, over which played an expression of benevolence, +made an exterior of exceeding attractiveness, and it would have been +an unmixed pleasure to gaze upon his gracious presence, but for an air +of dejection amounting to suffering, which had of late been increasing +upon him. He seldom smiled, and when he did the smile was often +succeeded by a dark shadow, as if he felt compunction for trespassing +on the precints of gaiety. + +Faith strongly resembled her father, as well in externals as in the +character of her mind. Her figure was slender, approaching even to +delicacy, though without any appearance of sickliness. Her face, pale +and thoughtful usually, was sometimes lighted up with an enthusiasm +more angelic than human. Her mother having died when she was too young +to appreciate the loss, she had concentrated upon her father all that +love which is generally divided between two parents. Nor was it with +a feeling of love only she regarded him. With it was mixed a sentiment +of reverence amounting almost to idolatry. No opinion, no thought, +no word, no look of his but had for her a value. And richly was the +affection of the child returned by the father, and proud was he of +her, notwithstanding his struggles against the feeling as something +sinful. + +It was the first time since the accident to Pownal that Mr. Armstrong +or his daughter had seen him, and the conversation naturally turned +upon the danger he had incurred. + +"It was a providential escape," said Mr. Armstrong. "It is astonishing +how many dangers we run into, and our escapes may be considered as +so many daily miracles to prove the interposition of a controlling +Providence. There are few persons who cannot look back upon several +such in the course of their lives." + +"You are right, my friend," said the Judge. "I can recall half a dozen +in my own experience; and if some have had fewer, some, doubtless, +have had more." + +"These accidents are, I suspect, the consequences of our own +carelessness in nine cases out of ten," said Pownal. "At any rate, I +am sure it was my carelessness that occasioned mine." + +"You speak as if it could have been avoided," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"Certainly. Do you not think so?" + +"I am not sure of it," said Mr. Armstrong. "There appears to be a +chain which links events together in an inevitable union. The very +carelessness of which you accuse yourself may be the means purposely +used to bring about important events." + +"It has brought about very agreeable events for me," said Pownal. "I +am only afraid, from the care lavished upon me, I shall be tempted to +think too much of myself." + +"It has scattered pleasure all around, then," said Mrs. Bernard, +kindly. + +"Yes," said the Judge; "any attention we can render is more than +repaid by the pleasure Mr. Pownal's presence imparts. If he should +ever think more highly of himself than we do, he will be a very vain +person." + +The young man could only bow, and with a gratified countenance return +his thanks for their kindness. + +"Your adventure was also the means," said Mr. Armstrong, "of making +you acquainted with our anchorite. Did you not find him an interesting +person?" + +"More than interesting," replied Pownal. "From the moment he took me +into his arms as if I had been a child, and with all the tenderness of +a mother, I felt strangely attracted to him. I shall always remember +with pleasure the two days I spent in his cabin, and mean to cultivate +his acquaintance if he will permit me." + +"He is evidently a man of refinement and education," said Armstrong, +"who, for reasons of his own, has adopted his peculiar mode of life. +It was a long time before I could be said to be acquainted with him, +but the more I know him, the better I like him. He and Faith are great +friends." + +"I value his friendship highly and am glad he made so favorable an +impression on you, Mr. Pownal," said Faith. + +"I do believe," cried Anne, "Faith could not reverence him more if he +were one of the old prophets." + +"If not a prophet," said Faith, "he is at least a noble and good man, +and that is the highest title to respect. He takes an interest in you, +too, Mr. Pownal, for Anne tells me he has been to see you." + +"My preserver has been here several times to make inquiries after my +health," answered Pownal. "He was here this morning." + +"And preaching about the kingdom," said Judge Bernard. "What a strange +infatuation to look for the end of the world each day." + +"He errs in the interpretation of the prophecies," said Mr. Armstrong, +"when he finds in them prognostics of the speedy destruction of the +world, but does he mistake the personal application? Who knows when +he may be called to face his judge? Youth, and health, and strength, +furnish no immunity against death." + +"But what a gloom this daily expectation of an event which the wisest +and stoutest hearted are unable to contemplate without trepidation, +casts over life," said the Judge. + +"Not in his case," replied Armstrong. "On the contrary, I am satisfied +he would hail it with a song of thanksgiving, and I think I have +observed he is sometimes impatient of the delay." + +"It is well his notions are only crazy fancies as absurd as his beard. +His appearance is very heathenish," said Mrs. Bernard. + +"Taste, my dear," exclaimed the Judge, "all taste. Why, I have a +great mind to wear a beard myself. It would be a prodigious comfort to +dispense with the razor in cold winter mornings, to say nothing of the +ornament. And now that I think of it, it is just the season to begin." + +"You would look like a bear, Mr. Bernard," said his wife. + +"It would be too near an imitation of the old Puritans for you, +Judge," said Faith. + +"You, at least, my little Puritan," cried the Judge, "would not +object. But do not fancy that in avoiding Scylla I _must_ run upon +Charybdis. Be sure I would not imitate the trim moustaches and peaked +chins of those old dandies, Winthrop and Endicott. I prefer the full +flowing style of Wykliffe and Cranmer." + +"We should then have two Holdens," exclaimed Mrs. Bernard, "and that +would be more than our little village could live through." + +"Fancy papa running an opposition beard against Mr. Holden!" said +Anne. + +The idea was sufficiently ludicrous to occasion a general laugh, and +even Armstrong smiled. + +"I am a happy man," said the Judge; "not only mirthful, myself, but +the cause of mirth in others. What a beam of light is a smile, what a +glory like a sunrise is a laugh!" + +"That will do, Judge Bernard, that will do," said his wife; "do not +try again, for you cannot jump so high twice." + +"Tut, tut, Mary; what do you know about the higher poetics? I defy you +to find such sublimities either in Milton or Dante." + +"I can easily believe it," said Mrs. Bernard. + +At this moment some other visitors entering the room, the conversation +took another turn; and Mr. Armstrong and his daughter having remained +a short time longer, took leave and returned home. Let us follow the +departing visitors. + +Upon his return, Mr. Armstrong sank upon a seat with an air of +weariness. + +"Come, Faith," he said, "and sit by me and hold my hand. I have been +thinking this evening of the insensibility of the world to their +condition. How few perceive the precipice on the edge of which they +stand!" + +His daughter, who was accustomed to these sombre reflections, bent +over, and bringing his hand to her lips, kissed it without saying +anything, knowing that he would soon explain himself more perfectly. + +"Which," continued Armstrong, "is wiser, the thoughtless frivolity of +Judge Bernard, or the sad watchfulness of Holden?" + +"I am not competent to judge, dear father; but if they both act +according to their convictions of right, are they not doing their +duty?" + +"You ask a difficult question. To be sure men must act according to +their ideas of right, but let them beware how they get them, and what +they are. Yet, can one choose his ideas? These things puzzle me?" + +"What else can we do," inquired his daughter, "than live by the light +we have? Surely I cannot be responsible for my involuntary ignorance." + +"How far we may be the cause of the ignorance we call involuntary, +it is impossible to determine. A wrong act, an improper thought, +belonging to years ago and even repented of since, may project +its dark shadow into the present, and pervert the judgment. We are +fearfully made." + +"Why pain yourself, dearest father, with speculations of this +character? Our Maker knows our weakness and will pardon our +infirmities." + +"I am an illustration of the subject of our conversation," continued +Armstrong, after a pause of a few minutes, during which he had +remained meditating, with his head resting on his hand. "I know I +would not, willingly, harshly judge another--for who authorized me to +pass sentence? Yet these ideas would force themselves into my mind; +and how have I spoken of our kind and excellent neighbor! There is +something wrong in myself which I must struggle to correct." + +We communicate only enough of the conversation to give an idea of +the state of Mr. Armstrong's mind at the time. At the usual family +devotions that night he prayed fervently for forgiveness of his error, +repeatedly upbraiding himself with presumption and uncharitableness, +and entreating that he might not be left to his own vain imaginations. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + O! I could whisper thee a tale, + That surely would thy pity move, + But what would idle words avail, + Unless the heart might speak its love? + + To tell that tale my pen were weak, + My tongue its office, too, denies, + Then mark it on my varying cheek, + And read it in my languid eyes. + ANONYMOUS. + +After the expiration of a fortnight, Pownal could find no excuses to +satisfy even himself with remaining longer at Judge Bernard's. The +visit had been, indeed, one of great enjoyment, and gladly would he +have availed himself of the pressing invitation of his host to prolong +it, could he have conjured up any reason for doing so. Lightly would +he have esteemed and cheerfully welcomed another wound like that from +which he was recovering, could the pleasure have been thus purchased. +The truth is that within a few days he had been conscious of a feeling +of which he had never before suspected himself, and it was this +feeling that made him so reluctant to depart. And yet, when, in the +silence of his chamber, and away from the blue eyes of Anne Bernard, +he reflected upon his position, he was obliged to confess, with a +sigh, that prudence required he should leave a society as dangerous +as it was sweet. To be in the same house with her, to breathe the same +air, to read the same books, to hear her voice was a luxury it was +hard to forego, but in proportion to the difficulty was the necessity. +Besides he could not avoid fancying that young Bernard, though not +cold, was hardly as cordial as formerly, and that he would regard +with satisfaction a separation from his sister. Nor had he reason to +suppose that she looked upon him with feelings other than those which +she entertained for any other acquaintance standing to her in the +same relation as himself. Beyond the ordinary compliments and little +attentions which the manners of the day permitted, nothing had passed +between them, and though satisfied he was not an object of aversion, +he knew as well that she had never betrayed any partiality for him. +Meanwhile, his own feelings were becoming interested, beyond, perhaps, +the power of control, the sooner, therefore, he weaned himself from +the delightful fascination, the better for his peace of mind. + +Thomas Pownal was comparatively a stranger in the neighborhood, only +two or three months having elapsed since he had been sent by the +mercantile firm of Bloodgood, Pownal, & Co., of New York, to take +charge of a branch of their business at Hillsdale. Even in that short +space of time, by his affable manners and attention to business he had +won his way to the respect and esteem of the good people of the town, +and was looked upon as one likely to succeed in the lottery of life. +No one was more welcome, by reason of his amiable character, to those +of his own age, while his steadiness recommended him to his elders. +But his family was unknown, though he was supposed to be a distant +relation of the second member of the firm, nor had he any visible +means of subsistence except the very respectable salary, which, as +a confidential clerk, he received from his employers, on whom his +prospects of success depended. The chasm, therefore, betwixt the only +daughter of the wealthy Mr. Bernard and himself, was wide--wide enough +to check even an overweening confidence. But such it was not in the +nature of Pownal to feel. He was sensible of the full force of +the difficulties he had to encounter; to his modesty they seemed +insuperable, and he determined to drive from his heart a sentiment +that, in his despondency, he blamed himself for allowing to find a +place there. + +It took him some days to form the resolution, and after it was formed, +it was not easy to carry it into effect. More than once he had been +on the point of returning thanks for the kindness he had received, +and avowing his intention to depart, but it seemed as if the veriest +trifle were sufficient to divert him from his purpose. If Mr. Bernard +spoke of the satisfaction he derived from his company, if Mrs. Bernard +declared she should miss him when he left; or if Anne's radiant +face looked thanks for his reading aloud, they were all so many +solicitations to delay his departure. The treacherous heart readily +listened to the seduction, however much the judgment might disapprove. +But, as we have seen, a time had come when the voice of prudence could +no longer be silenced, and, however unwillingly, must be obeyed. He, +therefore, took occasion, one morning, at the breakfast table, to +announce his intended departure. + +"Had I been a son," he said, in conclusion, "you could not have +lavished more kindness upon me, and I shall never forget it." + +"What! what!" cried the Judge, "I am not sure that the shooting one's +self is a bailable offence, and I shall be obliged to examine the +authorities, before I discharge you from custody, Master Thomas." + +"To think," said Mrs. Bernard, "it does not seem a week since you +came, and we have all been so happy. I declare, Mr. Pownal, I shall +not know how to do without you." + +"The dearest friends must part--but we shall always be glad to see +you, Tom," said William Bernard. + +"I do not see the necessity for your going," said the Judge. "Our +house is large enough for all; your attacks at table are not yet very +formidable; and I have not taught you whist perfectly. Would it not +be better to substitute a _curia vult avisare_ in place of a decision? +But, Anne, have you nothing to say? Is this your gratitude for all +Thomas's martyrdoms of readings of I know not what unimaginable +nonsense; and holdings of skeins of silk, more difficult to unwind +than the labyrinth through which Ariadne's thread conducted Theseus; +and pickings up of whatever your feminine carelessness chose to drop +on the carpet; and endurance of all the legions of annoyances with +which young ladies delight to harass young gentlemen? Have you no +backing for your mother and me? One word from you ought to be worth a +thousand from us old folks." + +"Mr. Pownal owes me some gratitude, too, father," said Anne, "for the +patience and accomplishments I have taught him. But he surely knows +how much pleasure his presence confers on all in this house. We shall +miss him very much, shall we not, Beau?"--addressing a little spaniel +that, upon being spoken to, sat up on his hind legs to beg for +breakfast. + +"I have several times endeavored to say this before," said Pownal, +somewhat piqued, and feeling a strong desire to kick the innocent +cur out of the room, "but have never been able to muster sufficient +courage. And now, if my thanks appear cold, as I am afraid they do to +Miss Bernard, I assure her it is not the fault of my heart, but of my +tongue." + +"Hearts and tongues!" exclaimed the Judge. "The former belong to the +ladies' department; the latter to mine. Yet, I fancy I know something +about hearts, too; and yours, Thomas, I am sure, is adequate security +for your words." + +"You are very good, sir," said Pownal, "and I can only wish that all +participated in your undeserved partiality." + +Anne was vexed with herself for having spoken in so trifling a manner. +The frigid politeness of her brother's speech, too, had not escaped +her notice. It seemed to her now, that she had been wantonly rude. She +hastened, therefore, to repair the fault. + +"Mr. Pownal mistakes," she said, "if he thinks me unmindful of the +pleasant hours his unfortunate accident procured us. And I am sure I +should be a monster of ingratitude," she added smiling, and relapsing, +in spite of herself, into the very trifling she had condemned, "if I +did not remember, with lively emotions, his skill at holding silk and +yarn." + +"Well, whenever you want a reel, send for me," said Pownal, "and I +shall only be too happy to come." + +"Take care, my good fellow," said the Judge, "she does not wind you +up, too." + +"I should be too happy--" began Pownal. + +"For shame, father," cried Anne, laughing, and rising from the table. +"The young men have quite spoiled you, of late. Good-bye; you have +finished your last cup of coffee, and have no longer need of me." So +saying, she hastened out of the room. + +It was with mutual regret that the parting took place, and not without +many promises required of the young man that he would frequently visit +the family. His landlady, Mrs. Brown, was, as usual, all smiles, and +welcomes, and congratulations on his return; notwithstanding which, it +was with a sense of loneliness, amounting almost to desolation, that +her lodger found himself installed again in his apartments. It seemed +like passing out of the golden sunshine into a gloomy cavern. Was it +possible that two short weeks could have produced so great a change in +him? When he thought upon the cause, the conscious blush revealed its +nature. "No," said he, aloud, as he paced backwards and forwards +in the room, "this is folly and madness. For me, a humble clerk, to +connect myself, even in imagination, with _her_! What have I to offer +her? Or what even in prospect? I have been sailing in the clouds, +and my tattered balloon is precipitated to the earth--I have been +dreaming. How delicious was the dream! But I am now awake, and will +never expose myself to the mortification of ----. I have been foolish. +No, not so; for, who could come within the range of such fascinations, +and not be charmed? But what, after all, are they to me? I will +resist this weakness, and learn to regard her as only any other valued +acquaintance; for, alas! she can never be more." + +In such incoherent expressions, poor Pownal gave vent to the emotions +that agitated him. It would have been some consolation, could he have +known what was said at the Bernards', when the family gathered around +the table in the evening. Mrs. Bernard alluded more than once to the +gap his absence made in their little circle; and the Judge, in his +jesting way, wished that somebody would shoot him again, if it might +be the means to bring him back. Even Anne expressed regret at his +loss, since his company had been such a pleasure to her parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Groves freshened, as he looked, and flowers + Showed bright on rocky bank, + And fountains welled beneath the bowers, + Where deer and pheasant drank; + He saw the glittering streams, he heard + The rustling bough and twittering bird." + + BRYANT. + + +The mind of Ohquamehud dwelt upon his meeting with Holden. Sleeping or +waking, the image of the latter pursued him. But it was not always +in the shape of the Recluse that the vision appeared. More often it +assumed the form of a young man, in the garb of a western hunter, with +a rifle in his hand. Then rose up, in connection with him, boundless +forests, through which the deer stole noiselessly, and the screech +of the catamount was heard. And then again he hunted, and as he +approached the game he had shot, Holden approached and claimed it as +his; or he was on a war-path, and stumbled against a log, and fell; +and as he strove to rise, the log was changed into Holden, who +grappled him in a death-struggle--wherever he was, and whithersoever +he turned his eyes, there was the young man, seeming to be, and +yet not to be Holden, and haunting him like a shadow. As these +imaginations possessed themselves more and more of the Indian's mind, +he began to fancy himself the victim of some incantation, with which +he naturally connected the Recluse as the cause; and, finally, +by continual brooding on the subject, both his appetite and sleep +deserted him. His moodiness at length attracted the attention of +Peéna. Ohquamehud was lying on the floor of her hut, his head resting +on his hand, and he had been for some time gazing in the fire. The +simple noon-day meal had barely been tasted, and that in silence. + +"Have the hands of Peéna," she said, "forgot how to prepare his food, +that the eyes of my brother turn away from it with displeasure?" + +"The hands of my sister have not lost their skill, but Ohquamehud is +not hungry." + +"Ohquamehud is a warrior, and Peéna is but a weak woman, and he will +not be angry," she added, hesitatingly. + +The Indian waved his hand, with dignity, as if inviting her to +proceed. + +"Ohquamehud sees the heart of his sister, and he knows that it loves +him, for he is the brother of Huttamoiden. Why does he cover up his +face from her, and hide his grief? Is she unworthy," she added, laying +her hand on his shoulder, and looking affectionately in his face, "to +listen to his voice?" + +He turned towards her, and paused before he said-- + +"The stone in the path of Ohquamehud is very small, and will not hurt +his feet." + +"Peéna, then, will try to remove it. She has strength to move small +stones." + +She ceased, and continued looking at him, without adding a word, as if +she had said enough, and awaited a reply. + +"Why should Ohquamehud speak?" he said, at last; "the breath of the +Long Beard will blow away his words." + +A look of vacancy overspread the face of the squaw, as if she failed +to apprehend his meaning. + +"My brother's words are dark," she said. + +"Has not the powawing of the Long Beard brought back the spirit +of Huttamoiden's cub from the happy hunting-grounds, and does not, +therefore, the face of Peéna turn to him as the sun-flower to the +sun?" + +"The Great Spirit loves the Long Beard, and the Long Beard loves his +red brethren." + +"What! a Yenghese love an Indian? Yes, as a wild-cat loves the deer +when he sucks his blood, as the water loves the fire it extinguishes. +The lips of Peéna speak foolishness." + +"If Peéna feel grateful to the Long Beard, why should that anger her +brother? Could he look into her heart, he would see his face as in a +clear stream." + +It was not in human nature to withstand the soft voice and pleading +looks of the woman. The momentary fierceness passed away from the +countenance of the Indian, a milder expression assumed its place, and, +in a gentle tone, he said-- + +"Peéna shall hear. She is like a stone which, when spoken to, repeats +not what is said, and not like a brook that sings an idle song. My +words shall enter her ears, but they will not descend to her tongue. +Listen! the Manitou has troubled my thoughts, and sent a bird to tell +me, that the hands of the Long Beard are red with the blood of my +brothers." + +"It was a lying bird," she exclaimed vehemently; "it was an owl that +hooted untruth from the dark. When lifted the Long Beard a hatchet +against my tribe?" + +"The voice was as the voice of the waterfall," he continued. "It spoke +indistinctly, and I understood but half." + +"Why should not Ohquamehud talk with the Long Beard? The words of each +shall be sweet to the other, and they will learn to have one heart." + +"It is well," said the Indian, "Peéna is a wise woman, and Ohquamehud +will speak with the white man." + +It needed only the suggestion of the squaw to carry into effect a +resolution already more than half adopted. + +The Indian rose, and proceeding to the river, which was but a dozen +rods distant from the hut, unloosed a canoe, and directing its course +up the stream, was lost, in a few moments, from her view. + +The appearance of Ohquamehud indicated no hostility when he presented +himself before the Recluse, whom he found weaving baskets in front +of his cabin, nor did his visit seem to surprise the latter. For an +instant the Indian looked with disdain upon an employment which his +wild education had taught him was fit only for women; but suppressing +the expression of a sentiment that might have interfered with his +purpose, with a quiet dignity, and, as if in answer to a wave of +Holden's hand, he seated himself on a large stone by his side. For +a time he was silent, as if either out of deference to the superior +years of the other, or because he wished to collect his thoughts +before he began the conversation. Finding, however, he could obtain +from the Solitary no further sign of recognition, he spoke in his own +language. + +"My brother has a big heart. He is making gifts for the beautiful +women of his nation." + +"Indian," replied Holden, "think not to deceive me. At this moment +thou considerest this an occupation unfit for a man." + +"My brother has very long eyes. They can see the woodpecker on the +rotten tree across the river, but they reach not here," laying his +hand upon his breast. "The Holder of the Heavens loves not to see +things alike. He therefore made the leaf of the oak to differ from +that of the hickory, and the pine from both, and also the white race +from the red. And, for the same reason, he taught the white man to +make big lodges of wood, and brick and stone, and to swim over the +waters in large canoes with wings: while to the red man he gave the +forests and prairies, with the deer, and bear, and buffalo, and caused +him to dwell in very small wigwams made of bark. And so, also, he +taught my white brother to weave beautiful baskets, but denied the +skill to my father's son." + +The Indian must have supposed he had seriously offended his new +acquaintance, to induce him thus elaborately to attempt to avert +his suspicions. However that might be, the Solitary resumed the +conversation as though he felt no resentment. + +"There is wisdom in thy speech. The Great Spirit loves variety, and it +is he that maketh men to differ. But there was once a time many moons +ago, when thy ancestors builded great houses and dwelt in cities, and +sailed over the seas in winged-canoes." + +The Indian cast a quick, sharp glance at the Solitary, as if he wished +to read his very soul. For a moment he looked as though he doubted the +evidence of his senses. But recovering his composure, he said: + +"The thoughts of my brother are very high, and his voice like the +sound of a great wind." + +"Thou comprehendest me not. Know then, Indian, that innumerable years +ago, there lived far towards the rising sun, twelve tribes, called the +'Children of Israel,' whom the Master of Life greatly loved. And they +had wise and brave Sachems, who led them to battle, and their feet +were red with the blood of their enemies. But they became wicked, and +would not hearken unto the words of the Great Spirit, and He turned +his face away from them. So their enemies came upon them, and +despoiled them, and drove them from the land. Two of the tribes still +linger near the rising sun, but ten wandered far away into distant +countries, and they are thy fathers." + +The Indian listened with great attention, and upon the other pausing, +said: + +"Has the Manitou told all these things to my brother?" + +"No, Indian; the Great Spirit speaks not now to his people as he did +when the world was young. But," he added, as if struck with the folly +of continuing a conversation of this character, "the path is long that +led me to this truth, and it would weary thy feet to travel it." + +"My brother is wise, and cannot lie, and I am a child. My ears drink +in his words. The legs of my brother are long, and he has been a great +traveller. Was it near the rising sun he learned the language of the +red man?" + +"Indian, I have never been nearer the rising sun than thou. But tell +me the object of thy visit. Why dost thou seek me now, when but a few +days since thou didst chide the squaw for her willingness to oblige +me?" + +"The lips of Ohquamehud spoke folly. He did not then know that this +brother had talked to the Master of Life, who granted to him the life +of Huttamoiden's child. The blood of Huttamoiden runs in these veins." + +The explanation was perfectly natural, and whatever suspicion had +arisen in Holden's mind vanished. It seemed not surprising that the +Indian, who also, by uttering his name, had proclaimed himself a +Pequot, should be willing to form the acquaintance of one who had +proved himself a friend to his tribe, and probably was invested in his +imagination with the qualities of a "great medicine." But, though +to Holden's high-wrought fancies, the recovery of the boy had seemed +miraculous, and he could not avoid connecting his prayers with it, +yet he shrank from directly claiming so great a power as the Indian +ascribed to him. + +"The issues of life and death are with the Great Spirit," he said. "At +his pleasure he breathes into our nostrils, and we live; or he turns +away his face, and we die. Let not my brother give too much credit to +a worm." + +The wily Indian, from the other's altered tone and manner, perceived +his advantage, and was not slow to use it. + +"Because my white brother loved his red brethren, he sought them in +their lodges, and there they taught him their language. So when the +boy was departing for the happy hunting grounds, my brother remembered +their kindness, and held the child by the hand, and would not let him +go." + +The face of the Solitary worked with emotion while the other was +speaking. + +"Would that I could explain," he said. "But thou art unable to +understand. How canst thou know a Christian heart?" + +"The heart of Ohquamehud is a man's." + +"Aye; but a savage knows not, and despises forgiveness. I was a +stately pine, whose branches mingled with the clouds, and the birds +came and lodged therein. And a storm arose, and thunders rolled, +and the lightning struck it, and its pride and glory tumbled to the +ground. And it was burnt up, all save this blasted trunk." He uttered +this with a wild frenzy, and as if hardly conscious of the presence of +another. + +"Doth the lightning fall from a clear sky?" said the Indian, after +a pause. "It is long since a black cloud burst over the ancient +hunting-grounds of the Pequots." + +"Where the streams run toward the setting sun, the thunderbolt struck. +Why was it not me instead of those dearer to me than life?" + +"A bird hath sung to Ohquamehud that the land is pleasant, and the +hunter only extends his hand to find something to savor his broth and +to cover his feet." + +"It is a land of streams, and mountains, and forests, and the deer +and the bear still are plenty. When the Creator made it, he smiled +and pronounced it good; and there, as in your fabled hunting-grounds, +might men be blessed but for their passions." + +"The red man loves his friend, and hates his enemy." + +"To hate is a devilish feeling. It comes not from the Good Spirit." + +Ohquamehud rose and stood before Holden. It seemed to his bold and +ferocious temper, that he could not, without cowardice, hear assailed +and not vindicate, a principle that had been inculcated upon him from +youth, and formed a sacred portion of his creed. As he stood up, the +blanket fell in graceful folds from his shoulders, around his person, +and he stretched out a hand to solicit attention. + +"Listen," he said; "the tongue of Ohquamehud is one: it will speak the +truth. Because the Great Spirit loved his children, he made them to +love and to hate, and both are pleasant. The south wind is sweet when +it comes in spring to tell that winter is past and the starved Indian +need no longer shiver over the fire; and sweet are the kisses of +Wullogana to Ohquamehud, and dear are the voices of his little ones +when they meet him from the chase, but sweeter than the sighs of the +wind of spring, or the caresses of Wullogana, or the laughter of +his children, is it to strike an enemy. His flesh is good, for it +strengthens a red heart. The wolf will never become a lamb, and the +wolf is the totem of my clan. Ohquamehud has said." + +It would be impossible to describe the conflicting emotions of Holden +during this savage speech. Whatever might have been the wild incidents +of his youth, or whatever his wrongs and sufferings, the time was long +past, and he had supposed all stormy passion subdued, and his heart +chastised to resignation and submission. He listened at first with +unmixed horror to the Indian's declaration, but as the savage went on, +the words became more and more indistinct, till they lost all meaning +or were converted into other sounds, and, as in a dream, made the +aliment of his thoughts. The whole conversation, and the very language +in which they spoke, contributed to produce this state of mind. Lost +to all around, his soul was far away. He saw a cabin beside a mountain +torrent, overshadowed by immense trees. It was summer, and the birds +were singing among the branches. The door of the cabin opened, and a +young and beautiful white woman stepped out, holding a child by the +hand. Suddenly it was night, and the cabin on fire, and he heard the +yells of savages, and saw them like so many demons dancing round the +flames; then hush, all again was still, and darkness brooded over the +spot, lighted only by a flickering brand. + +The bosom of Holden heaved convulsively, and his brain reeled. + +The Indian watched his changing countenance with an eager look as +if he revelled in his agony. Not a hard drawn breath, not a single +expression escaped his notice. He saw the eyes of the Solitary flash, +then settle into a dreamy gaze as if looking into a dim, unfathomable +distance, then shut, as if he tried to exclude some horrid sight. +Suddenly, with a shudder, Holden sprang to his feet. + +"Accursed Shawnees," he cried; "they have done this deed. But for +every drop of blood they shed a river shall flow. Dog!" and he seized +the Indian with a strength to which madness lent additional force, and +dashed him to the ground, "thou art first delivered into my hand." + +He staggered toward the fallen man--stopped--glared at him a moment +and with a wild cry rushed into the hut. + +The Indian, who had immediately risen from the fall, and stood with +folded arms regarding his motions, slowly gathered up his disordered +blanket about him and stalked towards the canoe. A gleam of ferocity +shot over his face as he resumed the paddle, and softly breathing the +single word "Onontio," pushed from the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + I will pursue to death this spiteful knight: + Not earth's low centre, nor sea's deepest part, + Nor heaven, nor hell, can shield him from my might: + I will o'ertake him, take him, cleave his heart. + FAIRFAX' TASSO. + + +The suspicions of the Indian were confirmed beyond a doubt. It was, +perhaps, the voice and accent of the Solitary in his native tongue +that at first attracted his attention and induced him to try the +experiment which resulted as we have seen. He must have had or fancied +that he had a cause of deadly hatred of long standing against Holden. +It is impossible otherwise to explain his conduct. But no length of +time can erase the recollection of an injury from the mind of a North +American Indian. He cherishes it as something never to be parted with, +and would feel degraded in his own estimation were he to forgive. +Revenge is the central sun round which his spirit revolves; and to +gratify the feeling no hardships are too severe. For such a purpose +he will traverse, with an unerring instinct, pathless forests for +hundreds of miles, swim wide rivers, climb lofty mountains, sleep, +unrepining, on the bare ground, exposed to all vicissitudes of heat +and cold, supporting himself by the chase and fishing, and sustained +throughout by his vindictive passion and the glory he connects with +its gratification. The kindness shown by Holden to his sister and +her son, and the reverence with which she regarded him, it might +be expected would have influenced Ohquamehud; but they had no such +effect. To the kindness he ascribed a sinister motive; and of course, +Peéna's gratitude was misplaced. It was therefore with a fiendish joy +unalloyed by misgivings, that he brooded over the means to accomplish +his purpose. + +He dared not communicate it to Peéna. He understood her gentle +nature too well to suppose that, under any circumstances, she could +sympathize with him, even though she felt no sense of obligation to +Holden; and, besides, he distrusted her as one who had abandoned the +faith of her fathers. For, although no Christian in the proper import +of the word, the sweet and purifying influences of Christianity had +not been wholly thrown away upon Peéna. She had many friends in the +neighboring village who had been attracted by her gentle temper and +modesty, conspicuous among whom was Faith Armstrong. Hence, when she +came to the village, as not unfrequently was the case, in order to +sell the berries she had gathered in the fields, or pretty baskets +stained with such lively colors as the simple skill of the Indians +knew how to extract from roots and the bark of trees, it seldom +happened that she returned without having made Faith a visit. On such +occasions the enthusiastic girl would strive to inform her on points +of religion which, to her own mind, were of the highest importance. +Peéna would listen, and never contradict, though, it is probable, she +understood but little of what to Faith's apprehension was clear. + +It was impossible, however, not to derive benefit from such meetings. +None could be in the presence of Faith without being influenced by +the atmosphere of goodness in which she moved. And, indeed, that she +herself derived pleasure from the presence of Peéna, was evidence of +the gentle worth of the latter. + +No wonder then that Ohquamehud determined to conceal his fell purpose +in his own heart. When, therefore, with the quiet step peculiar to his +race, he glided into her hut, just before the setting of the sun, he +had chased the traces of passion from his brow, and met her with a +calm and satisfied mien. So perfect was the dissimulation that even +one less guileless than the woman would have been deceived. In the +present case, the preoccupation of her mind in Holden's favor made it +easier. + +"My brother," she said, with a pleased expression, as she caught sight +of his altered appearance, "is like the sky in summer when not a cloud +is to be seen." + +"The cloud has left the sky of Ohquamehud." + +This was said with a natural and easy air, as if all suspicion were +banished from his mind; nor was the subject further adverted to. + +The time at which the children of nature retire to rest, is not that +observed by the artificially-cultivated man. For them, the hours of +light and darkness mark out the periods for action and repose. It was +then still early in the evening, when a heavy breathing in the hut of +Peéna indicated the sleep of its inmates. Ohquamehud had listened +for it, and having waited until the breathing became deep and full to +assure him of the profoundness of the slumber, he sat up on his couch +and looked cautiously around. The brands were smouldering in the +ashes with a dim flickering light, but sufficient to direct and give +certainty to his movements. With a step so noiseless that the acutest +ear would not have detected it, he crossed the floor, took his rifle +from the corner where it had been placed, with equal caution opened +the door, and stood in the open air. + +It was a clear star-lit night, and on the placid bosom of the water +shone one star larger and brighter than the rest, as if to light him +on his way. But it was all unobserved by the Indian. He had no eyes, +no ears, no senses, except for the crime he was about to commit. To +him, no crime, but a heroic act. Slowly, and measuring each step as +though a thousand ears were listening, he proceeded in the direction +of the canoe, untied it, and softly pushed it into the stream. As he +took his seat the dip of his paddle made no sound, and thus, stern as +an iron statue, and almost as still, he paddled on. + +And now Ohquamehud approached the island. He stopped his paddle and +held his breath, and listened. Not a living sound was to be heard, +not even the cry of a night bird; nothing save the soft flowing of the +water against the shore. Like an eagle circling round and round before +he pounces on his quarry, the Indian cautiously paddled around the +island. From one of the windows, before concealed, he saw a light. +Keeping at a distance, so that the rays should not fall upon him, he +stole around until he had interposed the hut between himself and its +beams. Then, apparently satisfied there was nothing to be feared, he +directed the canoe towards the island, and slowly advanced until its +bottom touched the sand, when he sat still and listened again. Hearing +nothing, he left the canoe, and crouching down, crept towards the +cabin. Having reached it, he applied his ear to the side and listened, +and again advanced. Thus slowly proceeding, some little time elapsed +before he found himself at the window whence streamed the light. +Without venturing to touch the wooden boards, as if fearful they might +communicate a knowledge of his presence, he raised himself almost +imperceptibly at the edge of the window, until he obtained a view of +the interior. Holden was sitting at a distance of not more than six +feet, near a small table, on which a single candle was burning, and +in his lap lay a large opened book, on which his folded hands were +resting. He seemed lost in meditation, gazing into the wood-fire +before him, towards which his crossed legs were extended at full +length. + +The Indian slid his hand down to the lock of the gun, and drew back +the trigger. Cautiously as it was done, he could not prevent a slight +clicking sound, which, perhaps, struck the ear of the Solitary, for he +turned his head and moved in the chair. The Indian slunk to the edge +of the window, so as to conceal his person from any one within the +room, and remained motionless. Presently he advanced his head, and +took another view. The Solitary had resumed his former position, and +was buried in profound thought. The Indian stepped back a couple of +steps, so as to allow the necessary distance between himself and the +window, and raised the rifle to his shoulder. + +At that instant and just as he was about to discharge the deadly +weapon, a large rattlesnake, attracted by the warmth, or for some +other reason, glided from the opposite side of the hut towards the +outstretched limbs of Holden, over which it crawled, and resting +its body upon them, with upraised head seemed to fasten its eyes, +glittering in the fire-light, full upon the face of the startled +Indian. The effect was instantaneous. The rifle nearly dropped from +his uplifted hands, a cold sweat burst from every pore, his knees +shook, and his eyes, fixed on the snake by a fascination that +controlled his will, felt bursting from their sockets. After +preserving its attitude for a short time, the snake, as if taking +Holden under its protection, coiled itself around his feet, and lay +with its head resting on his shoe, looking into the fire. As the +snake turned away its bright eyes the spell that bound the Indian +was dissolved. An expression of the deepest awe overspread his +countenance, his lips moved, but emitted no sound, and cautiously as +he had advanced be returned to the canoe, and was soon swallowed up in +the darkness. + +The abstraction of Holden must have been deep and long, for upon +recovering from his reverie, the reptile was gone. Without his +consciousness it had come, and without his consciousness departed; and +when he laid the Bible, in which he had been reading, upon the table, +he knew not either the danger he had escaped, or the means by which it +had been averted. + +Nor let the conduct of Ohquamehud excite surprise. An American Indian, +he was susceptible to the influence of the legends and traditions of +his race. Among them are some inculcating a superstitious reverence +for certain animals. The bear, for instance, is regarded by some +tribes as a sort of relation, and when the necessity of hunger compels +them to kill him, they apologize, and beg him not to be angry. The +rattlesnake again is an object of great respect. Supplied with a +deadly venom that makes him the most formidable of enemies, he never +attacks unless first injured, and then, if he can reach his foe, his +vengeance is sure. On his trail he disdains concealment, but with the +rattles nature has provided to announce his approach, apprises all, +that they may remove themselves out of his way. Indeed, he comprehends +within himself those qualities most valued by the Indians, and is the +type of a brave warrior. When, therefore, at such an hour and such a +place, the reptile made its appearance, and first darting its fiery +glances at the Pequot, quietly and, as if scorning and defying the +danger, laid itself caressingly on the limbs of Holden, it seemed to +the astonished Indian that the snake knew his purpose, and angrily +ordered him to desist. Vain, he thought, would it be to assail one so +protected, nor was he willing to incur the mysterious enmity of the +snake. How its power might be displayed, whether in striking him +dead on the spot, or in laming his limbs, or defeating his success +in hunting, or what other dreadful manner, he knew not, but he was +convinced that some awful punishment would follow disobedience. He +thought it, therefore, more prudent to yield for the present, and wait +till he had propitiated the snake, or it had withdrawn its protection. +As long as that lasted Onontio was beyond his power. Not that +vengeance was forborne; it was only postponed. + +Of such a character were the thoughts that darted through the mind of +the Pequot when frightened from his purpose, and in less time than it +has taken to record them, as with drooping head he pursued his lonely +way. Even what he considered the interposition of a supernatural +power, had not shaken the determination of his spirit. The desire +for revenge had been too long cherished to be given up at a single +warning, however awful, or however strongly appealing to the deepest +implanted superstitions. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Arma, virumque cano qui Primus." + VIRGIL + + +The season had now advanced to within a few days of that joyous period +of the year, when the Governors of the several New England States are +wont to call the people to a public acknowledgment of the favors of +Divine Providence. At the time of which we write, their Excellencies +required the citizens to be thankful "according to law," and "all +servile labor and vain recreation," on said day, were "by law +forbidden," and not, as at present, invited them to assemble in their +respective churches, to unite in an expression of gratitude to +their Heavenly Benefactor. Whether the change from a command to an +invitation, or permission to engage in the sports which were before +forbidden, has been attended with any evil consequences, we leave +to the individual judgment of our readers to determine. But whether +commanded or invited, the people always welcomed the season of +festivity with preaching and praying, and an indiscriminate slaughter +of all the fat turkeys and chickens on which they could lay their +hands. + +The yellow and crimson maple leaf had faded on the trees into more +sombre colors, or, falling to the ground, been whirled by the wind +among heaps of other leaves, where its splendor no more attracted +attention. Of the gaiety of autumn, only the red bunches of the sumach +were left as a parting present to welcome winter in. The querulous +note of the quail had long been heard calling to his truant mate, and +reproaching her for wandering from his jealous side; the robins had +either sought a milder climate or were collected in the savin-bushes, +in whose evergreen branches they found shelter, and on whose berries +they love to feed; and little schoolboys were prowling about, busy +collecting barrels for Thanksgiving bonfires. + +It was a beautiful clear morning in Thanksgiving-week, when a +side gate, that admitted to the yard or inclosure in front of Mr. +Armstrong's house, opened, and a negro, with a round good-natured +face, and rather foppishly dressed, stepped out upon the walk. But, +before paying our respects to Mr. Felix Qui, it may not be altogether +amiss to give some description of the house of Mr. Armstrong, as +representing the better class of dwelling-houses in our villages, at +the time. + +It was a large, two-story wood building, painted white, with green +blinds, and consisted of a main body nearly fifty feet square, in +which, were the apartments for the family, and of an L, as it was +called, from the shape it gave the building, running back, and devoted +to the kitchen and sleeping chambers of the servants. The height of +the stories in this L was somewhat less than in the front part of the +house, indicating thereby, perhaps, the more humble relation in which +it stood to the latter. Three large chimneys rose above the roof, two +from the principal building and one from the kitchen. A wide hall in +the centre, swept through the whole length without interference from +the rear building, which might be considered as a continuation of +somewhat less than one-half of the part in front. The wood-house stood +on the same side as the kitchen, some twenty feet distant; and still +further back, a large barn, also of wood, and painted a light lead +color, with the exception of the cornice and trimmings about the doors +and windows, which were white. The house itself stood some fifty feet +back from the high road, and was surrounded by enormous elms, those +glories of the cultivated American landscape, some measuring four and +five feet in diameter, and throwing their gracefully drooping branches +far and high over the roof, to which, in the heat of summer, they +furnished an acceptable shade. The prospect in front, and looking +between two rows of maples that lined the road, comprehended the +Yaupáae, expanded into a lake, green fields and apple orchards running +down to the water's edge, and hills, clothed to the top with verdure, +rolling away like gigantic waves into the distance. Behind the house +was a garden and orchard of, perhaps, two acres, terminating in a +small evergreen wood of hemlocks and savins, interspersed with a few +noble oaks. Mr. Armstrong had laid out several winding paths through +this little wood, and placed here and there a rustic seat; and the +taste of his daughter had embellished it with a few flowers. Here +Faith had taught the moss pink to throw its millions of starry +blossoms in early spring over the moist ground, after the modest +trailing arbutus, from its retreat beneath the hemlocks, had exhausted +its sweet breath; here, later in the season, the wild columbine +wondered at the neighborhood of the damask rose; here, in the warm +days of summer, or in the delicious moonlight evenings, she loved to +wander, either alone or with her father, in its cool paths. + +Still more beautiful than the prospect from the front door, were the +views from this charming spot. Rising to a considerable elevation +above the river to which it descended with a rapid slope, it commanded +not only the former view to the south, though more extended, but also +one to the northwest. Beneath, at a depression of eighty feet, lay the +lake-like river with its green islets dotting the surface, while, at +a short distance, the Fall of the Yaupáae precipitated itself over a +rocky declivity, mingling, in the genial season of the year, a noble +bass with the songs of birds and the sighing of the wind, and adding +to and deepening in the rougher months, the roar of the tempest. A +small stream diverted from the river, turned the wheel of a moss-grown +grist-mill, which was nestled under large willows at the foot of +the rocks, and conveyed the idea of the presence of man, without +detracting from the wild beauty of the scenery. + +Now, alas, how is all changed! _Heu! quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore_! +The grist-mill has disappeared! A row of willows which skirted the +road that winding by the margin of the cove, led to it, has been cut +down; and huge brick and stone factories of paper and cotton goods, +gloomy and stern-like evil genii, brood over the scene, and all +through the day and into the night, with grinding cylinders, and +buzzing spindles and rattling looms, strive to drown, with harsh +discords, the music of the waterfall. One of the little islands has +been joined to the main land with gravel carted into the river, and a +bleach-house or some other abomination erected upon it. The place is +disenchanted. The sad Genius of Romance who once loved to stretch his +limbs upon the mossy rocks, and catch inspiration from watching the +foam and listening to the roar, has departed with a shriek, never to +return. + +Felix, when he found himself outside of the gate, gazed up and down +the street, as if uncertain in which direction to proceed. After a +momentary hesitation, and drawing a pair of gloves over his hands, he +seemed to have made up his mind, and at a lounging pace, directed his +course up, that is towards the north. He had not gone far when he saw +coming towards him a person of his own color, who until then had been +hid by a turn in the road. No one else was in sight, the spot being +the piece of table-land mentioned in a previous chapter, about a +half mile from the thickly settled part of the town, which was at the +bottom of the hill near the confluence of the rivers. Here were no +shops or public buildings, but only private residences from thirty to +fifty rods apart, and inhabited by a few families a little wealthier, +perhaps, for the most part, than the others. + +It was a man, still hale and hearty, though what his age was it might +be difficult to say. He might have been sixty or even seventy. The +African race does not betray the secret of age as readily as the +white. Probably the man did not know himself, nor is it of importance. +He moved with a jerk, and upon a nearer approach it appeared that the +lower part of one of his legs was made of wood. He must have been, +however, long accustomed to it, for as he moved rather sedately along, +it seemed to occasion him but little inconvenience. When sufficiently +near, Felix, touching his cap with great politeness, bade him good +morning, by the title of General. But who our new acquaintance is, we +may as well tell here as anywhere else. + +The old negro, then approaching, was one of those, the number of whom, +although small compared with that of the white troops engaged in +the war of the Revolution, was still considerable enough not to be +entirely overlooked. His name was Primus Ransome, and at an early +period he had enlisted into the army, and served until disabled by +the loss of a leg, when he found himself in rags, with an excellent +character for bravery and general good conduct, minus the member left +at Yorktown, and a candidate for any such bounty as the exhausted +means of the country and the liberality of Congress might grant. He +contrived somehow to return to the town of Hillsdale, where, in a +checkered life, he had happened to pass two or three of his happiest +years, and there prepared to enjoy that liberty he had helped to +achieve. His good character, cheerful temper, and the services he had +performed made him a general favorite. Yet, notwithstanding, he found +it at first hard to get along. His military habits had incapacitated +him for long continued industry, and an invitation to a social glass +or an opportunity to tell one of his campaigning stories, was at any +time temptation sufficient to wile him away from labor. There was no +gentleman's kitchen where Primus was not treated with kindness, and +where he did not receive all he asked but he had some pride, and was +unwilling to abuse the offered hospitality. Thus, working a little +at digging in gardens and cutting wood and such other odd jobs as +he could obtain, and making calls at the kitchens, and telling long +stories about Monmouth, and Trenton, and the siege of Yorktown, what +with the money he got, and the presents made him at Thanksgiving +and Christmas, and other odd times, Primus roughed it along, after +a fashion, until Congress found itself in a condition to give him a +pension. It came late to be sure, and was small, but then so were his +wants. It was regularly paid and certain, and joined to the advantages +he already possessed, constituted an ample fortune. Before he got +his pension, poor Primus would sometimes cast a rueful glance at his +wooden leg, and think to himself he had paid a pretty dear price for +independence; and at such times, it must be confessed, his patriotism +ran to a low ebb. He knew no Latin, and therefore could not say, "_sic +vos non vobis_," &c., yet he thought it. But after he obtained his +little annuity, the love of country of the Horatii or Curiatii was +frigid to his. He was never weary of boasting of its freedom, of its +greatness, and of General Washington. It was observed that as he +grew older his stories became longer and more incredible, and his +patriotism hotter. His own personal exploits too, occupied a wider +space in his narratives. To believe him, the number of British and +Hessians conquered by his single arm would have composed a regiment; +and, indeed, it was difficult to conceive how the struggle could have +been brought to a successful issue without his assistance. + +"Good morning, General," said Felix, politely touching his cap. + +"Good warning, Missa Qui I hope I see you well dis pleasant marning. +How Miss Rosa?" inquired Primus, at the same time making a military +salute with the back of his hand. + +"Miss Rosa is well, thank you, sir. As for this genlman, he is always +well," said Felix, laying his hand on his breast. + +"Fine day for walking, sir. Sorry you going de oder way, Missa Qui. +Suppose you hab business." + +"I walk out for the exercise. I have not take exercise enough lately +for the health." + +At this moment the eye of Primus caught sight of a white piece of +paper sticking out of a corner of Felix's pocket, and he suspected the +errand on which the latter was sent, so he added: + +"You celumbrate Tanksgiving in de usual style at your house dis year, +I presume." + +"Some witch tell you, General. Haw, haw!" + +"De ole chimbly smoke extrorninary at dis season. De chickens and de +turkies know dat chimbly well." + +"Guess they do," said Felix. "General Ransome, can you keep a secret?" + +"I is close as Missa Pint pocket, dat button all round," said the old +negro. + +"Then I have no objections to tell you, General, that I give out some +invite this morning to ladies and genlmen to take dinner at my house, +Thanksgiving Day." + +"Hab you one for me?" + +"Look for yourself, sir," said Felix, pulling out two or three billets +from the left pocket of his waistcoat, and presenting them to the +other. "You sociate with General Washington and all the great men, and +read writing, sure." + +Primus took the billets into his hands, and ran his eye over the +superscriptions, with an air of the most perfect confidence, then, +shaking his head, returned them to Felix, observing: + +"Dere is none here for me." + +"Perhaps there is one for you in this pocket," continued Felix, +fumbling on the other side, and producing another billet. Primus +looked, but shook his head as before. "Have the extreme goodness," +said Felix, who began to be considerably mystified by the serious air +of the other, and half-disposed to believe that he might have some +knowledge of the mystic characters, "to tell me who this little note +is intend for." + +Primus knew very well the intimate relations existing between the +families of the Armstrongs and Bernards, and that the former +often took their Christmas dinner with the latter, while again the +Armstrongs reciprocated the civility by inviting the Bernards, who +were Episcopalians, to the feast of Thanksgiving. Moreover, he had met +Felix going in a direction towards the house of Mr. Bernard, which +was close by. Putting these circumstances together, the old soldier +thought that he might venture a guess, which, if it succeeded, would +redound greatly to the credit of his learning, and, which, if it +failed, could entail on him no other harm than the laugh of Felix. +Assuming, therefore, a knowing look, he said: + +"Dat is berry easy to read. Any man wid any larning at all, can see +de billet is intend for Missa Judge Bernard." He saw by the distended +eyes of Mr. Qui that his guess had struck the mark, and fearful of +being requested to decipher the other superscriptions, hastily added: + +"But what for I stop here, wasting my precious time, and keeping +you from doing you master's arrant? I hab de honor to wish you good +marning, Missa Qui." So saying, Primus turned round and stumped +off half a dozen steps, before the bewildered Felix recovered his +faculties. + +"Stop, General," at last exclaimed Felix, as soon as he regained his +speech, running after him and taking hold of his arm, "allow me, a +word with you" + +"I is berry busy dis marning," cried Primus, struggling to get free; +"Missa Pownal want my sarvices; de doctor is anxious to insult wid me; +and de 'Piscopal minister hab someting 'portant to communicate." + +"I inspect he want you to write the Thanksgiving sermon," said Felix, +grinning. "But, General, I have really an invite for you. I forgot to +write the note before I leave home, and so you must, 'scuse the want +of style. I have the honor to ask you, General, to take your dinner, +on that glorious day, with Miss Rosa and I." + +"Dat alter de case intirely," said Primus, losing his dread of reading +billets, and forgetting his hurry in the pleasure received from the +invitation; "dat alter de case entirely. You is a genlman, and berry +polite, Missa Qui, and Miss Rosa is beyond 'spression. Dere is few +ob de fair sec equal Miss Rosa. Let me see," he continued, with a +thoughtful air, and looking on the ground, "whedder I not disappoint +some genlman. When I come round de corner I see Missa Tracy boy going +toward my house. Now, probably he bring invite for me. But you invite +is de fust, Missa Qui, and it is hard to desist de attraction ob Miss +Rosa and youself, and I will do myself de honor to wait on you. Sorry, +howebber to disappoint Missa Tracy." Primus had now embarked on the +full tide of his garrulity, and casting out of mind his regret for not +being able to accept the imaginary invitation to Mr. Tracy's, went on: + +"'Pears to me a great 'vantage, Missa Qui, dat some folks is +'Piscopalians, and some Presbyterians." + +Felix looked as if he failed to apprehend the meaning of his friend. + +"'Cause," said Primus, "dat make two grand dinner, and you and me is +dere to eat 'em." + +Felix had now fairly caught the other's meaning, and the two exploded +in bursts of laughter. + +"You have right to say so, General, and the observation do you great +honor. And that is the reason I inspect that you are 'Peskypalian." + +"I surprise to hear you say so ob your ole friend," said Primus, +drawing himself up with an air of offended dignity. "No, sar, dat is +not de reason. De reason I is 'Piscopalian is, 'cause I belong to de +regulars." + +"I never hear tell the 'Peskypalians is more regulars than other +folks," said Felix. + +"You is a young man (the difference in their ages might be half a +dozen years), and cannot be 'spected to know ebbery ting. If you gib +me your 'tention, I make it all plain as de road Gineral Washington +show de British out ob de country. You see when I was in de army in de +glorious war ob de Resolution, we say prayers sometime as well as you +folks who stay at home, and don't do none ob de fightin. And so when +de drum beat, ebbery man must be at his post. Den come de chaplain all +in his regimental, and put de book on de big drum, and kneel down, and +Gineral Washington he kneel down, too, and de chaplain say some prayer +dat sound like de roll ob de drum itself. O, it was so beautiful, and +I always feel better arter-wards. Dere nebber was much uniform in de +army, but what dere was, de regulars is entitle to it. I nebber tink +de soger look just de ting widout de regimental. Now, look at de +'Piscopal minister in de pulpit, in de lily-white and de black gown. +De fust is for white folks, and de oder out of respec' for us colored +pussons. Dey is his regimental. He look like a regular soger ob +de Lord. But see de Presbyterian. He hab no uniform at all. He ony +milishy officer." + +Felix, who, as in duty bound, was as zealous a Presbyterian (as the +Congregationalists in New England were generally called) as Primus was +an Episcopalian, was scandalized at such language. He half regretted +having given the invitation to the dinner, and it is highly probable +that, if he had heard General Ransome's speech before, that gentleman +would have so far talked himself out of his good graces (a misfortune +that sometimes happens to extraordinary eloquence), as to have lost +the object of his anxiety, and, like the nightingale in Cowper's +fable, have "sought his dinner somewhere else." But Primus saw the +gathering storm and hastened to avert its discharge. + +"I hab great respec'," he said, "for the milishy. Dey is excellent for +skirmishing, and where ebbery man hab to fight on his own hook, but +when it come to de hard fightin' de regulars is de men to be depend +on. And den," added he, "dere is odder reasons: I like de exercise in +de church better. I like dere taste, too, when dey ornaments de church +wid greens at Christmas. It make de winter look kind o' young and +happy." + +Felix was easily propitiated. He might be offended with his comrade, +but his anger could not last. It had passed away, before Primus had +concluded his conciliatory remarks. In fact, the two cronies were too +necessary to each other's happiness to allow of a long quarrel, +and for all Felix's reverence for his master's "meeting," he was as +placable as zealous, nor would the famous festival have been a +genuine Thanksgiving without his old friend to help him to discuss its +luxuries. They shook hands at parting, and Mr. Qui promised to present +the complemens of the General to Miss Rosa. + +As Felix pursued his way alone, having no one else to talk to, he gave +himself the benefit of his conversation. + +"That General," he said, aloud, "is a wonderful man. I never respected +him before of knowing how to read writin'. I don't believe, after all, +he does know how. But when he took the billets in his hand, he sort o' +give 'em a squint as if he knew all about it Who learned him? Perhaps +he does and perhaps he doesn't. I wonder, too, how he missed all the +bullets he preaches about sometimes, with losing only one leg. I heard +him say, fifty times, they come like an April shower. Now, if he had +a hundred legs, it seems to me they ought all to be smashed. I +'spect, as I heard the doctor say once, he draws on the fact for his +'magination. But what can you 'spect, Felix, from a 'Peskypalian? They +think so much of gitting up and setting down, as if there was religion +in moving the legs. But let me see about the billets. Miss Faith told +me to put the Bernards' in this pocket, and the minister's in this, +and the doctor's in this other one. Ah, all right! The doctor is a +very curus person. I wonder what makes him talk so much about a man he +calls Shakspeare. I heard him say he lived a great many years ago, I +guess with Joshua and David, when there was so much fighting going +on, and when they hadn't no guns. Perhaps he was Goliah's brother, who +come out with shield and spear. Well, there is no sogers with spears +now-a-days. It's my opinion, give old Prime a loaded musket with a +baggonet, and he'd do more work than Goliah and Shakspeare together, +with their spears. But, here, I am near the Judge's. Now, sir, mind +your eye, and see that you maintain the spectability of the family". +Saying this, Felix drew himself up, adjusted his neckerchief, and +strutted somewhat pompously into the yard of the Judge, whence he soon +found his way into the kitchen. The invitations to the Bernards were +in due form delivered, as were the others, and accepted. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + _Lorenzo_.--Go in, Sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. + _Launcelot_.--That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. + _Lorenzo_.--Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then + bid them prepare dinner. + _Launcelot_.--That is done too, sir. + + MERCHANT OF VENICE. + +The high square, pews of the little Congregational church, or (as in +those days the descendants of the Puritans, in order to manifest +their abhorrence for popery, and all that in their judgment sounded +papistical, loved to call their places for public worship) the +"meeting-house," were tolerably well filled by an attentive +congregation on Thanksgiving morning. We say only tolerably, some +seats being vacant, which seldom of a Sunday missed of occupants. The +rights of hospitality were allowed on this occasion to trench upon the +duties of public worship, and many a good wife with the servants, whom +no common storm or slight indisposition would have kept away, remained +at home to spread the board for expected guests. If there were some +whose stern principles condemned the practice as a carnality, they +were a small minority. Those whose fleshly appetites were to be +gratified by it took a different view of the subject very generally; +and as this was the condition of pretty much the whole community, +whose members figured now as hosts and now as guests, the verdict was +nearly unanimous in its favor. In truth, the due observance of the +day seemed to consist of two parts, worship and feasting; each was +necessary to the other to form a complement, and without both it would +have been jejune and unsatisfactory. Besides, this was the annual +period for the reunion of friends and relatives, parted for the +rest of the year, and in some instances considerable journeys were +undertaken in order once more to unite the severed circle and gather +again around the beloved board. Fathers and mothers, with smiles of +welcome, kissed their returned children; brothers and sisters joined +cordial hands and rushed into each other's embraces, and the placid +grandparents danced the little ones on their knees, and traced +resemblances to others. It would have been a cold and inhospitable +greeting, to be invited, after listening to a two hours' sermon, to +sit around a dinner not beyond the common. Not to such a feast did +stout-hearted and hard-headed Jonathan invite his friends. He rightly +understood that there was a carnal and a spiritual man, nor was he +disposed to neglect the claims of either. The earth was given to the +saints "with the fullness thereof," and he meant to have his portion. +Therefore it was that while one part of the family went to "meeting" +to pray, the other remained at home to--cook. Thus, by a judicious +division of duties the honored day was celebrated with befitting rites +and ceremonies. + +After waiting for a reasonable time, until all who were expected to +attend were supposed to be in the house, the minister rose from his +seat, in the high, wine-glass shaped pulpit, over which hung, like the +sword of Damocles, by a cord, an immense sounding-board, considered +indispensable, duly to scatter round that each might have his +appropriate portion, the crumbs of salvation he dispensed, and "gave +out" an appropriate hymn, in which the Supreme Being was acknowledged +as the Ruler of the Seasons. This was sung, it must be confessed, by a +sadly shrunken choir, stoutly supported, however, by the congregation +in the body of the meeting-house, without the sound of tabret, or +harp, or other musical instruments; for in those days not even the +flute or grave bass-viol, those pioneers of the organ, were permitted +in the Sanctuary. To the hymn succeeded a long and fervent prayer, in +which Mr. Robinson, the minister (the term Reverend had then a slight +papistical twang), after bewailing with ingenious particularity the +sins and back-slidings of himself and people, and the ingratitude +of the whole land, and recounting the innumerable blessings that had +crowned their basket and their store, entreated that notwithstanding +their manifold sins, iniquities and transgressions, the divine favor +might not be withdrawn from a land where the Lord had planted his own +vine, and where the precious seeds of heavenly grace deposited in +the soil and nurtured and cultured by men "of whom the world was not +worthy," had sprung up and borne the inestimable fruit of civil and +religious freedom. Upon the conclusion of the prayer followed another +hymn, and after these "exercises," the sermon. + +The text was the ninth verse of the twenty-sixth chapter of +Deuteronomy, "And He hath brought us into this place and hath given +us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey." The +Thanksgiving sermon was formerly one on which more than common labor +was expended, and was intended to be a celebrity of the year. On this +occasion the preacher laid out a wide field for his eloquence. He +commenced by comparing the condition of the first colonists to that +of the children of Israel when they fled from the house of bondage. He +painted the Pilgrim fathers landing on Plymouth Rock, snow, and ice, +and desolation around, but the fire of faith in their hearts. He +contrasted the feebleness of the beginning with the grandeur of the +result, whence he deduced the inference that the Lord had led his +people with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; he alluded to the +changed appearance of the country, converted from a heathen wilderness +into a Christian garden, whence the perfume of Christian devotion +perpetually arose; he portrayed the horrors of the war of the +Revolution, and exhorted his hearers to cherish the memory of the men +who had consecrated their lives and fortunes to Liberty, and sealed +that consecration with their blood. Warming with his subject, his eyes +shone with a brighter lustre and seemed gazing into a far future, as +in prophetic tones he proclaimed the advent of the latter days, when +the beacon fires of Freedom kindled on the mountain tops of the new +Canaan should send their streaming rays across the seas, and the +kingdoms of this world should become the heritage of God and of His +Christ. "Seeing these things are so, brethren," he concluded, "seeing +that God hath chosen you unto himself for a peculiar people, the weak +things of the world to confound the strong, the rejected, the cast +away and despised, to be held up as an example to the wondering +and admiring nations, what manner of men ought ye to be in all holy +conversation and godliness?" + +Such is an imperfect sketch of the remarks of Mr. Robinson. With such +language sought the ministers in times past to keep alive the flame +of patriotism, and to inspire with humility, yet animate with a just +pride. Nor are such discourses thrown away. They do much towards the +formation of a national character. + +Long as was the sermon--and of not a moment of its orthodox length was +it defrauded--it was listened to with the deepest attention, by the +older members, especially, of the congregation. The grave decorum of +a place of public worship forbade any open exhibition of approval, but +more than one knit brow and lighted eye, betrayed the emotions excited +by the allusions. Let it be remembered, it was nearer the times that +tried men's souls; the later events were fresh in their memory; some +of the hearers, perhaps, had borne a personal part in them, and all +were animated by the generous fire of '76--sparks of which, we trust, +still glimmer in the bosoms of their descendants. What to us, in +these colder and as some say more worldly days, might have seemed +extravagant, if not vain-glorious, was to them sober truth; and +if there were any who, perverting into poison what was meant for +wholesome nutriment, thanked God that they were not as other men, +there were others who, without losing their humility, felt an impulse +given to the nobler feelings. + +At the conclusion of the services, there was the usual grasping of +hands, and congratulations of the season, and inquiries after healths, +and encomiums on the sermon, when the assembly dispersed to their +homes, to attend, in another form, to the duties of the day. Mr. +Armstrong and Faith waited for the minister, and the three walked +home together. They were overtaken and joined by Doctor Elmer, +who expressed regret at having been detained from the services by +professional duties. + +"But," added he, looking at Mr. Robinson, and bowing courteously, "if +I have been so unfortunate as to miss of one feast, I do not mean to +be deprived of another. I may say of myself, as Shakspeare says of +somebody, 'Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of Puritan.'" + +"I hope your Puritan principles do not consist merely in eating +Thanksgiving dinners," said Mr. Robinson, with a smile. + +"And remember, doctor," observed Faith, "what your own Shakspeare says +again-- + + "'dainty bits + Make rich the ribs, but bankerout quite the wits.'" + +"My dear," interposed Mr. Armstrong, "is not this conversation of too +light a character?" + +But he could not immediately check the doctor. + +"Ha, Miss Faith," he cried, "'wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy +wit, in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain +meaning.' But + + 'The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen + As is the razor's edge invisible, + Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen.' +Come," he added, observing that Mr. Armstrong looked grave, "take my +arm, and we will discuss some serious subject, together." So saying, +he offered his arm to Faith, which she took, and they followed, at a +few steps distance, after Mr. Armstrong and the minister. + +"I am afraid," said the doctor, slackening his pace, so as to allow +the others to get out of hearing, "you would prefer a certain young +gentleman's arm to that of an old bachelor. It is rather hard that the +rogues, whose principal recommendation, I flatter myself, is that they +are twenty years younger, should steal away all my sweethearts." + +Faith laughed, as she replied: + +"Why, dear doctor, what would you have us do? You never will propose; +so you must not complain if you drive us poor girls to desperation." + +"You wicked little baggage, is this the way you laugh at the most +constant of your admirers? How many long years have I spent in your +service, from the time I began with rocking your cradle, occasionally +giving you, to sweeten your humors, a teaspoon of castor oil, or a +half-dozen drops of elixir salutis, up to the present time, and thus +you reward my devotion! I begin to feel desperate, and have half a +mind to transfer my affections to Anne Bernard." + +"Do not treat me so cruelly. I assure you, my love increases every +day. Besides, you might find your perfidy punished by meeting a too +formidable rival." + +"Ah, ha! I understand. Yet, I feel my chivalry a little roused at +the idea of opposition. But, on the whole, Faith, I will accept your +pledge of affection, and stick to my colors like a man and a doctor. +And, to exhibit my confidence, you may, meanwhile, flirt in moderation +with William Bernard. You will get tired of it when the novelty wears +off; so I shall escape, and it is better that you should tease him now +than me hereafter. But, dear me, here we are at your door." + +Mr. Armstrong and the minister had waited for them on the step, and +the four entered together. Shortly after Pownal arrived, and somewhat +later the family of the Bernards. + +We should deceive our readers if we left them to infer from the +jesting talk of the doctor that any mutual attachment existed between +Miss Armstrong and William Bernard. It was because his suspicions were +so vaguely expressed, and herself so unconscious of any feelings of +the kind, that Faith had not thought it worth while to notice them. +She and young Bernard had known each other from infancy; they had +attended the same school; the intimacy betwixt Faith and Anne, and the +friendly relations of the two families equals in wealth and station, +had brought them frequently together, but nothing could be further +from the fact than that any engagement existed between them. They +treated one another, indeed, like brother and sister; but if any +warmer emotion was felt, it was not by Faith. Her engrossing affection +for her father seemed to exclude all rivalship. The meeting exactly +expressed the footing on which the families stood. Mr. Armstrong shook +hands cordially with all, and in a few words uttered his pleasure at +welcoming them; Mrs Bernard kissed the cheek of Faith, with almost +the feeling of a mother; the greeting of the girls' was like that of +sisters, and Faith extended her hand to William Bernard, with a smile, +but without a blush. + +Though utterly unlike, it would be difficult to conceive of two more +beautiful creatures than Faith Armstrong and Anne Bernard. The dark +hair of Faith, the large black eyes, the nose slightly aquiline, an +expression of countenance ordinarily composed, though not sad, but +which could be lighted up into enthusiasm, and a graceful dignity that +marked every action, while it seemed only a necessary part of herself, +forcibly reminded one sometimes of the heroines of the ancient +Scriptures. So in her youthful years, before her eyes were fully +opened to the vision, and before to the sound of the clanging timbrel +her voice responded to the triumph song of the children of Israel, +might have looked the prophetess, Miriam. + +No contrast could be stronger than that presented by sweet Anne +Bernard. Light colored hair fell in graceful curls around an oval and +perfectly regular face, of the most delicate complexion. So thin, so +almost transparent was the skin, that the veins seemed hardly hidden, +and a very slight emotion was sufficient to suffuse it with a tint +that needed to fear no rivalry with the rose. No heaven could be bluer +than the soft eyes that seemed "to love whate'er they looked upon," +and whether dimmed with the tear of pity, or flashing with mirth, +revealed a pure, but not a timid spirit. But among features which all +were beautiful, if one could be called more beautiful than another, it +was the mouth, and white as snow were the regular and perfectly formed +teeth which the crimson lips concealed. Her figure was rather below +than above the ordinary height, and its roundness indicated the +most perfect health. Let not this description be deemed a picture of +romance. Those acquainted with the beautiful daughters of New England +will acknowledge its truth, or, at least, confess, it errs not on the +side of exaggeration. + +The intermediate time between the arrival of the company and the +serving up of dinner, was spent by them in such conversation as +usually takes place on occasions of the kind. Somebody has said, that +two Americans cannot meet without talking politics, but we can vouch +for the fact, that although Mr. Armstrong, the doctor, and divine were +federalists, and the Judge a democrat, having spent several of his +early years in France, where he was supposed to have imbibed his +sentiments, not a word on the subject was uttered. A reference or two +was made to the minister's discourse; the flourishing condition of the +country and its prospects adverted to; and some items of domestic +news and village anecdotes narrated. Such was the conversation of the +elders: as for what passed between the young people, we know there was +some laughing, but have forgot what they talked about. We regret this +irreparable loss, and promise to be more attentive for the future. + +Al length, the ebony disc of Felix's face, rising pleasantly above a +snow-bank of neck-cloth, appeared at the door, and announced dinner, +when Mr. Armstrong offering his arm to Mrs. Bernard, preceded his +friends into the dining-room. Faith accepted the Judge's escort, and +Pownal tried to wait on Anne, but somehow or other (and we suspect her +of complicity in the affair), the divine secured the prize. + +Before the company sat down, which was in an order having reference to +their supposed tastes and attractions, at a request from the host, an +appropriate grace was said by the minister, which happily avoided +the extremes of too much brevity on the one hand, and of too +great prolixity on the other; or, in other words, it was neither +irreverently short, nor impertinently long. + +The dinner was of that kind which still graces the hospitable boards +of old Connecticut. At one end of the table a roasted turkey, which +had been stuffed a couple of days before, in order that the spices, +composing a part of the ingredients, might penetrate and flavor +the flesh of the noble bird, turned up his round full breast to the +carving-knife; at the other end, another turkey, somewhat smaller, +boiled and served with oyster sauce, kept company with her mate, while +near the centre, which was occupied by bleached celery in a crystal +vase, a mighty ham balanced a chicken pie of equal size. Besides these +principal dishes there were roasted and boiled fowls, and ducks, and +tongues, flanked by cranberry and apple sauces, and mashed turnips and +potatoes. On the sideboard (for be it remembered, it was "when this +old cap was new," and a practice which now is considered, at least, +questionable, was then held in all honor, and its neglect was never +dreamed of, and would have drawn down an imputation of nigardliness +and want of breeding) stood bottles of wine, and flagons containing +still stronger liquors, together with a large pitcher of delicious +cider. Upon the removal of the first course followed various kinds of +puddings, and pies, and custards, and tarts, and sillabubs, and they, +in their turn, were succeeded by apples and different sorts of nuts, +with raisins and figs, with which the repast was concluded. Such was +an old Thanksgiving dinner. The present preliminary soup was unusual +or unknown. It was an array capable of supplying the wants of a much +larger company, and but a small part could be consumed, but it was the +fashion, and it still continues. They were celebrating the bounty of +Providence, and it was meet that the liberality of man should be in +harmony with it. Felix, grave and decorous, as became the importance +of the occasion, and his assistant, multiplied themselves into a +thousand waiters, sedulous to anticipate the wants of the host and his +guests. + +The conversation, which at first ran in several distinct rills being +confined to each one's immediate neighborhood mostly, and interrupted +by the serious business of dinner, seemed gradually, after a time, to +unite its various streams into one common current. The attention of +the doctor was first attracted from an unsuccessful attempt to quote +to Mrs. Bernard Shakspeare's famous recipe for cooking a beef-steak by +an observation of Mr. Robinson to Mr. Armstrong, at whose left hand +he sat, the seat at the right being occupied by Mrs. Bernard, next to +whom sat the doctor. + +"The results," said the minister, "furnish, I fear, little +encouragement for the future. Unless divine grace shall manifest +itself in a more signal manner than has heretofore been vouchsafed, +they seemed destined to die in their sins." + +"Is there, then, no escape from a doom so horrible?" inquired the +low voice of Mr. Armstrong. "After being hunted from their ancient +possessions, and denied even the graves of their fathers, must they +perish everlastingly?" + +"Can the clay say to the potter, 'What doest thou?'" said Mr. +Robinson. "He maketh one vessel to honor and another to dishonor. +Repeated attempts have been made to civilize and Christianize them, +but in vain. Whom He will He hardeneth." + +Mr. Armstrong sighed, and another sigh, so low it was unheard, stole +from the bosom of his daughter. + +"You are speaking of the Indians?" inquired the doctor. + +"Yes," said Mr. Robinson, "and of the failure of all attempts by +Christians to ameliorate their condition." + +"And are you surprised it should be so?" inquired the doctor. + +"The ways of Providence are inscrutable," replied Mr. Robinson. "I +pretend not to explain the reasons why they are deaf to the pleadings +of the Gospel." + +"What," cried the doctor, slightly altering his favorite author, +"'hath not an Indian eyes? Hath not an Indian hands, organs, +dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt +with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the +same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a +Christian is? If an Indian wrong a Christian, what is his humility? +revenge; if a Christian wrong an Indian, what should his sufferance +be, by Christian example? why, revenge.' There, you have the whole in +a nut-shell." + +"In addition to the difficulty growing out of their treatment by the +whites, suggested by the doctor," said the Judge, "there is another, +which I consider insuperable, arising out of a difference of race." + +"I do not quite understand you," observed Mr. Robinson. + +"It is said by naturalists," answered the Judge, "that man +comprehends, within himself, the peculiarities of all inferior +animals. Now, there are some capable of domestication, while others +are irreclaimable. You may tame the horse, but not the tiger. The +wild element controls the one, and is controllable in the other. In +my opinion, this wild element so predominates in the Indian as to make +him incapable of civilization. He is the tiger." + +"But some have been civilized," remarked Mr. Armstrong. + +"A _quasi_ civilization, I grant," said the Judge; "and were I to +concede more, the exceptions are so few as only to confirm the rule." + +"Your theory opens a wide field for speculation," said Mr. Robinson, +"and I could bring many objections to it. In the first place"---- + +"No doubt, no doubt," cried the Judge, hastily, and desirous to avoid +the arising collision, "and I shall be happy to examine the subject, +at some future time, with you. I throw out these ideas only as hints. +But there is another rule operative, if, indeed, it is not the same +differently expressed--the inferior must always give place to the +superior race" + +"That is not clear, either," said the divine. "What race ever existed +superior to the Jews? Yet, observe their condition." + +"I am not understood. Why, the Jews prove my theory. If they had not +been a superior race, they would long ago have been extinct. But their +number now is probably as great as it ever was. The Indians, however, +are vanishing." + +"And, really, Mr. Bernard," said his wife, "on your own principles, +they will be no loss, if they do vanish. If a superior race succeeds, +all the better." + +"Right, right, my dear," cried her husband, "_rem acu_--pshaw! I was +going to quote Latin. They have had their day, and fulfilled their +design." + +"It seems to me a deplorable necessity," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"There are many laws and purposes at work in the rise and fall of +nations," said the minister, "beyond our view. A peculiar mystery +hangs over the devoted tribes; and, assign what reasons we please for +their decay, there is only one satisfactory reason into which all +the others are resolvable, viz: the determination of Providence. That +determination is obvious. As the inhabitants of Canaan, were +swept away for their iniquities, so is the red race destined to be +extinguished; and it may be for a like reason--they will not abandon +their abominations." + +"They are as moral as the whites, generally, I believe," said William +Bernard. + +"Alas, that word morality!" exclaimed the divine. "It is an _ignis +fatuus_ to mislead--a broken reed to lean on." + +"But," inquired Faith, anxiously, "do you think, sir, that nothing can +be done for those who are left?" + +"I see but little prospect of it," said Mr. Robinson. + +"There are some good people among them," said the doctor, warmly. "I +wish I was as sure of my own salvation as I am of poor Esther's." + +This discussion scarcely disturbed the conversation between Anne +Bernard and Pownal, who, much to his delight, found himself seated by +her side. Nor did the contiguity seem displeasing to the lovely girl. +What is the charm that gives boldness to the timid, and eloquence +to the hesitating; which kindles the eye with a brighter lustre, +and imparts a softer tone to the voice: which colors the cheek with +frequent blushes, and fills the heart with unwonted flutterings? Sweet +maiden, can you tell? Yet, what could they have so much to say to +one another? They who are young, and they who have not forgotten the +feelings of youth will readily find an answer. + +"My heart warms to the Indians," said Pownal, in a low tone, "whenever +I hear them spoken of. It appears to me, sometimes," continued he, +smiling, "as if I were a sort of relation. Were I a believer in the +transmigration of souls, I should think I had been, in some previous +existence, an Indian myself." + +"Probably a Sachem, with your hair nicely shaved, except a little +which was caught up into a knot like a cock's comb, on top to hold an +eagle's feather," said the laughing Anne. "How elegantly you must have +looked after having made your toilette, preparatory to wooing some +Indian Princess, with your face beautifully painted in all the colors +of the rainbow, only handsomer. How I should have liked to see you. +Hard-hearted must have been the fair who could resist such charms." + +"You have reason to laugh at me; it is very ridiculous, but"-- + +"And then to think of the sad change that has befallen you! To subside +from an eagle-feathered Sachem, eating succatash with an Indian +Princess, into a tame civilized gentleman, in a swallow-tailed coat, +handing apples to a poor little Yankee girl! I do not wonder you were +melancholy and tried to shoot yourself." + +"It was the most fortunate shot I ever made, since"-- + +"I am not sure of that. Perhaps if you had succeeded you might have +been transmigrated back into the wigwam, and resumed your addresses to +the Princess." + +"Your fancy outstrips mine. I find it hard, by the side of a real +Princess, to think of an imaginary one." + +"Faithless, like all your fickle sex. Ah me, poor princess!" + +Here Mrs. Bernard made a motion to rise, which was followed by the +other ladies, and as Anne turned away she said:-- + +"You who have set me an example of desertion can not be surprised +at my leaving you, which please to consider a punishment for the +Princess' wrongs." + +"And a severe one," said Pownal. + +But a short time elapsed before the ladies were rejoined by the +gentlemen in the withdrawing room, where we will leave them to look +after some other friends of ours. + +Upon the conclusion of his duties, Felix had opportunity to extend the +rights of hospitality to General Ransome, who, true to his promise, +had not failed to make his appearance in due time in the kitchen. +There the worthy warrior had been received with all customary forms of +politeness by Miss Rosa, and, installed in a high-back chair, awaited +his share of the entertainment. And when the time arrived, seated +between his friends, and opposite two other servants, there were few, +if any, lighter and more careless hearts that day than the General's. +And of the whole company it may be said, that if they were not +refined, they were at least merry. + +"Ladies and genlmn," said the General, soon after the repast had +commenced, and seeming to think the toasts could not begin too soon, +"do me de satisfacshum to fill you glasses. Wid you leave I'm going to +gib a toast." + +On this day it was customary to extend an unusual degree of license to +the servants, and hence there was no lack of generous liquors on the +board, of the same descriptions as those drank by their superiors. And +to do them justice, it was seldom the privilege was abused. + +The glasses were quickly filled, and the General proposed "de healt' +ob de fair sec." This was drunk with acclamation, and a gentleman +observed, "dat de whole world acknowledge de superur beauty ob de +'Merican ladies." This toast was followed by "De day we celumbrate;" +and it was admitted on all sides that Thanksgiving was one of the most +important institutions of the country. Felix, then, looking at his +friend gave, "the heroes of the 'Merican Revolution;" whereupon, the +old soldier considering it incumbent upon him to return thanks for the +array, requested permission to make some remarks. Of course leave +was readily granted, and the orator, gracefully rising and steadying +himself on the sound leg, with the other a little drawn back, extended +his right hand, and bowing all round began. + +"Dere is noting," he said, "so sweet as liberty. 'Tis dis dat make de +eagle fedder light, and de bob-o-link sich a good singer. See de grand +bird how he wheel right about face up to de sun, and hear de moosic ob +de merry little fellow! + + "Liberty, liberty, + Berry nice to be free! + Bob-o-link where he please, + Fly in de apple trees, + O, 'tis de Freedom note + Guggle sweet in him troat! + Jink-a-jink, jink-a-jink, + Winky wink, winky wink, + Ony tink, ony tink, + How happy, Bob-o-link! + Sweet! Sweet! + +"King George, he want to make de Yankees drink tea instead ob coffee. +Now dere is no comparishum 'atween de two, and who is dere would drink +de little tea leaves dat look as dey been all chew and den roll up, +when he can git good coffee? Now King George he hab a great lot ob dis +tea on hand, and it sell berry slow, and he want to git rid ob it, so +he send it to dis country wid orders dat ebery man, woman, and child +shall drink at least four cup a day, and no coffee. So Broder Jonatan +he rise like a cat back, and he say (begging you pardon, ladies), 'dam +if I drink de tea.' And a great many ob dem dress demselves up like +Injuns, and one dark night dey heab all de tea oberboard in Bosson +harbor, and all de fish get sick, dey say for a week. Now King George +when he hear ob all dis he git mad and jerk his old wig on de ground, +an stamp on it, and kick it in de fire, and say he make de 'Mericans +pay for de tea. And after dat he send a big army to dis country, but +it was no use. De 'Mericans whip dem orfully at Bunker Hill, and dat +was de beginning ob de famous Resolution. And dey continues to drink +de coffee; and I nebber drink no better dan Miss Rosa make in dis +house (bowing to her). And for my 'sploits in de glorious Resolution +you is welcome wid all my heart, ladies and genlmn; and for de +complemen to de officers and sogers I gib dere best knowledgmn on dis +'casion." + +The General sat down amid a storm of applause. Miss Rosa after the +excitement caused by his eloquence had subsided, observing that no +toast had been given by any lady, offered to make up the deficiency +herself, which proposal being eagerly accepted, she gave "Miss Faith; +and when she marry may she be happy as the angels." The toast was +drank with right good will, though with somewhat more decorum than +the others. Faith was greatly beloved by the servants, to that degree +indeed, that the affectionate creatures doubted whether there was any +man in the world fit to be her husband. But, enough of toasts and fine +speeches. As the General very judiciously observed when Miss Rosa, who +seemed to think he could not have too many delicacies, nor too much +of them, offered to add to his already overfilled plate, "dere is +'bundance of cranberry saace for dis turkey." + +According to custom, as soon as it began to be dark, the bonfires were +lighted, and flashing from various eminences made luminous the night, +while joyous shouts of boys answered each other across the rivers and +ravines. + +At nine o'clock the bell rang out its usual warning, and before the +clock struck the next hour, the inhabitants of Hillsdale had courted +the repose of their pillows. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + He was a man + Whom no one could have passed without remark, + Active and nervous was his gait; his limbs + And his whole figure breathed intelligence. + Time had compressed the freshness of his cheek + Into a narrow circle of deep red, + But had not tamed his eye; that under brows, + Shaggy and grey, had meanings which it brought + From years of youth. + + WORDSWORTH'S EXCURSION. + + +There were certain seasons of the year when the malady of the +Solitary assumed a more serious character than at others. From what +circumstance this proceeded was unknown. It might arise from an +association of ideas, connected in some manner with the events of +his life, the particulars of which, although curious persons had, at +various times, endeavored to draw them from him, he had never revealed +more plainly than in the conversations with Ohquamehud and the +doctor. The imagination was left to wander, therefore, among whatever +speculations respecting him it chose to indulge in, and, accordingly, +there was no hypothesis that could be started, however absurd, that +did not find advocates. + +By some, he was supposed to be a murderer, whom remorse had driven +from the haunts of men, and who was endeavoring to expiate his +crimes by self-denial and suffering; others, asserted that he was the +Wandering Jew, though his long residence at the island militated +a little with the idea: however, that was balanced by his marked +reverence for the New Testament, and frequent references to the coming +of the Son of Man; while others insisted he was a pirate, who had +buried treasure on the lonely island, and there watched over its +security. This last opinion was received with especial favor by the +gaping vulgar, and further confirmed by the fact that the Solitary +never asked alms or was destitute of money, of which, indeed, he gave +away to those whom he considered poorer than himself. But whatever was +the truth, or however anxious the good people of Hillsdale might be to +discover the secret, no one ventured to meddle with him, though more +than one old woman had hinted that it was a shame he should be allowed +to run about with so long a beard, and a resolute fellow even once +suggested the expediency of arresting him on suspicion. As, however, +his life was perfectly harmless, and he had never been, nor seemed +likely to become, a burden to the town, nor had committed any act of +violence, such counsels were considered too harsh, especially as the +attempt to execute them might involve the town in expense and other +unpleasant consequences. Besides, it was known he had strong friends +in influential families, who would not permit him to be wronged or +quietly see the least of his rights invaded. The curiosity of the +place, therefore, was obliged to content itself with surmises, and to +wait until some more favorable period for its gratification. + +The time of the year had now arrived when Holden was wont to show +himself more than usually restless and excitable. He had been +wandering one day since early in the morning, shooting partridges and +squirrels, until late in the afternoon he found himself at the Falls +of the Yaupáae. This was for him a favorite place of resort, and +here, stretched on the ground, he would lie for hours, with his eyes +fastened on the foaming water, listening to the cataract's roar, as +if it soothed his humor. Holden threw himself on the moss that +exuberantly covers the rocks, and essayed the spell. But this time, in +vain. He lay but a moment, when, starting up, he seized the rifle he +had laid aside, and making a considerable detour, in order to reach a +small bridge higher up the stream, he crossed it, and pursued his way +to the village. + +Holden, notwithstanding he had lived so long in the vicinity and +had often been in the village, never made his appearance without +attracting attention. The little boys and girls, and even their +elders, seldom passed him without turning to look again. The +singularity of his dress, and fine tall person, as straight as his +rifle, and a beard, that waved like a prophet's, on his breast, would +have commanded observation anywhere. Joined to this was an air of +dignity and gravity that, in spite of the coarseness of his apparel, +insured respect. However much the rude and vulgar might feel disposed +to insult, they were too much awed by his presence to attempt it. They +might speak disrespectfully, indeed, of him in his absence, but before +him they were cowed and mute. The mystery, besides, with which their +imaginations surrounded him, invested him with a power the greater, +perhaps, on account of its indefiniteness. They forgot in gazing +at him, that his only means of living they were acquainted with was +derived from the sale of the oysters and fish he caught in the river, +and of the large baskets he made with his own hands. The meanness of +the occupation was lost sight of when they saw his majestic appearance +and heard the grand tones of his deep voice. + +Holden proceeded down the street, hardly recognizing--though such was +not his wont--the friendly greetings with which he was sainted by many +that passed, until he arrived opposite the house of Mr. Armstrong. +Here his progress was arrested by a tap on a window, and looking up +he saw the bright face of Miss Armstrong, who was beckoning to him. +He stopped; the face disappeared to re-appear at the door, and Faith +invited him to come in. He hesitated, but the irresolution was only +momentary, for instantly he turned and entered the house. + +"I doubted," he said, "whether it were right to inflict the gloom of +an old man on one so young. What have age and despondency in common +with youth and happiness?" + +"But you do not doubt my sympathy? Is there anything I would not do to +make you happy, Father Holden?" + +"No. I trust in thee as a parent in his child. Thou art as incapable +of deception as the heavens of a stain. I have known thee, Faith, +since thou wast a child, and thou hast always had an influence over +me. As the notes of the youthful harper of Israel scared away the +demons from the bosom of Saul, so do the tones of thy voice thrill +me like a melody from the past. So tell me of thyself and of all that +concerns thee, so far, at least, as thou canst impart thy thoughts and +feelings to one like me." + +"The subjects that engage the attention of a young woman can have +little interest for you, father." + +"Believe it not. Though my heart be sore, it has not lost all its +earlier feelings." + +"I cannot speak of myself," said Faith. "My life has been too +destitute of incident to deserve mention, and it is already known to +you." + +"What callest thou life? Is it," he continued, fixing his eyes on the +carpet, and speaking in a low tone, "the few gasps that agitate the +bosom here? If that were all, it were of but little more consequence +than any other sigh. But this is only the beginning. It is the +lighting of the spark that shall blaze a glorious star, or burn a +lurid conflagration for ever." He stopped; he raised his eyes to the +face of Faith, whose own were fastened on him, and gazed fondly on +her; his features assumed a softened expression; and, as if a new +train of thought had driven out the old, he added, "blessed are the +pure in heart, for they shall see God." + +Apparently, these exclamations affected Faith with no surprise. She +had probably listened to similar conversations, and simply replied: + +"Who shall say his heart is pure?" + +"If not thou, then none. Sad thought, that the poisoned tongue of the +snake in Eden, should taint even a being so fair as thou." + +"Father," said Faith, who was desirous of changing a conversation +which began to be embarrassing, for to such ejaculations it was +impossible to return reasonable answers, "do you love the loneliness, +of your island as much as ever? Would it not be more prudent to pass +the winter months in the village?" + +"Thou art not the only one whose kindness hath asked the question. +But, in my youth I learned to love solitude, though it was forced on +me in the beginning. The dungeon and the chain introduced me to its +acquaintance; yet, such is the kindness of Providence, that, what at +first I hated, I afterwards learned to love. Know, too, that I have +lived in the boundless forest, until an inhabited street cramps my +breast and stifles my breath; nor am I ever less alone than when alone +with God. Ask me not, then, though thy intentions be kind, to renounce +a mode of life which habit hath made a second nature." + +"Tell me of your adventures." + +"Hold! Wouldst thou hear of a youth blasted by unkindness; of +prostrate hopes, and scenes of revenge and horror? Nay, thou knowest +not what thou askest." + +"It was not through mere curiosity I made the request. Those who love +you would willingly know more, that they may be the better able to +promote your welfare." + +"The motive," said Holden, taking her hand, and holding it an instant, +"is kind, my child; but what purpose would it serve? The time will +come when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed: then let the +story of my crimes and wrongs be blazoned to the world." + +Faith attached little credence to confessions of crimes which Holden +intimated he had committed. Had she done so, she might have felt alarm +at being thus alone with him. But his presence, so far from inspiring +her with terror, had something unaccountable of attraction. His +self-accusation she considered exaggerations of a morbid fancy that +converted common errors into unpardonable sins. Hers was a charity +that could think no evil, and in her imagination she had long since +formed a theory that, to her pure mind, made him an object of +deep interest. In Holden she saw a man of superior endowments and +breeding--his manners and language so far above those of most around +her, proved both; who, by undeserved misfortunes had partially lost +his reason, and, like the stricken deer, left the herd to die alone. +Sometimes she would fill up the picture with scenes from his supposed +life, at one time of one character, and at another time of another; +but they were merely sports of the Imagination, changing figures of a +kaleidoscope which employed without satisfying the mind. Of the truth +of her general hypothesis she was quite convinced, nor without hope +that her old friend would be restored to society and the position +which she considered his due. As children instinctively know those +who love them, so must Holden have originally had some idea of the +feelings of Faith, and by it been drawn closer to her. Certainly, +there was no one in whose society he took more pleasure, or whom he +was more desirous to please. + +At this stage of the conversation, the door opened, and Mr. Armstrong +entered. He advanced to Holden, whose hand he took, and welcomed with +much cordiality. It was no new thing for him to see the Recluse in +his parlor. His daughter's partiality he well knew, of course; and +although, in his opinion, it was somewhat extraordinary that a young +lady should be attracted by Holden, he accounted for the circumstance +by ascribing it to the romance in her nature, of which she had no +common share. + +The contrast was strong betwixt the appearance of the two men. On +the one hand, in perfect harmony with the adornment of the handsome +parlor, stood the delicate person of Mr. Armstrong, with cropped hair +and close-shaven face, in a suit of fine black cloth and muslin cravat +of spotless white, representing a refined, perhaps enervated phase of +civilization; on the other, the stately and vigorous form of Holden, +in a clean but coarse gray frock, girt around the waist with a sash, +with long hair falling on his neck, and unshorn beard, looking like +one better acquainted with the northern blast than with the comforts +of curtains and carpets. + +"It is not often, brother Holden," said Mr. Armstrong, addressing him +by an epithet sometimes applied to him, "that I am so fortunate as to +meet you in my house." + +"Dost thou speak from the heart, James Armstrong," replied Holden, "or +art thou flattering me with empty conventionalities?" + +The melancholy face of Mr. Armstrong looked distressed, but, +remembering the wayward humor of the other, he gently answered: + +"I am sorry the form of expression displeases you; but I assure you I +am glad to see you." + +"Nay," said Holden, "let me rather beg pardon for my rudeness; and +that I fully believe thee, be my presence here the proof. I owe thee +many obligations through thy daughter, and there are times when it +does me good to be with her. It is then I fancy I hear in her voice +the tones of the long lost, and they come not with a wail of sorrow, +but like a welcome and an invitation." + +"The lost!" softly said Armstrong, falling insensibly, and as by some +mesmeric process, into a corresponding train of feeling, "the lost! +how soon drop away from our sides those who made the morning of life +so pleasant!" + +"Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward," said Holden. "He +cometh from the womb of darkness, and returneth thither again." + +The two men drew their chairs nearer each other. It seemed as if a new +community of thought and feeling had been established between them. + +"You have suffered," said Armstrong, "perhaps lost all your dear ones, +and, in that, more miserable than I; for, have I not left my Faith? +But the hand that inflicted the wound can heal, and I trust the balm +has been poured in." + +The countenance of Holden was agitated; his lips trembled, and, in a +broken voice, he replied: + +"The nearest and dearest are gone. Yet hath God left me some comfort +in my affliction. I am not entirely bereft." + +"In the promises of the Holy Scriptures you find consolation. Happy +the soul that draws comfort from their sacred pages!" + +"I meant not entirely so. But it avails not now to explain. Yet art +thou right. I do find in the precious Book my dearest hope. Without +it, I were miserable indeed." + +"And it sustains you under every trial and temptation?" + +"Assuredly. For that very purpose was it given, that man might not +sink under the mystery of existence; that in its pages he should find +hope." + +"And you find in it the warrant of your salvation?" + +"I strive to work out my salvation, with fear and trembling." + +"There are many who strive to enter, who shall not be able. How may +one be assured of safety?" + +"There is a justification by faith. Hast thou never tasted of its +sweetness?" + +"Alas! no," exclaimed Armstrong. "I have prayed for it, and longed for +it in vain. The threatenings of the Gospel and not its promises are +mine." + +"Father, dear father, how can you speak so wildly?" cried his +daughter, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his pale +cheek. + +He looked at her a moment, then putting her away, gently, again +addressed Holden: + +"Have you no word of comfort for me?" + +"Faint not; neither be tired of well-doing," answered Holden, "and I +doubt not that the cloud which now concealeth the divine countenance +will depart, and thou shalt attain the peace that passeth +understanding." + +"Have you attained it? Do you know what it is to be justified by +faith?" + +"I have that blessed experience," cried the enthusiast. "Those whom He +called He justified. I am a brand plucked from the burning--a monument +of abounding mercy." + +"Tell me, then," exclaimed Armstrong, "what are the signs by which it +may be known?" He said this eagerly, and with an air of the intensest +interest. + +"I feel it," cried Holden, rising and standing before him, "in the +hatred that I bear towards all that conflicts with His will; in the +love with which I read His word; in the willingness to suffer all +things for the glory of His name, and to be damned for ever, if such +be His purpose; I feel it in that, through His grace, I can trample +the world under foot, and bear whatever cross His decree imposes; in +the struggle and the aspiration to be more like Him, and in that His +sovereign grace hath chosen me to reveal unto me His salvation and the +knowledge of His speedy coming." + +It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the manner in which +this was spoken. Words cannot describe the voice, or paint the wild +gleams of enthusiasm that, like lightning-flashes, coursed each other +over the features of Holden, as, without a gesture, and immovable as a +rock, an image of undoubting confidence, he delivered himself of this +extraordinary speech. Nor, carried away by its impassioned utterance, +were either Armstrong or his daughter aware of its full fanaticism. +But the impression made upon the two was somewhat diverse, and marked +how differently the chords of their minds were tuned. With all her +reverence for the Enthusiast, Faith could not hear his wild avowal +without pain, notwithstanding it was stamped with all the honesty of +conviction, and her own creed taught that such a degree of spiritual +elevation might be attained; while her father listened with a sad +admiration, not unmixed with self-abasement and almost envy. + +After a pause, Armstrong said: "If such are the evidences of +justification and a saving faith, then have I had them, too; but why +bring they to me no confidence or holy joy? Why is my soul cast down, +and why do I feel like one who stumbles towards a pit? Alas! my flesh +quivers and my heart trembles at the thought of falling into His +hands." + +"It is prayer that opens heaven," said Holden. "If thou wilt, we will +unite our hearts in supplication. Peradventure the Lord may send a +blessing." + +A mute assent was the reply from Armstrong; the three knelt down +together, and Holden poured out a prayer, into which he concentrated +his glowing feelings. He described themselves as covered all over with +crimes, like a leprosy; as willful and determined rebels; as not only +unworthy of the least of God's mercies, of the warm sun and refreshing +rain, but deserving of the torments of the bottomless pit; but +entreated that, devoid of all merit, as they were, and justly exposed +to His wrath, their aggravated offences might be pardoned for the sake +of One who had taken their burden upon Himself, and that they might +be of the number of the elect, whom the foreordination of God had +predestined to salvation. He concluded with beseeching that the balm +of peace might be poured into his afflicted brother's heart, that his +ears might be opened to hear the truth, and his eyes to see how near +was the great and terrible day of the Lord, and that, as in ancient +days chosen women were raised up to do mighty works, even so Faith +might be made an instrument to proclaim His power abroad. + +As the three rose from their knees, a change seemed, during the +prayer, to have passed over the little circle. Holden was invested +with an authority not felt before. Neither his speech nor dress was as +strange as formerly. He had become a teacher to be honored. It was the +influence of a mind originally powerful, and which, though shattered, +exercised the control of a strong will, guided by an earnest +fanaticism. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Thus as he spake, his visage waxed pale, + And chaunge of hew great passion did bewray, + Yett still he strove to cloke his inward bale, + And hide the smoke that did his fire display. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE. + + +The request of Mr. Armstrong, supported by the pleadings of his +daughter, prevailed upon Holden to remain to tea, and afterwards +to accompany them to the "conference," as a meeting for religious +purposes held usually on some particular evening of the week, was +called. Upon the conclusion of the service he was to return with +them and pass the night at the house of his host. It was not without +difficulty he allowed his objections to be overruled, nor was he ever +known before to have accepted such an invitation. But it had seemed of +late that as his influence with Miss Armstrong increased, so did hers +over him, until he became unable to deny her slightest wish. Perhaps, +too, the events of the afternoon, by bringing him more intimately into +communion with sufferings like those through which he had passed, had +softened his sternness and disposed him more for human companionship. + +The little building where the "conference" met was of the humblest +pretensions. It was a weather-stained, unpainted wooden edifice of +one story, standing at no great distance from the meeting-house, and +capable of containing comfortably, probably a hundred people. The +interior was almost as rude and unattractive as the exterior, the +walls being coarsely plastered and dingy with smoke that had escaped +from a cast-iron stove which stood in the centre of the room. Benches +with backs were placed parallel to one another, and facing a sort of +rostrum or reading-desk, to which a passage betwixt the benches led. +The inside work was equally innocent of paint as the outside. + +On the arrival of Mr. Armstrong with his companions, they found the +room only partly occupied, nor had the exercises commenced. According +to a custom which would have struck a stranger as singular, but which, +doubtless, was founded in a knowledge of the nature of young men and +young women, the males were seated on one side of the passage, and +the females on the other. The separation, as might be expected, only +partly answered the purpose, being unable to arrest the glances +which, with quite as much of earth as of heaven in them, crossed the +intervening space. These, however, were stolen, and managed in such a +quiet way as not materially to affect the devotions of the elders. +In compliance with an usage, a breach of which would have violated +propriety, Faith, withdrawing her arm from her father's, glided into +a seat among her own sex on the right, while Mr. Armstrong and Holden +sought places on the left. + +The appearance of the Solitary entering the little place of worship, +striding up the passage with his usual air of dignity and composure, +and taking a seat among the principal members of the church, +occasioned great surprise. Although differing little, probably, in +religious sentiments (except in one point) from those around him, he +had never united with them in religious worship. He was, therefore, +notwithstanding his frequent allusions to the Scriptures, considered +generally more in the light of a heathen than of a Christian man, and +the apparition of Plato or Socrates would hardly have excited more +observation. Many, in consequence, were the looks bent on him by those +present, and those who afterwards came in. + +But of them, or of any sensation caused by his presence, he seemed +utterly unconscious. With arms folded and head drooped upon his chest, +he shut his eyes and abandoned himself to meditation. + +"Massy on us," whispered Miss Green, the mantua-maker, to her next +neighbor, Miss Thompson, the tailoress, "if here ain't old Holden. I +wonder what fetches him here." + +"And did you see!" said Miss Thompson, whispering in like manner, "he +came in with the Armstrongs. I always did admire what they could see +in him to like." + +"I guess," said Miss Green, "he feels kind o' awkward. Look how +he's folded his arms. It's so long since he's been to meeting or +conference, if he was ever in such a place before; he don't know how +to behave." + +"There's no sort o' set about his clothes," observed Miss Thompson. +"They look as if he made them himself." + +"Perhaps he did, but they're good enough to go with Faith Armstrong's +cloak" (which had been made by a rival artiste), responded Miss Green. +"What dark colors she wears, no variety, and how dreadful old they +make her look!" + +"Hush!" said Miss Thompson, "the deacon's going to open." + +During the colloquy of the two spinsters a grave, respectable-looking +man, somewhat advanced in years, had taken a seat behind the +reading-desk, and opening the large Bible that lay upon it, selected +a chapter, and now invited the attention of the audience to its +contents. Upon its conclusion he gave out a hymn, the tune of which +was announced by another person, who immediately on naming it pulled +out a pitch-pipe from his pocket and making a slight sound, furnished +the starting note. The singing proceeded principally from a certain +part of the room, as if by some understanding the singers had been +collected together, although scattered sounds also, of either rumbling +bass or shrill treble whose trembling modulations betrayed the +advanced age of the performers, were here and there heard. Some +of these guerrilla passages were sadly out of time and tune, and +according to the humor of the hearer might either provoke a smile +or start a tear. The gay and thoughtless might, indeed, laugh at the +wavering and undecided notes, but to the reflecting mind there was +something profoundly pathetic in the feeble tribute to the praise of +their Maker, of those whose voices in the ordinary course of nature +must soon be silent in the grave. + +After the singing was ended, the person who had hitherto officiated +invited Deacon Baldwin, calling him by name, to make a prayer. +Hereupon the deacon rose, and folding his hands complied with the +request, while most of the congregation respectfully bent forward, +or covered their faces with their handkerchiefs. The prayer evidently +came from a sincere and earnest heart, but contained nothing that +requires it should be recorded. Another hymn was then sung, upon the +conclusion of which followed the sermon. + +The person who came forward to perform this office was a short, +thick-set man, of middle age, with a bull neck. His features were +harsh and severe, and stamped with an expression of mortification, +though the gross animality of the mouth and chin too plainly revealed +how many and desperate were the conflicts it must have cost him to +become a saint. As he passed to the reading-desk his clothes brushed +Holden, who shrunk from the touch. The Solitary looked up, but as if +what he saw was displeasing, he averted his face and shut his eyes. + +The first thing done by Davenport on reaching the desk, and casting a +furtive glance around, was to draw an East India silk handkerchief out +of his pocket, and having noticed a spittoon by his side, to blow his +nose sonorously. He then cleared his throat two or three times, and +commenced reading. + +It happened, singularly enough, that the subject was prophecy, +considered as evidence of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. +The writer, after referring to the fulfillment of many prophecies +contained in the Old Testament, came to those in the New, and amongst +others he spoke of that in which Christ alludes to the destruction of +Jerusalem. He said that even in the times of the Apostles, there were +persons who, by putting too literal a construction upon the words, +were misled into believing that the end of the world was at hand, and +that there had never been a time when there were not victims to the +same delusion. + +It was impossible, with reference to the condition of Holden's +mind, to have selected either a topic or reader more unsuitable. The +aversion he had manifested at first increased every moment. It was one +of those antipathies as unquestionable as they are unaccountable. It +at first exhibited itself in restlessness, and an inability to remain +quiet, and afterwards in half-suppressed groans and sighs. If he +opened his eyes and looked at the reader, he saw a devilish figure, +with a malignant leer glaring at him; if he shut them to exclude the +disagreeable image it was converted into a thousand smaller figures, +dancing up and down like motes in a distempered vision, all wearing +that intolerable grin, while the whole time a hissing sound, as if it +came from a snake, whispered in his ears temptations to some deadly +sin. It was a trial the shattered nerves of the enthusiast were +ill qualified to bear, and, finally, a torture beyond his powers +of endurance. The very force of the reasons urged by the writer +distressed him more and more. They seemed to his disordered +imagination the subtle enticements of an evil spirit to lure him +from the truth, and Davenport an emissary of Satan, if not the +arch-deceiver himself. No adequate answers to doctrines which he was +persuaded were false presented themselves to his mind, and this he +ascribed to some hellish spell, which fettered his reason, and must +soon be broken, or he was lost. Mentally, then, first ejaculating a +prayer, he suddenly sprung to his feet, and in a loud voice bade the +reader to stop. + +"Forbear," he cried, "man of sin, to seduce the people with these +soul-damning and abominable lies. I conjure thee, Satan, to leave the +body of this man, and depart. Ha! thou wouldst lull them into +security that they may slumber and have no oil in their lamps when +the Bridegroom cometh, when He cometh in the clouds of heaven. My soul +have not thou thy portion with the unbelievers." + +The words were uttered with wonderful vehemence and rapidity, and upon +their conclusion, he strode with long strides down the passage towards +the door. Not an exclamation was heard, not a hand raised to stay his +departure, so stupefied were all with astonishment. Upon leaving the +room he rushed into the street, and, forgetful of his promise to Mr. +Armstrong, took his way to his own hut. The tything man, awakening +from his lethargy, and a few others recovering their presence of mind, +went at last to the door, and gazed up and down the street, but the +disturber of the meeting was not in sight, nor, sooth to say, were +any of the number sorry, or wished to meet him that night. Contenting +themselves, therefore, with this slight demonstration of zeal, they +returned to the Conference-room. There, great as was the scandal +occasioned by the interruption, all things soon settled down into +their usual course, and the meeting was regularly concluded and +dismissed. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + _Angelo_.--We must not make a scarecrow of the law, + Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, + And let it keep one shape, till custom make it + Their perch, and not their terror. + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE. + + +The events of the preceding evening caused quite a sensation in the +village. We shall better understand the various opinions and feelings +of the inhabitants by stepping, at about eleven o'clock the following +morning, into the shop, or, as it was called in those days, and would +generally be called now, the "store" of Truman and Jenkins. This was +an establishment at the foot of the hill, where it hung out its sign, +in company with several others of the same character, which professed +to supply all the wants of the community. Here everything was to be +had from a gallon of molasses to a skein of thread, or a quintal of +codfish, to a pound of nails. On one side, as you entered, were ranges +of shelves, protected by a counter, on which were exposed rolls of +flannels of divers colors, and calico and broadcloth, and other +"dry goods," while a showcase on the counter contained combs, and +tooth-brushes, and soaps, and perfumery, and a variety of other small +articles. The back of the store was used as a receptacle for hogsheads +of molasses, and puncheons of rum and wine, and barrels of whisky and +sugar. Overhead and on the posts were hung pails, and rakes, and iron +chains, and a thousand things necessary to the complete enjoyment of +civilization. On the other side was a small counting-room partitioned +off, with a door, the upper part of which was glass, for the +convenience of looking into the shop, in order to be ready to attend +to the wants of such customers as might come in. This little room, +scarcely eight feet square, contained a small close stove, around +which were gathered some half a dozen persons. + +"I say, squire," exclaimed Tom Gladding, a tall, awkward, good-natured +looking fellow, with legs sprawling out, and heels on the top of the +stove, addressing himself to a man in a black suit, rather better +dressed than the others, "what do you think of this here rusty old +Father Holden cut up last night at Conference?" + +Squire Miller, as one in authority, and who might be called to +adjudicate upon the case, and for other reasons of his own, was not +disposed to commit himself, he, therefore, cautiously replied, _more +Novo Anglicano_, by asking another question, "Were you there, Mr. +Gladding?" + +"No," said Tom, laughing; "the old folks used to make me go so +regular, when I was a boy, I guess I've done my part. So after a while +I give it up." + +"It is a pity you ever gave it up," said the squire. "You might get a +great deal of good from it." + +"There's two opinions about that," said Tom. "You see, squire, as long +as mother was alive, I always went with her regular, 'cause it kind o' +comforted her, though somehow or other I never took to it. So when she +died I sort o' slacked off 'till now it's 'een amost two year since I +been in." + +"They say," observed Mr. Jenkins, "they've took the old man up." + +"I'm sorry for that," cried Tom. "To go to take up a kind o' +half-crazy man for speaking in meetin'!" + +"Why," inquired the squire, "would you allow the man to go about +disturbing the neighbors as he pleased?" + +"I never heard tell of his disturbing nobody," said Tom. "Just take +him off his notions about the ten vargins and their lamps, and the +judgment day, and I don't know a likelier man than old Holden. In my +opinion, he's a cleverer fellow than Davenport, by a long shot." + +"I don't believe he's been caught," said a man in a pee-jacket, +who, from his appearance, was a fisherman. "I passed his island this +morning about sunrise, with a boatload of oysters, and I see the old +man at his door." + +"Well," observed Mr. Jenkins, "I hope he isn't. It's enough to make +a body puke up his boots to hear Davenport, and I don't much blame +Holden for cutting him short." + +"I heard somebody say," said Gladding, "that the old man shook his +fist right in old Davenport's face, and told him up and down he was a +good for nothing liar. I want to know if he can sue him, squire?" + +"Why, as to that," answered Miller, who being appealed to on a +question of law, conceived it necessary to show his learning, "if a +man strikes at me within striking distance, I can sue him for assault, +though he shouldn't touch me. That I call one of the nice pints of the +law. I decided so myself in the case of Samuel Pond _versus_ Ezekiel +Backus. You see Pond and Backus had a little quarrel about some +potatoes Pond sold him, and Pond got mad, and told Backus he lied. +Backus is rather hasty, and doubled up his fist, and put it near +Pond's nose, and insinuated that if he said that again he would +knock him down." Here the squire paused, and looked round to see what +impression he was making on his audience, and the momentary silence +was taken advantage of by Gladding to observe: + +"That Pond's a mean cuss." + +The justice took no further notice of honest Tom's not very +complimentary remark than to cast at him a look of angry surprise, +which the other endured with complete indifference. + +"So," continued Squire Miller, "Pond went to Lawyer Tippit, and he +brought the suit before me. Backus pleaded his own case, but he had a +fool for a client; the law was all against him, and I had to fine him +a dollar and cost." + +"That's considerable to pay," exclaimed Tom, "just for skinning such +a fellow's nose as Sam Pond's (I've heard of the case afore), but you +ain't said nothing, squire, about calling a man a liar." + +"Well," said Squire Miller, "that's what we call a mute point. I heard +the affirmative and negative argued once by Lawyer Ketchum and Lawyer +Tippit. Lawyer Tippit was the affirmative, and Lawyer Ketchum the +negative. Lawyer Tippit's principle was in _medio pessimus ibis_, +while Lawyer Ketchum held _qui facit per alien facit per se_. They, +therefore, couldn't agree, they were so wide apart, you see. So they +separated without either giving up, though I think Lawyer Tippit had a +little the best of the argument." + +"Lawyer Tippit knows a thing or two," said the fisherman, in a low +tone. + +Here Squire Miller handed to Mr. Jenkins twelve and a half cents, for +the four glasses of Jamaica he had drank, a portion of which some way +or other seemed to have got into his last speech, and took his leave. + +He had hardly left the store when who should come in but Constable +Basset, bearing in his hand a black staff, "having a head with the +arms of the State thereon," the badge of his office, as provided by +law, and which he was required to carry "upon proper occasions." Some +such occasion had, in the judgment of the constable, evidently arisen, +else it would not now be forthcoming. + +He was a bullet-headed, carroty-haired little fellow, with a snub nose +and eyes so diminutive and deeply sunken, that but for the sparks of +light they emitted, they would have been undiscernible. The expression +of his face was like that of a wiry terrier, being derived partly from +his occupation, which, in his opinion, required him to be as vigilant +in spying out offenders as the aforesaid peppery animal, in scenting +vermin, and being partly the gift of nature. But though the person of +Basset was small, such was not his opinion of himself. That was in an +inverse ratio to his size, and at once the source of his highest joys, +and, sooth to say, of an occasional mortification. But the former +greatly preponderated, and, on the whole, it was a pleasure to +a benevolent mind to look at him, if for no other reason than to +consider how much enjoyment there may be in ignorance. + +As soon as Gladding set his eyes on the constable, he hailed him: + +"Here, Basset," he cried, "what are you going to do this morning with +that are stick?" + +The constable did not much relish hearing the badge of an office which +he esteemed one of the most important in the State thus lightly spoken +of and degraded to a common stick; he, therefore, replied somewhat +shortly-- + +"I guess, Mr. Gladding, you don't see the head of my staff, do ye?" + +"Don't I?" said Gladding. "I know old +Authority-by-the-State-of-Connecticut a mile off, without seeing his +head, I rather think. But what are you up to now?" + +Basset, who, though no Solomon, had too much wit to admit every one +into his confidence, answered: + +"O, nothing; I was only looking for Squire Miller." + +"Why," said Gladding, "he only left the store a minute ago. I say +Basset, you got a warrant agin old Holden?" + +"Why," said Basset, "what makes you ask?" + +"Because," replied Gladding, mischievously, who strongly suspecting an +intention to arrest Holden, and knowing the constable's cowardice, +was determined to play upon his fears, "I shouldn't like to be in your +skin when you go for to take him." + +"I'd like to see the man what would dare to resist when I showed him +my authority," said the constable. "I guess I'd make him cry copeevy +in less than no time." + +"Well," said Gladding, who all this while had been leisurely whittling +a bit of white pine, "well, Basset, you know your own business best, +and I'm not a man to interfere. My principle is, let every man skin +his own skunks. You haint no wife nor children, have you?" + +"No," said Basset. "What makes you ask?" + +"Well, I'm glad to hear it. I always think it judgmatical, you see, +to choose a man for constable who haint got no family; 'cause, if any +accident should happen, 'twouldn't be of so much consequence." + +"I don't catch your meaning clear," said Basset. + +"You'll catch it clear enough, I guess," answered Gladding, "if Holden +gits hold o' ye." + +"Now, Tom Gladding, you needn't think you're going to frighten _me_," +cried Basset, on whom the charm was beginning to work. + +"I never had sich an idea," said Tom. "But folks does say he's a +desperate fighting character. Did you never hear tell of Kidd the +pirate, and his treasures, ever so much gold and silver, and rings and +watches, and all sorts o' trinkets and notions, buried somewhere along +shore, or perhaps on the old fellow's island? Folks does say that +when it was kivered, two men was murdered on the spot, so that their +sperits should watch it, and hender other folks from gitting on't. +But them may be all lies. I heard tell, too," he added, bending down +towards the constable, and speaking in a low, confidential tone, as if +he wished to be overheard by no one, "that Holden's Kidd himself; but +I don't believe a word on't. I tell you this as a friend of your'n, +and I advise you to be prudent." + +Poor Basset left the shop, with a much less confident air than that +with which he had entered it. The truth is, he had in his pocket, all +the while, a warrant issued by Squire Miller to arrest Holden, which +he now most heartily wished he had never burnt his fingers with. +He had heard before, the strange stories in circulation about the +Solitary, but had listened to them with only a vague feeling +of curiosity, without any personal interest therein, so that no +impression of any consequence had been made upon his mind. But now the +case was different. The matter was brought home to his own bosom. Here +was he, Constable Basset, required and commanded, "by authority of the +State of Connecticut," to arrest a man of the most violent character, +"for," said Basset to himself, "he must be a dangerous fellow, else +how would he venture to insult a whole conference? Tom Gladding's +more'n half right, and I must look sharp." Gladly would he have +abandoned the whole business, notwithstanding his cupidity was not a +little excited by the fees, but he doubted whether the sheriff, his +deputy, or any other constable would execute the warrant in his +stead; nor did any plausible excuse present itself to account for +transferring it to other hands. Thus musing, with fear and avarice +contending in his breast, he walked up the street. But it may be +necessary to tell how Basset got into the dilemma, and, in order to do +so, we must retrace our steps. + +The interruption at the conference had not a little offended +Davenport. A pompous and conceited man, any slight to himself, any +failure to accord a deference he considered his due, he felt sensibly +as an injury; much more, then, an open defiance and direct attack. +That Holden or any one should have the hardihood, before an assemblage +of his friends and acquaintances, to interrupt him and load him with +reproaches, wounded his self love to the quick, and he fancied it +would affect his reputation and influence in the community were the +offence to be passed over without notice. He therefore resolved that +something should be done to punish the offender, though unwilling to +appear himself in the matter, as that might expose his motives; and +all the way home, his mind was engrossed with schemes to accomplish +his purpose. It was little attention, then, he be stowed upon the +"good gracious" and "massy on us" of his better half, as, with +indignation becoming the provocation, she kept herself warm, and +shortened the way. But, notwithstanding, he was forced to hear them, +and they affected him like so many little stings to urge him to +revenge. So excited were his feelings, that it was some time before he +fell asleep that night, long after notes other than those of music had +announced the passage of Mrs. Davenport to a land of forgetfulness, +though not before her husband had matured a plan for the morrow. + +Accordingly, after breakfast, Davenport walked round to the office of +Mr. Ketchum. Ketchum was a young man, who, but a short time before, +had, in the fortunate town of Hillsdale, hung out his professional +sign, or shingle, as people generally called it, whereon, in gilt +letters, were emblazoned his name and the titles of "Attorney and +Counsellor at Law," whereby the public were given to understand that +the owner of the aforesaid name and titles was prepared with pen or +tongue, or both, to vindicate, _à entrance_, the rights of all who +were able and willing to pay three dollars for an argument before a +Justice Court, and in proportion before the higher tribunals. He was +a stirring, pushing fellow, whose business, however, was as yet quite +limited, and to whom, for that reason, a new case was a _bonne bouche_ +on which he sprung with the avidity of a trout. + +This gentleman Davenport found apparently lost in the study of a +russet sheep-skin covered book. A few other books, bound in like +manner, were lying on the table, with pens and loose paper and an +ink-stand, among which were mingled files of papers purporting to +be writs and deeds. Against the walls were two or three shelves +containing some dingy-looking books having a family likeness to the +former. + +After the usual compliments, Davenport made known his business. "A +scandal," he said, "had been occasioned by the conduct of Holden, and +a great injury inflicted on the cause of religion. It was for that +reason," he intimated, "and not from any private feeling he wanted him +brought to justice. Some people think him a little touched," he said, +"though I don't believe it, and if it was only my own case I should +overlook his insults, for it is the part of a Christian to suffer +wrong without complaining, but there's others to be thought of, and +I'd sooner cut off my right hand than not do my duty. So, squire," +he concluded, "we must see if we can't learn him reason, and stop his +disturbing the worship of God." + +"There is no difficulty about that, Squire Davenport," said Ketchum, +who was acquainted with the particulars of the occurrence of the +night previous, before the arrival of his client, having heard them +discussed over breakfast at his boarding-house. "You have the plainest +case in the world. We'll soon put him through a course of sprouts." + +"How do you think we had better proceed?" said Davenport. + +"Why," replied the other, opening the Statute Book, "you have at least +two causes of action; you can bring a civil action for the slander, +and also proceed against him on the part of the State for the +interruption of the meeting." + +"I don't care about suing him on my own account," said the client, +who, perhaps, not reposing unlimited confidence in the young man's +knowledge of law, and doubting the success of a civil action, had +visions of possible costs he might be obliged to pay floating before +his imagination. Besides, Davenport was a shrewd fellow who had been +"in the law" before; and experience taught him how to make allowance +for the natural anxiety of a new practitioner to obtain business. +"No, I have no feeling about it myself," said Davenport, "and it is my +opinion we had better take him on the part of the State." + +"It is just as well," said the attorney; "one suit will not interfere +with the other. We can first proceed against him criminally, and +afterwards bring an action for damages." + +"Well, well," said Davenport, "now about the prosecution." + +"Then," said Ketchum, opening the Statute Book at the title +"Meetings," after first running though the index; "we can take him +under the Act on the 492d page, entitled, 'An Act for preserving due +order in town meetings, society meetings, and in the meetings of other +communities, and for preventing tumults therein,'" and he read the act +aloud. + +"I don't exactly like that," observed Davenport, "The fine, in the +first place, is only eighty-four cents, except the case is aggravated, +when it is a binding over, and then the County Court cannot go over +thirty-four dollars fine. There's no imprisonment and Tom Pownal or +Armstrong would go bail, and pay the fine too, if it comes to that; so +there would be nothing gained by the operation." + +"Let as see if we cannot find something else," said Ketchum, "to suit +your taste better I think (for he now perfectly understood the temper +of his client, and read the vindictive purpose of his soul, and, +alas! was willing to descend to the meanness of ministering to its +gratification,)--I think it would be a reproach to the law if such a +high-handed outrage should be permitted to pass unpunished." He again +referred to the index and apparently finding what he wanted turned the +leaves till he came to the title, "Workhouses." "Here," cried he, "at +the 688th page, in the seventh section, we have got him;" and he read +from the Statutes a provision, authorising and empowering an associate +or Justice of the Peace to send "'all rogues, vagabonds, sturdy +beggars, and other lewd, idle, dissolute, profane and disorderly +persons that have no settlement in this State, to such workhouses, and +order them to be kept to hard labor' &c.; and here on the next page, +'also such as are guilty of reviling and profane speaking.'" + +"That last will do, if the law will hold him," said Davenport. + +"Leave that to me," said Ketchum. "That section will hold water or +nothing will. Give me the names of your witnesses, and we will set +the mill a grinding. I suppose," he added, carelessly, "you have no +objection to bringing the case before Squire Miller?" + +"Oh, none in the world," answered the other, who knew perfectly well +the influence he exercised over the Justice. "But you haven't said a +word about the Grand Juror to make the complaint." + +"That will be all straight," replied Ketchum. "Two Grand Jurors I know +were at the meeting, either of whom will answer our purpose. Trust +that to me, and I will attend to it." + +Hereupon, Davenport mentioned the names of the witnesses he wished +subp[=oe]ned. "And now, Squire," he added, "that this matter is +concluded between us, how comes on my case with Fanning?" + +Ketchum felt some surprise at the question, although his countenance +expressed none, for it was only a short time since he had gone over +the whole subject with his client, and the plan of operations had +been agreed on between them. He understood, however, the character +of Davenport too well not to know that he had a reason of his own +for asking, and not doubting it would come out in the course of the +conversation, he replied very composedly that it would probably be +reached the next term. + +Davenport went on for awhile, talking of his case, Ketchum all the +time wondering at his drift, until, having concluded what it pleased +him to say, he rose to take leave. After bidding good morning by way +of farewell, he walked to the door, when suddenly turning, as if the +thought had just struck him, he observed--"By the way, if anybody +should happen to notice that I had called on you, I have no objections +to your saying I had a talk with you about that case of Fanning's." + +As soon as the door was closed, Ketchum leaned back in his chair and +indulged in a low sarcastic laugh. "The old sinner," he said, aloud; +"he is a cute one; sharp as a pin, but needles are sharper. What a +knack he has of whipping the devil round the stump! To look at that +man you would suppose he was too good for preaching. And he flatters +himself he is imposing on me! He must get up earlier for that. It is +my opinion his only chance when his turn comes will be in cheating his +Satanic Majesty. Well, practice makes perfect, and he has enough +of it. I do declare," he added, after a pause, as if scruples of +conscience were arising in his mind, "I am almost sorry I undertook +this business. But all trades must live." + +Consoling himself with this reflection, Ketchum started to hunt up the +grand juror. He found no difficulty in inducing him to make complaint +to Justice Miller, having first satisfied him that an offence had been +committed which the law compelled him to notice officially. + +Squire Miller, however, seemed disposed, at first, to take a different +view of the subject. He said he had known Holden a good many years, +and never heard harm of him except that he was a little flighty +sometimes; but if the grand juror insisted, of course he would issue +the warrant. + +The minister of the law must have been inexorable, for the complaint +was made, and the warrant signed in due form and delivered to Basset +to be executed. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + _Esculus_.--Come hither to me, master Elbow, come hither, + master constable. How long have you been in this place of + constable? + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE + + +We have seen that when the constable left the shop he felt some +anxiety about the proper course to be pursued. On the one hand were +his duty and avarice, on the other his fears. After some meditation he +finally effected a compromise between them, by adopting the resolution +to wait until the formidable Holden should make his appearance again +in the village, where, he thought he would be less likely, in +open day, and surrounded by others, to resist, or, if he did, the +assistance of the bystanders might be commanded. + +Two or three days passed in this manner, none, excepting the five +persons above-mentioned, having any knowledge of the issuing of +the warrant. The excitement had died away, and the little community +supposed no notice would be taken of the occurrence, and, for the most +part, were disposed that none should be. Meanwhile, Basset, like a +spider in the centre of his web, watched for his victim, ready to +pounce upon him, as soon as the propitious moment should arrive. It +is curious how the desire to capture Holden increased with delay. At +first, and in the prospect of immediate danger, the business was far +from being relished, but as time slipped along, and his mind became +familiarized to its contemplation, it began to assume something of +even a tempting character. He began to fancy that if he could secure +the Recluse, he should achieve for himself a reputation for courage, +which he was far, at present, from possessing. Yet, still he desired +to discharge his commission in the most prudent manner. + +But Holden did not appear. Was it possible he could have obtained +information of the threatened danger, and was keeping himself +concealed? At the thought, Basset stood two inches higher; his courage +mounted rapidly, and the terrible pirate dwindled into a submissive +culprit. + +Ketchum, meanwhile, began to be importunate. He had become impatient +at waiting, and demanded of the constable the reason of the delay. +The latter, unwilling to confess the true cause, put him off with such +excuses as his ingenuity suggested, until he had exhausted his stock, +and was obliged to apply himself to the discharge of his duty. He, +therefore, made up his mind to face the danger, but not to monopolize +the glory of the achievement. He dared not go alone, and accordingly +looked round for somebody to assist him in the perilous enterprise. +Now, the veteran Primus, by virtue of his exploits in the +Revolutionary War, and the loss of one of his legs on the field of +battle, enjoyed a high reputation for bravery. Backed by the old +warrior, or rather led by him, for Basset meant to yield him the post +of honor, the constable thought he should stand a much greater chance +of success. He determined, therefore, to apply to Primus, secure his +services, and take counsel with him on the best mode to apprehend +Holden. With this view, he betook himself to the bachelor quarters of +the black--a hovel on the outskirts of the village, where we find him +at this present moment. + +"I hab some interjection, Missa Basset," said Primus, evidently in +reply to a proposition of the constable. "Suppose you come to ketch +me, how I like to hab somebody help you?" + +"No danger of that, Prime," said Basset; "you are too clever a fellow +for me to go with a warrant after; and if it was your case, I should +more likely give you a squint of what was going on, than be plotting +how to git hold on ye. You don't know your friends, Prime." + +"Dey say 'tis a wise child dat know his own fader," answered Primus. +"Now, if a child dat see his fader ebery day, and been brung up in +de same house, not know him, how is it possible dat I know you, Missa +Basset, who neber before do me de honor ob a visit?" + +"Why," said the constable, who hardly knew what reply to make, "you +never come to see me, Prime." + +"Dat is de trute," said Primus, "and dat look as do you and me is +no great friends, arter all. But," added he, observing the other's +embarrassment, "dat is needer here nor dere. I always suspect you bery +much, sar, and is willing to do anything to obleege you. Tell us, now, +'xactly, what you want me to do." + +"Why, you see, I want somebody to go along with me to be there when +I take him, that's all. The island's three or four miles off, and I +shall want you to help row the boat." + +"O, if dat is all, I is 'greeable," exclaimed Primus. "When you tink +of going, Missa Basset?" + +"I ain't just made up my mind on that pint, and that's one thing I +want to talk about. When will he be most likely to be at home? What do +you think? Had we better go in the morning, or wait till afternoon." + +"Dat inquire some deflexum. Let me see: I don't know about de day, at +all. If he see you coming, he make off, probumbly, and den de job is +lost, and de fire is in de fat. De night is de best time, I guess, to +ketch dis kind ob fish." + +But this opinion did not suit the notions of the constable. + +"It won't be half so pleasant," he said. "It's plaguy cold at night; +and if it keeps on at this rate, the river will soon freeze up. I +expect we can git him easier, too, in the day-time than at night." + +For some reason Primus seemed to entertain a decidedly contrary +opinion. + +"You suspec'," cried he, "de ole man let you put you hand an him as +easy as Frisky wink (looking at a little mongrel, that at the mention +of his name jumped into his master's lap). Ketch a weasel asleep! De +old man beard too long for dat." + +"Why, I can't see," said Basset, "what objections you can have if I +take the risk. You can't deny it's a great deal pleasanter in the +day time than to go along shivering at night, and, perhaps, catch a +tarnation cold. So, Prime, what say to going down to-morrow in the +forenoon or afternoon, I don't care much which? It's all one to me." + +"It's all no use," persisted Primus. "You just hab to pay for de boat +and my sarvices, and git noting. Dat is what I call a berry bad spec, +Missa Basset." + +"Well, what's that to you, I tell you? If I choose to run the risk, +that's enough, and you ought to be satisfied. You git your pay, and +what more do you want?" + +"Dere is someting more I want," exclaimed the General, "I want de +satisfacshum ob victory. I want de satisfacshum here," he repeated, +laying his hand on his breast. "Do you tink, sar, dat a genlmn, dat +fight in de Resolutionary war, and gib one leg, dat you may stand on +two free leg, hab no feeling ob honor? Beside, dis old soger don't +want no bread he don't arn." + +"Well, I'll make a bargain with you, that if we don't catch Holden, +you shan't have anything. That horse is soon curried." + +"Ah, dat won't do. My time is precious, and de hire is wordy ob de +laborer. No, Missa Basset, if you want to go in de day time, you can +go. Dere is nobody will hender you. But dis child you will please +'scuse. Beside, dere is a good reason I say noting about 'cause I +don't want to hurt you feelings." + +"What's that?" said Basset. "Don't be afeared, spit it out." + +"Well, seeing as how you is so pressing you see I tink someting ob my +'spectability." + +"Your what?" exclaimed the constable, utterly at a loss to imagine the +meaning of the other. + +"My 'spectability," repeated Primus, gravely. "You see, when I was a +young man I sociate wid da best company in de country. I members de +time when General Wayne (dey called him Mad Antony cause he fight so +like de dibble) say afore de whole army dat haansome fellow--meaning +me--look like anoder Anibal (Anibal I guess was a French General). +Ah," sighed Primus, "dey made more 'count ob colored pussons den, dan +dey does now." + +"What has all this to do with your respectability?" inquired Basset +who began to be a little impatient. + +"I come to dat at de end ob de roll call," responded Primus. "Do you +tink it bery 'spectable now, for a man who, in his younger day, fight +for liberty, to go for to take it away in his old age from anoder +man?" + +"But just consider," said Basset, whose cue was flattery and +conciliation, "Holden went agin the very laws you made." + +"I make de law, Missa Basset?" roared Primus, "haw! haw! haw! I make +de law, haw! haw! haw! does you want to kill me! O dear!" + +"Yes," said Basset stoutly, "and I can prove it. Now say, if the +Americans didn't make their own laws, wouldn't the British make 'em +for 'em? And who was it drove the British out and give us a chance to +make our own laws eh?" + +"Pity you isn't a lawyer," said Primus, suddenly abandoning his mirth +at the other's explanation, "dere is a great deal in what you say--de +white men owes a big debt to us colored pussons. Dat is a fust rate +reason why I should want to see de law execute but not for me to go +myself in particular, when, perhaps de ole man point his rifle at me, +and tell me to clear out." + +"Why, you don't think he'll resist?" cried the constable somewhat +startled, feeling the apprehensions revive which Tom Gladding had +occasioned, but which the passage of a few days had almost lulled +asleep. + +"'Tis bery hard to tell what a man do when he git in a corner," said +Primus, shaking his head, and fastening his eyes on the constable's +face, "but, if you want to know my 'pinion, it is just dis--if Missa +Holden know what you up to, he make day light shine trough you, in +less dan no time, rader dan be took." + +"Poh?" exclaimed Basset, affecting a courage he was far from feeling, +"you're skeary, Prime. So, in your judgment, it's safer to go by +night, is it?" + +"My 'pinion is made up on all de pints," said Primus, resolutely, and +bringing all his batteries to bear. "Dis case hab two hinge, de fust +is de 'spectability, and de second de safety. Now, if any man suspect +me to go on work ob dis a kind in de day time, when ebery body see me +in you company, he as much mistake as when he kiss his granny for a +gal. De night is de proper time for sich a dark business, and it suit +me better if I 'scuse altogeder from it. But I wish to 'bleege you, +Missa Basset. Now, de second hinge is de safety, and it 'stonish me +dat an onderstanding man, and a man ob experunce and larning like +you, Missa Basset, should dream o' going in de daytime. Dere stand old +Holden probumbly wid his rifle in de window and all he hab to do, he +see so plan, is to pull de trigger and den where is you, Missa Basset? +Or perhaps," he added laughing, "'stead ob shooting at you, he shoot +at me, and dat would be bery onpleasant. In de day-time, a colored +pusson make a better mark dan a white man; but in de night we has de +advantage. Haw! Haw!" + +This was a view of things that did not please the constable at +all, and the mirth of the negro appealed excessively ill-timed. He, +therefore, said: + +"Don't talk so, Prime; it's dreadful to hear you. Well, if you're +afraid, say so, and done with--" + +"Me, 'fraid," exclaimed Primus, "me dat is as 'customed to de bullets +as de roof to de rain! No, sar, you is better 'quainted wid de genlmen +dat is 'fraid dan dis child." + +"Don't git mad though," said Basset, in whose mind one apprehension +drove out another, and who began to fear he might lose altogether his +new ally. "Everybody knows you're as brave as Julius Cæsar, Prime." + +"Please, sar, not to repair me to no Cæsar," exclaimed the indignant +General. "De Cæsars ob my 'qaintance was nebber no great shakes. I hab +a better name dan dat. My name is Primus--dat mean, in Latin, fust--so +I hear genlmn say, and Ransome, and de meaning ob dat is, dat in de +glorious Resolution I run some arter de British (dough de foolish +doctor abuse me and say dey give me de name 'cause I run away), and +putting bote togedder dey makes a name any genlmn may be proud ob. +But, Missa Basset, what you going to gib me for dis job?" + +"Why, a quarter'll be good wages, I guess." + +"A quarter ob a dollar! Do you s'pose I dispose myself to ketch cold +on de ribber, and die afore my time, and arter dat to be shoot at, +like a duck, for a quarter? I don't 'list on no such tarms." + +"We'll say a half. I'm inclined to be liberal, but I shall expect you +to be lively, Prime." + +"Dat is too little;" grumbled Primus. "And who else you got to help +you?" + +"Why, hain't two enough? I might as well give up the job at once, and +done with it, if I'm to pay out all the fees." + +"One more will make all sure," said Primus, who, prudent general that +he was, thought no odds could be too great against an enemy. "S'pose I +speak to Missa Gladding to insist?" + +"Tom Gladding be hung. I won't give him a cent." + +"But," said Primus, who seemed determined to have his own way in +everything, "you no interjection, I guess, if it don't cost you +noting." + +"No," replied Basset, who was glad enough of another auxiliary, +provided his own packet was not affected. "But, mind ye, I don't pay +him a red cent." + +"I pay him myself, out ob my own pass. De danger won't be so much, and +de work will be done up right, sartin. So, atween genlmn, de business +is settle." + +They parted with the understanding that the General was to see +Gladding and induce him to take part in the enterprise, and that the +three would meet at a certain place in the evening, the constable +being careful to repeat that he couldn't afford more than fifty cents +for any assistance that might be rendered. Primus accordingly called +upon Gladding, and the arrangement must have been satisfactory, for +the three were all at the place of rendezvous at the appointed hour. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "All these tales told in that dreamy undertone with which men + talk in the dark, the countenances of the listeners only now + and then receiving a casual gleam from the glare of a pipe, + sunk deep in the mind of Ichabod." + + Legend of Sleepy Hollow + + +It was on the village wharf that the coadjutors met. Basset, as he +contemplated the martial bearing of the General and the burly form +of Gladding, felt comforted. The clouds that all day long had lowered +above his mental horizon parted, and patches of blue sky began +to appear. It was a cause of special gratulation to him, which he +realized more sensibly in the darkness than by day, that assistance so +important as Gladding's had been secured, and that without additional +expense. He was confident now of an easy victory. The associates +jumped into the boat, the painter was cast off, the constable, as +principal, took the steersman's seat, and Tom and Primus disposed +themselves to row. + +The night was neither clear nor dark, or rather was both by fits and +starts. Light fleecy clouds were constantly passing over the heavens, +now gathering densely together and completely hiding the stars, and +now breaking up and revealing between the rifts then shining points. A +low wind softly moaned through the leafless trees on the banks of the +Severn, sadly chiming in with the murmur of the tide, which rose quite +up to the Falls of the Yaupáae. In the indistinct light, just enough +to stimulate and keep in active play the imagination, softening away +all those harshnesses which the garish brilliancy of day discloses, +and inviting the mind to supply with its own creations what is vague +and deficient, the village presented an appearance more attractive, +if possible, than by day. Along the margin of the river, and up +the hill-sides, the lights scattered in every direction, and rising +irregularly one above another, contended successfully with the +struggling stars to light the way of the adventurers; while a low +sound, the faint indication of life, hardly distinguishable from other +noises, rose from the village, for it was yet early in the night, +and imparted a sense of security by the consciousness of human +propinquity. But gradually, under the skillful strokes of the oars, +the sounds became fainter and fainter, and one light after another +disappeared till, at a turn in the stream, the bold promontory of +Okommakemisit hid the town from view. + +A feeling of loneliness now, in spite of the presence of his two +friends, began to creep over the constable. So long as the lights +had been visible, he felt a strength derived from the vicinity of the +habitations of his fellow-beings, as if, were anything untoward to +happen, assistance was close at hand and ready to be proffered, but +now he might die a thousand deaths, and none be the wiser for his +wretched end. As these and other thoughts equally dismal chased each +other through his mind, the silence became more and more oppressive +(for it was only now and then, hitherto, a word had been uttered), and +it was with an emotion of thankfulness and relief he heard it broken +by the voice of Gladding. + +"I say, Primus," he said, "do you know where you are?" + +"I guess I does," answered the black, speaking from between his shut +teeth, which the necessity of retaining the stump of a pipe he was +smoking compelled him to keep tight together, "I is on de river +'joying a row wid two white genlmn." + +"Any fool knows that," said Tom, "though for the matter of the +enjoyment, there might be two words about that. Some jugs has two +handles." + +"Well, if dat doesn't please you, I all in a shiver wid de cold. My +wood toe is almost freeze." + +"That's a plaguy curus thing," said Tom. "You know Jim Hardy. Well I +hearn him say he can feel the fingers in his hand that was ground off +in the mill, just an much as in tother. I expect your experience is +pretty much the same." + +"Dat's a fact," said Primus. "I can feel de foot and de toes just as +much as ebber, only de leg is a sort o' kind o' shorter. Now, Missa +Gladding, you is a man ob gumption, can you splain dat?" + +"Sartin," said Tom, who didn't wish to appear ignorant to the presence +of the negro; "there's no great difficulty about that, though I rather +think it takes more larning than you've got to onderstand the thing. +You see," he added, recollecting as well as he could some Latin words +he had heard used by the doctor, "the narves of the rigdum flagdum in +circumnavigating through the humorous rusticus, deflastigated by the +horrentibus oribus sort o' twist the aures arrectos into asinos, and +that you see, to a man of larning makes the whole thing as clear as +one of elder Sillyway's sarmons." + +Primus fairly caught his breath at Tom's display of learning, who +rose considerably higher also in Basset's estimation. After somewhat +recovering from his astonishment, and as if he had been reflecting on +the subject, the General said-- + +"Larning is a great ting, and perhaps you is right and perhaps you +isn't, but I hear anoder way to 'count for it." + +"Out with it then," cried Tom. + +"White folks," said Primus, "hab one way to 'count for tings, and +colored pussons hab anoder way. Now I hear a colored pussun, who come +all de way from Africa, where dey onderstands dese tings, say it was +de jumbee." + +"The jumbee! What in natur's that!" inquired Basset, who had not +before mingled in the conversation. + +"Now, none of your tricks, Prime," cried Tom, suspecting the negro +of an intention to mystify them with a jargon like that he had palmed +off; "jumbee ain't Latin." + +"Nobody say it was," returned Primus, "I guess de old fellow nebber +hab much chance to study Latin. He better 'quainted wid de shovel and +de hoe. Dat mean in de Congo language, sperit." + +"Colored people are curus folks," ejaculated Basset + +"I don't see fairly what you're driving at yet," said Gladding. +"Suppose jumbee does mean sperit, what then?" + +"I mean dat de hand turn into a sperit. Don't you see, Missa Basset," +exclaimed Primus, suddenly poking his wooden leg at the constable, "de +sperit ob my leg?" + +"Don't, don't, Prime," cried the startled constable, drawing back +and nearly falling in his fright into the water. "What's the use of +talking about sperits now? Come let us talk about something else." + +"Well," grinned Primus, "if you don't see de sperit, I feel him." + +"Don't talk so; you're spoiling all the pleasure of the sail by such +kind o' nonsense," urged Basset. + +"Don't you believe in sperits?" inquired the persevering General. + +"I tell ye I don't like to talk about such things now," responded +Basset. + +"Why I can give you chapter and varse for 'em," said Tom. "You +remember, Basset, all about Samuel and the witch o' Endor, and that's +authority, I guess." + +"Well, if I do I don't care to be chattering all the time about 'em, +though there's some says, they don't appear now as they used to in old +times." + +This was an unfortunate remark for the badgered Basset. His two +friends, as if it were of the extremest consequence to convert him +from an opinion so heretical, opened for his benefit a whole budget of +ghost stories In spite of most unwilling ears he was obliged to listen +with a fascinated reluctance to tales of supernatural wonders, in most +of which the narrators had themselves been actors, or derived their +information from persons, whose veracity it would be a sin to doubt. +Among them was a legend told by Gladding, of a murdered fisherman, +whose ghost he had seen himself, and which was said still to haunt the +banks of the Severn, and never was seen without bringing ill-luck. It +is the only one with which we will trouble our renders, and we relate +it as a sort of specimen of the others: + +"You see," said Tom, "it was the spring o' the year, and the shad +begun to swim up stream, when I joined Sam Olmstead's company, and +took a share in his fishing. Well, things went on pretty well for a +while, it was fisherman's luck, fish one day, and none the next, and +we was, on the whole, tolerable satisfied, seeing there was no use to +be anything else, though towards the end, it's a fact, there wasn't +many schools come along. We had built a sort o' hut of boards by the +side of the river where we kept the nets, and where some on us slept +to look after the property. Well, my turn came to stay at the shanty, +and I recollect the night just as well! It was coolish, not so cool +as this, though something like it, for there was some clouds floating +around, but it was a good deal lighter, 'cause the moon was in her +third quarter. I felt sort o' lonesome there, all alone with the nets +and the fish, and I don't know what I should have done but for some +of the 'O be joyful' I had in a jug. I tried my best to fortify my +stomach, and keep up my sperits agin the damp, but I didn't seem to +succeed. Finally, thinks I to myself, I'll go and take a snuff of +the night air, perhaps it will set me up So I sort o' strolled down +towards the shore, and then I walked up a piece, and then I walked +back agin, and once in a while I'd step into the shanty and take a +pull at old Rye. Well, seeing as how it agreed with me, and I begun to +feel better, I kept making my walks longer and longer till I strolled +to a considerable distance. It was in one of them turns I see the +ghost. I supposed afore that ghosts always appeared in white, but this +one didn't. He was dressed just like any other fisherman, in a dark +grey jacket and trowsers and a tarpaulin. It seemed to me at first he +wanted to git out of the way, but I made tracks for him, for I didn't +then a bit mistrust about its being a sperit, and halloed out, 'Who's +that?' The sperit, as soon as he heard me, came straight up, and then +I noticed he had two fish dangling down by a string, and says he, in +a sort o' hoarse voice, as if he'd caught cold lying in the ground, +'It's me; it's the ghost of Jimmy Lanfear.' Well, when I heard him +speak so, my flesh began to kind o' crawl, though I didn't know but it +might be some fellow who had stole the shad out of the shanty, for I +never heard of ghosts carrying fish afore. So says I, 'What are you +doing with them fish?' Then, says he, 'Them ain't any real fish; see +if you can touch 'em.' And then he swung 'em round and round in the +moonlight, and I did my best to catch 'em, but I might just as well +have snatched at the moonshine, for my hands went right through 'em +agin and agin, till I stubbed my toe, and fell somehow, and when I got +up, the sperit was gone. Then I knew it was Jim Lanfear's sperit, +who was murdered years ago right opposite the spot where I asked you, +Prime, if you knew where you was; and I was sartin the luck was all up +for that season, and sure enough it was, for we didn't make more'n two +or three hauls more of any consequence." + +"I am sure dere was one sperit dere," said Primus, in a musing way, +and shaking his head. + +"Now, Prime, what do you mean by bobbing up and down your wool? Do +you intend to signify, you unbelieving old scamp, you doubt my word? I +tell you I was no more corned than I am now. Why, if you want to, you +can see Jim almost any dark night. Perhaps he's walking along shore +now." + +"What dat?" cried Primus, pretending to see something on the land. + +Basset started, and strained his eyes through the darkness in the +direction indicated, but could discover nothing. The vision of Primus +and Gladding was better. + +"Don't ye see someting," said the former, lowering his voice, "right +under de bank. I can't just see de shape, but it seem as if it swim in +de air widout legs. You eyes is younger, Missa Gladding; guess dey see +furder dan mine." + +"I can make him out now," whispered Gladding. "It's a man, sure as +rates Golly!" he exclaimed, suddenly, "if it ain't Jim--look, Basset, +look." + +The constable had listened in an agony of terror to the colloquy, +and at the exclamation of Primus, availing himself of his post as +steersman, turned the bow of the boat towards the opposite shore, +to place as great an interval as possible between himself and the +spectre. The action had not passed unnoticed, though neither of his +companions made any remark upon it. Repeatedly his head had flown +round over his shoulder, to catch a glimpse of what he dredded to +see, but, notwithstanding the excitement of his imagination, he could +behold nothing. + +"O, Tom! O, Prime!" exclaimed the poor fellow, "let us go home. I wish +we was fairly out of this scrape." + +"Why," said Tom, "we're 'most there now. We should be laughed at if +we was to give it up so. Who's afraid o' sperits? They're nothing but +moonshine. I vow," he cried, pointing over the opposite side of the +boat, "if he ain't there agin! Look, Basset." + +But Basset was too busy with his paddle to look. With a twist of his +wrist he had whirled the bow of the boat in the direction of the bank +they had just left, and was paddling away for dear life. This time +he appeared to arrive at the condition that the middle of the stream +would be the safest position, and having attained that, he kept, as +nearly as he could judge, at equal distances from the banks. A short +space only now remained to be passed over, and in a few moments they +were abreast of the island. Here the two men rested on their oars, and +a whispered consultation was held, at the conclusion of which the +boat was quietly pulled towards the goal. This was not done, however, +without another attempt on the part of the constable to postpone +the capture for that night, but the proposal was overruled by his +associates, who scouted at his fears, and declared there was no +danger. + +Basset's nerves were in a shocking condition. The doleful stories +croaked into his ears the whole passage down; the darkness of the +hour; Holden's terrible character; and the remoteness from any +assistance other than that of Gladding and Primus, in whom his +confidence diminished every moment, conspired to throw him into the +abjectest trepidation. But there was no retreat; Gladding was as +obstinate as a mule, and as for the General, true to his military +reputation, he insisted on advancing, and the unfortunate officer of +the law, who was as much afflicted, with spiritual as with material +fears, found himself in a dilemma, the solution of which was taken +away from him. No alternative remained. He must, be the consequences +what they might, see the adventure through. Borrowing, therefore, +courage from despair, with a timid step and palpitating heart, he left +the boat and closely followed his companions. + +No light was visible, and the constable began to hope that Holden +was away from home, and made the suggestion that since such was +undoubtedly the fact, they had better return and come another time. +But Gladding, pointing to a canoe not before observed, convinced +Basset of the contrary, and it was then agreed that they should first +according to the plan arranged approach the cabin and reconnoitre +through the window. This being the post of danger was offered to +Basset who however could be prevailed on by no entreaties to accept +it which finally forced Gladding to volunteer. They all stood now on +a side of the hut where there was neither door nor window, being, +indeed, the side they had been careful to approach in the boat. +Gladding was to steal to one of the windows and after examining the +interior (if possible) to return and apprise them of his discoveries. +Accordingly he started off. + +He had been gone but a few minutes when Primus began to be uneasy and +proposed to change their position to one nearer the hut their figures +being too much exposed where they were, in consequence of standing +in relief against the sky and water. The constable would gladly have +stuck by the boat, as furnishing a means of retreat, but dared not +remain alone. Reluctantly therefore, and cursing the obstinacy of the +provoking black he crouched his body towards the ground, and followed +in the rear of the General, that brave officer seeming disposed to +talk louder and make more noise generally than pleased his companion +who, from time to time, earnestly remonstrated with him on the +imprudence. + +"What dat!" suddenly exclaimed Primus recoiling on the other and +pointing with his hand directly in front. + +"Where? where?" whispered Basset, with his heart in his mouth raising +himself, and catching bold of Primus' arm. + +"Hush!" said the General, "is dat a groan?" + +At that instant a tremendous blow was applied to the shoulders of the +constable which sent him flat upon his face, dragging the General who +caught a part of the application after him. As Basset fell his +hat dropped off and a paper flew out which Primus picked up and +immediately pocketed, hastening then as fast as his wooden leg would +permit towards the boat which lay only four or five rods distant. +There he found Gladding preparing to push off, and scrambling in, they +had just succeeded in getting her afloat, when Basset, without his hat +flung himself, in the extremity of his terror, headlong in, pitching +Primus down upon the bottom, breaking his wooden leg, and capsizing +Tom into the water. It was so shoal that he found no difficulty in +getting in again, escaping with only a thorough ducking. It was now +_sauve que peut_, and the three addressed themselves, so far as their +bewildered faculties would permit, to the business of escape. + +Thus closed the adventures of that disastrous night. All the way home, +Primus kept groaning over the loss of his leg, the only consolation +he could extract out of the calamity, being that it was easier to mend +than one of flesh, and cheaper, and upbraiding Basset with his haste +and carelessness. Gladding insisted on being landed in order to +prevent, by exercise, taking cold, threatening in his turn the +constable, that if his clothes were spoiled he should come upon him +for the damage. Poor Basset, quite confounded by these harrowing +events, had not a word to answer, and replied only by shrugging +and twisting his shoulders with pain. The departure of Tom made it +necessary for him to assist the negro in rowing back the boat, which +he did with a handkerchief tied about his head, which Primus lent him +and wincing with the soreness of his bones, the negro interspersed +his moans with expressions of sorrow over their ill luck and of wonder +whether it was Holden or the ghost of the fisherman that assaulted the +constable vowing he would "hab satisfacshum for de loss ob de leg." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + _Celia_.--Here comes Monsieur Le Beau, + _Rosalind_.--With his mouth full of news. + + AS YOU LIKE IT. + + +"You strike dreadful hard, Missa Gladding. If you can't write, I guess +you can make you mark," said the General, rubbing his shoulders. + +"I was larned to do one, and t'other come natural," said Tom, +laughing; "but I didn't lay it on a bit too hard. You see I had to +bring him a pretty good polt, so as to lay him flat, else he might ha' +found it all out, the good-for-nothing son-of-a-gun, to go to sarve a +warrant on an old man, just for speaking his mind in meeting. I go +in for liberty. And then to insult you and me, Prime, by asking us +to help him! But I didn't mean to strike you, except in the way of +friendship." + +"You friendship too smart for me, Missa Gladding, and s'pose I break +my neck in de fall, what you friendship good for den?" + +"But you hain't broke nothing but your leg, and I see you've got +another rigged, and the half dollar Basset give you will more'n pay +for that; though, if I was you, I'd come down upon him in damages for +the loss--'twas in his sarvice--and then his digging his head right +into your stomach, when he come thundering into the boat, I call a +regular assault and battery." + +"How you like you cold duck wid sea-weed saace, Missa Gladding?" +retorted Primus; and here the two united in peals of laughter. + +"Cunning fellow, dat Basset," said Primus. "He kill two bird wid one +stone--knock me into de bottom ob de boat, and chuck you oberboard, +all at once." And the merriment was renewed. + +"Do you think he has any suspicions, Prime!" said Tom. + +"Dat question acquire some reflexum," answered the General. "Whedder +it was old Holden or de fisherman ghost dat gib him de strike on de +back?" + +"No, I don't mean that. I mean whether he thought you or me had +anything to do with it." + +"I guess not," said the General, doubtingly. "If sich an idee git into +his head, somebody will put it dere." + +"Well, what did he say coming home?" + +"Not much; dere he set in front, wid his back to me, rowing, and his +head all tie up wid my bandanna, and he seem sort o' snarl up, as if +he want a night's rest to take de kinks out ob him. He was not much +'cline to 'greeable conversashum. I feel kind o' sorry when I see him +so mellancholliky like." + +"You needn't be so liberal with your sorry. The scamp desarves it all +and more, too. The cretur's cheated us out of half our fun." How I +should ha' liked to leave him, as we intended, alone with old Holden +on the island! The chicken-hearted booby would ha' half died o' +fright, and then 'twould ha' been worth nuts to see how he looked when +the old man caught him in the morning, and asked after his business." + +"He nebber stay till dat time. He would hab swum 'cross de channel, +and run home." + +"Well, he'd found out, then, how a fellow likes to be soused in the +water, as the blundering blunderbus did me, darn him." + +"O, nebber bear no malice. I 'scuse Basset 'cause he don't know no +better, and you must forgib him." + +"As to that, you needn't fret your gizzard. But how did you git home, +Prime, with your broken leg?" + +"Dat is a secret atween me and Basset; but I didn't walk." + +"Then, I vow," said Tom, bursting into a laugh, "he either trundled +you along in a wheelbarrow, like a load o' pumpkins, or else carried +you on his back." + +"Nobody roll me in a wheelbarrow," said the General, drawing himself +up, and affecting to be offended. + +"I would ha' given all my old shirts to see a darkey riding Basset," +said Tom, whose merriment increased the more he dwelt on the idea. + +"A colored pusson as light complexum as a white man in de dark," +exclaimed Primus, grinning. + +"Well, old Prime, you're the cleverest nigger I ever did see," said +Tom, slapping him on the back, and still laughing; "but take care you +don't feel too proud after your ride. Put a nigger on horseback, and +you know where he goes. But what have you got there?" he inquired, +seeing the General draw a paper out of his pocket. + +"Dis paper fall out ob Missa Basset hat when de ghost strike him last +night, and I pick him up." + +"Golly! if it ain't the warrant. Prime, you're the ace o' clubs. I'm +gladder of this than if I found a good dinner." + +"Well, what shall I do wid him?" + +"Why, man, burn it up; it's the constable's sword and gun, and +baggonit and cartridge-box; he can't do nothing without it; why, +without the warrant, he's just like a cat without claws. He daresn't +touch a man without a warrant." + +"If Missa Basset trow de paper away, I 'spose he don't want him, and +he ain't good for noting, and nobody can find fault wid me for burning +up a little piece ob waste paper, just to kindle de fire," said +Primus, throwing the warrant into the flames, where it was immediately +consumed. + +"There, we've drawn Basset's eye-teeth now," said Gladding. "Holden's +as safe as you or me. And, Prime," he added, rising, and, as he took +leave, making a peculiar gesture with the thumb of his right hand +touching the end of his nose, and his fingers twinkling in the air, +"you're too old a fox to need teaching, but it will do no harm to say +I advise you to keep as dark as your skin." + +Such was the conversation that, on the morning after the adventure of +the island, took place at the cabin of Primus, and the reader will now +perfectly understand (if, indeed, he has not before discovered it) the +relation which the associates bore to the constable. Yet, there +was some difference in the feelings of the two: Gladding felt only +unmitigated contempt for Basset, while the good-nature of the negro +(proverbial of the race) infused some pity into the sentiment. + +"Tom Gladding hab no manners," said Primus to himself, after the +departure of his friend. "It is bery onpleasant to hear sich pussonal +inflections. But, probumbly, arter he keep company wid me a little +longer, he larn better." + +How it got out, nobody could tell. Tom and the General both declared +they had said nothing about it, and Basset was equally positive he had +not opened his mouth. It is, therefore, singular that, before twelve +o'clock the next day, rumors of the adventure had reached the ears of +more than one-half the inhabitants of Hillsdale. True, none were very +accurate, nor did any two agree; for, as is apt to happen, in such +cases, each one who told the story took care, most conscientiously, +it should lose nothing in the repetition. Hence, before noon, it was, +like most of our modern literature, "splendidly embellished." + +It was not strange, then, that the doctor, in his morning round among +his patients and friends, should get some inkling of it. Divested of +ornaments, enough remained to satisfy him that an attempt to arrest +Holden had been made. For the cause, he was at first at a loss; for, +though he had heard of the disturbance at the conference, he hardly +supposed that an offence which he regarded as so venial, would +have drawn along such serious consequences. But when he heard that +generally assigned as the reason, having no words of his own to +express his astonishment, he was obliged to resort to his unfailing +treasury-- + + "'Can such things be, + And overcome us like a summer cloud, + Without our special wonder?'" + +The quotation did not seem fully to answer the purpose, and he +added, "Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun: it shines +everywhere." This gave him relief. It acted more soothingly than +his own anodyne drops; and, having thus recovered his equanimity, he +determined to ascertain if the Armstrongs had heard the news. + +He found Miss Armstrong at home, but not her father. + +"You have heard the news, Faith, this morning. I suppose?" said the +doctor. + +"No; we are not much like the Athenians. Neither my father nor myself +are accustomed to get the first edition. What is it, doctor?" + +But the doctor did not relish being called, by the remotest +implication, an Athenian. As inquisitive as the most prying Yankee is +said to be, he stoutly repelled the imputation of inquisitiveness, as +applied to himself or to his countrymen. "It was," he was in the habit +of saying, "a slander invented by your porter-guzzling Englishmen and +smoking Dutchmen. What can you expect of people who are involved in +a perpetual cloud either of their own raising or of the making of +Providence? They are adapted to circumstances. It never was intended +they should have more than one idea a week; it would be too much for +their constitution; and therefore they ask no questions. No wonder, +then, they feel uncomfortable when they get into a clear climate, +where they can see the sun, and hear ideas buzzing about their ears +like a swarm of bees." + +The doctor appeared to have forgotten his own question, and not to +have heard Miss Armstrong's. + +"You are looking remarkably well," he said. "You ought to be ashamed +to meet me: if everybody else were like you, I should starve." + +"All your own fault, dear doctor. Your presence brings cheerfulness +and health." + +"To say nothing of the medicine. Of that (in confidence between us), +the less the better. If I should ever become crazy enough to prescribe +any other than bread pills, be sure to throw them out of the window. +There, you have the secret of medical success; though if I pursue the +system much longer, I think I shall be obliged to adopt the Emperor +of China's plan, and require a salary for your health, on condition it +shall stop when you are sick." + +"I admire the Emperor's plan, so let it be understood that is the +arrangement between us. I have the best of the bargain, for I shall +secure a greater number of visits." + +"You provoking creature! smothering me with compliments, and +pretending you are not dying with curiosity. This is always the way +with your tormenting sex: + + 'Let Hercules do what he may, + The cat will mew'"-- + +"And girls will have their way," interrupted Faith, laughing, and +finishing the quotation to suit herself. "But, doctor, you have +conquered, and please now 'unmuzzle your wisdom.'" + +"Methinks," cried the doctor, "'sometimes I have no more wit than a +Christian or an ordinary man; but I am a great eater of beef, and +I believe that does harm to my wit,' else I should not allow you to +tease me. But," added he, in a more serious tone, "there is a report +in the village that an attempt has been made to arrest Holden." + +"To arrest whom?" exclaimed Faith, turning pale, "father Holden! For +what?" + +"He is not taken yet, and, were one to believe all the stories one +hears, not likely to be. According to them, his enchanted castle on +Salmon Island is protected, not only by his own stalwart arm, but by +legions of ghosts and hobgoblins; and, since that is the case, he +may safely defy the _posse comitatus_ itself, with the sheriff at its +head. But, for the cause-- + + "'It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, + Let me not name it to you, ye chaste stars, + It is the cause'-- + +Why, because he made the most interesting speech at conference the +other evening." + +Miss Armstrong, whom the jesting manner of the doctor somewhat +re-assured, begged him to give her all the information he had +obtained; but, throwing aside what he considered the embellishments of +fancy, it was no more than what he had already imparted. + +"What would be the punishment for such an offence?" inquired Faith. + +"I am more learned in pills than in points of law; but I suppose some +trifling fine." + +"It would be of no great consequence, were it any one else," said +Faith; "but it would grieve me to have Mr. Holden subjected to an +indignity he would feel sensibly. It was through my father's and +my entreaties he attended the meeting, and if censure is to fall +anywhere, it ought to alight on us, and not on him, who certainly +supposed he was performing a duty, however much he might be mistaken. +Dear doctor, I shall trust in you to watch that no harm befalls him. I +should forever reproach myself as the cause, if any did." + +"You may rely on me, my dear. It is not so much on account of the old +fellow, who richly deserves to be fined and shut up a week for +running about the country and frightening the children with his long +beard--why my horse started at it the other day--but because you take +an interest in him, and I am above all jealousy; therefore, command +me, + + 'Be't to fly, + To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride + On the curled clouds; to thy strong bidding task + Ariel and all his quality." + +"My commands will not be so difficult to perform, I trust," said +Faith, smiling. + +"Understand me metaphorically, parabolically, poetically," cried he, +taking leave. + +After he was gone Miss Armstrong sat musing over what she had heard. +The idea that any annoyance should happen to the Solitary, growing +out of a circumstance with which she was in some manner connected, +distressed her exceedingly, and, dissatisfied with the meagre +statement of the doctor, she determined to go over to Judge Bernard's, +to try to procure more satisfactory information. + +"He will, at least," she said, "be better acquainted with the law than +Doctor Elmer, and there is no favor he will refuse me." + +But the Judge was unable to add anything of importance. He had heard +the same rumors, but could not vouch for their truth. With regard to +the issuing of a warrant for such a cause, he could not say but that +persons might be found malignant enough to get one out, and justices +of the peace foolish and ignorant enough to be made their instruments, +but if it came to the worst, the penalty could only be a fine, which +he would gladly pay himself. + +"He cannot be imprisoned then?" inquired Miss Armstrong. + +"No; they would not dare," he said, to himself in a tone so low +that Faith could catch only a word or two here and there, "send +him--disorderly--no settlement--no, no--too bad--might be done. No, +Faith," he said, "you need anticipate no serious trouble about your +_protégé_." + +"Cannot we prevent his being arrested? It would mortify him +exceedingly." + +"For that, perhaps, there is no remedy, but we will see. We are all +equally amenable to the laws. But after all, the thing may not be +noticed. These may be only rumors put out by some mischievous person +to keep Holden away from the village." + +"They can have no such effect." + +"No: and yet the rogue who invents them may think they will." + +"I should not be at all anxious, Faith," said Anne. "Here are my +father, and yours, and my chivalrous brother, and--" + +"And Mr. Thomas Pownal," said Faith, smiling, observing she hesitated. + +"Yes, and Mr. Pownal; I am sure they would all be happy to spend a +great deal of breath and a little money in your service. They will +protect Father Holden. What are the gentlemen good for, if they cannot +grace a fair lady thus far?" + +"And Mistress Anne, should they fail, would, like another Don Quixote, +with lance in rest, charge the enemy, and release the captive knight, +herself," said her father, pinching her cheek. + +"Like Amadis de Gaul, father, and then would I present the captive of +my sword and lance to you, Faith, though what you would do with him I +do not know." + +"Do not let us hear of swords and lances from you, Anne," said her +mother. "Thimbles and needles become you better." + +"If I had been a man," exclaimed Anne, "and lived in the olden time, +how I would have gloried in such an adventure! You, Faith, should have +been the distressed damsel, I the valorous knight, and Father Holden a +captured seneschal. How would I have slashed around me, and how +would you have blushed, and hung about my neck, and kissed me, when I +appeared leading by the hand your venerable servitor!" + +"What! what!" cried her father, "before the seneschal?" + +"He would be so old he could not see, or, if he was not, tears of joy +would fill his eyes so that they would blind him," said Anne. + +"An excellent idea, my dear," said Mrs. Bernard: "hand me my +knitting-work." + +"What! a knight hand knitting-work?" + +"Certainly," said her father. "It is a knight's business and delight, +to be employed in the service of the fair." + +"Here is your knitting, mamma. I am an enchanted knight, changed +by some horrible incantation into a girl," said Anne, resuming her +needle. + +"Worth twice all the preux chevaliers from Bayard down," said the +Judge, kissing her blooming cheek. + +"Who is in great danger of being spoiled by the flattery of her fond +father," said Mrs. Bernard, smiling. + +"Dear mother, how can you speak so of an enchanted knight?" + +"I will crave your aid in the hour of peril, Sir Knight," said Faith, +rising. "Meantime, accept this kiss as guerdon for your good will." + +"Or retainer," said the Judge. + +Faith left her friends in better spirits than she had met them. The +assurances of Judge Bernard had relieved her mind of a weight of +anxiety. It was evident, she thought, from the manner in which the +subject was treated by the family, that they felt no apprehensions. +The gaiety of Anne, too, had not failed of its design. It was, indeed, +scarcely possible to be in the presence of this sweet girl without +feeling the charm which, like the sun, radiated light and happiness +about her. It was the overflow of an innocent and happy heart, and as +natural to her as light to the sun, or fragrance to the rose. + +Faith found her father in the house on her return. She communicated to +him what she had heard, and asked his opinion. He knew, he said, that +while there were some--probably the majority--who, regarding Holden's +conduct as only an impropriety, would be disposed to overlook it; +there were others who would desire to have him punished, in order +to prevent a repetition of such scenes. "Such," said he, "are the +feelings of the world, but they are not mine. So far from deserving +censure, Holden is entitled to all honor and praise, for he spoke from +the inspiration of conviction. Nor, whatever may be the attempts to +injure him, will they succeed. As St. Paul shook the deadly viper from +his hand, so will this man rid himself of his enemies. There are more +with him than against him, and the shining ones are the stronger." + +The confidence of her father harmonized so well with the hopes of +Faith, that it was easy to participate in it, nor in the excitement +which she felt, did his language seem other than proper for the +occasion. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + See winter comes to rule the varied year, + Sullen and sad with all his rising train + Vapors and clouds and storms. + THOMSON'S SEASONS. + + +The charming poet depicted truthfully, doubtless, as well as +poetically, the English winter, but such is not the character of the +season in New England. Clouds and storms, indeed, herald his advent +and attend his march; capricious too his humor; but he is neither +"sullen" nor "sad." No brighter skies than his, whether the sun +with rays of mitigated warmth but of intenser light, sparkles o'er +boundless fields of snow, or whether the moon, a faded sun, leading +her festal train of stars, listens to the merry sleigh-bells and the +laugh of girls and boys, ever glorified a land. What though sometimes +his trumpet sounds tremendous and frowns o'erspread his face! +Transient is his anger, and even then from his white beard he shakes +a blessing, to protect with fleecy covering the little seeds in hope +entrusted to the earth, and to contribute to the mirth and sports of +man. + +A few days have passed since the occurrences last detailed. The +weather had gradually become colder; the ground was as hard as a +stone; there had been a heavy fall of snow, and the streets were +musical with bells. The snow had fallen before the intense cold +commenced, so that the glassy surface of the ice that bridged the +rivers and lakes was undimmed, and presented unusual attractions to +the skaters. + +It was on the afternoon of a fine day that the smooth Severn, hardened +into diamond, was covered, just where the Yaupáae and the Wootúppocut +unite, to give it form and an independent being, with a gay throng +of the people of the village of both sexes. They were mostly young +persons, consisting principally of boys from school (for it was +Saturday afternoon) with their sisters. Besides these were some young +men and women, with here and there one more advanced in years. + +It was a scene of gaiety and exuberant enjoyment. The children let +loose from school, where they had been confined all the week, put no +bounds to the loud and hilarious expression of their delight, which +the seniors showed no disposition to check--remembering they once were +children--and the banks of the stream rung with shouts and answering +cries and laughter. Here, flying round in graceful curves, a dexterous +skater cut his name in the ice; there, bands of noisy boys were +playing tag, and on the ringing steel pursuing the chase; while every +once in a while down would tumble some lubberly urchin, or unskillful +performer, or new beginner, coming into harder contact with the frozen +element than was pleasant, and seeing stars in the daytime, while +bursts of laughter and ironical invitations to try it again, greeted +his misfortune. In another place were girls on small sleighs or sleds, +capable of holding two or three, whirled along by half-a-dozen skaters +with great rapidity; while, holding on to handkerchiefs, were others +drawn upon their feet at less hazardous speed. Dispersed among the +crowd were little boys with flat, tin boxes suspended by a strap +from their necks, containing molasses candy, whose brittle sweetness +appeared to possess great attraction. All was fun and jest, and laugh +and merriment. + +Among others, allured by the beauty of the day, which though clear was +not so cold as to be uncomfortable, to witness the sports, were Faith +Armstrong and Anne Bernard, escorted by Pownal and young Bernard. The +cheeks of the ladies were crimsoned by the wholesome cold, and their +eyes shone with a brighter lustre than usual, and many were the looks +of envy or of admiration cast upon them as they passed, greeting their +acquaintances and joining in the revel. + +At the time when the little party arrived there happened to be a +circle gathered around one of the most accomplished performers to +witness an exhibition of his skill, and surely nothing could be more +graceful. Without sensible effort, and as if by mere volition, he +seemed to glide over the glossy surface, now forwards, now backwards, +now sideways, now swiftly, now slowly, whirling like an eagle in rapid +or dilatory curves, describing all the lines that Euclid ever drew or +imagined, and cutting such initials of the names of the spectators +as were desired. The performance, though hailed with very +general expressions of admiration, did not seem to give universal +satisfaction. + +"He does pretty well," said an elderly man, with a woollen scarf or +muffler about his neck and a fox-skin cap on his head, "He does it +pretty well; but, Captain, did you ever see Sam Allen?" + +"You mean," answered the person addressed, who was a man of about the +same number of years, "Allen who married old Peter's daughter, and +afterwards run away. Yes; it didn't go with him as slick with her as +on the ice." + +"Well, she didn't break her heart about it. She got married agin as +soon as the law allowed. I was in court when Judge Trumbull granted +the divorce. 'Twas for three years willful desartion and total neglect +of duty." + +"No, I guess she didn't. She was published the very next Lord's Day, +and got married in the evening. She was a mighty pretty cretur. Well, +I never see such a skater as Sam. This fellow is nothing at all to +him. He don't kind o' turn his letters so nice. Now, there's that +v, you might mistake it for a w. I like to see a man parfect in his +business." + +"I've hearn tell," said the Captain, "though I never see it myself, +that Sam could write Jarman text as well as Roman." + +"I never see it," said the Fox-skin cap, "but guess it's so. There +wasn't nothing Sam couldn't do on skates." + +"Do you recollect whether he used smooth irons or hollow?" inquired +the Captain. + +"Oh, smooth; they ain't so easy for beginners, but when a fellow gits +the knack of 'em they're a great deal better." + +Very different from the remarks of these _laudatores temporis acti_, +were those of the rising generation. + +"How beautiful!" exclaimed Anne. "What wonderful skill! Can anything +be more graceful?" + +"It is, indeed, graceful," said Faith; "and it must require +considerable boldness as well as skill to venture on some of those +evolutions. The least mistake would cause a violent fall." + +"Dear Faith, why did you mention it?" said Anne. "I was not thinking +of the possibility of falls." + +"Have no fear," said Pownal; "he is too completely master of the +science to hurt himself." + +"In Holland the ladies are said to skate as well as the gentlemen," +said Bernard. + +"That is a poor compliment, William," said Anne. "If I cannot skate +better without practice, than half of this awkward squad, I will never +bind skates on my feet a second time." + +"I know of nothing you cannot do," said her brother. + +"Come here, Andrew," cried Pownal, to a boy standing opposite in the +circle, and holding a pair of skates in his hand. "Come here and lend +me your skates. Here, Miss Bernard," said he, presenting them to her, +"here is a fine pair. Allow me to buckle them on. And then like a +winged Mercury to fly." + +"Please to compare me to no heathen gods, Mr. Pownal, or you may make +these old Puritans burn me for a witch. Let me see if they fit. No, +they are too large, I could never do myself justice on them. Here, my +little fellow is a ninepence for you; away with you." + +The boy took the little piece of silver with a grin, tied the rejected +skates upon his feet, and was soon lost among his companions. + +"I say," said an urchin, who was looking on with admiring eyes, "I +say, Bill, that beats all natur. Did you ever see such shindys?" + +"They ain't so bad," returned Bill; "but I guess I can do some of 'em +myself." + +"Which ones?" inquired the other. + +"Why," answered Bill, "when he throws himself right about face, and +then goes sculling backwards." + +"I'll bet you can't do it the first time." + +"What will you bet?" cried Bill. + +"I don't care; say a stick o' candy." + +"Agreed!" cried Bill. "You see I've done it afore." + +"You ought to told us that," said his companion. + +"A bet's a bet," said Bill. "You don't want to back out, do ye?" + +"Go ahead," cried the other, with some spirit. "I'll risk it. Let's +see what you can do." + +Thus exhorted and defied, Bill commenced preparations. He first +stooped down on one knee and then on the other, and tightened the +straps of the skates; next he took a handkerchief from his pocket, and +fastened it tightly around his waist, and lastly, moved slowly about +as if to determine whether all things were as they should be. + +The spectators who had overheard the conversation between the boys, +and were ready for any kind of fun, now began to express interest in +the trial, and various were the words of encouragement addressed to +Bill, as well as the mutterings of doubt over the result. The skater +who, until now, had attracted the most attention, ceased his +diagrams and approached Bill, in order to give him instructions, +notwithstanding the remonstrances of his companion, who loudly +vociferated it wasn't fair. + +"Hold your yaup," cried another boy, standing by; "if you don't like +your bet, Hen Billings, I'll take it off your hands." + +But little Billings seemed to think he had made a good bet, and +although loth to concede to Bill any advantage that did not of strict +right belong to him, was far from being disposed to relinquish it. "Go +your length, Bill," he said, "I ain't afeard of the expense." + +The space being now cleared, Bill began to circle round preparatory to +the trial. It was evident he was not very skillful, and the opinion of +the bystanders, who amused themselves with criticising his preliminary +performances, was about equally divided respecting his ability to +perform the undertaking. After a few turns Bill cried out: + +"Now, Hen, look out." With that he darted forward, until he supposed +he had attained the required momentum, when suddenly making a twisting +motion with his feet, he threw himself round. But unfortunately he had +made some miscalculation or slip, for instead of alighting square upon +the skates, his heels flew up, and with a tremendous thump, down came +poor Bill upon his back. + +"Hurrah!" cried Hen Billings; "there you go, candy and all. I hope you +ain't hurt you," he said, good naturedly. "I'd rather lose my bet than +have you hurt." + +"No," whined Bill, squirming round his body, and rubbing the back of +his head, "not much. What are you grinning at, you monkey? Did you +never see a man fall before?" cried he, shaking his fist at another +boy, whose face it seems did not wear an expression of condolence to +suit him. "I vow if I don't try that again," he added, after having +recovered a little from the effects of his fall. + +Thereupon space being again allowed, Bill, with genuine pluck, tried +the experiment once more, and this time with better fortune. +His success was greeted with shouts of congratulation, and with +expressions of "true grit," "stuffy little fellow," &c., and +he presently disappeared with his friend, Hen, in search of the +candy-merchant. + +Faith and Anne, with the two young men, had witnessed the whole scene +with some interest, and the different manner in which the girls were +affected was characteristic. Faith betrayed a lively sensibility when +the boy fell, and was hardly restrained from condoling with him; while +Anne took but little notice of it, but exhibited exquisite delight at +his courage and final success. But something else now attracted their +attention. A shout was raised, and exclamations were heard of "There +comes the ice-boat; there comes Grant's ice-boat." + +Turning round, they beheld what had the appearance of a boat under +sail, flying round the promontory of Okommakemisit. A slight breeze +was drawing up the stream, and before its favoring breath, the little +vessel, or whatever else it might be called, advanced with great +rapidity. In a few moments it had reached them, and with a sharp +grating sound as of iron cutting into ice, came suddenly to a stop, +and the persons gathering round had an opportunity to examine it. It +was the work of a village genius, and consisted of some boards, cut +in an elliptical form (as, perhaps, the most convenient), supported by +two pieces of iron, parallel to each other, to which the boards were +fastened, and running the whole length from bow to stern. In the +forward part was rigged a mast, to which was attached a sail, like the +mainsail of a sloop, and the whole was controlled by a piece of sharp +iron, fixed on the stern in such a manner as to turn like a rudder, +and to cut with any required degree of pressure, by means of a lever, +into the ice. With this simple regulator it was made perfectly safe, +being stopped as readily, and on the same principle, as a skater +arrests his course. + +Grant, to whom Pownal and Bernard were both known, invited the little +party to take a sail with him, assuring them there was no danger. The +invitation was at once accepted by Miss Bernard, though the more timid +Faith hesitated, and the four took their seats. The group of persons, +as before observed, were at the head of the Severn, and the wind was +drawing up the river, it was, therefore, necessary, to beat against +the wind at starting. To the surprise, in particular of the ladies, +this was done with the most perfect ease, the vessel, on her sharp +runners, making but little lee-way, and obeying her helm more readily +than any boat in water. Indeed, obedience was instantaneous. She +whirled round as quickly as one could turn one's hand, requiring +promptness and presence of mind in the steersman. Thus, like a +bird, with smooth and equable motion, she flew with her delighted +passengers, in many a zig-zag, down the Severn, until they had gone +as far as desired, when round she spun, and before the breeze, houses, +and men, and trees, gliding by as in a race, dashed up to the starting +point. + +Upon leaving the ice-boat, the eyes of Pownal discovered the tall form +of Holden, in the midst of a group of persons whom he appeared to be +addressing; and upon his mentioning the circumstance to the others, +it was proposed to join him. Accordingly, they added themselves to his +audience. Several large baskets were lying near him on the ice, and so +engaged was he in his subject that he took no notice of the approach +of his four young friends. The address was not without a burst or two +of eloquence, springing out of the intense conviction of the speaker, +and was listened to respectfully enough. Not that a convert was made; +not that there was a person present who did not regard his notions +as the hallucinations of a disturbed intellect, but a part of the +bystanders esteemed and respected him as a man of noble and generous +disposition, lavish of his small means towards those whom he +considered poorer than himself, and never faltering in any act of +kindness on account of hardship or privation; while the rest, as +already intimated, felt a sort of awe in his presence from the mystery +that surrounded him. Among the spectators was our old friend, Tom +Gladding, leisurely engaged in whittling out a chain from a pine +block, some twelve inches in length, from which he had succeeded in +obtaining three or four links that dangled at its end, and listening +with a comical expression, as if he were anticipating some fun. + +The Enthusiast had hardly concluded his exhortation before Basset, who +stood on the outside of the ring during its delivery, stepped forward, +and placing his hand on Holden's shoulder, informed him he was his +prisoner. Holden made no resistance, but drawing himself up to his +full height, and fastening his eyes sternly on the constable, he +demanded: + +"What art thou?" + +"My name is Barnabas Basset," answered the constable, a little +embarrassed. + +"I care not for thy name," said Holden, "but by what authority darest +thou to lay thy hand on a free man?" + +"By authority of the State of Connecticut," replied the constable, +recovering from his momentary confusion, and feeling quite safe in +the crowd. "It's true, I hain't got my staff, but everybody's bound, +according to law, to know the constable." + +"And, therefore, is an innocent man to be treated as a malefactor?" + +"I don't know about the innocence," said Basset, "and it's none of my +business. You must talk to the justice about that. All I've got to do +is to execute my warrant according to law." + +"It is written, resist not evil," said Holden, musingly. "Behold, I am +in thy hands; do with me what thou willest." + +But some of the spectators appeared indisposed to be so passive. +Pownal and Bernard walked up to the constable, and demanded to know +the meaning of the outrage. + +"You may just call it what you please, Mr. Pownal," answered Basset, +indignant at being interfered with, as he called it, in the discharge +of his duty, "and I advise you not to git your fingers catched in the +law; but if you must know, the justice, I guess, will tell you." + +"Keep your advice until it is asked for," said Pownal; "but before +what justice are you taking him?" + +"If you come with us, you'll find out," answered Basset, whose ill +nature seemed to increase. + +"That I certainly will. I must leave you," said Pownal, turning to the +ladies, "to see that this brutal fellow behaves himself." + +"Do," cried Faith; "do not let them insult him." + +"Let us go with him," said the impulsive Anne. + +"You would make a fine appearance in a justice court," said her +brother "No, I will see you home, and afterwards join Pownal." + +But an occurrence now happened which made any such arrangement +unnecessary. Tom Gladding, who all this while had been quietly +whittling out his chain and listening to the conversation, here +interposed: + +"Basset," he said, "you hain't showed your warrant." + +"It's all safe enough," cried the constable, striking his hand on his +pocket. + +"Well, if that's the case you're safe enough, too," said Tom, as if +not disposed to press an inquiry. + +But the hint had answered its purpose, and several voices demanded the +exhibition of the warrant, to which the constable replied, that it was +none of their business; he knew what he was about. + +Contrary, however, to what might have been expected from his former +submission, the prisoner required to see the written authority by +which he was to be consigned to bonds, and refused to move until +it had been shown, in which determination he was sustained by +the bystanders. Thus unexpectedly resisted, the constable had no +alternative but to release Holden or produce the instrument. He, +therefore, put his hand into his pocket, and pulling out a number of +papers, sought for the document. It was in vain; no warrant was to be +found; and, after repeatedly shuffling the papers, he exclaimed: "I +declare I must have lost it." + +Whether he discovered the loss then for the first time, or what is far +more probable, did not anticipate its demand from one so flighty as +Holden, and meant to procure one afterwards, is not certainly known, +but the fact is certain, he had no written authority to arrest. + +"You never had one. Is this the way you treat a free American? You +desarve a ducking; you had better make tracks," exclaimed several +indignant voices from the crowd, with whom a constable cannot be a +popular character. + +"It's my opinion," said the man in the fox skin cap, "Basset has made +himself liable for assault and battery. What do you think, Captain?" + +"I ain't clear on that point," returned his cautious companion, "but +free trade and sailors' rights, I say, and I've no notion of a man's +being took without law. I'm clear so far." + +The discomfited constable not venturing to proceed, and, indeed, +unable to conceive how, without Holden's assent, he could take him +before the justice, now relinquished his prey, and endeavored to make +his way out of the circle. Hereupon an agitation arose, none could +say how, the persons composing it began to be swayed backwards and +forwards in a strange manner, and somehow or other poor Basset's heels +got tripped up, and before he could rise, several men and boys fell +over him and crushed him with their weight, so that when he became +visible in the heap, he presented a most pitiable appearance. His coat +was torn, his neckerchief twisted so tight about his neck, that he +was half choked, and his hat jammed out of all shape. It is doubtful +whether he would have escaped so cheaply, had it not been for +Gladding, who, after he thought Basset had suffered sufficiently, came +to his assistance. + +"I always stand by the law," said Tom, helping him to his feet, "but +I admire your imprudence, Basset, in trying to take up a man without a +warrant." + +Basset's faculties were too confused to enter into a discussion of +the subject then, and with many threats of taking the law against his +tormentors, and, attended by Tom, he limped off the ice. + +Loud and boisterous were the congratulations with which the crowd had +greeted Holden on his escape from the clutches of the constable, but +he waved them off with a dignity which repressed their advances, and +gave some offence. + +"If I'd known the old fellow was so proud," said one, "I guess Basset +might have taken him for all I cared." + +"I sort o' sprained my wrist in that last jam agin the constable," +said another, laughing, "and it's een about as good as thrown away." + +"Perhaps," cried a third, "when he's took agin, I'll be there to help, +and perhaps I won't." + +While these various speeches were being made, the young men with +the ladies, had gathered around Holden, and were expressing their +mortification at the annoyance he had experienced, and their pleasure +at his escape. + +"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" cried +the enthusiast. "Surely their devices shall be brought to naught, +and their counsels to no effect. He that sitteth on the circle of the +heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and spurn them in His displeasure. +Because for Thy sake, I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my +face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my +mother's children." + +He waited for no remark; he looked at no one; but taking up the pile +of baskets which were tied together, threw them upon his back, and +stalked over the ice in the direction of his cabin. + +On their way home the young people discussed the events of the +afternoon, dwelling on the meeting with Holden as on that which most +occupied their minds. + +"It is with a painful interest," said Pownal, "that I meet the old +man, nor can I think of him without a feeling of more than common +regard. I am sure it is not merely because he was lately of so great +service to me, that I cannot listen to the tones of his voice without +emotion. There is in them a wild melancholy, like the sighing of the +wind through pine trees, that affects me more than I can describe." + +"I know the feeling," said Faith. "There is to me also a strange +pathos in his voice that brings the tears sometimes into my eyes +before I am aware. What is the cause, I do not know. I never heard +it spoken of till now, and did not suppose there was another affected +like myself." + +"You are a couple of romantic, silly things," cried Anne. "I flatter +myself there is some poetry in me, but it takes a different shape. +Now, when I see Father Holden, I begin to think of Jeremiah and +Zachariah, and all the old prophets, but with no disposition to cry." + +"Tears were never meant to dim those blue eyes, dear Anne," said +Faith. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + _Dogberry_.--You are thought here to be the most senseless and + fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore, bear you + the lantern. This is your charge; you shall comprehend all + vagrom men. + + MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. + + +It may well be supposed that the misadventures on the ice were ill +calculated to soothe the excited mind of the constable. He bore a +grudge towards the Solitary before, for his failure and the beating +he had received at the island, and now to be made the object of such +abuse in the presence of his townsmen, and that on account of a person +whom he looked down upon as a sort of vagrant, was more than his +philosophy could bear. For Basset, with that kind of logic which is so +common with a certain class of people, could not avoid regarding the +Recluse as the culpable cause of his misfortune in both instances. "If +he hadn't gone agin the law," he said to himself, "I shouldn't have +tried to take him; and if I hadn't tried to take him, I shouldn't have +been treated so." Whatever Hedge or Mills may think of such logic, it +was satisfactory to Basset. + +His lucubrations, moreover, were very different in the daytime from +those in the solemn shades of night. As ghosts are said to disappear +when they scent the morning air, so the constable's apprehensions of +them fled at the rising of the sun. When in the dark at the island he +received the blow that prostrated him on the earth, he was unable +to determine in his confusion, whether it had been inflicted by the +fisherman's ghost or by Holden. It never crossed his mind that it +might have come from any one else. On this subject he had mused during +the whole time of his return from his nocturnal disaster, without +being able to arrive at any conclusion. If in those witching hours, +when the stars gleamed mysteriously through the drifting clouds, +and the wind moaned among the bare branches, he was inclined to one +opinion rather than to another, it was to that which would attribute +the blow to the ghost. But with the light of returning day the current +of his thoughts changed. Things assumed an altered aspect. Fears +of inhabitants of an unseen world vanished, and Basset was angry at +himself for entertaining such silly imaginations. It was now evident +that Holden by some means had obtained a knowledge of the design to +capture him, or had suspected it, or had noticed the approach of the +boat and laid in wait to take a most unjustifiable revenge. "I wish +I could prove it," thought Basset; "if I wouldn't make him smart for +striking an officer!" + +We shall not be surprised to find that the constable feeling thus, +provided himself with another warrant. Smarting under a sense of +injury, both as a man and a baffled administrator of the law, he had +immediately sought the Justice, revealed the loss of the instrument, +and procured another. Upon returning to the river, where he hoped to +triumph in the presence of those who had witnessed his disgrace, +over one whom he now regarded as an enemy, he found to his infinite +mortification that the bird had flown. He dared not follow alone, and +meditating vengeance, he kept the fatal document safely deposited +in his pocket-book, where "in grim repose" it waited for a favorable +opportunity and its prey. + +On the following Monday morning, the constable met Gladding in the +street, whom he had not seen since the latter assisted him on the ice. + +"How are you?" cried Tom, seizing him by the hand, and affecting the +greatest pleasure at the meeting; "how do you feel after your row, +friend Basset?" + +"Oh, pretty well," answered the constable; "how is it with you? + +"Alive and kicking," said Tom. "But, Basset, you hain't got the dents +out o' your hat, I see." + +"No, and I don't expect they ever will come out. It's good as two +dollars damage to me," he added, taking off the hat and looking at it +with a woeful face. "You're a little to blame for it, too, Tom." + +"Me! You ongrateful critter," exclaimed Gladding, indignantly. "You +want me to give you a new hat, don't ye?" + +"What made you ask if I'd got the warrant?" + +"I never said no such a thing. I only said sort o' promiscuously, you +hadn't showed your document." + +"Well, what was the use o' that? If you'd kept still there wouldn't +been no fuss." + +"Who'd ha' thought you'd ha' gone to take a man without being able +to show your authority? Now I call that plaguy green, Basset. But who +stood by you when everybody else desarted you, and got you out from +under them rough boys, and helped you clean out o' the scrape? Darn it +all, Basset, you're the ongratefullest varmint I ever did see, when, +in a manner, I saved your life. Really, I did think, instead o' +blowing a fellow up in this way, you'd a stood treat." + +"So I will," said Basset, who began to fancy he had found too much +fault, and was unwilling to lose his ally; "so come along into +Jenkins', and we'll take it on the spot. But you must give in, Tom, +your observation was unfortunate" + +"Unfortunate for you," returned Tom; "but I guess Holden thought +'twasn't unfortunate for him. Howsomever, you'll let the old fellow +slip now, won't you?" + +"Let him slip!" almost screamed the exasperated Basset, whom Tom's +manner of treating the subject was not calculated to mollify. "Let +him slip, you say. I'll see him, I'll see him"--but in vain he sought +words to express the direful purpose; language broke down under the +effort. + +"Poh, poh," said Tom, "don't take on so, man--forget and +forgive--luck's been on his side, that's all." + +"I tell you what," said Basset, "who do you think struck me the other +night?" + +"Why, what could it be but Lanfear's ghost?" + +"Don't talk to me about sperits; whose afraid o' them? But tell us one +thing, did you see Holden when you looked into the window!" + +"What makes you ask?" said the cautious Tom, "supposing I did, or +supposing I didn't?" + +"'Cause I know you didn't. Now it's my opinion," said Basset, lowering +his voice and looking round suspiciously as if he were afraid of an +action for slander should he be overheard, "that Holden himself made +the assault." + +"That ain't possible," said Gladding, confidently. "You and Prime +stood by the door and would ha' seen him if he'd come out there, and I +know he didn't jump out o' the window, for I should ha' seen him." + +"But, perhaps he wasn't in the house at all," persisted Basset; +"it was plaguy dark, and perhaps he heard us coming and hid himself +outside on purpose to play the trick and take an unfair advantage on +us." + +"You'll never make me believe that story," said Gladding, shaking his +head. "I'd as soon believe it was me as the old man. Prime and me are +of the same opinion, and we should both be witnesses agin you." + +The two, at this stage of the conversation, reached the door of +the grocer's shop, into which we will not follow them, but turn our +attention elsewhere. + +Meanwhile, the cause of all this excitement was quietly pursuing +the ordinary tenor of his life. It will have been observed that when +Basset attempted to arrest him, Holden did not even inquire with what +offence he was charged, unless demanding the production of the warrant +may be considered so, and that upon the constable relinquishing +his purpose, he turned away without giving any attention to the +observations addressed to him. It is not probable that his design +was to avoid the service of process, all unconscious as he was of any +violation of the laws of the State; and certain it is he made not +the slightest difference in his habits. As before, he pursued his +occupation of basket-making at his hut and his recreations of +fishing and strolling through the woods, as though no such formidable +character as Basset was in existence. If he did not appear in the +village it was an accidental circumstance, it being only at irregular +intervals that he ever made his appearance there. Thus, then, passed +a week longer; the petulant constable on the watch, and the steady +malignity of Davenport gradually becoming impatient for gratification. +But the little drama had a course of its own to run. + +One morning Primus saw the tall figure of Holden passing his cabin. +The veteran was at the window smoking his pipe when the Recluse first +came in sight. A secret must have been very closely kept, indeed, in +the village, not to come to his ears, and the warlike equipment and +intentions of Basset were well known to him. "Dere he come," said the +negro to himself, "jist like a fly flying into de spider-web. I guess +I gib him warning." With this benevolent intention, Primus went to the +door, and as Holden approached, addressed him with the salutation +of the morning. It was courteously acknowledged, and the General +commenced as if he wished to engage in a conversation. + +"Beautiful wedder dis marning, Missa Holden." + +"Old man, thy days are too short to be wasted in chattering about the +weather," said Holden. "Speak, if thou hast aught to say." + +The General's attempt at familiarity was effectually checked, and he +felt somewhat chagrined at the reply; but for all that he would not +give up his friendly purpose. + +"Dey say," he said, with military precision, "dat de Constable Basset +hab a warrant agin Missa Holden." + +"Thanks, Primus," said Holden, resuming his walk, "but I fear the face +of no man." + +"De obstinate pusson!" exclaimed the negro. "And den to talk about my +short day! Dat is bery onpleasaut. Short day, Missa Holden, eh? Not as +you knows on. I can tell you dis child born somewhere about de twenty +ob June (at any rate de wedder was warm), and mean to lib accordingly. +Oh, you git out, Missa Holden! Poor parwarse pusson! What a pity he +hab no suspect for de voice ob de charmer! I always hear," he added, +chuckling, in that curious, mirth-inspiring way so peculiar to the +blacks, "dat de black snake know how to charm best, but all sign fail +in dry wedder, and de pan flash in de powder dis time." + +Holden paid not the least regard to the information. According to his +system of fatalism he would have considered it beyond his power to +alter the predetermined course of things, but it is not probable that +his mind dwelt upon the thought of personal security. He went straight +forward to the village, calling at places where he thought he would +most likely find customers for his wares, and in no respect avoiding +public observation. He had sold his baskets, and was on his return to +the river, over whose frozen surface lay his road home, when he beheld +a scene that solicited his attention and arrested his steps. + +It was an Indian burial. Holden in his round had strolled as far +as the piece of table land, of which mention was made in the first +chapter, to a distance of nearly a mile from the head of the Severn, +and was at the moment opposite a spot reserved by the tribe, of which +a small number were lingering in the neighborhood, as the revered +resting-place of the bones of their ancestors, whence they themselves +hoped to start for the happy hunting grounds. It was a place of +singular beauty, selected apparently with a delicate appreciation of +the loveliness of the scenery, for nowhere else in the vicinity was +there so attractive a combination of hill and dale, and wood and +water, to compose a landscape. + +The little burying-ground, shorn of its original dimensions by +the encroachments of the fatal race that came from the rising sun, +contained less than half an acre, and was situated at the top of a +ravine, running down from the level land, on which the gravestones +were erected, to the Yaupáae, where that river expands itself into +a lake. The sides of the ravine, along its whole sweep upwards, was +covered quite to the top with immense oaks and chestnuts, the growth +of centuries, interspersed with ash trees, while in the colder and +moister part in the centre, the smooth-barked birch threw out its +gnarled branches. There was no undergrowth, and under and between the +limbs of the trees, the eye caught a view towards the south of the +widened Yaupáae and of the islands that dotted its surface, with hills +sweeping round in a curve, and presenting an irregular outline like +that made by the backs of a school of porpoises. Towards the three +other quarters of the compass, a level plain extended for a short +distance, and then was broken up into an undulating surface which rose +into eminences covered with woods that hemmed in the whole. The falls +of the Yaupáae were at a distance of only a few rods, but invisible, +being hidden by the plain that occupied the intervening space, at an +elevation of some forty feet higher than the point where the river, +rushing down its rocky bed, made its presence known by a ceaseless +roar, and seemed to chant a dirge over the vanished greatness of the +tribe. + +Here were assembled some sixty or seventy Indians to perform the +rights of sepulture to one of their number. No vestige of their +original wildness was to be traced among them. They were clothed in +the garments of civilization, but of a coarse and mean quality, and +appeared broken down and dispirited. One half, at least, were women, +and at the moment of which we are speaking they were collecting +together from among the blue slate gravestones, where they had been +dispersed, around a newly dug grave. The rites were of a Christian +character, and performed by an elder of one of the neighboring +churches, who offered up a prayer, on the conclusion of which he +retired. The grave was immediately filled, and then commenced a +ceremony of a singular character. + +At a given signal the assembled company began with slow and measured +steps, and in silence, to encircle the grave. It must have been a +custom peculiar to the tribe, at least we do not recollect seeing +it alluded to by any traveller or describer of Indian manners, and +consisted in walking one after the other around the grave, in the +manner called Indian file, and recounting the good qualities of the +departed; nor was it considered permissible to leave until something +had been said in his praise. The Indians walked round and round in +unbroken silence, each one modestly waiting, as it seemed at first, +for another to speak. But no one begun, and it soon became evident +that some other cause than modesty restrained their speech. Thus, +with downcast eyes, or casting side long glances at each other, as in +expectation of the wished-for eulogy, and with the deepest gravity, +they followed round and round, but still with sealed lips. The defunct +must have been a strange being to deserve no commendation. Could +it be? Did he possess no one good quality by which he could be +remembered? Had he never done a kind act? Could he not hunt, or fish, +or make baskets, or plant corn, or beans, or potatoes? Surely he must +have been able to do something. Had it never happened that he did some +good by mistake? Perhaps that would answer the purpose. Or had he +been the mere shape and appearance of a man, and nothing more? He +had vanished like a shadow; was he as unsubstantial? Were they not +mistaken in supposing he had lived among them! Had he been a dream? + +Confused thoughts like these passed through the simple minds of the +rude race, as with tired steps they followed one another in that weary +round. But was there to be no cessation of those perpetual gyrations? +Yet no gesture, no devious step betrayed impatience. On they went, as +if destined to move thus for ever. Looks long and earnest began now to +be cast upon the new-made hillock, as if striving to draw inspiration +thence, or reproaching its tenant with his unworthiness. No +inspiration came, and gradually the steps became slower and more +languid, yet still the measured tread went on. A darker and darker +cloud settled on their weary faces, but they could not stop; the duty +was too sacred to remain unfulfilled. They could not leave without a +word to cheer their friend upon his way, and yet the word came not. +When would some one speak? Who would relieve them from the difficulty? +At length the countenance of an old squaw lighted up, and in low +tones she said, "He was a bery good smoker." The welcome words were +instantly caught up by all, and with renewed strength each one moved +on, and rejoicing at the solution of the dilemma, exclaimed, "He was +a bery good smoker." The charm had taken effect; the word of +affectionate remembrance was spoken; the duty performed; and each with +an approving conscience could now return home. + +What thin partitions divide the mirthful from the mournful, the +sublime from the ridiculous! At the wedding we weep, and at the +funeral we can smile. + +Holden who had been standing with folded arms leaning against the rail +fence that enclosed the yard, and contemplating the ceremonies till +the last Indian departed, now turned to leave, when the constable with +a paper in one hand approached, and touching Holden with the other, +told him he was his prisoner. The Solitary asked no questions, but +waving his hand to the constable to advance, followed him in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, and + my name is Elbow. I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in + here before your good honor two notorious benefactors." + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE. + + +The efforts of the Solitary's friends to ward off the blow were +unavailing, and the perseverance of the constable was crowned with +success. Of course it was impossible for Holden to walk through +the streets of Hillsdale with such a companion without attracting +observation. Long before he reached the office, where he was to have +his trial, a crowd of idle boys was gathered at his heels, attending +in a sort of triumphal procession, and wondering what was to be done +with the prisoner. Basset had need of all his natural dignity, and +more than he could assume besides, to keep the little mob in +tolerable order. It is true the conduct of Holden, who, to the +great astonishment of the constable, followed him like a lamb to the +slaughter, made the task less difficult. + +The place to which he was taken was no other than the office of +Ketchum, it not being usual for justices to have offices of their own, +the amount of business not warranting such an expense. On occasions +like the present it was customary for the lawyer who took charge of +the case to supply the court-room, and this, of course, was his +own office, as the most convenient place where law books and other +necessary instruments were at hand. Here, then, Holden was left by the +constable with Ketchum, the officer of the law meanwhile proceeding +to hunt up Squire Miller. During his absence, Ketchum addressed some +remarks to the prisoner, and endeavored to engage him in conversation, +but without success, Holden receiving his advances with coldness, +and evidently averse to establish the relation of even speaking +acquaintanceship. Ketchum finding all efforts vain, at last desisted, +and Holden sat in silence, brooding over his own thoughts. + +Upon Basset's return, he was accompanied not only by the justice, but +also by Pownal, who had accidentally heard of the arrest, and by two +or three other persons attracted by curiosity. Pownal immediately +walked up to his friend, and, grasping his hand, expressed his +interest, and tendered his services. + +"I know not," said Holden, in reply to his expressions of sympathy, +"why I am to be made a gazing-stock for curious eyes; but the Lord's +will be done." + +Pownal requested to see the warrant, and for the first time learned +the nature of the accusation; he then sent a messenger after Mr. +Tippit, and that gentleman, in compliance with the summons, soon made +his appearance. Him Pownal engaged to defend the prisoner. By this +time the little office was filled with an inquisitive crowd, eager to +hear the eloquence of the counsel, and to watch the vibrations of the +scales of justice, among whom Judge Bernard might be seen seated +by the side of the prisoner. Any person entered and departed as he +pleased, the room being, for the time of the trial, converted into a +public place; and while preparations were being made preliminary to +the opening of the court, the spectators amused themselves with making +observations to each other. + +"What have they took Holden up for?" said a man to Mr. Davenport, who, +of course, was present. + +"I hear it is for profane speaking and reviling," answered Davenport. + +"If everybody was to have his desarts," said our friend, Tom Gladding, +squirting a stream of tobacco juice over the floor, "I guess, some +others would be worse off," and he looked sharply at Davenport. + +"It is time such things should be punished," said Davenport. "People +begin to act as if there was no law in the country." + +"Don't you be quite so hard on a fellow," said Tom. "I recollect +the time before you were convarted, squire, when you swore like a +trooper." + +The face of Davenport faded into a dusky grey with anger, and he +looked as if he would have liked to annihilate the audacious Tom, but, +by a violent effort, controlling his passion, he said: + +"I trust the Lord has forgiven me the sin." + +"I hope he has," said Tom, "and seems to me it would be a good thing +for Squire Miller to follow his example." + +"Suppose you tell him so," said Davenport, sarcastically. + +"Well, seeing as how you're so pressing," said Gladding "I don't care +if I do. Squire," he cried, addressing the Justice, and drawing the +attention of all to himself, "here's Squire Davenport says, he expects +the Lord's forgive his cussing and swearing, and thinks you'd better +do as well by Father Holden, and let him run." + +A general shout of laughter greeted this speech of Gladding's, and +there were exclamations of "Well said, Tom," and "He had him, there," +and "Who would have thought that of Davenport?" + +The unfortunate victim glared, with fury in his eyes, at Tom, who, +interpreting his looks to suit himself, cried-- + +"He's coming, Squire, to speak for himself." + +Davenport here protested, he had said no such thing, and that it was a +shame he should be abused by a scurrilous fellow, in such a manner. + +"What's that you say?" said Gladding, stepping up to Davenport; "I'm +no more squirrilous, than you are yourself; though, for that matter, +there ain't a squirrel on a walnut tree, but would be ashamed to be +seen in your company,--squirrilous fellow, eh!" + +"Silence!" cried the Justice. "Mister Gladding, I must say, I think +such language very improper; and I hope, if you expect to remain here, +you will stop it." + +"Squire," said Gladding, "he begun it; I'll leave it to the company, +if he didn't first call me a squirrel." + +"Silence!" reiterated the Justice; "we must have order; and, if you +don't choose to observe order, you must leave the room." + +"You hain't opened court yet," persisted the pertinacious Tom. "I +guess we know our rights." + +Here Basset came up to Tom, and, taking him by the arm, whispered a +few words into his ear. They seemed to be of a sedative character, +for the latter, contenting himself with an occasional glance of +mischievous fun at his late opponent, abstained from further remark. + +By this time, the subpoena for the witnesses had been returned, and +the persons summoned made their appearance. The overt act was so +notorious, that it had not been considered necessary to summon many, +and the few needed were soon hunted up. Hereupon, Mr. Ketchum having +intimated a readiness, on the part of the State, to proceed, Mr. +Tippit, after some conversation with Judge Bernard and Pownal, Holden +refusing to hold any intercourse with him also, entered the plea of +"not guilty," for his client. + +The hour of noon had now arrived, and that being the dinner-time of +most present, Justice Miller yielded to the request of Mr. Tippet, and +the pleadings of his own stomach, to adjourn the sitting of the court +till two o'clock in the afternoon, in order, not only to gratify +the demands of appetite, but, also, that the counsel might have an +opportunity to confer with his client and prepare his defence. Ketchum +remonstrated against the delay as unreasonable, but the Justice, +who felt no disposition to hurry himself, and was, at bottom, not an +unamiable man, told him, there would be time enough to finish the case +in the afternoon, provided he and Mr. Tippit did not talk too long. +Meanwhile, upon the promise of Judge Bernard to be responsible for +the safety of the prisoner, Holden was allowed to depart with him, +and Pownal, who had been invited to dinner with the Judge, accompanied +them to his house. + +Here they found Faith, in a state of high excitement. "I,"--she said, +seizing the old man's hands, while the tears streamed down her cheeks; +"I am to blame for this persecution. O, Father Holden, if I had not +begged, and almost forced you to go with us that evening, this would +not have happened." + +"Dear child!" said Holden, "afflict not thyself. Thou and I are but +as flying dust on the eternal wheels of destiny. Fear not, nor let +thy heart be troubled. Even yet, the Lord will make bare his arm and I +shall escape, even as a bird from the snare of the fowler." + +But Faith partook not of the enthusiast's confidence. To her alarmed +imagination, the deliverance of Holden seemed as improbable as that +of Daniel from the den of lions, and the impending doom almost +as dreadful as that destined for the prophet. She knew what the +consequences would be were Holden found guilty; for, soon after the +reading of the warrant by Pownal, its contents had been communicated +to her, and she had been informed respecting the punishment. To +her delicate and sensitive mind, the charge itself--that of profane +speaking and reviling, was inexpressibly revolting. She knew that the +condition of mind such language implies, was entirely wanting, and +that it was in the performance of what he considered a duty, the old +man had spoken. Father Holden capable of profane speaking! He, whose +heart was the seat of all noble emotions; he, who had renounced the +world, and trampled its temptations and vanities under foot; he, +who living in the world, was not of the world! That such an one, so +harmless, so guileless, so innocent, should be paraded through the +streets like a wild beast which it was unsafe to have at large, that +he should be exposed to the prying looks of coarse and unfeeling men, +and compelled to hear their vile ribaldry, and, finally, compelled +to an ignominious punishment, among the vicious, in a workhouse! +The disgrace was more than she could bear. It seemed her heart would +break. Overcome by her emotions, she left the room, followed by Anne, +who partook of her grief and indignation. + +All participated in the feelings of the young ladies, and, as might +be supposed, the young men most. To Pownal, a wish of Anne's was a +command; nor was there a danger, scarcely, he would have refused to +encounter to gratify her. He had never, indeed, breathed a word of +love, but he had flattered himself of late that she understood his +feelings, and that the knowledge gave her no displeasure; and, in +spite of the disparity in their conditions, hope nestled at the +bottom of his heart. Besides, Faith was with him a favorite, and it +distressed him to witness her excitement. + +Nor could William Bernard behold unmoved the tears of Faith, or the +agitation of his sister. Never, indeed, before had the divine eyes of +Faith Armstrong so affected him as now, when suffused with tears; nor +had her beauty ever shone so resplendent. Upon the withdrawal of the +girls, he put his arm into that of Pownal, and drawing him into a +recess, the young men took counsel together respecting what should be +done. + +At the appointed hour, all parties were again present in the little +office of the lawyer, and the examination commenced. It is unnecessary +to recapitulate in full the testimony. In spite of the ingenuity +of Mr. Tippit, who closely cross-examined the witnesses for the +prosecution, and thereby only made them rather strengthen than weaken +the force of their testimony, the facts were fully proved. Indeed, the +whole occurrence was too recent and public to make the proof a task +of any difficulty. The only differences in the statements of the +witnesses were, that some thought Holden was standing at the side of +the reading-desk, when he addressed Davenport, while others were as +sure he was in front, a circumstance considered by Ketchum and +the Court as of no consequence, while Tippit regarded it as of the +greatest importance, as a test of the accuracy of the memory, if not +of the veracity of the witnesses; and, again, what came out in the +persevering cross-examination by Tippit, viz.: that in the opinion of +some witnesses, Holden, instead of saying "soul-damning and abominable +lies," said "damned, abominable lies". The eyes of Ketchum fairly +danced when the efforts of his opponent succeeded in eliciting from +the badgered and provoked witness this most _mal-à-propos_ testimony +which his own ingenuity had been unable to draw forth, and he took +care, in the rest of the examination, to get the same statement if +possible from the remainder of the witnesses. In this he was partially +successful, each one intending most sincerely to tell the truth, +and yet artfully led on by the lawyer, often falsely coloring and +distorting the facts. On the conclusion of the testimony on the part +of the State, Mr. Tippit produced witnesses to prove the words spoken, +who, after all, did not alter the complexion of things, and also the +good character of the prisoner, but this latter proposal was stoutly +opposed by Ketchum, as irrelevant to the issue. + +"What have we to do," said he, "with the character of the prisoner? +His character is not at issue. That may be as good as the Court's, +for instance (and I desire no higher), and yet the offence charged +may have been committed. If brother Tippit is allowed to run into all +these side issues, we shall never be done with the examination, and +therefore I object to the testimony." + +Tippit, in reply, expressed great surprise at the conduct of his +brother, Ketchum; "but," said he, "I do not wonder at the anxiety +of the gentleman to keep out testimony of so vast importance for my +client. Here is a discrepancy. Some witnesses state the language +said to have been used by my client in one way, some in another. Now, +although a man of good character might use the words 'soul damning and +abominable,' which we are constantly hearing in sermons and prayers, +and if they are proper there, one might suppose them proper in common +discourse, he would be less likely to use the other phrase; though, if +he did, I hope I shall be able to convince the court there's no great +harm in that." + +Here Ketchum's face expressed unutterable astonishment, and the +Justice, as if scandalized at the proposition, interrupted the +counsel, and told him he hoped he did not mean to justify profane +language. + +"Far from it, please your honor," answered Tippit, "but I say we have +been guilty of no profanity which, at the proper time, I expect to +satisfy the court of. We offer the testimony now for two purposes: +first, to assist the judgment of the court in coming to a conclusion, +whether the words were spoken or not, because if we prove the +prisoner's good character, it is less likely they were uttered by him; +and secondly, if your honor should be of opinion that the words were +used, in mitigation of punishment, if, indeed, the court should be +disposed to take notice at all of the trifle of which the prisoner +stands accused." + +Ketchum reiterated his objections, denying that the testimony was +admissible for either purpose. He did not think, he said, that his +brother Tippit was able to assist the judgment of the court a great +deal; as for judgment, the article was so scarce with a certain +gentleman, he advised him to keep the modicum he had for his own +use. So far as mitigation of punishment was concerned, he thought the +greater the respectability of the offender, the greater should be the +punishment, both because his education and opportunities should have +taught him better, and by way of example to others, in like case to +offend. The doctrine of the gentleman, he added, might do well enough +where kings and aristocrats ground the people to powder, but he hoped +never to see the day, when, in our own free country, a man might do +what he pleased because he was respectable. + +This sentiment, notwithstanding the feelings of almost all present +were in favor of Holden, was so decidedly patriotic, that it met +the most favorable reception, and there was a general whispering and +rustling among the audience. After the sensation had subsided, Justice +Miller, with some hesitation, decided to receive the testimony for the +present. "It is different," he said, "from allowing evidence to go to +a jury. I am both court and jury, and will think it over, and reject +it, if I think it should be." With this decision the counsel were +obliged to acquiesce, and Tippit proceeded with his testimony. + +It was easier to prove the good character of Holden than the exact +occurrence at the meeting. Judge Bernard, Mr. Armstrong, who came into +the court in the afternoon, Pownal, and many others, testified to his +irreproachable reputation, and were certain that his conduct proceeded +from no evil intent. + +After the testimony had all been taken, followed the speeches of the +counsel. Ketchum, who, as prosecutor, was entitled to the opening and +closing arguments, rose and stated that, as the days were short, and +it was growing late, he would waive his right of opening, and reserve +what he had to say to the time when his brother Tippit had concluded. +To this arrangement Tippit strenuously objected, insisting that the +State had made out so poor a case, that he hardly knew what to reply +to, and that in all fairness the counsel for the State ought to +enlighten him. The court, however, decided, that although it was +a strange thing for a lawyer to desire to be excused from making a +speech, yet it was a course he felt much obliged to Mr. Ketchum +for adopting, and hoped that he would not revenge himself for the +abstinence by putting two speeches into one, at the conclusion. + +Smiles and applauding whispers among the audience rewarded the Justice +for this brilliant display of wit. + +Hereupon Mr. Tippit rose and addressed the court. He begun by hinting +at the embarrassment he felt in not having the advantage, to use his +own language, of what his brother Ketchum intended to say. For his own +part, he had carefully considered the law and evidence, and could not +find the shadow of a pretext for detaining the prisoner. He then went +on to speak of the prisoner himself, his age, his harmless life, and +the excellent character he sustained. All this, he argued, went to +show the improbability of his having uttered the language considered +most objectionable. He contended that although he would most +cheerfully admit that the prisoner had said something in the +conference-room, it was impossible to determine accurately what +that something was; that if in this state of things the court not be +satisfied what the words were exactly, it was as if no words at all +had been uttered, and there were none to be passed upon. But what were +the words? Here the learned counsel minutely examined the evidence, +and arrived at the conclusion, that it was impossible to ascertain +them. Hence, he said, the _corpus delicti_ is wanting. But suppose +the words were as testified by some, though they are contradicted by +others, "damned abominable," what then? Was that reviling or +profane speaking? The words were two. Now, no one would pretend that +"abominable" was profane language. "The idea is abominable," said +Tippit, "and I hope brother Ketchum won't take me up for saying that. +What does the other word mean?" Hereupon the counsel referred to a +dictionary, to which also we refer our readers. "There you see," said +he, "there is no harm in it. At most, the word can in its present +application, be considered only as an intensitive, or the like. +The fact is, may it please the court, it is but a strong form of +expression, and means no more nor less than _very_, and I should be +willing to leave it to the good sense of those who hear me, as to a +jury, to say if my construction is not correct." + +Here Tom Gladding nodded his head at Tippit. + +"Mr. Gladding," continued Tippit, "nods his head, and I honor his +judgment, and venture to say there is not a man here better qualified +to speak on the subject." + +Here there was a general laugh at Tom's expense, in which the court +itself joined. Tom, appearing to regard the joke very little, and +only saying, "The squire's got it right by chance this time, I guess." +Presently, the court commanded silence, and Mr. Tippit proceeded. + +"I flatter myself," he added, "that I have satisfied your honor there +is no profane language in the case; and that ought to be sufficient +for my purpose, even though the court should be of opinion that the +prisoner was guilty of reviling; because the words of the statute are +in the conjunctive, providing punishment only where profane speaking +and reviling are united, being levelled, not at one alone, but at +both as one act. It should also be borne in mind, that the statute is +penal, and for that reason must be construed, strictly, in favor of +liberty. But I will now proceed to inquire whether there has been any +reviling in the sense of the statute. Who was intended to be protected +against injurious language? Reasonable beings only, certainly. +Assuredly not the delicate feelings of horses, or cows, or pigs, and +if so, much less those of an inanimate object, like a book. Now, +it will be recollected that the language uttered characterized the +contents of a book, not Mr. Davenport. The words were consistent with +the supposition that the prisoner cherished the highest respect for +him, whatever his opinion might be of the sermon. It was then absurd +to pursue a man criminally for criticising a book, and requesting +another not to read it, which was all that had been done." + +Here Ketchum inquired how his brother Tippit would get over the words, +"man of sin," which it was testified had been applied by the prisoner +to Davenport. + +Mr. Tippit treated the inquiry with great contempt. "Does the +gentleman," he asked, in turn, "claim for Mr. Davenport a superhuman +degree of piety? Would he have us understand that Mr. Davenport is +not a sinful man, and is the expression made use of by Mr. Holden more +than tantamount to that? I do not think the words worthy of notice," +he said, "nor am I disposed to waste time on them." Mr. Tippit +concluded by saying, that if a man, in the honest expression of his +opinions about a book, was to be dealt with criminally, free speech, +free action, the noble inheritance of our ancestors, were gone, and +the liberties of the country no more. Collecting himself for a last +effort, he represented the Goddess of Liberty, like Niobe, all +tears, weeping over the fate of her children, should the iniquity, +contemplated by Ketchum, be consummated. + +The impression made by the lawyer's speech was favorable, as was +evident from the looks of the audience, and the approving hum that +filled the room, and prepossessed as they were in favor of Holden, +they would undoubtedly have acquitted him, but, alas! they were +not the tribunal to decide his fate. We have already dilated on the +proceedings of the little court of _pied poudre_, beyond our original +intention, and for that reason shall endeavor, without designing, +"with malice prepense," to slight the eloquence of Ketchum, to +compress his remarks into as small a compass as possible. He has since +risen to the dignity of a County Court Judge, and, therefore, needs no +celebrity, which a work so unpretending as the present, can confer. + +Mr. Ketchum then began by saying, that to be sure his experience in +courts was not very great, but he had some, and, so far as it went, he +never knew a case plainer than the one on trial. The gentleman (bowing +to Tippit), with all his ingenuity, and he was not going to deny him +his due, which was greater than his knowledge of the law, had been +unable to affect his own mind, or, as he believed, the mind of his +honor, or of any one present. He felt, therefore, that the task before +him, though an unpleasant one, was lightened by the inability of his +brother Tippit to make out even a plausible defence. Peeling this, +he should, if he consulted only his own inclinations, be disposed to +leave the case where it was, without comment, but he supposed it was +expected he should say something, and in the discharge of his duty, +he would comply with the expectation. As for the character of the +prisoner, he had nothing to say about it. He would neither admit that +it was good, nor claim that it was bad; whatever it might be, it had +nothing to do with the case. The question was, what was done at the +meeting? All the witnesses agreed that the prisoner interrupted the +proceedings. True, they disagreed in respect to the exact words, but +take the testimony of any, and sufficient was made out to support the +prosecution. Here he dwelt upon a criticism of the words, coming to +conclusions precisely the opposite of Tippit's, and contending they +were both profane and reviling. "It was preposterous," he claimed, "to +say that Holden meant merely to criticise the book. The language was +not addressed to the book, but to Davenport: the book was not called, +'man of sin,' but Davenport. The words, 'man of sin' had a peculiar +meaning. They were designed in the Scriptures to express condemnation, +and horror, and wickedness. They were not synonymous with 'sinful +man,' though even these words might be considered words of reviling, +had they been used in the same circumstances. The contempt affected +by his brother Tippit was so much powder and shot thrown away. Nobody +believed he really felt it. It was like the grimaces of a culprit, +trying to hide his apprehensions by forced smiles." He concluded by +apologizing for not being a poet, like his brother Tippit, nor as +familiar with goddesses. He knew that his friend was a gallant young +man, and fond of the ladies, and he would confess to the weakness +himself, but as for goddesses, they were a touch above him, &c. + +The court had listened with patience to both testimony and speech, and +was now to pass sentence, acting up to the advice of a shrewd English +lawyer, to one who without much legal learning had been appointed to +a judgeship in a colony, never to give his reasons when he pronounced +judgment, for although the judgment had an equal chance to be right or +wrong, the reasons were almost certain to be incorrect, Justice Miller +contented himself with finding the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him +to a week's confinement in the town workhouse. + +It was not without some surprise that the friends of Holden heard the +decision. Although contemplating its possibility, they had indulged a +hope that the Justice would be unwilling to subject one so harmless, +and whom they considered innocent of all intention to violate the law, +to any punishment; but with that reverence for law which characterizes +New England, and without which there can be no security for free +institutions, they submitted, although not without some murmurs. It +was in vain, they knew, to ask for any mitigation; Justice Miller +having once pronounced sentence, being as inexorable as the Supreme +Court. The room was soon nearly emptied of the spectators, none +remaining except the particular friends of the prisoner. Nothing +remained but to carry the sentence into execution. Holden's friends +also at last took a sorrowful leave, and the mittimus being made +out, it was handed to Basset, to remove the prisoner to the place of +destination. + +For the sake of greater security, Basset now produced a pair of +handcuffs, which he put on the condemned man's hands, who offered no +objection, but calmly submitted to his fate. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + _Armado_.--By my sweet soul, I mean setting thee at liberty, + enfreedoming thy person: thou wert immured, captivated, bound. + + _Costard_.--True, true, and now you will be my purgation, and + let me loose. + + _Armado_.--I give thee thy liberty, set thee free from + durance; and in lieu thereof impose on thee nothing but this. + + LOVE'S LABOR LOST. + + +By the time the court had concluded its session it was eight o'clock +in the evening. It was quite dark, and the snow was falling heavily. +When, therefore, the constable stepped into the street, holding his +prisoner by the arm, it is not surprising that he encountered but few +passengers. Those whom he did meet had their hats or caps slouched +over their brows, which were bending down upon their breasts to +protect the face from the driving snow. It was impossible, so thick +were the flakes, to see more than a few feet before one. It was a +fortunate circumstance, inasmuch, at least, as it saved the Recluse +from the humiliation of being seen by his townsmen. + +The workhouse was situated at the distance of nearly a mile from the +centre of the village, on a little farm of some twenty acres, and +stood several rods apart from any inhabited house. It was the half of +a large unpainted wooden building divided into two sections, the other +half of which was used as an alms-house, and might be considered as a +sort of auxiliary or ally of the county jail, to receive those minor +offenders whom the dignity of the latter rejected. + +The road Basset had to travel passed over the lower bridge of the +Yaupáae, next went up a hill, and then suddenly turning, skirted the +lake-like expanse of water, on which the building was situated. In +order, however, to reach the house, it was necessary to leave the main +road and pass down a lane of some twenty rods in length. + +Together the pair proceeded through the driving snow, Basset keeping +hold of Holden, who walked meekly by his side. The fatalism of the +latter seemed to have taken entire possession of his mind, and he +probably regarded his sufferings as a necessary part of the designs +of Providence, which it would be as wicked as vain to resist. The +constable had repeatedly endeavored to engage his companion in +conversation, striving to comfort him with the opinion, that the +keeper of the quasi jail was a "clever man," and that people did not +find it as bad as they expected, and a week would quickly pass away. +"In winter," said Basset, "when it's hard to get work, I've known +many a likely young fellow do some trick on purpose to be put into the +workhouse till spring; so it can't be the worst place in the world." +Basset stretched the truth a little. He might have known or heard of +persons, who, in order to obtain warmth, and food, and shelter during +that inclement season, had committed petty crimes, but such instances +were exceedingly rare, and the offenders were anything but "likely +fellows." But Basset must be excused his leasing, for he felt lonely, +and longed to hear the sound of a human voice, and failing that of +another, was fain to put up with his own as better than none. But +Holden steadily resisted all the advances of the constable, refusing +to reply to any question, or to take notice of anything he might +say, until the latter, either wearied out by the pertinacity of his +captive, or vexed by what he considered sullenness or arrogance, +himself relapsed into silence. + +They had crossed the bridge, passed up the hill, and traversed the +road along the margin of the Yaupáae, and were now just entering the +lane that runs down to the house. The storm was raging with unabated +fury, and the constable, with clenched teeth, and bent head, and +half-shut eyes, was breasting the driving flakes, and congratulating +himself with the idea that his exposure would soon be over, and he +by the side of a warm stove in one of the stores, the hero of the +evening, recounting the adventures of the day and comfortably taking +his cheerful glass, when suddenly, without having seen a person, his +cap was violently pulled over his eyes, a thick coffee-bag slipped +over his head, and a hand applied to his throat to stifle any cries, +should he be disposed to make them. But the poor fellow was too much +frightened to emit a sound, had he been never so much inclined to +scream. + +"Make no noise," said a stern but disguised voice, "and you are safe. +No injury is designed. I will lead you. Follow quietly." + +The man grasped his arm, and led him, as it seemed, out of the +travelled path into an adjoining field, for he was directed to lift +his feet at a particular spot, and in doing so, struck them against +what were evidently wooden bars, such as are everywhere to be found in +New England, at the entrances to the stone wall encircled lots. They +were followed by Holden, and, as the constable judged, from the slight +sounds he succeeded in occasionally catching, by another person. +When his captor seemed to think he was in a place where he would be +unlikely to be disturbed by a casual passer, he stopped and demanded +the key to the handcuffs. Every movement of the constable must have +been narrowly watched during the evening, for, as he hesitated, either +confused by the unexpected capture, and forgetful of where he had +placed the key, or desirous to gain time in the hope that help might +arrive--whatever might have been the motive, no time was granted, the +same stern voice instantly adding, + +"The key is in the right pocket of your pantaloons: give it to me at +once." + +With a trembling hand, the constable produced the key from his pocket, +and was confirmed, by what followed, in the belief that his captor +must have a coadjutor, for he still kept his hold, and uttered the +single word "here," as if addressing another, and handing him the key. +Presently, the handcuffs were thrown down at his feet, and he thought +he could detect the sound of receding footsteps. His captor then +demanded the mittimus, which he tore into small pieces, and scattered +around. In this condition muffled so that he could hardly breathe, +with a desperado, or he knew not how many at his side, who, at the +least attempt to make an outcry, might do him some bodily injury or +perhaps murder him, the next quarter of an hour seemed a whole dismal +night to the unfortunate Basset. At the expiration of that time, his +guard addressed him again, and in the same carefully feigned voice: + +"You are in my power, and who would know it were I to leave your +corpse to stiffen on the snow? But I bear you no ill will, and have +no intention to hurt you. I would not harm a hair of your head. I will +not subject you even to the inconvenience of having these fetters on +your wrists, though you were unfeeling enough to place them on a man, +the latchet of whose shoes you are unworthy to unloose. Be thankful +for the forebearance, and show that you know how to appreciate it. +Mark what I say. Remain where you are, nor venture to remove the +covering for half an hour. It will keep you warm. Return then to your +home, nor seek to discover either Holden or who rescued him, and be +assured he was not privy to the intention to release him. Remember, +remember. Eyes will be upon you. Good night!" So saying, the unknown +departed and left the stupefied constable like a statue, rooted to the +spot. + +There he remained, not daring to stir or to remove the uncomfortable +head-dress--for by what unseen dangers he was surrounded he knew +not--until, as he supposed, the half hour was more than passed. Then +Basset cautiously and slowly raised his hand to his head, as if to +intimate that if any one were watching and wanted him to desist, he +was ready to do so, and hearing no sound, proceeded to divest himself +of the hood. He looked around but could see nothing; the falling snow +effectually shut out all objects from sight. He tried to move, but +stiff with cold his limbs refused their office, and he nearly +fell down. He took a step forward and his feet struck against the +handcuffs. He stooped down and picked them up, comforting himself with +the reflection, that bad as was his case, it might have been worse had +they been transferred to his wrists. He strove to peer into the fallen +snow, to discover, if possible, any tracks, but except his own just +made none were distinguishable. The snow had already obliterated them. +Faint and weary, and frozen, and vexed and frightened, the melancholy +Basset turned his face to the village, not among his cronies with bold +brow and loud voice to boast of his achievements, and by the aid of +John Barleycorn to screw his courage up to a fabulous pitch, but with +drooping crest and dejected spirits to slink to his bachelor's bed, +and dream of banditti all the night. + +A sadder, if not a wiser man + + "He rose the morrow morn." + +Not a word spoke he the next day of his misadventure, until it having +been ascertained that Holden had not been at the workhouse, inquiry +was made respecting his non-appearance. The constable was then obliged +to confess the truth, which his captors, as if defying discovery, +had not enjoined him to conceal. Faithful to his instructions, he +exculpated Holden from all blame, praising him for his submissiveness +to the law, expressing his conviction that the old man knew nothing of +the intentions of his captors, nor whether they were friends or +foes. Notwithstanding the reluctance of the constable, the indignant +Justice, in the first ebullition of his anger, made out another +mittimus, which he almost forced into the other's unwilling hands, and +commanded him to arrest the fugitive, wherever he might find him, by +night or by day, on the Lord's Day or on any other day, were the place +the Sanctuary itself. + +But the rescue had diverted public attention from the Solitary into +another channel, and the community had not a stock of indignation +sufficient, like the Justice, to expend on Holden as well as on his +rescuers. It appeared, even to the few who were originally in favor +of his arrest, that he had suffered enough, satisfied as they were, +as well from his behavior they had witnessed as from the report of the +constable, that he had in no respect contributed to his freedom, but +was rather compelled to accept it, and therefore attaching no blame to +him for the escape. The resentment of the citizens was now transferred +to the daring offenders, who, with a strong hand, had interposed +between the sentence and the execution of the law, and this last +offence, as being of so much greater magnitude than Holden's, cast it +quite into the shade. Who were they? Who would have the audacity, in +the midst of a law-loving and law-abiding people, to trample on the +laws and defy the State? The constable could give no information. He +had not even seen a person. He had only heard a voice he never heard +before. Ought not some persons to be arrested on suspicion? Who should +they be? Who were obnoxious to suspicion? The friends of the Solitary +were among the most respectable people in the place. Would it be safe +to proceed against them? There would be some hazard in the experiment. +They would be sure to defend themselves to the uttermost, and if +successful as they probably would be, would make the movers in the +matter rue their officiousness. + +Of such a nature were the various questions discussed around the +hearths, and in the bank and shops of the little town of Hillsdale. +The excitement was a perfect god-send to stir the sluggish blood of +winter. Above all it was attractive for the mystery that invested it. +But we will leave the village gossips to beat the air with their idle +speculations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + I could endure + Chains nowhere patiently: and chains at home + Where I am free by birthright, not at all. + + COWPER. + + +Bright and beautiful broke the morning after that night of storm. The +weather had cleared up towards midnight, and when the rejoicing sun +surveyed the scene, his golden glances fell on a wide expanse of pure, +unsullied white. A slight breeze had arisen, which, gently agitating +the bent and laden boughs of the evergreens, shook off the fleecy +adornment that fell like blossoms from the trees. The air was soft +and almost balmy, as is not unfrequently the case even in "the dead +of winter" in our variable climate, lovelier and dearer for its very +variableness, like a capricious beauty, whose smile is the more prized +for the pout that precedes it. It was a day to seduce the old man into +the sunshine in the stoop on the south side of the house, and to bring +out the girls and young men, and swift trotting horses and pungs and +jingling bells in gay confusion in the streets. + +In the course of the forenoon, a bright crimson sleigh, the bottom +filled with clean straw, and the seats covered with bear and buffalo +robes, the horse ornamented around the neck and back with strings of +bells that jangled sweet music every step he took, drove up to the +door of Judge Bernard. A young man stepped out, whom we recognize as +Pownal. He entered the house, and in a few minutes returned with Anne +Bernard, muffled in cloak and boa, and carrying a muff upon her arm. +Health glowed in her cheek and happiness lighted up her eyes. Pownal +assisted her into the sleigh, and carefully disposing the robes about +her, took his seat by her side and drove off. + +They drove at first into the older part of the town, as yet +undescribed by us, nor do we now intend a description, save that the +road was wide, and a considerable part of the way bordered by elms and +maples, glorious with beauty in summer, but now standing like mourners +shivering in the wintry air, and as they passed hailed with special +looks and expressions of admiration those two fraternal elms, towering +over all, like patriarchs of the vegetable world, which, once seen, +none will forget. + + "Huge trunks, and each particular trunk a growth + Of intertwisted fibres, serpentine, + Upcoiling, and inveterately convolved-- + Nor uninformed with Phantasy and looks + That threaten the profane." + +Thence, following the street that winds around the village green, and +greeted by the joyous shouts of acquaintances in passing sleighs, +and joining, now and then, in friendly races, they crossed the upper +bridge of the Yaupáae, and leaving the shouts and merriment behind, +struck into a more secluded road. + +Whatever charms the conversation that passed between the young +people might have for them, it would not interest the reader, and we +therefore pass it over. It was such as might be expected between two +youthful beings, one of whom knew he was in love, and the other began +to suspect, from emotions never felt before, the commencement of a +partiality that was as sweet as it was strange. To two hearts thus +attached, and tuned to vibrate in harmony, all nature ministers with a +more gracious service. The sun is brighter, the sky bluer, the flower +more fragrant, the chime of the brook has a deeper meaning, and a +richer music swells the throat of the bird. Things unobserved before, +and as unconnected with the new emotion, indifferent, now assume +importance. A look, a tone of the voice, a pressure of the hand, are +events to dream about and feast upon. In the presence of the beloved +object all things else are either unheeded or dwindle into comparative +insignificance. + +It will occasion no surprise, then, that Anne, engrossed with her own +happiness, should hardly have observed the road taken by Pownal, or +been conscious of how far they had driven, until some remark of his +attracted her attention to the scenery. She then perceived that they +were in the midst of the Indian settlement on the Severn, and to a +playful question of Pownal, inquiring how she would like to leave her +card with Queen Esther, she replied by expressing her delight at the +proposition. Esther's cabin stood some little distance off from the +main road, towards which a long and narrow winding track led, seldom +travelled by any other vehicles than ox carts and sleds. Over the yet +unbroken snow, Pownal directed the horse, the light pung plunging +with every motion of the animal, and threatening to upset, causing +merriment, however, rather than alarm to the occupants of the +conveyance. In this manner, straining through the snow-drifts, they +finally reached the dwelling of Esther. She herself, attracted by the +sound of the bells, came to the door, and welcomed them with great +cordiality. + +"Mr. Pownal and I," cried the lively Anne, "are come to make a +New-Year's call, Esther. I have not your presents with me, but the +next time you are at our house, you shall have them." + +"Miss Anne more'n all present," replied the pleased Esther. "She cold; +she must come to the fire." + +"No," said Anne, as she was being ushered by the squaw into the cabin, +"I am not cold. Why, what a nice"--but the sentence was not concluded. +Her eyes had fallen on the stately form of Holden, who sat on a bench +near to the fire. + +"O, father Holden!" exclaimed the lovely girl, running up to him, +throwing her arms round his neck, and kissing his forehead, "is it +you? How glad I am you escaped from those abominable men. Tell me all +about it. How was it? Did they do you any harm?" + +At this moment, Pownal entered, and advancing, grasped the old man's +hand, and congratulated him on his escape. + +"My God," said Holden, in his wild way, "hath sent His angel and shut +the lions' mouths that they have not hurt me. He raiseth the poor out +of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the mire." + +"But," urged Anne, with feminine curiosity, "we are anxious to hear +how you escaped." + +The Recluse did not seem to consider it necessary to make any +secret--at least to those present--of the events of the past night, +and, with the frankness that characterized him, spoke of them without +hesitation. + +After stating what we already know, he said he was led away rapidly by +a man dressed in a sailor's suit, whose face he did not see, and who +accompanied him until they had passed the last house on the street. +They met no one, and, on parting, the man forced a purse into his +hand, and entreated him to make his way to the cabin of Esther, where +he would be safe and welcome, and there to remain until his friends +should be apprised of his retreat. + +"To me," concluded the Solitary, "a dungeon or a palace ought to be +alike indifferent; but I will not thwart the minds of those who love +me, however vain their desires. The Lord hath brought this light +affliction upon me for His own good purpose, and I await the +revelation of His will." + +"I do not doubt we shall be able soon to release you from your +confinement," said Pownal; "meanwhile, tell us what we can do to make +your condition tolerable." + +"I lack nothing," said Holden. "These hands have ever supplied my +necessities, and I am a stranger to luxury. Nor liveth man by bread +alone, but on sweet tones, and kind looks, and gracious deeds, and I +am encompassed by them. I am rich above gold, and silver, and precious +stones." + +"If there is anything you desire, you will let me know? Command me +in all things; there is nothing I am not ready to do for you," said +Pownal. + +"The blessing of one who is ready to depart be upon thee, for thy kind +words and loving intentions; and should real trouble arise, I will +call upon thee for aid. I know not now," he continued, "why I should +hide like a wounded beast. I fear 'tis but for a visionary point +of honor. Why should not a gentleman,"--this he said +sarcastically--"occupy the workhouse as well as a boor. In the eyes of +One, we are all equal. Ah, it might do this hard heart good." + +"You have promised to respect the prejudices of your friends," said +Pownal, "whatever you may think of their weakness." + +"You shall never endure the disgrace," said Anne, with kindling +cheeks. "See how Providence itself interposes to protect you!" + +"Your suggestions, my children, find an echo, alas! too truly in my +own heart to be rejected," said Holden, dejectedly. "I repeat, I will +obey you." + +The young people remained for an hour or more at the hut, conversing +with the Solitary, to whom their presence appeared to give great +pleasure; and, before parting, Pownal exchanged some words apart with +Esther, having for their object the promotion of her guest's and +her own comfort. The kind heart of the squaw needed no incentives +to conceal and protect Holden, but Pownal felt he had no right to +encroach upon her slender means, and such arrangements were made as +would more than compensate her. + +As the sleigh started from the door, Anne said to Pownal, with some +tenderness in the tone of her voice: + +"You need not tell me, Mr. Pownal, the name of one of the strange +Paladins last night. How will Faith thank and admire you. But, O, let +me beg you to be prudent, lest you fall into the power of these bad +men." + +It would have better suited the feelings of Pownal, had Anne uttered +her own thanks more directly. His inexperience and distrust of himself +did not comprehend that it was in reality the way in which the modest +girl expressed the admiration that swelled her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + Impelled with steps unceasing to pursue + Some fleeting good that mocks me with the view; + That, like the circle, bounding earth and skies, + Allures from far, and, as I follow, flies. + + GOLDSMITH. + + +Whenever Tom Gladding and Primus put their heads together, it was +pretty certain that there was some mischief afoot, and a few words of +the conversation, which we overhear, as they walk down the street in +company, leave no doubt on the subject. + +"You see, Prime," said Gladding, "the foolish fellow ain't cured yet." + +"Let us insult ober his case," said Primus. + +"I thought he'd got enough; but, he's as parvarse as the nine lives of +a cat. Why, there was the whack at the island, and, then, the jam +on the ice, and, last, the scare in the snowstorm; a fellow's +unreasonable to want more, and, yet, the darn'd crittur's holding out +his platter." + +"What you want to put in, Missa Gladding?" + +"Some of the same mess. I don't care about hurting him; but, I should +like to cure him of his parsecuting ways." + +"Well, you is a good cook. What you up to dis time?" said the General, +grinning at the idea of more tricks. + +"Colored people is celebrated for their contrivances; so, scratch your +wool, and give us the benefit of your genius." + +"De sheep hab no gumption," said Primus, looking grave at this +allusion to his hair. + +"I tell you what I want you to do," said Tom, taking no notice of +Primus' gravity, and certain that the old fellow was unable to resist +the temptation to a frolic; "but, don't let's stand here all day +talking. Folks may suspicion something; so, push along, and I'll give +you my idees." + +They must have pleased the General, for, soon, his face began to +brighten, and his eyes to glisten; and he parted from his companion, +apparently, with the best understanding, and in the highest good humor +possible. + +In accordance with the arrangement between them, the negro hunted up +Basset, and soon learned from him, that he had a mittimus to commit +Holden. The cunning fellow, at first, pretended to dissuade him from +making use of it, taking care, at the same time, to drop a few +words, from which, it might be inferred, there was no difficulty +in apprehending the fugitive. He, at last, let out the fact, rather +unwillingly, as it seemed, that the Recluse was in the habit +of passing his hut, in the evening, on visits--as the General +supposed--to his friends in the village. The constable caught at the +bait, and, having lost all fear of any resistance, on the part of +the Solitary, persuaded Primus, with some difficulty, to allow him to +watch at his cabin, for his prey; engaging his assistance, at the same +time, should it become necessary. It was, accordingly, agreed, that +the same night should be devoted to enforce the demands of justice. + +Just before the shades of evening shut in, Basset--agreeably to the +preconcerted plan, presented himself at the hut of the General, and +took his station at the window that commanded, for quite a distance, a +view of the road. The moon was shining, and her beams, reflected from +the snow, made it easy to distinguish objects. The constable sighed, +as he took his seat, and declared that, in all his experience, +he never had so much difficulty in his legal business. It was the +General's cue to encourage his visitor, and keep up his resolution. +He, therefore, said, in a cheerful tone-- + +"Folks say, dere is nebber no lane but hab one turn. Now, dis is de +turn. See, how de road twist round my house. Dat is a good sign." + +"If I don't git him this time," said Basset, "I guess I might as well +give it up, and the State of Connecticut may just be reckoned beat." + +"Don't ground you arms yet, Missa Basset. In de long run, de raal grit +allers carry de day." + +"When I think it all over," said the constable, musing, "it seems kind +o' queer. I'm sort o' bewitched, and, if the days of witches wasn't +gone by, I shouldn't wonder if some of them hadn't got me in tow. +But, I ain't going to give it up yet. I don't forget the old chap's +knocking me down in the dark behind my back, as though I'd been no +better than a woodchuck or a skunk." + +"How it feel, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, with a grin. "Did de old +man strike wid de soft side or de hard side ob de cudgel?" + +"You needn't show your ivory," said the constable, whom the +remembrance of his misfortune irritated; "I wish to conscience you'd +felt it yourself; you'd have known, then, without the need of asking +questions." + +"Golly! Missa Basset," exclaimed Primus. "You tink nobody hab feeling +but yousef. You gib my arm sich a winch when de ole man kick you +behind, or knock you ober (I nebber know which) dat I feel him now." + +"He didn't kick me," said Basset, indignantly. "'Twas a regular +assault with a club, I tell you." + +"Well, I shouldn't like sich salt on my shoulder, aldo dey say, salt +bery good to keep de wound from catching cold." + +"I tell you what, darkey," cried the constable, losing patience at the +other's sneers. "You talk like an old fool. If you hain't got anything +pleasanter to say, you might as well shut up." + +"Yes, I be an old fool," said Primus, as if speaking to himself, "and +dis is all de tank I git from dis white man. I depose my life on de +ribber. I git a'most murdered when de ghost kick him behind; he break +my leg made out ob a good piece ob ash; I invite him to my house, like +a gen'leman, and de civilest word I get, is--darkey and old fool. Yes, +Primus, you complexion is dark, and you be a big fool." + +"Don't take on so, Prime," said Basset; "I spoke rash, and I ask your +pardon. But, what's the use of aggravating a man in that way!" + +"I tink you must 'scuse my keeping company wid you, arter to-night," +continued Primus, looking steadily into the fire, and knitting his +brows; "I nebber get noting but bad luck in his sarvice. Next time, +I git my neck broke, and den 'tis all done wid dis poor niggur. De +carpenter find hard work to make one to fit." + +"Now, Prime," said Basset, "you're rather too hard. I asked your +pardon, and that's all a man can do. I'm sure I didn't mean to set you +agoing at this rate." + +"It bery easy, Massa Basset, to say I ask you pardon, and bery polite +for a white man to say it to a colored pusson, but does dat pay for de +breaking ob a leg or de setting ob my neck?" + +"What did it cost to mend your leg?" + +"I gib Fannin, de carpenter, a halb dollar for a new one dat wasn't +half so good as de ole one." + +"Well, I vow, that's considerable for an old stick, 'cause I know +there wasn't no new iron work about it, for you had the old ferule +left; but seeing as how I broke it, I'll split the difference with +you, so there's a quarter. But why didn't you speak of it afore?" + +"'Cause," said Primus, taking the money with eyes brightening at the +sight, "'tween gen'lemen, de trifle was too small." + +"Well, you're a curious chap. Now most folks would have dunned me +right off for the damage. There's Tom Gladding', if he had a wooden +leg, and I broke it, don't you suppose he'd make me settle before +sunset next day? Besides the law was all on your side." + +"I guess, Massa Gladding 'tend to business in his own way," said the +now good-humored General, "but you, Squire, is an old 'quaintance, and +you disappointment so great, I didn't like to mention de leg." + +As soon as Primus uttered the word "Squire," Basset knew that the +reconciliation between them was complete. The General never used the +word in reference to his companion, except when pleased and desirous +to pay a compliment, and was fully aware of the effect it produced. +The constable, born and bred among a people fond of titles, and fond +of giving them, was not exempt from the common weakness. He, however, +thought it incumbent on him to disclaim the dignity, to which Primus +answered, that if he were not a Squire he ought to be, and would be +next year. + +A tall figure, which, from the gait and dress, appeared to be that of +Holden, was now seen approaching deliberately in the moonlight, and +the constable addressed himself to the performance of his duty. It was +thought best to allow the fugitive to pass the cabin, so that in the +event of an attempt at evasion, which was not anticipated indeed, but +which the prudent General thought ought to be guarded against, the +difficulty of escape might be greater. As the man advanced, the +constable was certain it was Holden. There was the long beard falling +on his breast, and the grey frock girt with a sash; and had not the +cap been pulled down low over his forehead, even the features might +have been distinguishable. + +After the person had passed, Basset cautiously opened the door and +quietly stole after him, but, in spite of every precaution, it was +impossible to move without making a sound on the crisp snow, easily +heard in the still night. The person heard it, and turning his head, +beheld the constable two or three rods in the rear. Basset observing +him look round, quickened his pace, and advanced confidently to make +the capture; but in the same proportion the figure hastened his steps. +Thereupon the constable increased his speed, in which he was imitated +by the other, until both pursuer and pursued were in a run. + +It was now who should run the fastest. The race had hitherto been +in the road, and Basset was evidently gaining on the fugitive, when, +turning short, the latter jumped over some bars which had been left +down, and directed his course across a field. The constable's blood +was up, and without hesitation, he followed, every moment lessening +the distance between himself and the chase. He could not help, as he +ran, wondering at the agility of Holden, from whom, on account of his +seeming age, he had not anticipated such activity, and ascribed it +now to his greater length of limb, and habit of constant exercise and +exposure. And now he was within a few feet of him, and extending his +arm to place his hand on the captive's shoulder, when suddenly the +ground gave way under his feet, and he was precipitated to an unknown +depth, while the snow came tumbling down upon his head, blinding and +covering him up, so as to leave him at first in total darkness. +The astonished and confused constable, by dint of struggling and +floundering about, succeeded at length in disencumbering himself of +the superincumbent load of snow and cornstalks, and was able to form +an idea of his situation. He found himself in a large hole, at a depth +of six or seven feet below the surface of the ground, to escape from +which every effort proved fruitless. In vain the entrapped Basset +sprung up the sides again and again, and grasped at the snow, in hope +to catch hold of some object on which to retain a hold; it yielded +to his hands, and every time he fell back more and more exhausted. He +endeavored to attract assistance by shouting, but it seemed as if his +voice mounted no higher than to the top of the hole. He looked up. +Nothing was to be seen but the moon gazing sadly upon him, and the +stars winking at him their glittering eyes. Frightened and vexed, he +threw himself upon the bottom of the hole, then got up, and dashing +down his cap, stamped upon it in ungovernable rage, vowing vengeance +against the traitor, Primus, who, he did not doubt, had led him +into the snare. At first the violent exercise, and next vexation +and resentment, kept him warm; but gradually the effect of the +first passed off, and then the latter, without its aid, was found +ineffectual to ward off the cold. The teeth of poor Basset began to +chatter, and tears of anger and apprehension fell from his eyes. He +started up, and again tried the walls of his prison, but they were too +steep, and too slippery, to permit exit, and at last, with desperate +calmness, he resigned himself to his fate, and awaited such result as +Providence might send. The thought of starvation and freezing to +death passed through his mind, but he was too fully convinced of the +complicity of the black to believe he was ignorant of his condition, +and satisfied that, however tricky, he intended no serious harm. There +was comfort in the thought, and as these reflections prevailed he +became more composed, while a sense of shame succeeded to that of +despair. Shrugging himself together to keep warm, and lifting up +his voice from time to time in a shout, if, perchance, some casual +wayfarer might catch the sound, the constable waited for deliverance. + +Meanwhile, Gladding, for it was no other, who personated the Solitary, +and the General were cozily seated by the fire in the hut of the +latter, discussing the events of the evening. The false beard was +lying on a chair, and a large stone pitcher, containing cider, was +placed near the centre of a table, on which the elbow of Tom was +leaning, who, from time to time, replenished a mug with the liquor, +which made frequent journeys to his mouth. The old General, with +his pipe, was seated on the other side of the table, and appeared as +fervent in his devotions to the pitcher as his guest. + +"I tell you what, Prime," said Tom, "I come plaguy nigh tumbling in +myself. I thought I marked the spot exactly, but somehow or other the +snow light sort o' blinded me, and I stepped right on the edge, and +had to spring for't like all natur'." + +"Dat would a been fust rate, to catch two fox in one trap," said the +General, the whites of whose eyes gleamed plainer than ever in the +fire light at the thought. + +"Fun for you, but not for me by a long chalk. Basset would have the +best on't, too, for he'd have come right top on me. How the crittur +would have crowed!" + +"I hear him crow two or tree time already," said Primus, who had been +to the door several times, and could detect faint sounds whenever the +imprisoned Basset shouted. + +"Let him try his lungs a little longer. It will clear his voice for +singing school. I guess I must go to meeting next Sabbath, if for +nothing else, to hear him perform." + +"But I 'fraid de poor man freeze," said the compassionate General. + +"Never fear, 'twon't hurt him. It will do him good to freeze some of +the ugliness out of him. Besides it's best to wait awhile. Perhaps, +somebody coming along will help him out, and that will save you the +trouble." + +"Me! Missa Gladding! what hab I to do wid it? You put him dere, and +you is de one to pull him out." + +"Don't be onreasonable, Prime, now. You see, if I should go, he'd +know, of course, all about it. Why, he'd recollect the clothes, and +next thing I should be took up for assault and battery." + +"And who save me from being took up?" + +"O, there ain't no danger of that. They can't git no hold on ye. You +can say you hearn crying for help, and didn't know but what Holden had +turned on him, and so come to assist." + +Primus shook his head dubiously. He hardly knew what to reply, yet was +evidently disinclined to the adventure. For that reason, perhaps, he +allowed Basset to remain in durance longer than his own good-nature +prompted, in the hope that relief might arrive from some other +quarter. + +"I vow," at last exclaimed Gladding, "if I don't believe you're afraid +Basset will give you a licking." + +"Basset, nor no oder man, ebber see de day nor night to make me +'fraid," said the valorous General, whose natural courage was a +little stimulated by the cider he had been drinking, starting up and +preparing for his expedition. "But, Missa Gladding, you promise to +stand by me if dis scrape go any furder." + +"Sartainly," answered Tom, "I never left a friend in the lurch, I tell +you." + +"Gib us you hand on dat." + +Tom extended a great sledge-hammer fist, and the two shook hands in +sign of inviolable fidelity. + +"Now," said Tom, "I guess, I'll make myself scarce. I wouldn't have +him see me in this rig for all the cider I drank to-night. There's +some left in the old pitcher, so fetch him along, and comfort the +critter's heart with a few swigs." + +With these words, Tom took his leave, first altering somewhat the +disposition of his garments, divesting himself of the sash, placing +the cap higher on his brows, and depositing the false beard in his +pocket, while Primus, lighting a fresh pipe, sallied forth on his +errand of benevolence. + +As he approached he could hear plainer the halloo which Basset +occasionally emitted from his trap. The ears of the latter sharpened +by expectation, caught the sound of the advancing steps, while as yet +the deliverer was at too great a distance to see the hole, and his +cries for assistance were redoubled. + +"Help!" he cried, "help! They want to murder me. This way--here, in +the old well--this way--O, Lord!" + +Such were the cries that saluted the ears of Primus, as soon as he was +near enough to distinguish articulate sounds. + +"Who dere?" cried the General. + +"O, Prime, help us out of this tarnation hole," groaned Basset. + +"Onpossible! can dis be you, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, peering +over the edge of the pit. "How come you dere?" + +"Don't ask no questions, now, though, I guess, you know as well as +me." + +"His head turn wid de scare, probumbly," soliloquized Primus, loud +enough to be heard by the captive. "I curus to larn how you fall in. +Ebberybody know dis hole, Missa Basset." + +"Haul me out, and I'll let you know." + +There was something in the tone of voice that did not at all please +the General, so looking around, and observing no one in sight, for +it was a lonely place, and having all the advantage on his side, he +resolved to parley, and secure satisfactory terms before he delivered +the prisoner. + +"I bery sorry for you, Missa Basset," he said, "and if you wait +awhile, I go to de village to git a rope to haul you out." + +But this proposition was far from suiting the constable. Now that +assistance was near at hand, he dreaded to lose it out of sight or +hearing. He knew there was no necessity for procuring any rope, and +feared that if Primus put his threatened plan into execution, he would +bring along with him a rabble of men and boys, to jeer at and ridicule +his sufferings. This now seemed worse than all he had already endured; +he was, therefore, willing to make any compromise to avert the +disaster. + +"Don't go, don't go, Prime," begged the constable. "Just give us your +hand, and pull us out of this infarnal place. There's no need of any +rope." + +"But suppose you pull me in arter you, what we do den? De fire would +be all in de fat. Beside, you talk as if you respect me. No, I tink I +be safer if oder folks be here, too." + +"O, Prime," whined Basset, "you hain't no better friend in the world +than me, and no more bowels of marcy than a stump. I tell ye, I don't +suspect you. Lend us a hand, and I'll never forget it, the longest day +I have to live." + +"Well," said the General, "you must make us a promise, fust." + +"What promise? I'll make any promise you please, only do help us out. +I'm 'most dead with cold." + +"You must promise nebber to say any ting about dis night. Dere's +'spicious folks round, like de doctor, and when dey hear you git catch +like a rat in a trap, dey is likely to say, 'Ah, dat is dat old niggur +Primus's work,' and so I lose my good character. De innocent man must +be like de weasel dat is nebber catch asleep." + +It went hard against the grain, for the constable to make the promise, +but there was no alternative except remaining there, he knew not how +long, finally to be extricated by a laughing crowd. With a very ill +grace, therefore, he promised all that Primus required, and would have +bound himself to ten times more, if necessary; but the General was +generous, and asked only security for the future, having no indemnity +to demand for the past. Planting his sound foot firmly in the snow, +the General extended his hand, which being grasped by Basset, he was +soon delivered from thraldom. + +"What's to hender me now, you infernal darkey," exclaimed the +exasperated constable, as soon as he found himself in the upper air, +"from throwing you into the well, and letting you rot there!" + +"What to hender, Missa Basset?" returned the General, stepping back. +"You own feelings, Missa Basset. But you can try it if you please," he +added, letting fall his arms by his sides, which, at the threatening +tone of the constable, he had raised instinctively in self-defence. + +But the other seemed more disposed to allow his anger to explode in +words than to resort to violence. + +"To be chucked into a hole like a dead cat, by a cunning old wool +head, was more'n mortal man could bear," he said, "and he didn't know +why he shouldn't knock out his black brains, on the spot." + +"You can try de 'speriment, if you please," said Primus, cooly, "and +when dey is knock out, I advise you to gadder dem up for you own use." + +"You're a saacy nigger," said Basset, "and if I sarved you right, I'd +clap you into the workhouse." + +"Missa Basset, you bery mad; and when a man is mad, he always +onreasonable. But fire away--it keep you warm, and stop you catching +cold." + +"Onreasonable! when a fellow's been sprawling about in snow and +cornstalks, for more'n two hours, and got more'n half froze! How would +you like it?" + +"If Missa Basset chase Missa Holden, in de moonlight, and fall into a +hole, is I to blame?" + +"I don't believe it was Holden. I believe it was all a plan between +you and some other fellow to git me into the scrape. Come, now, +Prime," he said, moderating his voice into a less ill-natured tone, +"tell us, and I'll let you off this time." + +"O, Lord!" exclaimed Primus, lifting up his hands, with open palms, +and rolling up his eyes towards the moon, "de man is crazy wid de +fright, and he see Missa Holden, too, widin two tree feet." + +He turned now on his way home, as if disdaining longer converse with +one who refused to listen to reason. The constable followed at his +side, growling the whole way, and reproaching the General with his +perfidy, the latter protesting it was Basset's own fault, "when he +knew dere was a hole dere," and that he would have nothing to do with +him, or with the cunning old man, for the future. Upon arriving at the +bars, Primus, notwithstanding his indignation at the suspicion cast +on his honor, courteously invited Basset to take a drink with him, +but the latter, suspecting, perhaps, another snare, was in no humor +to accept the invitation; and, turning away without even noticing the +black's good-night, directed hasty steps towards the lights of the +town. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + "Who called you forth from night and utter death, + From dark and icy caverns, called you forth, + Down those precipitous black-jagged rocks, + For ever shattered, and the same for ever? + Who gave you your invulnerable life, + Your strength, your speed, your fury, and your joy, + Unceasing thunder and eternal foam?" + + COLERIDGE. + + +William Bernard had, of late, been more than usually attracted to the +society of Faith. In habits of familiar intercourse with the family +of the Armstrongs, from his childhood, and admitted to almost the same +degree of intimacy which exists between brothers and sisters with +the little black-eyed girl whom, in winter, he drew on his sled, with +Anne, to school, and, to fill whose apron, he shook chestnuts and +walnuts from the trees, in autumn, he and Faith had never had, during +the earlier period of their acquaintance, feelings other than those +attaching one to another, members of the same household. The fact that +Faith had no brother, taken in connection with her love for Anne, had +caused her to lean more on William, and be willing to call upon him +for a thousand little services, which he was as ready to grant as she +to ask. These, in the years of childhood, were rewarded by a kiss, or +permission to ride on her rocking-horse, or to make calls, with Anne +and herself, on their dolls, and so forth; but as years rolled on, +and vague feelings and shadowy intimations assumed definiteness, a +delicate veil of reserve imperceptibly interposed itself, as effectual +to bar the former familiarity as if a Chinese wall had been built +between them. Yet, for years, no warmer sentiment succeeded; and, +though William Bernard felt pleasure in the society of his beautiful +neighbor, he experienced no uneasiness in her absence. + +But a change was destined to take place which, indeed, it is +surprising had not sooner occurred. William found himself, he hardly +knew how, more frequently in the company of his sister's lovely +friend, notwithstanding it was with a more timid step he sought the +dwelling of Mr. Armstrong. For it seemed to him as if the little +community were beginning to suspect the existence of those feelings +which, like the morning glory, shrink from the rays of the sun. They +were too delicate for inspection. They were like the wing of the +butterfly or the plumage of the humming-bird, which cannot be handled +without being tarnished. Hence, though longing to enter the house as +in his school-boy days, were it only to catch for a moment the sounds +of Faith's voice or a glimpse of her face, he would content himself +with merely passing by, deriving a satisfaction from the consciousness +of being nearer to her, and of gazing on the house beautified by +her presence. Besides, as his feelings became more interested, his +distrust of himself increased. The heart of the bold, young man, which +real danger had never disturbed, fluttered like a caught bird at the +voice of Faith, more and more, and he hesitated to make an avowal +which might, indeed, crown his hopes, but which might, also, dash them +to the ground. For he could not conceal from himself that Faith, so +far from giving him encouragement as a lover, had never even appeared +to suspect his feelings. Her conduct had always been the same, the +same unreserved confidence, the same frank, unconstrained deportment. +She spoke to him as freely as ever of her hopes and fears; she took +his arm as readily, nor did a blush welcome his coming or a tremor of +the voice signalize his departure. + +Young ladies are usually sharp-sighted enough in detecting admiration, +and fathoming the heart of a lover, and some may think her want of +penetration strange. If so, I must entreat indulgence for my simple +Faith. Be the circumstances remembered in which she was placed and had +grown up; her child-like innocence and purity, unacquainted with +the world, her seclusion from society, the intimacy that had always +existed between her and young Bernard, which continued to make +many attentions that would have been marked in another, natural and +expected from him, and the want of all preoccupation in his favor, +and the surprise of the keen-sighted will diminish. Is not an +inexperienced and modest girl slow to suspect in another, emotions +towards herself of a kind which she has never felt? + +William Bernard, then, had never told his love, nor did Miss +Armstrong dream of its existence. To her he was the dear friend of +her childhood, and nothing more. His mother and sister suspected +the condition of his heart, and it was with calm satisfaction in the +former, and a glow of delight in the latter, that they looked forward +to the time when the attentions and amiable qualities of the son and +brother should ripen the friendship of the unimpassioned beauty into +love. Of this result, with a pardonable partiality they did not doubt. +With this explanation of the feelings of the two young people towards +each other at this time, we will accompany them on a morning walk to +the Falls of the Yaupáae. + +It was one of those bright, glorious days which the poet Herrick calls +the "bridal of the earth and sky." From a heaven intensely blue, the +sun, without a cloud, "looked like a God" over his dominions. Some +rain had fallen in the night, and the weather suddenly clearing up +towards morning, had hardened the moisture into ice. Every bush, every +tree, the fences, were covered with a shining mail, from which +and from the crisped surface of the snow, the rays of the sun were +reflected, and filled the air with a sparkling light. Transmuted, as +by a magician's wand, the bare trees were no longer ordinary trees. +They were miracles of vegetable silver and crystal. Mingled among +them, the evergreens glittered like masses of emerald hung with +diamonds. Aladdin, in the enchanted cavern, saw not so brilliant a +spectacle. + +The narrow road which led to the Falls descended a declivity, where it +left the main street until it came to within a few feet of the surface +of the river, then curving round the base of the hill, it skirted the +winding margin of the stream until it ascended another hill, on the +top of which, from a platform of level rock, one of the finest views +was commanded. The path was slippery with ice, and in descending the +declivity the arm of Bernard was necessary to support the uncertain +steps of his companion. It was with a sort of tremor he offered it, of +which Faith was all unconscious. She took it without hesitation, and +stepping cautiously over the glazed surface, and laughing at each +other's slips, the young couple pursued their walk. On their right was +a steep hill, rising in some places to a height of one hundred feet +above their heads, covered over, for a considerable distance along the +road, with the perennial beauty of the graceful hemlock and savin, now +resplendent in jewels; and on the left the Yaupàae, its frozen level +hid in snow, out of which the trees and shrubs on the little islands +raised their silver armor glittering in the sun. In the distance, +and visible from the greater part of the road, the river, in a narrow +chasm, dashed down the rocks. An unusual quantity of snow had lately +fallen, which, having been succeeded by heavy rains, had swollen the +stream to more than double its ordinary size. It was evident +that, what in the language of the country is called a freshet was +commencing. Such is the name given to those swellings of the water, +the most formidable of which commonly occur in the month of February, +or early in the Spring, when the overcharged rivers, bursting their +boundaries and overflowing the neighboring lowlands, sometimes +occasion great damage to property, sweeping away bridges, and mills, +and dams, with irresistible violence. + +The roaring of the Falls had been long distinguishable, but, it was +not until the first curve in the road had been turned, that they came +into sight." + +"Look! Faith," cried Bernard, as they burst into view; "did you ever +see them more magnificent?" + +The attention of the young lady had been, hitherto, too much engrossed +by the necessity of watching her footsteps down the descent, to give +much heed to surrounding objects; but, now, she looked up, having +reached the comparatively level spot, which extended as far as +the second hill or rising ground above mentioned, and felt all the +admiration expressed by her companion. + +"They are grand," she replied. "I have beheld this view a thousand +times, and never weary of its beauty. I do not know whether I love it +more in summer or in winter." + +"How would you express the difference of your feelings, then and now?" + +"I am afraid I have not the skill to put the feeling into words. But, +the impression, on a day like this, is of a magnificence and splendor +unusual to the earth. In summer, the beauty though less astonishing, +is of a softer character." + +"You would rather listen to the song of the robin, and of our northern +mocking-bird, than to the roaring of the angry river?" + +"There is no anger in the sound, William," she replied, looking up +into his face; "It is the shout of praise to its Creator, and the +dashing of the torrents over the rocks are the clapping of its hands." + +"You are right, Faith. How much better you are tuned to the meanings +of nature than I?" + +"You do yourself injustice. It was your love of all this beauty that +induced you to invite me to this walk. Without you I should have +missed it, nor known what I had lost." + +William Bernard sighed. She has not, he thought, the least suspicion +that I love her. She does not know, and would not care if she did, +that, by her side, the only prospect I behold is herself, and the +invitation to this stroll but a pretext to approach her. + +"Your presence, dear Faith," said he, "imparts a double charm to the +scenery." + +"It is sweet," she answered, leaning, as it seemed to him, at the +moment, more affectionately on his arm, "to have one to whom we can +say, how lovely is all this loveliness." + +"The sentiment of the Poet never seemed so true before," said Bernard, +looking at her with admiration. + +She made no reply, for her whole soul was absorbed by the view before +her. + +They had arrived at the platform, which, somewhat higher than the +Fall, commands a prospect of the river and surrounding country. Below +them foamed and thundered the torrent, which, first, making a leap +some twenty feet down, over large, irregularly-shaped boulders of +granite, that strove to oppose its passage, rushed in a steep descent +over a bed of solid stone, irregularly worn by the action of the +water; and, then, contracting itself between its adamantine walls, +burst in distracted fury, like a maniac, from the narrow throat. +Against the opposing rocks, which, perhaps, had fallen into the +Yaupàae, when the fierce convulsion of nature opened the chasm, and +bade the river pour down the gorge--the water lashed with ceaseless +rage, throwing the spray high into the air. This, freezing as it +fell, encrusted the rough sides of the beetling crags with icy layers, +covering them all over with plates like silver, and hanging them with +stalactites. Right in front, and separated only by the narrow pass +from the ledge on which they stood, still higher than which it rose, +towered a huge rock, perpendicularly, to a height of ninety or one +hundred feet above the cataract. Its foam-beaten base, just above +the water, was encased in icy incrustations, higher up, gray moss +overspread its flat side, and tufts of cedar struggled through the +fissures, whilst its top was canopied with hemlocks and savins, and +white oaks. Looking towards the left, the eye swept over the green +hill-side, along which they had walked, and, glancing over the islands +in the Yaupáae, followed the winding coarse of the river, catching +here and there on ground, that sloped to the stream, the sight of +white buildings, with green blinds, till the surrounding hills shut in +the view. + +They both stood silent, as they looked, she, unwilling, by an +exclamation, to break the charm; and he, with his mind full of the +lovely creature before him. Surely, never so angelic a being gazed +upon that scene! As, with kindling countenance and suspended breath, +her dark eyes flashing with enthusiasm, her soul drank in the +sublimity and sparkling radiance that enveloped her, she seemed +no being of mortal mould, but some celestial visitant. The rapt +expression of her face gradually settled into awe, and she softly +murmured these lines, of the Russian poet, Derzhavin-- + + "God! thus to Thee my lowly thoughts can soar, + Thus seek thy presence, Being wise and good, + 'Midst Thy vast works, admire, obey, adore; + And when the tongue is eloquent no more, + The soul shall speak in tears of gratitude." + +The tears were indeed standing in her eyes, as she turned and placed +her hand in that of Bernard. + +"You must think it strange," she said, "that I, to whom all this is no +novelty should be thus affected. It is a weakness from which I shall +never recover." + +"Not weakness, dear Faith," said Bernard, "but the impressibility of a +poetical temperament. Only an insensible heart could be unmoved." + +"If these rocks could speak, what legends they might tell of vanished +races," said Faith. "There is something inexpressibly sad in the fate +of those who once were the masters of these woods and fields, and +streams. + +"They but submit to the common fate, which compels the inferior to +make way for the superior race, as my father says." + +"How beautiful," she continued, "must this goodly land have seemed to +the Indian hunter, when, after the day's chase, he dropped the deer +upon the ground, and, from this high point, looked over the green +forests and shining stream. I should not wonder, if now, in the voice +of the cataract, he fancies he hears the groans of his ancestors, and +the screams of demons." + +"There are traditions connected with this place," said Bernard, "but +they are fast fading away, and promise soon to be forgotten." + +"Are you acquainted with any?" + +"A friend of mine has endeavored to rescue one from oblivion, but I +doubt if it would interest you." + +"I am interested in everything that relates to this people. Tell me +the story now. What more fitting place for romance!" + +"A fitting place certainly, but no fitting time. Romance would hardly +mitigate the keenness of the air, or diminish the probability of +taking cold, were you to stand here listening to Indian legends. +Besides, the tale is in manuscript, and I should not be able, relying +on memory, to do it justice." + +"You shall read it to me this evening, where you cannot make such +excuses," she replied, taking again his arm, and resuming their walk, +"by the light of candles, and near the parlor fire, where we may hear, +and not feel the wind." + +"But where would be the accompaniments of the tale? The framing I fear +would spoil the picture." + +"You will have the benefit of contrast, which every great painter +desires." + +"I am only too happy to please you," he said, with a sigh. + +"My almost brother, William, I knew you would not refuse me the +favor." + +Conversing in this manner, they had reached a turn in the road, which +led back to the village by a route different from that they had come, +when they saw Esther approaching, with her son. The boy walked in +advance of his mother, who seemed to tread in his steps, while that +unfailing companion of the semi-civilized red man, a dog, lounged by +his side. + +Quadaquina was a handsome child, of thirteen or fourteen years of age, +with a perfectly oval face, and eyes deep set and keen, that glittered +like a snake's, resembling his mother, from whom he inherited his +beauty. His dress differed not from that of white boys, except +that there was thrown round his shoulders a piece of coarse blue +broadcloth, disposed like a shawl. Esther had on her head a dark +colored felt hat, such as is worn by laborers, from beneath which long +black hair fell down upon her shoulders. A shawl, like the boy's, was +thrown over her, a skirt, of the same material, extended half way down +between the knee and ankle, and crimson leggins completed the dress. + +As they came up, Faith and Bernard stopped to speak to them, and +inquire after Holden. She had been apprised of his escape, and of the +visit of Pownal and Anne, but had refrained from going to his retreat +in consequence of its being thought advisable to attract as little +attention to it as possible. To her inquiries Esther returned the most +satisfactory answers. Holden appeared quite contented, and was engaged +in preaching to the Indians, and teaching them the principles of the +Christian faith. + +"Do the Indians listen to what he says?" inquired Bernard. + +"They listen; Indian always listen," said Esther, "and the wind blow +the words through the ears." + +"I suppose so," said the young man, laughing. "Holden may now +truly call himself the voice of one crying in the wilderness, and a +wilderness it is likely to remain." + +There was something both in the manner and language that jarred the +feelings of Faith, and she said: + +"I will never give up the hope that these poor people may be +Christianized. Do you not think, Esther, that there has been an +improvement in the habits of the tribe within a few years?" + +Esther hung down her head, and only answered, "Indian will be Indian." + +"I will not despair," said Faith. "Be sure, Esther, you come to the +house before you return. I have something for you, and a message for +Father Holden. + +"I can conceive of no character," said Faith, after they had parted +from Esther, "more noble than that of the Christian missionary. He is +the true redresser of wrongs, the only real knight that ever lived. +You smile," she said, looking at Bernard. "Do you not think so?" + +"I think with you," he replied. "There can be no nobler man than he +who submits to privation, and exposes his life to danger through love +to his fellow man. It is God-like. But I smiled at the association of +ideas, and not at the sentiment. Think of Holden as a knight." + +"To me there is nothing ludicrous in the thought. When I look at him, +I see not the coarse unusual dress, but the heroic soul, that would +have battled valiantly by the side of Godfrey for the holy sepulchre." + +"I am afraid he will meet with only disappointment in his efforts to +reform the Indians." + +"We cannot know the result of any labor. We will do our duty, and +leave the rest to God." + +"They have not the degree of cultivation necessary to the reception of +a religion so refined and spiritual as the Christian. They must first +be educated up to it." + +"But you would not, meanwhile, neglect the very thing for which they +are educated. Religious instruction must be a part of the education, +and it brings refinement with it." + +"Certainly, if it can be received; but therein consists the +difficulty. I am afraid it is as reasonable to expect a savage to +apprehend the exalted truths of Christianity, as one unaquainted with +geometry, the forty-ninth proposition of the first book of Euclid." + +"The comparison is not just. Science demands pure intellect; but +religion, both intellect and feeling, perhaps most of the latter. +The mind is susceptible of high cultivation, the heart feels +instinctively, and that of a peasant may throb with purer feeling than +a philosopher's and for that reason be more ready to receive religious +truth. And who may limit the grace of God?" + +"You have thought deeper on this subject than I, Faith. But how +hard must it be for the rays of divine truth to pierce through the +blackness of that degradation which civilization has entailed on them! +The conversion of the North American Indian was easier at the landing +of the Pilgrims than now." + +"The greater our duty," exclaimed Faith, clasping her hands, "to atone +for the wrongs we have inflicted. But, William, some good has been +done. Look at my dear, good Esther." + +"Esther deserves your praise, I am sure, because you say it. But it is +you that have made her good. She could not be with you, without being +benefited." + +"You are very kind, but no merit attaches to me. They were the +precepts of Christianity that softened her heart, though she was +always gentle." + +"It was the sweetness of religion she heard in your voice, its +kindness she read in your eyes, and its loveliness illustrated in your +life, that attracted and improved Esther" + +"Were I to admit what you say, the credit would, after all, belong to +religion." + +The sun had nearly reached his meridian, as the young couple +approached the house of Mr. Armstrong. What a change had been produced +in a few hours! The warm sunshine, while it glorified the landscape +had robbed it of its sparkling beauty. The trees no longer wore their +silver armor; the branches, relieved of the unusual weight, had +lost the graceful curves and resumed their original positions; white +blossoms no longer bedecked the evergreens; and all around, +large drops were falling, as if lamenting the passing away of the +short-lived magnificence. + +On parting from Bernard, at her father's door, Faith reminded him of +his promise, and invited him and Anne to tea with her in the evening. +Bernard accepted the invitation for himself, and conditionally for his +sister. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "O nymph, with loosely flowing hair, + With buskined leg, and bosom bare, + Thy waist with myrtle girdle bound, + Thy brow with Indian feathers crowned, + Waving in thy snowy hand + An all-commanding magic wand + Of power, to bid fresh gardens blow, + Mid cheerless Lapland's barren snow!" + + JOSEPH WARTON. + +Bernard and his sister, on their arrival, found only Mr. Armstrong +and his daughter, but were joined, in the course of the evening, by +Pownal, at whose arrival all expressed pleasure. The whole company +united with Miss Armstrong in requesting Bernard to read the legend, +who, at last, produced the manuscript from his pocket. + +"I must entreat your indulgence," he said, "for the defects of which +the piece is full. The author is an inexperienced writer, and +unable, like an accomplished hand, to atone by elegance of style for +improbability or poverty of incident. You will expect no more than +that he should observe the proprieties of his subject, nor require him +to introduce into a tale of the children of Nature the refinement +of language or delicacy of sentiment, to be met with in the modern +romance. The stories of an uncivilized people must be rude, even +approaching in simplicity tales designed for children." + +"The writer could not have an audience more ready to be pleased," said +Mr. Armstrong; "and are we not all children of various growths?" + +"I do not believe any excuses are necessary," said Faith, "and am +expecting a great deal of pleasure." + +"The more extravagant, the better," cried Anne. "What can equal the +Arabian Nights Entertainment?" + +"We are all attention," said Pownal; "so whistle your apprehensions, +Bernard, to the wind." + +Thus encouraged, the young man opened his manuscript, and commenced +reading. + + THE LEGEND OF MAGISAUNIKWA AND LEELINAU. + +Where the clear Sakimau mingles its waters with the great salt lake, +which would be too salt, but for the innumerable rivers that pour +themselves into its bosom, the mighty Aishkwagon-ai-bee, whose name, +rendered into the language of the pale faces, is the 'Feather of +Honor,' had erected his lodge. He was the war-chief of a tribe whose +name is lost in the mists of antiquity. He boasted his descent from +the great Ojeeg, of whom it is related that he opened a hole in the +blue sky and let out the soft, warm air of Paradise, so that it +poured down upon the earth, and bestowed summer upon a region before +condemned to perpetual cold. He also liberated the singing-birds +from the mocucks, or basket-cages, where they were confined, which, +descending through the aperture, have since enlivened the woods and +fields with their melodies. He was unable to return to this world, and +may still be seen in the heavens, being changed into the stars called +Ojeeg Annung, known to the wise men among the pale faces as the +Constellation of the Plough. + +Nor was Aishkwagon-ai-bee unworthy of his noble descent. The grandeur +of his thoughts and the boldness of his achievements proved the +purity of his blood. A skillful hunter, a successful warrior, equally +renowned for wisdom in council and bravery in action, he enjoyed the +highest consideration, not only in his own tribe, but as far as the +great lakes to the North, and the river Delaware to the South. When he +pointed to the beautiful scalps that adorned the sides of his wigwam, +he could with truth say, there was not one of them but had graced the +head of a warrior. + +The Sachem had several children, sons and daughters, and among the +latter, the lovely Leelinau was the darling of his heart. The maiden +had attained the age of eighteen, and was the admiration of the youth +for many days' journey round. Her cheeks were the color of the +wild honey-suckle, her lips like strawberries, and the juice of the +milk-weed was not whiter than her teeth. Her form was lith as the +willow, her eyes sparkled like the morning star, her step was that of +a bounding fawn, and her fingers were skilful in weaving the quills of +the porcupine. What wonder if hearts both young and old beat quicker +at her approach? + +Many, it may well be supposed, were the offers of marriage made to the +beautiful Leelinau. Innumerable were the legs of venison, and +choice pieces of bear's meat, which the mothers of the young hunters +presented for acceptance at her lodge, being careful to mention whose +skill in the chase procured them, but in vain did they look for the +bowl of succatash or embroidered moccasins--the products of woman's +labor--in token that their gifts were pleasing to the coy beauty. +In vain, when the shades of evening fell, the softly breathed flute +lamented in melancholy tones her cruelty. In vain, with tasteful +hand, the sighing lover painted his face and person to heighten his +attractions and draw attention. The insensible Leelinau relished not +the venison or bear's meat, nor would she listen to the flute, or look +often at the painted suitors. + +Among her admirers none was more deeply smitten by the power of her +charms nor cherished a truer love than Magisaunikwa or Wampum-hair, +so called from the gentleness of his disposition and love of peace. +He was only a few years the senior of the maiden, and of an obscure +family compared with that of the famous Aishkwagon-ai-bee. But love +levels all distinctions, and, impelled by an influence he could not +withstand, he dared to aspire to the hand of Leelinau. Besides, there +was one superiority he enjoyed which made the claim less presumptuous. +Young as he was no hunter of the tribe could be compared with him in +skill or daring. Other lodges might be destitute, but there was always +abundance of meat in that of Magisaunikwa and those of his friends. +Happy, thought most of the girls, would she be who should lie in the +bosom of the young hunter, and cook his food. + +But notwithstanding his devotion, Leelinau would not accept his gifts. +Still he fancied he had made some impression. She would listen to +his conversation by the light of the evening star, though whenever he +hinted at his passion, she would hastily retire; and twice or +thrice he had caught her eyes fixed on him, when she thought herself +unobserved. Hope lives on scanty aliment, and the young man did not +despair. + +Aishkwagon-ai-bee had noticed the liking of Magisaunikwa for his +daughter, and was not displeased. The noble youth had found favor in +his eyes, and he did not disdain his alliance. There was only a single +cause of hesitation in his mind. Wampum-hair had never been on a +war-path, and had always shown a disinclination to shed human blood. +Yet his courage was undoubted. None encountered with more audacity the +panther and the bear, and several were the lives he had saved at the +hazard of his own. A successful war expedition only was necessary to +complete his claims to the highest honors. Save the bloody scalp, no +ornament was lacking in his wigwam. + +"Magisaunikwa," said the Sachem, "the fire of your eyes melts not the +snow around the heart of Leelinau, and it is because she looks upon +your hands and sees they were never painted with the blood of an +enemy." + +"Can Leelinau be happier." asked the young hunter, "because another is +made miserable? Were I to kill a warrior for her sake, would not her +dreams be disturbed by the groans of his mother?" + +The eyes of the Sachem flashed when he heard such language. + +"Go," he said, "if thou art a dove, seek not to mate with the hawk." + +But the resolution of Wampum-hair was not to be shaken by threats or +reproaches, nor weakened by the seductions of love. In the long and +final fast which revealed to him his guardian spirit, twelve days +with unshaken fortitude, to the wonder of the tribe, had he remained +without food before the vision came. He then beheld a child white as +the water-lily leading a little animal unknown to the country. It was +the size of the beaver, and covered all over with long white hair +that curled closely to its body. Its eyes were mild and sweet, and the +expression of its face gentler than anything ever seen on earth. +The child laid his hand on the heart of the fainting youth, and an +influence soft as the breath of the south wind streamed through his +frame, and he was strengthened, and stood upon his feet and partook +of food. Since then the war-song had been hateful to the ears of +Wampum-hair, and he loathed the vauntings of the braves. He preached +peace to his people, and endeavored to convince them of the folly of +killing their fellow men. But prejudices old as the mountains were not +to be removed by the exhortations or arguments of an obscure youth; +and although the old men listened, and some few approved, yet the +young men scoffed and burned to distinguish themselves after the +manner of their ancestors. It was fortunate for the young man that +opportunities had occurred to test his courage, and that he had never +hesitated when others flinched. His tribe therefore ascribed his +conduct to no want of bravery, but to a delusion sent by his guardian +genius. Hence, though his influence was impaired, it was not entirely +destroyed. + +Thus things continued for some time, till one day the Sachem again +addressed Wampum-hair. + +"Does the heart of Magisaunikwa still beat softly, like the heart of a +deer!" + +"It beats like a man's," said the young hunter, "and not like that of +a vile wild beast. The Indian should imitate the Good Spirit in his +actions, and not destroy his brothers and sisters" + +"Yes," said the Sachem, "his heart is a man's, though it is soft. Does +Wampum-hair still love Leelinau?" + +"The breath of Thequan is not more welcome to the wood-flower which it +wakes up to life, or the song of the bird dearer to its mate, than the +sight of Leelinau to Magisaunikwa." + +"What would Wampum-hair do to obtain her love?" + +"He would climb the sky, or dive to the bottom of the salt lake; all +that the Great Spirit could ask would he do." + +"A chief cannot compel the affection of his daughter, but he can +give his own consent, and the young bird listens to the voice of its +parent." + +"Let the great chief say what he would have, and the arm of +Wampum-hair shall be strong to do his will. For the sake of Leelinau +he would please her father." + +The Sachem paused, and gazed with pleasure on the kindling features +of the young man. He was a wise chief, and desired the good of his +people. In those days the panthers, driven from the north by a severe +winter, infested the country in great numbers, and threatened to +destroy the game, on which the Indians depended for subsistence. +Although many had been killed, there still remained enough to ravage +the land and do serious injury; and they had become so cunning by +being frequently hunted that they almost uniformly succeeded in +eluding the chase. It would be a public service, though a difficult +undertaking, to exterminate the ravenous animals. He therefore said:-- + +"Let Magisaunikwa bring me a conaus made of the scalps of panthers, +and another for Leelinau, and he shall have the strong word of a chief +to whisper commendations of the hunter in the ears of the maiden." + +"It is well. The words of the great chief are pleasant, and my ears +drink them up as the thirsty sand the drops of rain. The feet of +Wampum-hair are swift; his arrows are true, and they shall pierce the +screaming panther." + +That same day, so eager was the young hunter to commence the chase, he +started for those parts of the forest where the game was most likely +to be found. Many were the beasts destroyed by him, so that a little +child might wander in security ten days' journey, in every direction, +from the lodge of the Sachem, and narrow were the escapes from death +of the intrepid hunter, and yet scarcely scalps enough were obtained +to make a conaus or wrapper for the sloping shoulders of Leelinau. In +vain, the enamored youth extended his hunt still further, even twenty +days' journey from his starting point. Only at long intervals was a +beast discovered, but, finally, not one was to be found, and the youth +awoke to the conviction that he had been made a dupe to the cunning of +the Sachem. + +After a fruitless chase he was musing one day sorrowfully over his +disappointed hopes, ashamed to go back to his village, to which he +had never returned without success before, when, suddenly, a man of +majestic presence stood before him. His nose was like the beak of an +eagle, and his eyes resembled fires in a dark night. Strange feathers, +of brilliant colors, were woven into his scalp-lock; a magnificent +robe of skins depended from his shoulders; and in his hand he held a +long spear, tipped with a pointed stone. + +"My brother is sad," he said. "Let my brother give me the half of his +grief to bear." + +Thus exhorted, Magisaunikwa disclosed the cause of his dejection to +his sympathizing friend. + +"Is that all?" said the stranger. "Return, and thou shalt find the +conaus in thy lodge, and when thou beholdest them, remember they are +the gift of Manabozho. I am Manabozho." + +He spoke, and before the astonished hunter had time to thank him, +vanished from his sight. Then the young man knew that he had conversed +with the capricious Manito, and with full faith and light heart, he +directed his steps homeward. + +He found the two conaus in his wigwam, according to the promise of the +Manito. One he presented to the chief, and the other he offered to the +maiden, but she refused to accept the tribute of his devotion. + +The astonishment of Aishkwagon-ai-bee, and of the whole tribe, is not +to be conceived, and the fame of Wampum-hair mounted to the stars. The +truthful chief spoke earnestly to his daughter, of the merits of +her lover, and proposed him for her husband, but Leelinau showed the +strongest aversion to the union. The haughty maiden inherited the +fierce temper of her father, without his wisdom, and she looked with +contempt on all not distinguished by high descent or bloody deeds, +nor in her soaring pride was there one of the young men of the tribe +worthy of her hand. Not that there were not youthful warriors who +could point to the evidences of their prowess, and whose names were +familiar to the song, but in every instance the difficult beauty had +found some objection, and turned away her head. The truth is, the west +wind, that entices the flowers from the ground in spring, and leads +the bird to its mate, had never breathed upon the heart of Leelinau. + +But the time finally came when the maiden was constrained to make a +choice. Her family had become impatient of delay, and Leelinau yielded +to their remonstrances. It was only in appearance, however, that she +acquiesced in the wishes of her relatives. She determined to propose, +as the price of her hand, some enterprise too difficult to be +accomplished. She represented to her father that lightly won, was +lightly prized, and that the daughter of a great chief like him, was +not to be wooed like other maidens, and obtained from him, to whom her +voice was sweeter than the notes of the mocking-bird, his consent to +her scheme. + +The conditions on which Leelinau consented to follow a husband to his +lodge were soon known. Only him would she acknowledge for her lord, +who should guide his canoe in safety from the head of the Falls of +the Yaupáae to the little islands below. The old men shook their heads +when they heard the terms, and the squaws said, her heart must be made +of stone, but the young men felt warm, and thought of trying their +fortunes. + +The enterprise was more difficult than any Manabozho had undertaken. +When the river was low, it poured almost perpendicularly down, a +height of twenty feet, on rocks, thrusting sharp points into the air, +then bounded in sinuous windings through rifts and basins, made by the +constant beating of the water, and the attrition of stones, whirled +round in the cavities, to dash over a declivity of yet other rocks, +before it reached its calm welcome below. When swollen by rains the +rocks were all hidden, the perpendicular fall disappeared, it was as +if the Great Salt Lake were pouring down the side of the mountain, +and from top to bottom was all one vast mass of foam, lashing the +huge rock at the throat, around which the torrent turned with a sudden +bend. No canoe could live on such a cataract. It must be overturned +and engulfed long before reaching the bottom, or if those perils were, +by any wonderful chance, escaped, inevitable destruction awaited the +presumptuous adventurer, dashed against the rock at the bottom. + +The lovers of Leelinau gazed at the Fall, but the more they considered +the less inclination they felt to encounter the danger. In a low stage +of the water the canoe would be overturned, and pierced by the sharp +rocks, while mangled limbs certainly, if not death, must be the doom +of the rash aspirant, and who would dare to brave the terrors of the +swollen river? + +The eyes of Leelinau were bright, and her smile sweet, but there were +other maidens with bright eyes and sweet smiles, and less difficult to +please. + +But not thus felt Magisaunikwa. The absorbing passion swallowed up +all considerations of prudence, and he resolved to undertake the +adventure. If he perished, the Great Spirit would be pleased with his +courage, and what was life without Leelinau? While thoughts like these +passed through his mind, he remembered Manabozho. He had assisted him +once, although in vain, why not a second time? He sought once more +the recesses of the forest, where he had met him, and called upon his +name, but no answer was returned. He kindled a fire and threw upon +it the fragrant tobacco, and called again, "Ho! Manabozho!" and the +majestic figure stood before him, but there was anger on his brow. To +his stern demand the hunter made known what had happened, and begged +his assistance. But the Manito showed no disposition to grant it. In +fact, the task was beyond his powers, but he was unwilling that it +should be known. + +"Fool!" he said, "is a scornful squaw worth the hazard of death and +the shame that attends defeat? Seek thy lodge and blow away these +thoughts as the wind disperses the winged seeds of the stinging +nettle." It was evident Manabozho had never been in love, for then he +would not have thrown away his advice. He stayed not for a reply, but +with a gesture of disdain disappeared. + +Wampum-hair sought his wigwam, melancholy but not discouraged. It +was, indeed, impossible to follow the counsel of the friendly Manito. +Sleeping or waking the image of Leelinau swam before his eyes, and +sometimes smiled as if to incite him to the enterprise. + +He resolved to undertake a solemn fast. He therefore sought a retired +place and built a pointed lodge. + +Six days and nights he fasted, lying on the ground, and on the seventh +day, at the rising of the sun, his guardian spirit, the child with +the white beaver, slowly descended from the sky. His face was kind and +gentle as at the first, but not as before did he lay his hand on the +heart of Wampum-hair. Now he pressed his palm upon the forehead of the +hunter, and strange thoughts and determinations, like rising storms, +passed through his mind: slowly, then, up through the pointed roof, +which opened for his passage, mounted the child till he disappeared in +the blue field. + +Magisaunikwa arose from the ground, and a frown was upon his brow. He +ate and was refreshed, and returned to his lodge. + +It was the last month of snows, and great rains had fallen, and the +torrents were shouting from the mountains, and the Yaupáae pouring out +a mightier flood than had ever been seen rushing through between +the cleft rocks. It was then Wampum-hair announced his intention to +undertake the adventure of the Falls, and invited the tribe to gather +together to witness its performance. It is said that the heart of +Leelinau, touched by so much constancy, was inclined to relent and +excuse her lover the terrible ordeal, but this is probably the dream +of some soft-hearted girl, and only indicates what she would have done +in like circumstances. + +On the day selected, the tribe was collected at the outpouring of the +waters, to witness the achievement of Magisaunikwa, and lament his +death. In great numbers they lined the banks of the stream, seeking +those positions from which the best views could be obtained, while his +friends watched at the foot of the cataract in canoes to rescue the +body should it be thrown up by the raging water. Leelinau, too, was +there, unyielding, yet proud of a devotion unheard of in the annals +of her nation. She looked haughtily as on a spectacle devised in her +honor, of which she should be celebrated as the heroine, long after +her feet should have travelled the path that leads to the Spirit-land. +No regret for the destruction to which her lover was doomed appeared +to touch her heart, nor did pity moisten her eyes as she looked upon +the preparations for the sacrifice. + +At length Magisaunikwa appeared, and never before had he attracted +such admiration. He moved like one returning from victory. No war +paint, such as warriors are accustomed to use when upon the war-path +in order to strike terror into the foe, or when commencing an +enterprise of great peril, stained his person. His dress was the +conaus of panther scalps, and he walked amid a company of young men of +his own age, above the tallest of whom he rose by a head. + +Before commencing the adventure, he performed the customary ceremony +to propitiate the Great Spirit, pointing to the heavens, the earth, +and the four winds, and invoking with a loud voice the Master of Life +to smile upon the undertaking. This being done, he cast his eyes over +the assembled crowd, till they fell upon Leelinau. Long he gazed, +as if he desired to carry her image with him to the Spirit-land, nor +after that last look did he allow his glance to rest upon another +human being. Then, at a little distance above the head of the +cataract, he entered the canoe and grasped the paddle. + +The motion of the frail bark was at first gentle, but only for a short +time: every moment its speed became accelerated, until, even before it +reached the plunge, it seemed to fly like the swallow. Calmly guiding +its fearful course sat the young man, his eyes fixed upon the narrow +opening between the rocks. And now the canoe is at the brink of the +Falls--it leaps like the salmon when he journeys up the stream--it is +gone!--the raging waters have devoured it--no, I see it again--the arm +of Magisaunikwa is strong, and the paddle unbroken. Help, Manito! he +is dashed against the rock at the throat--no, the canoe is whirled +round and darts away, and I behold it gliding with the youth over the +quiet water. The Great Spirit hath protected him. + +A shout, rivalling the roar of the Falls, went up from the assembled +multitude, and they rose with songs such as welcome returned warriors +to greet the successful hero. + +But Wampum-hair received their congratulations and their praises with +indifference. With eyes fixed on the ground, he suffered himself to be +borne in triumph to the spot, where, on a platform of rock, stood the +beautiful Leelinau. What were the thoughts that passed through her +mind? Was she proud of being the object of a love so true and daring, +or did she lament the necessity of accepting a lord? Wampum-hair +approached, and before his calm, sorrowing eyes, her own sunk to the +ground. Searching was his look, as if to descry the secrets of her +soul, and at last he spoke. + +"Leelinau," he said, "the Great Spirit created thee loveliest among +the daughters of women; wherefore gave he thee not a heart? + +"Leelinau, Wampum-hair will sigh no more for thee. Henceforth, thou +art to him only a flower or a painted bird. + +"Leelinau, the waters of the Yaupáae have extinguished the fire that +burned here," and he laid his hand on his heart. He turned upon his +heel and left the assemblage. + +Astonishment at the address of Magisaunikwa at first held all mute, +but presently a cry for revenge arose among the kinsmen of +the slighted maiden. But the commanding voice of the wise +Aishkwagon-ai-bee stilled the tumult. + +"The blood of the mighty Ojeeg," he said, "cannot mingle with water. +The Great Spirit hath taken this way to release Leelinau from a +promise which He is displeased that she made." + +Whatever might have been the vindictive feelings of the relations of +Leelinau, their resentment was never visited on the head of the young +hunter. Once, it is said, two brothers of the rejected maiden lay in +ambush to take his life; but as he passed unconsciously near them, and +the fatal arrows were drawn to the head against his bosom, Manabozho +appeared and forbade the deed. + +Magisaunikwa continued to cherish through a long life his love of +peace. He obtained a great influence over his own and the neighboring +tribes, and succeeded in spreading widely his pacific views. At the +time of his death, which happened at an advanced age, the calumet +of peace was everywhere smoked among the northern tribes, and their +numbers had greatly increased. Wampum-hair was universally honored, +and regarded as the cause of this felicity. But no wife ever cooked +the venison in his lodge. With the dream of his youth vanished all +predilection for the softer sex. He had loved and been disappointed. +Where he expected to meet gentleness he had found pride. He looked for +the yielding willow, and behold the inflexible oak! + +But in Leelinau also a revolution had been effected. Her whole being +was transformed. What devoted love that anticipated every wish was +incapable of accomplishing, indifference achieved. Her soul from that +moment flew on the wings of desire after Magisaunikwa. At first she +thought his conduct caused by some temporary pique or resentment, and +trusted to the power of her fascinations to restore him to her +nets. As time, however, wore on, her hopes became fainter, until the +terrible conviction settled like a night upon her soul, that she had +trifled with the noblest heart of her nation and driven it for ever +away. Then it was she felt the desolation no language can express. A +settled melancholy took possession of her. Her eyes lost their fire, +her lip its smile, and her voice the song. She would wander alone, +far away into the recesses of the forest, speaking to herself in +low tones, and weeping at the remembrance of happy days. Her health +declined rapidly until she became too weak to leave without assistance +the couch, where day after day reclined her fading form. One soft +summer morning she begged two of her mates to support her to the +rock, whence she beheld the exploit of Wampum-hair. She sank down, and +removing, with her wasted hand, the long hair that had fallen over +her eyes, gazed sadly on the foaming river. With a wistful look she +followed the course of the cataract from top to bottom, probably +recalling at the moment her lover's danger for her sake and her own +repented scorn, then heavily sighed, and leaning her head on the bosom +of one of her companions, expired. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + Wide o'er the brim with many a torrent swelled, + And the mixed ruin of its banks o'erspread, + At last the roused up river pours along: + Resistless, roaring, dreadful, down it comes + From the rude mountain and the mossy wild. + + THOMSON'S SEASONS. + + +The company expressed their acknowledgments to Bernard for the +entertainment he had furnished, although they all seemed to consider +the conduct of Wampum-hair inconsistent with his amiable character, +and to pity the fate of Leelinau. + +"The writer must have had some suspicion of the inconsistency +himself," said Bernard, "to judge from his attempt to obviate +the difficulty, by ascribing a magic change in his hero, to the +application of the child's hand to the head, instead of as before, +to the heart. This part of the tale is slightly and unskillfully +developed." + +"I cannot agree with you," said Faith, "and think you do your +friend injustice. The idea is, that the guardian genius exercised a +controlling influence over the destiny of the young man; and I see no +reason why if we concede the power to the genius to soften his nature, +we may not grant also the ability to harden it." + +"Especially," observed Pownal, "as the object of the protecting spirit +would have been frustrated, had the lovers been united." + +All looked inquiringly towards him for an explanation. + +"I mean," said he, "that with such a fierce little squaw for a wife, +the gentleman with the unpronounceable name, would not have continued +a man of peace long. There certainly would have been war within the +wigwam, however dense the puffs of smoke from the calumet of peace +outside." + +All laughed at the sally, but Anne intimated that she would have +preferred a different termination. + +"At least," said Mr. Armstrong, who had listened in silence to the +criticisms of the young people, "it teaches a profitable lesson to you +girls." + +"What is that, Mr. Armstrong?" inquired Anne. + +"That young ladies should know their own minds." + +"A most unreasonable expectation!" exclaimed Anne. "We should become +as stupid--as stupid as reasonable people." + +"Besides," said Faith, coming to her friend's assistance, "the story +was intended for the benefit of Indian girls, and not for those who +read Shakspeare." + +"I suspect," said Bernard, "that the writer was better acquainted with +the Shakspearean ladies, than with Indian girls." + +"Why do you think so?" asked Faith. + +"Do you not observe," answered Bernard, "that he confines himself to +generalities? Not a word does he venture to say about the toilette of +the beauty. A description of the dress of the heroine, has always been +considered indispensable in every tale." + +"Poh, William!" said Anne, "what a savage critic you are. But, +probably, there was so little to describe, the author did not think it +worth his while." + +"And," said Pownal, "is anything admissible in a picture which +distracts the attention and withdraws it from the principal figure? +Good taste excludes ear-rings and gold chains from portraits." + +"Well," said Bernard, "I dare say you are right. It may be, too, that +the dress was indescribable." + +"Who is this Manabozho, who comes in so opportunely, yet, without +effecting much after all?" inquired Anne. "I am charmed with his +appearance; particularly, his big eyes." + +"He is a sort of Indian Hercules," replied Bernard, "who plays a +conspicuous part in many legends. He is a compound of wisdom and +folly, of benevolence and mischief, of strength and weakness, partly +Manitou and partly man, and is privileged to do anything, however +absurd and impossible, at one moment, while, at the next, he may be +shorn of his power, so as to be incapable of taking care of himself." + +"A very convenient person indeed," said Anne. + +"Loosing the knot of a difficulty by the intervention of such a Power, +shows but little ingenuity, I confess," said Bernard. + +"There is classical authority for it, though," said Mr. Armstrong. +"Homer, himself, condescends to introduce a God, when he cannot +extricate himself from embarrassment without his help." + +"Aye," said Bernard, "but the rule of Horace must not be forgotten, +nec Deus," &c. + +"True," said Mr. Armstrong; "but how would you have accomplished the +feat, like one of the labors of Hercules, without some such means?" + +"I do not pretend to be able to do it," answered Bernard, modestly; +"but, doubtless, one possessed of more imagination could have +accomplished it." + +"You are but a cold advocate for your friend," said Faith. "You do not +allow him half the merit he deserves" + +"He would not complain were he to hear me," said Bernard. "No one can +be more sensible than himself, of the defects of his work." + +"And I say," said Anne, "that I like his story exceedingly; only, +he knows nothing about our sex. It may be all very well for a man to +praise that hard-hearted Wampum-head, and make poor Leelinau pine away +for his precious sake, but, I do not believe she was so silly as to +care much about him." + +"If the truth were known," said Pownal, "I have no doubt that the girl +rejected him, because she liked some one else better." + +"And her ungallant beau," said Anne, "made up the story, to cover his +confusion." + +"I am satisfied with it as it is," said Faith. "We pity and love +Leelinau, now; her haughtiness and pride are forgotten in her +misfortunes, and we remember her as one faithful unto death." + +"Your tale reminds me," said Pownal, addressing Bernard, "that there +is a tremendous freshet in the Wootúppocut, and that the waters are +increasing. Suppose, if the ladies consent, we make up a party, to +view it, to-morrow?" + +The proposition was received with approbation by all, and it was +agreed, that they would meet at the house of Mr. Armstrong, as the +starting-point, on the afternoon of the next day. The evening being +now considerably advanced, Faith's friends took their leave. + +The nine o'clock bell was ringing, as the young people passed through +the quiet streets. The custom of ringing a bell, at that hour, is one +which has fallen into desuetude, although, once, almost universal in +New England, and may be said to bear some relation to the vesper-bell, +in Roman Catholic countries. Its avowed object, indeed, was not, as +in the case of the latter, to call the people to prayers, but, its +effect, perhaps, was the same; for, it marked the hour at which the +population of the village were in the habit of retiring to rest; and, +in those days of simple faith, many were the families whose members +united together, before seeking their pillows, to return thanks +for the blessings of the day, and ask for protection during the +defenceless hours of the night. Luxury and dissipation have since +crept in, and parties assemble, now, at an hour when they formerly +broke up. We call ourselves more refined, but, it may admit of a +doubt, whether all our show and parade are not purchased at too dear a +rate, at the price of substantial comfort and happiness. + +The shore was lined with spectators, when the little party approached +the scene of the freshet. We do not know that we have succeeded in +conveying a clear idea of the river we have attempted to describe. It +may be recollected, that it was spoken of as one of the tributaries of +the Severn, coming in from the East, and sweeping round that side of +the town. The banks, on the side opposite, were high and precipitous; +but, on the hither side--with the exception of the narrow passage +through which the river poured itself into the Severn, and for a +short distance above--the ground rose gently from the stream before +it reached the foot of the hill, interposing a piece of comparatively +level land. The road that ran on this flat spot, and connected the +eastern portion (which, from the extempore character of its buildings, +as well as from other causes we do not choose to mention, was called +Hasty-Pudding), with the rest of the town, was, usually, in very high +floods, overflowed. Such was the fact in the present instance, and +boats were busily engaged in transporting persons over the submerged +road. As you stood near the mouth of the river, and looked up the +current, a scene of considerable interest, and, even grandeur, +presented itself. At that time, the innumerable dams higher up the +stream, that have been since constructed, had not been built, nor had +the rocks, at the throat, been blasted to make a wider egress. The +ice, which then rushed down, as it were by agreement, simultaneously +and in huge blocks--but, now-a-days, at intervals, and broken up by +falling over the dams--unable to escape in the eager rivalry of the +cakes to pass each other, was jammed in the throat, and piled up high +in the air, looking like ice-bergs that had floated from the North +Pole. You saw the stream, at all times, rapid, and now, swollen vastly +beyond its ordinary proportions, rushing with ten-fold force, and +hurrying, in its channel, with hoarse sounds, the ice-cakes, which, in +the emulous race, grated against, and, sometimes, mutually destroyed +one another, to drive some under the icy barrier, thence to glide away +to the ocean, and to toss others high above the foaming torrent on the +collected masses, more gradually to find their way to the same bourne. +Looking away from the channel, one saw the cakes caught in the eddies, +whirled up against the banks, and, in some instances, forced into +smoother and shoaler water, where they grounded, or were floated into +little creeks and bays formed by the irregularities of the shores. +These quiet places were, of course, on the side nearest the town, the +opposite bank being too abrupt and the water too deep, for there +was the channel, and there the water tore along with the greatest +violence. + +In one of these placid bays a party of school-boys were amusing +themselves with getting upon the loose blocks and pushing them about +like boats. The amusement appeared to be unattended with danger, the +place being so far from the current, and the water but two or +three feet deep. The children, therefore, were but little noticed, +especially as they were at quite a distance from where the multitude +of spectators was assembled, being considerably higher up and near the +flat-land, bearing the undignified name which only historical accuracy +compels us to introduce. After a time a cake, on which one of the boys +was standing, began slowly to slip away from the shore. So gradually +was this done that it was unobserved by the boys themselves until it +had quite separated itself from the neighborhood of the other cakes, +so that no assistance could be rendered, when one of his companions +cried out to the little fellow upon it, to push for the shore. This +he had already been attempting to do, but in spite of all exertions +he was unable to come nearer. On the contrary, it was evident he was +receding. The water had now become so deep that his pole could no +longer reach the bottom. The current had drawn in the cake, and was +sweeping it with its precious freight to destruction. The children set +up a cry of alarm, which was heard by the spectators below, and first +attracted their attention. + +A thrill of horror ran through the crowd. Men drew in their breath +hard, and women shrieked, unable to turn away their eyes, fastened by +a terrible fascination on the peril. Horrid apprehensions invaded the +mind of many a parent. The doomed boy might be his own son. Despairing +glances were cast around in every direction for help. In vain: none +could be given. There was time for nothing: with every second the +child was swept more rapidly to destruction. + +Meanwhile the brave little fellow, planted firmly on the centre of the +cake, was balancing himself with the pole, and intrepidly confronting +the danger he could not avoid. Not a cry escaped, nor did his +self-possession desert him. As the vexed and whirling water raised up +the one side or the other of his frail bark, he would incline his body +in this or that direction to preserve the equilibrium, now standing +upright and now cowering close to the surface of the uncertain +footing. And now the block approached the throat, where the torrent +ran the swiftest and was most turbulent. The child seemed to have +escaped thus far by miracle, but now it appeared impossible he would +be able to maintain his place. His head must become dizzy, his courage +fail in the awful confusion of so many threatening dangers; the +tormented waves must upset the block, or another must strike against +it and cast the boy into the water. And now the cake has reached the +icy barrier stretched across the stream. It strikes; it is sucked in +below and disappears. + +The spell-bound spectators, their eyes fastened upon the danger of the +boy, had not noticed the figure of a man, who, descending the opposite +bank, and clambering at considerable risk over the masses of heaped +up ice, stood waiting for the approach of the child. So truly had he +judged the sweep of the current, that he had planted himself upon the +edge of the ice at the precise spot where the block struck. Reaching +out his arm at the moment when it slipped beneath, he seized the boy +by the collar of his jacket and drew him to the place on which he +stood. As soon as the crowd caught sight of the man, they saw that it +was Holden. + +The position of the two was still one of danger. A false step, the +separating of the ice, the yielding of a cake might precipitate both +into the torrent. But the heart of the man had never felt the emotion +of fear. He cast his eyes deliberately round, and with a prompt +decision took his course. Raising the rescued child in his arms, he +started in the direction of the wharf, built just below the narrow +opening. Springing with great agility and strength over the blocks, +selecting for footing those cakes which seemed thickest and fastened +in firmest, he made his way over the barrier and bounded safely on +the land. The spectators, seeing the direction he was taking, had run +down, many of them, to the place, and were waiting to receive them. + +"I vow," said our friend, Tom Gladding, who was among the first to +welcome Holden, "if it ain't little Jim Davenport. Why, Jim, you come +pretty nigh gitting a ducking." + +"Yes," said the boy, carelessly, as if he had been engaged in a +frolic, "I wet my shoes some, and the lower part of my trousers." + +Here a man came hastening through the crowd, for whom all made way. It +was Mr. Davenport. He had been, like the rest, a witness of the danger +and the rescue, but knew not that it was his own son who had made the +perilous passage. But a report, running as if by magic from one to +another, had reached his ears, and he was now hurrying to discover +its truth. It was, indeed, his son, and Holden was his preserver. +He advanced to the boy, and examined him from head to foot, as if +to assure himself of his safety before he spoke a word. Shaking with +agitation, he then turned to Holden, and grasping his hand, wrung it +convulsively. + +"May God forget me, Mr. Holden," he stammered, in a broken voice, +"if I forget this service," and taking the boy by the hand he led him +home. + +"Well," said Gladding, who had been looking on, "Jim don't mind it +much, but I guess it'll do old Davenport good." + +Holden, according to his custom, seemed indisposed to enter into +conversation with those around him, or to accept the civilities +tendered, and started off as soon as possible, upon his solitary way. +As he emerged from the crowd, he caught sight of the advancing figures +of Faith and of her companions, who had more leisurely approached, and +stopped to greet them. From them he seemed to receive with pleasure +the congratulations showered upon him, though he disclaimed all merit +for himself. + +"Be the praise," he said, devoutly, "given to Him who, according to +the purpose of his own will, maketh and destroyeth. The insensible +block of ice and I were only instruments in His hands." He turned +away, and walking rapidly was soon out of sight. + +Constable Basset, who was present, had just sense enough to understand +that this was no occasion for his interference, and although he +followed the retreating figure of the Solitary with longing eyes, +while his hands clutched at the writ, ventured on no attempt to +exercise his authority. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + We talk of love and pleasure--but 'tis all + A tale of falsehood. Life's made up of gloom: + The fairest scenes are clad in ruin's pall, + The loveliest pathway leads but to the tomb. + + PERCIVAL. + + +After the event just recorded, it may well be supposed that all +further legal proceedings against the Recluse were abandoned. They +had been commenced only to gratify the wounded pride of Davenport, and +since the preservation of the life of his son by Holden, the community +would have cried shame on him had the matter been pursued further. But +no such public sentiment was needed in order to induce Davenport to +give the justice and Basset a hint to do nothing more. He was really +grateful, though feeling no compunction for his conduct, easily +persuading himself that it had been prompted by a love of justice, and +a desire to protect the interests of religion. + +Holden could, therefore, without fear of the consequences, resume +openly his usual visits to the village. Of late they had been more +than usually frequent at the house of Mr. Armstrong, by whom he seemed +almost as much attracted as by Faith. With the former the conversation +usually turned upon points of theology that every day appeared to +assume with Armstrong deeper importance, with the latter on the +effects produced by the teachings of Holden among the Indians. For +since his exile at the Patmos of the Indian village, a new subject had +engaged the attention of the Solitary, to which with characteristic +energy he had devoted the powers of his soul--the conversion of +the poor wretches who had kindly harbored and protected him. To +his sanguine expectations, expressed in the impassioned language of +Scripture he loved to use, the enthusiastic girl would listen, +with the warmest interest. Accustomed to assign every event to an +overruling Providence, she thought she now saw clearly the hand of a +superior Power in the occurrences which had compelled Holden, in +the first instance, to take up his temporary residence among them. +Temporary residence, we say, because the Solitary had since returned +to his hut, which was at the distance of only two or three miles from +the cabins of his former protectors. Solitude he found was necessary +in order to enable him the better to perform his new duties, and the +distance was too slight to interpose any serious obstacle, or even +inconvenience. + +Such was the state of things, when some weeks after the freshet, Mr. +Armstrong acquainted his daughter, at the breakfast-table, with his +intention to visit Holden that day. + +"It is a long time," he said (four days had elapsed), "since we have +seen him, and there are things upon my mind I would gladly speak +about." + +A few months before, such a declaration from her father would have +suprised Faith, but now she regarded it as quite natural. The intimacy +between the family and the Recluse had become such, and the commanding +character of the latter had acquired so great an influence over +both its members, that neither of them saw anything strange in the +deference paid him. She, therefore, acquiesced with some common-place +remark in the proposal, begging to be remembered to the old man. + +Accordingly, after breakfast, Mr. Armstrong walked down to the wharf, +thinking it probable he might find some boat going down the river, by +which he might be left at the island, intending, should he not +find the Solitary there, to go to the Indian settlement. Nor was he +disappointed. He found a fisherman making preparations to cast off +his boat, who cheerfully consented to convey him to the place of +destination. Mr. Armstrong jumped into the boat, and, the wind +favoring, they rapidly scudded down the stream. + +The fisherman, a fine, frank fellow, of some thirty years of age, to +whom Mr. Armstrong was well known, at least, by reputation, +although the recognition was not mutual, endeavored to engage him +in conversation, but without effect. Although answering politely any +questions, he made no remarks in return, and the conversation soon +languished for want of material to support it. Poor Josiah Sill, +finding his social qualities not appreciated, soon himself relapsed +into silence, wondering what could induce his companion to seek +Holden, and connecting his reserve in some mysterious way with the +visit. Finding the silence not altogether agreeable, Josiah finally +burst out with "Yankee Doodle," which he amused himself with whistling +together with some other favorite tunes, until they reached the +island. As they approached they caught a glimpse of Holden entering +the house, and Josiah landed his passenger, promising to call for him +on his return in the afternoon, though Armstrong expressed a doubt +whether he should remain so long. + +"If you ain't here, there won't be no harm done," said the +good-natured fellow, "and it won't take a minute to stop." + +Mr. Armstrong having thanked him and wished him success, advanced to +the cabin. + +He found Holden in the outer room, engaged in his usual employment, +when at home, of weaving baskets. A large quantity of prepared +saplings, split very thin, lay scattered around him, while bundles of +walnut poles, the crude material of his manufacture, were piled up +in the corners ready for use. With a quick and dexterous hand the +Solitary wove in the ribbon-like pieces, showing great familiarity +with the work. Without desisting from his labor, he expressed pleasure +at the visit of his friend, and requested him to be seated. + +"I am honored," he said, "this day. To what shall I ascribe the notice +of the wealthy Mr. Armstrong?" + +There was a slight tone of irony in the words. It probably was +observed by Mr. Armstrong, for, with some feeling, he replied: + +"Speak to me not so coldly. And yet," he added, dejectedly, "I +deserve that all the world should reject me. Neither the happy nor the +miserable feel sympathy for me." + +The wayward humor of Holden was evidently softened by the sadness of +the sweet, low voice. + +"Each heart," he said, "knoweth best its own bitterness, and I repent +me of my rudeness. But when I saw thee here I could not but remember +that I had dwelt long years in this dwelling, and"--he hesitated, and +Armstrong finished the sentence: + +"And you would say this is the first time I have darkened your door. +Well may it be called darkness where my unhappy shadow falls. But +forgive me: it is only lately that I learned to know you." + +"Thou errest, James Armstrong," returned Holden, "if thou thinkest +thou knowest me, or will ever know me. Yet, after all," he added in +a gentler manner, "thou art right. Yes, know me as a fellow sinner, +journeying with thee to eternity." + +"As my friend," replied Armstrong; "as the guide whose deeper +experience in heavenly things shall teach me the way to heaven, unless +by some inscrutable decree I am excluded." + +"How has my heart been open, how has it longed for years to meet +thine! How gladly would I have poured out my grief into thy bosom as +into that of a brother!" cried Holden, his voice choked with emotion. + +The countenance of Mr. Armstrong betrayed astonishment. "How is this?" +he said. "I never knew it. You have always been to me as a common +acquaintance." + +A shade fell on the face of Holden. He misunderstood the meaning +of the other. He supposed the phrase applicable to the feelings of +Armstrong towards himself, and not as descriptive of his own conduct +to Armstrong. "For the sake of the little Faith," he said coldly, "who +is now a lovely woman, have I highly regarded thee." + +"It is even so," said Armstrong, in a melancholy tone. "There are none +left to love me for my own sake. Yet why should I quarrel with my own +daughter? Let me rather be grateful that she has been the means of +attracting one being towards me. How can I show my friendship? How can +I make you my friend?" + +"I _am_ thy friend," cried Holden, grasping his hand with another +revulsion of feeling. "Put me to any proof. I will not fail." + +"If money could avail with a man like you," continued Armstrong, "it +should not be wanting. If ease or luxury could tempt--but you have +trampled them under foot, and what are they to one whose conversation +is in heaven?" + +Holden, while he was speaking, had risen from his seat and strode +twice or thrice across the room. When Armstrong had finished speaking +he again approached him. + +"It is not for naught," he exclaimed, "that the Lord hath conducted +thee this day unto me. Speak what he shall put into thy mouth to say." + +"I would have your confidence," said Armstrong. "As the sick beast or +the hurt bird knows by an infallible instinct what herb or plant will +best promote its cure, so it seems to me does Providence direct me to +you. Repulse me not, but be my kind physician." + +"How can the physician prescribe, if he knoweth not the complaint." + +"You shall know if you have patience to listen. But I must go back +years to make myself intelligible." + +"Speak, my brother," said Holden, gently, "not a word shall fall in +vain." + +"Then listen," said Armstrong, "and learn what sorrows the outward +shows of prosperity may gild." + +Holden resumed his seat, and Armstrong began his relation. + +"My parents," he said, "had but two children, myself and my brother, +who was younger by two years. The tenderest affection existed between +us, and we were never separated until I went to college, where, after +a couple of years, I was joined by him, and where we remained together +until the close of my collegiate course. I then returned home, in +order to take my place in the mercantile business, in which our +father was engaged. My brother George was destined for one of the +professions. During the last year of his stay at college, his letters +to me were full of the praises of a young lady whose acquaintance he +had made, and in vacations he was never weary of talking of her beauty +and amiable qualities. I was present when he took his degree, and at +a party, given during my stay, in the town, he introduced me to +her. Alas! that introduction was the cause of the happiness and the +wretchedness of my life. It found me a wife, and lost me a brother. I +cannot describe the impression which the first sight of Frances made +upon me. Nor did she seem averse to my attentions. I offered myself, +and was accepted." + +"And didst thou nothing to alienate her affections from thy brother?" +inquired Holden, in a hoarse voice. + +"She never regarded him with more than a passing liking," returned +Armstrong, "nor do I believe she had an idea of the fervor of +his affection. God be my witness, I never spoke a word in his +disparagement. We were married, and shortly after George began to +exhibit indications of insanity. By the advice of physicians he was +taken to an asylum for the insane, where it was hoped, under proper +treatment, his reason might be restored. May God pardon me, who am the +cause of the horrid tragedy, but, by some negligence of his keeper, +he was permitted to escape--his body was found, after some days, in +a neighboring pond." Here Armstrong paused and covered his face with +both hands. + +"The body was recognized as thy brother's?" inquired Holden. + +"It had been in the water too long to be perfectly recognized, but +the height, and age, and color of the hair, and what there was left to +make it distinguishable, were sufficient to identify it as George's." + +"There is no certainty then. Thy brother may be yet alive." + +"There can be no doubt of his death. Thirty years have elapsed, +and were he in existence he must have been heard of. Twelve years +afterwards my Frances died, leaving me two children, a son and infant +daughter. God saw fit, in his providence, to take my boy, but left me +Faith, to lay my grey hairs in the grave. It will not be long before +she will do me that service." + +Mr. Armstrong ceased speaking, and silence succeeded, which was at +last broken by the Solitary. He bent his brows with a keen, searching +glance upon his guest, and said: + +"Thou wert false to thy brother." + +"Yes, and his blood cries against me. Whither shall I turn to hide my +guilt?" + +"Thou dost repent, then, of thy treachery?" inquired Holden, who +seemed determined to probe the wound to the bottom. + +"Alas! restore to me the morning of life; place me in the same +circumstances, and I should fall again. I should be irresistibly +attracted by a heart that seemed made for mine." + +"In _her_ arms thou didst forget the brother, whom thy cruelty had +doomed to the maniac's cell and chain?" said Holden. + +"Never! his image is graven on my heart. I have never ceased to think +of him." + +"Thou wouldst know him should he stand before thee?" + +"Know him! aye, amidst ten thousand. No years could make such changes +as to hide him from me. But he is in his grave, while his murderer +lives." + +"Thou didst find compensation for lamentation over the dead, in the +caresses of the living?" + +"True, too true. While Frances lived, she was my heaven. It was +necessary that this idol should be torn from me. My son, too. Oh, +James, my son! my son!" + +Holden, during the conversation, had been unable to keep his seat, but +with the restlessness of his nature had been walking across the room, +stopping occasionally before Armstrong. The last expression of feeling +evidently affected him. The rapidity of his steps diminished; his +motions became less abrupt; and presently he laid his hand upon the +shoulder of Mr. Armstrong. + +"Thy tale," he said, "is one of sorrow and suffering. Thou didst +violate thy duty, and art punished. No wrong shall escape the avenger. +As it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' +But it is also written, 'He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, +and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.' Thou art after +all but an instrument in the hand of One mighty to do. Even out of +crime He works out the purposes of his will. Thou knowest not from +what sin and sorrow an early death may be the refuge. Commit thyself +to the hands of the Lord, nor grieve as one without hope. Thy brother +liveth, and thou shalt yet behold him." + +"I know he lives, and at the Judgment shall I behold him," said +Armstrong, shuddering, "to upbraid me with his murder." + +"Not to upbraid, but to forgive, and to imprint upon thy brow the seal +of reconciliation, as I now, by this token, vow to thee an everlasting +love." So saying, Holden bent down, and his lips touched the forehead +of Armstrong. + +We do not know that we ought to be surprised at anything in the +conduct of this extraordinary man. The principles by which he +regulated himself, if he had any that were fixed and determinate, and +was not impelled to his actions by the impulse of the moment, were so +different from those of other men, that it is difficult to reduce them +to the same standard, or, indeed, to assign them to any standard. Be +it as it may, so accustomed was Mr. Armstrong to his ways, that so +singular a thing did not impress him as strange. He only looked up +with eyes dimmed with tears, and, in broken accents, thanked the +Solitary. + +The rest of the time spent by Armstrong on the island, was passed in +conversation of very much the same description. It would seem from his +self-reproaches and confessions, that during the lives of his wife and +son, the melancholy death of his brother had made no great impression +upon him. Happy in a woman he adored, and who returned his affection; +with a blooming family around him; immersed in thoughts of business; +and in the enjoyment of a large fortune, there seemed nothing wanting +to complete his felicity. He remembered, too, that there had been an +instance of insanity in his family, some years before the birth of +himself, which had terminated fatally, the cause of which could not +be traced, and felt disposed, therefore, with the natural tendency to +self-exculpation of the happy, to find the reason for the tragical end +of his brother in hereditary infirmity, rather than attach any serious +blame to himself for securing the affections of a lady, whom he +was assured had never loved another. But when after a few years of +unclouded bliss, first his wife, and then his son, was taken away, all +things assumed an altered aspect. He found himself the last male of +his family, his name about to become extinct and forgotten, with only +one other being in the world in whose veins ran his blood, and for +whose life his paternal solicitude almost daily trembled. His mind +brooded day by day more and more over his misfortunes, which gradually +began to wear the form of judgments, the object and result of which +must be to erase his hated name from the earth. As Faith grew up, his +anxieties on her account diminished, but that only left him the +wider scope to dwell upon wild imaginations and make himself more the +subject of his thoughts. Of a grave and reflective cast of mind, he +had even from his early years respected the duties of religion, and +now he turned to it for consolation. But the very sources whence he +should have derived comfort and peace were fountains of disquiet. His +diseased mind seemed incapable of appropriating to itself the gentle +promises of pardon and acceptance, but trembled at the denunciations +of punishment. The universal Father came not to him with open arms, +as to welcome a returned prodigal, but frowned with the severity of +a Judge about to pronounce sentence. Whithersoever the unhappy man +turned, he saw no ray of light to gild the darkness, and he himself +sometimes feared lest reason should desert her throne. But his friends +felt no apprehensions of the kind. In their presence, though grave, +he was always reasonable and on his guard--for he shrunk with the +sensitiveness of a delicate mind from exposing its wounds--nor with +the exception of the minister, and now Holden, was there one who +suspected his condition, and they probably did not realize it fully. +These remarks may serve to abate, if not to remove entirely the +reader's surprise, that one with the education, and in the position of +Armstrong, should have sought counsel from Holden. But it may be, that +the condition of mind to which Armstrong was approaching--similar in +some respects to that of the Solitary--established a sort of relation +or elective affinity between them, operating like the influence of the +magnet, to attract one to the other. We have seen how fond Holden +was of visiting the house of Mr. Armstrong. Could it be that this +mysterious influence, all unconsciously to himself, led his steps +thither, and that afar off he dimly espied the talisman that should +establish a full community between them? Or was not this community +already established? How else account for the visit of Armstrong, the +strange conversation, the confessions, concluded by an act, tender, +and perhaps graceful, but only such as was to be expected from a +deranged man? + +Josiah Sill, true to his promise, arrived while the two men were still +talking, heedless of the passage of time. Mr. Armstrong stepped on +board, and the boat resumed her course. The wind was drawing down the +river, remaining nearly in the same point from which it had blown in +the morning, and they were obliged in consequence to pursue a zig-zag +course, tackling from one shore to the other. It blew fresh, and the +little vessel, gunwale down, with the water sometimes pouring over the +lee side, flew like a bird. They had run two-thirds of the distance, +nor was the sun yet set, when the wind, which, till then, had blown +pretty steadily, began to intermit and come in flaws or puffs, now +driving the small craft with great rapidity, and now urging her gently +on. At an instant, when she was about to tack, having hardly head-way +sufficient to prevent missing stays, a sudden and violent puff, from a +gorge in the hills, struck the sail. Had it come at any other moment, +the catastrophe that followed could not have happened; but the boat +lying almost motionless, received all the force of the wind, and +instantly upset. Mr. Armstrong, unable to swim, and encumbered by his +clothes, sank, but was caught by the strong arm of Sill, and pulled +upon the keel. In a state of great discomfort, though of safety, there +both remained for some time, waiting for assistance. None arriving, +Sill, at last, became impatient, and as he was an excellent swimmer, +proposed to throw off the heavier part of his clothing, and swim to +land to hasten succor. As Mr. Armstrong made no objection, and the +danger appeared less than what was likely to proceed from a long +continuance on the boat, exposed in their wet clothes to the wind, the +shore being but a few rods distant, Sill, after divesting himself of a +part of his clothes, plunged into the water, and with vigorous strokes +swam towards the land. He had proceeded but a short way when, either +in consequence of becoming benumbed by the coldness of the water after +being chilled by exposure to the wind, or from being seized by cramp, +or from what other cause, the unfortunate man suddenly turning +his face towards Armstrong, and uttering a cry of alarm, sank and +disappeared from sight. Once more only was anything seen of him, when +brought near the surface, perhaps, by an eddy in the stream, a hand +emerged, and for an instant the fingers quivered in the air. + +With a sort of desperate horror Armstrong gazed upon the appalling +spectacle. The expression of anguish on the face of the drowning +fisherman, as his distended eyes met his own, froze his blood, and +left a memory behind to last to his dying day. Fascinated, his +eyes dwelt on the spot where the fisherman sunk, and for a moment a +terrible temptation was whispered into his ear quietly, to drop into +the river, and accompany the spirit of the drowned man. But it lasted +only a moment, and the instinct of life resumed its power. + +It was not long ere his condition was discovered from the shore, when +chilled and shivering he was taken off by a boat that put out to +his rescue. On arriving at his home, Faith, excessively alarmed, +immediately dispatched the faithful Felix for the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + How sweetly could I lay my head + Within the cold grave's silent breast, + Where sorrow's tears no more are shed, + No more the ills of life molest. + + MOORE + + +Mr. Armstrong escaped, to all appearance, with a cold, from the +accident. But although this seemed the only effect produced upon his +bodily health, his mind had suffered a severe shock which was not +equally obvious. Fancies, each gloomier than the preceding, took, +henceforth, more and more possession of his imagination. He seemed the +harbinger of misfortune to all connected with him. Frequently rose up +the image of his dead brother, mingling with his dreams and obtruding +itself even into his waking thoughts, at one time dripping with +water as when taken from the pond--ghastly pale--livid--with scarcely +distinguishable lineaments; at another wrapped in the dress of the +tomb, and pointing with bony finger to a new-made grave. Then his wife +would appear, holding their little son by the hand, and standing on +the opposite side of a river that rolled between, beckoning him to +cross. But whenever he made the attempt the waves would close over his +head, and he awoke with a sense of suffocation and gasping for breath. +At another time the scene of the drowning fisherman would be repeated, +but with innumerable variations. Sometimes, in some way or other, +Holden would be mixed up with it, sometimes Faith, and sometimes, most +horrible of all, he himself would be desperately struggling to hold +Sill under water, till finally the yielding body sunk, sunk into +depths no eye could fathom. But never till the face turned and +transfixed him with the despairing glare of those dreadful eyes. + +But we are anticipating and rather describing the condition into +which his mind gradually fell, than its state immediately after his +interview with the Solitary. It took some time longer before the idea +that by an inexorable decree he was doomed to entail destruction +on all connected with him, became fixed. For awhile it floated +uncertainly and impalpably before him, and only slowly, like +an approaching spectre, took upon itself shape and presence. A +conversation between himself and his daughter on the second day after +the accident, and his conduct immediately thereafter, may give us some +apprehension of the current of his thoughts and feelings then. + +"My dearest father," said Faith, throwing her arms around his neck, +and repeating what she had said more than once before, "oh, how +thankful ought I to be for the saving of your precious life!" + +"We are often thankful in our ignorance," said her father, "for the +greatest misfortunes." + +"Do you call it a misfortune to me," she cried, "that I am not left +alone in the world? Oh, father, what should I do without you?" And +in spite of her exertions to suppress them, the tears burst from her +eyes. + +"Come to me, my child," said Armstrong, and he took the weeping girl +into his arms, and leaned her head gently upon his bosom. "Compose +yourself. Believe me, there are trials harder to be borne than the +loss of parents." + +"None, none to me," sobbed Faith. "If it were right I would pray that +I might die the same moment with you." + +"It is well for one like me to think often of death," said her father, +"nor should the young forget they are mortal. But many happy days, I +trust, are reserved for my darling." + +"Happy, if you are to share them with me, father. But why do I weep," +she said, raising up her head and smiling through her tears, "at +thinking of the possibility of a misfortune to myself, when my heart +is swelling with thankfulness for your preservation?" She arose from +her father's lap, drew a chair to his side, and as her custom was, +took one of his hands in both of hers. + +"Such are the dispensations of Providence," said Armstrong. "The old +man, with white hair and bent body, creeps to his grave, while the +infant that has just learned to smile in its mother's face, is hurried +from her arms. Why was it that Sill, so strong, so happy, so young, +with a wife and children dependant on him for support, should be taken +and I left?" + +"Why should we curiously inquire?" replied Faith. "If we could look +behind the curtain, no doubt we should see sufficient reasons for the +choice." + +"When I look back upon my life," continued Armstrong, more distinctly +revealing the thought lurking in his mind, "it seems as if I were born +to be the cause of misfortune to others. Had any one else been in +the boat, the accident would not have happened, or certainly not +terminated fatally." + +"Do not say so, dear father. Can you regulate the winds and waves?" + +"No, Faith. Yet unmanly as it is, let me lament the fate that makes me +the instrument to execute the decrees of Heaven. I am a rod to +attract the fires that consume, while itself rises unscathed amid the +destruction." + +It seemed to Faith natural that her father should be affected by the +death of the fisherman, who, after saving his life, had perished in +the attempt to bring rescue, although she thought his expressions +exaggerated. She felt pained at his self-reproaches, but doubted not +that soon the keenness of regret would lose its edge. In order the +sooner, therefore, to produce this result, she attempted to divert his +thoughts into another channel. + +"You are unjust to yourself, father," she said. "How many are there to +bless you for charities known only to themselves and you?" + +"Mention them not, Faith, crumbs from my superfluity, like those that +fell from the other rich man's table. Besides, of what avail will +any charities, as you call them, of mine be? They will serve only to +convey the curse that attaches itself to me. I tremble to think you +are my daughter." + +"And I," said Faith, "can never be thankful enough for having such +a father. Ah, how happy we might be, if you would only banish these +fancies from your mind!" + +"Thus it is," said Armstrong. "Did I not say right? Like an evil +spirit I scatter only gloom around one. I will remove a presence that +blasts whatever it meets." + +So saying he rose, and in spite of the tearful entreaties of his +daughter, walked into the hall, and taking his great coat from the +hook that held it, put it on and passed into the street. + +Faith, upon his departure, sunk into a chair, and allowed free +course to her tears. They brought relief, and after a few moments she +recovered composure. "This is very foolish," she said to herself, "to +cry like a child. My dear father is nervous, and I do not wonder, that +shocking accident agitates him. I am glad he is gone, for it is +better he should seek the society of his friends, than sit here making +himself melancholy with me. I must be cheerful to receive him when he +returns. At least, he shall see no trace of tears." + +Meanwhile, Mr. Armstrong walked down the street, but shunning +the sight of others, he turned at the first opportunity into an +unfrequented road. It led towards the Severn, and hardly knowing how +it happened, he crossed a bridge, and soon found himself in the woods +that skirt the left bank of that river. Unconsciously, and as if +attracted by some spell, he was directing his course towards the scene +of the late disaster. The walk and the solemn silence of the woods, +in which no sound was heard except the cawing of a watchful crow, +some sentinel placed to give notice of approaching danger to his +companions, gradually subdued the excitement of his feelings. His +pace, at first rapid, relaxed, the light began to play upon the clouds +that brooded on his spirits, and he wondered at his fancies and his +conduct. + +"How could I," thought he, "be so cruel to my own Faith! Her life +ought to be all sunshine and gladness, and would be but for me, and I +must sadden and darken it with the baleful imaginings of a distempered +mind. I must struggle harder and pray oftener and more fervently to +be preserved from myself. And now my soul feels the need of communing +with the Infinite Spirit. What fitter place for adoration than the +stillness of these old woods? Here worldly interruptions cannot come, +and the veil between Him and His creature is withdrawn." + +He stopped. He looked up into the sky, and watched the clouds floating +in the blue. He glanced at the sun flaming in golden magnificence. His +eyes fell on the hoary stems of the giants of the forest. He saw +the trailing arbutus, the delicious herald of warmer suns and softer +winds, creeping to his feet, and raised his hands to heaven and +repeated the lines of Milton-- + + These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good, + Almighty, thine this universal frame, + Thus wondrous fair; Thyself how wondrous then! + Unspeakable, who sitt'st above the heavens, + To us invisible, or dimly seen + In these thy lowest works: yet these declare + Thy goodness beyond thought and power divine. + +He stooped down and picked a few bunches of the arbutus, and put them +in his bosom. "Faith loves flowers," he said, "and the sweetness and +whiteness of these are types of herself." + +He was now quite calm, and realized fully where he was. It is strange, +he thought, how I came hither. I am like Philip, whom the Spirit +caught away. + +He continued his walk, striving to drive away the gloomy ideas, which, +in spite of his resistance, threatened again to master him. With his +eyes bent upon the ground, he proceeded some distance, when a slight +noise attracted his attention. He raised his eyes, and discovered +the cause. Five or six men were approaching, bearing, between them, +something on some boards. Mr. Armstrong stopped, and, as they came +near, perceived, it was the body of the drowned fisherman. + +"Fate," he murmured between his teeth, "has driven me here. It was +meet that the murderer should be confronted by his victim." + +The men, when they had surmounted the steep river bank, tired with the +weight, put down the corpse near where Armstrong stood. He walked up +to it, and gazed upon the face. The men, solemnized by the mournful +task, and respecting the feelings of Armstrong, whom they all knew, +preserved silence. + +There was no expression of pain upon the features. They wore the calm, +impassive look of marble. The eyes and mouth were wide open--efforts +to close them had been in vain--but, there was no speculation in the +former, and the soul played no more around the latter. The long brown +hair, from which the water dripped, hung in disorder over the forehead +and down the neck. Armstrong knelt on the withered leaves, by the side +of the corpse, and parted the hair with his fingers. + +"The agony," he said, as if addressing the drowned man, "is over. The +curtain is lifted. The terrible secret is disclosed. You have heard +the summons we must all hear. You have trod the path we must all +tread. You know your doom. Poor fellow! how gladly would I give my +life for yours." + +The bystanders were moved. Thus to behold the rich and prosperous +Mr. Armstrong, whose reserve was mistaken by some for haughtiness, +kneeling on the ground and lamenting over the obscure fisherman, was +something they had not expected. + +"Sill was a good fellow and a ginerous," said Tom Gladding, wiping +away a tear, with the rough sleeve of his coat. + +"He was a clever fellow, was Sill," added another. + +"I've known him more than once," said Tom, "give half his fish away to +a poor family. Josiah tried to make everybody comfortable." + +"When I was sick, a year ago," said one of the men, "and the neighbors +thought I was going to die, Josiah set up many a night with me, when +he had to work all the next day for his wife and children. I had no +notion, then, he'd have to go afore me." + +"It's true what the primer says," said another-- + + "Xerxes the great must die, + And so must you and I." + +"It don't need the primer or Xerxes either to tell us that," said Tom. +"Now, it looks kind o' hard to have a young man like Josiah go; but, +seeing as how he must die, sometime or other, I guess it don't much +consarn him whether it's to-day or to-morrow, when you think of +etarnity. Howsoever, it's no use standing here sniveling; so, let's +get on. Miss Sill will be glad the body's found, though it will 'most +kill her to see it." + +Thereupon, Tom and his friends took up the corpse, and pursued their +way to the village. + +Armstrong stood still, and looked after them till they were out of +sight. He then turned, descended the bank, and sat upon a rock on the +edge of the water. + +He reviewed the events of the day before the yesterday. He had +repeatedly endeavored to divert his mind from such thoughts; but, in +spite of his wishes, they would force themselves back. Finding all +resistance vain, he had, finally, abandoned himself to their control. + +They passed confusedly through his mind. It was difficult to arrange +them in the order of their succession. He began to be uncertain +whether his visit to Holden was made before or after the drowning of +Sill. He tried to recollect the purpose of his visit to the Solitary, +but could fix upon nothing definite. He seemed to remember that he had +made a confession of some sort, and that Holden had charged him with +the murder of his brother; and, at the same time, commended him for +removing George from the evil to come. His thoughts then reverted to +the upsetting of the boat. He knew that Sill had saved his life; but +why, when in safety on the boat, had he left it? He had a notion of +some conversation between them, and strove, till his brain burned, to +remember it. Had he not urged the unfortunate man to swim ashore? Was +it not most probable he had done so? Was not that most consistent with +his usual treatment of others? Was not that the means adopted by the +stern angel of fate, to accomplish the decree? + +Such was the nature of the thoughts of the unhappy Armstrong. Do +what he might, he could not exclude them. They would give place to no +others. They were at home. They had a right to rule and to torture. +They were a foretaste of a never-ending punishment. His will did not +consent; but, a mightier will commanded, and the weaker must obey. +The sport of an irresistible necessity--with no power of choice--the +blind, unwilling instrument of a controlling force, he was, +notwithstanding, justly chargeable with every misfortune, and, like a +malefactor, must endure the consequences. + +Long he sat thus absorbed in these wretched reflections. He stared +upon the water, but saw nothing: the tide rose and wet his feet, but +he felt it not; the wind blew chill, but he was not cold. He got up +at last from his seat, and was recalled to life. He felt stiff from +having been in one posture so long. He took out his watch, and found +it was twelve o'clock. He looked at the sun, and perceived it did not +contradict the watch, and turned his steps homeward. + +The crow from the topmost bough of a withered tree eyed him as he +passed along quite near, and croaked once, but did not leave his +perch. Armstrong heard him not. Nor did he heed the blue-bird singing +in the noonday sun to the arbutus blossoms crushed by his unwitting +feet, or notice the petulant squirrel flinging down the shells of his +nuts, as if in mockery at the passing stranger. He was met by Primus +in the village street, who took off his cap, but to the salutation +of the negro he paid no regard. The General stopped as he passed, and +turned round, with a sorrowful surprise, to look after him, and shook +his head. It was the first time Mr. Armstrong had passed him without +notice and a kind word. The negroes are very superstitious, and great +observers of signs. He remarked that Mr. Armstrong's hat was pulled +over his eyes, in the same manner he wore it at the funeral of his +wife, and augured some impending calamity. + +Mr. Armstrong entered his house, and threw himself into a seat, but +he sat only a moment. Something seemed to be wanting. A restless +impatience possessed him. He took up the tongs and begun to alter +the disposition of the sticks of wood. He could not suit himself, and +finally abandoned the fire to itself, after having filled the room +with smoke. He went to the bookcase, and took down a book, and +commenced reading. But presently his eyes wandered off, and fastened +themselves on the rug. He threw down the book, and rung the bell +violently. Felix instantly answered the summons. + +"It seems to me you are very negligent in attending to the bell this +morning," said he. "It is unpleasant to be obliged to ring so often." + +"You ring only once, Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, opening his eyes +wide with astonishment. "I in the kitchen at the time, and come +immediumtly. The tongue still jingle." + +"You may well say your tongue jingles," said Mr. Armstrong, sharply. +"Let me trouble you not to contradict me. Where is Miss Faith?" + +"Miss Faith went out an hour ago. I guess she is calling on some +ladies." + +"Go, and find her, and request her to come home." + +Felix retreated hastily into the kitchen, and seized his cap. But +before going out he thought it necessary to speak to Rosa. + +"O, Rosa!" he said, "take care o' the boss while I'm gone. Something +dreadful is happened to him, and I'm 'fraid of the consequence. If you +hear the bell, Rosa, run for your life." + +"How can I leave the dinner? It all spoil, Felix," said Rosa. "I send +Katy." + +"Never mind two dinners," cried Felix. "Better burn the roast beef +than make _him_ feel worse. I never know him cross afore." + +Felix was not obliged to go far. He had hardly got outside of the +gate, when he saw his young mistress coming down the street. Walking +rapidly, he soon met her, and communicated his errand. Faith quickened +her steps, and in a few moments stood by the side of her father. + +She found him contemplating the sprigs of arbutus he had picked for +her. The sight and scent of the lovely flowers had carried him back to +the moment when he plucked them, and restored, in a measure, the +tone of mind that prevailed then. It was, therefore, with his usual +sweetness he addressed her, though there was something in his voice +that made the words drop like so many tears upon her heart. + +"I have brought you some flowers, my darling," he said. "They are the +first nurslings of spring. Beautiful things! looking up all night and +day, with their starry eyes, to heaven, and drinking the dew of God's +grace. Happy things! they know no sin nor sorrow, and are remembered +only for their perfume and beauty. Take them, Faith. Sweets to +the sweet. Like these flowers, your soul exhales an atmosphere of +fragrance, and they belong to you." + +The mutations of Mr. Armstrong's mind were like the changes of an +April day. The softer mood was now prevailing, and as Faith kissed the +flowers, before she put them in her bosom, she felt less unhappy than +in the morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + Whose part in all the pomp that fills, + The circuit of the summer hills. + Is that his grave is green. + And deeply would their hearts rejoice, + To hear again his living voice. + + BRYANT. + + +The funeral, with the usual celerity with which such things are done +in our country, was to take place on the next day. Too often the haste +appears indecent, and it may be that in some instances the body has +been buried before life deserted it. It would seem that the family +felt constrained by the presence of the corpse, and compelled to +exercise an irksome self-control, and, therefore, desired to hurry it +under ground, as if it would be less likely there to know how soon it +was forgotten. + +But in the present case there was no reason why the body should be +longer kept. There could be no doubt that life was extinct. It had +lain too long in the water to admit a ray of hope to the contrary. +The sooner it was placed in its final earthly home the better for +poor Jane Sill, the widow. Her grief would the sooner be mitigated, by +withdrawing her thoughts from the dead to fix them on the necessity of +providing for the living. Until the burial the sympathizing neighbors +took upon themselves to perform the usual work of the household, such +as cooking the necessary food, &c., and one or another came in at +times to look after the children, to see that nothing was neglected +for their comfort, and to console the lone woman in her affliction. +But this could not last long. It was better it should not, but that +things should, as quickly as possible, resume their usual and natural +course. + +When the hour for the ceremony arrived, Mr. Armstrong sent round his +carriage to convey the mourning family in the melancholy procession, +while he and Faith, as the distance was short, proceeded on foot to +the house. It was situated on a sandy beach, near the Wootúppocut, and +a considerable company had collected together before their arrival. +Poor Josiah's generosity and good-nature had made him a general +favorite, and his acquaintances had pretty generally turned out to +render to him the last testimony of affection it would ever be in +their power to pay. The house was too small to hold all present, so +that besides the relations, very few except females were admitted. +Faith entered, but her father, though courteously invited in, and in +consequence of his connection with the accident that caused the death, +considered in some wise a mourner, preferred to remain on the outside. +Meanwhile, during the preparations in the house, groups without were +scattered round, engaged, in low voices, in various conversation. +In some, expressions of condolence and pity were let fall for the +condition of the widow and her family; others descanted on the +good qualities of the deceased; others debated on what might be the +feelings of Armstrong, and wondered what he would give the widow. They +were all acquainted with his generosity, and doubted not of his desire +to repair, so far as he was able, the misfortune with which the more +ignorant would insist upon connecting him as in some sort, a cause. +For this reason, some of them stole sly glances, from time to time, +at his face, wishing not to be observed, as if they expected to read +therein his purposes. But Armstrong, his eyes fastened on the ground, +and absorbed in his own reflections, was unconscious of the attention +he attracted. So lost was he, indeed, in his own thoughts, as not to +observe many of the nods and greetings directed to him. + +Presently low tones, as of one speaking, were heard issuing from the +house, and those standing outside gathered round the open door, to +listen to the prayer of the minister. It seems to be taken for granted +that on such occasions the prayer must occupy some considerable time, +whether because a short one would be irreverent to the Being to whom +it is addressed, or disrespectful to the sorrowing friends, or because +the mind cannot sooner be impressed with due solemnity. Hence it +follows that as these prayers are extempore, and the abilities and +taste of those who offer them of different degrees, they are of +various shades of merit. Seldom is one made in which the canons of +good taste are not violated, and some are not compelled to smile who +ought to weep. The reverend gentleman who conducted the services, +was not insensible to what was expected from him, and determined +"to improve" the mournful event to the benefit of the living. After +alluding to the gratitude his hearers ought to feel at not being thus +hurried, like poor Sill, without time for preparation, before the bar +of Judgment, who, however, he hoped, was prepared, and in order +to heighten the feeling of thankfulness, contrasting the light and +liberty of life with the darkness of the grave (as if the spirit were +confined there), he ran through the usual common places, speaking +with an assured conviction, as if the country beyond the grave were +as familiar to him as the streets of the town. With a tedious +particularity he then entreated the divine blessing upon the members +of the bereaved family, mentioning them by name, beginning with the +widow, to whom succeeded the children, two boys, one of four, and +the other of two years of age, followed by fathers, and mothers, and +brothers, and sisters to an indefinite extent, until the compliment +was duly paid to all who were supposed to have any claim to it. The +prayer was closed very much as it began, with a reference to the +suddenness of the death, which was treated as a warning sent for their +benefit, and a hope that it might be laid to heart, and induce sinners +to fly from the wrath to come. The usual time being now consumed, the +minister who had labored hard, and not without sundry hesitations +and coughings to accomplish his task, brought it to a conclusion, and +announced an appropriate hymn. There was something sadly sweet +and touching in the homely words and simple tune, sung in low and +suppressed tones, as if they were afraid of disturbing the slumbers of +the dead. + +Upon the conclusion of the hymn, the person who acted as master of +the ceremonies went to the door, and, addressing those gathered round, +said that all who desired might now have an opportunity to see +the corpse. Several accepted the invitation, and among others, Mr. +Armstrong. + +The coffin was placed upon a table in the centre of the room, with +a part of the lid turned back on hinges, so as to leave the face +exposed. The former friends and acquaintances of the dead man, giving +place and succeeding to one another, came, looked, and passed out +again, moving lightly on tip-toe solemnized and subdued by the awful +mystery of death. As they came in and left the house, they could see +through an open door in an adjoining room the weeping widow in full +mourning, with her little boys on either side, and the relations +seated round in chairs. + +All having gazed upon the corpse who wished, preparations now +commenced for screwing down the lid of the coffin. The sobs and sounds +of grief which had proceeded from the room where the mourners were +collected, and which had been, as by an effort, suppressed during the +prayer and hymn, now broke forth afresh. + +"O, do not hinder me," poor Mrs. Sill was heard to say; "it's the only +chance I shall have in this world." + +"I guess you'd better not," said a voice, trying to dissuade her. +"It's no use; and, then, before all them strangers." + +"I will see Josiah," she exclaimed, rising from her seat, and putting +aside the well-meaning hand that strove to detain her. "Who has a +better right to take the last look than me?" + +With these words, her crape veil thrown in disorder back upon her +shoulders, her eyes red and swollen with crying, and tears streaming +down her cheeks, she advanced towards the body, all respectfully +making room for her as she approached. + +We are not a very demonstrative people. The inhabitants of New England +are taught, from an early age, the lesson of self-control. They do +not wear in their bosoms windows into which any eyes may look. It is +considered unmanly for men to exhibit excessive feeling, and perhaps +the sentiment has an influence even on the softer sex. The conduct of +Mrs. Sill was unusual, and excited surprise; but it is difficult to +stem strong passion and it had its way. + +She moved quickly up to the table, and threw her arms around the +coffin, resting her cheek on that of her husband, while the hot tears +ran in large drops down its marble surface. One who thought he had a +right to interfere, whispered in her ear, and took hold of an arm to +draw her away, but she turned fiercely upon him. + +"Who are you," she said, "to separate me from my husband? Go--I will +keep him as long as I please." + +The person, seeing her determination, desisted; and all looked on in +mournful silence. + +"O, Josiah," she sobbed, "who'd have thought it! The best, the kindest +husband a woman ever had. O! how sorry I am for every hard word I ever +spoke to you. And you so good--never to find fault when I scolded. +I was wicked--and yet all the time I loved you so. Did you know it, +Josiah? If you were back again, how different I would treat you! The +fire should always be burning bright, and the hearth clean, when you +came back cold from fishing, and you should never, never ask me a +second time for anything. But you don't hear me. What's the use +of crying and lamenting? Here," she said, raising herself up, and +addressing those next her, "take him, and put him in his grave." + +She staggered and fainted, and would have fallen, had she not been +caught in the arms of sympathizing friends, who removed her into the +adjoining chamber, and applied the usual restoratives. This caused +some little delay, but, after a time, the person who had assumed upon +himself the arrangements of the funeral, entered, preceding the four +bearers, whose hats he took into his own hands, to restore them to the +owners when the coffin should be placed in the hearse--a plain black +wagon, with black cloth curtains--waiting at the door. The coffin was +taken up by them, and deposited accordingly; after which, they took +their places in front of the hearse, while the four pall-bearers +ranged themselves on each side. At a signal from the director of the +ceremony, the whole moved forward, leaving space for the carriages +to approach the door. Mr. Armstrong's carriage was driven up, and the +widow and children, with two or three females, were assisted in. Then +followed a few other vehicles, with the nearest relatives, after whom +came others, as they pleased to join. A large number of persons had +previously formed themselves into a procession before the hearse, +headed by the minister, who would have been accompanied by a +physician, had one assisted in making poor Sill's passage to the other +world easier. + +The mournful cortége wound slowly up a hill to the burying-ground--a +piece of broken land on the top. At the time of which we write, the +resting-place of the departed of Hillsdale presented a different +appearance from what it does now. Wild, neglected, overgrown with +briers, it looked repulsive to the living, and unworthy of the dead. +The tender sentiment which associates beauty with the memory of +our friends, and loves to plant the evergreen and rose around their +graves, seemed then not to have touched the bosoms of our people. A +pleasing change has succeeded. The briars have been removed, trees +planted, and when necessary to be laid out, new burial-ground spots +have been selected remarkable for attractiveness and susceptibility +of improvement. The brook has been led in and conducted in tortuous +paths, as if to lull with a soft hymn the tired sleepers, and then +expanded into a fairy lake, around which the weeping willow lets fall +its graceful pendants. The white pine, the various species of firs, +the rhododendron, mixed with the maple, the elm, and the tulip tree, +have found their way into the sacred enclosure. The reproach of +Puritanic insensibility is wiped out. Europe may boast of prouder +monuments, but she has no burial-places so beautiful as some of ours. +Père la Chaise is splendid in marble and iron, but the loveliness of +nature is wanting. Sweet Auburn, and Greenwood, and Laurel Hill are +peerless in their mournful charms. + +The coffin was lowered into the grave in silence. No solemn voice +pronounced the farewell "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." The ceremonies +were concluded. The minister took off his hat, and addressing the +bystanders, some of whom, respectfully imitating his example, raised +the coverings from their heads, thanked them in the name of the +afflicted family for this last tribute of regard. The procession +was formed again, and slowly returned to the house, leaving the +grave-digger to shovel in the gravel and complete his task. + +As Mr. Armstrong and Faith walked home together, but few words were +exchanged between them. Each was absorbed in reflection upon the scene +just witnessed. In Faith's mind it was solemn, but devoid of gloom. +With the hopefulness of health and youth, gleams of sunshine played +over the grave. She looked beyond, and hoped and trusted. + +But with her father it was different. Had it not been for him Sill +might have been alive and well. He had made the wife a widow and her +children orphans. He had introduced weeping and wailing into a happy +home. But this was a slight calamity, and hardly worthy of a thought +in comparison with another. The words of the minister, that the victim +had been hurried to his sentence without time for preparation recurred +with a feeling of horror. It was he through whose instrumentality Sill +had been thrust into tormenting but undestroying flames. Better that +he had never been born. Better that he had been strangled in the hour +of his birth. + +With thoughts like these, this unhappy man, whose heart was the seat +of all the virtues, tormented himself. It seemed sometimes strange +that people did not point their fingers at him: that he was not +arrested for the murder: that he was permitted to walk abroad in the +sunshine. His mind, unknown to those about him, unknown to himself, +was hovering on the confines of insanity. Only a spark, perhaps, was +necessary to light a conflagration. Alas! that one so good, so noble, +should be a victim of destiny. But we forbear to intrude further into +reflections alike miserable and insane. + +Mr. Armstrong felt more composed the next day, and in the afternoon, +accompanied by Faith, went to the dwelling of the widow. They found +her engaged in ordinary family affairs. The duties to the living must +be respected. To neither rich nor poor does sorrow furnish an excuse +for their neglect. Let the mind find something to occupy it, the +hand something to do. Thus do we become sooner reconciled to those +dispensations of Providence at which our weakness, and ignorance, and +presumption rebel. + +The poor woman received them kindly, and offered chairs. Faith took +into her lap the younger child from the floor on which it was sitting, +gnawing a crust of brown bread, and began to talk to him. The round +eyes of the boy expressed his astonishment, but as he looked into the +loving face and heard more of the sweet voice, the alarm he at first +felt at the approach of the stranger subsided, and he smiled with the +confiding innocence which children return to the caresses of those who +are fond of them. + +"Jimmy doesn't know what a loss he's had," said Mrs. Sill. + +"Jimmy will grow up to take care of his mother bye and bye, and repay +her for some of her trouble, won't he?" said Faith, addressing the +boy. + +"O, Josiah and Jimmy are my only comfort," said the widow--"now that +he's gone. I don't know what I should do without them, I'm sure." + +Mr. Armstrong had called the elder boy, Josiah, to his side, and the +little fellow had quickly become familiar enough to play with his gold +watch-chain. Seeing it pleased the child, he took the watch and held +it to his ear, at which the countenance of the boy became radiant with +delight. "O, Jimmy," he cried, "it talks." + +Mr. Armstrong released the watch into the hands of Josiah, who ran +with it to his brother. + +"He will drop it," exclaimed Mrs. Sill, starting forward, taking the +watch from the hands of the disappointed boy, and offering it to Mr. +Armstrong. + +"Keep it," he said, "for Josiah, to associate me, when he grows up, +with his father's death." + +"You don't mean to give away your gold watch?" said Mrs. Sill, still +holding it out towards him. + +"Yes, Mrs. Sill," said Mr. Armstrong, "I intended it for him: I would +give him all I have if I could thereby restore his father to life." + +This observation renewed in full force the sorrow of the poor woman. +She sank back into a chair, and covering her face with her apron, +sobbed and wept bitterly. + +Faith looked at her father with an expression which seemed to say--do +not refer to the cause of her grief. Armstrong understood the appeal, +but he had that in his mind which was unknown to his daughter, and +after a pause he proceeded. + +"I have more property than I deserve, and what better use can I put +it to than give it to the deserving? You will find in that," he +continued, handing a paper to the widow, "what will entitle you to +a little income during your life. I hope it will enable you to take +better care of your children." + +Mrs. Sill took the paper mechanically, and gazed upon without opening +it or imagining the extent of the gift. She kept turning it round and +round in her fingers, as if not knowing what to do with it. + +"Everybody knows you're a kind man, and as generous as you're rich, +Mr. Armstrong;" at last she said, "But I guess I shant want anything +long in this world." + +"I hope you may live long yet," said Mr. Armstrong, "for the sake of +the little boys." + +This allusion recalled her more to herself, and without looking at +the paper she put it into her bosom. "I'm sure I thank you with all my +heart, and shall always try to do my duty by them," she said. + +Here Mr. Armstrong rose, and Faith, putting down the child, that +seemed loth to leave her, spoke in a low tone some parting words of +consolation. + +"I'm sure you're very good; I'm sure I'm very much obleeged to you," +was all Mrs. Sill could say. + +On their way home Faith spoke of the promising appearance of the +children, and of what the hopes of the mother must be on their +account. + +"It is true they are all that are left to her," said Mr. Armstrong, +"and what hopes she has of earthly happiness must be built on them. +But who can look into to-morrow? A few days ago, never dreaming of +misfortune, she exulted in the enjoyment of her husband and little +boys. The first is taken away, and none know how soon the latter may +be. So joys and sorrows are mingled together. At this moment she is +more miserable for having been happy, and so great is the misery, it +outweighs all the happiness of former years. Such is the nature of +pain and pleasure. A pang of the former, an instant's acute agony, may +be equivalent to hours of what is called enjoyment. We are so made. We +may hope for happiness: we are certain of sorrow. We must seek +after the one: the other is sure to find us. When I look round, what +evidences of wretchedness do I see! Alas, it is indeed a fallen world, +and the ground is cursed for man's sake." + +"You take a gloomy view, father," said Faith. "Look beyond. Are we not +promised a happier time when the bliss of Eden shall be renewed?" + +"Yes, and the time will come. Not only prophets and apostles have +had it revealed to them, but grand souls among the heathen have dimly +descryed its dawning from afar. But what unimaginable scenes of horror +must first be? What doleful _misereres_ must first ascend to cloud +the brightness of the heavens and dim the joy of the blest! Long, long +before then, your and my remembrance, Faith, will have perished from +the earth. You will be then a seraph, and I--. If there be ever an +interval of pain, it will be when I think of your blessedness, and +you, if angels sometimes weep, will drop a tear to the memory of your +father, and it shall cool his torment." + +What could the grieved and alarmed daughter say? She spoke in gentle +and loving tones. She combated by every possible argument these +miserable fancies. She entreated him for her sake as well as his own, +to cast them off. He listened to her without impatience, and as if +he loved to hear the sound of her voice. But he shook his head with +a mournful sadness, and his melancholy remained. As may well be +supposed, the dark cloud that had settled down upon his mind was not +thus to be dissipated. Faith, though troubled, did not despair. She +trusted the impression of the late calamity, to which she attributed +much of his unhappiness, would in time wear off. Meanwhile, she +commended him to the kind protection of that Gracious Being who is +loving to all his works. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + I cannot think of sorrow now: and doubt + If e'er I felt it--'tis so dazzled from + My memory by this oblivious transport. + + BYRON + + +"Here come that strange old man," said Felix, the next morning, +looking out of the kitchen window, which commanded a view of the road. +"I do believe he's bewitched the boss." + +Rosa, to whom the remark was addressed, ran to the window, and saw the +Recluse coming up the street. + +"I'm 'stonished," she said, "that Mr. Armstrong and Miss Faith give +so much encouragement to these low pussons. They always take so much +liberty." + +"Give 'em an inch and they take two feet," said Felix. "I wish his +two feet take him away from this house for the last time," he added, +laughing. + +"Ha, ha, ha, you so 'musing Felix," said Rosa. "There is something too +very genteel in your laugh." + +"You do me proud, sweet Rosa," answered Felix, bowing with his hand +upon his breast. + +Holden was no favorite of the black. The well-dressed and well-fed +servant of a wealthy family, with the feeling common to all who judge +from outside appearances, had at first been disposed to look down upon +the coarsely-dressed anchorite, who supported himself by so mean a +labor as the manufacture of baskets, and to consider him as little +better than a beggar-man. No sooner, however, did Holden detect the +feeling, and it was instantly, than he corrected it, so that it never +made its appearance again in his presence. In fact, a feeling of fear +superseded the impertinence of the negro. There was something in the +burning glare of Holden's eyes, and the deep tones of his voice, that +exerted an inexplicable power over Felix. Much he turned it over in +his mind, why, in spite of himself, he was obliged to be as civil +to Holden as to white gentlemen, and at last concluded, the Solitary +possessed some magic art, by which he controlled others. He the more +readily adopted the opinion because he considered his master and young +mistress under the spell of the same glamourie to which he himself had +succumbed. + +When, therefore, Holden struck with the knocker on the door, the +obsequious Felix was at hand to open it, and show him into the parlor. + +"Tell your master I am here," said Holden, entering. + +"How does he know Mr. Armstrong is at home?" said Felix, to himself. +"But I'm a free man, and it is very onpolite to talk about my master." + +"The Lord hath raised up a mighty salvation for us," was the address +of Holden, as Mr. Armstrong entered the room. "I come to bid thee +farewell for a time." + +"Farewell!" repeated Mr. Armstrong, without comprehending the meaning +of the other. + +"Sit thee down, dear friend, and listen to what will give thee joy for +my sake now, and thine own hereafter. My son, who was dead, is alive +again.". + +Armstrong was at a loss to divine the meaning of his visitor. He took +it for some figurative form of expression, and, without making any +reply, passed his hand over his forehead, as if trying to recall some +idea. + +Holden read his thoughts. "Thou dost not understand," he said. "Know +then that the child perished not with the mother." + +"My friend," said Armstrong, who had now complete command of himself, +"you do not reflect that I cannot understand your allusions. Explain +to me, that I may participate in your joy." + +"The child of my youth, he whom I lost, whom I mourned for so many +years as dead, is alive," exclaimed Holden, in tones of irrepressible +emotion. + +"I give you joy," said Armstrong, grasping his hand. "But you never +mentioned you had a son. How have you lost, and how found him?" + +"It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes," said +Holden. "Not long since thou didst tell of an unhappy man, round whom +afflictions had gathered. Now will I tell thee of another not less +wretched, the clouds of whose sorrow the setting sun is gilding. Be it +unto thee for a lesson of hope, for I tell thee, James, that assuredly +thou shalt be comforted." + +We will endeavor to compress into a few words the more diffuse +narrative of the Recluse, confining ourselves to the substance. + +It will be recollected that before Holden's constrained retirement +among the Indians, he had attached to him the squaw, Esther, by the +ties of both gratitude and respect. But it was only at a distance she +looked up to him whom she regarded as a sort of superior being. She +would not have ventured to speak to him of herself, for how could he +take an interest in so insignificant a creature? The nearer relations, +however, into which they were thrown, while he was an inmate of +her cabin, without diminishing her affection, abated her awe. The +teachings of Holden, and the strong interest he manifested for herself +and tribe so affected her, that one day she made to him a confession +of the events of her life. It is only necessary to recount those which +have a connection with this story. Some twenty years previous she had +accompanied her husband on a visit to a tribe in Kentucky, into which +some of her own relatives had been received. While there an expedition +had been undertaken by the Indians, which her husband joined, against +the white settlements, then inconsiderable, and exposed. After a few +days the warriors returned in triumph, bringing with them many +scalps, but no prisoner, except a little boy, saved by her husband, +Huttamoiden. He delivered the child to her, and having none herself, +she soon learned to love it as her own. Huttamoiden described to her +with that particularity which marks the description of natural objects +by an Indian, whose habits of life in the forest compel him to a close +observation, the situation of the log-hut from which the child was +taken, the hut itself before which leaped a mountain stream, the +appearance of the unfortunate woman who was murdered, and the +desperate resistance of the master of the cabin, who, at the time, was +supposed to have perished in the flames, but was afterwards known by +the name of Onontio--as the scourge and terror of the tribe which +had destroyed his family. She had shortly afterwards started with her +husband, taking with them the little boy, for the east, but they found +the innumerable questions and suspicions occasioned by the possession +of the white child so annoying, and dreaded so the inquiries and +investigation that would be made upon their return home, that they +determined to get rid of him upon the first opportunity. As their +route lay through New York, the streets of a populous city furnished +the very chance they desired. It was with great reluctance Esther +felt herself compelled to this course, and she was unwilling the child +should fall into unkind hands. While reflecting upon what was to be +done, she remembered a family which had come from that part of the +country whence she came, and whom she had known as worthy people, +and determined to entrust to them the boy. She dared not to do +this openly. So one night she placed the child on their door-step, +enjoining him not to stir until some one took him into the house, +while she herself watched close by, until she saw him taken in. Since +then, not daring to make inquiries, for fear of bringing on herself +some unknown punishment, she had not heard of the boy. She remembered +the name of the people with whom he was left, and also the street, and +the number, and gave them to Holden. + +Upon this foundation it was the Recluse built up the hope that his son +was yet alive. + +"I am Onontio," he said. "The Being who touched the heart of the +ferocious savage to spare the life of the child, hath preserved him. +Mine eyes shall yet behold him." + +Armstrong was deeply touched, and in the contemplation of the +brightening prospects of his friend, he forgot the clouds that hung +around his own horizon. Perhaps he was not so sanguine of success +as Holden, whose eagle eyes seemed penetrating the future, but he +respected too deeply the high raised hopes and sacred feelings of the +father, to drop a word of doubt or discouragement. + +"Myself, my purse," he said, "are at your service." + +"Thomas Pownal goeth to the city to-morrow," replied Holden. "I will +speak unto him, and accompany him. Nor do I refuse thy assistance, but +freely as it is offered as freely do I accept it. They who are worthy +to be called my friends, regard gold and silver only as it ministers +to their own and others' wants." + +He took the proffered bank-bills with quite as much an air of one +conferring, as one of receiving a favor, and, without even looking at +the amount, put them in his pocket. + +It was so long since Holden had been in the great world, or mingled +in the ordinary pursuits of men--and his appearance and mode of speech +were so different from those of others--that Armstrong had some fears +respecting his researches. It was, perhaps, this latent apprehension +of his fitness to appear in the world--an apprehension, however, +only dimly cognizable by himself--that induced Holden to seek the +companionship of Pownal. With these feelings, and believing he might +be of advantage to this strange man, for whom this new development +awakened additional interest in his mind, Armstrong offered to be his +companion, in the search for his son; but, to his surprise, his offer +was hastily rejected. + +"No," said Holden; "it befitteth not. Stay, to take care of Faith. +Stay, to welcome me when I shall return with a crown of rejoicing upon +my head." + +Armstrong shrunk within himself at the repulse. He would not have +regarded or hardly noticed it once, but, his mind had become morbidly +sensitive. A word, a look, a tone had now power to inflict a wound. +He was like the Sybarite whose repose was disturbed by a wrinkled +rose-leaf; with this difference, that they were spiritual, not +material hurts he felt. Did the forecast of Holden penetrate the +future? Did he, as in a vision, behold the spectres of misfortune that +dogged Armstrong's steps? Was he afraid of a companionship that +might drag him down and entangle him in the meshes of a predestined +wretchedness? He is right, thought Armstrong. He sees the whirlpool +into which, if once drawn, there is no escape from destruction. + +Holden succeeded better in communicating a portion of his confidence +to Pownal. In the morning of life, before experience has dimmed our +sky with clouds, we readily perceive the sun of joy. The bright eyes +of youth catch his rays on the mountain tops, before the drooping lids +of age are raised from the ground. The ardent temperament of the +young man entered with delight into the hopes of his elder. He even +anticipated the request Holden intended to make, and asked permission +to accompany him. With a very natural feeling he endeavored to effect +some change in the costume of the Recluse, but here he met with +decided opposition. + +"I have nothing to do with the world or its follies," said Holden. +"Let it pass on its way as I will on mine. It will reck but little of +the garments of an unknown man." + +It was more for the sake of his friend than himself that Pownal +proposed the change. Perceiving the feelings of the other, he forbore +to press a proposal further, which, after all, was of but little +consequence. A sloop was to sail the next day--the wind favoring--from +Hillsdale, and it was agreed between the two to take passage together. + +We may judge of the feelings of Pownal at this time, from the fact +that the last evening he spent at Hillsdale, before he left for New +York, where, indeed, he expected to remain but a short time, found him +at the house of Judge Bernard. He was fortunate, whether beyond his +expectations or not we cannot say, in finding Miss Bernard alone. At +least it was a fortunate coincidence with his wishes, and might we +judge, from the raised color of the cheeks, and the smiles that played +round the lips of the beautiful girl, not displeasing to her. It is +wonderful, when we look back, how frequently these charming accidents +of youth occur. + +It was unnecessary that Pownal should speak of his intended trip to +the commercial capital. He seemed to assume that Anne was already +acquainted with his purpose, but of Holden's discovery she had not +been informed. + +"Beautiful!" cried Anne, clapping her hands. "We shall have a +_dénouément_ fit for a novel yet. Oh, I do hope he may find his son. +And," added she, with a warm quick feeling, "I can see now reason for +the strange habits of our poor dear prophet. Oh, to think of the long +years of lonesome misery he must have passed!" + +"He seems to have no doubt," said Pownal, "of discovering his lost +son. I confess that when I heard him in his animated way tell his +story, with eyes raised in thankfulness to heaven, I was swept along +by his enthusiasm, and felt no more doubt than himself of his success; +but when I reflect more calmly on the circumstances the prospect is +not so brilliant." + +"Do not doubt: the prospect _is_ brilliant: Jeremiah shall cease his +lamentations: our prophet shall be made happy. Ah, why anticipate +anything but good!" + +"I accept the omen, dear Miss Bernard," said Pownal, looking with +admiration upon her beaming countenance, "Men arrive at conclusions, +how often false, by a fallible process of reasoning, while truth comes +to your more fortunate sex by a happy inspiration." + +"And I accept the compliment, since you accept the inspiration. I hope +it is with more than the ordinary sincerity of those in the habit of +making compliments." + +"I wish you could see into my heart." + +"You would wish the window closed immediately. What do you suppose I +should see there?" + +"Yourself." + +"Then it is a looking-glass," said Anne, blushing. "A valuable piece +of furniture certainly, in which any lady may view her face!" + +"No! a portrait more true to life than Stuart's, and which I prize +above everything." + +"You must be mistaken in fancying it mine. Only old pictures are +prized. The moderns have no reputation." + +"You will always jest. I assure you I am serious," said Pownal, who, +however, was obliged to smile. + +"I see you are very serious. Oh, I hate seriousness ever since I was +frightened by the long face of Deacon Bigelow, when he discovered my +ignorance of the catechism. It was as long," she added, looking round +for something to compare it to, "as the tongs." + +"Or as your lessons of a June day, when the sunshine and birds, and +flowers were inviting you to join them." + +"Or as the time when I do not see Faith for twenty-four hours." + +"Or as my absence will be to me in New York." + +"I wonder how you," said Anne, "who are accustomed to the bustle and +excitement of a large city, can be contented with the quiet monotony +of a country town." + +"I found something here not to be found in all country towns," said +Pownal. "Besides, the noise and confusion of a large place never were +agreeable to me, and when I return to them they lie like a weight upon +my spirits. Instead of a city I ought to have been born in a boundless +forest." + +"You know I have said, I thought there was a wildness about you," +replied Anne, laughing. + +"Do you not consider the wild animal tamed?" + +"Not entirely. It belongs to a species almost irreclaimable." + +"He will never be tamed a second time." + +"Then he must not be suffered to escape." + +The words flew from the lips of the gay impulsive girl before she was +aware. The eloquent blood crimsoned her cheeks, and clapping both her +hands upon her face to conceal the blushes, she burst into a laugh as +musical as the song of the canary bird. Pownal's eyes sparkled with +delight, but before he could utter a word, she had sprung upon her +feet. + +"It is too bad," she cried, "to compare you to a wild animal. Forgive +and forget my impertinence. I have been reading a novel," and as, she +said so she took a book from the table, "by an American author, which +interests me greatly. Have you seen it?" + +Pownal took the book into his hands. It was one of Charles Brockden +Brown's. + +"I read it some years ago," he said; "and I remember it made a great +impression upon me at the time. It appears to me to be written with +wonderful power of enchaining the attention. I could not lay it down +until it was finished." + +"Exactly as I was affected," said Anne. + +"Yet I wonder that one so lively and merry as Miss Bernard should +be pleased with such a book. The subjects of Brown's novels are all +gloomy. His imagination seems at home only in sombre scenes. His is +the fascination of horror." + +"I wonder at it myself. But it shows the ability of the writer, in +being able to affect as thoughtless a person as I am." + +"Not thoughtless. No one would say that of you but yourself. It is, +perhaps, because of your gaiety--on account of the contrast. The +sunshine loves to light up dark places." + +"Very prettily expressed. Really, if you go on improving, we must +have you appointed valentine-manufacturer-general for the town of +Hillsdale." + +"I suspect the valentines would all be addressed to one person." + +"Then I shall oppose your appointment. But let that pass for the +present. You were telling me why I liked Brown's novels." + +"I am not so presumptuous. I was only guessing. It is the Yankee's +privilege. The world concedes it to us. I suggest then that your mind +wanders through those dark scenes with an interest like that with +which a traveller contemplates a strange country. And may they ever +remain a strange region to you. May you ever continue to be what you +are now, a bright being, at whose approach sorrow and sadness fly +away." + +The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of the Judge and +Mrs. Bernard, on their return from some neighborly call. Anne received +the bonnet and shawl from her mother, who was evidently accustomed to +such attentions, nor had the young lady ever appeared more beautiful +in the eyes of the young man, than when he saw her rendering those +little services of filial respect and affection. "She deserves," he +said to himself, "the richest gifts of Providence. One so bright, so +pure, so innocent, must be a favorite of the angels." + +These were lover's thoughts, and our readers at the remembrance of +youthful dreams and fancies will pardon their extravagance. They come +at only one period of life, and oh, how quickly do they fly, leaving +behind a trail of light which may, indeed, be obscured, but never +quite extinguished. + +Pownal informed the Judge of his intended departure, and, as usual, +received from him and Mrs. Bernard some commissions to execute on +their account. That of the former was for some books, while his +wife's, we are compelled to say, however undignified it may sound, was +for nothing more important than the last fashionable French bonnet. +But let us add that she took not more pleasure in wearing a becoming +head-dress (and what new fashion is not becoming?) than he in seeing +her handsome face in its adornment. + +"My husband," she said, "Mr. Pownal, tries to Frenchify me a little, +sometimes, and I am obliged to indulge him, he is generally so good; +but he will never succeed in making anything else out of me than a +plain Yankee woman." + +"Plain or beautiful, the highest title to my affection," said the +Judge, gallantly. "I have been a traveller, Thomas, and have seen +the Old World. This is a progressive world; and, believe me, the +productions of the New are not, to say the least, inferior to those of +the Old." + +"I can well believe it," said Pownal, bowing to the ladies. + +"A pleasant voyage, Thomas," said the Judge, as he bade his young +friend good-bye, "along the sandy shores of Long Island, and through +the perils of Hell Gate." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + "Then lock thee fast + Alone within thy chamber, there fall down + On both thy knees, and grovel on the ground: + Cry to thy heart: wash every word thou utter'st + In tears (and if't be possible) of blood: + Beg Heaven to cleanse the leprosy." + + FORD'S PLAYS. + + +Armstrong, upon the departure of Holden, sat moodily pondering what +had been told him. Were his emotions those of pleasure or of pain? At +first, the former. The natural goodness of his disposition made +him instinctively rejoice in the happiness of his friend. For a few +moments, he forgot himself, and, as long as the forgetfulness lasted, +was happy in the participation of the other's hopes. But this frame +of mind was only momentary. We have seen how an answer of Holden was +sufficient to restore his gloom. Thoughts chased each other in wild +confusion, over which he had no control, which he reproached himself +for admitting--which he would have excluded, if he could. The +connection between him and the Solitary was one of mutual misfortune. +Sorrow was the ligament that united them. For years had he known +Holden, but it was only within a short time, namely, since an awakened +conscience (so he judged, himself) had revealed to him his own +hideousness, that he had been attracted to the Solitary. Should Holden +recover his son, should his heart expand once more to admit worldly +joys, would it not be closed to him? As he once felt indifference +towards Holden, so would not Holden, by a change of circumstances, +by the awakening of new desires and new hopes, by the occupancy +of emotions the more delightful because fresh and for so long +unexperienced, stand to him in other and colder relations? These +reflections were not clear, distinct, sharply defined. They drove +through his mind, ragged and torn, like storm-clouds chased by the +tempest. + +There were two beings struggling with one another in him--the one +striving to encourage the noble feelings of his nature, and drive away +whatever was inconsistent with truth and reason--the other whispering +doubt, and selfishness, and despair. He rose and paced, with rapid +steps, the room. + +"Has it come to this?" he said to himself, as if wondering at his +condition. "Am I become incapable of participating in the happiness of +others? Am I a festering mass of selfishness? O! once it was not so. +I will resist these thoughts which come from the bottomless pit. They +shall not master me. They are the temptations of the Evil One. But can +I resist them? Have I not grieved away the spirit? Is there place for +repentance? Am I not like Esau, who sought it in vain with many tears? +If he was refused the grace of God, why not I? Why not I, that I may +go to my own place? Already I feel and know my destiny. I feel it in +the terrible looking for of judgment. I feel it in that I do not love +my neighbor. If I did, would I not sympathize in his happiness? Would +this wretched self for ever interpose? I never knew myself before. I +now know the unutterable vileness of my heart. I would hide it from +Thee, my God. I would hide it from Thy holy angels--from myself." + +That day, Mr. Armstrong stirred not from the house, as long as the sun +remained above the horizon. The golden sunshine deepened his mental +gloom. Nor to his eyes was it golden. It was a coppery, unnatural +light. It looked poisonous. It seemed as if the young leaves of spring +ought to wither in its glare. + +He heard the laugh of a man in the street, and started as if he had +been stung. It sounded like the mockery of a fiend. Was the laugh +directed at him? He started, and ran to the window, with a feeling +of anger, to see who it was that was triumphing over his misery. +He looked up and down the street, but could see no one. The +disappointment still further irritated him. Was he to be refused the +poor satisfaction of knowing who had wounded him? Was the assassin +to be permitted to stab him in the back? Was he not to be allowed to +defend himself? He returned and resumed his seat, trembling all over. +Faith's canary bird was singing, at the top of its voice. Armstrong +turned and looked at it. The little thing, with fluttering wings and +elevated head, and moving a foot, as if beating time, poured out a +torrent of melody. The sounds, its actions, grated on his feelings. He +rose and removed it into another room. + +He folded his arms, his head fell upon his chest, and he shut his +eyes to exclude the light. "I am out of harmony with all creation," +he said. "I am fit for a place where no bird ever sings. This is the +evidence of my doom. Only the blessed can be in harmony with +God's works. Heaven is harmony--the music of his laws. Evil is +discord--myself am discord." + +Faith had still some influence over him, though even at her entrance +he started "like a guilty thing surprised." Her presence was a charm +to abate the violence of the hurricane. He could not resist the gentle +tones of her voice, and at the spell his calmed spirit trembled into +comparative repose. Armstrong acknowledged it to himself as an augury +of good. + +I cannot be wholly evil, he thought, if the approach of a pure angel +gives me pleasure. The touch of Ithuriel's spear reveals deformity +where it exists; in me it discloses beauty. + +With her he could talk over the ordinary affairs of the day with +calmness, though it is singular, considering the perfect confidence +between them, that he never adverted to the communication of Holden, +notwithstanding he knew it would possess the highest interest for her. +It betrays, perhaps, the weakened and diseased condition of a mind, +wincing like an inflamed limb at the apprehension of a touch. + +As the father listened and looked at his child, he felt transported +into a region whither the demons could not come. They could not endure +her purity; they could not abide her brightness. Her influence was a +barrier mightier than the wall that encircled Paradise, and over which +no evil thing could leap. He therefore kept her by him as much as +possible. He manifested uneasiness when she was away. His consolation +and hope was Faith. As the Roman prisoner drank life from the pure +fountains to which he had given life, so Armstrong drew strength from +the angelic spirit his own had kindled. + +Yet was his daughter unconscious of the whole influence she exerted, +nor had she even a distant apprehension of the chaos of his mind. +How would she have been startled could she have beheld the seething +cauldron! But into that, only the Eye that surveys all things could +look. + +Thus several days passed by. An ordinary observer would have noticed +no change in Armstrong, except that his appetite diminished, and he +seemed restless. Doctor Elmer and Faith both remarked these symptoms, +but they did not alarm the former, though they grieved the latter. +Accustomed to repose unlimited confidence in the medical skill of +the physician, and too modest to have an opinion adverse to that +of another older than herself, and in a department wherewith he was +familiar, and she had no knowledge except what was colored by filial +fears and affection, and, perhaps, distorted by them out of its +reasonable proportions, Faith went on from day to day, hoping that +a favorable change would take place, and that she should have +the happiness of seeing her dear father restored to his former +cheerfulness. + +It is painful to follow the sad moods of a noble mind, conscious of +its aberrations, and yet unable to control them. We have not the +power of analysis capable of tracing it through all its windings, and +exhibiting it naked to the view, and if we had, might shrink from the +task, as from one inflicting unnecessary pain, both on the writer +and the reader. It is our object only so far to sketch the state of +Armstrong's mind, as to make his conduct intelligible. + +His restlessness has been alluded to. He found himself unable to sleep +as formerly. Long after retiring to rest he would lie wide awake, +vainly courting the gentle influence that seemed to shun him the more +it was wooed. The rays of the morning sun would sometimes stream into +the window before sleep had visited his eyelids, and he would rise +haggard, and weary, and desponding. And if he did sink into slumber, +it was not always into forgetfulness, but into a confused mist of +dreams, more harassing than even his waking thoughts. The difficulty +of obtaining sleep had lately induced a habit of reading late into the +night, and not unfrequently even into the morning hours. Long after +his daughter had sought her chamber, and when she supposed he was +in bed, he was seated in his solitary room, trying to fasten his +attention on a book, and to produce the condition favorable to repose. +The darkness of his mind sought congenial gloom. If he opened +the sacred volume, he turned not to the gracious promises of +reconciliation and pardon, and the softened theology of the New +Testament, or to those visions of a future state of beatitude, which +occasionally light up the sombre pages of the Old, as if the gates of +Paradise were for a moment opened, to let out a radiance on a darkness +that would else be too disheartening and distracting; but to the +wailings of the prophets and denunciations of punishment. These he +fastened on with a fatal tenacity, and by a perverted ingenuity, in +some way or other connected with himself, and made applicable to +his own circumstances. Naught could pass through his imagination or +memory, but, by some diabolical alchemy, was stripped of its sanative +and healthful properties, and converted into harm. + +"Young's Night Thoughts" was a book that possessed peculiar +attractions. For hours would he hang over its distressful pages, and +many were the leaves blotted by his tears. Yet those tears relieved +him not. Still, from time to time, would he recur to the book, as if +tempted by a fascination he could not resist, striving to find, if +possible, in the wretchedness of another, a lower deep than his own. +Especially in the solemn hours of the night, when the silence was so +profound, he could fancy he heard the flickering of the candles, he +read the book. Then hanging upon image after image of those deploring +strains, and appropriating all their melancholy, intensified through +the lens of his own dark imagination, he would sink from one depth +of wretchedness to another, till he seemed lost away, where no ray of +light could ever penetrate, or plummet sound. + +He had been reading one night late, until as if unable to endure the +images of woe it conjured up, he pushed the book away from him. The +night was dark and stormy, and the rain pouring in torrents. He walked +to the window and looked out. He could see nothing, except as the +landscape was revealed for an instant by a flash of lightning. He +could hear nothing, except the peals of thunder rolling through +the valleys. He took a candle, and walked cautiously to the door of +Faith's chamber, to see if she were asleep. The door was ajar, for +the purpose of ventilation, and, shading the light with his hand, +Armstrong could see the face of his sleeping daughter without waking +her. She lay in the profound slumber of health and youth, undisturbed +by the noise of the thunder, as one conscious of a protecting +Providence. Her left hand was under her cheek, the black hair combed +back, and collected under the snowy cap. Her breathing was scarcely +perceptible, but soft and quiet as an infant's. An expression of +happiness rested on her features, and the color was a little kindled +in her cheek, looking brighter in contrast with the linen sheet. + +"She sleeps," he thought, "as if there were no sin and misery in the +world. And why should she not? What has she to do with them? Were my +spiritual eyes opened, I should see the protecting angels in shining +garments around her bed, unless my approach has driven them away. +Heaven takes care of its own. So I could sleep once. Will the time +come when she, too, shall be so guilty she cannot sleep? Almighty +God forbid! Better she were in her grave. They are fortunate who die +young. They are taken from the evil to come. The heart ceases to beat +before it becomes so hard it cannot repent. Were she to die to-night +her salvation would be assured. What infinite gain! The murderer could +inflict no injury, but would confer a benefit." + +Why did he start? Why did he shudder all over? Why did he hastily turn +round, and shut the door, and hasten to his own room, locking it after +him? Why was it he took something from his pocket, and, opening the +window, threw it violently into the dark? But a moment Armstrong +remained in his room. Blowing out the candles, and noiselessly +descending the stairs, he as quietly opened and shut the front door, +and stood in the open air. + +The storm was at its height. The rain poured with such violence that +in the flashes of lightning he could see the large drops leap from +the ground. But he felt not that he was wet to the skin. He minded +not that he had left the house without a hat, and that the water was +running in streams from his head to the earth. With a rapid pace, +approaching running, he fled through the streets, until he reached the +grave-yard. Without a ray to guide him, through a darkness that might +be felt, he found his way to a grave, it was his wife's. He threw +himself prostrate on his face, and lay motionless. + +When Armstrong raised himself from the ground the storm had ceased, +the clouds had left the sky, and the stars were shining brilliantly. +He gazed around, then looked up into the blue vault. What were those +innumerable shining points? Were they worlds, as the learned have +said? Were they inhabited by beings like himself, doomed to sin and +suffer? Did they suffer, more or less? Could the errors of a few years +be expiated by sufferings of ages, as countless as the grains of +sand on the seashore? He struck the palm of his hand violently on his +forehead; he threw out his arm, as if in defiance, toward heaven, and +groaned aloud. It seemed as though from every heaped-up grave that +groan was echoed, and called to him like an invitation to join the +hosts of darkness. He started, and looked again at the gruel sky. But +no voice of comfort was breathed thence. The silver stars were now +sparks of an universal conflagration. With a gesture of despair, he +left the city of the dead. + +Silence and darkness still shrouded the house of Mr. Armstrong on his +return. He closed the door quietly after him, and, cautiously as +he had descended, ascended the stairs, which, in spite of all his +precaution, creaked under his feet. The sounds sent a thrill of +alarm through him as though he feared discovery. It was as if he were +returning from some guilty enterprise. Without striking a light, he +threw off his soaked garments, and got into bed. Strange, perhaps, to +say, he soon fell into a sleep, deeper and more refreshing than any +he had for a long time enjoyed. It may be that the excitement of his +system was worked off by rapid motion, and exposure to the night air +and rain, or that nature, unable longer to endure it, sunk beneath +the tension. It was not until a late hour he arose, when he found +breakfast awaiting him. After the usual greetings, Faith said: + +"Here is your penknife, father, which Felix found lying on the path +this morning. You must have lost it from your pocket." + +Mr. Armstrong took the knife, without reply, and, when unobserved, +dropped it into the fire. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + Cities humming with a restless crowd + Sordid as active, ignorant as loud, + Whose highest praise is that they live in vain, + The dupes of pleasure, or the slaves of gain. + + COWPER. + + +We have a little anticipated the order of events for the purpose of +presenting more clearly the details of the story, it being after the +departure of the Solitary and Pownal that some of them occurred. The +favorable wind for which the packet Calypso had waited for two or +three days at last came, and with a flowing sheet the good sloop sped +over the waters of the Severn. + +The means of communication between Hillsdale and the commercial +capital were very different in those days from the present. Instead +of the fine steamboats and railroad cars, which now connect the +two places, the mode of travelling was by sailing vessels and stage +coaches. The latter were the surer--but not the more popular. In the +wintry months, when the navigation of the river was unimpeded by ice, +the condition of the roads was such that, in spite of the dreariness +of water transit, at that season, the packets were able to maintain +a fair rivalship with the coaches, while, in the summer, the latter +stood but little chance in the competition, but were almost entirely +deserted. To this result the comfortable cabins of the coasters, +designed for passengers (spacious and satisfactory for those times, +however the refined effeminacy of the present generation might sneer +at them), and the good fare they furnished, not a little contributed. +The Calypso was one of the finest of the line of packets to which she +belonged, and provided with every convenience that could be desired. +She was a sloop of some ninety or one hundred tons, with a tall mast, +that, to the timid eye of a landsman, seemed fitter for a vessel of +twice her size, and when her enormous mainsail was raised and usual +sail set, she looked more like one of those birds whose wings bear +such a disproportion to the body, that in the contemplation we forget +to what they are attached, than like a safe and sea-worthy craft. But +the shipwright who laid her keel and shaped her ribs, knew what he was +about, and the Calypso was as staunch and stiff as she was handsome. +Her cabin extended full one-half the length of the vessel, and by +means of a raised quarter deck, was conveniently high between joints, +so that even the tallest man ran no risk of striking his head. True, +it was not embellished with gilding, and mahogany, and satinwood, but +the paint was virgin white, the state-rooms commodious, the berths +wide, and the bedding and linen scrupulously clean. Captain Standish +prided himself upon the comfort and propriety of his craft, and the +good reputation he enjoyed and deserved. The length of the passage +varied according to the state of the winds and tides. It might, under +the most favorable circumstances, be made in less than twenty-four +hours, and it might last a week. It was at a period of the world's +existence, before steam and electricity had imparted a feverish +impatience to the community, and men did not hurry as if they had not +time enough to live. + +But let it not be thought, that it is as one who peevishly resents the +improvements made in mechanical and other departments of knowledge, we +dwell upon these particulars. We are quite awake to the fact that the +world turns round, and although the consequence is an alternation +of light and darkness, are satisfied with the change. With the +philosopher Pangloss we would rather believe, "_dans ce meilleur des +mondes possible_," than to entertain any less cheerful opinion. No. +It is rather to perpetuate the remembrance of what has been, or to +qualify more truthfully and modestly the expression, to save it for a +moment longer from oblivion. It is with a melancholy pleasure that +one who has reached that stage of the journey of life, from which +henceforth his progress can only be one of continued descent towards +the valley whereon broods the cloud not untouched with rays of +divine light, reverts to whatever, even though they may seem trifles, +characterized the beginning of his career. Ah! it was the breaking of +the morning. For a time the sky glowed with a deepening glory, to fade +at last into the "light of common day." We never can, we never would +forget that lovely dawning. + +Holden, nothing doubting, was confident that the voyage would +terminate for him in the restoration to his arms, of the son whom +he had mourned as one dead. Nor did he seem to have a doubt of the +worthiness of the long lost treasure. A hope, brilliant and beautiful, +that glorified whatever it touched, had taken absolute possession of +him. It would admit no fear, no uncertainty, no despondency. The new +feeling penetrated all departments of his mind, and mixed itself up +with and colored even his religious speculations. He began to +connect, in some way, the realization of his awakened hopes with +the millennium, of which it was to be a forerunner. This appeared +especially on the second day of the voyage, which lasted three days. + +It was a warm, bright afternoon in the latter part of the month of +May, just before the setting of the sun, and Holden and Pownal +had walked to the bow of the vessel, as if to be nearer the golden +luminary when he should sink from sight. A gentle breeze filled the +sails of the Calypso, the soft murmur from under whose cutwater seemed +to testify to the delight with which she moved on her liquid way. For +some time Holden had stood with folded arms, watching the sun, as by +slow degrees he sunk into the waves. Pownal, himself, was thrillingly +alive to the magnificence of earth, and sky, and ocean, and all fair +forms and hues of nature, and noticing the exalted and rapt expression +of his elder friend's face, and sympathizing in the influence that +produced it, was in no mood to break the silence. + +"Type of the Infinite," at last Pownal heard him say, "how have +I loved to watch thy coming and departure! Chariot of fire, whose +burning wheels support the throne of judgment, thy course is onward +until the fullness of the time is come. Of man's impatience thou +reckest not. With thee a thousand years are as a day." + +He ceased speaking, and a total silence for some time succeeded. His +eyes continued fixed upon the spot where the sun had disappeared, but +they saw nothing. An interior struggle was going on which engrossed +the faculties, and left no opportunity for the observation of external +objects. Repeatedly he passed his hand over his eyes and forehead, +pressing the palm forcibly, as if to concentrate the attention, and at +length he addressed Pownal. + +"The scoffers have long sat in the gate, and lolled out the tongue and +cried aha! but of a surety the time draweth nigh. Because He delayeth, +where, say they, is the promise of His coming? But doth a sparrow fall +to the ground without His knowledge, and are not ye of more value +than many sparrows, oh, ye of little faith? Shall not the sorrows of +fathers move the heart of the universal Father?" + +It is scarcely to be expected that the young man entirely understood +the rhapsody of Holden, though familiar with his moods. He saw, +however, it had some connection with the one idea that had mastered +all others, leaving them, notwithstanding, at perfect liberty, except +so far as they interfered with itself. For it cannot have escaped +observation, that on all subjects but one Holden exercised an ordinary +degree of judgment, a circumstance by no means singular in the case +of persons affected with monomania. Pownal, therefore, did as he +was accustomed, avoiding all contradiction, and falling in with the +other's thoughts. + +"That," said Pownal, "it seems to me, is the worthiest name that can +be given to the Supreme Being." + +"It is the worthiest and the dearest. Thou, young man, canst know +nothing of the emotions of a father's heart. Couldst thou look into +its abysses of tenderness a new world would be revealed to thee, +of which now thou only dreamest. Not a drop of blood that wandereth +through its channels, but would coin itself into a joy for the +beloved. But what is human love to His, the Creator of love? A breath, +a bubble, a sigh. One great heart comprehendeth in its embrace all +hearts. Look around thee," he added, throwing up his arms, "and behold +the evidence: yon blue vault filled with bright worlds, bright because +they are happy; this vast ocean teeming with strange life; the green +earth whence, as from an altar, the perfume of grateful flowers and +chants of praising birds do ceaselessly arise. Young man, be thankful +and adore." + +Holden stopped, as if he expected a reply, and Pownal therefore said: + +"I am not, I fear, sufficiently thankful for the favors of +Providence." + +"'Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,'" pursued the old +man. "How many evils had I escaped had I heeded the advice I give! +But it is the old tale of human folly. The aged with his experience is +counted for nothing. My son," he added impressively, laying his hand +on Pownal, "behold these furrows on a withered face. They are the +traces of unrestrained passion. I forgot my Creator in the days of my +youth." + +He turned and walked away, but presently retraced his steps and took +up the train of thought he seemed to have dropped. + +"But he forgot not me. His mercies are over all his works. Even when I +was a great way off my Father saw me, and had compassion, and ran, and +fell on my neck, and kissed me. And now will he put the best robe upon +me, and a ring upon my finger, and shoes upon my feet." + +Such was the excited and hoping condition of Holden's mind as the +vessel approached the port of New York, which it reached the next +morning. Although then a place of great trade, and giving indubitable +promise of what it has since become, New York was far, very far from +approaching its present splendor and magnificence, which entitle it to +vie with the most brilliant capitals of the world. Even then the ships +of all nations were to be found at its wharfs, but the taper masts +rising into the sky, formed not a cordon so immense as that which now, +like a forest stripped of its leaves, girts it round. Nor from even +its most fashionable portions, the residence and resort of the wealthy +and the gay, had all the humbler buildings, which belonged to its +origin, disappeared. Alongside of the modern brick, or occasionally +stone mansion of four stories, that style of architecture, dear yet to +the heart of a genuine Knickerbocker of which Holland boasts, if not +the invention, at least the perfectioning, reared its pointed gable, +and rose like Jacob's ladder with parapeted roof into the sky. But +slightly injured by weather in a climate singularly clear and pure, +under a sky untarnished by the dismal clouds from bituminous coal +fires, which enshroud less favored lands, the brave little Dutch +bricks held their own with a sturdiness becoming their ancestry. Those +monuments of a simpler age have almost disappeared, and the ingenuity +they exhibited, and the taste of which they were the specimens, are +likely soon to be remembered only as steps in the worlds pupilage. + +But, however the fashions of man may change, the grand features of +nature remain eternal. Beautifully bright then as now sparkled in +the light of the May morning sun, the waves of that glorious bay, +unrivalled but by one, while little boats and pinnaces darting about +in all direction like sea-birds, gave animation to a scene, which +without the accompaniment would have possessed peculiar interest to +one who, like Holden, had lived so long in seclusion. As the vessel +turned around Castle Garden to seek her berth in the North River, +and his eyes ran over the islands and Jersey shore, and up the noble +stream, and one by one he recognized the objects he had seen in his +youth, it seemed as if feelings, supposed dead, were coming to life, +and nature re-assuming the gala garb which she once wore. + +But, independent of the causes that made the scene peculiarly +attractive to our traveller, it is impossible to approach a large city +after a long absence without excitement. The aggregation of a mass of +human beings full of life, and instinct with its hopes, and fears, +and joys, and sorrows, and passions, acts like a stimulus. Nature is +beautiful, and art glorious, but the object of deepest interest to +man is man himself. In his fellow beings he sees reflected his own +interior world, a world of mystery and marvel, whence any news is +welcome that will impart information respecting its light and shade, +its harmonies and discords. He cannot stand outside, a looker-on, +separate and apart, having no portion therein: he is in it and of it, +an integral atom, a something which cannot be isolated if it would. + +The packet, after some delay, occasioned by the occupation of her +berth by a casual trader, was finally able, by advancing one vessel, +and pushing another back, and shoving a third on one side, to approach +the wharf at the foot of Courtlandt street, and land her passengers. +A coach was presently procured, and Holden, who had been invited +by Pownal, accompanied his young friend. The distance up Courtlandt +street, and down Broadway to the house of the elder Pownal, which +was near the Battery, was short, and therefore even had the +carriage proceeded more leisurely, and the Recluse been disposed +to observation, he could have seen but little, and that in an +unsatisfactory manner. Pownal felt some curiosity respecting the +impression which would be made by the turmoil of a large city upon one +who for so many years had excluded himself from the crowded haunts of +men, and therefore watched his companion with no little interest; +but Holden, as if he divined his thoughts, and was displeased at the +discovery, or for some other unknown reason, betrayed no change of +feeling, or conduct, but was as impassive and indifferent to all +passing around him as if he were in his own hut. So far from showing +any emotion, he threw himself into a corner of the carriage, and shut +his eyes as if desirous to exclude objects of which he was regardless, +or which only annoyed him. The young man knew not exactly how to +interpret the other's conduct, but was too much accustomed to his +habits to feel surprise, and respected him too greatly to desire to +intrude into anything he wished to conceal. + +The carriage stopped before a fine, large brick mansion, worthy of a +merchant prince, fronting the Battery, and, of course, commanding a +view through the trees which shaded the greensward of that beautiful +spot, of the blue water, and islands, and the Jersey shore sweeping +away in the distance. Fashion, always capricious in her movements, has +deserted the lower part of Broadway and the Battery, by far the most +charming quarter of the city, to emigrate to a part of the island on +which New York is built, more remote from the marts of trade. Immense +warehouses occupy the sites where once stood the abodes of elegance +and hospitality, and the chaffer of traffic has succeeded to social +welcomes and greetings of conviviality. + +The black servant who came to the door at the ringing of the bell, +stared with astonishment at the unusual figure of Pownal's companion, +but if disposed, as is the habit of his class, to be deficient in +respect to one not bearing the conventional stamp, a glance of the +young man's eye, and his marked deference toward the stranger, to say +nothing of the latter's natural air of authority, soon restored his +courtesy and usual obsequious attention. It was, therefore, with a +gracious expression of countenance and polite bow, that Mr. Johnson +ushered the two gentlemen into the parlor. + +"Where is Mr. Pownal, Johnson?" inquired the young man. + +"He is out of town, sir, with the whole family. I believe he went to +Albany, sir." + +"Is Mrs. Corning in the house?" + +"Mrs. Corning is just come back from market, sir. I heard her voice +only a minute ago." + +"Say, I would like to speak to her." + +In a few moments, Mrs. Corning, the housekeeper, a respectable-looking +woman, of some forty-five years of age, made her appearance, and +testified a hearty pleasure at seeing the young man, whom she kissed +with great affection, and by whom she was received with every mark of +regard. + +The family, she said, in reply to the questions of Pownal, had been +absent, at Albany, where they were, on a visit to some relatives, for +three weeks, but were daily expected home. She was _so_ sorry they +were absent. They were all well, and would be so glad to see him +looking so well. She thought she had never seen him looking better. +There was nothing like country air to paint the cheeks. + +Pownal thought this a good opportunity to commend his friend to the +favorable consideration of the housekeeper, and said-- + +"That I am well, I probably owe to the kindness of this gentleman, +who will remain with us during my stay in town," at the same time, +introducing Holden to the lady. + +"Your friends, Mr. Thomas," said Mrs. Corning, courtesying to Holden, +"will always be welcome in this house. But, tell me, have you been +sick?--I'm sure, you don't look so--or some accident, or"---- + +"I will tell you all about it, by-and-by. At present, a cup of +coffee." + +"My! what a thoughtless creature I am!" exclaimed Mrs. Corning. "The +pleasure of seeing you again, put all idea of breakfast out of my +mind. I never thought of asking, if you had had any. But, it shan't be +long before that mistake shall be remedied." + +So saying, good Mrs. Corning bustled out of the room, on hospitable +thoughts intent, and, in a short time, the substantial comforts of +an American breakfast were smoking on the board. Pownal partook of it +with the liberal appetite of high health and youth sharpened by his +little voyage, while Holden himself, though in far greater moderation, +was not unmindful of the viands before him. His achievements, however, +did not seem to satisfy the housekeeper, who vainly pressed her +delicacies upon him, and who, subsequently, after a more thorough +observation of his character at meals, expressed her wonder, to +Pownal, whether the effect of a long beard was not to diminish the +appetite! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + I met with scoffs, I met with scorns + From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, + They called me in the public squares, + The fool that wears a crown of thorns. + + TENNYSON'S "IN MEMORIAM." + +It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of +his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his +ability, by Pownal. All the time the young man could spare from his +own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was +little probability of succeeding in the search. But who, however, +convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his +assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an +interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success? +And such is the nature of enthusiasm, or a high-wrought faith, that +Pownal himself could not refrain from entering with some degree of +spirit into an inquiry, which he felt would probably be in vain. + +Together they sought out, in the first place, the street indicated by +Esther. Formerly an obscure part of the city, it had now become, by +those mutations which are constantly occurring, and nowhere with such +rapidity as in this country, a considerable rendezvous of trade. By +rare good luck, the name of the street had been preserved, and by luck +still rarer, the house itself, corresponding in all respects to the +description by Esther. It was one of those ancient Dutch houses, of +which mention has been made, built of a yellowish brick, and standing +with its gable-end toward the street, its steep-pointed roof, +constituting at least one-half of the building, rising with an air of +command, dominating the whole, and seeming, indeed, to be that portion +to which all the other parts were only subsidiary, and constructed for +its honor and glory. Neither Holden nor Pownal had, for an instant, +doubted the honesty and truth of Esther, and yet it must be confessed, +that the discovery of a building, so exactly corresponding with her +description, added fresh fuel to the hopes of the former, and was +not without influence on the latter. And yet, at a moment when, as +it seemed to himself, he was about to realize his dear hopes--for the +imagination of the Solitary leaped over all intervening difficulties, +and, in the confusion of his mind, it almost appeared as if when the +door opened, he should see and recognize his son--Holden laid his hand +on Pownal's arm, and arrested his steps. + +"Stay," he said, "let me pause a moment, and recover my wandering +thoughts. There is a sound as of a tempest in my brain, and a confused +noise, as of a trampling of men and horses." + +He sat down on the stone step, as if unable to support himself, and +rested his head on his hand. + +"Here," he said, speaking to himself, with a trembling voice, "the +merciful savage whose heart the Lord touched, left my child. Here his +little feet trod, and against this wall his head rested. Would that +these inanimate things could know my gratitude! But thou knowest it, +O, all Merciful, my goodness, and my fortress, my high tower, and my +deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I trust. Lord, what is man that +thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest +account of him! Didst thou not, in the olden time, hear the voice +of the perishing child, Ishmael, and say, by thine angel, unto his +weeping mother, Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad +where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand, for +I will make him a great nation? Even so now hast thou done unto me and +remembered me in my low estate, for thy mercy endureth for ever." + +Thus the father poured out his heart, alike unconscious of the +gathering crowd, which his unusual appearance and strange language had +collected around him, and of the observations they made. + +"I say, Haxall," said a stout boy, whose dirty and ragged clothing, +and vicious expression of face, proclaimed him one of those +predestined candidates for the State Prison and gallows, bred to +their fate by the criminal neglect of the State, "I say," he said, +addressing his companion, as wicked looking as himself, "isn't it a +rum old covey." + +"Why the old cuss is a crying," answered Haxall, "or, perhaps, it's +the whisky leaking out he took for his morning bitters." + +"Whisky be d----d," said the other. "He never got as far as that. It's +nothing but sour cider. I can smell it." + +Here there was a brutal laugh, in which some of the bystanders, +equally degraded, joined. + +"For shame, young men," said a respectable-looking person, whose +broad-brimmed hat, and formal and amply cut clothing, proclaimed him +a Quaker; "is an old man, in tears, a proper subject for ribaldry? +It were better ye were engaged in some honest employment, than idling +away your time, and disgracing yourselves by the use of profane +language." + +"Smoke the old quiz, Haxall," cried the boy who had first spoken. "He +opens rich. Let's see what's in the prig." + +"Smoke him, smoke him," cried several voices. + +Thus exhorted, Haxall jerking his cap jauntily on one side of his +head, throwing an additional quantity of impudence into his face, and +placing his hands on the hips, so that the elbows stuck out on each +side, approached the Quaker. + +"So you set yourself up for a preacher of righteousness," he said; "do +ye? Well, you may preach away without asking my leave, or I'll give it +to ye gratis, for nothing. That's cheap enough, I guess. Most of +your sort, though, don't like to preach for nothing. So here's my +contribution to set you a going." So saying, he held out a cent. +"There's value received," he added, "and, mind ye, ye give us a +preachment equal to the consideration. But first, beloved brother, +I've a question to ask. Up to the tip top of your judgment, now do you +think your regimentals is just the right thing, and no mistake? +Did Saint Paul and Saint, Saint, d----n the fellows, I forget their +names"---- + +"Saint Tammany," suggested his companion. + +"I owe you a drink for that, Bill," said Haxall. "Yes, Saint Tammany. +Now, do you think them gentlemen, who I've heard, was real respectable +men, though it was rather a comedown to take to preaching, ever +sported such an infernal broadbrim as that, or turned out a tail as +broad as yours?" + +The Quaker gentleman, who, at the commencement of the young scamp's +speech, as if frightened at the prospect of a colloquy he had +provoked, had betrayed a desire to escape from the crowd, seemed, as +the other proceeded, to have changed his mind, and listened to him +with the utmost calmness and imperturbable good humor. When the boy +had got through with his impertinences, which he ran over with great +volubility, garnishing them with many epithets we have omitted, and, +at the close, had received the applause of those like him, who stood +around, and, now, seemed waiting for a reply, the Quaker, with great +sweetness, answered-- + +"My young friend, it would ill become me to return a harsh word for +thy rather rude address, nor will my feelings towards thee and all in +thy unhappy condition, permit me to speak to thee, except in pity and +in sorrow." + +"Go to h----l with your pity. Nobody asks you for it," exclaimed +Haxall, fiercely. + +"Gently, boy, gently, and do not profane thy lips with such language. +Alas! thou hast been allowed to grow up like a wild animal, and +canst not be expected to know there are those who regard thee with +affection. But, surely, goodness can never be quite extinguished in +one who has the form of humanity. I see thou dost not know me?" + +"Never set eyes on ye before, old square toes, and be d----d to you." + +"Yet, I know thee, and, perhaps, the guilt is partly mine that thou +art even now what thou art. Thou hast, then, forgotten the man who, +only a year ago, jumped off Coenties Slip, and, by the kindness of +Providence, rescued a boy from drowning?" + +"Have I forgot!" exclaimed Haxall, with a sudden revulsion of feeling. +"No, d----d me, not altogether. I thought there was something devilish +queer in your voice. So you was the man, and I am the b'hoy. Oh, +what a cussed beast I am to insult you! Give us your hand. I ask +your pardon, sir. I ask your pardon. And," he added, looking fiercely +round, "if there's a man here who crooks his thumb at ye, I swear I'll +whip him within an inch of his life." + +"Swear not at all," said the mild Quaker, "nor talk of fighting, as +if thou wert a dog. I see, notwithstanding thy coarseness and vile +language, thou art not all evil, and, if thou wilt come with me, +I will endeavor to repair my former neglect, by putting thee in a +situation where thou mayst become an useful man." + +The boy hesitated. Two impulses seemed to be drawing him in opposite +directions. He was afraid of the ridicule of his companion, and of the +sneer which he saw on his face, and who, now, was urging him to leave +with him. Yet, there was something peculiarly attractive about the +Quaker that was difficult to resist. + +The good Quaker read the indecision of his mind, and understood the +cause. "Come," he said, "be a man, and choose for thyself like a man. +Thou shalt remain with me only so long as thou wilt, and shalt be free +to leave at thy pleasure." + +"That's fair," said Haxall. "I'll go with you, sir. Goodbye, Bill," he +exclaimed, turning to his companion, and extending his hand. But +Bill, thrusting both his hands into his pockets, refused the hand, and +answered contemptuously-- + +"If you've turned sniveller, go and snivel with Broadbrim. I've +nothing to say to such a mean-spirited devil." + +"You're a mean devil yourself," retorted Haxall, all his fiery +passions kindling at the other's taunt. + +"Come, my young friend," said the gentleman, drawing him away gently, +"return not railing for railing. I trust the time may yet come, when +reproach, instead of exciting anger, will only be an incentive to +examine thy bosom more closely, to see if thou dost not deserve it." + +Long before the conclusion of this conversation, the original cause +of it had entered the house with Pownal, and, upon his departure, the +little crowd had gradually dispersed, so that, when the benevolent +Quaker left, with the boy whom he hoped should be a brand plucked from +the burning, very few persons remained. Bill followed his departing +companion with a scornful laugh, but the latter--as if his good +angel stood by his side to strengthen him--had resolution enough to +disregard it. + +When Holden and Pownal entered the house, the front part of which was +used as a shop, they were received with great civility by a woman who +was officiating at the counter, and, upon their desire to speak with +her husband, were shown by her into a back room, used as a parlor, and +requested to be seated. Her husband, she said, had stepped out a short +time since, though, already, gone longer than she expected, and would +certainly be back in a few moments. Her prophecy was correct, for, +sure enough, they were hardly seated before he made his appearance. + +He appeared to be an intelligent person, and answered without +suspicion or hesitation to the best of his ability, all the questions +addressed to him, so soon as he understood their object. But his +information was exceedingly limited. He knew nothing at all about a +person who had occupied the house more than twenty years before--nor +was it, indeed, reasonable to suppose he should. In all probability +the number of tenants was almost as great as of the years that had +since elapsed: the name mentioned to him was a very common one: many +such were to be found in the Directory, and the chances were that +the house itself had repeatedly changed owners in a community so +changeable and speculating. If the gentlemen would allow him to +suggest, the best course would be to examine the records in the +Register's office, and trace the title down to the time desired. +In this way the name of the owner could, without difficulty, be +discovered, and if he were alive he might, perhaps, be able to inform +them what had become of the person who was his tenant at the time, +although that was hardly probable. + +The suggestion was plainly sensible, and had, indeed, occurred to +Pownal from the beginning, and he had accompanied Holden that morning +more for the purpose of determining whether the house described by +Esther, still existed, than with the expectation of making any further +discovery. His anticipations had been more than realized; a favorable +beginning had been made; there was every inducement to prosecute +the search. When, therefore, Holden and Pownal thanked the obliging +shopkeeper for his politeness, and took their leave, both felt that +their morning had not been thrown away, though the condition of their +minds was somewhat different, the former being confident of success, +the latter hoping for it. + +"I will call at the Register's office," said the young man, "and +direct an examination to be made of the records. We shall be able to +obtain the result to-morrow, and until then you must endeavor to amuse +yourself, my dear friend, as well as possible. You know I sympathize +with your impatience, and shall expedite our search with all +diligence, and heaven grant it a happy termination." + +Pownal saw that the search was made at the office of the Register, and +the title traced through several persons to the period when the house +was occupied by the man named by Esther. Upon further inquiry it was +ascertained that the proprietor at that time was still alive, and one +of the principal citizens of the place. Holden lost no time in calling +upon him, but was doomed to disappointment. He was received, indeed, +with great urbanity by the gentleman, one of the old school, who +proffered every aid in his power, and made an examination of his +papers to discover the name of his tenant. He was successful in the +search, and found that the name was the same given by Esther, but what +had become of the man he was unable to say. + +Holden now determined to make the inquiry of every one of the same +name as that of the person sought. The search he pursued with all the +ardor of a vehement nature, stimulated by the importance of an object +that lay so near his heart. There was no street, or alley, or lane, +where there was the slightest chance of success, unvisited by his +unwearied feet. And varied was the treatment he received in that +persevering search: by some met with contempt and insult as a crazy +old fool, whose fittest place was the lunatic asylum, and who ought +not to be allowed to prowl about the streets, entering people's houses +at unseasonable hours and plaguing them with foolish questions: by +others with a careless indifference, and an obvious desire to be rid +of him as soon as possible, but to the honor of human nature, be it +said, by most with sympathy and kindness. It was, moreover, usually +among the poorer, that when it was necessary to mention the reason +of his inquiry, he was treated with the most gentleness and +consideration. Whether it is that suffering had taught them feeling +for others' woes, while prosperity and worldly greed had hardened the +hearts of the richer, let the reader determine. And, again, it was +upon the women his tale made the tenderest impression. Whatever maybe +the condition of woman, however sad her experience in life, however +deplorable her lot, however low she may be sunk in degradation, it is +hard to find one of her sex in whom sensibility is extinguished. With +her, kindness is an instinct. The heart throbs of necessity to a story +of sorrow, and the eye overflows with pity. + +But the diligence of Holden was in vain, and, at last, he was obliged +to confess that he knew not what further to do, unless he took his +staff in hand and wandered over the world in prosecution of his +search. + +"And that will I do, Thomas," he said, as one day he returned from his +inquiry, "if naught else can be done. My trust is in the Lord, and He +doth not mock. He despiseth not the sighing of the heart, nor hath He +made the revelation and put this confidence into my mind in vain. I +know in whom I have trusted, and that He is faithful and true." + +Whatever might have been the opinion of Pownal, he was incapable of +uttering a word to discourage Holden, or of inflicting unnecessary +pain. "Why should I," he said, "dampen his enthusiasm? Small, as seems +to me, the chance of ever discovering his son, it is, after all, mere +opinion. Things more wonderful than such a discovery have happened. By +me, at least, he shall be sustained and encouraged. Disappointment, if +it comes, will come soon enough. I will not be its ill-omened herald." +He, therefore, said, in reply-- + +"Esther's story is certainly true. Our researches corroborate its +truth. We have found the house, and a person of the name she gave, did +live in it at the time she mentioned." + +"They satisfy thee, Thomas; but I have a more convincing proof--an +internal evidence--even as the sure word of prophecy. It speaks to me +like a sweet voice, at mine uprising and lying down, and bids me be +strong and of good cheer, for the day of deliverance draweth nigh. +Doubt not, but believe that, in His good time, the rough places shall +be made smooth, and the darkness light. And yet, shall I confess +it unto thee, that, sometimes, a sinful impatience mastereth me? I +forget, that the little seed must lie for a time in the earth, and +night succeed day and day night, and the dew descend and the rain +fall, and the bright sun shine, and his persuasive heat creep into the +bosom of the germ before its concealed beauty can disclose itself, +and the lovely plant--the delight of every eye--push up its coronal +of glory. But, it is a transitory cloud, and I cry, Away! and it +departeth, and I say unto my heart, Peace, be still, and know that I +am God!" + +"It would seem," said Pownal, "that there is often a connection +between the presentiments of the mind and an approaching event. How +frequently does it happen, for instance, that one, without knowing +why, begins to think of a person, and that, almost immediately, the +person will present himself. + +"It is the shadow of approaching destiny, and men have moulded the +fact into a proverb. There is a world of truth in proverbs. They +enclose, within a small space, even as a nut its kernel, a sum of +human experience. In the case thou citest, may it not be that the man +doth project a sphere of himself, or subtle influence, cognizable by +spirit, albeit, the man be himself thereof unconscious? But know that +it is no vague and uncertain emotion that I feel. I tell thee young +man, I have heard the voice as I hear thee, and seen the vision +clearer than in dreams. Naught may stay the wheel of destiny. An +Almighty arm hath whirled it on its axis, and it shall revolve until +He bids it stop." + +Thus, unfaltering in his confidence, secure of the result, believing +that to himself a revelation had been made, the Solitary expressed +himself. As the blood mounted into his ordinarily pale cheeks, his +lips quivered and his eyes were lighted up with a wild enthusiasm, +Pownal could not but admire and acknowledge the omnipotence of +that faith which regards no task as arduous, and can say unto the +mountains, Be ye cast into the sea! and it is done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + Oh my soul's joy! + If after every tempest come such calms, + May the winds blow till they have wakened death! + And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas + Olympus-high, and duck again as low + As hell's from heaven. + OTHELLO. + + +In accordance with the determination he had expressed, Holden began +soon to talk about putting his wild plan of roaming through the world +into execution, and was withheld from it only by the entreaties of +Pownal, that he would at least postpone it until after the arrival +of his uncle, who was daily expected, and until they had taken his +advice. + +"I consent," said Holden, "both out of love to thee, and because +I would not willingly leave a roof that hath protected me, without +giving thanks to its owner." + +A few days afterwards, Mr. Pownal returned with his family, by all +of whom the young man was welcomed with every evidence of the warmest +regard. Holden, too, as the friend of the younger Pownal, came in for +a share of attention. The family consisted of the father and mother, +and two children, a boy and girl, the former of whom could not be +more than ten years of age, while the latter was probably two years +younger. + +Mr. Pownal himself was a fine, frank, hearty gentleman of some sixty +years, whose appearance indicated that the world had gone well with +him, and that he was satisfied with the world. The ordinary expression +of his face was that of quiet contentment, though at times it betrayed +a keen sagacity and shrewdness, partly the revelation of nature, and +partly the product of an intimate intercourse with that world with +which his business brought him, in various ways, in contact. It was +however apparent, that however much the associations and experiences +of trade had sharpened his intellect, they had not tarnished the +natural goodness of his heart. That spoke in the frank tones of his +manly voice and shone in the light of his clear blue eyes. One could +hardly look at him without a conviction that he was a man to be +trusted, and a desire to grasp his hand in friendship. Holden felt the +influence at the introduction, and no mean judge of character himself, +was glad to make the acquaintance. + +Mrs. Pownal was by several years the junior of her husband, and in all +respects different from him. Her hair and eyes were raven-black, her +complexion dark and saturnine, and she wore an expression of care +inconsistent with enjoyment. She had been for many years a childless +wife, and it may be that early disappointment, occasioned by the want +of children, uniting with a melancholy temperament, had imparted an +appearance of dejection which the subsequent birth of a boy and girl +after she had given up the expectation of offspring, was unable to +remove. She seldom smiled, and when she did, the smile played over her +countenance like the sickly gleam of a wintry clay through clouds, +and seemed rather to chill than to warm what before was cold. It was a +formal tribute to the customs of society, not the spontaneous outburst +of joy. She presented the tips of her fingers with all the grace of +an accomplished lady, to Holden, and meant that her reception of him +should be kind, but the hand was cold, and apparently as unfeeling as +marble, and the Solitary dropped it as soon as touched. And yet Mrs. +Pownal had feeling. + +The first few days after the return of the Pownals was spent by them +in gathering up those threads of relationship by which people are +connected with society. Even a short absence from home induces +sometimes the necessity of paying and receiving many visits, +proportioned to the extent of the circle in which the parties move. +The visiting circle of the Pownals was large, and hence the longer +time was required. Besides, the business pursuits of the merchant +engrossed some hours each day, though as the head of a large house in +which there were several younger partners, he claimed and enjoyed all +the leisure he desired. For these reasons young Pownal had found no +fitting opportunity to speak in the presence of Holden of the purpose +which brought the Solitary to the city, and besides, he did not +wish to do so, until the time should arrive for his own return +to Hillsdale, when he hoped, with the assistance of his uncle, to +persuade him to return home. But the business of the young man was at +last completed, and he was ready to retrace his steps. + +It was then one evening when both Mr. and Mrs. Pownal were present, +and immediately preceding the day when he had announced his intention +to depart, that Holden, at the solicitation of young Pownal, supported +by the courteous entreaties of his uncle, narrated the events of his +life, which are already known to the reader, and avowed with that +unshaken trust in Providence, which in all circumstances sustained +him, his resolution to beg his way through the world on his sacred +search. His hosts had become, by this time, so accustomed to the fiery +enthusiasm and antique diction of his discourse, that they no longer +excited their surprise, but as he proceeded with his tale, the +attention of both seemed arrested by a strange fascination. Even the +figure of Mrs. Pownal lost its listlessness. Her black eyes became +riveted on the speaker. She bent forward, with parted lips, as +if unwilling to lose a word, while from time to time glances of +intelligence passed between the husband and wife, which neither Pownal +nor Holden were able to understand. + +"Thus far," said the enthusiast, in conclusion, "the Lord hath led me +on. By flood and fire, and in battle He hath preserved a life, that +long was wearisome to me. But in these latter days, He hath awakened +a new hope, and given me an assurance thereof which I can better feel +than tell. He hath not prolonged my life for naught. Behold, I know +assuredly, that the child liveth, and that in my flesh, I shall see +His salvation. Therefore, in obedience to the inner voice, will I gird +up my loins, and after thanking you my friends, for the bread we have +broken together, and the roof that hath sheltered the wanderer's head, +will I proceed upon my way." + +He rose and strode across the room, as if to put his design into +instant execution, but the voice of the elder Pownal arrested him. + +"Stay," he said, "and listen. Your steps have indeed, been wonderfully +directed. I can give you, perhaps, some information, about this John +Johnson, with whom the boy was left." + +Holden stopped but made no motion to return. He seemed to hear and +understand the words, but to be uncertain whence they proceeded. His +eyes were cast up and fixed on vacancy. At last he said, still gazing +in the air. "Speak Lord for thy servant heareth." + +Mr. Pownal approached, and taking Holden by an arm, led him gently to +the sofa, and took a seat by his side. Mrs. Pownal said not a word, +but threw her arms round young Pownal's neck, and sobbed upon his +bosom. + +The young man, unable to divine a reason for such unusual emotion, +could only silently return the caress and wait for an explanation. + +"I knew a person of the name," said Mr. Pownal, "but he has been dead +many years." + +"But the child, but the child," exclaimed Holden, "he is yet alive!" + +"I do not doubt he is alive, I am confident we shall be able to +discover him. Your trust in Providence is not misplaced." + +"Tell me," cried Holden, a little sternly, "what thou knowest of the +boy. My soul travaileth sore, and hope and doubt rend me in twain." + +"Hold fast your hope my friend," said Mr. Pownal, "for all will yet +be well. Prepare yourself to hear what, without preparation, might +overcome your strength." + +"Fear not," said Holden. "Yet alas! who knoweth his own heart? But a +moment ago, I thought myself as an iron mountain, and now am I weaker +than the untimely birth." + +"Eliza," said Mr. Pownal turning to his wife, "bring the token you +preserved." + +During the absence of his wife, Mr. Pownal endeavored to prepare the +mind of the Solitary for the joyful discovery he was about to make. +It was now, too, that Holden perceived, from the agitation of his +feelings, that he was weak, like other men, and that with whatever +hope and confidence and calmness he might contemplate the prospect +of distant happiness, its near approach shook him like a reed. Mrs. +Pownal presently returned, with a coral necklace in her hand, and +presented it to Holden. + +"Do you recognize it?" she said. + +He took it into his hands, and as if overcome by the violence of his +emotions, was unable to speak a word. He gazed steadily at it, his +lips moved but made no sound, and tears began to fall upon the faded +coral. At last, with broken utterance, he said: + +"The last time my eyes beheld these beads they were upon the neck of +my dear child. They were the gift of his mother, and she hung them +around his neck. Examine the clasp and you will find S.B., the +initials of her maiden name, engraved upon it. My tears blind my +sight." + +"They are, indeed, upon the clasp," said Mrs. Pownal, who appeared +to have a greater control over herself than her husband over his +feelings: "we have often seen them, but little did we expect they +would ever contribute to the discovery of the parentage of our +dear"---- + +She turned to young Pownal, and threw her arms again about his neck. + +"Come hither, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, "the necklace was taken from +your neck. This is your father. Mr. Holden, embrace your son." + +The young man rushed to his father, and threw himself at his feet. +Holden extended his hands, but the sudden revulsion of high wrought +feeling was more than he could bear. The color fled face and lips, and +he fell forward insensible into the arms of his long lost son. + +"I feared it would be so," said Mr. Pownal; "but joy seldom kills. +See," he added, after Mrs. Pownal had sprinkled some water in the face +of the gasping man, "he is recovering. He will soon be himself again." + +Restored to consciousness, Holden clasped his recovered son to his +bosom, and kissed his cheeks, while the young man returned with warmth +his demonstrations of affection. Pownal, we have seen, had been from +the first attracted to the Solitary, either by the noble qualities he +discovered in him, or from the interest he felt in his romantic +mode of life, or from that mysterious sympathy of consanguinity, the +existence of which is asserted by some, and denied by others. He +was, therefore, prepared to receive with pleasure the relationship. +Besides, it was a satisfaction to find his father in one, who, however +poor his worldly circumstances, and whatever his eccentricities, was +evidently a man of education and noble mind. For the young man was +himself a nobleman of nature, who had inherited some of the romance +of his father, and, indeed, in whom were slumbering, unconsciously to +himself, many traits of character like those of the father, and which +needed only opportunity to be developed. + +The first words Holden uttered, after recovering from his emotion +sufficiently to speak, were: + +"Lord! now let thou thy servant depart, for mine eyes have seen thy +salvation." + +"Do not talk of departing," said Mr. Pownal. "It seems to me now is +the very time to stay. Many years of happiness are in store for you." + +"But," said Holden, "tell me, thou who hast conferred an obligation +that can never be repaid, and restored as it were the dead to life, +how didst thou become the preserver of my child?" + +But a few words are necessary to answer Holden's questions. As the +happy father sat with his arm over his son's neck, Mr. Pownal related +the following particulars. + +"The John Johnson, of whom Esther the squaw told you," said Mr. +Pownal, "was some nineteen or twenty years ago a porter in the employ +of our house. He was an honest, industrious man, who remained in our +service until his death, which happened two or three years after the +event I am about to relate, and enjoyed our confidence to the last. It +was in the Spring--the month I do not recollect--when he came to the +counting-room and desired to speak with me in private. He told me that +on the previous evening he had found a child, dressed in rags, asleep +upon the steps of his house, and that to preserve it from perishing he +had taken it in. His own family was large, and he was a poor man, else +he would willingly keep it. He knew not exactly what to do, and as he +was in the habit of consulting me when in any difficulty, he thought +he had better do so now. It was a pretty lively little boy, but so +young that though beginning to speak it was unable to give any account +of itself. + +"While Johnson was speaking a plan came into my mind, which I had +thought of before, and it seemed as if the child were providentially +sent in order to enable me to accomplish it. The truth is, that I had +been married for several years, and the merry voice of no child of +my own had gladdened my home and I had given up the expectation of +children. Loving them dearly, it occurred to me to adopt some child, +and rear it as my own. The feelings of Mrs. Pownal were the same +as mine, and we had often talked over the subject together, but +one circumstance and another, I can hardly tell what they were, had +postponed the execution of our purpose from day to day. I therefore +said to Johnson that I would attend him home and see the child, after +which I should be better able to give him advice. Accordingly we +went together to his house, which I recollect was the very one you +described as having visited in your search in William street. There I +found the little waif, a bright eyed boy of some three or four years +of age, though his cheeks were pale and thin, as if he had already +known some suffering. He wore around his neck the coral beads you +have in your hand, which seemed to me at the time to have been left in +order to facilitate a recognition. The appealing look and sweet smile +with which he gazed into my eyes, as if demanding protection, was, in +the condition of my feelings, more than I could withstand, and I took +him home and gave him to my wife. She seemed equally pleased with +myself, and for a time we reared him as a child of our own. Richly has +he repaid our love, and you may well be proud of such a son. But some +ten years afterwards, to our surprise, for we had given up all hope +of such a blessing, Heaven gave us a son, and two years after that +a daughter. The birth of the children altered, in some respects, our +calculations, and I thought it necessary to communicate to Thomas the +fact that he was not my son, but promising that he should ever be to +me as one, and leaving it to be inferred from the identity of name, +for I had given him my own, that he was a relative. He has more than +once endeavored to penetrate the mystery, but I have always shrunk +from revealing it, although determined that at some time or another +he should be made acquainted with it, and with that view, to guard +against the contingencies of sudden death, prepared a narrative of the +events I am relating, which is at this moment in my desk addressed to +him. Mr. Holden," concluded Mr. Pownal, and his voice choked for an +instant, "I can wish you no higher good fortune than that the youth, +who, if not the offspring of my loins, is the son of my affection, may +be to you a source of as much happiness as he has been to me." + +Moved to tears the young man threw himself into the arms of his +benefactor, and in broken words murmured his gratitude. + +"Ah!" cried he, "you were always so indulgent and so kind, dear sir! +Had it not been for, you, what should I have been to day?" + +"Nay, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, "you have conferred a benefit greater +than you received. You filled a void in hearts that were aching for +an object of parental love, and for years were the solitary beam of +sunshine in a household that would else have been desolate and dark. +And had I not interposed, other means would have been found to restore +you to your proper sphere. There is that in you, my son--let me still +call you by the dear name--that under any circumstances would have +forced its way, and elevated you from darkness into light, from +obscurity into distinction." + +Young Pownal cast his eyes upon the carpet, and blushed like a girl at +the recital of his praises. No words came to his assistance, but the +deep voice of his father relieved him from his embarrassment. + +"It may be true what thou sayest, angel of the Lord," he said, +addressing Mr. Pownal, "thou who hast been even as a cloud by day, and +a pillar of fire by night, to guide the lad through the wilderness of +the world, but not the less are our thanks and eternal gratitude +due to thee as the chosen instrument to accomplish His will. May +the blessing of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Him who +called unto Moses out of the burning bush, of Him who is the root and +the offspring of David, the bright and morning Star, rest and +abide with thee and thy house for ever. And thou, madam," he added, +approaching Mrs. Pownal with a dignity and grace that caused his +singular appearance to be quite overlooked, "how shall he, who is an +outcast no longer, thank thee?" He pressed his hand upon his heart, as +if to restrain its beating, then bending over and taking her hand into +his own, kissed it with the devotion of a devotee. "Blessed be thou +above women. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble, and fulfill all +thy desire. Thou didst pity and shalt be pitied: thou wast merciful +and shalt receive mercy. 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of +these little ones, ye did it unto me,' saith Christ." + +"We are abundantly compensated, Mr. Holden," observed Mrs. Pownal, +feeling it incumbent to say something, and yet at a loss what to say. +"Mr. Pownal has expressed my feelings better than I can myself. But, +Thomas, you shall still be our son, for all these disclosures." + +"Mother! mother!" cried Pownal, kneeling by her side, and kissing the +lips she offered to his, "you shall always be my dear mother, as long +as you permit me to call you so. Oh, how little have I known how +much I was indebted to you, and my second father. I have dreamed and +wondered, but the imagination still fell short of the truth." + +"Thou hast received an obligation, my son," said Holden, "which +all thy love and devotedness can never repay, and the claims of thy +parents by kindness are stronger than mine. To me thou owest life, +to them its preservation and honorable station. Thou wilt give me the +love thou hast to spare, but to them belongs the greater portion." + +"We will be content with equal parts," said Mr. Pownal, smiling. "In +this partnership of affection none must claim a superior share." + +"Strange!" exclaimed Holden, fastening his eyes on his son, and +speaking, as was his wont sometimes, as to himself, "that the full +truth broke not on me before. The heart yearned to him, he was as a +bright star to me; his voice was the music of the forest to my ears; +his eyes were as a sweet dream, a vanished happiness, but I understood +not. It is plain now. It was the voice of my Sarah I heard: they were +her eyes that looked into my heart through his. And was it not thy +prompting, mysterious Nature, that inclined him to me? Was there not +a dim revelation, that I was more to him than other men? Else why +delighted he in the society of a lone, wayward man like me? Lord God +Almighty, no man knoweth the ordinances of heaven, nor can he set the +dominion thereof upon the earth!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + Welcome pure thoughts, welcome ye silent groves. + These guests, these courts my soul most dearly loves: + Now the winged people of the sky shall sing + My cheerful anthems to the gladsome spring. + + QUOTED BY IZAAK WALTON, AS BY SIR HARRY WOTTON. + + +No reason seemed now to exist for Holden's impatience to depart, yet +he longed for the quiet of his hut on the island. The excitement of +his feelings, which, while it acted as a stimulus, sustained him, +had passed away, and the ordinary consequences of overtasking nature +followed. Besides, he had lived so long in solitude, that any other +mode of life was to him unnatural, and especially the roar and tumult +of a populous place, disturbed him. The loudest sounds to which he +had been accustomed were the rippling of the tide on the beach, or the +sigh of the wind, and the songs of birds; and the difference between +them and the noises he now heard, formed a contrast equally harsh and +discordant. But by no word did he betray his wish. Both Mr. and Mrs. +Pownal were desirous to delay the departure of himself and son, and it +seemed to him ingratitude to act in any respect in opposition to the +inclinations of persons to whom he was so greatly indebted. +Several days, therefore, passed after the happening of the events +recapitulated in the last chapter, and yet he remained in New York. +But his feelings could not escape the observation of his son. Better +acquainted than their host and hostess with the peculiarities of his +father, he seized an opportunity to speak of the necessity of a speedy +farewell. + +"You are right, I do not doubt, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, in reply to +the observation of the young man, "and yet I never felt so loth to let +you go. While with me you seem still in some wise to belong to me, and +I feel a reluctance to lose you out of my sight." + +"Do you think it possible," exclaimed young Pownal--whom his father, +out of a sentiment of delicacy towards his friends, had insisted +should be called by the name of his preserver, he had so long borne, +for which reason we shall continue to use it--"do you think it +possible I can ever forget how deeply I am indebted, that I shall ever +cease to love you with all the affection of a son, on whom you have +lavished every possible kindness?" + +"No; I have no fear of that. It is only the pain of parting from which +I shrink. As we grow older we cling with the greater tenacity, and, +perhaps, selfishness, to the enjoyments that are left. But this will +never do. I must think more of you, and less of myself. I have some +questions to ask, and something besides to say before you leave for +Hillsdale, and this is as good an opportunity, probably, as we shall +have, so take a seat by me, and we will enter upon business." + +Pownal, who hitherto had remained standing, now took a seat by +the side of his benefactor, and waited for him to continue the +conversation. + +"Are you satisfied," inquired Mr. Pownal, "with your situation at +Hillsdale?" + +"Perfectly," replied the young man. "My time has passed very happily +there." + +"I meant it," continued Mr. Pownal, "only as an interlude. I sent +you thither for the purpose of making you better acquainted with the +branches of our business, intending to leave it to your choice +either to remain or return to the city, and resume your place in the +counting-house. I confess, the latter would suit me better, because +you would be nearer to me; but consult your inclinations, and I shall +be satisfied." + +"My dear sir," said Pownal, with some little hesitation, "you are +always kind, and since you leave it to my choice, I hope it will not +offend you if I say, that for the present I should prefer to remain at +Hillsdale." + +"It is not at all surprising that you should wish to be with your +father, whom, in so wonderful a manner, you have discovered," answered +Mr. Pownal. "I am delighted with him, and his noble qualities must be +restored to the world. We must find means to induce him to conquer his +repugnance to society and its habits." + +"I hope for such a result," said the young man, "but he is evidently +now uneasy and pining for solitude." + +"'Time and I against any two,' says the Spanish proverb. I'll be bound +we will metamorphose him yet. Do you think the business at Hillsdale +is capable of much extension?" + +"I am sure of it. It may easily be doubled, and safely. I will give +you my reasons for the opinion now, if you wish." + +"Never mind for the present. It after all can make no difference in +what I am about to say. I have been looking at your balance-sheet, and +must say that, for a first year's business, you have done remarkably +well. You have made very few bad debts, the sales are large, and +profits satisfactory. You have the merchant in you, Thomas, and I must +try to secure you for us beyond the power of loss. How would you like +to become a member of the firm?" + +"Sir," said Pownal, "your goodness overpowers me. No father could be +more generous. You will do with me as you please. But what say your +partners?" + +"I have consulted with them, and they are of the same opinion as +myself, and desire your admission. I have drawn up the terms, which, +I hope, will please you, on this slip of paper, and that you may start +to a little better advantage, have directed a small sum to be carried +to your credit on the books, which you will also find jotted down on +the paper." + +"How can I thank you, sir?" said Pownal, receiving the paper, and +preparing, without examining it, to place it in his pocket. + +"But that is not like a merchant," exclaimed Mr. Pownal smiling, "to +accept of a contract without looking at it. Read it, Thomas, and see +if you wish to suggest any change." + +"I am willing to trust my interests, my life, to you, sir, and it is +unnecessary. But it is your command and I obey you." + +We must allow, that the thought of becoming at some time a member of +the firm, wherein he had received his mercantile education, had passed +before through the mind of Pownal, but the conditions upon which he +was now admitted were favorable beyond his most sanguine expectations. +The sum of money, too, carried to the credit of his account as a +capital, on which to commence, deserved a better name than that of +a small sum, which the opulent merchant had called it. Pownal saw +himself now at once elevated into a condition, not only to supply the +wants of his father and himself, but to warrant him to cherish hopes +for the success of other plans that lay very near his heart. As the +thought of Anne Bernard occurred to him, and he reflected upon the +goodness of his generous benefactor, it seemed, to his ingenuous mind, +as if he were half guilty of a wrong in withholding any part of his +confidence from Mr. Pownal, and he felt strongly tempted to admit him +into the inner sanctuary of his soul. But a feeling natural in such +cases, and the consideration that he was not perfectly sure his +affection was returned by Anne, restrained him, and he contented +himself with repeating his thanks for a generosity so much exceeding +his hopes. + +"Nay," said the merchant, "I must be the judge of these things. This +may do to begin with. When you are married I will double it." + +The tell-tale cheeks of Pownal excited the suspicions of the old +gentleman, whose eyes were fastened on him as he spoke. + +"Ah, ha!" cried he, laughing, "have I found you out, Thomas? I do not +believe, on the whole, the bribe will be necessary. I understand now +your enthusiasm about the beauties of Hillsdale. But never blush. +There's no harm in possessing good taste. I was in love twenty times +before I was your age. When shall the wedding be, eh?" + +"My dear sir," said Pownal smiling, "it will be time enough years +hence, to think of these things. In a matter of this kind, I know of +no better example to follow, than your own." + +"No, no, no, Thomas, do not imitate me there; I postponed my happiness +too long, and were I to commence life again, I should not crawl with +such a snail's pace towards it as formerly. But I have no fear of you +or that my joints will be too stiff to dance on the joyful occasion." + +The parting was such as might be expected between persons brought +together under circumstances so singular, where on the one side there +was a sense of obligation, it was a pleasure to cherish, and on the +other, the yet higher gratification of conferring happiness. As Holden +wrung the hand of Mr. Pownal who accompanied them to the vessel, that +was to take them home, he invoked, in his enthusiastic way, a +blessing upon his head. "The Almighty bless thee," he exclaimed, "with +blessings of Heaven above, and blessings of the deep that lieth under. +May thy bow abide in strength, and the arms of thy hands be made +strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob." + +Knowing how little his father prized the things of this world. Pownal +had not communicated to him before their departure the liberal conduct +of the noble merchant they had just left, but now, in a conversation +one day, in which they reviewed the past, and, notwithstanding the +Solitary's faith in the speedy coming of a mighty change, speculated +on the future, he disclosed the last evidence of the affection of his +preserver. Holden listened with a gratified air, for how could he be +otherwise than pleased that the worth and amiable qualities of his +son, had awakened so deep an interest in the heart of another, but +replied, + +"It was well meant, but unnecessary. Thou hast no need of the gold and +silver of others." + +The young man, supposing his father had reference to his peculiar +religious notions, was silent, for it was a subject which could not be +adverted to without great delicacy, and danger of vehement bursts of +enthusiasm. + +"Thou comprehendest me not," said Holden. "I say thou art in no +want of the dross with which men buy, to their grief and shame, the +deluding vanities of the world." + +"If it is your wish, father, I will return the gift," said Pownal, +"though I know it will hurt the generous heart of the giver." + +"I interpose not. No voice calleth me thereto. But my meaning is still +dark, and I know not whether it is best to admit thee fully to my +counsels. Yet, thus much mayest thou now know, and more shalt thou +know hereafter, that thy father is no pauper, to crave the wealth of +others, and that his poverty is voluntary. The body is kept poor, that +divine grace may the more readily enrich the soul." + +"Believe me, sir, I do not wish to intrude into anything which it is +your desire to keep secret." + +"There is nothing secret that shall not be revealed," exclaimed +Holden, catching at the last word, "but everything in its own order. +Let it satisfy thee, therefore, my son, to know for the present that +thy father hath but to stretch forth his hand and it shall be filled, +but to knock and it shall be opened. But this is not the day, nor for +my own sake, should the clock of time ever strike the hour, when that +which was thrown away shall be taken again, that which was despised +shall be valued. Yet because of thee may I not lawfully withhold the +hand, and as I gaze upon thy fair young face, thou seemest one whose +spirit is so balanced that what men call prosperity will not hurt +thee. But affection is blind, and my heart may deceive me, and +therefore will I wait until He speaks who cannot lead astray or +deceive." + +It was partly to himself, and partly to his son, that the Solitary +spoke, nor was Pownal at all certain that he comprehended his meaning. +He had at first fancied, his father was offended at his acceptance of +the rich merchant's bounty, but he soon saw that Holden regarded money +too little to consider the mere giving or receiving of it as of much +consequence. Upon further reflection, and a consideration of the +manner in which his father had lived for so many years, the idea which +yet seemed shadowed forth by his language, that he was possessed of +property, appeared utterly chimerical. He was therefore disposed to +attach to his father's words some mystical sense, or to suppose that +he imagined himself in possession of a secret, by means of which +he could command the wealth he scorned. Of course the young man +considered such anticipations as visionary as the immediate coming +of that millenium for which the longing eyes of the enthusiast daily +looked forth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + From yon blue heavens, above us bent, + The gard'ner Adam and his wife + Smile at the claims of long descent: + Howe'er it be, it seems to me, + 'Tis only noble to be good; + Kind hearts are more than coronets, + And simple faith than Norman blood. + + TENNYSON. + + +The news of the discovery of the relationship between Holden and +Pownal had reached Hillsdale before their arrival, and the friends +and acquaintances of both, comprising pretty much the whole village, +hastened to present their congratulations. Many supposed now they had +obtained a clue to the singularities of the Solitary, and expected +that since he had recovered his son, he would resume the habits of +ordinary life. But nothing seemed further from Holden's intention. In +spite of the entreaties of his son, and the remonstrances of those few +who ventured to speak to him on the subject, he returned on the very +day of their arrival to his cabin. It was, however, with no harshness, +but with gentle and even exculpatory language, he refused their +request. + +"Think not hard of me, my son, nor you, kind friends," he said, "if my +ears are deaf to your solicitations. The old man is weary and seeketh +rest. The trembling nerves still quiver to the cries of the horsemen +and the rattling of chariots, nor may the tumult pass away till old +sights and sounds stealing in with soft ministry compose the excited +yet not unpleased spirit. I would gladly in solitude lay my tired head +on the bosom of the Father, and thank Him in the silence of His works +for mercies exceeding thought." + +Holden, however, could not refuse to allow his son to accompany him, +and to provide such little necessaries, as were esteemed essential +to his comfort. But he permitted the young man to remain only a short +time. "Go," he said, "the world is bright before thee; enjoy its +transient sunshine. The time may come when even thou, with hope and +confidence in thy heart, and heaven in thine eyes, shalt say, 'I have +no pleasure therein.'" Pownal therefore returned to Hillsdale, without +reluctance it may be supposed, when we add, that the same evening +found him at the house of Mr. Bernard. It will be recollected he had +commissions to execute for both the Judge and his wife, but if the +reader thinks that not a sufficient reason why he should call +upon them so soon, we have no objection to his adopting any other +conjecture, even to the extravagant supposition, that there was some +magnet to attract the young man's wandering feet. + +It was a happy evening Pownal spent at the Judge's house. All seemed +glad to see him again, and expressed their delight and wonder at the +discovery of his parent. And yet the young man could not help fancying +there was a greater difference between his reception by the members +of the family, than he had been accustomed to. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard, +indeed, were equally cordial as of old, but Anne, though she tendered +him her hand with her usual frankness, and allowed it to linger in +his, appeared graver, and less disposed to indulge an exuberance of +spirits, while William Bernard was evidently more distant, and formal. +There was, however, no want of politeness on his part, for he mingled +with his usual grace and intelligence in the conversation, and +the change was perceptible rather in the omission of old terms of +familiarity, than in any manifestation of coldness. He seemed to pay +the same attention, and evince a like interest with the rest, in the +particulars of the adventures of Pownal, which, at the request of Mrs. +Bernard, he narrated. Had a stranger, or one who saw the two young +men together for the first time, been present, he would have noticed +nothing inconsistent with ordinary friendship, but Pownal compared +the present with the past, and his jealous sensitiveness detected a +something wanting. But for all that, his enjoyment, though it might be +lessened, was not, as we have intimated, destroyed. He half suspected +the cause, and his proud spirit rose with resentment. But so long as +he enjoyed the esteem of the parents, and was a welcome visitor at +their house, and Miss Bernard treated him with unabated regard, he +could well afford, he thought, to pass by without notice humors, +which, in his changed condition, he considered equally unreasonable +and absurd. For, he was no longer a mere clerk, without position in +society, but the member of a long-established and wealthy firm, and +a favorite of its head, who seemed to have taken the fortunes of his +young partner into his own hands, with a determination to secure their +success. True, he was the son of a poor and eccentric man, but no +dishonor was attached to his father's name, and so far as education +and genuine refinement were concerned, he was the equal of any, and +the superior of most, by whom he was surrounded. With far different +feelings, therefore, from those in the earlier period of his +acquaintance with Miss Bernard, when he discovered she was becoming +dearer to him than prudence permitted, did he now approach her. He +dared to look forward to the time when it would be no presumption to +avow his feelings. + +The cause of William Bernard's coldness will be better understood by a +reference to a conversation between him and his sister, shortly before +the return of Pownal to Hillsdale. Rumor, with her thousand tongues, +had been busy, and, as is not unusual on such occasions, embellished +the story with innumerable fanciful ornaments. The brother and +sister had both heard the reports, and they were the subject of their +discussion. + +"Why, Anne!" said William, "this is more wonderful than Robinson +Crusoe, or the Children of the Abbey. How do you think Pownal, or Mr. +Holden, as I suppose we must call him now, relishes the relationship?" + +"How, William, can he be otherwise than glad to find a father?" +replied his sister. + +"A vast deal depends upon who the father is." + +"What! is it you who speak so?" cried Anne, with sparkling eyes. "What +is there in the father unworthy of the son?" + +"Were I now in Pownal's place, I should have preferred to discover a +parent in some one else than in a half crazy man, who supports himself +by basket-making." + +"And can you not," said his sister, indignantly, "under the mask +which circumstances have imposed upon him, detect the noble-hearted +gentleman? This is not at all like you, William, and I think his very +misfortunes ought to be a passport to your kindness." + +"So they should be, and so they are, but the facts, which I will not +repeat, because it offends you, remain. Think you, it can be very +pleasant, for a young man, to have precisely--precisely such a +connection?" + +"I should despise Thomas Pownal, if he felt anything but pride in his +father. I am the daughter of a republican, and care little for the +distinctions which the tailor makes. The noblest hearts are not always +those which beat under the finest broadcloth." + + "The rank is but the guinea stamp, + The man's the gowd for a' that." + +"Well, Anne," said her brother, "I never expected to take a lesson, in +democracy, from you, nor fancied you were a politician before; but, +it seems to me you have become lately very sharp-sighted, to detect +Holden's merits. What is it that has so improved your vision?" + +"You are trying to tease me, now, but I will not be angry. You know, +as well as I do, that from the first I took a liking to Mr. Holden. So +far from being frightened at him, when I was a child, nothing pleased +me better that when he took Faith and me into his arms, and told us +stories out of the Bible. I do believe I had then a presentiment he +was something different from what he seemed." + +"But you have shown an extraordinary interest in him lately. Even now, +your voice trembles, and your color is raised beyond the requirements +of the occasion." + +"How is it possible to avoid being excited, when my brother speaks +disparagingly of one who has every title to compassion and respect? +Is it not enough to soften your heart, to think of the wretchedness +he suffered so many years, and which shattered his fine understanding? +And now, that his--Oh, William!" she cried, bursting into tears, "I +did not think you were so hard-hearted." + +"My dear Anne! my dear sister!" exclaimed her brother, putting his arm +around her and drawing her towards him, "forgive me. I never meant to +hurt your feelings, though I am sorry they are so much interested." + +"I will not affect to misunderstand you, brother," she said, +recovering herself; "but you are mistaken, if you suppose that Mr. +Pownal has ever--has ever--spoken to me in a manner different from the +way in which he is in the habit of conversing with other ladies." + +"Heaven be praised for that," said her brother. "But I ought to have +known you never would permit it." + +"You ought to have known that, had he done so, I should not have +kept it a secret. My father and mother, and you, would have been made +acquainted with it." + +"And, now, dear Annie, since things are as they are, I hope you +will not give Pownal any encouragement. Whatever may be your present +feelings, he cannot disguise the fact, that he loves dearly to visit +here." + +"Encouragement!" cried Anne, her natural vivacity flashing up at +the imputation. "What do you take me for, William Bernard, that you +venture to use such a word? Am I one of those old maids whom some +wicked wag has described as crying out in despair, 'Who will have me?' +or a cherry, at which any bird can pick?" + +"There spoke the spirit of my sister. I hear, now, Anne Bernard. You +will not forget the position of our family in society, and that upon +you and myself are centered the hopes of our parents." + +"I trust I shall never forget my love and duty, or have any secrets +from them. They have a right to be acquainted with every emotion of my +heart, nor am I ashamed they should be seen." + +"The accomplishments of Pownal entitle him to move in the first +society, I cannot deny that," continued young Bernard, "but, in my +judgment, something more is necessary in order to warrant his boldness +in aspiring to connect himself with one of the first families in the +country." + +"You will continue to harp on that string, William, but my opinion +differs from yours. In our country there should be no distinctions but +such as are created by goodness and intelligence." + +"It all sounds very well in theory, but the application of the rule is +impossible. The dreamers of Utopian schemes may amuse themselves with +such hallucinations, but practical people can only smile at them." + +"Class me among the dreamers. Nor will I believe that whatever is true +and just is impracticable. Does redder blood flow in the veins of the +child cradled under a silken canopy, than in those of one rocked in a +kneading-trough?" + +"You have profited to some purpose by the French lessons of our +father," said Bernard, bitterly. "Principles like these may yet +produce as much confusion in our family on a small scale, as they did +in France on a mighty theatre." + +"You are losing yourself in the clouds, dear brother. But there can be +no danger in following the guidance of one so wise and experienced as +our father, nor does it become you to speak slightingly of any opinion +he may adopt." + +"I did not mean to do so. I should be the last one to do so, though I +cannot always agree with him. But you take an unfair advantage of the +little excitement I feel, to put me in the wrong. Do you think I can +look on without being painfully interested, when I see my only sister +about to throw herself away upon this obscure stranger, for you cannot +conceal it from me that you love him?" + +"Throw myself away! Obscure stranger! You are unkind William. Love +him! it will be time enough to grant my love when it is asked for. It +does not become me, perhaps, to say it, but Mr. Pownal is not here to +answer for himself, and for that reason I will defend him. There lives +not the woman who might not be proud of the love of so noble and +pure a heart. But you are not in a humor to hear reason," she added, +rising, "and I will leave you until your returning good sense shall +have driven away suspicions equally unfounded and unjust." + +"Stay, Anne, stop, sister," cried Bernard, as with a heightened color +she hastened out of the room. "She is too much offended," he said to +himself, "to heed me, and I must wait for a more favorable opportunity +to renew the conversation. I have seen this fancy gradually coming on, +and, fool that I was, was afraid to speak for fear of making things +worse. I thought it might be only a passing whim, like those which +flutter twenty times through girls' silly heads before they are +married, and was unwilling to treat it as of any consequence. But does +Anne mean to deceive me? It is not at all like her. She never did so +before. No, she has courage enough for anything, and is incapable of +deception. But these foolish feelings strangely affect young women +and--young men, too. She must, herself, be deceived. She cannot be +acquainted with the state of her own heart. Yet it may not have gone +so far that it cannot be stopped. I had other plans for her, nor will +I give them up. Father! mother! Pooh! nothing can be done with them. +He would not see her lip quiver or a tear stand in her eye, if it +could be prevented at the expense of half his fortune, and mother +always thinks both perfection. No, if anything is to be done it must +be with Anne herself, or Pownal, perhaps. Yet I would not make the +little minx unhappy. But to be the brother-in-law of the son of an +insane basket-maker! It is too ridiculous." + +No two persons could be more unlike in temperament, and in many +respects in the organization of their minds, than William Bernard and +his sister. She, the creature of impulse, arriving at her conclusions +by a process like intuition: he, calm, thoughtful, deliberately +weighing and revising every argument before he made up his mind: she, +destitute of all worldly prudence and trusting to the inspirations +of an ingenuous and bold nature: he, worldly wise, cautious, and +calculating the end from the beginning. Yet were his aspirations noble +and untainted with a sordid or mean motive. He would not for a world +have sacrificed the happiness of his sister, but he thought it not +unbecoming to promote his personal views by her means, provided it +could be done without injury to herself. He was a politician, and +young as he was his scheming brain already formed plans of family and +personal aggrandizement, extending far into the future. Anne was mixed +up with these in his mind, and he hoped, by the marriage connection +she might form, to increase a family influence in furtherance of his +plans. These seemed likely to be defeated by Anne's partiality for +Pownal, and the young man felt the disappointment as keenly as his +cool philosophical nature would permit. But let it not be thought that +William Bernard brought worldly prudence into all his plans. His love +of Faith Armstrong had no connection with any such feelings, and she +would have been equally the object of his admiration and choice, had +she been a portionless maiden instead of the heiress of the wealthy +Mr. Armstrong. We will not say that her prospect of succeeding to +a large fortune was disagreeable to her lover, but though when he +thought of her it would sometimes occur to his mind, yet was it no +consideration that corrupted the purity of his affection. + +Anne, when she left her brother, hastened to her chamber and subjected +her heart to a scrutiny it had never experienced. She was startled +upon an examination her brother's language had suggested, to find the +interest Pownal had awakened in her bosom. She had been pleased to be +in his company, and to receive from him those little attentions which +young men are in the habit of rendering to those of the same age of +the other sex: a party never seemed complete from which he was absent: +there was no one whose hand she more willingly accepted for the dance, +or whose praise was more welcome when she rose from the piano: but +though the emotions she felt in his presence were so agreeable, she +had not suspected them to be those of love. Her brother had abruptly +awakened her to the reality. In the simplicity of her innocence, and +with somewhat of a maiden shame, she blamed herself for allowing any +young man to become to her an object of so much interest, and shrunk +from the idea of having at some time unwittingly betrayed herself. She +determined, whatever pain it might cost, to reveal to her mother all +her feelings, and to be guided by her advice. + +True hearted, guileless girl! instinctively she felt that the path of +duty leads to peace and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + Oh, how this tyrant, doubt, torments my breast! + My thoughts, like birds, who're frighten'd from their nest, + Around the place where all was hush'd before, + Flutter, and hardly nestle any more. + + OTWAY. + + +Our story now reverts to the Indians, of whom we have for so long made +little or no mention. It is in vain for us to attempt to control the +course of our tale, and to compel it, as it were, to be content with +the artificial banks of a canal, stealing insensibly on, with uniform +smoothness, to its terminus. Whatever we may do, it will assert its +liberty, and wander in its own way, foaming down rocks and rugged +precipices, like a mountain stream, at one moment, at the next, +stagnating into a pool, and afterwards gliding off in erratic +windings, roaming like Ceres, searching through the world for her lost +Proserpine. Not ours to subject the succession of events to our will, +but to narrate them with such poor skill as nature and a defective +education concede, trusting that a homely sincerity, if it cannot +wholly supply the place of art, may palliate its want. + +Peéna, the partridge, or Esther, as she was more commonly called by +the whites, heard, with an exquisite delight, that the little boy; +whom she had left on the steps of the house, in New York, and now +discovered to be Pownal, was the son of Holden. Nothing could have +happened more calculated to deepen the reverence she had long felt +for the Solitary, and to convince her--though no such argument was +necessary--that he was a "great medicine," or one peculiarly the +favorite, and under the guardianship, of Superior Powers. She +herself seemed controlled by the Manito that watched over Holden, and +compelled, even unknown to herself, to guard his interests. For was it +not she who had preserved the child? Was it not she who had placed +him in a situation to become a great and rich man?--for such, to her +simplicity, Pownal seemed to be--was it not she who had brought father +and son together, and revealed each to the other? As these reflections +and the like passed through her mind, a shudder of superstition +thrilled her frame, and she turned her attention to the consideration +of how she might best fulfill the designs of the Manito. For it will +be remembered, that, although nominally a Christian, she had not +wholly cast off the wild notions of her tribe, if it be, indeed, +possible for an adult Indian to do so. The maxim of Horace: + + "Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem + Testa diu," + +is of universal application, nor has it ever greater force than when +reference is had to ideas, connected with the terrors of an unseen +world, and where the mind that entertains them is destitute of the +advantages of education. + +Esther, it may readily then be supposed, did not delay after their +arrival, to go to see both Holden and his son. She could not behold +again, and recognize the child she had preserved, in the young man +who stood before her, without strong feeling, nor could Pownal look +unmoved upon the gentle and timid woman, to whom he was so much +indebted. Esther knew again the string of coral beads she had left +upon the boy's neck, and ascribed it to the whispers of the Great +Spirit, that she had allowed them to remain. She did not return from +her visit to Pownal empty handed. In fact, she was loaded with as many +presents, of such articles as suited her condition and half-civilized +taste, as she and the boy, Quadaquina, who commonly accompanied her, +could carry. It was the mode which naturally suggested itself to +Pownal, as alike most pleasing to Peéna, and most calculated to +impress her mind with a sense of his estimate of her services, +especially as there was connected with the gifts a promise, that +during his life her wants and wishes should all be supplied. Peéna +now felt herself the happiest and richest of her tribe, and her heart +glowed with devotion towards those who had been the means of investing +her with wealth, and the consequence attached to it. + +"Hugh!" ejaculated Ohquamehud, in amazement, as the squaw and her son +threw down upon the floor of the cabin the rich red and blue cloths, +and hats, and shoes, and other articles which Pownal had pressed +upon them. The exclamation escaped involuntarily, but, with a natural +politeness, the Indian asked no questions, but waited till it should +please the squaw to furnish an explanation. + +The sweet-tempered Peéna saw his desire, and turning to the boy, she +said, in their native language, in which the three always conversed +together: + +"Speak, Quadaquina, that the eyes of thy father's brother may be +opened." + +The boy, in obedience to the command of his mother, and without +looking at the Indian, tersely replied: + +"They are the gifts of my white brother with the open hand, the son of +the Longbeard." + +Ohquamehud appeared offended, and he asked, in a sharp tone: + +"Is Quadaquina ashamed, when he speaks to a warrior, to look him in +the eyes, and did he learn his manners from the pale faces?" + +The boy turned round, and gazed full at the other, and his eyes +glistened, yet it was in a low, soft tone he replied: + +"Quadaquina is a child, and knows not the customs of warriors, and +children turn away their eyes from what they do not wish to see." + +Ohquamehud's face darkened as he said: + +"The arts of the Longbeard have blown a cloud between me and my +kindred, so that they cannot see me, and it is time my feet were +turned towards the setting sun." + +"It is the fire-water that puts out the eyes of Ohquamehud, and makes +him forget what he owes to the wife of Huttamoiden," exclaimed the +boy, with suppressed passion. + +"Peace, Quadaquina," said his mother. "Ohquamehud is not now the +slave of the fire-water. Go," she added, detecting, with a mother's +sagacity, the tumult in the mind of the high-spirited boy, "and return +not until thou hast tamed thine anger. Wolves dwell not in the cabin +of Peéna." + +The boy, with downcast eyes, and obedient to his mother, left the hut. + +In explanation of this scene we may say, that, unhappily, like most +Indians, Ohquamehud was addicted to the use of spirituous liquors, +his indulgence in the fiery gratification being limited only by his +inability at all times to obtain it. Although unable to indulge his +appetite in the cabin of Esther, he occasionally procured strong +liquors in the huts of the other Indians, with whom the practice +of taking stimulants was almost universal, and sometimes in such +quantities as utterly to lose his reason. Returned on one of these +occasions, he demanded rum from Esther, and, upon her refusal to give +it, struck her a blow. This so exasperated the boy, Quadaquina, who +was present, that, with a club, he prostrated the drunken man, which, +indeed, in the condition he was in, was not difficult, and would, had +he not been restrained by Peéna, have inflicted a serious injury, if +not killed him. Ohquamehud never knew that he had been struck, but +ascribed the violent pain in his head the next day to the fire-water, +and the contusion to a fall. Peéna, while lamenting the excesses of +her relative, felt little or no resentment towards him; but not so +with the boy. He despised Ohquamehud for the miserable exhibitions of +imbecility he made in his cups, and hated him for the violence to his +mother. + +"Look," said Peéna, pointing to the articles, and desirous to remove +the rising discontent from the mind of the Indian, "the heart of the +young Longbeard (for she had no other name for Pownal in her language) +is large. All these he took out of it for Peéna." + +"Accursed be the gifts of the pale faces!" exclaimed Ohquamehud. "For +such rags our fathers sold our hunting-grounds, and gave permission +to the strangers to build walls in the rivers so that the fish cannot +swim up." + +"Peéna sold nothing for these," said the squaw, mildly. "Because the +young Longbeard loved Peéna he gave them all to her." + +"Did not Peéna preserve his life? But she is right. The white face has +an open hand, and pays more for his life than it is worth." + +"The words of my husband's brother are very bitter. What has the boy +whom Huttamoiden's arm saved from the flames, done, that blackness +should gather over the face of Ohquamehud?" + +"Quah! Does Peéna ask? She is more foolish than the bird, from which +she takes her name, when it flies into a tree. Is he not the son of +Onontio?" + +"Peéna never saw Onontio. She has only heard of him as one, who like +the red men, loves scalps. The Longbeard is a man of peace, and loves +them not. The eyes of Ohquamehud are getting dim." + +"The eyes of Ohquamehud are two fires, which throw a light upon his +path, and he sees clearly what is before him. It is only blood that +can wash out from the eyes of a warrior the remembrance of his enemy, +and nothing but water has cleansed Ohquamehud's. Thrice have I +meet Onontio, once on the yellow Wabash: again, where the mighty +Mississippi and Ohio flow into each other's bosoms, and a third +time on the plains of the Upper Illinois. Look," he cried suddenly, +throwing open his shirt, and exposing his breast, "the bullet of +Onontio made that mark like the track of a swift canoe in the water. +It talks very plain and will not let Ohquamehud forget." + +"If the Longbeard be Onontio, his son has done my brother no injury." + +"The gifts of the pale face have blinded the eyes, and stopped the +ears of my sister, so that she can neither see nor hear the truth. +Who, when he kills the old panther, lets the cubs escape?" + +"There is peace between the red man and the white on the banks of the +Sakimau. The long knives are as plenty as the leaves of the western +forests. Ohquamehud must forget the bullet of Onontio until he finds +him on the prairie, or where the streams run towards the setting sun." + +"My sister is very wise," said the savage, his whole manner changing +from the ferocity, which had at first characterized it, to a subdued +and even quiet tone. "But," added he, as it were despondingly, "let +her not fear for the safety of the Longbeard. Ohquamehud is weak +and cannot contend with so great a medicine." He turned away, as if +unwilling to continue the conversation, nor did Peéna manifest any +disposition to renew it. + +There was, however, something about the Indian, that alarmed the +squaw, as she had never been before, notwithstanding the pacific +language, with which he concluded. The time was drawing nigh for +Ohquamehud's return to the West, and, knowing his brutal temper, she +feared that under the influence of the spirituous liquors he indulged +in to excess, he might attempt to signalize his departure by some act +of wrong and revenge, which would bring down destruction on himself, +and disastrously affect the fortunes of the tribe. He evidently +cherished a bitter animosity toward Holden, whom he had recognized as +a formidable enemy, and although a cool and wary savage when himself, +and as capable of appreciating the consequences of an act as clearly +as any one and therefore likely to be deterred from violence, there +was no knowing what he might do, when stimulated by the frenzy that +lurks in the seductive draught. Peéna knew the difficulty, with +which an Indian foregoes revenge, and her apprehensions were the more +excited by the attachment she felt for the two white men. Fears, vague +and unformed had before floated through her mind, but they now assumed +consistency, and she determined to take such precautions until the +departure of her kinsman as should prevent harm either to himself or +others. With this view, the moment she was alone with her son, she +seized the opportunity to speak on the subject of her alarm. But, +first she thought it necessary to reprove him for his feelings towards +his uncle. + +"Whose blood," she inquired, "flows in the veins of Quadaquina?" + +"It is the blood of Huttamoiden," answered the boy, erecting his head, +and drawing himself up proudly. + +"And who gave the bold heart and strong arm to Huttamoiden?" + +"It was the mighty Obbatinuua, whose name men say is still mentioned +in the song on the great fresh water lakes." + +"He had two sons?" + +"Huttamoiden and"--He stopped as if unwilling to pronounce the name, +and turned with a gesture of contempt from his mother. + +Peéna supplied the omission. "Ohquamehud," she said. "He is a brave +warrior, and the Shawnees are proud of his exploits." + +"He is a dog!" exclaimed the boy, fiercely. "The blood of Obbatinuua +has leaked out of his veins, and the fire-water taken its place." + +"He is the kinsman of Quadaquina, and it does not become a child to +judge harshly of any member of his tribe." + +"Mother," said the boy, gravely, as if he thought it incumbent on +him to justify his conduct, "listen. The hearts of Obbatinuua and of +Huttamoiden both beat in my bosom. They tell me that the son should +remember the glory of his father. Quadaquina is very sick when he sees +Ohquamehud lying on the ground, a slave of the fire-water, with his +tongue lolling out like a dog's, and he disdains to acknowledge him as +of his blood." + +Peéna was not disposed to blame the boy for his disgust at +drunkenness. It was a feeling she had herself most sedulously +cultivated by every means in her power, pointing out, as occasion +offered, like the Lacedemonians, its exhibitions in its worst forms, +and contrasting the wretched drunkard falling, from degradation to +degradation, into a dishonored grave, with the sober and vigorous man. +She had succeeded in imparting to Quadaquina her own abhorrence of the +vice, and was cautious not to weaken the impression. + +"Enough," said Peéna; "my son will grow up into a brave and good man; +but if he despises Ohquamehud for his drunkenness, let him not forget +he is his kinsman. Hearken," she added, earnestly, and drawing the +boy nearer, while she lowered her voice; "does Quadaquina know that +Ohquamehud hates the Longbeard?" + +"Quadaquina's ears and eyes are open," said the boy. + +"Ohquamehud's feet will soon chase the setting sun," continued Peéna, +"but before he starts the fire-water may try to make him do some +foolish thing. Quadaquina must have love enough for his kinsman to +prevent the folly." + +"Not because Quadaquina loves, but because Ohquamehud is his father's +brother." + +"It is well. Ohquamehud must do the Longbeard no harm, and Quadaquina +must watch them both, and, if need be, warn the Longbeard of the +danger." + +The boy, proud of the trust committed to him, promised to obey his +mother and be watchful, and from that time commenced a system of +patient vigilance, of which a white child would scarcely be capable, +but which seems to be a part of the nature of an Indian. Whenever +Ohquamehud left the cabin Quadaquina sought no more to avoid him, but +accompanied him whenever invited, and if not, generally followed, so +as not to lose him long out of sight. There was something about the +trust that agreed well with the cunning of the child. It had for him a +kind of fascination, like that which induces the hunter patiently, day +after day, to pursue the track of the flying game, looking forward to +the moment of success, when all his toil is to be repaid. + +As for Esther, she lost no time in starting off to apprise Holden and +Pownal of the danger she feared. As the canoe glided along under the +strokes of the paddle, which she knew how to use as well as any +man, she reflected upon the proper manner of communicating her +apprehensions; but the more she thought on the subject, the more +difficult it appeared. She could not mention the name of her kinsman +as the person whom she suspected of an evil design. That seemed to her +a sort of treason, a violation of the rights of relationship and of +hospitality. He might be innocent. She herself might be to blame for +cherishing such suspicions. She knew not what evils the disclosure of +Ohquamehud's name connected with the charge might occasion. He might +be arrested and put in prison, perhaps, executed. The white people, +in the opinion of the Indians, had never exercised much forbearance +towards them, and regarded them as an inferior race. The liberty or +life of an Indian was, probably, with them, but of little consequence. +Besides, might she not be running some risk herself? But this +reflection weighed but little with the affectionate creature. While +such considerations occurred to the ignorant and timid woman, she +was half tempted to turn back, and trust to the Manito or protecting +genius, who had thus far borne the Solitary triumphantly through all +perils, but her fears at last prevailed over these scruples, and she +resolved to give the warning without making allusion to any person. + +But Holden, a man naturally of great courage, and familiarized from +his earliest years with danger, and the means of avoiding it, paid but +little attention to the obscure hints of Esther. He did not even take +the trouble to inquire to what direction her allusions pointed. +From whom, from what, had he to apprehend danger to his life? He had +voluntarily embraced poverty; there was nothing about him to tempt +cupidity; he loved all the world, and would hardly, indeed, hesitate +to sacrifice, if need were, his life for that of an another. What +motive could there be to injure him? He was not in the boundless +forest of the West, roamed by predatory savages, but in a land of law, +and order, and religion. Were he, indeed, in those regions which had +witnessed the fiery trials and perils of his youth, caution would be +necessary; but even then, he would have relied with confidence on his +own resources, controlled and directed by a shaping Providence. It was +not probable that Holden thought at all of Ohquamehud, but if his mind +rested for a moment on the Indian, it could not be with an emotion of +fear. The western pioneers feel their superiority too greatly to +be accessible to such apprehensions, and Holden had been too long a +hunter of savages, to dread either their cunning or their force. Had +he reflected on the subject, he would have seemed to himself to stand +in pretty much the same relation to a red skin that a grown man does +to a child; or, if the Indian were hostile, as the hunter does to the +bears, and wolves, and catamounts, he pursues. + +"Peéna," said Holden, "I thank thee. It is not in human nature to +be ungrateful for affection, whatever be the color of the skin that +covers the heart which offers it. But dismiss thy fears, and think of +them as unsubstantial as the morning mist. And know that at all times +doubt and fear are in vain. Thou canst not make one hair white and +another black. It is appointed unto all men once to die, but of the +times and seasons, though fixed by the Master of Life with infallible +wisdom, and by a decree that may not be gainsaid, no man knoweth. The +arrow shot by the hand of Jehovah must reach its mark, though thou +seest not its track in the clouds." + +Somewhat more effect attended Esther's visit to Pownal, not that, +indeed, she felt the same apprehensions for him as for his father, or +was able to inspire him with fears on his own account. Living in the +village, and with habits so different from those of Holden, he was +vastly less exposed to a danger of the kind she apprehended. The +bullet or the knife of the savage would not be likely to reach him +in the streets of Hillsdale. For it is no part of the tactics of +an American Indian to expose his own life. On the contrary, he is +considered a fool who does so unnecessarily. Stratagem is prized above +force, and he is the greatest warrior who, while inflicting an injury, +takes care not to expose himself to harm. Esther knew all this, and +for these reasons, perhaps, if with Holden she was vague, with his son +she was oracular. Consequently, Pownal only laughed at her, when she +spoke of himself, as well, indeed, he might, but when she referred +to his father, the case was altered. Not that any clear, well-defined +danger presented itself, but as in low, monotonous tones the squaw +proceeded, darkly hinting at what she would not explain, an oppression +fell upon his spirits as strange as it was painful. We can liken it +to nothing with more propriety than to that dim sense of terror and +discomfort which is sometimes observed in the inferior animals at the +approach of an eclipse or the bursting of a hurricane. Yielding to the +mysterious monitor, and prompt in action as he was rapid in judgment, +Pownal proceeded instantly to seek his father. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + And with him thousand phantoms joined + Who prompt to deeds accursed the mind, + And those the fiends who, near allied, + O'er Nature's wounds and wrecks preside; + While Vengeance, in the lurid air, + Lifts his right arm, exposed and bare. + + COLLINS. + + +Ohquamehud, with all his burning passion for revenge, dared not +undertake anything against his enemy, in opposition to the commands of +the Manito. After the signal interposition, as he conceived it to +be, in favor of Holden at the cabin of the latter, he thought it not +prudent to renew the attempt at the same place. The terror of that +moment was too deeply impressed to allow him to hazard its repetition. +But the power of that Manito might not extend elsewhere, and there +were other Manitos who, perhaps, were more powerful, and might be more +propitious. He would endeavor to conciliate one of them, and so arrive +at the accomplishment of his wishes. + +It has been observed that the falls of the Yaupáae were a favorite +place of resort for the Solitary. Especially at this season of the +year (for it was now the delicious month of June, the loveliest of the +twelve) did he love to haunt its neighborhood. There was something +in the wild scenery, in the dash and tumult of the water, and in +its ceaseless shout, that harmonized well with his feelings in their +various moods. His was a grand soul, and felt itself allied to the +grandeur of nature. As the air, driven through the pipes of a mighty +organ, issues out in solemn concords and divine harmonies, of power to +lift the spirit on wings of cherubim and seraphim above "the mists of +this dim spot which men call earth" and recall its contemplations to +its heavenly origin, so these sights and sounds, playing through +the soul of the Solitary, chased away whatever would clog its upward +flight, soothing while they elevated, and bridging over the chasm that +separates the lower from the upper spheres. This habit of Holden was +well known to the Indian, for he had often seen the Solitary musing on +a rock that overhung the falls. The retirement of the place, likewise, +was favorable to the purpose of an assassin. It was seldom in those +days, except tempted by its romance, that a person visited the +spot. There were other reasons, also, that had an influence over the +superstitious mind of the Indian, in determining his choice. + +A child of nature, cradled in her wild bosom and reared in her arms, +he, too, felt her awful charms. He could not listen to the voice of +the majestic torrent, or gaze upon the grey rocks without a reverent +admiration. And in proportion to this feeling was his awe of the +Manito who presided over the scene. How prodigious must be His power! +The irresistible sweep of the cataract resembled his strength; its +roar, his voice; and the hoary rocks were indicative of his age. Could +he obtain the favor of so mighty a Being--could he induce him to aid +his design, it could be easy of execution. He would make the trial. He +would approach him with offerings, and acquaint him with his wishes. +The Genius of the Fall ought not to love the white man. The pale faces +never offered him gifts, while the red men, long before the arrival of +the fatal stranger and since, had covered the shores with presents. +He would not be disregardful or turn a deaf ear to one of his children +who sought a just revenge. + +Animated by these considerations and such hopes, Ohquamehud left the +hut of Esther on the afternoon of the following day, to propitiate the +Manito of the Falls. His way led through the wood, along the margin +of the Severn for a few miles and then crossed the high-road and some +open fields and another belt of woods, before he reached the Yaupáae. +Arrived at his destination, he looked with a solemn air around as if +half expecting to see the Genius of the place. But he beheld nothing, +save the wild features of nature, and the moss-grown roof of the old +mill, almost hid by the intervening trees: he heard no sound except +the uninterrupted roaring of the torrent. In the hot rays of that +June sun, not even the birds emitted a note, waiting under their leafy +shelters in the darkest recesses of the woods, until the pleasant +coolness of approaching evening should tempt them out and reawaken +their songs. The Indian, seeing that no one was in sight, commenced +collecting brush and sticks of dry wood that lay about, which he +heaped up into a pile upon a rock close to the water's edge. After he +had gathered together a quantity that appeared to him sufficient, he +selected from the stones lying around, a couple of flints which seemed +fittest for his purpose, and by striking them violently together, +soon succeeded in producing a shower of sparks, which falling on the +thoroughly dried and combustible matter, instantly set it on fire, +and shot a tongue of flame into the air. Reverently then inclining +his body towards the cataract, as in an attitude of supplication, +Ohquamehud addressed the Manito, and explained his wishes. He spoke +with dignity, as one who, though standing in the presence of a +superior, was not unmindful of his own worth. The sounds at first were +those of lamentation, so low as scarcely to be audible, and plaintive +and sweet as the sighs of the wind through the curled conch shell. +"Oh Manito," he said, "where are thy children, once as plenty as the +forest leaves? Ask of the month of flowers for the snows that 'Hpoon +scatters from his hand, or of the Yaupáae for the streams he pours +into the great Salt Lake. The sick-skinned stranger, with hair like +the curls of the vine, came from the rising sun. He was weak as a +little child: he shivered with the cold: he was perishing with hunger. +The red man was strong: he wrapped himself in bear skins and was warm; +he built his wigwam of bark, and defied the storm, and meat was plenty +in his pot. He pitied the dying stranger; he brought him on his back +out of the snow, and laid him by the fire; he chafed his limbs and +clothed him in furs; he presented venison with his own hands, and the +daughters of the tribes offered honey and cakes of maize, and wept for +compassion. And the pale face saw that our land was better than his +own, and he envied us, and sent messengers to his people to come and +strip us of our heritage. Then they came as the flights of pigeons in +the spring, innumerable: in multitudes as the shad and salmon, when +they ascend the thawed rivers. They poisoned the air with their +breaths, and the Indians died helpless in the pestilence. They made +war upon us, and drove us from our cornfields; they killed our old +men, and sent away our young men and maidens into slavery. O, Manito, +thus hath the accursed pale faces requited our kindness. + +"Wast thou displeased with the red men O, Manito? Had the children of +the Forest offended thee, that thou didst deliver them into the hand +of their enemies? See, what thine inconsiderate anger hath done. Thou +hast destroyed us, and injured thyself. Where are the offerings that +once covered these rocks, the bears' meat and the venison, the +wampum, the feathers of the eagle, and sweet-smelling tobacco? Who now +honoreth the Manito of the loud voiced Yaupáae? I listen, but I hear +no answer." + +Thus far the voice of Ohquamehud was low and melancholy, as the wail +of a broken heart, and his face sad, as of one lamenting for a friend, +but now it changed to a loftier expression, and the words were hissed +out with a guttural roughness, without being spoken much louder. + +"O, Manito!" he continued, "I alone am left to offer thee the +sacrifice of the fragrant tobacco. Behold! I will fill thy pipe many +times if thou wilt assist me. Onontio hath done me much mischief. He +hath burned the villages of my people, and slain our warriors. Why +shouldst thou favor him? Is he not a dog which thou wilt kick away +from the door of thy lodge? He cometh, sometimes, and sitteth upon the +highest rock, to look down upon thy dwelling-place. It is to nourish +the pride of his heart. It is to exult that, as far as his eye can +see, it beholds no wigwam, nor one bringing thee gifts. Help Manito! +Think upon thine own wrongs,--remember the sufferings of the red man, +and give me the scalp of Onontio. Accept my offering." + +Having thus spoken, and conciliated by every means that occurred to +his untutored mind, the good-will of the tutelary Spirit of the Falls, +recounting the generosity of the Indians, and the ingratitude of the +whites, remonstrating with the Manito for his supposed anger, and +pointing out its folly, trying to stimulate his indignation on account +of the neglect of himself, and, to tempt his love of presents by +promises, Ohquamehud threw a quantity of tobacco in the leaf, which +the Indians were accustomed to raise themselves around their cabins, +into the flames. But an incident took place, which, for a time, +dashed his hopes to the ground, and covered him with mortification and +confusion. + +The day, as we have already intimated, was unusually hot, even for the +month of June. As the hours advanced, a sultry and slumbrous silence +filled the air, which quivered with the heat. Clouds began to collect +in the northwest, and to roll up higher and higher towards the zenith, +in immense waves, which darkened momently, until half the heavens +seemed covered with a pall. The lightning began to play more +frequently over the surging blackness, and the mutterings of the +thunder became every instant louder. Ohquamehud was not altogether +unaware of the approaching storm, but, engaged in the solemn rite, the +appearances of the clouds had not attracted as much of his attention +as otherwise they would have done. At the instant he threw the tobacco +into the fire, the blackness of the clouds was intensest, and a grim +silence, as if nature were waiting in anxious expectation of some +grand event, brooded over the earth interrupted only by the shout of +the cataract; then, a thunderbolt blazed almost in the eyes of the +Indian, followed, instantly, by a crash, as if the solid rocks were +splintered into fragments, and by a torrent of rain, pouring, not +in drops, but, in one continuous flood. For a few moments, the rain +continued falling violently, then gradually slackened and ceased. The +lightning glittered less frequently; the threatenings of the thunder +became less distinct, and the clouds rolled up their dark standards +and dispersed, disappearing in the depths of the unfathomable sky. + +The Indian, meanwhile, remained immovable, staring at the fire in +which the rain hissed as it fell. Thus, like a statue, he stood, until +the storm had rolled away; then, recovering from his stupefaction, he +turned, despondingly, from the heap of ashes. His offering, then, had +been rejected. The Manito either could not or would not assist him. +Onontio bore a charmed life. He was a great medicine, beyond the power +of his vengeance. Ohquamehud, with a frown upon his brow, dark as the +folds of the departing clouds, strode several steps from the rock, +when, turning, as if struck by a sudden thought, he commenced +searching in the ashes. The surface, of course, was soaked; but, as +he penetrated deeper, they were drier, and at the bottom he found +unextinguished coals. He carefully searched round, to discover if +any portion of the tobacco was unconsumed, but could find none. The +offering had not, then, been rejected. The Manito had accepted it. +It was not he who sent the storm. Perhaps, some other Manito, who, +however, was unable to defeat the sacrifice. The countenance of +Ohquamehud brightened, and he began again to collect the brush +and scattered sticks. From hollows, in the butts of old trees, and +recesses under projecting cliffs, he succeeded in finding enough dry +fuel to start the fire anew, and soon it shot up a bright bold flame +as before. "O, Manito!" he softly said, "thou art not angry--receive +my gift." Again, he threw tobacco into the fire, and, this time, no +portent interposed. The greedy flame seized upon the dry leaves, which +crackled in the heat, and bore them on its shining billows high into +the air. The fire continued burning till all was consumed, and the +heap sent up only a spiral of indistinct smoke. + +The importunity of Ohquamehud had wrung from the Genius the consent +which he solicited. The gratified Indian stretched out his hand, and +again spoke-- + +"O, Manito, thanks! The heart of Ohquamehud is strong. When he +journeys towards the setting sun, his feet shall bound like those of a +deer, for the scalp of Onontio will hang at his girdle." + +He glided into the woods and disappeared, ignorant that any one had +been a witness of his actions. But, Quadaquina, from an evergreen +thicket, had watched all his motions. As the form of Ohquamehud became +dimmer in the distance, the boy could not repress his exultation at +the success of his ambush, but gave it vent in a whistle, imitating +the notes of the whipperwill. It caught the ear of the Indian, and he +turned, and as he did so, the boy threw himself on the ground. The sun +had hardly set. It was too early for the bird to be heard, which never +commences his melancholy chant until the shades of evening are spread +over the dewy earth. The eyes of Ohquamehud sent sharp glances in the +direction whence the whistle came, but he could discern nothing. He +listened for awhile, but the sounds were not repeated, and wondering +what they could mean--for he relied too implicitly on his senses +to suppose his imagination had deceived him--he resumed his course +homeward. Presently, Quadaquina slowly rose, and, perceiving no one in +sight, followed in the same direction. + +The boy, at first, walked deliberately along; but, after, as he +supposed, a considerable interval was interposed between him and the +Indian, he quickened his steps, in order to more at about the same +rate as the other. He had cleared the clumps of trees next to the +Falls, and crossed the open fields, and advanced some little distance +into the belt of continuous woods along the river, when, suddenly, +Ohquamehud, starting from behind the trunk of a large tree, stood +before him. Quadaquina's heart beat quicker, but no outward sign +betrayed emotion. + +"What does a child like Quadaquina, mean by wandering so far in the +dark away from its mother?" demanded Ohquamehud. + +"Quadaquina is no longer a child," answered the boy, "to need his +mother. He runs about, like a squirrel, in the woods, whenever he +please." + +"Quah! He is more like a bird, and it is to take lessons from the +whipperwill, that he comes into the woods." + +"Ohquamehud talks like a crow that knows not what he says." + +"When next," said the Indian, with a laugh, "Quadaquina tries to be a +bird, let him remember that the bashful whipperwill likes not the sun +to hear his song." + +The boy fancying that he had been discovered, and that any further +attempt at concealment was vain, answered boldly, + +"It is no concern of Ohquamehud, whether Quadaquina is a bird, or a +squirel, or a fish. He will fly in the air, or swim in the water, or +run in the woods without asking permission from any one." + +"And Ohquamehud is not a rabbit to be tracked by a little dog wherever +he goes. _Ahque_! (beware). He will strike the little dog if he +presses too close upon his heels." So saying, and as if to give +emphasis to his words, the Indian lightly touched the shoulders of the +boy, with a small stick which he held in his hand. + +It was like lightning falling in a powder-magazine, so suddenly blazed +up the anger of Quadaquina, when he felt the touch of the rod. He +jumped back as though bitten by a snake, and snatching up a stone, +hurled it with all his strength at Ohquamehud. It was well that the +Indian leaped behind a tree near which he stood, else the missile, +with such true aim and vindictive force was it sent, might have proved +fatal. As soon as the stone was thrown, the Indian stepped up to the +boy, who stood trembling with passion, but observing no intention on +the part of the latter to renew his violence, he passed close by him, +with a contemptuous laugh, and pursued his way, Quadaquina following, +though at some distance, in his steps. The boy came into the hut of +Peéna within a short time after the entrance of the Indian, nor could +the most jealous eye have detected in either a trace of what had +happened. Ohquamehud moved with a grave dignity to the seat he usually +occupied, and his pipe presently sent grateful volumes of smoke +through the cabin. He noticed, however, that when Quadaquina came +in, his mother made no inquiry into the cause which had detained him +beyond the hour of the evening meal, and this confirmed the suspicions +that were floating in his mind. They were indeed vague, and he fancied +that if for any reason he had been watched by Quadaquina, the lesson +he had just given would intimidate the boy, and satisfy him there +would be danger in dogging the steps of one so vigilant as himself, +and who had avowed his intention to punish the offender, if he were +caught again. + +Quadaquina, when they were by themselves, related to his mother what +he had witnessed at the Falls, but made no allusion to the quarrel +betwixt Ohquamehud and himself, nor of the threats of the former. +He could give no account of the address to the Manito, the distance +having been too great to allow him to hear the words. His story caused +no alarm to Peéna, inasmuch as acquainted with the superstitions of +the Indians, she ascribed the sacrifice to a desire to propitiate the +Manito, in order to secure a fortunate journey to the western tribe. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + But love itself could never pant + For all that beauty sighs to grant, + With half the fervor hate bestows + Upon the last embrace of foes, + When grappling in the fight, they fold + Those arms that ne'er shall lose their hold; + Friends meet to part; love laughs at faith: + True foes, once met, are joined till death! + + BYRON'S _Giaour_. + + +Pownal, upon parting with Esther, sought his father. But the +expression of his apprehensions was so vague, he was so incapable of +giving his fears any definite shape, that he made no more impression +than the woman. The calm austerity of the Solitary's face almost +melted into a smile at the idea that any event could occur except in +the determined course of things. It was the pride of the human heart; +it was the presumption of the human intellect that dreamed of freedom +of choice or of action. If individual wills were permitted to cross +and jostle each other, the universe would be a scene of confusion. +Freedom was only in appearance. One grand, serene, supreme will +embraced the actual and the ideal in its circle, and all things were +moved by a law as certain and irresistible as that which impels worlds +in their orbits. The conviction was a part of Holden's self. He could +no more be convinced of its fallacy than of his own non-existence, and +his son left him with the full assurance that, even were he to know +that his life was menaced, he would be the last one to take any +precautionary measures for its protection. But, in truth, the fears of +Pownal were so slight, that after an allusion to them, he forbore to +dwell upon the subject, especially as the conversation took a turn as +interesting to him as it was unexpected. + +"Thou art of an age, my son," said Holden, abruptly, "to take to thee +a wife, and the bounty of the good man whose name I permit thee still +to bear, hath placed thee in a condition to gratify an innocent and +natural desire. Hath thy heart moved at all in this matter?" + +The question was excessively embarrassing, and the young man blushed +and hesitated as he replied, that there was yet abundant time to think +of such things. + +"Think not," said the Solitary, observing his son's hesitation, "that +I desire to intrude into thy confidence, though the heart of a son +should be like a clear stream, the bottom of which may be seen by a +father's eye. I speak, because partly common fame, and partly my own +observation, connect thy name in some wise with a young lady's." + +"And who is the lady," inquired Pownal, laughing, "whom my indiscreet +gallantry has so compromised?" + +"Nay, if thou wilt not be frank with me, or choosest to reply in the +language of trifling, we will drop the subject." + +"I will be frank. I will answer any question you may ask." + +"Tell me, then, is there any relation between thee and Anne Bernard +tenderer than that of common acquaintance?" + +Pownal expected the question, and was therefore prepared. + +"I esteem Miss Bernard highly," he said. "I am acquainted with no +young lady who is her superior. I should consider myself fortunate to +attract her attention. But nothing, except the language of friendship, +has passed betwixt us." + +"I am satisfied," said Holden, "and it is evidence of excellence in +thyself that one possessing the lovable and noble qualities of Anne +should attract thee. But though, in the limited circle of the small +town, thy presence may be acceptable in the withdrawing room of the +wealthy lawyer, thinkest thou he will be willing to give thee the hand +of his only daughter?" + +"I have made no pretensions to the hand of Miss Bernard; and even if I +did, I see in it no presumption. There is no distinction of patrician +and plebeian in this country." + +"There are no such names, and yet there is a distinction. Will it +please the rich and polished Judge to ally his daughter with the son +of one like me?" + +"Judge Bernard is above the mean conceit of valuing himself upon +his riches. I never heard anything that sounded like arrogance or +superciliousness from him, and he has uniformly treated me with +kindness. For yourself, dear father, though for reasons of your own +you have chosen to lead hitherto this life of solitude and privation, +why continue to do so? Why not leave this miserable hut for comforts +more befitting your age and the society you are capable of adorning?" + +"Forbear! In this miserable hut, as thou callest it, I found the peace +that passeth understanding, and its walls are to me more glorious than +the gildings of palaces. If thou lovest Anne Bernard, as I strongly +suspect, I say not unto thee cease to love her, but wait, hoarding thy +love in secrecy and silence, until the fullness of the time is come. +Wilt thou not promise me this, for a short time?" + +"I will do nothing, father, that may be contrary to your +inclinations." + +"It is enough: then let there be no change in thy conduct. If thou +have the love of Anne, keep it as a precious jewel, but for the +present be content with the knowledge thereof: if thou have it not, +seek not thereafter. I promise thee it shall be for thy good, nor will +I unreasonably try thy patience." + +Here the interview ended, and Pownal departed, wondering over the +mystery his father affected, though he could not but confess to +himself there was a worldly wisdom (as he supposed it to be) in the +advice, not to be precipitate, but to watch the course of events. +Though unacquainted with the motives of his parent, he was bound to +respect his wishes, and felt a natural desire to gratify him to the +extent of his ability. He had never found him unreasonable, whatever +might be his singularities, and besides, no plan of his own was +crossed. He was obliged to admit the possibility of a failure of his +suit. To break up the pleasant relations existing betwixt the Bernard +family and himself; not to be allowed to approach Anne as before; a +cold constraint to be substituted for a confiding friendship! No, the +hazard was too great. Things should continue as they were. He and Anne +were still young: there was time enough; his father was right; the +counsels of age were wiser than those prompted by the rashness and +impetuosity of youth. + +The following morning was calm and warm, when Holden stood at the door +of his cabin, on the second occasion we choose to intrude upon his +devotions. Not a cloud was to be seen, and the pearly hue which +overspreads a clear summer sky, just stealing out of the shades of +night, had not disappeared, except in the eastern quarter of the +heavens, where a faint suffusion heralded, like a distant banner, the +approach of the sun, welcomed, at first, by the low twittering of the +birds, which gradually increased in frequency and loudness, until they +swelled into bold strains, and rose melodiously into the air. + +The Solitary stood, as before, with eyes fixed steadfastly upon the +kindling east. Could it be possible that an expectation, which +had been so often disappointed, should still be cherished; that no +experience, no arguments could dissipate the delusion? It would seem +so. By that subtle process, whereby minds possessed by an engrossing +idea convert facts, and language, and any circumstances, however +trifling, and which, to well-balanced intellects, would seem but +little adapted to the purpose, into proofs incontrovertible of their +opinions, had he, by dwelling upon certain texts of Scripture, which, +with a mad shrewdness, he had collated, imparted to them gigantic +proportions, and a peculiar coloring, which dominated and threw light +upon the context, but received no qualification or disparagement in +return. Without the necessity of repetition, various passages will +occur to the reader, which, taken out of connection with what precedes +and follows, may easily be made to support a theory of the kind he had +adopted. + +Holden stood as before, obedient to the command to watch, and verily +do we believe, that had he, indeed, seen the Son of Man in the clouds +of heaven, the magnificent vision would have impressed him with as +much joy as solemnity. But in vain he looked, and having waited until +the yellow sunshine, like a shower of gold, fell all around him, he +retired into his hut. Not unobserved, however. The Indian, Ohquamehud, +with his rifle by his side, from his place of concealment, on the +right shore, had been watching all his motions. There had he lain in +ambush ever since the stars had deserted the sky. Patiently he lay, +with his eyes fixed on the little island. The sun mounted higher; hour +after hour passed away, and yet he moved not. The time for the noonday +meal arrived, but he heeded it not. The hut of Peéna was scarcely +more than a couple of miles distant, and he might reach it in a few +moments, but he stirred not. In the interval of his absence Onontio +might leave the island, and go, he knew not whither, and his watch for +the day would be in vain. And now the lengthening shadows were falling +towards the east. The middle of the afternoon had arrived. + +It was then Ohquamehud saw Holden, or Onontio, as he called him, leave +his cabin and enter the canoe. Its bow was turned toward that bank of +the river on which the Indian was concealed, but somewhat higher up +the stream, and, impelled by a vigorous arm, the light boat skimmed +rapidly over the water. It passed so near to the Indian, that a bullet +sent from a steady aim must have brought inevitable death, and the +thought crossed the mind of the lurking spy, whether it were not +better to fire from his ambush, but the recollection of his adventure +on the island, and of his offering to the Manito of the Falls, +occurred to him, and he allowed the tempting opportunity to escape. + +Holden having run the canoe upon a sandy beach that curved in between +two rocks, fastened it by a rope to a heavy stone, and pursued his +course along the shore in the direction of the village. The Indian +followed at a distance in the woods, taking care to keep his own +person concealed, but that of the pursued in sight. Ohquamehud had no +means of determining from the movements of Holden, for a considerable +time, what were his intentions, whether to enter the village or go to +the Falls, but when he reached the spot where, if his design had been +to do the latter, he would have turned to the left, to the Indian's +bitter disappointment, he advanced up the road to the right. +Ohquamehud pretty much gave up all hope of succeeding in his design +that day, but, notwithstanding, still continued his observation. +Holden did not proceed far before he entered a small house that stood +by the roadside. (This delay, as we shall presently observe, was +attended with important consequences.) The person whom the Solitary +wanted to see was, probably, not at home, but whatever may have been +the reason, he presently left the house, and retracing his steps, +struck off, to the delight of Ohquamehud, across the fields, and in a +direction towards the Yaupáae. The Indian waited until Holden was out +of sight, hidden by the woods on the opposite side of the field, when +he slowly followed, looking around, as if in search of game. Having +reached the woods, he seemed to think it necessary to use greater +precaution in his further approach, the nearer he came to his enemy. +With this view, he moved slowly, carefully avoiding stepping on any +dry sticks or fallen branches, and stopping if, by any chance, he +made the slightest noise. One would have supposed such extreme caution +unnecessary, for so loud was the incessant roar of the cataract, that +where the Indian stood the keenest hearing could not, even within a +few rods, have detected the noise made by walking. It is probable that +habit, quite as much as reflection, determined the proceeding of the +Indian. + +With stealthy tread, creeping like the catamount of his native +forests, when he is about to leap upon his prey, the wily and +revengeful Indian stole along, holding his rifle in his hand, while +each sense was quickened and strained to the utmost. The wood extended +quite to the margin of the Falls, so that he was enabled to come near +without exposing his person. At length, from behind a large oak, one +of the original Sachems of the wood, he beheld his foe. Holden was +unarmed, for though, at certain times of the year, when game was in +season, he often carried a gun, it was not an uniform practice with +him. He stood, unconscious of danger, with his back to the Indian, his +arms folded, and gazing upon the water, that roared and tumbled below. +The eyes of Ohquamehud gleamed with ferocious satisfaction as he +beheld his foe in his power. Thrice he raised the rifle to his +shoulder, after carefully examining the priming, and as often let +the butt slide gently to the ground, pausing a little while each time +between, and never taking his eyes off the victim. This conduct might +be mistaken for irresolution. Far from it. The fell purpose of the +savage never burnt more intensely; his hatred was never more bitter; +and he was debating with himself whether to shoot the Solitary as he +stood, nor allow him to know his destroyer, or to rouse him to his +peril, to play with his agonies, and thus give him a foretaste of +death. Holden was at a distance of not more than fifty feet; before +him were the precipice and the Falls, behind him was the Indian; there +was no retreat. The fiendish desire agitating Ohquamehud was the same +as that which the savages feel when they torture a prisoner at the +stake, and delay the fatal stroke that is a mercy. He felt sure of his +prey, and after a short period of hesitation, determined to gratify +the diabolical passion. + +He stepped softly from behind the oak, and glided onwards, until the +distance betwixt himself and Holden was reduced to thirty feet. +The back of the latter was still towards the Indian, and he seemed +absorbed in contemplations that shut his senses to the admission +of outward objects. Again Ohquamehud paused, but it was only for a +moment, and then uttered in a distinct tone the word, "Onontio." + +The sound caught the ears of Holden, who instantly turned, and beheld +the threatening looks and attitude of the savage. He comprehended, at +once, the hostile purpose of Ohquamehud, and the imminence of his own +danger, but betrayed not the slightest fear. His cheek blanched not. +His eye lost none of its usual daring as he surveyed the assassin; nor +did his voice falter, as, disguising his suspicions, he exclaimed-- + +"Ohquamehud! he is welcome. He hath come to listen to the voice of the +Great Spirit, who speaks in the Yaupáae." + +"Onontio is mistaken," said the Indian. "The eyes of Ohquamehud +are sharp. They have seen the blood of his kindred on the hands of +Onontio, and he will wash it off." + +"Indian, thou hast discovered--I know not how--that I once bore the +name you have mentioned. It was given to me in the days of madness and +folly by the western tribes. But, my hands are unstained by any blood, +save what was shed in fair and open warfare." + +"Ha! Onontio hath forgotten the fight in the night of storms, on the +banks of the Yellow Wabash, when the sister of Ohquamehud was slain +and his brother pierced by the knife of the accursed pale face, with +the curling-hair." + +"Indian! I sought to save the maiden's life. I can show the scar I +received in her defence. As for thy brother, I know naught of him. If +he fell by me, it was in the manner in which one brave warrior meets +another." + +"It is a lie! The heart of the pale-face is fainting. He is a weasel, +that tries to creep through a small hole." + +"If I were armed thou wouldst not dare to speak thus," said Holden, +some of the spirit of his youthful years flashing up. "But, go; thou +art a coward to come armed against a defenceless man." + +"Onontio is a fool! Who told him to leave his rifle in his lodge? He +knoweth not so much as a beast or a reptile. When the bear roameth in +the forest, doth he leave his claws in his den, or the rattlesnake, +his teeth in the hole in the rocks? Let Onontio sing his death-song, +but, softly, lest the north wind bear it to the cub, who is waiting +for the second bullet in the pouch of Ohquamehud." + +A pang of inexpressible agony cut, like a knife, through the heart +of Holden. He could brave death himself, but, good God! that his son +should be murdered by the savage! The thought was too horrible. For a +moment, the courageous heart almost stopped, and, with quivering lips, +he commended the young man to the protection of Providence. But the +momentary weakness soon passed away, as the dogma of divine decrees +or fate occurred to his mind. The blood flowed freer in his veins; his +form straightened, and with a dignified gesture, he answered-- + +"Heathen! I have no death-song to sing. The Christian goeth not to his +Maker, boasting of his fancied merits, but, like a child, hiding its +face in its mother's bosom, and asking to be forgiven. And know that +of thyself thou art powerless. Thou canst do only what is permitted." + +"It is well!" exclaimed Ohquamehud, a glow of admiration, at the +courage with which Holden met his fate, flashing--in spite of +himself--across his countenance, and which he vainly tried to +conceal. "The dog of a pale-face is tired of his life, and will thank +Ohquamehud for sending him to the spirits of his fathers." + +So saying, he raised the rifle to his shoulder and fired. The eyes of +the Solitary had been intently fastened upon every motion of his foe, +and, the instant before the gun was discharged, he threw his arms +violently into the air. Whether the gesture disconcerted the aim of +the Indian, or intemperance had weakened his nerves, the rifle +was aimed too high and failed of its mark. But Holden's escape was +extremely narrow. The bullet grazed his scalp, perforating the cap, +and throwing it from his head. In the colloquy, he had, probably, +determined upon his line of conduct; for, immediately, upon the flash, +he started, with an activity which his appearance hardly promised, +towards his antagonist, and before the latter could club his rifle or +draw a knife, had seized him around the waist, and strove to throw him +on the ground. The Indian dropped the useless gun, and returned the +death-grapple. + +"Child of the devil!" cried Holden, whose passions were now thoroughly +roused, and who fancied himself back again to the time when he fought +the red man of the West, "I will send thee, this day, to the place +appointed for thee." + +Ohquamehud answered not a word, but, straining the other in an embrace +as close as his own, summoned all his powers to the deadly struggle. + +The two were more equally matched than might at first be supposed. +The Indian was more active, but Holden was stronger, and towered above +him. The habits of Holden had been eminently conducive to health and +strength. There was no superfluous flesh about him, and his sinews +were like cord. But, on the other hand, the youth of the Indian was +a great advantage, promising an endurance beyond that to be expected +from one of the years of Holden. + +With desperate struggles each strove to gain an advantage; but +strength on the one side, and activity on the other, foiled their +opposing exertions. The turf was torn up under their feet, and they +were whirled round, now in this direction, and now in that, until, +maddened by the contest, neither thought of his personal safety, +nor heeded the frightful abyss on the brink of which they fought. At +length, foaming and endeavoring to throttle each other, the foot of +one tripped and he stumbled over the precipice, carrying the other +down with him in his arms. The grappled foes turned over in the air, +and then fell upon the edge of a projecting shelf of a rock, some half +a dozen feet below. Ohquamehud was undermost, receiving the full force +of the fall, and breaking it for Holden, who, as they touched the +rock, threw one arm around the trunk of a small tree that grew out +of a fissure. The Indian must have been stunned, for Holden felt +his grasp relax, and, still clinging to the tree, he endeavored to +withdraw himself from the other's hold. He had partially succeeded, +when the Indian, recovering consciousness, made a movement that threw +his body over the precipice, down which he would have fallen had he +not blindly caught at the freed arm of Holden, which he clutched +with the tenacity of despair. The Indian had now recovered from the +stunning effect of the fall, and become sensible of his danger. In +rolling over the edge of the rock, his moccasined feet had come into +contact with a slight projection where his toes had caught, and by +means of which, Holden, as well as himself, was relieved in part of +the weight of his person. Using this as a support, he made repeated +and frantic attempts to spring to the level surface, but the steepness +of the rock, and the lowness at which he hung, combined with the +exhaustion occasioned by the fierce and prolonged conflict, foiled +every effort. At last, he abandoned the attempt to save himself as +hopeless, and directed all his exertions to drag his enemy down +with him to destruction. With this view, he strained, with all his +remaining strength, upon the arm he grasped, in order to force Holden +to let go his hold upon the tree. It was now a question of endurance +between them, and it is probable that both would have perished, had +not an unexpected actor appeared upon the scene. + +The boy Quadaquina had been watching Ohquamehud. Like a trained +blood-hound, he had kept faithfully on the track and scarcely let the +Indian out of sight until he, came near the village. Here he was met +by a playmate, with whom, like a child as he was, he stopped to amuse +himself for a moment. This was the cause of his not arriving sooner, +the delay corresponding nearly with the time Holden was detained by +his visit. The boy now came running up, all out of breath, and gazed +around, but saw no one nor heard a sound, save the roar of the Fall. +His eyes fell upon the gun of the Indian, and the cap of the Solitary, +lying on the trampled turf, and his mind foreboded disaster. He +hastened to the margin of the beetling crag, and peering over it, saw +Ohquamehud hanging by Holden's arm, and struggling to pull him down. +Quadaquina stepped back, and from the loose stones lying round, picked +up one as large as he could lift, and going to the edge, dropped it +full upon the head of Ohquamehud. The Indian instantly let go his +hold, falling a distance of eighty feet, and grazing against the side +of the huge rock on his way, until with a splash he was swallowed up +in the foaming water that whirled him out of sight. + +Quadaquina watched the body as it went gliding down the rocks, and +dashing into the torrent, until it could be seen no more, and then, +as if terrified at his own act, and without waiting to see what had +become of the man to whom he had rendered so timely a service, started +on a run for his home. + +As for Holden, upon the weight being withdrawn from his arm, he slowly +gathered himself up and sat upright on the rock; nor did he know +to what he owed his deliverance. He possibly ascribed it to the +exhaustion of his foe. He felt jar'd and bruised, but no bones were +broken: his heart swelled with thankfulness, and raising his eyes to +heaven, he poured forth a thanksgiving. + +"The enemy came against me," he ejaculated, "like a lion that is +greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret +places. But thou didst arise, O Lord, thou didst disappoint him and +cast him down; thou didst deliver my soul from the wicked. For thou +didst gird me with strength unto the battle, thou didst enlarge my +steps under me, that my feet did not slip. He was wounded that he was +not able to rise. He fell under my feet. It was Thy doing, O Lord, +because thou hadst respect unto the supplications of thy servant. +Therefore my lips shall greatly rejoice, when I sing unto Thee, and my +soul which thou hast redeemed." + +After this expression of his thanks, he clambered with some +difficulty, by the assistance of the shrubs that grew in the crevices +along the sloping platform, until he had attained to the top of the +rock whence he had fallen. He cast his eyes below, but nothing was to +be seen but the wild torrent: no sign, no trace of the Indian. Holden +shuddered as he thought of Ohquamehud, cut off in his atrocious +attempt, and breathed a prayer that his savage ignorance might +palliate his crime; then exhausted and sore, and pondering the +frightful danger he had escaped, slowly took his way towards the +village. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + But is there yet no other way besides + Those painful passages, how we may come + To death, and mix with our connatural dust? + "There is," said Michael, "if thou will observe + The rule of _not too much_, by temperance taught." + + MILTON'S PARADISE LOST. + + Till oft converse with heavenly habitants, + Begin to cast a beam on th' outward shape, + The unpolluted temple of the mind, + And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence, + Till all be made immortal. + + COMUS. + + +The shades of evening were falling as Holden entered the village. He +proceeded straight to the house of Mr. Armstrong, whom he had seen +twice or thrice already since his return from New York, though we have +made no mention of the visits. + +He found Armstrong thinner and paler than ever. The constitutional +melancholy with which he was afflicted appeared to have deepened, and +there was something now in the tones of his voice so sad and tender, +that they moved Holden to an extraordinary degree. Other friends of +Armstrong were affected by them, but, with the exception of Faith, +there was no one who seemed to lay these signs of unhappiness so much +to heart as the Solitary. This, perhaps, may account, in a measure, +for the increased frequency of his visits. + +A smile like sunshine stealing from behind a wintry cloud over the +pure snow, welcomed Holden. As he took the offered hand of Armstrong, +he found it extenuated and cold, and pressed it with more than +ordinary feeling, before he took a seat by his side. The first inquiry +of the Recluse was, as usual, after Faith. + +"She is out," answered her father, "but I expect her soon." + +"The sight of Faith is to me as the beauty and fragrance of days long +gone," said Holden. "Unsinning Eve was not more lovely." + +"She was early dedicated to her God, and is, indeed, a meet offering +for his altar," said Armstrong. + +"Blessed are they," exclaimed Holden, "whose feet have never strayed +from the straight and narrow way. Where they tread spring up immortal +flowers, and they breathe the air of Paradise." + +"And, alas!" said Armstrong, "how short is usually their stay. How +soon they depart for the celestial regions, to which they belong, +leaving breaking hearts behind!" + +"Woe to the earth-born selfishness, that riseth up in opposition! +It is not agreeable to the law of God, nor can be. Down with the +rebellion of ignorance and unbelief." + +"But is no allowance to be made for human weakness? May we not weep +over the calamities of life?" + +"Aye, weep, if the tears wash out a sin, but not because the divine +will is different from thine own. What callest thou calamity? There is +no calamity, but sin." + +"It is hard," sighed Armstrong, "to reach that height of abnegation +and faith to which you would have me aspire." + +"Hard, but attainable, for without faith it is impossible to please +Him. There are examples set before us for imitation of what the +trusting spirit can achieve. By faith Abraham offered up Isaac when he +was tried, having confidence that God could raise him up even from +the dead. By faith--but why should I recount the deeds of those grand +souls, of whom the world was not worthy, who, through faith, subdued +kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths +of lions, quenched the violence of fire, even from Enoch, who tasted +not the bitterness of death, and Elijah, mounting on a fiery chariot, +in a whirlwind, to heaven, down to these latter days, when, as said +the apostle, 'faith should wax weak, and almost perish from the +earth?'" + +Armstrong looked at Holden, with an expression like fear. + +"Who is equal to these things?" said he. + +"I knew a man once," said the Enthusiast, thinking of the peril he had +just escaped, and darkly shadowing forth its circumstances, "whom a +ravening lion sought to destroy, and the heart of the man sunk within +him, for, in view of the beast, he forgot that the Lord God omnipotent +reigneth, but an angel whispered it in his ear, and strengthened him, +and he defied the lion, and smote him, and killed the lion. Thus doth +the Lord continue to perform his marvellous works, for he is faithful +and true, and his mercy endureth for ever to them that love him." + +Of course, Armstrong could have no correct idea of what Holden alluded +to, nor did he inquire. It was to him only another instance, added by +his enthusiastic friend, to the long catalogue of those in the +sacred record, for whom faith had triumphed over danger, and wrought +deliverance. + +"It is, indeed," he said, "a mighty means to bring down the divine +blessing." + +"As is the law of gravitation to the worlds," said Holden, looking out +upon the clear sky, filled with stars, "which is the constant force +flowing from the living centre of all things, and retaining them in +harmonious movement in their orbits; so is faith to the human soul. +When it is present all is peace, and harmony, and joy; when it is +absent, a wild chaos, whirling in darkness and confusion, over which +the Spirit hath never brooded like a dove." + +At this moment the door opened, and Miss Armstrong, attended by +William Bernard, entered the room. She advanced towards Holden, and +gave him her hand, which he took into both of his, and looking fondly +at her, said: + +"Dear child, thy mother's image, the room is brighter for thy +presence." + +"There, William," said Faith, smiling, "a lady seldom receives so +delicate a compliment." + +"Mr. Holden," said Bernard, "belongs to the old school of politeness, +of which Sir Charles Grandison is the model. Modern degeneracy might +strive in vain to compete with it." + +There was a slight, a very slight, an almost imperceptible tone of +irony about the words, which did not escape the sensitive ear of +Holden. He turned towards Bernard, and fastened his large eyes upon +him, in silence, awhile, before he said: + +"The secret of politeness is to be found in warmth and goodness of +heart. Flame blazes not up from ice." The words, the tone, the look, +conveyed his estimate of the character of the young man, and was not +without influence on one, at least, of his auditors. "But," continued +he, "thy presence, Faith, is truly, to me, as light. Deemest thou me +capable of unmeaning compliments?" + +"No," answered Faith, suspecting the little feeling of resentment, and +desirous to soothe it, "I do not. Forgive my absurd observation." + +"And I hope," said Bernard, in his most engaging manner, "that Mr. +Holden is not offended at my classing him among those who for delicacy +and refinement were never surpassed." + +"I like not," said Holden, "to be made a subject of conversation. We +will find a fitter topic." + +"You spoke of Faith's resemblance to her mother," said Mr. Armstrong, +"whose quick sensibility had also detected the jarring string; how did +you discover it?" + +"You forget," answered Holden, "that in conversation with me you have +spoken of her." + +"But not described her appearance." + +"The resemblance of a child to a parent, may be oftentimes deduced +from qualities of the mind, and traits of character. The outer garment +is fitted to the interior man. The exterior and transient is the +product of the interior and permanent. But I mean not that it was thus +I discovered the likeness; and if for a moment I misled thee, let +me correct my error and thy mistake. You will consider these as the +speculations of a visionary." + +"I do not consider them without foundation," said Armstrong, who, +in the turn given to the conversation, seemed to have forgotten his +question. + +"It is a speculation which, followed out, might lead to many +interesting conclusions," said Bernard. "Mr. Holden would greatly +oblige us with his ideas." + +"Do," said Faith, who delighted in the Solitary's flights. "Explain, +dear Mr. Holden, your theory." + +Holden looked at Mr. Armstrong, who bowed. + +"The first man, Adam," said Holden, "was created perfect, perfect in +body as in mind. The dignity and beauty of his person corresponded +to the grandeur and purity of his soul, of which it was the outward +expression. All graces and harmonies, and perfections of creation +centered in him, for he was the image of his Maker. He was incapable +of disease, because disease is disharmony and the fruit of sin, which +as yet existed not. And he was obedient unto the voice of the Lord, +nor did he transgress His laws in anything. His meat was the herb of +the field and the fruit of the tree, and his drink the running brook. +He had no permission to eat of flesh. But in an evil hour he fell; a +leprosy overspread his body and his soul; the divine purity could +not approach as before; and to his closed spiritual eyes, the holy +Presence once visible, became shrouded in clouds and thick darkness. +And as the spirit of man waxed more corrupt and he withdrew himself +further from his heavenly source, so did his outward appearance, by a +necessary law, whereby the outer and superficial conformeth itself, +to the inner and hidden, become deformed and hideous. Hence is man now +but a shadow, a skeleton of original beauty. The primeval perfection +and present degeneracy of man, are the tradition of centuries." + +Holden paused; and Faith said, gently, "There is a way to regain the +happiness we have lost." + +"There is a way," said Holden, "through Him, the second Adam, the Lord +from heaven. But mark: like him, must man be obedient. A faith without +works is fruitless and naught. How many imagine they have faith, +and have it not! Will they give their bodies to be burned? Will they +sacrifice the dearest thing they have, if it is His will? Nay, but +faith hath almost perished from the earth." + +Bernard observing Holden wandering from his subject, here inquired, +"And by a reversal of the process by which it was lost, the outward +beauty may be recovered?" + +"Yes. By the restoration of internal beauty. It is the latter that +shapeth and shineth through the former. But the eyes of men are +blinded, and they cannot, because they will not, see the truth. The +crust of inherited corruption interposeth betwixt them and the light. +Hence, having eyes they see not, and ears, and they cannot hear. There +is a law to control the spiritual, and a law for the material, and it +is by observance of these two laws, that man's first estate is to be +regained. He must, therefore be temperate, and sober, and wise in the +regulation of his appetites and passions, banishing those pernicious +inventions, whereby he degradeth and engendereth disease in a glorious +structure that ought to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, and must +diligently cultivate all noble aspirations, weeding out selfishness +and gross desires, loving his neighbor as himself, and the Lord his +God with all his heart, which latter is the admiration and love of +beauty, and truth and justice, and of whatever is excellent. Thus both +outwardly and inwardly will gradually be transformed, the marred and +defaced image of humanity into the glorious likeness of the Son of +God." + +"That day so longed for and so glorious, is far distant I fear," said +Mr. Armstrong. + +"Nay, but the signs of His coming are kindling in the Eastern sky," +exclaimed Holden, "and soon amid the hymns and hallelujahs of saints +shall he establish His benign and resplendent empire. Then shall +commence the upward career of the race, whose earthly goal is the +state of primeval perfection; whose heavenly it hath not entered into +the heart of man to conceive. Then in that bright Millennium, whose +radiance streams through the advancing ages, shall man cast off the +slough of ignorance and sin, and rise like the painted butterfly, on +the wings of faith, into the serene air of truth." + +Our readers must not hold us responsible for the sentiments of Holden. +They are his own, and no one's else, and expressed in his own words, +with all their wildness and incoherence. Opinions like these seem +to have prevailed at all periods of the Christian era. They were +entertained in the times of the Apostles, and are cherished now by a +modern sect. Milton alludes to them in his treatise "Of Reformation in +England" in language which for its stately eloquence, deserves to be +transcribed to enrich this page. He speaks "of that day when Thou, the +eternal and _shortly-expected_ King, shalt open the clouds to judge +the several kingdoms of the world, and distributing national honors +and rewards to religious and just commonwealths, shalt put an end to +all earthly tyrannies, proclaiming thy universal and mild monarchy +through heaven and earth; when they undoubtedly, that by their labors, +counsels, and prayers, have been earnest for the common good of +religion, and their country, shall receive above the inferior orders +of the blessed, the regal additions of principalities, legions, and +thrones, into their glorious titles, and in super-eminence of beatific +vision, progressing the dateless and irrevoluble circle of eternity, +shall clasp inseparable hands with joy and bliss in over-measure for +ever." + +His auditors never thought of reasoning with or contradicting the +Enthusiast. They listened in silence, only when he paused, making some +inquiry or suggestion, in order to induce him to develop his notions +still further; and so in conversation of this kind passed the evening. + +Upon the departure of Bernard, Holden was pressed to pass the night +at his host's, and accepted the invitation. The events of the day +had proved to be too much for even his iron frame, and he was not +unwilling to be relieved of the long walk to his hut. Before retiring, +he listened reverently to a chapter from the Bible, read by Armstrong, +and joined with him and Faith, in their customary devotions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + No man who sinks to sleep at night + Knows what his dreams shall be; + No man can know what wonder-sight + His inner eye shall see. + + THOMAS L. HARRIS. + + +When Holden was left alone in his chamber, he sank into a seat and +covered his face with both hands. He remained in this position for +some time, and when he removed them, it was very pale, and exhibited +traces of strong emotion. He cast his eyes slowly around the +room, examining every part, not even the furniture escaping minute +observation. But of all the objects a portrait that hung over the +fire-place attracted the most attention. It was that of a man, past +the prime of life, and who in youth must have possessed considerable +beauty. The features were regular and well-formed, the forehead high +and broad, and the hair long and abundant, waving in curls over the +shoulders. What was the age designed to be portrayed, it was +difficult to determine with any degree of exactness, for there was a +contradiction between the parts which appeared scarcely reconcilable +with one another. Looking at the furrows that seamed the face, its +pallor, and the wrinkles of the brow, one would have said that the +original must have been a man between sixty and seventy, while the +hair, dark and glossy, indicated much less age. Yet, the perfection of +the drawing, the flesh-like tints that melted into each other, and +the air of reality that stamped the whole, proclaimed the portrait the +work of a master, and it was impossible to avoid the conviction that +it was an authentic likeness. + +Holden placed the candle on the mantelpiece in such a manner as best +to throw light upon the picture, and stood at a little distance to +contemplate it. As he gazed, he began to fancy he discovered traits +which had at first escaped his observation. An expression of pain and +anxious sadness overspread the face, and gleams of light, like the +glare of insanity, shot from the eyes. So strong was the impression, +and so deeply was he affected, that as if incapable of enduring +the sight, he shut his eyes, and turning away, paced several times +backwards and forwards, without looking up. After a few turns, he +stopped before the portrait, and fixed his eyes upon it again, but +only for a moment, to resume his walk. This he did repeatedly, until +at last, with a groan, he dropped into a chair, where, crossing his +arms upon his breast, he remained for awhile lost in thought. Who can +say what were the reflections that filled his mind? Was he considering +whether the painter meant to delineate insanity, or whether it was not +a delusion springing from his own disordered intellect? + +It was a long time before sleep visited the Solitary in his soft +and curtained bed. It might be owing to the events of the day, so +startling and unusual; it might be on account of the yielding bed, +so different from his own hard couch; or in consequence of the effect +produced by the portrait; or of all these causes combined, that sleep +was long in coming, and when it did come, was disturbed with dreams, +and unrefreshing. Before, however, Holden fell asleep, he had lain, as +if under the influence of a spell, looking at the picture on which the +beams of the moon, stealing through the branches of the large elm +that shaded the house, flickered uncertainly and with a sort of wierd +effect, as the night wind gently agitated the leaves. + +It seemed to Holden, so insensibly glided his last waking thought into +his dreams making one continuous whole, that the portrait he had been +looking at was a living person, and he was astonished that he had +mistaken a living being for a piece of painted canvas. In a stern, +deep voice the man who had taken possession of the chair in which he +himself had been sitting, ordered him to approach. If Holden had been +so disposed, he had no ability to disobey the command. He, therefore +advanced towards the figure, and at a signal knelt down at his feet. +The man, thereupon, stretching out his hands, laid them upon his head +in the attitude of benediction. He then rose from his seat, and making +a sign to Holden to follow him, they noiselessly descended the stairs +together, and passed into the moonlight. The man constantly preceding +him, they went on, and by familiar paths and roads, and in the +ordinary time that would be required to accomplish the distance, +arrived at a spot on the banks of the Wootúppocut well known to +Holden. Here the stranger stopped, and seating himself upon the trunk +of a felled tree, motioned to his companion to be seated. Holden +obeyed, waiting for what should follow. Presently he saw two figures, +a male and female, approaching. The latter was veiled, and although +the face of the man was exposed, it swam in such a hazy indistinctness +that it was impossible to make out the features. Still it seemed to +him that they were not entirely unknown, and he tormented himself with +ineffectual attempts to determine where he had seen them. He turned to +his guide to ask who they were, but before he could speak the stranger +of the portrait placed his fingers on his lips, as if to require +silence. The two persons advanced until they reached a small brook +that babbled down a ravine, and fell into the river. Suddenly +something glittered in the air; the figures vanished; and upon looking +at the brook Holden beheld, to his horror, that it was red like blood. +He turned in amazement to his guide, who made no reply to the look of +inquiry, unless the word "Friday," which he uttered in the same deep +tone, can be so considered. + +Holden awoke, and the sweat was standing in great drops on his +forehead. As his senses and recollection were gradually returning, he +directed his eyes towards the place where the portrait hung, half in +doubt whether he should see it again. The beams of the moon no longer +played upon it, but there was sufficient light in the room to enable +him to distinguish the features which now, more and more distinctly +emerged to sight. The hollow eyes were fixed on his, and the word +"Friday" seemed still quivering on the lips. + +Holden lay and thought over his dream. With the young and imaginative, +dreams are not uncommon, but with the advanced in life they are +usually unfrequent. As the fancy decays,--as the gay illusions that +brightened our youth disappear, to give place to realities,--as the +blood that once rushed hurriedly, circulates languidly--farewell to +the visions that in storm or sunshine flitted around our pillows. + +It cannot, indeed, be said that Holden never had dreams. The excitable +temperament of the man would forbid the supposition, but, even with +him, they were uncommon. He turned the one he had just had over and +over again, in his mind; but, reflect upon it as he pleased, he could +make nothing out of it, and, at last, with a sense of dissatisfaction +and endeavoring to divert his mind from thoughts that banished sleep, +he forgot himself again. + +His slumbers were broken and harassed throughout the night, with +horrid dreams and vague anticipations of further evil. At one time he +was at his cabin, and his son lay bleeding in his arms, pierced by the +bullet of Ohquamehud. At another, Faith was drowning, and stretching +out her hands to him for succor, and as he attempted to hasten to her +assistance, her father interfered and held him violently back. And at +another, he was falling from an immeasurable height, with the grip of +the Indian at his throat. Down--down he fell, countless miles, through +a roaring chaos, trying to save himself from strangulation, until, +just as he was about to be dashed to pieces against a rock, he awoke +sore and feverish. + +The sun was already some distance above the horizon as Holden rose +from his troubled slumbers. The cool air of morning flowed with a +refreshing sweetness through the open window, and the birds were +singing in the branches of the large elm. With a feeling of welcome he +beheld the grateful light. He endeavored to recall and reduce to some +coherency the wild images of his dreams, but all was confusion, which +became the more bewildering, the longer he dwelt upon them, and the +more he strove to untangle the twisted skein. All that he could now +distinctly remember, were the place whither he had been led, and the +word spoken by the portrait. + +When he descended to breakfast, both Mr. Armstrong and his daughter +remarked his disordered appearance, and anxiously inquired, how he had +passed the night. To these inquiries, he frankly admitted, that he had +been disturbed by unpleasant dreams. + +"You look," said Mr. Armstrong, "like the portrait which hangs in the +chamber where you slept. It is," he continued, unheeding the warning +looks of Faith, "the portrait of my father, and was taken a short time +before he was seized with what was called a fit of insanity, and which +was said to have hastened his death. + +"How is it possible, dear father, you can say so?" said Faith, anxious +to prevent an impression she was afraid might be made on Holden's +mind. + +"I do not mean," continued Armstrong, with a singular persistency, +"that Mr. Holden's features resemble the portrait very much; but there +is something which belongs to the two in common. Strange that I never +thought of it before!" + +Holden during the conversation had sat with drooping lids, and a +sad and grieved expression, and now, as he raised his eyes, he said, +mournfully-- + +"Thou meanest, James, that I, too, am insane. May Heaven grant +that neither thou nor thine may experience the sorrow of so great a +calamity." + +Faith was inexpressibly shocked. Had any one else spoken thus, with +a knowledge of Holden's character, she would have considered +him unfeeling to the last degree, but she knew her father's +considerateness and delicacy too well to ascribe it to any other cause +than to a wandering of thought, which had of late rapidly increased, +and excited in her mind an alarm which she trembled to give shape to. +Before she could interpose, Armstrong again spoke-- + +"Insane!" he said. "What is it to be insane? It is to have faculties +exalted beyond the comprehension of the multitude; to soar above the +grovelling world. Their eyes are too weak to bear the glory, and, +because they are blind, they think others cannot see. The fools +declared my father was insane. They say the same of you, Holden, and, +the next thing, I shall be insane, I suppose. Ha, ha!" + +Holden himself was startled. He muttered something indistinctly before +he answered-- + +"May the world never say that of thee, dear James!" + +"Why not?" inquired Armstrong, eagerly. "Alas! you consider me +unworthy to be admitted to the noble band of misunderstood and +persecuted men? True, true! I know it to be true. My earthly instincts +fetter me to earth. Of the earth, I am earthy. But what shall prevent +my standing afar off, to admire them? What a foolish world is this! +Were not the prophets and apostles denounced as insane men? I have it, +I have it," he added, after a pause, "inspiration is insanity." + +Holden looked inquiringly at Faith, whose countenance evinced great +distress; then, turning to Armstrong, he said-- + +"Thou art not well, James. Perhaps, like me, thou hast passed a +disturbed night?" + +"I have, of late been unable to sleep as well as formerly," said +Armstrong. "There is a pain here," he added, touching his forehead, +"which keeps me awake." + +"Thou needest exercise. Thou dost confine thyself too much. Go more +into the open air, to drink in the health that flows down from the +pure sky." + +"It is what I urge frequently on my dear father," said Faith. + +"Faith is an angel," said Holden. "Listen to her advice. Thou canst +have no better guide." + +"She shall redeem my soul from death," said Armstrong. + +When Holden left the house of his host, he determined to carry +into effect a resolution which, it appeared now to himself, he had +strangely delayed, such was the influence what he had just seen +and heard exercised over him. That Fate or mathematical Providence, +however, in which he so devoutly believed, notwithstanding he acted as +though none existed, seemed as if, tired out with his procrastination +and irresolution, determined to precipitate events and force him to +lift the veil, that for so many years--with a wayward temper and love +of mystery, inexplicable by any motives that regulate the movements of +ordinary minds--he had chosen to spread around himself. What followed +only convinced him more thoroughly, if that were possible, of his +helplessness on the surging tide of life and of the delusion of those +who imagine they are aught but bubbles, breaking now this moment, now +that, according to a predetermined order. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + We receive but what we give + And in our life alone does nature live. + + COLERIDGE. + + +Mr. Armstrong was disposed to gratify his daughter, and to follow the +advice of Holden. That very morning, soon after the departure of the +Solitary, he accepted an invitation from Judge Bernard, to take a +drive with him to one of his farms in the afternoon. Accordingly, +the one-horse chaise, which was the usual vehicle in those days, +of gentlemen who drove themselves, stopped, late in the day, at +Armstrong's door. + +"Anne hopes," said the Judge, as they were about to start, "that in +retaliation for my capture of your father, Faith, you will come and +take possession of her. For my own part, if I can bring him back with +a little more color in his cheeks, I shall expect a kiss or two." + +"You shall have three, dear Judge, for every smile you can win from +father," exclaimed Faith. + +The road which the gentlemen took, led, at first, after leaving +the table-land on which their houses were situated, through the +thickly-settled and business part of the town, at the head of the +Severn, the whole of which it traversed, and then approaching the +banks of the Wootúppocut, followed its windings in a direction towards +its source. The country through which the river flowed presented an +appearance of soft and varied beauty, the view of which, while the +cool breeze across the stream fanned the fevered brain of Armstrong, +ought, if anything could, to have soothed his jarring nerves, and +breathed a portion of its own tranquillity into his heart. Is it not +true what the sweet poet sings of Nature and her lover, that + + "She glides + Into his darker musings with a mild + And gentle sympathy, that steals away + Their sharpness ere he is aware?" + +The river, for the greater part of the drive, flowed through a valley, +which it divided into two very unequal portions, skirting occasionally +with its left bank the woods that ran quite down the sides of the +hills to the water, and then winding away to the right, leaving +considerable intervals of level land betwixt itself and the woods +above mentioned, but, almost invariably, having still wider expanses +of champaign, that gradually ascended from the stream, until it met +the forest-covered hills that bounded the valley, on the right. In +some instances, the woods extended on both sides down to the river, +throwing an agreeable shade over the way-farers, and shedding abroad +a cool, moist freshness, that brought with itself a woodland-scent, +compounded of the fragrance of sassafras, and fern, and sweet-briar, +and mosses, and unknown plants. Then, again the road would run for +a considerable distance through an open space, unshaded by trees, to +cross, a little further on, another belt of woods, thus making their +darkened recesses doubly grateful from the contrast of alternating +light and shade, while all along the stream murmured a soft expression +of thanks for the lovely country it irrigated, for the blue sky, that +mirrored itself in its bosom with floating clouds, for the sunshine +sparkling on its ripples, and for the overhanging woods, and birds, +that sung among the branches. + +The disordered spirit of Armstrong was not insensible to the charm. +He gazed round, and drank in the beauty by which he was surrounded. +He scented the sweetness of the woods, and it seemed to impart an +agreeable exhilaration. In the pauses of the conversation, hitherto +carried on almost entirely by Judge Bernard, he listened to the +monotonous, yet soothing flow of the water, and it sounded like an +invitation to cast off trouble. As he listened the shooting pain +in his head diminished, his thoughts became less sombre, and he +surrendered himself to something like enjoyment. Very soon it seemed +as if he were exerting himself to be agreeable to his companion, and +to make up, by taking a more active part in the conversation, for +former silence and neglect. + +"This clear river," he said, "this beautiful valley, with its quiet +woods, are a blessing to me to-day. It is a pleasure to breathe the +air. Has Italy bluer skies?" + +"The encomiums of travellers on the skies of Italy are to be received +by us with some qualification," answered the Judge. "They are mostly +written by Englishmen, and the comparison is between the humid climate +of England and the drier one of Italy. This being borne in mind, the +praises lavished on Italian skies are just. But as compared with ours, +they can boast of little or no superiority in beauty. I have seen as +gorgeous heavens in my own country as ever glorified the land of the +Cæsars." + +"And how is it with the landscape?" + +"There we must yield to Europe. We have nothing to be compared with +the grandeur of the Swiss mountains, or the combination of loveliness +and magnificence around the lake of Geneva." + +"But Niagara!" + +"Aye, Niagara! unequalled and alone. There can be but one Niagara." + +"And the Alleghany and White Mountains?" + +"Fine scenery, but hills in comparison with the mountains of +Switzerland." + +"And now for the works of man. You must have been struck by the +contrast between the towns in our own country and in Europe." + +"Yes, certainly, the difference is great." + +"In what does it consist?" + +"Principally in the newness of the one, and the oldness of the other. +There, what one sees reminds him of the past; here, he beholds only +presentiments of the future." + +"There is a great difference, I am told, and read too, in the style of +building." + +"You may well say that. Here there is no style. Our houses are models +of bad taste, and pretty much all alike. The time will undoubtedly +come when we shall have a domestic architecture, but it will require +some years before we get rid of narrow cornices, innumerable small +windows, and exclusive white paint." + +"You should make allowances for us," said Armstrong, deprecatingly. +"Consider the poverty of a new country, and the material that poverty +compels us to use." + +"I am willing to allow the excuse all the weight it deserves, but I +cannot understand how poverty can be an excuse for bad taste, or why +because wood is used, a house may not be made to have an attractive +appearance. I think there are other reasons more efficacious than the +plea of poverty, which can, indeed, no longer be made." + +"Come, come," said Armstrong, "you do not love anything about us +Puritans, and your objections, if politeness would allow you to +speak them out plainly, would be found to contain a fling at Calvin's +children; but hearken, if I cannot find excuses to satisfy even you." + +"I shall listen eagerly, but must correct you in one thing. I not only +love some things about the Puritans, but some Puritans themselves." + +"Surely, I know it. But now listen to my defence. The first settlement +of the country was attended with a great many hardships. The country +was colder than the immigrants were accustomed to; they arrived in the +winter, and the first thing to be attended to was to secure shelter. +Under these circumstances you will admit that attention to the +principles of architecture was not to be expected. They knocked up +houses as cheaply, and plainly, and rapidly as possible, content if +they kept out wind and weather. Wood was preferred, because it was +cheaper, and quicker worked. Thus lived the first generation. The +condition of the second was somewhat improved; they had become +accustomed to their houses and were tolerably satisfied. The third had +never seen anything better, and not having the means of comparison, +could not make it to their own disadvantage, and finally, as man is a +creature of custom and habit, and reverence, they learned to regard +a style of building that had sprung out of the necessities of their +ancestors, as an evidence not only of good sense, but of good taste. +The immigrants, arriving from time to time, might have disabused them, +but these would naturally fall into the ways and sentiments of the +people, and were their tastes ever so ambitious, probably had not the +means to gratify them. This is the origin, and thus is to be explained +the continuance of American architecture." + +"An architecture," said the Judge, "that would have driven a Greek +out of his senses. But though I will not quarrel with you about +its origin, does not its perpetuation for so long a time affect the +character of our countrymen for taste?" + +"It will pass away," said Armstrong, gloomily, "and with it the stern +virtues that are of more importance than a trifle like this." + +"There can be no connection between an improvement in architecture, +and a deterioration of morals." + +"Prosperity brings wealth, and wealth is the means to gratify the +caprices of luxury and taste. Perhaps, at some future day when stone +and marble shall have susperseded wood and brick; and magnificent +Grecian and Gothic temples, resplendent in stained glass, taken the +places of the humble, unpretentious meeting-houses, the thoughtful and +judicious will sigh for those times of primitive simplicity, when an +humble heart was more than an ostentatious offering, and God's word +was listened to devoutly on hard seats instead of being dozed over in +cushioned pews." + +"You are becoming gloomy, Armstrong," said the Judge. "This will +never do. Progress, man, progress I tell you is the word. The world is +improving every day. Banish these sick fancies." + +Armstrong shook his head. "I envy you," he said, "your hopeful and +joyous spirit, while I know you are mistaken." + +"Well, well, my friend, I wish I could give you a portion of it. But +to come back to where we started from. After finding so much fault, it +is time to praise. However we may ridicule the ugliness of our houses, +this much must be admitted in favor of our villages and country towns, +that in cleanliness and an appearance of substantial comfort, they +infinitely surpass their rivals in Europe. I do not except the +villages in England. Who can walk through one of our New England +country towns, where majestic elms throw their shadows over spacious +streets, and the white rose clambers over the front doors of the neat, +white painted houses, standing back a rod or two from the street with +gardens stretching behind, while Peace and Plenty bless the whole, and +not be grateful for a scene so fair, for a land so fortunate!" + +They had now arrived in sight of the Judge's farm-house, which stood +at some distance from the main road, from which a lane planted on both +sides with maples, led to it. As they drove along the Judge pointed +out the changes he had made since he became the owner. + +"When I purchased the property," he said, "the house looked very +differently. It was stuck full of little insignificant windows that +affected me like staring eyes; its two or three inches of cornice +stole timidly out, as if ashamed of itself, over the side, and the +whole wore an awkward and sheepish air. It made me uncomfortable every +time I looked at it, and I resolved upon an alteration. So I shut up +half the windows, and increased the size where I could, and threw +out a cornice, which, besides the merit of beauty, has the practical +advantage (that is the national word, I believe) of acting as an +umbrella to protect the sides against the mid-day heat of the sun in +summer, and the storms in winter. Besides, I added the veranda, which +runs nearly the whole length of the front." + +"I confess it is an improvement upon the ancestral style," said +Armstrong. + +"I expected the acknowledgment from your natural taste, which is +excellent," said the Judge laughing, "except when corrupted by +traditional prejudices. I must take care of my horse myself, I +suspect," he added, as they drove up to the door: "the men are +probably all in the fields. He will stand, however, well enough under +this shed." So saying, and after Armstrong had alighted at the door, +he drove the horse under a shed, near the barn, and fastened him; then +joining Armstrong, the two entered the house. + +"La, Judge!" said Mrs. Perkins, the farmer's wife who received them, +smoothing down her check apron, "you take us by surprise to-day. We +didn't expect you, and the men-folks is all in the lot. Didn't you +find your ride very warm?" + +"Not very; and if it had been, the pleasure of seeing you, Mrs. +Perkins, would more than compensate for any annoyance from the heat." + +"You are so polite, Judge," replied Mrs. Perkins, simpering. "I +declare you are equal to a Frenchman." + +With all his French education, this was a remark the Judge would have +been willing to dispense with; however on the French principle of +considering that as a compliment, the meaning of which is equivocal, +he bowed and introduced Mr. Armstrong. + +Mrs. Perkins courtesied. "She'd heard," she said, "of Mr. Armstrong, +and that he had the handsomest daughter, in the town of Hillsdale." + +"It is your turn now," whispered the Judge. "Let me see how you will +acquit yourself." + +But Armstrong was not a man for compliments. + +"Faith looks as well as young ladies generally I believe," he said. + +Mrs. Perkins did not like to have her pretty speech received with so +much indifference, so she answered, + +"I was, perhaps, too much in a hurry when I called Squire Armstrong's +daughter, the handsomest: I forgot Anne, and she's a right to be, +sence she's got her father's good looks." + +"Dear Mrs Perkins, you overwhelm me!" exclaimed the Judge, bowing +still lower than before. "I think higher than ever of your taste." + +"Ah! You're poking fun at me, me now," said Mrs. Perkins, hardly +knowing how to receive the acknowledgment. "But wouldn't you like to +take something after your ride?" + +Those were not the days of temperance societies, and it would have +been quite _secundum regulas_, had the gentlemen accepted the offer +as intended by their hostess. The Judge looked at Armstrong, who +declined, and then turning to Mrs. Perkins said, + +"The strawberry season is not over, I believe"-- + +"Oh! I can give you strawberries and cream," interrupted the +hospitable Mrs. Perkins. + +"And would you be so kind as to give them to us in the veranda? The +sun does not shine in, and it will be pleasanter in the open air." + +"Sartainly. Eliza Jane!" she cried, elevating her voice and speaking +through an open door to one of her little daughters, with a blooming +multitude of whom Providence had blessed her, + +"Eliza Jane, fetch two cheers into the piazza. That piazza, Judge, is +one of the grandest things that ever was. The old man and me and the +children, take ever so much comfort in it." + +"I am glad you like it. But we will spare your daughter the trouble of +taking out the chairs, and carry them ourselves." + +"Not for the world, Judge, for I think it's best to make children +useful." + +Accordingly Eliza Jane brought the chairs, and the mother retiring +with her, soon returned with the little girl, bearing in her hands +a tray containing the strawberries and cream. The Judge kissed the +child, and gave her a half dollar to buy a ribbon for her bonnet. + +"I do declare Judge!" cried the mother, whose gratified looks +contradicted the language, "you'll spoil Eliza Jane." + +"A child of yours cannot be spoiled, Mrs. Perkins," said the Judge, +"as long as she is under your eye. With your example before her, she +is sure to grow up a good and useful woman." + +"Well, I try to do my duty by her," said Mrs. Perkins, "and I don't +mean it shall be any fault of mine, if she ain't." + +It was nearly sunset by the time the gentlemen had finished, when the +Judge proposed to visit a piece of wood he was clearing at no great +distance from the house. Armstrong acquiesced, and they started off, +Mrs. Perkins saying, she should expect them to stop to tea. + +Their route lay through some woods and in the direction of the +Wootúppocut, on whose banks the clearing was being made. As they +approached, they could hear, more and more distinctly, the measured +strokes of an axe, followed soon by the crash of a falling tree. Then, +as they came still nearer, a rustling could be distinguished among the +leaves and the sound of the cutting off of limbs. And now they heard +the bark of a dog, and a man's voice ordering him to stop his noise. + +"Keep still, Tige!" said the voice. "What's the use of making such a +racket? I can't hear myself think. I say stop your noise! shut up!" + +"It is Tom Gladding, whom Perkins hired to make the clearing, one +of the best wood-choppers in the country. It is wonderful with what +dexterity he wields an axe." + +As the Judge uttered these words, the two gentlemen emerged from the +wood into the open space, denuded of its sylvan honors, by the labors +of Gladding. + +The clearing (as it is technically termed), was perhaps a couple of +acres in extent, in the form of a circle, and surrounded on all sides +by trees, only a narrow strip of them, however, being left on the +margin of the river, glimpses of which were caught under the branches +and the thin undergrowth. A brook which came out of the wood, ran, +glistening in the beams of the setting sun, and singing on its way +across the opening to fall into the Wootúppocut. The felled trees had +been mostly cut into pieces of from two to four feet in length, and +collected into piles which looked like so many altars scattered over +the ground. Here it was intended they should remain to dry, during the +summer, to be ready for a market in the fall. + +"So it's you, Judge and Mr. Armstrong," exclaimed Gladding as the two +came up. "I guessed as much, that somebody was coming, when I heard +Tige bark. He makes a different sort of a noise when he gits on the +scent of a rabbit or squirrel." + +"I dare say, Tiger knows a great deal more than we fancy," said the +Judge. "Why, Gladding you come on bravely. I had no idea you had made +such destruction." + +"When I once put my hand to the work," said Tom, laughing, "down they +must come, in short metre, if they're bigger than Goliah. Me and my +axe are old friends, and we've got the hang of one another pretty +well. All I have to do, is to say, 'go it,' and every tree's a goner." + +After this little bit of vanity, Tom, as if to prove his ability to +make good his boast by deeds, with a few well-directed blows, that +seemed to be made without effort, lopped off an enormous limb from the +tree he had just cut down. + +"I've heard tell," said Tom, continuing his employment of cutting off +the limbs, "that the Britishers and the Mounseers don't use no such +axes as ourn. You've been across the Big Pond, and can tell a fellow +all about it." + +"It is true, they do not. The European axe is somewhat differently +shaped from your effective weapon." + +"The poor, benighted critturs!" exclaimed Tom, in a tone of +commiseration. "I saw one of them Parleyvoos once, try to handle an +axe, and I be darned, if he didn't come nigh cutting off the great toe +of his right foot. If he hadn't been as weak as Taunton water--that, +folks say, can't run down hill--as all them outlandish furriners is, +and had on, to boot, regular stout cowhiders, I do believe he'd never +had the chance to have the gout in one toe, anyhow. Why, I'd as soon +trust a monkey with a coal of fire, in a powder-house, as one of them +chaps with an axe." + +"We have the best axes, and the most skillful woodmen in the world," +said the Judge, not unwilling to humor the harmless conceit of the +wood-chopper. + +"It's plaguy lucky we have, seeing as how we've got so many thousands +and thousands of acres to clear up," said Tom, with a sort of confused +notion, that the skill of his countrymen was a natural faculty not +possessed by "furriners." "But, Judge," he added, "I'm astonished at +your cutting down the trees at this season of the year, and it kind o' +goes agin my conscience to sling into 'em." + +"I know what you mean. You think they ought not to be cut when the sap +is rising. I suppose, the fire-wood is not so good?" + +"Not half. Turn the thing as you choose, and you'll see you're wrong. +In the first place, the wood ain't nigh as good; then, you lose the +growth the whole summer, and, lastly, you take away a fellow from +business that's more profitable." + +"How?" said the Judge. "Do I not give you full wages? Can you get +higher wages elsewhere?" + +"No fault to find with the pay," answered Tom; "that's good enough. +But, that ain't the idee. What I'm at is, that when I work, I like to +see something useful come to pass. Now, every time I strike a blow, +it seems to go right to my heart; for, I says to myself, this ain't no +season for cutting wood. The Judge don't understand his own interest, +and he's only paying me for injuring him." + +Judge Bernard was too well-acquainted with the honest independence of +Gladding to be offended at his uncomplimentary frankness. Nor, indeed, +looking at it from Tom's point of view, could he avoid feeling a +certain respect for that right-mindedness, which regarded not merely +the personal remuneration to be received, but, also, the general +benefit to be produced. He laughed, therefore, as he replied-- + +"You do not seem to set much value on my judgment, Gladding. Perhaps, +I have objects you do not see." + +"It ain't to be expected," said Tom, "and it ain't rational to +suppose, that a man, who, when he was young, spent his time travelling +over all creation, and then when he come home, took to the law, should +know much about these matters; though, I guess you know as much as +most folks, who ain't been brought up to 'em. But, as you say, it's +likely you've got reasons of your own, as plenty as feathers in a bed, +and I've been talking like most folks whose tongues is too long, like +a darned fool." + +"You are too hard on yourself, now. But, for your consolation, we will +stop to-day with this piece of work, and you shall not be pained to +cut down any more trees out of season. The clearing is as large as +I wish it, and we will see to the burning of the brush, when it is +drier. But, where is Mr. Armstrong?" + +Armstrong, at the commencement of the conversation, had strayed away +by himself, and sat down by one of the altar-like piles of wood, near +the margin of the brook. Here he leaned his head on his hand, and +seemed lost in meditation. He was in this posture when the exclamation +was made by the Judge, who, on looking round, discovered the missing +man, and immediately advanced toward him. So deep was his abstraction, +that it was not until his friend's hand rested on his shoulder that +he was aware of the other's presence. He arose, and the two retraced +their steps together. The sun, by this time, had sunk behind the +horizon, and, as they passed, Gladding threw his axe on his shoulder +and joined their company. + +"I'm glad," said the wood-chopper, as they stepped out of the +clearing, and turned to look back upon what he had accomplished, "that +job's done, and I can turn my hand to something else more like summer +work." + +"Do you mean to proceed no further with your chopping?" inquired +Armstrong. + +"Not at present. All has been done that I desired, and I ought to +respect Gladding's conscientious scruples." + +Armstrong looked inquiringly from one to the other, but asked no +question. + +The hospitable invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins was too pressing to +be resisted, and it was not until the full moon had risen, that the +gentlemen departed. The soft beauty of the delicious evening, or some +other cause, exercised an influence over Armstrong, that disposed +him to silence and meditation, which his companion perceiving, they +returned home without exchanging scarcely a dozen words. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + Man is a harp, whose cords elude the sight, + Each yielding harmony disposed aright; + The screws reversed (a task which if he please, + God in a moment executes with ease), + Ten thousand thousand strings at once go loose, + Lost, till he tune them, all their power and use. + + COWPER + + +The aberration of mind of the unhappy Mr. Armstrong was at last with +inevitable and steady step approaching its dreaded culminating point. +To the outward eye he exhibited but little change. He was indeed, at +times more restless, and his eyes would wander round as if in quest +of some object that was trying to elude his sight; at one moment +listless, silent, and dejected, and again animated, almost gay, like +one who, ashamed of an exhibition of moody temper, tries to atone +by extraordinary efforts of amiability for the error. His intimate +friends had some knowledge of these changes, and to Faith, above all, +living with him in the same house, and in the tender relation of +a daughter to a parent, each of whom idolized the other, they were +painfully apparent, and great was the anxiety they occasioned. How +bitter were the tears which in solitude she shed, and frequent and +fervent her supplications to the universal Father to pity and protect +her father! How willingly, even at the sacrifice even of her own life, +would she have restored peace and happiness to him! + +But to the neighbors, to those who saw Armstrong only in public, no +great change was manifest. He was thinner and paler than usual, to be +sure, but every one was liable to attacks of indisposition, and there +was no reason why he should be exempt; he did not speak a great deal, +but he was always rather taciturn, and when he did converse, it was +with his usual sweetness and affability. They guessed he'd be better +after a while. + +Such was the common judgment in the little community among those who +had any knowledge of Armstrong's condition. They saw him daily in the +streets. They conversed with him, and could see nothing out of the +way. But some few who recollected the history of the family, and the +circumstances attending the latter years of Armstrong's father, shook +their heads, and did not hesitate to intimate that there had always +been something strange about the Armstrongs. Curious stories, too, +were told about the grandfather, and there was a dim tradition, nobody +knew whence it came, or on what authority it rested, that the original +ancestor of the family in this country, was distinguished in those +days of ferocious bigotry, when the Indians were regarded by many as +Canaanites, whom it was a religious duty to extirpate, as much for an +unrelenting severity against the natives, bordering even on aberration +of mind, as for reckless courage. + +It is sad to look upon the ruins of a palace in whose halls the gay +song and careless laugh long ago echoed; to contemplate the desolation +of the choked fountains in gardens which _were_ princely; and with +difficulty to make one's way through encroaching weeds and tangled +briers, over what once were paths where beauty lingered and listened +to the vow of love; or to wander through the streets of a disentombed +city, or seated on a fallen column, or the stone steps of the +disinterred amphitheatre, to think of the human hearts that here, a +thousand years agone, beat emulously with the hopes and fears, the +loves and hates, the joys and sorrows, the aspiration and despair +that animate or depress our own, and to reflect that they have +all vanished--ah, whither? But however saddening the reflections +occasioned by such contemplations, however much vaster the interests +involved in them, they do not affect us with half that wretched sorrow +with which we gaze upon the wreck of a human mind. In the former case, +that which has passed away has performed its part; on every thing +terrestial "transitory," is written, and it is a doom we expect, and +are prepared for; but in the latter it is a shrouding of the heavens; +it is a conflict betwixt light and darkness, where darkness conquers; +it is an obscuration and eclipse of the godlike. We therefore feel no +desire to dwell upon this part of our history, but, on the contrary, +to glide over it as rapidly as is consistent with the development of +the tale. + +Next after Faith, the faithful Felix noticed, with disquietude, the +alteration in his master, and many were the sad colloquies he held +with Rosa on the subject. Holden in some way or another was connected +in his mind with the cause of Mr. Armstrong's melancholy, for although +for several years the latter had not been remarkably cheerful, yet it +was only since Holden's acquaintance had become intimacy, that that +melancholy deepened into gloom. The simple fellow naturally looked +round for some cause for the effect, and none presented itself so +plausible as the one he adopted. + +"I wish," he had repeatedly said to Rosa, "that the old man would stay +away. I'd see the divil with as much satisfacshum as him. Miss Faith +too, I am sorry to say, is out of her wits." + +One morning when Felix went up stairs, in answer to his master's bell, +he could not avoid remarking on his altered appearance. + +"I hope you will 'scuse me, sir," he said, "but me and the servants +very much alarm about you, sir." + +"I am obliged to you, Felix, and to all of you, but really there is no +occasion for any alarm," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"The case is the alarmingest when the patient doesn't know how sick he +is. There was my old friend, Pompey Topset. He was setting up on the +bed, when I come in to see him, smoking a pipe. And says he, says +Pompey to me, says he, Felix, how do you do? this child never feel +better. Then he give one puff and his head fall on the breast, and +the pipe jump out of his mouth and burnt the clothes, and where was +Pompey! He never," added Felix, shaking his head, "was more mistaken +in all his life." + +Mr. Armstrong was obliged to smile. "So you think me in as dangerous a +condition as Pompey was, when he took his last smoke." + +"Bless you, Mr. Armstrong for the sweet smile," exclaimed, the negro. +"If you know how good it make me feel here, (laying his hand on his +heart) you would smile pretty often. I can remember when the wren +wasn't merrier than you, and you laughed almost as much as this fool +Felix." At the recollection of those happy days, poor Felix pressed +his hands upon his eyes, and tried to hide the tears, that in spite of +his efforts stole through the fingers. "But," continued he, "I hope in +the name of marcy, that you ain't so bad off as Pompey. That can't be. +I only spoke of him for the sake of--of--the illumination." + +"And what would you have me do?" inquired Armstrong, desirous to take +all possible notice of the affectionate fellow. + +"I pufess a high 'pinion of the doctor," answered Felix. "There is no +man who gives medicine that tastes worse, and therefore must be the +powerfullest. I would proscribe the doctor, sir." + +"You would prescribe the doctor? Ah, Felix, I am afraid my case has +nothing to do with his medicines." + +"There is one other thing I should like to mention if I wasn't 'fraid +it might offend Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, hesitatingly. + +"And what is that, Felix? I will promise not to be offended." + +Thus encouraged, Felix ventured to say. + +"I have remark that Mr. Holden come often to see you, and you go to +see him. His visits always seem to leave you kind o' solemncolly like, +and all the world is surprise that you are so condescensious to the +basket-man." + +"Enough of this," said Armstrong, abruptly and sternly. "You permit +too much freedom to your tongue respecting your superiors. Leave the +room." + +Poor Felix, aghast at the sudden change in the manner of his master, +precipitately retired, casting back a grieved look, and ejaculating +under his breath, as he closed the door, "Good Lord!" + +"What is the matter with me?" said Armstrong, presently to himself, +upon being left alone. "I invite this poor fellow, whose only fault is +that he loves me too much, to speak freely, and then treat him harshly +for his unintentional impertinence, assuming an importance that +belongs to no one, and as if we were not worms creeping together +towards the edge of that precipice from which we must fall into +eternity. Whence springs my conduct but from pride, self-will, +selfishness? I would arrogate a superiority over this poor negro. Poor +negro! There spoke the pride of your heart, James Armstrong! But well +is he called Felix in comparison with you. Happy in being born of a +despised and persecuted race; happy in being condemned to the life of +a servant, to an ignorance that diminishes responsibility; happy in +receiving no good thing here. Strut about, James Armstrong, in purple +and fine linen, but know that for all these things, God will assuredly +call thee to judgment." + +That whole day Armstrong seemed debating some question with himself. +He paid less than even his usual attention to what was passing around, +and more than once was spoken to without heeding the address. In the +afternoon, he started off by himself, saying he might not return +until evening. Felix, whose anxiety the rebuff in the morning had +strengthened and confirmed, watched his master as he left the house, +and would have followed to guard him against a danger, the approach of +which he instinctively felt, but which he could not see, unless Faith, +to whom he thought proper to communicate his intention, had forbidden +him. She found it difficult to prevent him, so greatly were the fears +of the black excited, on whose mind the motives of delicacy that +induced Faith to desire to guard the movements of her father from +observation, cannot be supposed to have exerted so much force. +Much doubting and questioning the wisdom of the young lady, yet +not venturing to disobey her, Felix blamed himself for making her +acquainted with his design. + +"This child head," he said, apostrophizing himself, "ain't no better +than a squash. What made me tell Miss Faith what I were going to do?" + +After Armstrong left the house, he continued in the street only a +little way, soon striking across the fields and thus greatly abridging +the distance he must have passed over had he pursued the high road. +The truth is, he was directing his steps towards the very spot he +had visited with Judge Bernard. He reached it, notwithstanding he was +afoot, in much less time than the drive had taken, so rapidly did +he walk when out of sight, and so much was the length of the way +shortened. Upon arriving at the place, he sat down upon the same +log which had been his former seat, and folding his arms sunk into a +reverie. After the space of an hour, perhaps, thus passed, he rose and +commenced piling up near the brook some pieces of wood which he +took from the heaps about him, making another, differing from them +principally in being smaller. As he crossed the sticks laid regularly +at right angles upon each other, he filled up the intervals with the +loose leaves and dry brush lying around. In this way he proceeded +until he had raised a cube, perhaps six feet long, four wide, and four +high. + +During the whole time the work was progressing he seemed to be +contending with violent emotions and driven along by some power he +vainly tried to resist. Terror, awe, and repugnance were all portrayed +upon his countenance. But still the work went on. When it was finished +he stood off a few steps, and then, as in a sudden frenzy, rushed +at, and seizing upon the several sticks of wood, hurled them in every +direction around until the whole pile was demolished. Neglecting his +hat that lay upon the ground, he then ran with a wild cry, and at the +top of his speed, bounding, like a wild animal, over the brush and +trunks of trees, as if in haste to remove himself from a dreadful +object, until he reached the woods, when falling upon his face, he +lay quite still. After a time he appeared seized with a hysterical +passion; he pressed his hand on his side as if in pain, and heavy +sobs burst at irregular intervals from his bosom. These finally passed +away, and he sat up comparatively composed. A struggle was still +going on, for several times he got up and walked a short distance and +returned and threw himself down on the ground as before. At length, +indistinctly muttering, unheeding the blazing sun that scorched his +unprotected head, and lingering as though unwilling to advance, he +returned to the scene of his former labors. And now, as if unwilling +to trust himself with any delay, lest his resolution might falter, +he proceeded, with a sort of feverish impatience, to reconstruct the +pile. Shortly, the pieces were laid symmetrically upon each other as +before, and the dead leaves and brush disposed in the intervals. After +all was done, Armstrong leaned over and bowed his head in an attitude +of supplication. When he raised it the eyes were tearless, and his +pale face wore an aspect of settled despair. Resuming the hat, that +until now had lain neglected in the leaves, he went to the brook and +washed his hands in the running water. + +"Could man wash out the sins of his soul," he said, "as I wash +these stains from my hands! But water, though it may cleanse outer +pollution, cannot reach the inner sin. Blood, blood only, can do that. +Why was it that this dreadful law was imposed upon our race? But I +will not dwell on this. I have interrogated the universe and God, and +entreated them to disclose the awful secret, but in vain. My heart +and brain are burnt to ashes in the attempt to decipher the mystery. I +will strive no more. It is a provocation to faith. I dare not trust +to reason. There is something above reason. I submit. Dreadful, +unfathomable mystery, I submit, and accept thee with all the +consequences at which the quivering flesh recoils." + +Upon the return of Armstrong, all traces of violent emotion had +disappeared, and given place to exhaustion and lassitude. Faith had, +by this time, become so accustomed to the variable humors of her +father, that, however much they pained her, she was no longer alarmed +by them as formerly. It was her habit, whenever he was attacked by his +malady, to endeavor to divert his attention from melancholy thoughts +to others of a more cheerful character. And now, on this day, so +fraught with horrors of which she was ignorant, although the silence +of the unhappy man interrupted by fits of starting, and inquiries of +the time o'clock, revealed to her that he was suffering to an unusual +degree, she attempted the same treatment which, in more than one +instance, had seemed to be attended with a beneficial effect. +Armstrong was peculiarly sensitive to music, and it was to his love of +it that she now trusted to chase away his gloom. When, therefore, in +the evening, she had vainly endeavored to engage him in conversation, +receiving only monosyllables in return, she advanced to the piano, and +inquired if he would not like to hear her sing? + +"Sing! my child?" said Armstrong, as if at first not understanding the +question; "Oh, yes--let me hear you sing." + +Faith opened the piano, and turning over the leaves of a music book, +and selecting a sacred melody as best befitting the mood of her +father, sung, with much sweetness and expression, the following lines: + + How shall I think of Thee, eternal Fountain + Of earthly joys and boundless hopes divine, + Of Thee, whose mercies are beyond recounting, + To whom unnumbered worlds in praises shine? + + I see thy beauty in the dewy morning, + And in the purple sunset's changing dyes; + Thee I behold the rainbow's arch adorning; + Thee in the starry glories of the skies. + + The modest flower, low in the green grass blushing, + The wondrous wisdom of the honey bee, + The birds' clear joy in streams of music gushing, + In sweet and varied language tell of Thee. + + All things are with Thy loving presence glowing, + The worm as well as the bright, blazing star; + Out of Thine infinite perfection flowing, + For Thine own bliss and their delight THEY ARE. + + But chiefly in the pure and trusting spirit, + Is Thy choice dwelling-place, Thy brightest throne. + The soul that loves shall all of good inherit, + For Thou, O God of love art all its own. + + Upon Thine altar I would lay all feeling, + Subdued and hallowed to Thy perfect will, + Accept these tears, a thankful heart revealing, + A heart that hopes, that trembles, and is still. + +At the commencement of the hymn, Armstrong paid but little attention, +but as the sweet stream of melody flowed on from lips on which he had +ever hung with delight, and in the tones of that soft, beloved voice, +it gradually insinuated itself through his whole being, as it were +into the innermost chambers of his soul. He raised the dejected eyes, +and they dwelt on Faith's face with a sort of loving eagerness, as if +he were seeking to appropriate some of the heavenly emotion that to +his imagination, more and more excited, began to assume the appearance +of a celestial halo around her head. But it is not necessary to assume +the existence of insanity to account for such an impression. If there +be anything which awakens reminiscences of a divine origin, it is from +the lips of innocence and beauty, to listen to the pure heart pouring +itself out in tones like voices dropping from the sky. The sweetness, +the full perfection of the notes are not sufficient to account for the +effect. No instrument made by human hands is adequate to it. There +is something more, something lying behind, sustaining and floating +through the sounds. Is it the sympathy of the heavenly for the +earthly; the tender lamentation not unmixed with hope; the sigh of the +attendant angel? + +Upon the conclusion of the piece, Faith rose and took a seat by her +father. + +"Shall I sing more, father?" she inquired. + +"No, my darling," answered Armstrong, taking her hand into his. +"Dearly as I love to hear you, and although it may be the last time, +I would rather have you nearer me, and hear you speak in your own +language; it is sweeter than the words of any poet. Faith, do you +believe I love you?" + +"Father! father!" cried she, embracing him, "how can you ask so cruel +a question? I know that you love me as much as father ever loved a +daughter." + +"Promise me that nothing shall ever deprive you of a full confidence +in my affection." + +"I should be most wretched, could I think it possible." + +"But suppose I should kill you this instant?" + +"Dear father, this is horrid! You are incapable of entertaining a +thought of evil towards me." + +"You are right, Faith, but only suppose it." + +"I cannot have such a thought of my own father! It is impossible. I +would sooner die than admit it into my mind." + +"I am satisfied. Under no circumstances can you conceive a thought +of evil of me. But this is a strange world, and the strangest things +happen in it. I speak in this way because I do not know what may come +to pass next. I have always loved my fellow-men, and desired their +good opinion, and the idea of forfeiting it, either through my own +fault or theirs, is painful to me. But men judge so absurdly! They +look only at the outside. They are so easily deceived by appearances! +Do you know, that of late I have thought there was a great deal of +confusion in the ordinary way of men's thinking? But I see clearly the +cause of the errors into which they are perpetually falling. All the +discord arises from having wills of their own. Do you not think so?" + +"Religion teaches, father, that our wills are sources of unhappiness +only when opposed to the Divine will." + +"I knew you would agree with me. And then think of the folly of it. +The resistance must be ineffectual. That is a sweet song you sung, +but it seems to me the theology of it is not altogether correct. +It celebrates only the love of God, and is, therefore, partial and +one-sided. He is also a consuming fire." + +"A consuming fire to destroy what is evil." + +"I hope it is so. But do you know that I have been a good deal +troubled lest there might be truth in the doctrine, that Necessity, an +iron Necessity, you understand, might control God himself?" + +"Why will you distress yourself with these strange speculations, +father? There are some things, it was intended, we should not know." + +"Why," continued Armstrong, "it is an opinion that has been +entertained for thousands of years, and by the wisest men. The old +philosophers believed in it, and I do not know how otherwise to +explain the destiny of the elect and reprobate. For you see, Faith, +that if God could make all men happy, he would. But he does not." + +"I think we ought not to engage our minds in such thoughts," said +Faith. "They cannot make us wiser or better, or comfort us in +affliction, or strengthen us for duty." + +"They are very interesting. I have spent days thinking them over. But +if the subject is unpleasant we will choose another. I think you look +wonderfully like your mother to-night. I almost seem to see her again. +It was very curious how Mr. Holden discovered your likeness to her." + +"I was quite startled," said his daughter, glad to find her father's +mind directed to something else. "I wonder if he could have seen my +mother." + +He explained the way in which he found it out. "Was it not ingenious? +No one else would have thought of it. He has a very subtle intellect." + +"I was not quite satisfied," said Faith. "His explanation seemed far +fetched, and intended for concealment. I think he must have seen my +mother." + +"If that is your opinion, I will inquire into it. But I do not wish +to speak of Holden. You have been to me, Faith, a source of great +happiness, and when you are gone, I know I shall not live long." + +"We shall live many happy years yet, dear father, and when our time +comes to depart, we will thank God for the happiness we have enjoyed, +and look forward to greater." + +"Your time is at the door, my daughter," said Armstrong, solemnly. + +"I know that at any moment I may be called, but that does not affect +my happiness, or diminish my confidence, that all is well according to +the counsel of His will." + +"I see thee in the shining raiment of the blessed! I behold thee in +the celestial city!" exclaimed Armstrong. + +It was later than usual when the father and daughter separated that +night. It seemed as if he were unwilling to allow her to depart, +detaining her by caresses when she made suggestions of the lateness of +the hour, and assenting only when the clock warned that midnight was +passed. Then it was he said: + +"I do wrong to keep you up so long, Faith. You should be bright and +well for an excursion I intend to take with you to-morrow. You will go +with me, will you not?" + +"I shall be delighted. The clear sky," she added, walking to the +window, "promises a fine day." + +"Upon how many new-made graves will to-morrow's sun shine? I wish mine +was one of them" + +"O, do not say so. You will break my heart." + +"Not willingly. O! I do not pain you willingly. You were not born to +suffer much pain. Living or dying, you will be a pure offering to your +Maker, my daughter." + +"Father, how strangely you talk! You are ill." + +"As well as I shall be in this life. But do not be troubled. To-morrow +will make a change." + +He was near the door when he uttered the last words; and now, as +if not daring to trust himself in a longer conversation, he hastily +opened it, and proceeded to his chamber. Faith followed his example, +pondering sadly over the conversation. It did not escape her, that it +was more incoherent than usual, but she had seen persons before under +great religious distress of mind, whose peace was afterwards restored, +and she doubted not that, in like manner, her father's doubts would +be solved, and his spirit calmed. With, her heart full of him, and her +last thought a petition on his behalf, she fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + 'Tis necessity + To which the gods must yield; and I obey, + Till I redeem it by some glorious way. + + BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. + + +The next morning was beautiful, like most June mornings. Armstrong, +who had not closed his eyes during the whole night, rose with the dawn +to wander through his garden, which was a favorite resort. His walk, +at first rapid and irregular, as if he were trying to work off a +nervous excitement, gradually slackened, until it became a firm, +composed step. With folded arms and compressed, resolved lips, he +paced up and down the paths. He was living in an interior world. +He heard not the singing of the birds, which, in great numbers, +frequented the spacious gardens and orchards lying around; he saw not +the beautiful flowers, burdening the air with sweetness; nor the young +fruit, whose progress, through the various stages of its growth, he +had once watched with so much pleasure. His mind went back to the time +when he was a school-boy with his brother George; when they slept in +the same bed, and associated in the same sports; it then advanced to +their college days, and the face of the beautiful girl, who became his +wife, flitted by him. He thought of that fair face now for many a +long day, mouldering in the grave, into which he had seen the coffin +lowered; then his thoughts reverted to his brother George, so brave, +so generous, so strong once, but who presented himself to his vision +now, a livid corpse, dripping with water. Next came his mother, of +whom his recollection was faint; and then his father, with insanity in +his eyes. He felt, as it were, their presence around him, but it was a +companionship which afforded no pleasure. There seemed to be something +about himself that invincibly held them off, notwithstanding their +attempts to approach--a sullen sphere, which projected a dark shadow, +only to the edge of which the spirits could come, and which they made +repeated efforts to cross. + +While Armstrong was suffering under these strange delusions, Felix +approached, to call him to breakfast. The black beheld him walking +backwards and forwards, with orderly and composed steps, and +congratulated himself upon the change since the day before. He had +not, however, ventured to address his master since being ordered away, +and uncertain how he would be received, preferred to be spoken to +first. With this view, he drew nigh one of the flower-beds, which +Armstrong was passing and re-passing, and pretended to busy himself +with tying up one of the rose bushes, then in full bloom. Armstrong +did not see Felix as he passed, so deep was his reverie, but +on retracing his steps, he observed a shadow on the path, which +occasioned him to lift his eyes, when he discerned the black. He +stopped and spoke. + +"Felix," he said, "I was unkind to you yesterday. I ask your pardon." + +"O, Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, his eyes protruding with astonishment, +"there is no 'casion. I say so many foolish things, it is no wonder +you out of patience sometime." + +"No, Felix; it was a fancied superiority that made me speak harshly. +You have always been a good and faithful servant," he continued, +taking out his pocket-book, which he opened mechanically, as from the +force of habit, "and I wish I had it in my power to express better my +sense of the obligation. But why do I open it?" he said, closing at +the same time, and offering it to Felix. "You will find here what may +be of use to you, though I think there is little enjoyment purchasable +with money." + +"Why! Mr. Armstrong," cried Felix, stepping back. "What for do I want +more money? I have enough, and you will please keep it, sir, to give +some poor man if you wish." + +"You are right to despise it," said Armstrong. "It shows a superiority +of soul. Now here is this poor black," he went on soliloquizing, +though all the time Felix stood before him, "who has learned that +lesson of contentment which the generality never learn. Rich in his +poverty here, an inheritor of the skies, I have only insulted him by +so contemptible an offer." His head sunk upon his breast, his eyes +fell upon the ground, his pocket-book dropped from his unconscious +hand, and he resumed his walk. The negro stooped and picked it up, +saying, to himself: + +"Very strange! Mr. Armstrong act as if pocket-book chock full +o' bank-bills grow like chick-weed, but I will take him under my +protecshum till I give him to Miss Faith." + +Upon Armstrong's return from the end of the walk, Felix delivered +himself of his errand, and his master directed his steps towards the +house. + +He found his daughter with the breakfast apparatus before her, and +looking as fresh and charming as the morning itself. + +"You have shown better taste than I, father," she said. "You have been +enjoying the beauty of nature, while I was lying on a downy pillow." + +"Sleep is sweet to the young and healthy," said Armstrong, "and my +selfishness kept you up so late last night, that I do not wonder you +are not as early as usual." + +"My late hours have done me no harm. But when shall we take the drive +you promised me?" + +"At any time that is most agreeable to yourself." + +"If you refer it to me, I shall not long hesitate." + +"It will make no difference with me. Choose, yourself, my darling." + +"Then, why not this morning, while the air is fresh with the dews of +night, and before the roads are filled with dust? I anticipate a great +deal of pleasure, for it seems to me some mystery hangs about this +drive, and that you are preparing for me a delightful surprise." + +Armstrong started, and an expression of pain gathered over his face. + +"That was earlier than I intended," he said, "but a few hours can make +no difference." + +"If it is not perfectly convenient; if you have another engagement, +put it off later. It was only the loveliness of the morning which made +me select it." + +"I have no other engagement so important," said Armstrong; "it is of +great importance to us both: I ought to gratify any request you can +make, but"-- + +"Why hesitate, dear father, to make your own choice without regard to +a chance expression of mine? I really have no preference contrary to +yours." + +"There is no such thing as chance. We will go this morning, my +darling," said Armstrong, with decision. "I have observed, there are +some persons controlled by a heavenly influence, which prevents their +erring. I have felt it sometimes, and, I think I feel it now. You were +always right from infancy. The influence upon us both is the same, +and, I am convinced, we should follow it." + +Accordingly, shortly after breakfast, Faith and her father entered the +coach, which was driven by Felix. The route they passed over was the +same taken by the Judge and Armstrong, and we are, therefore, relieved +from the necessity of a description. Besides, we are now too much +interested in Armstrong, to allow us to pay much attention to the +beauties of external nature. Of such infinite worth is a human being; +so incalculably grand and precious those faculties and powers which +connect him with his magnificent source; so fraught with mystery the +discipline he endures, a mystery in which each one endowed with the +same nature, has part, that the natural and the visible shrink into +insignificance in comparison with the unseen and spiritual. Of +what consequence is a world of insensate matter, when brought into +competition with the immortal spirit? + +Vain would be the attempt to describe the tumult of feelings that, +like billows of fire, dashed through the soul of the unfortunate man. +Sitting, as he supposed, for the last time, by the side of one dearer +than life, his eyes no longer dwelt upon Faith, with that expression +of calm and boundless love, whence she had been accustomed to drink in +so much happiness. Yet, was the love all there, but it was a troubled +love, a love full of anguish. What sweetness! what confidence in him +he read in her face! It was like the placid surface of a mountain +lake, in which the skies delight to mirror themselves--no emotion +hidden, no thought concealed--and, for all this innocent confidence, +what was his return? He was entertaining, in his mind, a dreadful +purpose; carefully concealing it so that it should be beyond the +power of suspicion, and inveigling her into a snare, which, upon being +discovered, must fill her young heart with an agony worse than death. +But no thought of swerving from his purpose crossed now the mind of +Armstrong. Considerations like these had long been reflected upon, and +in connection with others, been able, indeed, to retard the execution +of his design, but not, as it seemed, to defeat it. Whatever weight +they might have had, they were obliged to yield to more powerful +antagonists. He was no longer a free agent. A force, as with the grip +of a vice, held him fast. A scourge, whose every lash drew blood, as +it were, from his heart, drove him on. Beautiful, magnificent, the +harmonious and healthy play of the human faculties; horrid, beyond +conception, the possible chaos of their diseased action! + +Meanwhile, Faith, ignorant of what was passing in her father's +mind, endeavored to interest him in the objects which attracted her +attention, but in vain. The moment was nigh which was to accomplish +a deed, at the bare contemplation of which his whole being revolted; +but, to whose execution he felt drawn by a power, as irresistible by +him as is that force which keeps the worlds in their places, by those +rolling spheres. Engrossed, absorbed by one dominating idea, there was +no room in his mind for another. The musical tones of Faith's voice; +the smiles evoked for his sake, that played around those lips sweeter +than the damask rose, clustered inevitably about that one thought. +But, he felt them as a swarm of angry bees, that eagerly settle upon +a living thing to sting it into torture. That living thing was his +burning, sensitive heart, quivering, bleeding, convulsed, longing for +the bliss of annihilation. And thus, in an agony far greater than that +which the martyr endures in the chariot of flame which is to waft him +to heaven, as the sufferings of the immortal spirit can exceed those +of the perishable body, the insane man pursued his way. How unending +seemed that road, and yet, how he longed that it might extend on for +ever! Within the time of each revolution of the wheels, an age of +torment was compressed; yet, how he dreaded when they should stop! + +But this could not last, and, at length, the coach reached a spot +where Armstrong proposed they should alight. Accordingly, he assisted +Faith out, and, preceding her, they took their way across the fields. +Faith, unable to resist the attraction of the wild-flowers scattered +beneath her feet, stooped occasionally to pick them, and soon had her +hands full. + +"What a pity it is, father," she said, "that we should step upon these +beautiful things! They seem little fairies, enchanted in the grass, +that entreat us to turn aside and do them no harm." + +"It is our lot, in this world, cursed for our sakes," said Armstrong, +hoarsely, "to crush whatever we prize and love the dearest." + +"The flower is an emblem of forgiveness," said Faith. "Pluck it, and +it resents not the wrong. It dies, but with its last breath, exhales +only sweetness for its destroyer." + +"O, God!" groaned Armstrong. "Was this, too, necessary? Wilt thou +grind me between the upper and the nether millstone?" + +"What is the matter, father?" inquired Faith, anxiously, catching some +words between his groans. "O, you are ill, let us return." + +"No, my daughter, there is no return. It was a pang like those to +which I am subject. Will they ever pass off?" + +They had reached the open space of ground or clearing made by +Gladding, and Armstrong advanced, with Faith following, directly to +the pile he had built near the brook. + +"What a beautiful stream!" exclaimed Faith. "How it leaps, as if alive +and rejoicing in its activity! I always connect happiness with life." + +"You are mistaken," said Armstrong. "Life is wretchedness, with now +and then a moment of delusive respite to tempt us not to cast it +away." + +"When your health returns, you will think differently, dear father. +Look! how enchanting this blue over-arching sky, in which the clouds +float like angels. With what a gentle welcome the wind kisses our +cheeks, and rustles the leaves of the trees, as if to furnish an +accompaniment to the songs of the birds which flit among them, while +the dear little brook laughs and dances and claps its hands, and tells +us, like itself, to be glad. There is only one thing wanting, father, +and that is, that you should be happy. But I wonder why this pile of +wood was built up so carefully near the edge of the water." + +"It is the altar on which I am commanded to sacrifice thee, my child," +said Armstrong, seizing her by the arm, and drawing her towards it. + +There was a horror in the tones of his voice, a despair in the +expression of his face, and a lurid glare in his eyes, that explained +all his previous conduct, and revealed to the unhappy girl the full +danger of her situation; even as in a dark night a sudden flash of +lightning apprises the startled traveller of a precipice over which +his foot has already advanced, and the gleam serves only to show him +his destruction. + +"Father, you cannot be in earnest," she exclaimed, dreadfully alarmed +at being in the power of a maniac, far from assistance, "you do not +mean so. Oh," she said throwing herself into his arms, "I do not +believe my father means to hurt me." + +"Why do you not fly? Why do you throw your arms about me? Do you think +to defeat the decree? Unwind your arms, I say, and be obedient unto +death." + +So saying, with a gentle force he loosed the hold of the fainting +girl, who with one hand embracing his knees, and the other held up to +deprecate his violence, sunk at his feet. + +"God have mercy upon us! Christ have mercy upon us," her pale lips +faintly gasped. + +"Faith, my precious, my darling," said Armstrong, with a terrible +calmness, as he drew a large knife out of his bosom, "You know I +do not this of myself, but I dare not disobey the command. It might +endanger the soul of my child, which is dearer than her life. Think, +dear child, in a moment, you will be in Paradise. It is only one short +pang, and all is over. Let me kiss you first." + +He stooped down, he inclosed her in his arms, and strained her to +his heart--he imprinted innumerable kisses on her lips, her eyes, her +cheeks, her forehead--he groaned, and large drops of sweat stood on +his face, pressed out by the agony. + +"You will see your mother and my brother George, Faith. Tell them not +to blame me. I could not help it. You will not blame me, I know. You +never blamed me even in a thought. I wish it was for you to kill me. +The father, it would seem ought to go first, and I am very weary of +life." + +He raised the knife, and Faith, with upturned and straining eyes, saw +it glittering in the sunshine. She strove to cry out, but in vain. +From the parched throat no sound proceeded. She saw the point about +to enter her bosom. She shut her eyes, and mentally prayed for her +father. At that moment, as the deadly instrument approached her heart, +she heard a voice exclaim, "Madman forbear!" She opened her eyes: +the knife had dropped from her father's hand; he staggered and leaned +against the altar. A few words will explain the timely interruption. + +When Armstrong and his daughter left the carriage to cross the field, +the mind of Felix was filled with a thousand apprehensions. He would +have followed had he dared to leave the horses, but this, his fear of +the consequences if the high-spirited animals were left to themselves, +forbade. With anxious eyes he pursued the receding foot-steps of his +master and young mistress until they were lost to sight, and then, +with a foreboding of evil, hid his face in the flowing mane of one of +the horses, as if seeking comfort from his dumb companion. Some little +time passed, which to the fearful Felix seemed hours, when, whom +should he see but the man whom of all the world he dreaded most. It +was Holden, bounding along with strides which showed that the +habits of his forest-life were not forgotten. At any other time the +apparition of the Solitary would have imparted anything but pleasure, +but now it was as welcome as a spar to a shipwrecked sailor. Holden +advanced straight to the carriage, but before he could speak the black +addressed him, + +"Oh, Mr. Holden, if you love Mr. Armstrong and Miss Faith, go after +them quick; don't stop a minute." + +"Where are they?" said Holden. + +"They go in that direcshum," answered Felix, pointing with his chin, +across the field. + +"How long ago?" + +"Ever so long; Oh, good Mr. Holden, do hurry," said Felix, whose +anxieties made him magnify the progress of time. + +Holden asked no further questions, but increasing his speed, hastened +on an Indian lope in the direction indicated, following the traces in +the grass. + +As he hurried on, his dream occurred to him. The features of the +country were the same as of that he had traversed in his sleep: +he remembered also, that the day of the week was Friday. As these +thoughts came into his mind, they stimulated him to press on with +increased speed, as if something momentous depended upon the swiftness +of his motions. It was well he did so. A moment later might have been +too late; a moment more and he might have seen the fair creature he +so loved weltering in her blood. Too late to stay the uplifted hand +of the deranged man with his own, he had uttered the cry which had +arrested the knife. + +Holden stooped down, and taking into his arms the insensible form of +Faith, bore her to the brook. Here he lavishly sprinkled her face with +the cool water, and sobs and deep drawn sighs began, after a time, to +herald a return to consciousness. Armstrong followed, and as he saw +the pale girl lying like a corpse in the arms of Holden, he threw +himself down by her side upon the grass, and took her passive hand, +which lay cold in his own. + +"She is not dead, is she?" said he. "O, say to me, she is not dead. +I thought I heard a voice from heaven--I expected to hear it--which +commanded me to forbear. Did I disobey the angel? Was he too late? +Too late, too late, too late! Oh, she is dead, dead. My Faith, my +daughter, my darling! O, God, it was cruel in thee!" + +But presently, as we have said, sighs and sobs began to heave the +bosom of Faith, and as she opened her languid eyes their soft light +fell upon the face of her father. + +With a cry of delight he sprang from the ground. "She is not dead," he +exclaimed, "she is alive! I knew it would be so. I knew it was only +a trial of my faith. I knew God would send his angel. He has angels +enough in heaven. What does he want of Faith yet? My darling," he +said, getting down and leaning the head of his daughter upon his +bosom, "God did not mean it in earnest. He only meant to try us. It is +all over now, and hereafter we shall be so happy!" + +Holden, who, when Faith began to revive, had surrendered her to her +father, stood looking on, while tears streamed down his face. Faith +had now so far recovered as to sit up and look about her, and throwing +her arms around her father's neck, she hid her face in his bosom." + +"My brain whirls," she said, "and it seems to me as if I had had a +dreadful dream. I thought you wanted to kill me, father." + +"No, no, no!" cried Armstrong, "I never wanted to. It was my trial," +he added, solemnly, "and I shall never have another, Faith. God is too +merciful to try a man twice, so." + +"James," said Holden, and his voice sounded with unusual magnificence, +"dost thou know me?" + +"Certainly," said Armstrong; "it is a strange question to ask me. You +are Mr. Holden." + +"I am thy brother George." + +Without a doubt, without a misgiving, Armstrong, still holding his +daughter, extended his hand to Holden. + +"So, George," he said, "you have risen from the dead to save Faith's +life. I knew God would work a miracle if it was necessary." + +"I trust I have risen from the death of sin but I have never been in +the grave of which thou speakest. Know that in veritable flesh and +blood, I am thy brother George, who hath never tasted of death." + +But this was an idea which Armstrong was incapable of receiving. He +shook his head, and muttering to himself, "Can the dead lie?" looked +suspiciously at Holden. + +The announcement of the Solitary struck Faith, at once, as the truth. +Her mind was in no condition to reason and compare proofs. She only +felt how sweet had been her intercourse with him, and how he had +contrived to make her love and reverence him. She hoped it was true, +he was her long lost uncle, and she believed it because she hoped it. + +"My Uncle George!" she said, as attempting to rise she received his +embrace. She could say no more. The agitation of her feelings choked +her voice and vented itself in a flood of tears. + +"What, crying, my darling?" said Armstrong. "This is no time for +tears. You should rejoice, for is not George here, who left his grave +to save your life, and has not our faith received its triumphant +crown?" + +"Alas!" exclaimed Holden, by a word and look conveying his meaning. +"As soon as you are able to walk, dear Faith, we had better return to +your home." + +"I think I am sufficiently restored," she replied, "if you will assist +me." + +Holden gave her his arm, and supported her to the carriage, followed +with great docility by Armstrong, who broke out into occasional +snatches of music, once a common habit, but in which he had not been +known to indulge for a long time. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + + O, you kind gods, + Cure this great breach in his abused nature! + The untuned and jarring senses O, wind up! + + KING LEAR. + + +As soon as they reached the house of Armstrong, Dr. Elmer was sent +for, and to him Holden communicated the events of the morning, not +concealing his own relationship. This last particular was a case not +provided for in the books, or coming within the scope of the good +doctor's practice. Contenting himself, therefore, with ejaculating, + + "Is this the lord Talbot, Uncle Gloster, + That hath so long been resident in France?" + +he shook Holden by the hand as an evidence of welcome, and, without +hesitation, assented to the propriety of the Solitary's suggestion, +that the insanity of Armstrong and his attempted violence, should +be kept secret. Rest was prescribed by the doctor for Faith, whom, +contrary to her inclinations, he compelled to retire to her chamber, +whither he sent a composing draught, with assurances that her father +was doing well, which declaration, probably, had quite as much effect +in inducing the slumbers that succeeded, as the anodyne. He next +turned his attention to her father. + +No one, without particular observation, would have remarked any change +in him. Upon returning home, he had quietly entered the parlor and sat +down in a large arm-chair, which was a favorite seat, looking first +around with a grave and pleased expression. His daughter was with him +then, who, indeed, until the arrival of the physician, had remained by +his side, and nothing seemed to please Armstrong so much as retaining +her hand in one of his, to pass the other over her silken hair, and +let it slide down over the pale cheeks, all the time gazing at her +with an appearance of infinite affection. But when the doctor felt his +pulse, he found it bounding like a frightened steed; and this symptom, +together with the heightened crimson of the cheeks, and deepening +blackness of the eyes, but too plainly revealed the access of violent +fever. Bleeding was in vogue in those days, and much practised, and +the skill of Elmer could suggest nothing better for the pressure +of blood on the brain, than letting blood. Having had, therefore, +Armstrong conducted to his chamber, he opened a vein, and bleeding him +till he fainted, he afterwards administered the medicines he thought +proper, enjoining the strictest quiet, promising to be with him every +moment that his professional engagements permitted. During the whole +Armstrong was passive, yielding himself like a child to all that was +required, and seeming to be in a beatitude, which made whatever might +occur of but little concernment. As the doctor was about leaving, +he accepted of Holden's proposal, which was rather uttered as a +determination, to remain, and send for his son. "If," thought Elmer, +"Holden is Armstrong's brother, he has a right to stay; if not, he has +at least saved Faith's life, as she says herself, and he knows after +all, a 'hawk from a hand-saw.' Young Holden, too, is a sensible +fellow, and I think I may trust them." In some such way thronged the +thoughts through Elmer's mind. "I will," he said to himself, "stop as +I pass Judge Bernard's house, to let Anne know that her friend +Faith is indisposed, and ask her to sleep with her to-night." Such, +accordingly, was, for a short time the composition of the family under +Mr. Armstrong's roof. + +Once or twice daring the night Faith started in her sleep, and threw +her arm around her lovely companion, as if to ask for protection, and +Anne heard her moaning something indistinctly; but, on the whole, her +sleep was refreshing, and in the morning she awoke, paler, indeed, and +weaker than common, but with no other signs of illness about her. + +"They will soon pass off," said the doctor. "It was a severe shock, +but youth and a good constitution are great odds." + +But it was not so with Armstrong. The combined effects of loss of +blood and of the medicines he had taken, were unable to calm the +excitement of the nerves, much less produce drowsiness. All night he +lay with eyes wide open, burning with fever, and calling for drink. +But, although his body suffered, the exaltation of his mind continued +to triumph over pain, and, from the words that escaped him, from time +to time, it would seem as if he felt himself absolutely happy. + +When Doctor Elmer came in the morning, and heard the report of Holden, +he expressed no surprise. + +"It is as I supposed," he said. "He must have a run of fever, and what +the result may be, no mortal man can divine. Let us hope for the best, +while prepared for the worst." + +Faith, from the moment she was permitted, was assiduous by the +bed-side of her father. The delusion with respect to Holden, which had +taken possession of him, whom, while continuing to recognize as his +brother, George, he would not believe was alive, fancying it was his +spirit, extended itself after a time to his daughter, whom also he +believed to be dead. So far as could be gathered from the disjointed +utterances that escaped him, he supposed that his own spirit was +trying to escape from the body, and that the spirits of his brother +and daughter had been sent to comfort and assist him. + +Thus tossing and tumbling on a heated bed, which the delicious breath +of June, streaming through the open windows, could not cool for him, +passed nine long wretched days, during which the confinement of both +Holden and Faith was almost incessant, for whenever either moved from +the bed or made a motion as if to leave the room, Armstrong would +intreat them, in the most touching tones and pathetic language, which +neither the brother's nor daughter's heart could withstand, not to +leave him, for he was just then ready, only one more struggle was +necessary, and he should be free. And besides carrying into his +insanity a habit, of which we have spoken, he would insist on holding +their hands. The touch of their heavenly bodies, he said, sent a +sensation of roses and lilies through his earthly body; they refined +him and attracted him upward, and he was sure he had sometimes risen a +little way into the air. "O!" he would exclaim, "I never knew before, +how much flowers resemble spirits. They smile and laugh alike, and +their voices are very similar." + +On the tenth day the fever abated, and Armstrong gradually fell into +a long, deep sleep. So long, so profound was the slumber that the +attendants about his bed feared that it might be one from which there +was no awaking. But the orders of the doctor, who, at the crisis was +present the whole time, were peremptory that the patient should not +be disturbed, but Nature allowed, in her own way, to work out her +beneficent purposes. Armstrong then slept many, many hours, in that +still and darkened room, while attentive ears were listening to the +deeper drawn breath, and anxious eyes watching the slightest change of +countenance. + +At last he awoke, and the first word he spoke, so low, that even in +the hushed chamber it was scarcely audible, was, "Faith." A smile of +wonderful sweetness illuminated his face, as he tried to extend his +hand, white as the snowy coverlet on which it rested, toward her, but +so weak was he, that only a motion of the fingers could be perceived. +Faith, through the tears which fell upon the hand she covered with +kisses, could mark the light of returned intelligence, and her heart +swelled with an almost overpowering emotion. + +"O, doctor," she said, turning to Elmer, "say he is safe." + +"I hope so," answered Elmer, "but control yourself. I forbid all +agitation." + +The life of Armstrong, for some days longer, vibrated in the +balance. So excessive was the weakness consequent upon the tremendous +excitement through which he had passed, that sometimes it appeared +hardly possible that nature could sufficiently rally, to bring the +delicate machinery again into healthy action. But stealing slowly +along, insensibly, the gracious work went on, until one day the +anxious daughter had the happiness to hear from the lips of the doctor +that her father was out of danger. + +It seems a strange thing, but so it is, that the events of the +dreadful day, when, as if by a heavenly interposition, his hand had +been arrested when raised to take away the life of his daughter, +and also of the time when he lay insane upon his bed, were blotted +completely from the memory of Armstrong. The scratches of a school-boy +on a slate were never more perfectly erased by a wet sponge. All his +conduct proves this. When he beheld his brother after the return of +reason, he addressed him as Mr. Holden, and never, in conversation +with any one, did he make allusion to his aberration of mind. Nor +during the short period while he remained on earth, did he know of his +conduct on the banks of the Wootúppocut. The secret was confined to +the bosoms of a few, and it was mutually agreed that it was wisest it +should be concealed. + +It was not until the health of Armstrong seemed completely restored +that his brother, in the presence of his son and of Faith, disclosed +his relationship. He had made it known before to his son, to whom, as +well as to his father, we must, for the brief period our acquaintance +with them continues, give their true name of Armstrong. It may well be +conceived, that young Armstrong had no objections to recognize in the +lovely Faith a cousin, nor was she unwilling to find a relative in the +amiable and intelligent young man. + +But, if they were pleased, how shall we express the happiness of James +Armstrong? The sting of a sorrow that had poisoned so many years of +his life was extracted. If he had been the cause of misfortune to his +brother, he had it now in his power to repair, in a degree, the wrong +he had inflicted. Nor had he recovered only a brother, but also +a nephew, whom he could love and respect, and who would, in some +measure, supply the loss of his son, by transmitting his family name, +the extinction of which no man can regard with indifference. + +Long was the conversation of the brothers after their children had +left them to themselves. Together they wandered over the scenes of +childhood, recalling its minutest, and, what would be to strangers, +uninteresting scenes, George Armstrong listening, with a sad pleasure, +to the details of his parents' lives after his own escape from the +Asylum, and, also, to changes in the family of his brother since their +death; while James Armstrong as eagerly drank in the particulars of +his brother George's adventures. But little respecting the latter need +be added, after what has been disclosed. + +We already know, that George Armstrong married, in one of the Western +States, and commenced the life of a pioneer, and that, in a night +attack, his cabin had been burned, his wife killed, and his son +carried away by the savages. It would seem that the effect of these +misfortunes was again to disturb his reason, and that, urged by a +passion for revenge, he had made himself terrible, under the name of +Onontio (given by the natives, with what meaning is unknown,) among +the Western Indians. But, after a time, the feeling passed away, and +he became, somehow, a subject of religious impressions, which assumed +the shape of a daily expectation of the Coming of Christ, joined with +a firm belief in the doctrine of predestination. In this frame of +mind, influenced by a feeling like the instinct, perhaps, of the bird +which returns from the southern clime, whither the cold of winter has +driven it, to seek again the tree where hung the parental nest, George +Armstrong came back to the place of his birth. He was supposed to +be dead, and, even without any such prepossession, no one would have +recognized him; for, the long beard he had suffered to grow, and the +sorrow and hardship he had undergone, gave him an appearance of much +more advanced age than his elder brother, and effectually disguised +him. Why, instead of taking possession of the cabin, on Salmon Island, +and secluding himself from society, he did not make himself known to +his brother and demand his inheritance, always puzzled the gossips of +Hillsdale, and yet, it appears to us, susceptible of explanation. + +When he came from the West, he felt, at first, as if the ties which +had united him to the world, were broken, never to be renewed. What he +most prized and loved he had lost. He was an exception to other +men. He had been isolated by destiny, whose iron finger pointed to +solitude, and solitude he chose as most congenial to his bruised +spirit. But, besides, an idea had mastered him, in whose presence the +vanities and indulgences of the world and all worldly considerations, +shrunk into insignificance. Of what consequence were wealth and +distinction to one who looked momently for the introduction of a state +of things, when they would be of less importance than the baubles of a +child? The gay world might laugh and jest in its delusion, but it was +for him to watch and pray. Some feeling of resentment, too, towards +his brother, may have helped to color his conduct. As time, however, +wore on, his heart began to expand to human affections; for we +have seen, how fond he became of the society, first, of Faith, +and, finally, of his brother; deriving, possibly, a sort of insane +gratification from even the concealment of his relationship, as a +miser gloats over the security of his hoard. It is, indeed, probable, +that, but for the discovery of his son, he would have died without +betraying the secret, but, that discovery awakened anew feelings which +he never expected to have again in this life. He looked upon his +son and the inheritance, which to him was valueless, assumed +an importance. And it may be--who can tell?--that, sometimes, a +doubt--for how long had he waited in vain?--might throw a shadow +over his expectation of the Millennium. But this we have no means +of determining, and, as we shall presently see, his subsequent life +rather sustains the opposite opinion. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + By his great Author man was sent below, + Some things to learn, great pains to undergo, + To fit him for what further he's to know. + + This end obtained, without regarding time, + He calls the soul home to its native clime, + To happiness and knowledge more sublime. + + ALLAN RAMSAY + + +The period of time which has elapsed since the occurring of the events +detailed in the preceding chapters, enables us to give a tolerably +full account of the destiny of the actors, who, for the space of a few +months, have flitted across our stage. + +James Armstrong lived in the enjoyment of pretty good health some two +years after his recovery. The melancholy with which nature had tinged +his disposition was, indeed, never quite eradicated, but probably +those two years were the sweetest and sunniest of his life. Those whom +he most loved were prosperous and happy, and the reflection of their +happiness shone upon his daily walk. At the end of that time he fell +asleep, and in the confidence of a lively faith and the comfort of +a holy hope, was gathered to his fathers. Immediately upon the +restoration of his reason he had divided his estate with his brother, +or rather with his nephew, for the Solitary refused to have anything +to do with wealth. It would be to him, he said, a burden. He was not a +pack-horse, to carry loads, though they were made of gold. + +With whatever eyes, however, the possession of property might +be viewed by George Armstrong, his son, who, within a few months +afterwards, was united to Anne Bernard, with even the approbation of +her brother, considered the addition thereby made to his income as no +disagreeable circumstance. Mr. and Mrs. Pownal, the benefactors of his +youth, were present, and the former had the satisfaction of dancing +at the wedding. No marriage could be more fortunate. A similarity of +taste and feeling and the harmonies of virtue had originally attracted +and attached each to the other. Anne had loved Armstrong because she +recognized in him her own truthfulness and nobility of spirit, and +he her, for her grace and beauty, and that inexpressible charm of +sweetness of temper and gaiety of spirit, that, like the sun, diffuses +light and animation around. Their career has been like a summer-day. A +numerous family of children has sprung from the union, who promise to +perpetuate the virtues of their parents. And it is to be hoped, and +we believe it to be a fact which the passage of so many years may be +considered to have tolerably settled, that the fatal blood-taint +of insanity, which had seemed hereditary on the side of one of the +parents, has disappeared. + +As for the Solitary, who survived his brother many years, he could +never be weaned from the mode of life he had adopted. As long as +James Armstrong lived, they were frequently together, few days passing +without one seeking the other, as if both were striving to make up +for their long separation, but yet George Armstrong preferred the rude +simplicity of his hut, and his hard couch, to the elegant chamber and +yielding bed, nor could he be persuaded to stop more than a night or +two at any one time, either at the house of his brother or of his +son. The efforts made to change this feeling were soon found to be +unavailing, and his commanding temper, as usual, had its way. After +the death of his brother, his visits to the village became less +frequent, and he was seldom to be met with, except at the house of +his son. It was a strange sight to see him, with two or three +grand-children on his knees, and playing, perhaps, with one of the +little ones, amusing itself with hiding behind the flowing majesty of +his long beard. A great part of his time was passed among the Indians +living on the banks of the Severn, to the amelioration of whose +condition and Christianization he devoted himself to the last. +And some insist that he never quite gave up the expectation of the +Millennium during his life, for early fishermen, passing his hut +before sunrise, are said to have reported that they had seen the +Solitary more than once, waiting for the rising sun, and heard his +bursts of passionate expectation. An occurrence, too, at his death, +which happened at the house of his son, justifies this opinion--when +sitting up suddenly in his bed, he stretched out his arms, and +exclaiming with a wild energy, "Lord, Thou art faithful and true, for +I behold Thy coming," he fell back upon the pillow and expired. From +respect to the memory of his father, his son bought the island where +the Solitary lived so many years, and having planted it with trees, +declares it shall never pass out of the family during his own life, +and so long as it can be protected by his will. + +Judge Bernard, his wife, the doctor, and the Pownals are gone, and the +three former repose with their friends in the romantic burial ground, +to which we once before conducted our readers; the two latter in the +cemetery of the thronged city, undisturbed by the sounding tread of +the multitudes who daily pass their graves. + +William Bernard, about the time of the marriage of his sister, made a +formal offer of his hand to Faith, but without success. He was refused +gently, but so decidedly, that no room was left for hope. But if the +enamored young man lost his mistress, he was satisfied there was no +rival in the case, and moreover that probably there never would be. +So selfish is the human heart, that this reflection mitigated the +bitterness of his disappointment. Convinced that the prospect of +altering her determination was hopeless, and unable to remain in her +presence, he made a voyage to Europe, where he remained five years, +and on his return, entered into political life. He has since filled +many eminent stations with credit to himself and advantage to the +country, and only delicacy restrains us from naming the high position +he now occupies, of course under a different name from that we have +chosen to give him. But he has never found another being to fill the +void in his affections, and remains unmarried, the most graceful and +attractive of old bachelors. + +And what shall we say of Faith, the pure, the high souled the devoted +Faith? As long as her father lived, he continued to be the object of +her incessant solicitude. She watched him with a tenderness like that +of a mother hovering about her sick infant, devoting her whole life +to his service, and when he died, the tears she shed were not those of +complaining grief, but of a sad thankfulness. Sad was she that no more +in this world should she behold him whom she had ever treasured in her +inner heart; thankful that with unclouded reason and resigned trust, +he had returned to the Source whence he came. Soon after his death, +she joined her uncle in his labors among the Indians, abandoning her +home and devoting the whole of her large income to the promotion of +their interests. There was much in her character that resembled that +of George Armstrong, and notwithstanding the disparity of years, +caused each to find an attractive counterpart in the other. There was +the same enthusiasm, trespassing from constitutional tendencies, +upon the very verge of reason; the same contempt of the world and +its allurements; the same reaching forward toward the invisible. Her +surpassing beauty, her accomplishments and great wealth, brought many +suitors to her feet, but she had a heart for none. She turned a deaf +ear to their pleadings, and "in maiden meditation fancy free," pursued +her course like the pale moon through heaven. Perhaps the awful shock +which she received on the terrible day when the appearance of her +uncle saved her life, working on a temperament so exalted, may +have contributed to confirm and strengthen what was at first only a +tendency, and so decided the character of her life. She died as such +gifted beings are wont to do, young, breathing out her delicate soul +with a smile, upon the bosom of her faithful friend, Anne Armstrong. +A purer spirit, and one better fitted to join the bright array of the +blessed, never left the earth, and to those who knew her, it looked +dark and desolate when she departed. + +We have thus disposed of the principal personages in our drama. It +remains to speak of some of those who have borne an inferior part in +the scenes. + +Esther left, with Quadaquina, for the Western tribes about the +time when the boy attained the age of sixteen years, and historical +accuracy compels us to admit, that, since their departure, we have +lost all traces of them. One would suppose she would have remained +with her powerful protectors, but it may be she feared the +demoralization around her, to which, in spite of the efforts of the +benevolent to the contrary, so many of her fated race fell victims, +and preferred to expose Quadaquina to the perils of savage life, +rather than to the tender mercies of civilization. We strongly +suspect, that her wild creed was never fairly weeded out of her heart. + +Primus remained to the end the same cheery, roguish fellow we have +seen him, and when he died was buried, as became a revolutionary +celebrity, with military honors, which so affected Felix, that, when +his turn came--knowing that he was entitled to no such distinction, +and, yet loth to pass away unnoticed--he begged Doctor Elmer to +write him a "first-rate epithet." The doctor redeemed his promise, by +prefacing a panegyric, in English, with the following quotation from +Virgil-- + + Hic jacet + FELIX QUI + Potuit Rerum cognoscere Causas + QUI + Que Metus omnes + Et inexorabile Fatum + Subjecit Pedibus + Strepitumque Acherontis avari. + +The doctor, on being asked its meaning, one day, by an inquisitive +negro, who had, for some time, been rolling the whites of his eyes at +the inscription, in a vain attempt to understand it, replied, it meant +that Felix was an intelligent and brave fellow, who lived like a +wise man, and died like a hero, whereat, his auditor expressed +great satisfaction, considering both the Latin and the sentiment a +compliment to "colored pussons," generally. + +Gladding emigrated to the West, where his stout arm and keen axe did +himself and the State good service. After making a fabulous number of +"claims," and as many "trades," he found himself, at middle age, the +master of a thousand acres of cleared land, with a proper proportion +of timber; his log-cabin converted into a brick house, and sons and +daughters around him. + +We had almost forgotten to speak of the fate of Constable Basset. The +good people of Hillsdale soon found out that his talents did not lie +in the line he had adopted, and, at the next election, chose another +in his place. Thereupon, not discouraged, he turned his hand, with +national facility, to something else--following, successively, the +business of a small grocer, of a tavern keeper, and of an auctioneer. +Somehow or other, however, ill luck still followed him; and, finally, +he took to distributing the village newspaper, and sticking up +handbills. This gave him a taste for politics, and having acquired, +in his employment as auctioneer, a certain fluency of speech, he +cultivated it to that degree--in town meetings and on other public +occasions--that, in the end, there was not a man in the whole county +who could talk longer and say less. His fellow-citizens observing this +congressional qualification, and not knowing what else he was fit +for, have just elected him to Congress, partly because of this +accomplishment, and, partly, on account of his patriotic dislike of +"furriners," a sentiment which happens now to be popular. Both his +friends and enemies agree that he is destined to make a figure there; +and Mr. Thomas Armstrong--in compensation, perhaps, for a youthful +trick--has promised the Member of Congress a new hat and full suit +of black broadcloth, to enable him to appear in proper style on +Pennsylvania Avenue. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Hunter, by John Turvill Adams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST HUNTER *** + +***** This file should be named 15328-8.txt or 15328-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/2/15328/ + +Produced by Robert Shimmin, S.R.Ellison and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +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. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/15328-8.zip b/15328-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f957a43 --- /dev/null +++ b/15328-8.zip diff --git a/15328.txt b/15328.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a6eb71a --- /dev/null +++ b/15328.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15739 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Hunter, by John Turvill Adams + +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: The Lost Hunter + A Tale of Early Times + +Author: John Turvill Adams + +Release Date: March 11, 2005 [EBook #15328] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST HUNTER *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Shimmin, S.R.Ellison and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + THE LOST HUNTER. + + A Tale of Early Times. + + + "And still her grey rocks tower above the sea + That murmurs at their feet, a conquered wave; + 'Tis a rough land of earth, and stone, and tree, + Where breathes no castled lord or cabined slave; + Where thoughts, and tongues, and hands, are bold and free, + And friends will find a welcome, foes a grave; + And where none kneel, save when to heaven they pray, + Nor even then, unless in their own way." + HALLECK + + + NEW YORK: + + DERBY & JACKSON, 119 NASSAU STREET. + CINCINNATI:--H.W. DERBY. + + 1856. + + +ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by + +J.C. DERBY, + +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for +the Southern District of New York. + +W.H. TINSON, Stereotyper. + +PUDNEY & RUSSELL Printers. + + + + +APOLOGY + + +As one might justly be considered a clown, or, at least, not well +bred, who, without tapping at the door, or making a bow, or saying "By +your leave," or some other token of respect, should burst in upon +a company of persons unknown to him, and instead of a welcome would +deserve an unceremonious invitation to betake himself elsewhere +forthwith; so, I suppose, in presenting myself before you, my +honored Public, it is no more than civil to say something by way of +introduction. At least, I have observed from my obscure retreat in the +quiet village of Addlebrains, that the fashion in this respect, which +has prevailed, certainly, since the time of St. Luke, who commences +his Gospel with a preface to Theophilus, has come down to the present +day, differing therein from other fashions, which, for the most part, +are as transitory as the flowers of the field, and commending itself +thereby to the thoughtful consideration of the judicious; for it +cannot be deemed there is no value in that which has received the +sanction of centuries. Influenced by reflections of this description +and the like, I sat down one day in the little retreat, which the +indulgent partiality of my friends is accustomed to dignify with the +title of my "study," to endeavor to write a preface, and introduce +myself in a becoming manner to my readers. I was the more anxious +to do this properly, because, although a mere countryman, a sort of +cowhide shoe, as I may say, and therefore lacking that gloss, which, +like the polish on a well-brushed boot, distinguishes and illustrates +the denizens of our metropolis in an eminent degree, as I know from +personal experience, having been twice in New York, and, as I am told, +also, the citizens of Boston and Philadelphia, and other provincial +towns, with a milder lustre, I would not like to be supposed entirely +destitute of refinement. It would be strange if I were, inasmuch as I +enjoyed in my youth, the privilege of two terms and a half instruction +in the dancing school of that incomparable professor of the +Terpsichorean science, the accomplished Monsieur St. Leger Pied. It +is in consequence of this early training, perhaps, that I am always +pained when there is any deflection or turning aside from, or neglect +of, the graceful, the becoming, and the proper. + +It will be observed that my last quarter was cut short in the middle; +which untoward event arose from no arrogance or supercilious conceit +on my part, as though I had perfected myself in the mysteries of +pigeon-wing and balancez, but from the abrupt departure of +the professor himself, who, true to the name indicative of his +constitutional levity, found it convenient to disappear betwixt two +days, with the advance pay of my whole term in his pocket, and +without stopping to make even one of his uncommonly genteel bows. The +circumstance was peculiarly disagreeable to me, in consequence of the +school being assembled when our loss was discovered, and of my having +succeeded in engaging, for the greater part of the evening, the hand +of a young lady, whose charms had made a deep (though, as subsequent +events proved, not a durable) impression on my susceptible heart. +Monsieur was our only musician, and, of course, with his violin +went the dancing. The cause of his evasion or flight was variously +accounted for, some ascribing it to a debt he had contracted for +kid gloves and pumps, and others to dread of the wrath of a young +gentleman, whose sister he had been so imprudent as to kiss in the +presence of another girl, not remarkable for personal attractions, to +whom he had never paid the same compliment. As was to be expected, she +was scandalized at the impropriety and want of taste, and immediately +made it known, in spite of the entreaties of the blushing beauty and +the "pardons" of Monsieur. As Virgilius has it, + + "Manet alta mente i epostum, + Judicium Paridis spretaeque injuria formae." + +In my opinion, it was the kiss that cost poor Monsieur Pied his +school, and me a dollar and a half, three dollars being the price +for a term's instruction. Not, I beg to be understood, that I care +anything about the money, but in relating an event I like to be +circumstantial and strictly accurate. But I find that, wiled away by +the painfully pleasing reminiscences of my youth, I am wandering +from my undertaking, which is, not to narrate the misadventures of a +dancing-master, but to compose a preface. + +I had seated myself, as I was saying, in my little den or confugium, +where, as in a haven of rest, I love to hide myself from the +distractions of the world, and concentrate my thoughts, and which has +been to me the scene of many sad as well as pleasant hours, and dipped +my goose quill (anathema maranatha on steel pens, which I cannot help +fancying, impart a portion of their own rigidity to style, for if the +stylus be made of steel is it not natural that the style by derivation +and propinquity should be hard?) into the ink-stand, after first +casting my eyes on the busts of Shakespeare and Milton, which, cast +in plaster, adorn my retirement, half imploring them to assist in so +important an enterprise, when the door opened, and who should enter +but my dear friend, the Rev. Increase Grace? But here let me remark +parenthetically, the habit of dealing in parentheses being one I +especially dislike, only necessity compelling me thereto, and before I +proceed further, that the word "confugium," which, both on account of +its terse expressiveness, as well as its _curiosa felicitas_ in the +present application, I have chosen in order to define my den, has not, +I hope, escaped the notice of the discriminating scholar. Moreover, +I trust that I shall not incur the imputation of vanity if I take to +myself some little credit for the selection. It will be observed that +it is a compound term, the latter part, "fugium" (from fuga, flight), +characterizing the purpose to which my secluded nook is applied as +a refuge, whither I fly from the unmeaning noise and vanity of the +world; and the prefix, "con" (equivalent to cum, with), conveying +the idea of its social designation. For I should be loth to have it +thought that, like Charles Lamb's rat, who, by good luck, happening to +find a Cheshire cheese, kept the discovery a profound secret from +the rest of the rats, in order to monopolize the delicious dainty, +pretending all the while that his long and frequent absences at a +certain hole were purely for purposes of heavenly contemplation, his +mind having of late become seriously impressed, and, therefore, he +could not bear interruption, I am in the habit of ensconcing myself +with a selfish exclusion therein. Far from it: the door is never +barred against admission, and my confugium rather means (though the +dictionaries with their usual vagueness so much to be lamented, have +not succeeded in eviscerating its full signification) a common place +of retirement for myself and intimate friends. Hence it was not as an +intrusion, but, on the contrary, as an acceptable call, that I greeted +the arrival of Increase. There must have been an unusual degree of +gravity in my countenance corresponding with the importance of the +work I was about to undertake, for the reverend gentleman had hardly +taken a seat before he observed it, and inquired into its cause. We +are upon that footing of intimacy, that there was no impropriety in +the question, and I unhesitatingly acquainted him with my purpose. + +"I should as soon think," said the Rev. Increase, "of building a +verandah before a wood-house, or putting mahogany doors into my old +toppling down church." + +The remark was not very complimentary, but great freedom of speech +prevails between us, and I took no offence; especially as I knew that +the Rev. gentleman was smarting under a disappointment in the sale +of a volume of sermons, whence he had expected great things, from +the publication of which I had vainly endeavored to dissuade him, and +whose meagre proceeds fully justified my forebodings. The mention of +my work naturally recalled this afflictive dispensation, and _hinc +illae lacrimae_. Reading his mind, I answered, therefore, as gently as +a slight tremor in my voice would allow, that there was no accounting +for tastes, and that as trifling a thing as a song had been known to +outlive a sermon. + +I declare I meant no harm, but his reverence (one of the best men in +the world, but who, in every sense of the word, belongs to the "church +militant,") instantly blazed up-- + +"I dare say," he said, bitterly, "that you understand the frippery +taste of this trivial age better than I. A capability to appreciate +solid reading, reading that cultivates the understanding while it +amends the heart, seems to be with the forgotten learning before the +flood. They who pander to this diseased appetite have much to answer +for; not," he was pleased to add--his indignation cooling off like a +steam-boiler which has found vent, "that the trifle on which for the +last few months you have been wasting your time has not a certain kind +of merit, but it seems a pity, that one, capable of better things, +should so miserably misapply his powers." + +These sentiments were not entirely new to me, else I might have become +a little excited; for, during the whole time while I was engaged in +the composition of the work, my friend, who is, also, in the habit +of communicating his literary enterprises to me, would insist upon my +reading him the chapters, as fast as they came along, manifesting no +little curiosity in the manner in which I should disengage myself from +difficulties in which he supposed me from time to time involved, +and exuberant delight at the ingenious contrivances, as, in a +complimentary mood, he once said, by which I eluded them. It is true, +all this betrayal of interest was accompanied by various pishes and +pshaws, and lamentations over the trifling character of my pursuits; +but, like too many others, both in his cloth and out of it, his +conduct contradicted his language, and I was encouraged by the former, +while I only smiled at the latter. + +"If such be your opinion," said I, suddenly seizing the manuscript, +which lay before me, and making a motion to throw it into the fire; +"if such be your candid opinion, I had better destroy the nonsense at +once." + +"Hold!" cried the Rev. Increase, arresting my hand, "you are +shockingly touchy and precipitate; how often have I cautioned you +against this trait of your character. Because your workling does not +deserve to be mentioned in the same category with works of solid and +acknowledged merit, like, for instance, Rollin's Ancient History +or Prideaux' Connexion, and can, at best, enjoy but an ephemeral +existence, does it deserve to have no existence at all? On your +principle, we should have no butterflies, because their careless lives +last but a day." + +"Well, Increase," said I, "if, like the butterfly, whose short and +erratic presence imparts another beauty to green fields and blue +skies, and blossoms, and songs of birds, my little book shall be able +to seduce a smile to the lips, or cheat away a pain from the bosom +of one of those whom you are so fond of calling 'pilgrims through a +dreary wilderness,' I shall feel amply compensated for the waste of my +time." + +"If your expectations are so moderate, I see no harm in your indulging +them," said my friend; "but I cannot help wishing you had oftener +taken my advice in its composition." + +"I have great respect for your opinion," I answered, "but I find it +impossible to pass the ideas of another through the crucible of my +mind and do them justice. Somehow or other, when I am expecting a +stream of gold, it turns out a _caput mortuum_ of lead. No, my better +course is to coin my copper in my own way. But, tell me frankly, what +offends you." + +My Rev. friend had, by this time, forgotten his unfortunate volume of +sermons, and resumed his good nature. + +"Offends me? my dear friend, and half-parishoner (for I notice a bad +habit you have got into, of late, of attending church only in the +morning--pray reform it), you use a very harsh term. There is nothing +in the book that offends me; although," he added, cautiously, "I +do not mean to say that I sanction entirely either your religious, +philosophical, or political speculations. I am no flatterer, and claim +the privilege of a friend to speak my mind." + +"My dear Increase," said I, pressing his hand, "I love you all the +more for your sincerity; but why do you call them my speculations? I +have expressed no opinions. They are the opinions of the characters, +and not mine. I wish you and all the world distinctly to understand +that." + +"And yet the world will hold you to account for them. If a man fires +a gun into a crowd, is he not responsible for any mischief that may be +the consequence?" + +"I do not expect to make so loud a report," said I, smiling; "but I +protest against your doctrine. Why, according to that, an author is +accountable for all the opinions of his dramatis personae, however +absurd and contradictory they may be." + +"I do not go so far as that. I hold that the author is only +responsible for the effect produced: if that effect be favorable to +virtue, he deserves praise; if the contrary, censure." + +"I admit the justice of the view you take, with that limitation; and I +trust it is with a sense of such accountability I have written," said +I. "May I, then, flatter myself with the hope that you will grant me +your imprimatur?" + +"You have it," said he; "and may no critic regard your book with less +indulgent eyes than mine. But what name do you give the bantling?" + +"Oh," said I, "I have not concluded, I fancy that one name is nearly +as good as another." + +"I don't know about that," said the Rev. Increase. "A couple who +brought their child lately to me to be baptized did not think so, +at any rate. I inquired what was the name chosen, when, to my +astonishment, I heard sounds which resembled very much one of the +titles bestowed upon the arch enemy of mankind. Supposing that my ears +deceived me, I inquired again, when the same word, to my horror, was +more distinctly repeated. 'Lucifer!' said I, to myself, 'impossible! +I cannot baptize a child by such a name.' I bent over once more, and +a third time asked the question. The answer was the same, and repeated +louder and with an emphasis, as if the parents were determined to have +that name or none. By this time my situation had become embarrassing, +for there was I, in the presence of the whole waiting congregation, +standing up with the baby in my arms, which, to add to my +consternation, set up a squall as if to convince me that he was +entitled to the name. My bachelor modesty could stand the scene no +longer; so, hastily dipping my fingers in the font, and resolving he +should have a good name, as opposite as possible to the diabolical +one so strangely selected, I baptized the infant George Washington. +I thought the parents looked queerly at the time, but the rite was +performed, the baby had got an excellent name, and I was relieved. But +conceive, if you can, my confusion, when, after service, the father +and mother came into the vestry, and the latter bursting into tears, +exclaimed: 'Oh, thir, what have you done? Ith a girl, ith a girl! and +you've called her George Wathington! My poor little Luthy, my dear +little Luthy!' Alas! the mother lisped, and when I asked for the +name, meaning to be very polite, and to say, Lucy, sir, in reply to +my question, she had said, 'Luthy, thir,' which I mistook for Lucifer. +What was to be done? I consoled the afflicted parents as well as I was +able, and promised to enter the name in the parish registry and town +records as Lucy, which I did; but for all that, the girl's genuine, +orthodox name is George Washington!" + +"I see," said I, paying him for his joke with the expected laugh, +"there is something in a name, and we must be cautious in its choice." +The result was, that I followed my friend's advice in adopting the one +which was finally selected. Soon after the Rev. gentleman took his hat +and left me to my meditations. Thereupon I resumed my pen, and vainly +endeavored to write a preface. At last, in despair, I could hit +upon no better expedient than to explain to you, my dear Public, the +circumstances which prevent my doing it now. You will sympathize with +my mortification, and forgive my failure for the sake of the honest +effort, and no more think of condemning me, than you would the +aforesaid rustic, alluded to in the beginning of this my apology, +should he, instead of boisterously rushing in upon the company, +endeavor (his sense of the becoming overcoming his bashfulness) to +twist his body into the likeness of a bow, thereby only illustrating +and confirming the profound wisdom of the maxim, _non omnia possumus +omnes_. Should our awkward attempts be classed together, I shall +nevertheless indulge the hope, that better acquaintance with you will +increase my facility of saying nothing with grace, and improve my +manners, even as I doubt not that under the tuition of Monsieur Pied, +the aforesaid countryman might, in time, be taught to make a passable +bow. + +For ever, _vive_, my dear Public, and, until we meet again (which, +whether we ever do, will depend upon how we are pleased with each +other), _vale_. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + At last the golden orientall gate + Of greatest heaven gan to open fayre, + And Phoebus fresh as brydegrome to his mate, + Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie hayre, + And hurld his glistening beams through gloomy ayre. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE. + +It was a lovely morning in the autumn of the year of grace 18--. The +beams of the sun had not yet fallen upon the light veil of mist that +hovered over the tranquil bosom of the river Severn, and rose and +gathered itself into folds, as if preparing for departure at the +approach of an enemy it were in vain to resist. With a murmur, so soft +it was almost imperceptible, glided the stream, blue as the heaven it +mirrored, between banks now green and gently shelving away, crowned +with a growth of oak, hickory, pine, hemlock and savin, now rising +into irregular masses of grey rocks, overgrown with moss, with here +and there a stunted bush struggling out of a fissure, and seeming to +derive a starved existence from the rock itself; and now, in strong +contrast, presenting almost perpendicular elevations of barren sand. +Occasionally the sharp cry of a king-fisher, from a withered bough +near the margin, or the fluttering of the wings of a wild duck, +skimming over the surface, might be heard, but besides these there +were no sounds, and _they_ served only to make the silence deeper. +It is at this hour, and upon an island in the river that our story +commences. + +The island itself is of an irregular shape and very small, being +hardly an acre in extent, and its shore covered with pebbles and +boulders of granite. Near the centre, and fronting the east, stands an +unpainted wood cabin of the humblest appearance, the shape and size +of which is an oblong of some thirty by fifteen feet. One rude door +furnishes the only means of entrance, and light is admitted through +two small windows, one on the east and the other on the west side. +Straggling patches of grass, a few neglected currant-bushes behind +the hut, and a tall holly-hock or two by the door are all the signs of +vegetation that meet the eye. + +At the door of this cabin, and at the time we are describing, stood +a solitary figure. He was a gaunt, thin man, whose stature rather +exceeded than fell below six feet. The object about his person which +first arrested attention was a dark grizzled beard, that fell half-way +down his breast, in strong contrast with a high white forehead, +beneath which glowed large dreamy eyes. The hair of his head, like his +beard, was long, and fell loosely over his shoulders. His dress was of +the coarsest description, consisting of a cloth of a dusky grey color, +the upper garment being a loose sort of surtout, falling almost to the +knees, and secured round the waist by a dark woollen sash. His age +it was difficult to determine. It might have been anywhere between +forty-five and fifty-five years. + +The attitude and appearance of the man, were that of devotion and +expectancy. His body was bent forward, his hands clasped, and his +eyes intently fastened on the eastern sky, along the horizon of which +layers of clouds, a moment before of a leaden hue were now assuming +deeper and deeper crimson tints. As the clouds flushed up into +brighter colors his countenance kindled with excitement. His form +seemed to dilate, his eyes to flash, his hands unclasped themselves, +and he stretched out his arms, as if to welcome a long expected +friend. But presently the rays of the sun began to stream over the +swelling upland and light up the surface of the river, and fainter and +fainter shone the clouds, until they gradually melted into the blue +depth away. It was then a shade of disappointment, as it seemed, +passed over the face of the man. Its rapt expression faded, he cast +a look almost of reproach to heaven, and his feelings found vent in +words. + +"Hast Thou not said, 'Behold, I come quickly?' Why then delay the +wheels of Thy chariot? O, Lord, I have waited for Thy salvation. In +the night-watches, at midnight, at cock-crowing, and in the morning, +have I been mindful of Thee. But chiefly at the dawn hath my soul gone +forth to meet Thee, for then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man +in Heaven, and they shall see him coming in the clouds of Heaven, with +power and great glory. And he shall send His angels with a great sound +of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from one end of +Heaven to the other." + +His eyes glared wildly round, then fell and fastened on the ground, +and for a few moments he remained immovable as a statue, after which, +with an air of dejection, he turned as if about to enter the hut. At +that moment the report of a gun from the shore close by was heard, and +looking, up he saw a man fall from the sloping bank upon the beach. + +If there had been any appearance of weakness or infirmity before in +the Recluse, it now vanished. Nothing could exceed the promptitude and +energy of his movements. To rush to the water, to throw himself into +a boat, to unfasten it from the stake to which it was tied, and with a +vigorous push to send it half-way across the channel, was the work of +but an instant. A few dextrous and strong strokes of the paddle soon +sent it grating on the pebbled shore, and with a bound he was by the +side of the prostrate man. He lay with his face to the ground, with +one arm stretched out, and the other cramped up beneath his body. Near +him the leaves and grass were stained with drops of blood, and at a +short distance a gun was lying. + +The old man passed his arm around the stranger, to raise him from his +recumbent position. The motion must have occasioned pain, for a low +groan was heard. But it, at least, attested the presence of life, +and there was consolation in even those sad sounds. With all the +tenderness of a mother he raised the wounded man in his arms, and +endeavored to discover the place and character of the wound, in order +to staunch, if possible, the bleeding. But it was soon apparent that +all such attempts would be useless, and only tend to aggravate the +pain without leading to any desirable result, so long as the clothing +was allowed to remain on. The better course seemed to be to remove him +immediately to the hut. As gently, therefore, as possible, the old man +bore him to the boat, and deposited him upon its bottom. A few strokes +of the paddle sent it back again to the island, and soon the wounded +stranger was lying on a rude, but welcome bed. Here the first thing to +be done was to divest him of his coat and such other clothing as hid +the wound. Having performed this duty, which was done by cutting off +the coat and tearing the under garments, the next care of the old man +was, in the best manner in his power, to apply bandages to stop the +blood, which trickled from the right side and shoulder. This was done +with no little skill, as by one who did not then see a gun-shot wound +for the first time. The process was accompanied by an occasional +groan, when the bandages pressed the wounded parts too closely, which +the sufferer seemed to try to suppress, appearing, at the same time, +to endeavor to express his thanks, by a smile and the soft glances of +his eyes. Any attempt at exertion was instantly repressed by his kind +nurse, who never failed, when it occurred, to enjoin quiet. + +"Thou art weak from loss of blood, young man," he said, "but I am +mistaken if there is much danger. Yet, a narrow escape hast thou had. +Be thankful to that Providence, by whom the hairs of thy head are all +numbered, and who permitteth not a sparrow to fall without notice to +the ground, for so directing the shot that they only tore the outer +flesh, without reaching a vital part. And so, hereafter, when the +evils of life shall assail thee, may they penetrate no deeper than the +surface, nor affect thy immortal soul." + +Here the young man made a motion, as if about to speak, but he was +interrupted by the other. + +"Nay," said the Recluse, "thou must obey me for thy own good, and I +have forbid all speech. It will start the blood, and weaken thee still +more. Compose thyself, now, while I leave thee but for an instant, to +discover, if I can, a boat going to Hillsdale." + +We will avail ourselves of the absence of the Recluse to describe the +interior of the hut and its occupant. And to begin with the latter--he +was a dark-haired youth, of twenty-one or two years of age, the +natural paleness of whose complexion was enhanced as well by the raven +color of his hair as by the loss of blood. His features were quite +regular, and surmounted by a brow rather high than broad. The eyes +were the most remarkable, and commanded instant attention. They were +large, black and flashing, and, in spite of the injunctions of the old +man, wide open and roving round the apartment. By the manner in which +he had been addressed, it was evident he was unknown. + +The chamber itself was a square of about fifteen feet, or one-half +of the hut, with a fire-place made of large stones and bricks, and +lighted by one window, and was lathed and plastered. Its furniture +consisted of the bed above mentioned, lying on a low pine frame, +originally painted red, but now somewhat defaced and worn; of a couple +of basket-bottomed chairs; a stone jar, to contain water; a rifle +and powder-horn, supported by two nails driven into the wall; a pine +table, and a set of shelves filled with books. This was the back-room, +and opened into another of the same size, differing from the former +in having no fire-place and being not lathed. This latter room was +destitute of furniture, unless a work-bench, on which were a few +tools; a chopping-block, made of the segment of the body of a +large tree; a cooper's horse; a couple of oyster rakes and some +fishing-rods, could be called such. In two of the corners stood +bundles of hickory poles, and on the floor were scattered a quantity +of withes, designed, apparently, for basket-making. These articles +had, probably, some connection with the pursuits of the tenant of the +hut. On the walls, on pegs, hung a number of baskets, of different +sizes--some finished, and some in an unfinished condition. + +The Recluse, upon leaving his guest, proceeded to the west side of +the little island, and cast a searching glance in every direction, +to ascertain if any one were in sight. No boat was visible, and he +immediately retraced his steps. + +Noiselessly he stole back to the couch of his guest, whom he found +apparently asleep, though, in truth, the slumber was simulated out +of deference to the anxieties of the old man. Several times he passed +backwards and forwards from the chamber to the door before he had the +satisfaction to find the object of his search. At length, a canoe was +discovered coming up the river, containing two persons, who, on nearer +approach, were seen to be Indians, a man and a woman, belonging to +the remnant of a tribe, lingering about their ancient hunting-grounds +along the banks of the river. The game, indeed, that once abounded in +the woods, had disappeared, and the blue stream and swelling hills, +and green plains, and intrusive industry and increasing villages of +the whites, but reminded them of present weakness and former power. +But, the sensibility to degradation was blunted. They had, gradually, +become assimilated to their condition; the river abounded in shell and +other fish; they could maintain existence, scanty and mean though +it was, and they preferred this certainty to the nobler, but more +precarious life of the Western tribes. As the canoe approached, the +Recluse beckoned with his hand, and the bow was turned towards the +islet. + +"Welcome, Esther," he said, "goest thou to the town?" + +A silent nod of the head was the reply. + +"Wilt thou carry me a message?" + +A nod of acquiescence answered as before. + +"Go, then, quickly, and tell John Elmer, that a man, wounded by a gun, +is lying in my hut, and I desire him to come instantly." + +The squaw again nodded, and, without making an inquiry, with the +natural apathy of her race, she said-- + +"What Father Holden say, I do." + +The Indian, who, until now, had been silent, here addressed her in his +own tongue. + +"Can the Partridge," he said, "use her wings to no better purpose than +to fly upon the errands of her white master?" + +"Ohquamehud," said the squaw, "is a wise warrior, and his eyes are +sharp, but they see not into the heart of a woman. If the sunshine and +the rain fall upon the ground, shall it bring forth no fruit?" + +"It is well," said the Indian, in a sarcastic tone; "Peena is well +named; and the Partridge, though the daughter of a Sachem, shall +flutter through the air to do the bidding of the white man." + +The eyes of Peena, or the Partridge, flashed, and she was about to +return an angry reply, when she was prevented by the man whom she had +called Father Holden. + +"Hasten!" he said, in the same language, forgetting himself, in the +excitement of the moment, and unconsciously using the same figurative +diction, "or the fountain of the red stream may be dried up before +the medicine-man comes. Hasten! It is noble to do good, and the Great +Spirit shall bless the deed." + +Great was the astonishment of the Indians at discovering they had been +understood, and hearing themselves addressed in their own tongue. +But only an expressive hugh! and an involuntary stroke of the paddle, +which sent the canoe dancing over the water, betrayed their surprise. +Holden stood for a moment gazing after them, then turning, directed +his steps towards the hut. We will not follow him, but pursue the +departing Indians. + +For five minutes, perhaps, they paddled on in silence, each apparently +unwilling to betray any curiosity about a circumstance that engrossed +the thoughts of both. At last the woman spoke. + +"The Great Spirit has taught the words of the wigwam to the man with +the Long Beard." + +A shrug of the shoulders and another hugh! were the only notice taken +by her companion of the observation. Again a silence followed, which +was broken this time by the man. As if to express his dissent from the +conjecture of the squaw, he said, + +"The Long Beard has drunk of the streams that run towards the setting +sun, and there he learned the speech of warriors. Did he charm +the ears of Peena with their sounds when he taught her to run his +errands?" + +The blood crimsoned deeper into the cheeks of the woman, but with +an effort she subdued the rising feeling of resentment, while she +answered, + +"Let Ohquamehud listen, and the darkness shall depart from his path. +The sun has eaten the snows of fifteen winters, and fifteen times the +song of the summer birds have been silent since the Long Beard came +to the river of the Pequots. And the pale faces desired his +companionship, but he turned away his steps from theirs, and built his +wigwam on the Salmon Isle, for the heart of the Long Beard was lonely. +There he speaks to the Great Spirit in the morning clouds. The young +cub that sprung from the loins of Huttamoiden had already put on his +moccasins for the Spirit land, and the tears of Peena were falling +fast when the Long Beard came to her wigwam. And he stretched his arms +over the boy and asked of the Great Spirit that he might stay to lead +his mother by the hand when she should be old and blind, and to pluck +the thorns from her feet. And the Great Spirit listened, for he loves +the Long Beard, and unloosed the moccasins from the feet of the boy, +and the fire in his breath went out, and he slept, and was well. +Therefore is Peena a bird to fly with the messages of the Long Beard. +But this is the first time she has heard from white lips the language +of the red man." + +The Indian could now comprehend the conduct of the woman. It was +natural she should be grateful to the savior of her child's life, and +ready to show the feeling by the little means in her power. Could he +have looked into her heart, he would have seen that there was more +than mere gratitude there. Holden's conduct, so different from that +of other white men; the disinterested nature of his character showing +itself in acts of kindness to all; his seclusion; his gravity, +which seldom admitted of a smile; his imposing appearance, and his +mysterious communings with some unseen power--for she had often seen +him as he stood to watch for the rising sun, and heard his wild bursts +of devotion--had made a deep impression on the squaw, and invested +him with the attributes of a superior being; a feeling which was +participated in by many of the Indians. + +But if Ohquamehud could have seen all this, it would have served +only to aggravate the suspicions he begun to entertain about the +Long Beard, as he and the woman called Holden. As an Indian, he was +suspicious of even the kindness of the white man, lest some evil +design might lurk beneath. What wonder, when we consider the relation +of one to the other? How much of our history is that of the wolf, who +charged the lamb, who drank below him, with muddying the stream? + +Ohquamehud, a Pequot by birth, was a stranger who, but a few days +before, had come from a Western tribe, into which he had been adopted, +either to visit the graves of his fathers, or for some of those +thousand causes of relationship, or friendship, or policy, which will +induce the North American Indian to journey hundreds of miles, and saw +the Recluse, for the first time, that morning. If the gratitude of the +squaw was explained, which, he doubted not, was undeserved, the Long +Beard's knowledge of the Indian tongue was not. How it was that he +should be thus familiar with and speak it with a grace and fluency +beyond the power of the few scattered members of the tribe in the +neighborhood, the most of whom had almost lost all remembrance of +it, was to him an interesting mystery. He mused in silence over his +thoughts, occasionally stopping the paddle and passing his hand over +his brow, as if to recall some circumstance or idea that constantly +eluded his grasp. In this manner they proceeded until, on turning a +high point of land, the little village of Hillsdale appeared in sight. + +Those who see now that handsome town, for the first time, can have but +little idea of its appearance then. But, though the large brick +stores that line its wharves, and the costly mansions of modern +times, clustering one above the other on the hill-sides, and its fine +churches of granite and Portland stone, were not to be seen, yet, it +was even then a place that could not fail to attract attention. + +The situation is one of exceeding beauty. Two bright streams--the +Wootuppocut, whose name indicates its character, its meaning being +"clear water," and the Yaupaae, or "margin of a river," which, why it +should be so called it is not as easy to explain, unite their waters +to form the noble Severn. It is a pity that the good taste which +preserved the original names of the two first, had not also retained +the title of the last--the Sakimau, or Sachem, or chief, by which it +was known to the Indians. It is possible the first settlers in the +country thought, that allowing two rivers to retain their aboriginal +appellations was a sufficient tribute to good taste, while they made +the change of name of the third an offering to affection, many of them +having drawn their first breath on the pleasant banks of the English +river Severn. It was on the tongue of land, or promontory, formed by +the confluence of the two rivers that composed the Severn, that the +principal part of the town was situated. + +On the promontory facing the south, and rising boldly from the water, +the white-painted village ascended half-way up its sides, its two +principal streets sweeping away, in curving lines, round the base, +upward to a piece of level land, into which the north side of the +hill gently declined. At the most northern part of this level, the +two streets united, at a distance of a mile from the wharves, into one +which thence winded a devious course two or three miles further along +the Yaupaae. Above the highest roofs and steeples, towered the green +summit of the hill, whose thick-growing evergreens presented, at all +seasons, a coronal of verdure. One who stood on the top could see come +rushing in from the east, through a narrow throat, and between +banks that rose in height as they approached the town, the swift +Wootuppocut, soon to lose both its hurry and its name in the deeper +and more tranquil Severn, of which it is the principal tributary, +while on the west he beheld, gliding like a silver snake through green +meadows, the gentle Yaupaae, lingering, as if it loved the fields +through which it wandered, until suddenly quickening its pace, with a +roar as of angry vexation, it precipitated itself in eddies of boiling +foam, whose mist rose high into the air, down a deep gorge, between +overhanging rocks, through which it had forced a passage. Thence +the stream, subsiding into sudden tranquillity, expanded into a cove +dotted with two or three little islands, and flowing round the base of +the hill which declined gradually towards the west, united itself with +the Wootuppocut. Far beneath his feet he saw the roofs of the houses, +and steeples of churches, and masts of sloops, employed in the +coasting business, and of brigs engaged in the West India trade, and +noticed a communication, partly bridge and partly causey, thrown over +the mouth of the Yaupaae and uniting the opposite banks; for, on the +western side, along the margin and up the hill, houses were thickly +scattered. + +The canoe soon glided alongside of one of the wharves, and the Indians +disappeared in the streets. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + With us there was a Doctor of Physic: + In all this world ne was there none him like, + To speak of physic and of surgery. + + * * * * * + + He knew the cause of every malady, + Were it of cold, or hot, or moist, or dry, + And where engendered, and of what humor: + He was a very perfect practiser. + The cause y know, and of his harm the root, + Anon he gave to the sick man his boot. + + CHAUCER. + + +The first care of the faithful Peena or Esther, was to seek the +doctor. She found him at home, and was instantly admitted to his +presence. + +"Queen Esther," he exclaimed, the moment he saw her, "is it thou? +Welcome, descendant of a line of kings. Would'st like some cider?" He +spoke the word "cider" like the Indians, with a rising inflection on +the last syllable. It was an offer no Indian could resist, and the +squaw answered simply in the affirmative. From a pitcher of the +grateful beverage, which shortly before had been brought into the +room, and which, indeed, suggested the offer, the doctor filled a +foaming glass, and the squaw was not long in draining its contents, +after which she delivered herself of her errand. + +"Esther," exclaimed the doctor, rising and hastening to collect his +instruments and medicine pouch, "thou hast circumvented me. Why did +you not tell me before? Here have I been pouring cider into your +royal gullet, when I should have hastened to take a bullet out of some +plebeian carcass. Can you tell me the name of the wounded man?" + +The squaw shook her head, and only said, "Esther not know." + +By this time his preparations were completed, which he had not allowed +the conversation to interrupt, and closely followed by the woman, he +hastened to the wharf. Here casting an eye to the flys that waved from +the masts of some of the vessels, and observing the wind was fair, he +rejected her offer to take him in the canoe, and throwing himself +into a little sail-boat, was soon busily engaged in untying the sails. +While thus employed a voice saluted his ears: + +"Why, doctor, what is in the wind now?" + +The person who thus addressed him was a young man of probably not more +than twenty-five years of age. His dress indicated that he belonged to +the wealthier class of citizens, and there was something pleasing in +his manners and address. + +"Glad to see you, William," said the doctor. "I want a crew; come, +ship for a cruise." + +"But where away, doctor?" + +"To Holden's island, to visit a wounded man. Jump aboard, and tend +jib-sheets." + +By this time the sails were hoisted, and, the young man complying with +the invitation, the little craft was soon under weigh, and rapidly +proceeding down the river. The distance was only three or four miles, +and quickly passed over. They were met on the beach by Holden, to whom +the gentlemen were both known, but he was unable to inform them of the +name of the wounded man. As soon as the doctor beheld him, however, he +exclaimed: + +"It is Mr. Pownal. God forbid the hurt should be serious." + +The countenance of the doctor's companion, and the few words he +uttered, denoted also recognition of the stranger. + +"So, my poor fellow," said the doctor, as the sufferer extended a +hand, and expressed in a few words his pleasure at the coming of the +two, "that is enough, I claim a monopoly of the talking." + +He proceeded at once to examine the wound, which he did with great +care and in silence. He found, as Holden had said, that the charge +had only grazed the surface, tearing the flesh from the side up to +the shoulder, pretty deeply, indeed, but making an ugly, rather than +a dangerous wound. After the task was completed, and lint and fresh +bandages were applied, the doctor sunk with a sigh, as of relief, upon +a chair, and assured the young man that he only needed rest for the +present, and in a day or two might return to his friends. + +"I would rather lose six ordinary patients than you, Tom Pownal," he +said. "Why you are my beau ideal of a merchant, the Ionic capital of +the pillar of trade. Now, let not your mind be + + 'Tossing on the ocean; + There, where your argosies with portly sail, + Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood; + Or, as it were the pageants of the sea, + Do overpower the petty traffickers.' + +Quiet, my dear boy, both of mind and body, are your indispensables. I +want you to understand that: + + 'I tell thee what, Antonio-- + love thee, and It is my love that speaks.'" + +Pownal promised to be very obedient, in consideration whereof the +doctor guaranteed he should receive great satisfaction from his wound. +"You shall see for yourself," he said, "how beautifully it will heal. +To a scientific eye, and under my instruction you shall get one, there +is something delightful in witnessing the granulations. We may say of +Nature, as Dr. Watts sings of the honey-bee: + + 'How skillfully she builds her cell, + How neat she stores the wax!' + +I consider you a fortunate fellow." + +The young men were obliged to smile at the doctor's way of viewing the +subject; but he paid little attention to their mirth. + +"And I will remain, meanwhile, with you," said William Bernard, which +was the name of the gentleman who had accompanied the physician, +addressing himself to Pownal, "if our good friend,"--and here he +looked at Holden--"has no objection." + +The Recluse signified his assent; and Pownal, thanking his friend, the +doctor gave his sanction to the arrangement. + +"It will do you no harm, William," he said, "to rough it for a night +or two, and you will prove yourself thereby of a different stamp from +Timon's friends." And here the doctor, who loved to quote poetry, +especially Shakspeare's, better than to administer medicine, indulged +again in his favorite habit: + + "'As we do turn our backs + From our companion thrown into his grave, + So his familiars, to his buried fortunes, + Slink all away; leave their false vows with him, + Like empty purses picked, and his poor self + A dedicated beggar to the air.' + +But, Mr. Holden, lend me thy ears a moment, and thy tongue, too, if +you please, for you must tell me how this happened. I do not care to +disturb Pownal with the inquiry." + +So saying, he walked out of the chamber, followed by the Recluse. + +"Tell me first," said Holden, as they stood in the open air, "what +thou thinkest of the wound." + +"Ha!" cried the doctor, "'tis not so deep as a well nor so wide as a +church door; but 'tis enough--'twill serve." + +"What!" exclaimed the Recluse, "hast thou been deceiving the boy! But +no, thou art incapable of that; and, besides, I have seen too many +wounds to apprehend danger from this." + +"I see, friend, you have read Shakspeare to some purpose," cried the +doctor; "but know that I spoke not in the sense in which Mercutio +speaks of the wound that Tybalt gave him. My mirth is not so grave as +poor Mercutio's. Look you, now, I told you but the simple truth, and +what your own eyes have seen. The wound _is not_ so deep as a well, +nor so wide as a church door. If it were--admitting the physical +possibility--Pownal would be a monster to look at, and no dressings of +mine would be of any use. And it is enough, too. You would not have it +more. Besides, 'twill serve; that is, to keep him a day or two in +your cabin. And herein consists one of the innumerable excellences of +Shakspeare. Every sentence is as full of matter as my saddle-bags of +medicine. Why, I will engage to pick out as many meanings in each as +there are plums in a pudding. But, friend, I am sure you must have a +copy. Let me see it." + +"I know little of these vanities," replied Holden. "In my giddy youth, +I drank such follies, even as the ass sucketh up the east wind. But +it pleased the Lord to open mine eyes. In thoughts from the visions of +the night," he continued--and his eyes shone brighter, and his stature +seemed to increase--"when deep sleep falleth on men, fear came upon me +and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a vision passed +before me, and the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but +I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine +eyes--there was silence, and then I heard a voice saying, 'Behold, +I come quickly; watch and pray, for thou knowest not the day nor the +hour!' I was not disobedient to the heavenly warning, and thenceforth +the pomps and vanities of the world have been as the dust beneath my +feet." + +This was not the first time that the doctor heard the Recluse speak of +his peculiar opinions; but, although always ready to avow and dilate +upon them when others were willing to listen, he had uniformly +manifested an unwillingness to allude to himself or the incidents of +his life. Whenever, heretofore, as sometimes happened, the curiosity +of his auditors led the conversation in that direction, he had +invariably evaded all hints and repulsed every inquiry. But his mood +seemed different to-day. Elmer was a friend whom Holden highly prized, +and he could therefore speak the more freely in his presence; but this +is not sufficient to account for the dropping of his reserve. We know +no other explanation than that there are times when the heart of every +one is opened, and longs to unburden itself, and this was one of them +that unsealed the lips of the Solitary. + +"Is it long since the revelation?" inquired the doctor. + +"Too long," said Holden, "did I wander in the paths of sin, and +in forgetfulness of my God, and my youth was wasted in that which +satisfieth not, neither doth it profit. My heart was very hard, and it +rose up in rebellion against the Lord. Then it pleased Him (blessed be +His holy name) to bray me in the mortar of affliction, and to crush +me between the upper and the nether millstone. Yet I heeded not; and, +like Nebuchadnezzar, my mind was hardened in pride, continually. Then, +as the King of Babylon was driven forth from the sons of men, and his +heart made like the beasts', and his dwelling was with the wild asses, +and they fed him with grass, like oxen, and his body was wet with +the dew of heaven, even so did the Spirit drive me forth into the +tabernacles of the wild men of the forest and the prairie, and I +sojourned with them many days. But He doth not always chide, neither +keepeth He His anger for ever. In His own good time, He snatched me +from the fiery furnace, and bade me here wait for His salvation; and +here, years, long years, have I looked for His promise. O, Lord, how +long!" + +The doctor's question was unanswered, either because Holden forgot +it, in his excitement, or that he was incapable of giving any accurate +account of the passage of time. But thus much the doctor could gather +from his incoherent account, that, at some period of his life, he +had suffered a great calamity, which had affected his reason. In this +condition, he had probably joined the Indians, and passed several +years among them, and afterwards, upon a partial restoration of +intellect, adopted the wild notions he professed. What had passed +during those years, was a secret known only to himself, if, indeed, +the events had not disappeared from his memory. + +"You have suffered bitterly," said the doctor. + +"Talk not of suffering," exclaimed Holden. "I reckon all that man can +endure as not to be compared with the crown of glory that awaits him +who shall gain entrance into the Kingdom. What is this speck we call +life? Mark," he continued, taking up a pebble and dropping it into the +water, "it is like the bubble that rises to burst, or the sound of my +voice that dies as soon away. Thereon waste I not a thought, except to +prepare me for the coming of my Lord." + +"You think, then, this solitary life the best preparation you can make +for the next?" + +"Yes," said Holden; "I work not my own will. Can the clay say to the +potter, what doest thou? Behold, I am in the hand of One wiser and +mightier than I. Nor hath he left me without duties to perform. I am +one crying in the wilderness, and though the people heed not, yet must +the faithful witness cry. I have a work to perform, and how is my soul +straitened until it be done? Canst thou not thyself see, by what +hath happened to-day, some reason why the solitary is upon his lonely +island? Had he loved the crowded haunts of men, a fellow-being had, +perhaps, perished." + +The allusion to the occurrence of the morning recalled the doctor's +attention to the purpose for which he had left the chamber, and which +he had forgotten, in listening to the talk of the enthusiast. He +now directed the conversation to the subject of the wound, and heard +Holden's account. He became convinced, both from his statement, and +from a few words Pownal himself had dropped, as well as from the sight +of the gun which Holden had picked up, and found just discharged, that +the wounding was accidental, and occasioned by the young man's own +fowling-piece. Having satisfied himself on this point, the doctor, +with his companion, re-entered the hut. It was only to give a few +parting directions to Bernard, to enjoin quiet upon his patient, and +to take leave of him, which he did, in the words of his favorite-- + + "Fare thee well! + The elements be kind to thee, and make + Thy spirits all of comfort." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Ici il fallut que j'en divinasse plus qu'on ne m'en disoit. + MEMOIRES DE SULLY. + + +A week after the events narrated in the preceding chapters, a small +company was collected in a parlor of one of the houses of Hillsdale. +It consisted of a gentleman, of some fifty years of age; his wife, a +fine-looking matron, some years his junior; their daughter, a bright +blue-eyed flaxen-haired girl, rounding into the most graceful form of +womanhood, and a young man, who is not entirely a stranger to us. + +The judgment of the doctor, respecting the wound of Pownal--for it is +he--had proved to be correct, and, on the second day after the hurt, +he had returned to the village, with his friend William Bernard, in +the house of whose father he was, for the present, domiciliated. The +young men had been acquainted before, and the accident seemed to have +established a sort of intimacy between them. It was, therefore, with +no feeling of reluctance, that Pownal accepted an invitation to desert +his boarding-house for a while, for the hospitality of his friend. +Perhaps, his decision was a little influenced by the remembrance of +the blue eyes of Miss Bernard, and of the pleasant effect which, from +their first acquaintance, they had exerted upon him. However that +may be, it is certain, that, although somewhat paler than usual, he +appeared to be quite contented with his condition. + +It was evening, and candles were lighted, and Mr. Bernard, or as +he was more commonly, or, indeed, almost universally, called, Judge +Bernard, from having been one of the judges of the Superior Court, was +sitting in an arm-chair, reading a newspaper; Mrs. Bernard was busy +with her knitting; the young lady employed upon one of those pieces +of needle-work, which, in those days, were seldom out of female hands, +and Pownal looking at her all he dared, and listening to an occasional +paragraph read by the Judge from his newspaper. + +"You are the cause of quite a sensation in our little community, +Thomas," said the Judge, laying down his spectacles and newspaper +at the same time. "Mr. Editor Peters and the gossips ought to be +infinitely obliged to you for wounding yourself, and affording him an +opportunity to display his inventive genius and the brilliancy of his +imagination, and giving them something to talk about. Here, Anne, read +the article aloud for our edification." + +The young lady ran her eye hastily down the column, and could not +restrain her laughter. + +"Excuse me, papa," she said, "it is too much for my poor nerves. Only +think of it; Mr. Peters loads Mr. Pownal's gun with sixteen buck-shot, +topples him off a precipice twenty feet high, breaks three of his +ribs, and makes a considerable incision in his skull. Never was there +such a wonderful escape. It is too horrible." + +"How the newspapers are given to big stories!" said Mrs. Bernard. + +"I dare say," cried Anne, "the editor has authority for what he +says, for now that my attention is drawn to it, I think there must +be something in the incision. Have you not remarked, mamma, that Mr. +Pownal is at times light-headed?" + +"Anne!" exclaimed her mother, smiling, "I am ashamed to hear a young +girl rattle on so." + +"I am not aware of being more light-headed than usual," said Pownal, +"but I am certain no one can be in Miss Bernard's company, and not be +light-hearted." + +"Very prettily spoken! Mr. Thomas Pownal is practising his wit upon a +country maiden, in order to be in training when he returns to open the +campaign among the New York ladies." + +"I am too happy here," said Pownal, in a low tone, "to wish to return +to the city." + +An almost imperceptible blush suffused the cheeks of Miss Bernard. She +looked up from the newspaper, but her eyes encountering those of the +young man, instantly fell. + +"What fine speeches are you making to one another?" broke in the +Judge. "My dear, do not hold down your head. It throws the blood into +your face." + +"Papa," cried his daughter, desirous to divert attention from herself, +"can you find nothing instructing in the paper to read to us? Is there +no report of any speech?" + +"Speeches, indeed! Thank Heaven, there is no speech in this paper. +The session of Congress has not commenced, and the deluge of words, in +comparison with which Noah's flood was a summer's shower, therefore, +not begun. Why, my dear little daughter, do you remind me of the +national calamity?" + +"To atone for the offence, papa, let me tell you that Mr. Armstrong +and Faith promised to come to see us this evening, and from the sound +of the opening of the front gate, I suspect they are close at hand." + +Anne's conjecture proved true, for shortly after the expected visitors +were announced, and the usual greetings having passed, they were all +soon seated. + +But before proceeding further, it may not be amiss to give some +description of persons destined to play a not unimportant part in our +story. + +Mr. Armstrong was of middle age, of the ordinary stature, and with a +face which still possessed great beauty. A noble brow, hair originally +black, but prematurely grey, large dark eyes, a straight nose, and +a well-formed mouth, over which played an expression of benevolence, +made an exterior of exceeding attractiveness, and it would have been +an unmixed pleasure to gaze upon his gracious presence, but for an air +of dejection amounting to suffering, which had of late been increasing +upon him. He seldom smiled, and when he did the smile was often +succeeded by a dark shadow, as if he felt compunction for trespassing +on the precints of gaiety. + +Faith strongly resembled her father, as well in externals as in the +character of her mind. Her figure was slender, approaching even to +delicacy, though without any appearance of sickliness. Her face, pale +and thoughtful usually, was sometimes lighted up with an enthusiasm +more angelic than human. Her mother having died when she was too young +to appreciate the loss, she had concentrated upon her father all that +love which is generally divided between two parents. Nor was it with +a feeling of love only she regarded him. With it was mixed a sentiment +of reverence amounting almost to idolatry. No opinion, no thought, +no word, no look of his but had for her a value. And richly was the +affection of the child returned by the father, and proud was he of +her, notwithstanding his struggles against the feeling as something +sinful. + +It was the first time since the accident to Pownal that Mr. Armstrong +or his daughter had seen him, and the conversation naturally turned +upon the danger he had incurred. + +"It was a providential escape," said Mr. Armstrong. "It is astonishing +how many dangers we run into, and our escapes may be considered as +so many daily miracles to prove the interposition of a controlling +Providence. There are few persons who cannot look back upon several +such in the course of their lives." + +"You are right, my friend," said the Judge. "I can recall half a dozen +in my own experience; and if some have had fewer, some, doubtless, +have had more." + +"These accidents are, I suspect, the consequences of our own +carelessness in nine cases out of ten," said Pownal. "At any rate, I +am sure it was my carelessness that occasioned mine." + +"You speak as if it could have been avoided," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"Certainly. Do you not think so?" + +"I am not sure of it," said Mr. Armstrong. "There appears to be a +chain which links events together in an inevitable union. The very +carelessness of which you accuse yourself may be the means purposely +used to bring about important events." + +"It has brought about very agreeable events for me," said Pownal. "I +am only afraid, from the care lavished upon me, I shall be tempted to +think too much of myself." + +"It has scattered pleasure all around, then," said Mrs. Bernard, +kindly. + +"Yes," said the Judge; "any attention we can render is more than +repaid by the pleasure Mr. Pownal's presence imparts. If he should +ever think more highly of himself than we do, he will be a very vain +person." + +The young man could only bow, and with a gratified countenance return +his thanks for their kindness. + +"Your adventure was also the means," said Mr. Armstrong, "of making +you acquainted with our anchorite. Did you not find him an interesting +person?" + +"More than interesting," replied Pownal. "From the moment he took me +into his arms as if I had been a child, and with all the tenderness of +a mother, I felt strangely attracted to him. I shall always remember +with pleasure the two days I spent in his cabin, and mean to cultivate +his acquaintance if he will permit me." + +"He is evidently a man of refinement and education," said Armstrong, +"who, for reasons of his own, has adopted his peculiar mode of life. +It was a long time before I could be said to be acquainted with him, +but the more I know him, the better I like him. He and Faith are great +friends." + +"I value his friendship highly and am glad he made so favorable an +impression on you, Mr. Pownal," said Faith. + +"I do believe," cried Anne, "Faith could not reverence him more if he +were one of the old prophets." + +"If not a prophet," said Faith, "he is at least a noble and good man, +and that is the highest title to respect. He takes an interest in you, +too, Mr. Pownal, for Anne tells me he has been to see you." + +"My preserver has been here several times to make inquiries after my +health," answered Pownal. "He was here this morning." + +"And preaching about the kingdom," said Judge Bernard. "What a strange +infatuation to look for the end of the world each day." + +"He errs in the interpretation of the prophecies," said Mr. Armstrong, +"when he finds in them prognostics of the speedy destruction of the +world, but does he mistake the personal application? Who knows when +he may be called to face his judge? Youth, and health, and strength, +furnish no immunity against death." + +"But what a gloom this daily expectation of an event which the wisest +and stoutest hearted are unable to contemplate without trepidation, +casts over life," said the Judge. + +"Not in his case," replied Armstrong. "On the contrary, I am satisfied +he would hail it with a song of thanksgiving, and I think I have +observed he is sometimes impatient of the delay." + +"It is well his notions are only crazy fancies as absurd as his beard. +His appearance is very heathenish," said Mrs. Bernard. + +"Taste, my dear," exclaimed the Judge, "all taste. Why, I have a +great mind to wear a beard myself. It would be a prodigious comfort to +dispense with the razor in cold winter mornings, to say nothing of the +ornament. And now that I think of it, it is just the season to begin." + +"You would look like a bear, Mr. Bernard," said his wife. + +"It would be too near an imitation of the old Puritans for you, +Judge," said Faith. + +"You, at least, my little Puritan," cried the Judge, "would not +object. But do not fancy that in avoiding Scylla I _must_ run upon +Charybdis. Be sure I would not imitate the trim moustaches and peaked +chins of those old dandies, Winthrop and Endicott. I prefer the full +flowing style of Wykliffe and Cranmer." + +"We should then have two Holdens," exclaimed Mrs. Bernard, "and that +would be more than our little village could live through." + +"Fancy papa running an opposition beard against Mr. Holden!" said +Anne. + +The idea was sufficiently ludicrous to occasion a general laugh, and +even Armstrong smiled. + +"I am a happy man," said the Judge; "not only mirthful, myself, but +the cause of mirth in others. What a beam of light is a smile, what a +glory like a sunrise is a laugh!" + +"That will do, Judge Bernard, that will do," said his wife; "do not +try again, for you cannot jump so high twice." + +"Tut, tut, Mary; what do you know about the higher poetics? I defy you +to find such sublimities either in Milton or Dante." + +"I can easily believe it," said Mrs. Bernard. + +At this moment some other visitors entering the room, the conversation +took another turn; and Mr. Armstrong and his daughter having remained +a short time longer, took leave and returned home. Let us follow the +departing visitors. + +Upon his return, Mr. Armstrong sank upon a seat with an air of +weariness. + +"Come, Faith," he said, "and sit by me and hold my hand. I have been +thinking this evening of the insensibility of the world to their +condition. How few perceive the precipice on the edge of which they +stand!" + +His daughter, who was accustomed to these sombre reflections, bent +over, and bringing his hand to her lips, kissed it without saying +anything, knowing that he would soon explain himself more perfectly. + +"Which," continued Armstrong, "is wiser, the thoughtless frivolity of +Judge Bernard, or the sad watchfulness of Holden?" + +"I am not competent to judge, dear father; but if they both act +according to their convictions of right, are they not doing their +duty?" + +"You ask a difficult question. To be sure men must act according to +their ideas of right, but let them beware how they get them, and what +they are. Yet, can one choose his ideas? These things puzzle me?" + +"What else can we do," inquired his daughter, "than live by the light +we have? Surely I cannot be responsible for my involuntary ignorance." + +"How far we may be the cause of the ignorance we call involuntary, +it is impossible to determine. A wrong act, an improper thought, +belonging to years ago and even repented of since, may project +its dark shadow into the present, and pervert the judgment. We are +fearfully made." + +"Why pain yourself, dearest father, with speculations of this +character? Our Maker knows our weakness and will pardon our +infirmities." + +"I am an illustration of the subject of our conversation," continued +Armstrong, after a pause of a few minutes, during which he had +remained meditating, with his head resting on his hand. "I know I +would not, willingly, harshly judge another--for who authorized me to +pass sentence? Yet these ideas would force themselves into my mind; +and how have I spoken of our kind and excellent neighbor! There is +something wrong in myself which I must struggle to correct." + +We communicate only enough of the conversation to give an idea of +the state of Mr. Armstrong's mind at the time. At the usual family +devotions that night he prayed fervently for forgiveness of his error, +repeatedly upbraiding himself with presumption and uncharitableness, +and entreating that he might not be left to his own vain imaginations. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + O! I could whisper thee a tale, + That surely would thy pity move, + But what would idle words avail, + Unless the heart might speak its love? + + To tell that tale my pen were weak, + My tongue its office, too, denies, + Then mark it on my varying cheek, + And read it in my languid eyes. + ANONYMOUS. + +After the expiration of a fortnight, Pownal could find no excuses to +satisfy even himself with remaining longer at Judge Bernard's. The +visit had been, indeed, one of great enjoyment, and gladly would he +have availed himself of the pressing invitation of his host to prolong +it, could he have conjured up any reason for doing so. Lightly would +he have esteemed and cheerfully welcomed another wound like that from +which he was recovering, could the pleasure have been thus purchased. +The truth is that within a few days he had been conscious of a feeling +of which he had never before suspected himself, and it was this +feeling that made him so reluctant to depart. And yet, when, in the +silence of his chamber, and away from the blue eyes of Anne Bernard, +he reflected upon his position, he was obliged to confess, with a +sigh, that prudence required he should leave a society as dangerous +as it was sweet. To be in the same house with her, to breathe the same +air, to read the same books, to hear her voice was a luxury it was +hard to forego, but in proportion to the difficulty was the necessity. +Besides he could not avoid fancying that young Bernard, though not +cold, was hardly as cordial as formerly, and that he would regard +with satisfaction a separation from his sister. Nor had he reason to +suppose that she looked upon him with feelings other than those which +she entertained for any other acquaintance standing to her in the +same relation as himself. Beyond the ordinary compliments and little +attentions which the manners of the day permitted, nothing had passed +between them, and though satisfied he was not an object of aversion, +he knew as well that she had never betrayed any partiality for him. +Meanwhile, his own feelings were becoming interested, beyond, perhaps, +the power of control, the sooner, therefore, he weaned himself from +the delightful fascination, the better for his peace of mind. + +Thomas Pownal was comparatively a stranger in the neighborhood, only +two or three months having elapsed since he had been sent by the +mercantile firm of Bloodgood, Pownal, & Co., of New York, to take +charge of a branch of their business at Hillsdale. Even in that short +space of time, by his affable manners and attention to business he had +won his way to the respect and esteem of the good people of the town, +and was looked upon as one likely to succeed in the lottery of life. +No one was more welcome, by reason of his amiable character, to those +of his own age, while his steadiness recommended him to his elders. +But his family was unknown, though he was supposed to be a distant +relation of the second member of the firm, nor had he any visible +means of subsistence except the very respectable salary, which, as +a confidential clerk, he received from his employers, on whom his +prospects of success depended. The chasm, therefore, betwixt the only +daughter of the wealthy Mr. Bernard and himself, was wide--wide enough +to check even an overweening confidence. But such it was not in the +nature of Pownal to feel. He was sensible of the full force of +the difficulties he had to encounter; to his modesty they seemed +insuperable, and he determined to drive from his heart a sentiment +that, in his despondency, he blamed himself for allowing to find a +place there. + +It took him some days to form the resolution, and after it was formed, +it was not easy to carry it into effect. More than once he had been +on the point of returning thanks for the kindness he had received, +and avowing his intention to depart, but it seemed as if the veriest +trifle were sufficient to divert him from his purpose. If Mr. Bernard +spoke of the satisfaction he derived from his company, if Mrs. Bernard +declared she should miss him when he left; or if Anne's radiant +face looked thanks for his reading aloud, they were all so many +solicitations to delay his departure. The treacherous heart readily +listened to the seduction, however much the judgment might disapprove. +But, as we have seen, a time had come when the voice of prudence could +no longer be silenced, and, however unwillingly, must be obeyed. He, +therefore, took occasion, one morning, at the breakfast table, to +announce his intended departure. + +"Had I been a son," he said, in conclusion, "you could not have +lavished more kindness upon me, and I shall never forget it." + +"What! what!" cried the Judge, "I am not sure that the shooting one's +self is a bailable offence, and I shall be obliged to examine the +authorities, before I discharge you from custody, Master Thomas." + +"To think," said Mrs. Bernard, "it does not seem a week since you +came, and we have all been so happy. I declare, Mr. Pownal, I shall +not know how to do without you." + +"The dearest friends must part--but we shall always be glad to see +you, Tom," said William Bernard. + +"I do not see the necessity for your going," said the Judge. "Our +house is large enough for all; your attacks at table are not yet very +formidable; and I have not taught you whist perfectly. Would it not +be better to substitute a _curia vult avisare_ in place of a decision? +But, Anne, have you nothing to say? Is this your gratitude for all +Thomas's martyrdoms of readings of I know not what unimaginable +nonsense; and holdings of skeins of silk, more difficult to unwind +than the labyrinth through which Ariadne's thread conducted Theseus; +and pickings up of whatever your feminine carelessness chose to drop +on the carpet; and endurance of all the legions of annoyances with +which young ladies delight to harass young gentlemen? Have you no +backing for your mother and me? One word from you ought to be worth a +thousand from us old folks." + +"Mr. Pownal owes me some gratitude, too, father," said Anne, "for the +patience and accomplishments I have taught him. But he surely knows +how much pleasure his presence confers on all in this house. We shall +miss him very much, shall we not, Beau?"--addressing a little spaniel +that, upon being spoken to, sat up on his hind legs to beg for +breakfast. + +"I have several times endeavored to say this before," said Pownal, +somewhat piqued, and feeling a strong desire to kick the innocent +cur out of the room, "but have never been able to muster sufficient +courage. And now, if my thanks appear cold, as I am afraid they do to +Miss Bernard, I assure her it is not the fault of my heart, but of my +tongue." + +"Hearts and tongues!" exclaimed the Judge. "The former belong to the +ladies' department; the latter to mine. Yet, I fancy I know something +about hearts, too; and yours, Thomas, I am sure, is adequate security +for your words." + +"You are very good, sir," said Pownal, "and I can only wish that all +participated in your undeserved partiality." + +Anne was vexed with herself for having spoken in so trifling a manner. +The frigid politeness of her brother's speech, too, had not escaped +her notice. It seemed to her now, that she had been wantonly rude. She +hastened, therefore, to repair the fault. + +"Mr. Pownal mistakes," she said, "if he thinks me unmindful of the +pleasant hours his unfortunate accident procured us. And I am sure I +should be a monster of ingratitude," she added smiling, and relapsing, +in spite of herself, into the very trifling she had condemned, "if I +did not remember, with lively emotions, his skill at holding silk and +yarn." + +"Well, whenever you want a reel, send for me," said Pownal, "and I +shall only be too happy to come." + +"Take care, my good fellow," said the Judge, "she does not wind you +up, too." + +"I should be too happy--" began Pownal. + +"For shame, father," cried Anne, laughing, and rising from the table. +"The young men have quite spoiled you, of late. Good-bye; you have +finished your last cup of coffee, and have no longer need of me." So +saying, she hastened out of the room. + +It was with mutual regret that the parting took place, and not without +many promises required of the young man that he would frequently visit +the family. His landlady, Mrs. Brown, was, as usual, all smiles, and +welcomes, and congratulations on his return; notwithstanding which, it +was with a sense of loneliness, amounting almost to desolation, that +her lodger found himself installed again in his apartments. It seemed +like passing out of the golden sunshine into a gloomy cavern. Was it +possible that two short weeks could have produced so great a change in +him? When he thought upon the cause, the conscious blush revealed its +nature. "No," said he, aloud, as he paced backwards and forwards +in the room, "this is folly and madness. For me, a humble clerk, to +connect myself, even in imagination, with _her_! What have I to offer +her? Or what even in prospect? I have been sailing in the clouds, +and my tattered balloon is precipitated to the earth--I have been +dreaming. How delicious was the dream! But I am now awake, and will +never expose myself to the mortification of ----. I have been foolish. +No, not so; for, who could come within the range of such fascinations, +and not be charmed? But what, after all, are they to me? I will +resist this weakness, and learn to regard her as only any other valued +acquaintance; for, alas! she can never be more." + +In such incoherent expressions, poor Pownal gave vent to the emotions +that agitated him. It would have been some consolation, could he have +known what was said at the Bernards', when the family gathered around +the table in the evening. Mrs. Bernard alluded more than once to the +gap his absence made in their little circle; and the Judge, in his +jesting way, wished that somebody would shoot him again, if it might +be the means to bring him back. Even Anne expressed regret at his +loss, since his company had been such a pleasure to her parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Groves freshened, as he looked, and flowers + Showed bright on rocky bank, + And fountains welled beneath the bowers, + Where deer and pheasant drank; + He saw the glittering streams, he heard + The rustling bough and twittering bird." + + BRYANT. + + +The mind of Ohquamehud dwelt upon his meeting with Holden. Sleeping or +waking, the image of the latter pursued him. But it was not always +in the shape of the Recluse that the vision appeared. More often it +assumed the form of a young man, in the garb of a western hunter, with +a rifle in his hand. Then rose up, in connection with him, boundless +forests, through which the deer stole noiselessly, and the screech +of the catamount was heard. And then again he hunted, and as he +approached the game he had shot, Holden approached and claimed it as +his; or he was on a war-path, and stumbled against a log, and fell; +and as he strove to rise, the log was changed into Holden, who +grappled him in a death-struggle--wherever he was, and whithersoever +he turned his eyes, there was the young man, seeming to be, and +yet not to be Holden, and haunting him like a shadow. As these +imaginations possessed themselves more and more of the Indian's mind, +he began to fancy himself the victim of some incantation, with which +he naturally connected the Recluse as the cause; and, finally, +by continual brooding on the subject, both his appetite and sleep +deserted him. His moodiness at length attracted the attention of +Peena. Ohquamehud was lying on the floor of her hut, his head resting +on his hand, and he had been for some time gazing in the fire. The +simple noon-day meal had barely been tasted, and that in silence. + +"Have the hands of Peena," she said, "forgot how to prepare his food, +that the eyes of my brother turn away from it with displeasure?" + +"The hands of my sister have not lost their skill, but Ohquamehud is +not hungry." + +"Ohquamehud is a warrior, and Peena is but a weak woman, and he will +not be angry," she added, hesitatingly. + +The Indian waved his hand, with dignity, as if inviting her to +proceed. + +"Ohquamehud sees the heart of his sister, and he knows that it loves +him, for he is the brother of Huttamoiden. Why does he cover up his +face from her, and hide his grief? Is she unworthy," she added, laying +her hand on his shoulder, and looking affectionately in his face, "to +listen to his voice?" + +He turned towards her, and paused before he said-- + +"The stone in the path of Ohquamehud is very small, and will not hurt +his feet." + +"Peena, then, will try to remove it. She has strength to move small +stones." + +She ceased, and continued looking at him, without adding a word, as if +she had said enough, and awaited a reply. + +"Why should Ohquamehud speak?" he said, at last; "the breath of the +Long Beard will blow away his words." + +A look of vacancy overspread the face of the squaw, as if she failed +to apprehend his meaning. + +"My brother's words are dark," she said. + +"Has not the powawing of the Long Beard brought back the spirit +of Huttamoiden's cub from the happy hunting-grounds, and does not, +therefore, the face of Peena turn to him as the sun-flower to the +sun?" + +"The Great Spirit loves the Long Beard, and the Long Beard loves his +red brethren." + +"What! a Yenghese love an Indian? Yes, as a wild-cat loves the deer +when he sucks his blood, as the water loves the fire it extinguishes. +The lips of Peena speak foolishness." + +"If Peena feel grateful to the Long Beard, why should that anger her +brother? Could he look into her heart, he would see his face as in a +clear stream." + +It was not in human nature to withstand the soft voice and pleading +looks of the woman. The momentary fierceness passed away from the +countenance of the Indian, a milder expression assumed its place, and, +in a gentle tone, he said-- + +"Peena shall hear. She is like a stone which, when spoken to, repeats +not what is said, and not like a brook that sings an idle song. My +words shall enter her ears, but they will not descend to her tongue. +Listen! the Manitou has troubled my thoughts, and sent a bird to tell +me, that the hands of the Long Beard are red with the blood of my +brothers." + +"It was a lying bird," she exclaimed vehemently; "it was an owl that +hooted untruth from the dark. When lifted the Long Beard a hatchet +against my tribe?" + +"The voice was as the voice of the waterfall," he continued. "It spoke +indistinctly, and I understood but half." + +"Why should not Ohquamehud talk with the Long Beard? The words of each +shall be sweet to the other, and they will learn to have one heart." + +"It is well," said the Indian, "Peena is a wise woman, and Ohquamehud +will speak with the white man." + +It needed only the suggestion of the squaw to carry into effect a +resolution already more than half adopted. + +The Indian rose, and proceeding to the river, which was but a dozen +rods distant from the hut, unloosed a canoe, and directing its course +up the stream, was lost, in a few moments, from her view. + +The appearance of Ohquamehud indicated no hostility when he presented +himself before the Recluse, whom he found weaving baskets in front +of his cabin, nor did his visit seem to surprise the latter. For an +instant the Indian looked with disdain upon an employment which his +wild education had taught him was fit only for women; but suppressing +the expression of a sentiment that might have interfered with his +purpose, with a quiet dignity, and, as if in answer to a wave of +Holden's hand, he seated himself on a large stone by his side. For +a time he was silent, as if either out of deference to the superior +years of the other, or because he wished to collect his thoughts +before he began the conversation. Finding, however, he could obtain +from the Solitary no further sign of recognition, he spoke in his own +language. + +"My brother has a big heart. He is making gifts for the beautiful +women of his nation." + +"Indian," replied Holden, "think not to deceive me. At this moment +thou considerest this an occupation unfit for a man." + +"My brother has very long eyes. They can see the woodpecker on the +rotten tree across the river, but they reach not here," laying his +hand upon his breast. "The Holder of the Heavens loves not to see +things alike. He therefore made the leaf of the oak to differ from +that of the hickory, and the pine from both, and also the white race +from the red. And, for the same reason, he taught the white man to +make big lodges of wood, and brick and stone, and to swim over the +waters in large canoes with wings: while to the red man he gave the +forests and prairies, with the deer, and bear, and buffalo, and caused +him to dwell in very small wigwams made of bark. And so, also, he +taught my white brother to weave beautiful baskets, but denied the +skill to my father's son." + +The Indian must have supposed he had seriously offended his new +acquaintance, to induce him thus elaborately to attempt to avert +his suspicions. However that might be, the Solitary resumed the +conversation as though he felt no resentment. + +"There is wisdom in thy speech. The Great Spirit loves variety, and it +is he that maketh men to differ. But there was once a time many moons +ago, when thy ancestors builded great houses and dwelt in cities, and +sailed over the seas in winged-canoes." + +The Indian cast a quick, sharp glance at the Solitary, as if he wished +to read his very soul. For a moment he looked as though he doubted the +evidence of his senses. But recovering his composure, he said: + +"The thoughts of my brother are very high, and his voice like the +sound of a great wind." + +"Thou comprehendest me not. Know then, Indian, that innumerable years +ago, there lived far towards the rising sun, twelve tribes, called the +'Children of Israel,' whom the Master of Life greatly loved. And they +had wise and brave Sachems, who led them to battle, and their feet +were red with the blood of their enemies. But they became wicked, and +would not hearken unto the words of the Great Spirit, and He turned +his face away from them. So their enemies came upon them, and +despoiled them, and drove them from the land. Two of the tribes still +linger near the rising sun, but ten wandered far away into distant +countries, and they are thy fathers." + +The Indian listened with great attention, and upon the other pausing, +said: + +"Has the Manitou told all these things to my brother?" + +"No, Indian; the Great Spirit speaks not now to his people as he did +when the world was young. But," he added, as if struck with the folly +of continuing a conversation of this character, "the path is long that +led me to this truth, and it would weary thy feet to travel it." + +"My brother is wise, and cannot lie, and I am a child. My ears drink +in his words. The legs of my brother are long, and he has been a great +traveller. Was it near the rising sun he learned the language of the +red man?" + +"Indian, I have never been nearer the rising sun than thou. But tell +me the object of thy visit. Why dost thou seek me now, when but a few +days since thou didst chide the squaw for her willingness to oblige +me?" + +"The lips of Ohquamehud spoke folly. He did not then know that this +brother had talked to the Master of Life, who granted to him the life +of Huttamoiden's child. The blood of Huttamoiden runs in these veins." + +The explanation was perfectly natural, and whatever suspicion had +arisen in Holden's mind vanished. It seemed not surprising that the +Indian, who also, by uttering his name, had proclaimed himself a +Pequot, should be willing to form the acquaintance of one who had +proved himself a friend to his tribe, and probably was invested in his +imagination with the qualities of a "great medicine." But, though +to Holden's high-wrought fancies, the recovery of the boy had seemed +miraculous, and he could not avoid connecting his prayers with it, +yet he shrank from directly claiming so great a power as the Indian +ascribed to him. + +"The issues of life and death are with the Great Spirit," he said. "At +his pleasure he breathes into our nostrils, and we live; or he turns +away his face, and we die. Let not my brother give too much credit to +a worm." + +The wily Indian, from the other's altered tone and manner, perceived +his advantage, and was not slow to use it. + +"Because my white brother loved his red brethren, he sought them in +their lodges, and there they taught him their language. So when the +boy was departing for the happy hunting grounds, my brother remembered +their kindness, and held the child by the hand, and would not let him +go." + +The face of the Solitary worked with emotion while the other was +speaking. + +"Would that I could explain," he said. "But thou art unable to +understand. How canst thou know a Christian heart?" + +"The heart of Ohquamehud is a man's." + +"Aye; but a savage knows not, and despises forgiveness. I was a +stately pine, whose branches mingled with the clouds, and the birds +came and lodged therein. And a storm arose, and thunders rolled, +and the lightning struck it, and its pride and glory tumbled to the +ground. And it was burnt up, all save this blasted trunk." He uttered +this with a wild frenzy, and as if hardly conscious of the presence of +another. + +"Doth the lightning fall from a clear sky?" said the Indian, after +a pause. "It is long since a black cloud burst over the ancient +hunting-grounds of the Pequots." + +"Where the streams run toward the setting sun, the thunderbolt struck. +Why was it not me instead of those dearer to me than life?" + +"A bird hath sung to Ohquamehud that the land is pleasant, and the +hunter only extends his hand to find something to savor his broth and +to cover his feet." + +"It is a land of streams, and mountains, and forests, and the deer +and the bear still are plenty. When the Creator made it, he smiled +and pronounced it good; and there, as in your fabled hunting-grounds, +might men be blessed but for their passions." + +"The red man loves his friend, and hates his enemy." + +"To hate is a devilish feeling. It comes not from the Good Spirit." + +Ohquamehud rose and stood before Holden. It seemed to his bold and +ferocious temper, that he could not, without cowardice, hear assailed +and not vindicate, a principle that had been inculcated upon him from +youth, and formed a sacred portion of his creed. As he stood up, the +blanket fell in graceful folds from his shoulders, around his person, +and he stretched out a hand to solicit attention. + +"Listen," he said; "the tongue of Ohquamehud is one: it will speak the +truth. Because the Great Spirit loved his children, he made them to +love and to hate, and both are pleasant. The south wind is sweet when +it comes in spring to tell that winter is past and the starved Indian +need no longer shiver over the fire; and sweet are the kisses of +Wullogana to Ohquamehud, and dear are the voices of his little ones +when they meet him from the chase, but sweeter than the sighs of the +wind of spring, or the caresses of Wullogana, or the laughter of +his children, is it to strike an enemy. His flesh is good, for it +strengthens a red heart. The wolf will never become a lamb, and the +wolf is the totem of my clan. Ohquamehud has said." + +It would be impossible to describe the conflicting emotions of Holden +during this savage speech. Whatever might have been the wild incidents +of his youth, or whatever his wrongs and sufferings, the time was long +past, and he had supposed all stormy passion subdued, and his heart +chastised to resignation and submission. He listened at first with +unmixed horror to the Indian's declaration, but as the savage went on, +the words became more and more indistinct, till they lost all meaning +or were converted into other sounds, and, as in a dream, made the +aliment of his thoughts. The whole conversation, and the very language +in which they spoke, contributed to produce this state of mind. Lost +to all around, his soul was far away. He saw a cabin beside a mountain +torrent, overshadowed by immense trees. It was summer, and the birds +were singing among the branches. The door of the cabin opened, and a +young and beautiful white woman stepped out, holding a child by the +hand. Suddenly it was night, and the cabin on fire, and he heard the +yells of savages, and saw them like so many demons dancing round the +flames; then hush, all again was still, and darkness brooded over the +spot, lighted only by a flickering brand. + +The bosom of Holden heaved convulsively, and his brain reeled. + +The Indian watched his changing countenance with an eager look as +if he revelled in his agony. Not a hard drawn breath, not a single +expression escaped his notice. He saw the eyes of the Solitary flash, +then settle into a dreamy gaze as if looking into a dim, unfathomable +distance, then shut, as if he tried to exclude some horrid sight. +Suddenly, with a shudder, Holden sprang to his feet. + +"Accursed Shawnees," he cried; "they have done this deed. But for +every drop of blood they shed a river shall flow. Dog!" and he seized +the Indian with a strength to which madness lent additional force, and +dashed him to the ground, "thou art first delivered into my hand." + +He staggered toward the fallen man--stopped--glared at him a moment +and with a wild cry rushed into the hut. + +The Indian, who had immediately risen from the fall, and stood with +folded arms regarding his motions, slowly gathered up his disordered +blanket about him and stalked towards the canoe. A gleam of ferocity +shot over his face as he resumed the paddle, and softly breathing the +single word "Onontio," pushed from the shore. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + I will pursue to death this spiteful knight: + Not earth's low centre, nor sea's deepest part, + Nor heaven, nor hell, can shield him from my might: + I will o'ertake him, take him, cleave his heart. + FAIRFAX' TASSO. + + +The suspicions of the Indian were confirmed beyond a doubt. It was, +perhaps, the voice and accent of the Solitary in his native tongue +that at first attracted his attention and induced him to try the +experiment which resulted as we have seen. He must have had or fancied +that he had a cause of deadly hatred of long standing against Holden. +It is impossible otherwise to explain his conduct. But no length of +time can erase the recollection of an injury from the mind of a North +American Indian. He cherishes it as something never to be parted with, +and would feel degraded in his own estimation were he to forgive. +Revenge is the central sun round which his spirit revolves; and to +gratify the feeling no hardships are too severe. For such a purpose +he will traverse, with an unerring instinct, pathless forests for +hundreds of miles, swim wide rivers, climb lofty mountains, sleep, +unrepining, on the bare ground, exposed to all vicissitudes of heat +and cold, supporting himself by the chase and fishing, and sustained +throughout by his vindictive passion and the glory he connects with +its gratification. The kindness shown by Holden to his sister and +her son, and the reverence with which she regarded him, it might +be expected would have influenced Ohquamehud; but they had no such +effect. To the kindness he ascribed a sinister motive; and of course, +Peena's gratitude was misplaced. It was therefore with a fiendish joy +unalloyed by misgivings, that he brooded over the means to accomplish +his purpose. + +He dared not communicate it to Peena. He understood her gentle +nature too well to suppose that, under any circumstances, she could +sympathize with him, even though she felt no sense of obligation to +Holden; and, besides, he distrusted her as one who had abandoned the +faith of her fathers. For, although no Christian in the proper import +of the word, the sweet and purifying influences of Christianity had +not been wholly thrown away upon Peena. She had many friends in the +neighboring village who had been attracted by her gentle temper and +modesty, conspicuous among whom was Faith Armstrong. Hence, when she +came to the village, as not unfrequently was the case, in order to +sell the berries she had gathered in the fields, or pretty baskets +stained with such lively colors as the simple skill of the Indians +knew how to extract from roots and the bark of trees, it seldom +happened that she returned without having made Faith a visit. On such +occasions the enthusiastic girl would strive to inform her on points +of religion which, to her own mind, were of the highest importance. +Peena would listen, and never contradict, though, it is probable, she +understood but little of what to Faith's apprehension was clear. + +It was impossible, however, not to derive benefit from such meetings. +None could be in the presence of Faith without being influenced by +the atmosphere of goodness in which she moved. And, indeed, that she +herself derived pleasure from the presence of Peena, was evidence of +the gentle worth of the latter. + +No wonder then that Ohquamehud determined to conceal his fell purpose +in his own heart. When, therefore, with the quiet step peculiar to his +race, he glided into her hut, just before the setting of the sun, he +had chased the traces of passion from his brow, and met her with a +calm and satisfied mien. So perfect was the dissimulation that even +one less guileless than the woman would have been deceived. In the +present case, the preoccupation of her mind in Holden's favor made it +easier. + +"My brother," she said, with a pleased expression, as she caught sight +of his altered appearance, "is like the sky in summer when not a cloud +is to be seen." + +"The cloud has left the sky of Ohquamehud." + +This was said with a natural and easy air, as if all suspicion were +banished from his mind; nor was the subject further adverted to. + +The time at which the children of nature retire to rest, is not that +observed by the artificially-cultivated man. For them, the hours of +light and darkness mark out the periods for action and repose. It was +then still early in the evening, when a heavy breathing in the hut of +Peena indicated the sleep of its inmates. Ohquamehud had listened +for it, and having waited until the breathing became deep and full to +assure him of the profoundness of the slumber, he sat up on his couch +and looked cautiously around. The brands were smouldering in the +ashes with a dim flickering light, but sufficient to direct and give +certainty to his movements. With a step so noiseless that the acutest +ear would not have detected it, he crossed the floor, took his rifle +from the corner where it had been placed, with equal caution opened +the door, and stood in the open air. + +It was a clear star-lit night, and on the placid bosom of the water +shone one star larger and brighter than the rest, as if to light him +on his way. But it was all unobserved by the Indian. He had no eyes, +no ears, no senses, except for the crime he was about to commit. To +him, no crime, but a heroic act. Slowly, and measuring each step as +though a thousand ears were listening, he proceeded in the direction +of the canoe, untied it, and softly pushed it into the stream. As he +took his seat the dip of his paddle made no sound, and thus, stern as +an iron statue, and almost as still, he paddled on. + +And now Ohquamehud approached the island. He stopped his paddle and +held his breath, and listened. Not a living sound was to be heard, +not even the cry of a night bird; nothing save the soft flowing of the +water against the shore. Like an eagle circling round and round before +he pounces on his quarry, the Indian cautiously paddled around the +island. From one of the windows, before concealed, he saw a light. +Keeping at a distance, so that the rays should not fall upon him, he +stole around until he had interposed the hut between himself and its +beams. Then, apparently satisfied there was nothing to be feared, he +directed the canoe towards the island, and slowly advanced until its +bottom touched the sand, when he sat still and listened again. Hearing +nothing, he left the canoe, and crouching down, crept towards the +cabin. Having reached it, he applied his ear to the side and listened, +and again advanced. Thus slowly proceeding, some little time elapsed +before he found himself at the window whence streamed the light. +Without venturing to touch the wooden boards, as if fearful they might +communicate a knowledge of his presence, he raised himself almost +imperceptibly at the edge of the window, until he obtained a view of +the interior. Holden was sitting at a distance of not more than six +feet, near a small table, on which a single candle was burning, and +in his lap lay a large opened book, on which his folded hands were +resting. He seemed lost in meditation, gazing into the wood-fire +before him, towards which his crossed legs were extended at full +length. + +The Indian slid his hand down to the lock of the gun, and drew back +the trigger. Cautiously as it was done, he could not prevent a slight +clicking sound, which, perhaps, struck the ear of the Solitary, for he +turned his head and moved in the chair. The Indian slunk to the edge +of the window, so as to conceal his person from any one within the +room, and remained motionless. Presently he advanced his head, and +took another view. The Solitary had resumed his former position, and +was buried in profound thought. The Indian stepped back a couple of +steps, so as to allow the necessary distance between himself and the +window, and raised the rifle to his shoulder. + +At that instant and just as he was about to discharge the deadly +weapon, a large rattlesnake, attracted by the warmth, or for some +other reason, glided from the opposite side of the hut towards the +outstretched limbs of Holden, over which it crawled, and resting +its body upon them, with upraised head seemed to fasten its eyes, +glittering in the fire-light, full upon the face of the startled +Indian. The effect was instantaneous. The rifle nearly dropped from +his uplifted hands, a cold sweat burst from every pore, his knees +shook, and his eyes, fixed on the snake by a fascination that +controlled his will, felt bursting from their sockets. After +preserving its attitude for a short time, the snake, as if taking +Holden under its protection, coiled itself around his feet, and lay +with its head resting on his shoe, looking into the fire. As the +snake turned away its bright eyes the spell that bound the Indian +was dissolved. An expression of the deepest awe overspread his +countenance, his lips moved, but emitted no sound, and cautiously as +he had advanced be returned to the canoe, and was soon swallowed up in +the darkness. + +The abstraction of Holden must have been deep and long, for upon +recovering from his reverie, the reptile was gone. Without his +consciousness it had come, and without his consciousness departed; and +when he laid the Bible, in which he had been reading, upon the table, +he knew not either the danger he had escaped, or the means by which it +had been averted. + +Nor let the conduct of Ohquamehud excite surprise. An American Indian, +he was susceptible to the influence of the legends and traditions of +his race. Among them are some inculcating a superstitious reverence +for certain animals. The bear, for instance, is regarded by some +tribes as a sort of relation, and when the necessity of hunger compels +them to kill him, they apologize, and beg him not to be angry. The +rattlesnake again is an object of great respect. Supplied with a +deadly venom that makes him the most formidable of enemies, he never +attacks unless first injured, and then, if he can reach his foe, his +vengeance is sure. On his trail he disdains concealment, but with the +rattles nature has provided to announce his approach, apprises all, +that they may remove themselves out of his way. Indeed, he comprehends +within himself those qualities most valued by the Indians, and is the +type of a brave warrior. When, therefore, at such an hour and such a +place, the reptile made its appearance, and first darting its fiery +glances at the Pequot, quietly and, as if scorning and defying the +danger, laid itself caressingly on the limbs of Holden, it seemed to +the astonished Indian that the snake knew his purpose, and angrily +ordered him to desist. Vain, he thought, would it be to assail one so +protected, nor was he willing to incur the mysterious enmity of the +snake. How its power might be displayed, whether in striking him +dead on the spot, or in laming his limbs, or defeating his success +in hunting, or what other dreadful manner, he knew not, but he was +convinced that some awful punishment would follow disobedience. He +thought it, therefore, more prudent to yield for the present, and wait +till he had propitiated the snake, or it had withdrawn its protection. +As long as that lasted Onontio was beyond his power. Not that +vengeance was forborne; it was only postponed. + +Of such a character were the thoughts that darted through the mind of +the Pequot when frightened from his purpose, and in less time than it +has taken to record them, as with drooping head he pursued his lonely +way. Even what he considered the interposition of a supernatural +power, had not shaken the determination of his spirit. The desire +for revenge had been too long cherished to be given up at a single +warning, however awful, or however strongly appealing to the deepest +implanted superstitions. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + "Arma, virumque cano qui Primus." + VIRGIL + + +The season had now advanced to within a few days of that joyous period +of the year, when the Governors of the several New England States are +wont to call the people to a public acknowledgment of the favors of +Divine Providence. At the time of which we write, their Excellencies +required the citizens to be thankful "according to law," and "all +servile labor and vain recreation," on said day, were "by law +forbidden," and not, as at present, invited them to assemble in their +respective churches, to unite in an expression of gratitude to +their Heavenly Benefactor. Whether the change from a command to an +invitation, or permission to engage in the sports which were before +forbidden, has been attended with any evil consequences, we leave +to the individual judgment of our readers to determine. But whether +commanded or invited, the people always welcomed the season of +festivity with preaching and praying, and an indiscriminate slaughter +of all the fat turkeys and chickens on which they could lay their +hands. + +The yellow and crimson maple leaf had faded on the trees into more +sombre colors, or, falling to the ground, been whirled by the wind +among heaps of other leaves, where its splendor no more attracted +attention. Of the gaiety of autumn, only the red bunches of the sumach +were left as a parting present to welcome winter in. The querulous +note of the quail had long been heard calling to his truant mate, and +reproaching her for wandering from his jealous side; the robins had +either sought a milder climate or were collected in the savin-bushes, +in whose evergreen branches they found shelter, and on whose berries +they love to feed; and little schoolboys were prowling about, busy +collecting barrels for Thanksgiving bonfires. + +It was a beautiful clear morning in Thanksgiving-week, when a +side gate, that admitted to the yard or inclosure in front of Mr. +Armstrong's house, opened, and a negro, with a round good-natured +face, and rather foppishly dressed, stepped out upon the walk. But, +before paying our respects to Mr. Felix Qui, it may not be altogether +amiss to give some description of the house of Mr. Armstrong, as +representing the better class of dwelling-houses in our villages, at +the time. + +It was a large, two-story wood building, painted white, with green +blinds, and consisted of a main body nearly fifty feet square, in +which, were the apartments for the family, and of an L, as it was +called, from the shape it gave the building, running back, and devoted +to the kitchen and sleeping chambers of the servants. The height of +the stories in this L was somewhat less than in the front part of the +house, indicating thereby, perhaps, the more humble relation in which +it stood to the latter. Three large chimneys rose above the roof, two +from the principal building and one from the kitchen. A wide hall in +the centre, swept through the whole length without interference from +the rear building, which might be considered as a continuation of +somewhat less than one-half of the part in front. The wood-house stood +on the same side as the kitchen, some twenty feet distant; and still +further back, a large barn, also of wood, and painted a light lead +color, with the exception of the cornice and trimmings about the doors +and windows, which were white. The house itself stood some fifty feet +back from the high road, and was surrounded by enormous elms, those +glories of the cultivated American landscape, some measuring four and +five feet in diameter, and throwing their gracefully drooping branches +far and high over the roof, to which, in the heat of summer, they +furnished an acceptable shade. The prospect in front, and looking +between two rows of maples that lined the road, comprehended the +Yaupaae, expanded into a lake, green fields and apple orchards running +down to the water's edge, and hills, clothed to the top with verdure, +rolling away like gigantic waves into the distance. Behind the house +was a garden and orchard of, perhaps, two acres, terminating in a +small evergreen wood of hemlocks and savins, interspersed with a few +noble oaks. Mr. Armstrong had laid out several winding paths through +this little wood, and placed here and there a rustic seat; and the +taste of his daughter had embellished it with a few flowers. Here +Faith had taught the moss pink to throw its millions of starry +blossoms in early spring over the moist ground, after the modest +trailing arbutus, from its retreat beneath the hemlocks, had exhausted +its sweet breath; here, later in the season, the wild columbine +wondered at the neighborhood of the damask rose; here, in the warm +days of summer, or in the delicious moonlight evenings, she loved to +wander, either alone or with her father, in its cool paths. + +Still more beautiful than the prospect from the front door, were the +views from this charming spot. Rising to a considerable elevation +above the river to which it descended with a rapid slope, it commanded +not only the former view to the south, though more extended, but also +one to the northwest. Beneath, at a depression of eighty feet, lay the +lake-like river with its green islets dotting the surface, while, at +a short distance, the Fall of the Yaupaae precipitated itself over a +rocky declivity, mingling, in the genial season of the year, a noble +bass with the songs of birds and the sighing of the wind, and adding +to and deepening in the rougher months, the roar of the tempest. A +small stream diverted from the river, turned the wheel of a moss-grown +grist-mill, which was nestled under large willows at the foot of +the rocks, and conveyed the idea of the presence of man, without +detracting from the wild beauty of the scenery. + +Now, alas, how is all changed! _Heu! quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore_! +The grist-mill has disappeared! A row of willows which skirted the +road that winding by the margin of the cove, led to it, has been cut +down; and huge brick and stone factories of paper and cotton goods, +gloomy and stern-like evil genii, brood over the scene, and all +through the day and into the night, with grinding cylinders, and +buzzing spindles and rattling looms, strive to drown, with harsh +discords, the music of the waterfall. One of the little islands has +been joined to the main land with gravel carted into the river, and a +bleach-house or some other abomination erected upon it. The place is +disenchanted. The sad Genius of Romance who once loved to stretch his +limbs upon the mossy rocks, and catch inspiration from watching the +foam and listening to the roar, has departed with a shriek, never to +return. + +Felix, when he found himself outside of the gate, gazed up and down +the street, as if uncertain in which direction to proceed. After a +momentary hesitation, and drawing a pair of gloves over his hands, he +seemed to have made up his mind, and at a lounging pace, directed his +course up, that is towards the north. He had not gone far when he saw +coming towards him a person of his own color, who until then had been +hid by a turn in the road. No one else was in sight, the spot being +the piece of table-land mentioned in a previous chapter, about a +half mile from the thickly settled part of the town, which was at the +bottom of the hill near the confluence of the rivers. Here were no +shops or public buildings, but only private residences from thirty to +fifty rods apart, and inhabited by a few families a little wealthier, +perhaps, for the most part, than the others. + +It was a man, still hale and hearty, though what his age was it might +be difficult to say. He might have been sixty or even seventy. The +African race does not betray the secret of age as readily as the +white. Probably the man did not know himself, nor is it of importance. +He moved with a jerk, and upon a nearer approach it appeared that the +lower part of one of his legs was made of wood. He must have been, +however, long accustomed to it, for as he moved rather sedately along, +it seemed to occasion him but little inconvenience. When sufficiently +near, Felix, touching his cap with great politeness, bade him good +morning, by the title of General. But who our new acquaintance is, we +may as well tell here as anywhere else. + +The old negro, then approaching, was one of those, the number of whom, +although small compared with that of the white troops engaged in +the war of the Revolution, was still considerable enough not to be +entirely overlooked. His name was Primus Ransome, and at an early +period he had enlisted into the army, and served until disabled by +the loss of a leg, when he found himself in rags, with an excellent +character for bravery and general good conduct, minus the member left +at Yorktown, and a candidate for any such bounty as the exhausted +means of the country and the liberality of Congress might grant. He +contrived somehow to return to the town of Hillsdale, where, in a +checkered life, he had happened to pass two or three of his happiest +years, and there prepared to enjoy that liberty he had helped to +achieve. His good character, cheerful temper, and the services he had +performed made him a general favorite. Yet, notwithstanding, he found +it at first hard to get along. His military habits had incapacitated +him for long continued industry, and an invitation to a social glass +or an opportunity to tell one of his campaigning stories, was at any +time temptation sufficient to wile him away from labor. There was no +gentleman's kitchen where Primus was not treated with kindness, and +where he did not receive all he asked but he had some pride, and was +unwilling to abuse the offered hospitality. Thus, working a little +at digging in gardens and cutting wood and such other odd jobs as +he could obtain, and making calls at the kitchens, and telling long +stories about Monmouth, and Trenton, and the siege of Yorktown, what +with the money he got, and the presents made him at Thanksgiving +and Christmas, and other odd times, Primus roughed it along, after +a fashion, until Congress found itself in a condition to give him a +pension. It came late to be sure, and was small, but then so were his +wants. It was regularly paid and certain, and joined to the advantages +he already possessed, constituted an ample fortune. Before he got +his pension, poor Primus would sometimes cast a rueful glance at his +wooden leg, and think to himself he had paid a pretty dear price for +independence; and at such times, it must be confessed, his patriotism +ran to a low ebb. He knew no Latin, and therefore could not say, "_sic +vos non vobis_," &c., yet he thought it. But after he obtained his +little annuity, the love of country of the Horatii or Curiatii was +frigid to his. He was never weary of boasting of its freedom, of its +greatness, and of General Washington. It was observed that as he +grew older his stories became longer and more incredible, and his +patriotism hotter. His own personal exploits too, occupied a wider +space in his narratives. To believe him, the number of British and +Hessians conquered by his single arm would have composed a regiment; +and, indeed, it was difficult to conceive how the struggle could have +been brought to a successful issue without his assistance. + +"Good morning, General," said Felix, politely touching his cap. + +"Good warning, Missa Qui I hope I see you well dis pleasant marning. +How Miss Rosa?" inquired Primus, at the same time making a military +salute with the back of his hand. + +"Miss Rosa is well, thank you, sir. As for this genlman, he is always +well," said Felix, laying his hand on his breast. + +"Fine day for walking, sir. Sorry you going de oder way, Missa Qui. +Suppose you hab business." + +"I walk out for the exercise. I have not take exercise enough lately +for the health." + +At this moment the eye of Primus caught sight of a white piece of +paper sticking out of a corner of Felix's pocket, and he suspected the +errand on which the latter was sent, so he added: + +"You celumbrate Tanksgiving in de usual style at your house dis year, +I presume." + +"Some witch tell you, General. Haw, haw!" + +"De ole chimbly smoke extrorninary at dis season. De chickens and de +turkies know dat chimbly well." + +"Guess they do," said Felix. "General Ransome, can you keep a secret?" + +"I is close as Missa Pint pocket, dat button all round," said the old +negro. + +"Then I have no objections to tell you, General, that I give out some +invite this morning to ladies and genlmen to take dinner at my house, +Thanksgiving Day." + +"Hab you one for me?" + +"Look for yourself, sir," said Felix, pulling out two or three billets +from the left pocket of his waistcoat, and presenting them to the +other. "You sociate with General Washington and all the great men, and +read writing, sure." + +Primus took the billets into his hands, and ran his eye over the +superscriptions, with an air of the most perfect confidence, then, +shaking his head, returned them to Felix, observing: + +"Dere is none here for me." + +"Perhaps there is one for you in this pocket," continued Felix, +fumbling on the other side, and producing another billet. Primus +looked, but shook his head as before. "Have the extreme goodness," +said Felix, who began to be considerably mystified by the serious air +of the other, and half-disposed to believe that he might have some +knowledge of the mystic characters, "to tell me who this little note +is intend for." + +Primus knew very well the intimate relations existing between the +families of the Armstrongs and Bernards, and that the former +often took their Christmas dinner with the latter, while again the +Armstrongs reciprocated the civility by inviting the Bernards, who +were Episcopalians, to the feast of Thanksgiving. Moreover, he had met +Felix going in a direction towards the house of Mr. Bernard, which +was close by. Putting these circumstances together, the old soldier +thought that he might venture a guess, which, if it succeeded, would +redound greatly to the credit of his learning, and, which, if it +failed, could entail on him no other harm than the laugh of Felix. +Assuming, therefore, a knowing look, he said: + +"Dat is berry easy to read. Any man wid any larning at all, can see +de billet is intend for Missa Judge Bernard." He saw by the distended +eyes of Mr. Qui that his guess had struck the mark, and fearful of +being requested to decipher the other superscriptions, hastily added: + +"But what for I stop here, wasting my precious time, and keeping +you from doing you master's arrant? I hab de honor to wish you good +marning, Missa Qui." So saying, Primus turned round and stumped +off half a dozen steps, before the bewildered Felix recovered his +faculties. + +"Stop, General," at last exclaimed Felix, as soon as he regained his +speech, running after him and taking hold of his arm, "allow me, a +word with you" + +"I is berry busy dis marning," cried Primus, struggling to get free; +"Missa Pownal want my sarvices; de doctor is anxious to insult wid me; +and de 'Piscopal minister hab someting 'portant to communicate." + +"I inspect he want you to write the Thanksgiving sermon," said Felix, +grinning. "But, General, I have really an invite for you. I forgot to +write the note before I leave home, and so you must, 'scuse the want +of style. I have the honor to ask you, General, to take your dinner, +on that glorious day, with Miss Rosa and I." + +"Dat alter de case intirely," said Primus, losing his dread of reading +billets, and forgetting his hurry in the pleasure received from the +invitation; "dat alter de case entirely. You is a genlman, and berry +polite, Missa Qui, and Miss Rosa is beyond 'spression. Dere is few +ob de fair sec equal Miss Rosa. Let me see," he continued, with a +thoughtful air, and looking on the ground, "whedder I not disappoint +some genlman. When I come round de corner I see Missa Tracy boy going +toward my house. Now, probably he bring invite for me. But you invite +is de fust, Missa Qui, and it is hard to desist de attraction ob Miss +Rosa and youself, and I will do myself de honor to wait on you. Sorry, +howebber to disappoint Missa Tracy." Primus had now embarked on the +full tide of his garrulity, and casting out of mind his regret for not +being able to accept the imaginary invitation to Mr. Tracy's, went on: + +"'Pears to me a great 'vantage, Missa Qui, dat some folks is +'Piscopalians, and some Presbyterians." + +Felix looked as if he failed to apprehend the meaning of his friend. + +"'Cause," said Primus, "dat make two grand dinner, and you and me is +dere to eat 'em." + +Felix had now fairly caught the other's meaning, and the two exploded +in bursts of laughter. + +"You have right to say so, General, and the observation do you great +honor. And that is the reason I inspect that you are 'Peskypalian." + +"I surprise to hear you say so ob your ole friend," said Primus, +drawing himself up with an air of offended dignity. "No, sar, dat is +not de reason. De reason I is 'Piscopalian is, 'cause I belong to de +regulars." + +"I never hear tell the 'Peskypalians is more regulars than other +folks," said Felix. + +"You is a young man (the difference in their ages might be half a +dozen years), and cannot be 'spected to know ebbery ting. If you gib +me your 'tention, I make it all plain as de road Gineral Washington +show de British out ob de country. You see when I was in de army in de +glorious war ob de Resolution, we say prayers sometime as well as you +folks who stay at home, and don't do none ob de fightin. And so when +de drum beat, ebbery man must be at his post. Den come de chaplain all +in his regimental, and put de book on de big drum, and kneel down, and +Gineral Washington he kneel down, too, and de chaplain say some prayer +dat sound like de roll ob de drum itself. O, it was so beautiful, and +I always feel better arter-wards. Dere nebber was much uniform in de +army, but what dere was, de regulars is entitle to it. I nebber tink +de soger look just de ting widout de regimental. Now, look at de +'Piscopal minister in de pulpit, in de lily-white and de black gown. +De fust is for white folks, and de oder out of respec' for us colored +pussons. Dey is his regimental. He look like a regular soger ob +de Lord. But see de Presbyterian. He hab no uniform at all. He ony +milishy officer." + +Felix, who, as in duty bound, was as zealous a Presbyterian (as the +Congregationalists in New England were generally called) as Primus was +an Episcopalian, was scandalized at such language. He half regretted +having given the invitation to the dinner, and it is highly probable +that, if he had heard General Ransome's speech before, that gentleman +would have so far talked himself out of his good graces (a misfortune +that sometimes happens to extraordinary eloquence), as to have lost +the object of his anxiety, and, like the nightingale in Cowper's +fable, have "sought his dinner somewhere else." But Primus saw the +gathering storm and hastened to avert its discharge. + +"I hab great respec'," he said, "for the milishy. Dey is excellent for +skirmishing, and where ebbery man hab to fight on his own hook, but +when it come to de hard fightin' de regulars is de men to be depend +on. And den," added he, "dere is odder reasons: I like de exercise in +de church better. I like dere taste, too, when dey ornaments de church +wid greens at Christmas. It make de winter look kind o' young and +happy." + +Felix was easily propitiated. He might be offended with his comrade, +but his anger could not last. It had passed away, before Primus had +concluded his conciliatory remarks. In fact, the two cronies were too +necessary to each other's happiness to allow of a long quarrel, +and for all Felix's reverence for his master's "meeting," he was as +placable as zealous, nor would the famous festival have been a +genuine Thanksgiving without his old friend to help him to discuss its +luxuries. They shook hands at parting, and Mr. Qui promised to present +the complemens of the General to Miss Rosa. + +As Felix pursued his way alone, having no one else to talk to, he gave +himself the benefit of his conversation. + +"That General," he said, aloud, "is a wonderful man. I never respected +him before of knowing how to read writin'. I don't believe, after all, +he does know how. But when he took the billets in his hand, he sort o' +give 'em a squint as if he knew all about it Who learned him? Perhaps +he does and perhaps he doesn't. I wonder, too, how he missed all the +bullets he preaches about sometimes, with losing only one leg. I heard +him say, fifty times, they come like an April shower. Now, if he had +a hundred legs, it seems to me they ought all to be smashed. I +'spect, as I heard the doctor say once, he draws on the fact for his +'magination. But what can you 'spect, Felix, from a 'Peskypalian? They +think so much of gitting up and setting down, as if there was religion +in moving the legs. But let me see about the billets. Miss Faith told +me to put the Bernards' in this pocket, and the minister's in this, +and the doctor's in this other one. Ah, all right! The doctor is a +very curus person. I wonder what makes him talk so much about a man he +calls Shakspeare. I heard him say he lived a great many years ago, I +guess with Joshua and David, when there was so much fighting going +on, and when they hadn't no guns. Perhaps he was Goliah's brother, who +come out with shield and spear. Well, there is no sogers with spears +now-a-days. It's my opinion, give old Prime a loaded musket with a +baggonet, and he'd do more work than Goliah and Shakspeare together, +with their spears. But, here, I am near the Judge's. Now, sir, mind +your eye, and see that you maintain the spectability of the family". +Saying this, Felix drew himself up, adjusted his neckerchief, and +strutted somewhat pompously into the yard of the Judge, whence he soon +found his way into the kitchen. The invitations to the Bernards were +in due form delivered, as were the others, and accepted. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + _Lorenzo_.--Go in, Sirrah; bid them prepare for dinner. + _Launcelot_.--That is done, sir; they have all stomachs. + _Lorenzo_.--Goodly lord, what a wit-snapper are you! then + bid them prepare dinner. + _Launcelot_.--That is done too, sir. + + MERCHANT OF VENICE. + +The high square, pews of the little Congregational church, or (as in +those days the descendants of the Puritans, in order to manifest +their abhorrence for popery, and all that in their judgment sounded +papistical, loved to call their places for public worship) the +"meeting-house," were tolerably well filled by an attentive +congregation on Thanksgiving morning. We say only tolerably, some +seats being vacant, which seldom of a Sunday missed of occupants. The +rights of hospitality were allowed on this occasion to trench upon the +duties of public worship, and many a good wife with the servants, whom +no common storm or slight indisposition would have kept away, remained +at home to spread the board for expected guests. If there were some +whose stern principles condemned the practice as a carnality, they +were a small minority. Those whose fleshly appetites were to be +gratified by it took a different view of the subject very generally; +and as this was the condition of pretty much the whole community, +whose members figured now as hosts and now as guests, the verdict was +nearly unanimous in its favor. In truth, the due observance of the +day seemed to consist of two parts, worship and feasting; each was +necessary to the other to form a complement, and without both it would +have been jejune and unsatisfactory. Besides, this was the annual +period for the reunion of friends and relatives, parted for the +rest of the year, and in some instances considerable journeys were +undertaken in order once more to unite the severed circle and gather +again around the beloved board. Fathers and mothers, with smiles of +welcome, kissed their returned children; brothers and sisters joined +cordial hands and rushed into each other's embraces, and the placid +grandparents danced the little ones on their knees, and traced +resemblances to others. It would have been a cold and inhospitable +greeting, to be invited, after listening to a two hours' sermon, to +sit around a dinner not beyond the common. Not to such a feast did +stout-hearted and hard-headed Jonathan invite his friends. He rightly +understood that there was a carnal and a spiritual man, nor was he +disposed to neglect the claims of either. The earth was given to the +saints "with the fullness thereof," and he meant to have his portion. +Therefore it was that while one part of the family went to "meeting" +to pray, the other remained at home to--cook. Thus, by a judicious +division of duties the honored day was celebrated with befitting rites +and ceremonies. + +After waiting for a reasonable time, until all who were expected to +attend were supposed to be in the house, the minister rose from his +seat, in the high, wine-glass shaped pulpit, over which hung, like the +sword of Damocles, by a cord, an immense sounding-board, considered +indispensable, duly to scatter round that each might have his +appropriate portion, the crumbs of salvation he dispensed, and "gave +out" an appropriate hymn, in which the Supreme Being was acknowledged +as the Ruler of the Seasons. This was sung, it must be confessed, by a +sadly shrunken choir, stoutly supported, however, by the congregation +in the body of the meeting-house, without the sound of tabret, or +harp, or other musical instruments; for in those days not even the +flute or grave bass-viol, those pioneers of the organ, were permitted +in the Sanctuary. To the hymn succeeded a long and fervent prayer, in +which Mr. Robinson, the minister (the term Reverend had then a slight +papistical twang), after bewailing with ingenious particularity the +sins and back-slidings of himself and people, and the ingratitude +of the whole land, and recounting the innumerable blessings that had +crowned their basket and their store, entreated that notwithstanding +their manifold sins, iniquities and transgressions, the divine favor +might not be withdrawn from a land where the Lord had planted his own +vine, and where the precious seeds of heavenly grace deposited in +the soil and nurtured and cultured by men "of whom the world was not +worthy," had sprung up and borne the inestimable fruit of civil and +religious freedom. Upon the conclusion of the prayer followed another +hymn, and after these "exercises," the sermon. + +The text was the ninth verse of the twenty-sixth chapter of +Deuteronomy, "And He hath brought us into this place and hath given +us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey." The +Thanksgiving sermon was formerly one on which more than common labor +was expended, and was intended to be a celebrity of the year. On this +occasion the preacher laid out a wide field for his eloquence. He +commenced by comparing the condition of the first colonists to that +of the children of Israel when they fled from the house of bondage. He +painted the Pilgrim fathers landing on Plymouth Rock, snow, and ice, +and desolation around, but the fire of faith in their hearts. He +contrasted the feebleness of the beginning with the grandeur of the +result, whence he deduced the inference that the Lord had led his +people with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; he alluded to the +changed appearance of the country, converted from a heathen wilderness +into a Christian garden, whence the perfume of Christian devotion +perpetually arose; he portrayed the horrors of the war of the +Revolution, and exhorted his hearers to cherish the memory of the men +who had consecrated their lives and fortunes to Liberty, and sealed +that consecration with their blood. Warming with his subject, his eyes +shone with a brighter lustre and seemed gazing into a far future, as +in prophetic tones he proclaimed the advent of the latter days, when +the beacon fires of Freedom kindled on the mountain tops of the new +Canaan should send their streaming rays across the seas, and the +kingdoms of this world should become the heritage of God and of His +Christ. "Seeing these things are so, brethren," he concluded, "seeing +that God hath chosen you unto himself for a peculiar people, the weak +things of the world to confound the strong, the rejected, the cast +away and despised, to be held up as an example to the wondering +and admiring nations, what manner of men ought ye to be in all holy +conversation and godliness?" + +Such is an imperfect sketch of the remarks of Mr. Robinson. With such +language sought the ministers in times past to keep alive the flame +of patriotism, and to inspire with humility, yet animate with a just +pride. Nor are such discourses thrown away. They do much towards the +formation of a national character. + +Long as was the sermon--and of not a moment of its orthodox length was +it defrauded--it was listened to with the deepest attention, by the +older members, especially, of the congregation. The grave decorum of +a place of public worship forbade any open exhibition of approval, but +more than one knit brow and lighted eye, betrayed the emotions excited +by the allusions. Let it be remembered, it was nearer the times that +tried men's souls; the later events were fresh in their memory; some +of the hearers, perhaps, had borne a personal part in them, and all +were animated by the generous fire of '76--sparks of which, we trust, +still glimmer in the bosoms of their descendants. What to us, in +these colder and as some say more worldly days, might have seemed +extravagant, if not vain-glorious, was to them sober truth; and +if there were any who, perverting into poison what was meant for +wholesome nutriment, thanked God that they were not as other men, +there were others who, without losing their humility, felt an impulse +given to the nobler feelings. + +At the conclusion of the services, there was the usual grasping of +hands, and congratulations of the season, and inquiries after healths, +and encomiums on the sermon, when the assembly dispersed to their +homes, to attend, in another form, to the duties of the day. Mr. +Armstrong and Faith waited for the minister, and the three walked +home together. They were overtaken and joined by Doctor Elmer, +who expressed regret at having been detained from the services by +professional duties. + +"But," added he, looking at Mr. Robinson, and bowing courteously, "if +I have been so unfortunate as to miss of one feast, I do not mean to +be deprived of another. I may say of myself, as Shakspeare says of +somebody, 'Marry, sir, sometimes he is a kind of Puritan.'" + +"I hope your Puritan principles do not consist merely in eating +Thanksgiving dinners," said Mr. Robinson, with a smile. + +"And remember, doctor," observed Faith, "what your own Shakspeare says +again-- + + "'dainty bits + Make rich the ribs, but bankerout quite the wits.'" + +"My dear," interposed Mr. Armstrong, "is not this conversation of too +light a character?" + +But he could not immediately check the doctor. + +"Ha, Miss Faith," he cried, "'wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy +wit, in an instant? I pray thee, understand a plain man in his plain +meaning.' But + + 'The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen + As is the razor's edge invisible, + Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen.' +Come," he added, observing that Mr. Armstrong looked grave, "take my +arm, and we will discuss some serious subject, together." So saying, +he offered his arm to Faith, which she took, and they followed, at a +few steps distance, after Mr. Armstrong and the minister. + +"I am afraid," said the doctor, slackening his pace, so as to allow +the others to get out of hearing, "you would prefer a certain young +gentleman's arm to that of an old bachelor. It is rather hard that the +rogues, whose principal recommendation, I flatter myself, is that they +are twenty years younger, should steal away all my sweethearts." + +Faith laughed, as she replied: + +"Why, dear doctor, what would you have us do? You never will propose; +so you must not complain if you drive us poor girls to desperation." + +"You wicked little baggage, is this the way you laugh at the most +constant of your admirers? How many long years have I spent in your +service, from the time I began with rocking your cradle, occasionally +giving you, to sweeten your humors, a teaspoon of castor oil, or a +half-dozen drops of elixir salutis, up to the present time, and thus +you reward my devotion! I begin to feel desperate, and have half a +mind to transfer my affections to Anne Bernard." + +"Do not treat me so cruelly. I assure you, my love increases every +day. Besides, you might find your perfidy punished by meeting a too +formidable rival." + +"Ah, ha! I understand. Yet, I feel my chivalry a little roused at +the idea of opposition. But, on the whole, Faith, I will accept your +pledge of affection, and stick to my colors like a man and a doctor. +And, to exhibit my confidence, you may, meanwhile, flirt in moderation +with William Bernard. You will get tired of it when the novelty wears +off; so I shall escape, and it is better that you should tease him now +than me hereafter. But, dear me, here we are at your door." + +Mr. Armstrong and the minister had waited for them on the step, and +the four entered together. Shortly after Pownal arrived, and somewhat +later the family of the Bernards. + +We should deceive our readers if we left them to infer from the +jesting talk of the doctor that any mutual attachment existed between +Miss Armstrong and William Bernard. It was because his suspicions were +so vaguely expressed, and herself so unconscious of any feelings of +the kind, that Faith had not thought it worth while to notice them. +She and young Bernard had known each other from infancy; they had +attended the same school; the intimacy betwixt Faith and Anne, and the +friendly relations of the two families equals in wealth and station, +had brought them frequently together, but nothing could be further +from the fact than that any engagement existed between them. They +treated one another, indeed, like brother and sister; but if any +warmer emotion was felt, it was not by Faith. Her engrossing affection +for her father seemed to exclude all rivalship. The meeting exactly +expressed the footing on which the families stood. Mr. Armstrong shook +hands cordially with all, and in a few words uttered his pleasure at +welcoming them; Mrs Bernard kissed the cheek of Faith, with almost +the feeling of a mother; the greeting of the girls' was like that of +sisters, and Faith extended her hand to William Bernard, with a smile, +but without a blush. + +Though utterly unlike, it would be difficult to conceive of two more +beautiful creatures than Faith Armstrong and Anne Bernard. The dark +hair of Faith, the large black eyes, the nose slightly aquiline, an +expression of countenance ordinarily composed, though not sad, but +which could be lighted up into enthusiasm, and a graceful dignity that +marked every action, while it seemed only a necessary part of herself, +forcibly reminded one sometimes of the heroines of the ancient +Scriptures. So in her youthful years, before her eyes were fully +opened to the vision, and before to the sound of the clanging timbrel +her voice responded to the triumph song of the children of Israel, +might have looked the prophetess, Miriam. + +No contrast could be stronger than that presented by sweet Anne +Bernard. Light colored hair fell in graceful curls around an oval and +perfectly regular face, of the most delicate complexion. So thin, so +almost transparent was the skin, that the veins seemed hardly hidden, +and a very slight emotion was sufficient to suffuse it with a tint +that needed to fear no rivalry with the rose. No heaven could be bluer +than the soft eyes that seemed "to love whate'er they looked upon," +and whether dimmed with the tear of pity, or flashing with mirth, +revealed a pure, but not a timid spirit. But among features which all +were beautiful, if one could be called more beautiful than another, it +was the mouth, and white as snow were the regular and perfectly formed +teeth which the crimson lips concealed. Her figure was rather below +than above the ordinary height, and its roundness indicated the +most perfect health. Let not this description be deemed a picture of +romance. Those acquainted with the beautiful daughters of New England +will acknowledge its truth, or, at least, confess, it errs not on the +side of exaggeration. + +The intermediate time between the arrival of the company and the +serving up of dinner, was spent by them in such conversation as +usually takes place on occasions of the kind. Somebody has said, that +two Americans cannot meet without talking politics, but we can vouch +for the fact, that although Mr. Armstrong, the doctor, and divine were +federalists, and the Judge a democrat, having spent several of his +early years in France, where he was supposed to have imbibed his +sentiments, not a word on the subject was uttered. A reference or two +was made to the minister's discourse; the flourishing condition of the +country and its prospects adverted to; and some items of domestic +news and village anecdotes narrated. Such was the conversation of the +elders: as for what passed between the young people, we know there was +some laughing, but have forgot what they talked about. We regret this +irreparable loss, and promise to be more attentive for the future. + +Al length, the ebony disc of Felix's face, rising pleasantly above a +snow-bank of neck-cloth, appeared at the door, and announced dinner, +when Mr. Armstrong offering his arm to Mrs. Bernard, preceded his +friends into the dining-room. Faith accepted the Judge's escort, and +Pownal tried to wait on Anne, but somehow or other (and we suspect her +of complicity in the affair), the divine secured the prize. + +Before the company sat down, which was in an order having reference to +their supposed tastes and attractions, at a request from the host, an +appropriate grace was said by the minister, which happily avoided +the extremes of too much brevity on the one hand, and of too +great prolixity on the other; or, in other words, it was neither +irreverently short, nor impertinently long. + +The dinner was of that kind which still graces the hospitable boards +of old Connecticut. At one end of the table a roasted turkey, which +had been stuffed a couple of days before, in order that the spices, +composing a part of the ingredients, might penetrate and flavor +the flesh of the noble bird, turned up his round full breast to the +carving-knife; at the other end, another turkey, somewhat smaller, +boiled and served with oyster sauce, kept company with her mate, while +near the centre, which was occupied by bleached celery in a crystal +vase, a mighty ham balanced a chicken pie of equal size. Besides these +principal dishes there were roasted and boiled fowls, and ducks, and +tongues, flanked by cranberry and apple sauces, and mashed turnips and +potatoes. On the sideboard (for be it remembered, it was "when this +old cap was new," and a practice which now is considered, at least, +questionable, was then held in all honor, and its neglect was never +dreamed of, and would have drawn down an imputation of nigardliness +and want of breeding) stood bottles of wine, and flagons containing +still stronger liquors, together with a large pitcher of delicious +cider. Upon the removal of the first course followed various kinds of +puddings, and pies, and custards, and tarts, and sillabubs, and they, +in their turn, were succeeded by apples and different sorts of nuts, +with raisins and figs, with which the repast was concluded. Such was +an old Thanksgiving dinner. The present preliminary soup was unusual +or unknown. It was an array capable of supplying the wants of a much +larger company, and but a small part could be consumed, but it was the +fashion, and it still continues. They were celebrating the bounty of +Providence, and it was meet that the liberality of man should be in +harmony with it. Felix, grave and decorous, as became the importance +of the occasion, and his assistant, multiplied themselves into a +thousand waiters, sedulous to anticipate the wants of the host and his +guests. + +The conversation, which at first ran in several distinct rills being +confined to each one's immediate neighborhood mostly, and interrupted +by the serious business of dinner, seemed gradually, after a time, to +unite its various streams into one common current. The attention of +the doctor was first attracted from an unsuccessful attempt to quote +to Mrs. Bernard Shakspeare's famous recipe for cooking a beef-steak by +an observation of Mr. Robinson to Mr. Armstrong, at whose left hand +he sat, the seat at the right being occupied by Mrs. Bernard, next to +whom sat the doctor. + +"The results," said the minister, "furnish, I fear, little +encouragement for the future. Unless divine grace shall manifest +itself in a more signal manner than has heretofore been vouchsafed, +they seemed destined to die in their sins." + +"Is there, then, no escape from a doom so horrible?" inquired the +low voice of Mr. Armstrong. "After being hunted from their ancient +possessions, and denied even the graves of their fathers, must they +perish everlastingly?" + +"Can the clay say to the potter, 'What doest thou?'" said Mr. +Robinson. "He maketh one vessel to honor and another to dishonor. +Repeated attempts have been made to civilize and Christianize them, +but in vain. Whom He will He hardeneth." + +Mr. Armstrong sighed, and another sigh, so low it was unheard, stole +from the bosom of his daughter. + +"You are speaking of the Indians?" inquired the doctor. + +"Yes," said Mr. Robinson, "and of the failure of all attempts by +Christians to ameliorate their condition." + +"And are you surprised it should be so?" inquired the doctor. + +"The ways of Providence are inscrutable," replied Mr. Robinson. "I +pretend not to explain the reasons why they are deaf to the pleadings +of the Gospel." + +"What," cried the doctor, slightly altering his favorite author, +"'hath not an Indian eyes? Hath not an Indian hands, organs, +dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt +with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the +same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a +Christian is? If an Indian wrong a Christian, what is his humility? +revenge; if a Christian wrong an Indian, what should his sufferance +be, by Christian example? why, revenge.' There, you have the whole in +a nut-shell." + +"In addition to the difficulty growing out of their treatment by the +whites, suggested by the doctor," said the Judge, "there is another, +which I consider insuperable, arising out of a difference of race." + +"I do not quite understand you," observed Mr. Robinson. + +"It is said by naturalists," answered the Judge, "that man +comprehends, within himself, the peculiarities of all inferior +animals. Now, there are some capable of domestication, while others +are irreclaimable. You may tame the horse, but not the tiger. The +wild element controls the one, and is controllable in the other. In +my opinion, this wild element so predominates in the Indian as to make +him incapable of civilization. He is the tiger." + +"But some have been civilized," remarked Mr. Armstrong. + +"A _quasi_ civilization, I grant," said the Judge; "and were I to +concede more, the exceptions are so few as only to confirm the rule." + +"Your theory opens a wide field for speculation," said Mr. Robinson, +"and I could bring many objections to it. In the first place"---- + +"No doubt, no doubt," cried the Judge, hastily, and desirous to avoid +the arising collision, "and I shall be happy to examine the subject, +at some future time, with you. I throw out these ideas only as hints. +But there is another rule operative, if, indeed, it is not the same +differently expressed--the inferior must always give place to the +superior race" + +"That is not clear, either," said the divine. "What race ever existed +superior to the Jews? Yet, observe their condition." + +"I am not understood. Why, the Jews prove my theory. If they had not +been a superior race, they would long ago have been extinct. But their +number now is probably as great as it ever was. The Indians, however, +are vanishing." + +"And, really, Mr. Bernard," said his wife, "on your own principles, +they will be no loss, if they do vanish. If a superior race succeeds, +all the better." + +"Right, right, my dear," cried her husband, "_rem acu_--pshaw! I was +going to quote Latin. They have had their day, and fulfilled their +design." + +"It seems to me a deplorable necessity," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"There are many laws and purposes at work in the rise and fall of +nations," said the minister, "beyond our view. A peculiar mystery +hangs over the devoted tribes; and, assign what reasons we please for +their decay, there is only one satisfactory reason into which all +the others are resolvable, viz: the determination of Providence. That +determination is obvious. As the inhabitants of Canaan, were +swept away for their iniquities, so is the red race destined to be +extinguished; and it may be for a like reason--they will not abandon +their abominations." + +"They are as moral as the whites, generally, I believe," said William +Bernard. + +"Alas, that word morality!" exclaimed the divine. "It is an _ignis +fatuus_ to mislead--a broken reed to lean on." + +"But," inquired Faith, anxiously, "do you think, sir, that nothing can +be done for those who are left?" + +"I see but little prospect of it," said Mr. Robinson. + +"There are some good people among them," said the doctor, warmly. "I +wish I was as sure of my own salvation as I am of poor Esther's." + +This discussion scarcely disturbed the conversation between Anne +Bernard and Pownal, who, much to his delight, found himself seated by +her side. Nor did the contiguity seem displeasing to the lovely girl. +What is the charm that gives boldness to the timid, and eloquence +to the hesitating; which kindles the eye with a brighter lustre, +and imparts a softer tone to the voice: which colors the cheek with +frequent blushes, and fills the heart with unwonted flutterings? Sweet +maiden, can you tell? Yet, what could they have so much to say to +one another? They who are young, and they who have not forgotten the +feelings of youth will readily find an answer. + +"My heart warms to the Indians," said Pownal, in a low tone, "whenever +I hear them spoken of. It appears to me, sometimes," continued he, +smiling, "as if I were a sort of relation. Were I a believer in the +transmigration of souls, I should think I had been, in some previous +existence, an Indian myself." + +"Probably a Sachem, with your hair nicely shaved, except a little +which was caught up into a knot like a cock's comb, on top to hold an +eagle's feather," said the laughing Anne. "How elegantly you must have +looked after having made your toilette, preparatory to wooing some +Indian Princess, with your face beautifully painted in all the colors +of the rainbow, only handsomer. How I should have liked to see you. +Hard-hearted must have been the fair who could resist such charms." + +"You have reason to laugh at me; it is very ridiculous, but"-- + +"And then to think of the sad change that has befallen you! To subside +from an eagle-feathered Sachem, eating succatash with an Indian +Princess, into a tame civilized gentleman, in a swallow-tailed coat, +handing apples to a poor little Yankee girl! I do not wonder you were +melancholy and tried to shoot yourself." + +"It was the most fortunate shot I ever made, since"-- + +"I am not sure of that. Perhaps if you had succeeded you might have +been transmigrated back into the wigwam, and resumed your addresses to +the Princess." + +"Your fancy outstrips mine. I find it hard, by the side of a real +Princess, to think of an imaginary one." + +"Faithless, like all your fickle sex. Ah me, poor princess!" + +Here Mrs. Bernard made a motion to rise, which was followed by the +other ladies, and as Anne turned away she said:-- + +"You who have set me an example of desertion can not be surprised +at my leaving you, which please to consider a punishment for the +Princess' wrongs." + +"And a severe one," said Pownal. + +But a short time elapsed before the ladies were rejoined by the +gentlemen in the withdrawing room, where we will leave them to look +after some other friends of ours. + +Upon the conclusion of his duties, Felix had opportunity to extend the +rights of hospitality to General Ransome, who, true to his promise, +had not failed to make his appearance in due time in the kitchen. +There the worthy warrior had been received with all customary forms of +politeness by Miss Rosa, and, installed in a high-back chair, awaited +his share of the entertainment. And when the time arrived, seated +between his friends, and opposite two other servants, there were few, +if any, lighter and more careless hearts that day than the General's. +And of the whole company it may be said, that if they were not +refined, they were at least merry. + +"Ladies and genlmn," said the General, soon after the repast had +commenced, and seeming to think the toasts could not begin too soon, +"do me de satisfacshum to fill you glasses. Wid you leave I'm going to +gib a toast." + +On this day it was customary to extend an unusual degree of license to +the servants, and hence there was no lack of generous liquors on the +board, of the same descriptions as those drank by their superiors. And +to do them justice, it was seldom the privilege was abused. + +The glasses were quickly filled, and the General proposed "de healt' +ob de fair sec." This was drunk with acclamation, and a gentleman +observed, "dat de whole world acknowledge de superur beauty ob de +'Merican ladies." This toast was followed by "De day we celumbrate;" +and it was admitted on all sides that Thanksgiving was one of the most +important institutions of the country. Felix, then, looking at his +friend gave, "the heroes of the 'Merican Revolution;" whereupon, the +old soldier considering it incumbent upon him to return thanks for the +array, requested permission to make some remarks. Of course leave +was readily granted, and the orator, gracefully rising and steadying +himself on the sound leg, with the other a little drawn back, extended +his right hand, and bowing all round began. + +"Dere is noting," he said, "so sweet as liberty. 'Tis dis dat make de +eagle fedder light, and de bob-o-link sich a good singer. See de grand +bird how he wheel right about face up to de sun, and hear de moosic ob +de merry little fellow! + + "Liberty, liberty, + Berry nice to be free! + Bob-o-link where he please, + Fly in de apple trees, + O, 'tis de Freedom note + Guggle sweet in him troat! + Jink-a-jink, jink-a-jink, + Winky wink, winky wink, + Ony tink, ony tink, + How happy, Bob-o-link! + Sweet! Sweet! + +"King George, he want to make de Yankees drink tea instead ob coffee. +Now dere is no comparishum 'atween de two, and who is dere would drink +de little tea leaves dat look as dey been all chew and den roll up, +when he can git good coffee? Now King George he hab a great lot ob dis +tea on hand, and it sell berry slow, and he want to git rid ob it, so +he send it to dis country wid orders dat ebery man, woman, and child +shall drink at least four cup a day, and no coffee. So Broder Jonatan +he rise like a cat back, and he say (begging you pardon, ladies), 'dam +if I drink de tea.' And a great many ob dem dress demselves up like +Injuns, and one dark night dey heab all de tea oberboard in Bosson +harbor, and all de fish get sick, dey say for a week. Now King George +when he hear ob all dis he git mad and jerk his old wig on de ground, +an stamp on it, and kick it in de fire, and say he make de 'Mericans +pay for de tea. And after dat he send a big army to dis country, but +it was no use. De 'Mericans whip dem orfully at Bunker Hill, and dat +was de beginning ob de famous Resolution. And dey continues to drink +de coffee; and I nebber drink no better dan Miss Rosa make in dis +house (bowing to her). And for my 'sploits in de glorious Resolution +you is welcome wid all my heart, ladies and genlmn; and for de +complemen to de officers and sogers I gib dere best knowledgmn on dis +'casion." + +The General sat down amid a storm of applause. Miss Rosa after the +excitement caused by his eloquence had subsided, observing that no +toast had been given by any lady, offered to make up the deficiency +herself, which proposal being eagerly accepted, she gave "Miss Faith; +and when she marry may she be happy as the angels." The toast was +drank with right good will, though with somewhat more decorum than +the others. Faith was greatly beloved by the servants, to that degree +indeed, that the affectionate creatures doubted whether there was any +man in the world fit to be her husband. But, enough of toasts and fine +speeches. As the General very judiciously observed when Miss Rosa, who +seemed to think he could not have too many delicacies, nor too much +of them, offered to add to his already overfilled plate, "dere is +'bundance of cranberry saace for dis turkey." + +According to custom, as soon as it began to be dark, the bonfires were +lighted, and flashing from various eminences made luminous the night, +while joyous shouts of boys answered each other across the rivers and +ravines. + +At nine o'clock the bell rang out its usual warning, and before the +clock struck the next hour, the inhabitants of Hillsdale had courted +the repose of their pillows. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + He was a man + Whom no one could have passed without remark, + Active and nervous was his gait; his limbs + And his whole figure breathed intelligence. + Time had compressed the freshness of his cheek + Into a narrow circle of deep red, + But had not tamed his eye; that under brows, + Shaggy and grey, had meanings which it brought + From years of youth. + + WORDSWORTH'S EXCURSION. + + +There were certain seasons of the year when the malady of the +Solitary assumed a more serious character than at others. From what +circumstance this proceeded was unknown. It might arise from an +association of ideas, connected in some manner with the events of +his life, the particulars of which, although curious persons had, at +various times, endeavored to draw them from him, he had never revealed +more plainly than in the conversations with Ohquamehud and the +doctor. The imagination was left to wander, therefore, among whatever +speculations respecting him it chose to indulge in, and, accordingly, +there was no hypothesis that could be started, however absurd, that +did not find advocates. + +By some, he was supposed to be a murderer, whom remorse had driven +from the haunts of men, and who was endeavoring to expiate his +crimes by self-denial and suffering; others, asserted that he was the +Wandering Jew, though his long residence at the island militated +a little with the idea: however, that was balanced by his marked +reverence for the New Testament, and frequent references to the coming +of the Son of Man; while others insisted he was a pirate, who had +buried treasure on the lonely island, and there watched over its +security. This last opinion was received with especial favor by the +gaping vulgar, and further confirmed by the fact that the Solitary +never asked alms or was destitute of money, of which, indeed, he gave +away to those whom he considered poorer than himself. But whatever was +the truth, or however anxious the good people of Hillsdale might be to +discover the secret, no one ventured to meddle with him, though more +than one old woman had hinted that it was a shame he should be allowed +to run about with so long a beard, and a resolute fellow even once +suggested the expediency of arresting him on suspicion. As, however, +his life was perfectly harmless, and he had never been, nor seemed +likely to become, a burden to the town, nor had committed any act of +violence, such counsels were considered too harsh, especially as the +attempt to execute them might involve the town in expense and other +unpleasant consequences. Besides, it was known he had strong friends +in influential families, who would not permit him to be wronged or +quietly see the least of his rights invaded. The curiosity of the +place, therefore, was obliged to content itself with surmises, and to +wait until some more favorable period for its gratification. + +The time of the year had now arrived when Holden was wont to show +himself more than usually restless and excitable. He had been +wandering one day since early in the morning, shooting partridges and +squirrels, until late in the afternoon he found himself at the Falls +of the Yaupaae. This was for him a favorite place of resort, and +here, stretched on the ground, he would lie for hours, with his eyes +fastened on the foaming water, listening to the cataract's roar, as +if it soothed his humor. Holden threw himself on the moss that +exuberantly covers the rocks, and essayed the spell. But this time, in +vain. He lay but a moment, when, starting up, he seized the rifle he +had laid aside, and making a considerable detour, in order to reach a +small bridge higher up the stream, he crossed it, and pursued his way +to the village. + +Holden, notwithstanding he had lived so long in the vicinity and +had often been in the village, never made his appearance without +attracting attention. The little boys and girls, and even their +elders, seldom passed him without turning to look again. The +singularity of his dress, and fine tall person, as straight as his +rifle, and a beard, that waved like a prophet's, on his breast, would +have commanded observation anywhere. Joined to this was an air of +dignity and gravity that, in spite of the coarseness of his apparel, +insured respect. However much the rude and vulgar might feel disposed +to insult, they were too much awed by his presence to attempt it. They +might speak disrespectfully, indeed, of him in his absence, but before +him they were cowed and mute. The mystery, besides, with which their +imaginations surrounded him, invested him with a power the greater, +perhaps, on account of its indefiniteness. They forgot in gazing +at him, that his only means of living they were acquainted with was +derived from the sale of the oysters and fish he caught in the river, +and of the large baskets he made with his own hands. The meanness of +the occupation was lost sight of when they saw his majestic appearance +and heard the grand tones of his deep voice. + +Holden proceeded down the street, hardly recognizing--though such was +not his wont--the friendly greetings with which he was sainted by many +that passed, until he arrived opposite the house of Mr. Armstrong. +Here his progress was arrested by a tap on a window, and looking up +he saw the bright face of Miss Armstrong, who was beckoning to him. +He stopped; the face disappeared to re-appear at the door, and Faith +invited him to come in. He hesitated, but the irresolution was only +momentary, for instantly he turned and entered the house. + +"I doubted," he said, "whether it were right to inflict the gloom of +an old man on one so young. What have age and despondency in common +with youth and happiness?" + +"But you do not doubt my sympathy? Is there anything I would not do to +make you happy, Father Holden?" + +"No. I trust in thee as a parent in his child. Thou art as incapable +of deception as the heavens of a stain. I have known thee, Faith, +since thou wast a child, and thou hast always had an influence over +me. As the notes of the youthful harper of Israel scared away the +demons from the bosom of Saul, so do the tones of thy voice thrill +me like a melody from the past. So tell me of thyself and of all that +concerns thee, so far, at least, as thou canst impart thy thoughts and +feelings to one like me." + +"The subjects that engage the attention of a young woman can have +little interest for you, father." + +"Believe it not. Though my heart be sore, it has not lost all its +earlier feelings." + +"I cannot speak of myself," said Faith. "My life has been too +destitute of incident to deserve mention, and it is already known to +you." + +"What callest thou life? Is it," he continued, fixing his eyes on the +carpet, and speaking in a low tone, "the few gasps that agitate the +bosom here? If that were all, it were of but little more consequence +than any other sigh. But this is only the beginning. It is the +lighting of the spark that shall blaze a glorious star, or burn a +lurid conflagration for ever." He stopped; he raised his eyes to the +face of Faith, whose own were fastened on him, and gazed fondly on +her; his features assumed a softened expression; and, as if a new +train of thought had driven out the old, he added, "blessed are the +pure in heart, for they shall see God." + +Apparently, these exclamations affected Faith with no surprise. She +had probably listened to similar conversations, and simply replied: + +"Who shall say his heart is pure?" + +"If not thou, then none. Sad thought, that the poisoned tongue of the +snake in Eden, should taint even a being so fair as thou." + +"Father," said Faith, who was desirous of changing a conversation +which began to be embarrassing, for to such ejaculations it was +impossible to return reasonable answers, "do you love the loneliness, +of your island as much as ever? Would it not be more prudent to pass +the winter months in the village?" + +"Thou art not the only one whose kindness hath asked the question. +But, in my youth I learned to love solitude, though it was forced on +me in the beginning. The dungeon and the chain introduced me to its +acquaintance; yet, such is the kindness of Providence, that, what at +first I hated, I afterwards learned to love. Know, too, that I have +lived in the boundless forest, until an inhabited street cramps my +breast and stifles my breath; nor am I ever less alone than when alone +with God. Ask me not, then, though thy intentions be kind, to renounce +a mode of life which habit hath made a second nature." + +"Tell me of your adventures." + +"Hold! Wouldst thou hear of a youth blasted by unkindness; of +prostrate hopes, and scenes of revenge and horror? Nay, thou knowest +not what thou askest." + +"It was not through mere curiosity I made the request. Those who love +you would willingly know more, that they may be the better able to +promote your welfare." + +"The motive," said Holden, taking her hand, and holding it an instant, +"is kind, my child; but what purpose would it serve? The time will +come when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed: then let the +story of my crimes and wrongs be blazoned to the world." + +Faith attached little credence to confessions of crimes which Holden +intimated he had committed. Had she done so, she might have felt alarm +at being thus alone with him. But his presence, so far from inspiring +her with terror, had something unaccountable of attraction. His +self-accusation she considered exaggerations of a morbid fancy that +converted common errors into unpardonable sins. Hers was a charity +that could think no evil, and in her imagination she had long since +formed a theory that, to her pure mind, made him an object of +deep interest. In Holden she saw a man of superior endowments and +breeding--his manners and language so far above those of most around +her, proved both; who, by undeserved misfortunes had partially lost +his reason, and, like the stricken deer, left the herd to die alone. +Sometimes she would fill up the picture with scenes from his supposed +life, at one time of one character, and at another time of another; +but they were merely sports of the Imagination, changing figures of a +kaleidoscope which employed without satisfying the mind. Of the truth +of her general hypothesis she was quite convinced, nor without hope +that her old friend would be restored to society and the position +which she considered his due. As children instinctively know those +who love them, so must Holden have originally had some idea of the +feelings of Faith, and by it been drawn closer to her. Certainly, +there was no one in whose society he took more pleasure, or whom he +was more desirous to please. + +At this stage of the conversation, the door opened, and Mr. Armstrong +entered. He advanced to Holden, whose hand he took, and welcomed with +much cordiality. It was no new thing for him to see the Recluse in +his parlor. His daughter's partiality he well knew, of course; and +although, in his opinion, it was somewhat extraordinary that a young +lady should be attracted by Holden, he accounted for the circumstance +by ascribing it to the romance in her nature, of which she had no +common share. + +The contrast was strong betwixt the appearance of the two men. On +the one hand, in perfect harmony with the adornment of the handsome +parlor, stood the delicate person of Mr. Armstrong, with cropped hair +and close-shaven face, in a suit of fine black cloth and muslin cravat +of spotless white, representing a refined, perhaps enervated phase of +civilization; on the other, the stately and vigorous form of Holden, +in a clean but coarse gray frock, girt around the waist with a sash, +with long hair falling on his neck, and unshorn beard, looking like +one better acquainted with the northern blast than with the comforts +of curtains and carpets. + +"It is not often, brother Holden," said Mr. Armstrong, addressing him +by an epithet sometimes applied to him, "that I am so fortunate as to +meet you in my house." + +"Dost thou speak from the heart, James Armstrong," replied Holden, "or +art thou flattering me with empty conventionalities?" + +The melancholy face of Mr. Armstrong looked distressed, but, +remembering the wayward humor of the other, he gently answered: + +"I am sorry the form of expression displeases you; but I assure you I +am glad to see you." + +"Nay," said Holden, "let me rather beg pardon for my rudeness; and +that I fully believe thee, be my presence here the proof. I owe thee +many obligations through thy daughter, and there are times when it +does me good to be with her. It is then I fancy I hear in her voice +the tones of the long lost, and they come not with a wail of sorrow, +but like a welcome and an invitation." + +"The lost!" softly said Armstrong, falling insensibly, and as by some +mesmeric process, into a corresponding train of feeling, "the lost! +how soon drop away from our sides those who made the morning of life +so pleasant!" + +"Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward," said Holden. "He +cometh from the womb of darkness, and returneth thither again." + +The two men drew their chairs nearer each other. It seemed as if a new +community of thought and feeling had been established between them. + +"You have suffered," said Armstrong, "perhaps lost all your dear ones, +and, in that, more miserable than I; for, have I not left my Faith? +But the hand that inflicted the wound can heal, and I trust the balm +has been poured in." + +The countenance of Holden was agitated; his lips trembled, and, in a +broken voice, he replied: + +"The nearest and dearest are gone. Yet hath God left me some comfort +in my affliction. I am not entirely bereft." + +"In the promises of the Holy Scriptures you find consolation. Happy +the soul that draws comfort from their sacred pages!" + +"I meant not entirely so. But it avails not now to explain. Yet art +thou right. I do find in the precious Book my dearest hope. Without +it, I were miserable indeed." + +"And it sustains you under every trial and temptation?" + +"Assuredly. For that very purpose was it given, that man might not +sink under the mystery of existence; that in its pages he should find +hope." + +"And you find in it the warrant of your salvation?" + +"I strive to work out my salvation, with fear and trembling." + +"There are many who strive to enter, who shall not be able. How may +one be assured of safety?" + +"There is a justification by faith. Hast thou never tasted of its +sweetness?" + +"Alas! no," exclaimed Armstrong. "I have prayed for it, and longed for +it in vain. The threatenings of the Gospel and not its promises are +mine." + +"Father, dear father, how can you speak so wildly?" cried his +daughter, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his pale +cheek. + +He looked at her a moment, then putting her away, gently, again +addressed Holden: + +"Have you no word of comfort for me?" + +"Faint not; neither be tired of well-doing," answered Holden, "and I +doubt not that the cloud which now concealeth the divine countenance +will depart, and thou shalt attain the peace that passeth +understanding." + +"Have you attained it? Do you know what it is to be justified by +faith?" + +"I have that blessed experience," cried the enthusiast. "Those whom He +called He justified. I am a brand plucked from the burning--a monument +of abounding mercy." + +"Tell me, then," exclaimed Armstrong, "what are the signs by which it +may be known?" He said this eagerly, and with an air of the intensest +interest. + +"I feel it," cried Holden, rising and standing before him, "in the +hatred that I bear towards all that conflicts with His will; in the +love with which I read His word; in the willingness to suffer all +things for the glory of His name, and to be damned for ever, if such +be His purpose; I feel it in that, through His grace, I can trample +the world under foot, and bear whatever cross His decree imposes; in +the struggle and the aspiration to be more like Him, and in that His +sovereign grace hath chosen me to reveal unto me His salvation and the +knowledge of His speedy coming." + +It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the manner in which +this was spoken. Words cannot describe the voice, or paint the wild +gleams of enthusiasm that, like lightning-flashes, coursed each other +over the features of Holden, as, without a gesture, and immovable as a +rock, an image of undoubting confidence, he delivered himself of this +extraordinary speech. Nor, carried away by its impassioned utterance, +were either Armstrong or his daughter aware of its full fanaticism. +But the impression made upon the two was somewhat diverse, and marked +how differently the chords of their minds were tuned. With all her +reverence for the Enthusiast, Faith could not hear his wild avowal +without pain, notwithstanding it was stamped with all the honesty of +conviction, and her own creed taught that such a degree of spiritual +elevation might be attained; while her father listened with a sad +admiration, not unmixed with self-abasement and almost envy. + +After a pause, Armstrong said: "If such are the evidences of +justification and a saving faith, then have I had them, too; but why +bring they to me no confidence or holy joy? Why is my soul cast down, +and why do I feel like one who stumbles towards a pit? Alas! my flesh +quivers and my heart trembles at the thought of falling into His +hands." + +"It is prayer that opens heaven," said Holden. "If thou wilt, we will +unite our hearts in supplication. Peradventure the Lord may send a +blessing." + +A mute assent was the reply from Armstrong; the three knelt down +together, and Holden poured out a prayer, into which he concentrated +his glowing feelings. He described themselves as covered all over with +crimes, like a leprosy; as willful and determined rebels; as not only +unworthy of the least of God's mercies, of the warm sun and refreshing +rain, but deserving of the torments of the bottomless pit; but +entreated that, devoid of all merit, as they were, and justly exposed +to His wrath, their aggravated offences might be pardoned for the sake +of One who had taken their burden upon Himself, and that they might +be of the number of the elect, whom the foreordination of God had +predestined to salvation. He concluded with beseeching that the balm +of peace might be poured into his afflicted brother's heart, that his +ears might be opened to hear the truth, and his eyes to see how near +was the great and terrible day of the Lord, and that, as in ancient +days chosen women were raised up to do mighty works, even so Faith +might be made an instrument to proclaim His power abroad. + +As the three rose from their knees, a change seemed, during the +prayer, to have passed over the little circle. Holden was invested +with an authority not felt before. Neither his speech nor dress was as +strange as formerly. He had become a teacher to be honored. It was the +influence of a mind originally powerful, and which, though shattered, +exercised the control of a strong will, guided by an earnest +fanaticism. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Thus as he spake, his visage waxed pale, + And chaunge of hew great passion did bewray, + Yett still he strove to cloke his inward bale, + And hide the smoke that did his fire display. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEENE. + + +The request of Mr. Armstrong, supported by the pleadings of his +daughter, prevailed upon Holden to remain to tea, and afterwards +to accompany them to the "conference," as a meeting for religious +purposes held usually on some particular evening of the week, was +called. Upon the conclusion of the service he was to return with +them and pass the night at the house of his host. It was not without +difficulty he allowed his objections to be overruled, nor was he ever +known before to have accepted such an invitation. But it had seemed of +late that as his influence with Miss Armstrong increased, so did hers +over him, until he became unable to deny her slightest wish. Perhaps, +too, the events of the afternoon, by bringing him more intimately into +communion with sufferings like those through which he had passed, had +softened his sternness and disposed him more for human companionship. + +The little building where the "conference" met was of the humblest +pretensions. It was a weather-stained, unpainted wooden edifice of +one story, standing at no great distance from the meeting-house, and +capable of containing comfortably, probably a hundred people. The +interior was almost as rude and unattractive as the exterior, the +walls being coarsely plastered and dingy with smoke that had escaped +from a cast-iron stove which stood in the centre of the room. Benches +with backs were placed parallel to one another, and facing a sort of +rostrum or reading-desk, to which a passage betwixt the benches led. +The inside work was equally innocent of paint as the outside. + +On the arrival of Mr. Armstrong with his companions, they found the +room only partly occupied, nor had the exercises commenced. According +to a custom which would have struck a stranger as singular, but which, +doubtless, was founded in a knowledge of the nature of young men and +young women, the males were seated on one side of the passage, and +the females on the other. The separation, as might be expected, only +partly answered the purpose, being unable to arrest the glances +which, with quite as much of earth as of heaven in them, crossed the +intervening space. These, however, were stolen, and managed in such a +quiet way as not materially to affect the devotions of the elders. +In compliance with an usage, a breach of which would have violated +propriety, Faith, withdrawing her arm from her father's, glided into +a seat among her own sex on the right, while Mr. Armstrong and Holden +sought places on the left. + +The appearance of the Solitary entering the little place of worship, +striding up the passage with his usual air of dignity and composure, +and taking a seat among the principal members of the church, +occasioned great surprise. Although differing little, probably, in +religious sentiments (except in one point) from those around him, he +had never united with them in religious worship. He was, therefore, +notwithstanding his frequent allusions to the Scriptures, considered +generally more in the light of a heathen than of a Christian man, and +the apparition of Plato or Socrates would hardly have excited more +observation. Many, in consequence, were the looks bent on him by those +present, and those who afterwards came in. + +But of them, or of any sensation caused by his presence, he seemed +utterly unconscious. With arms folded and head drooped upon his chest, +he shut his eyes and abandoned himself to meditation. + +"Massy on us," whispered Miss Green, the mantua-maker, to her next +neighbor, Miss Thompson, the tailoress, "if here ain't old Holden. I +wonder what fetches him here." + +"And did you see!" said Miss Thompson, whispering in like manner, "he +came in with the Armstrongs. I always did admire what they could see +in him to like." + +"I guess," said Miss Green, "he feels kind o' awkward. Look how +he's folded his arms. It's so long since he's been to meeting or +conference, if he was ever in such a place before; he don't know how +to behave." + +"There's no sort o' set about his clothes," observed Miss Thompson. +"They look as if he made them himself." + +"Perhaps he did, but they're good enough to go with Faith Armstrong's +cloak" (which had been made by a rival artiste), responded Miss Green. +"What dark colors she wears, no variety, and how dreadful old they +make her look!" + +"Hush!" said Miss Thompson, "the deacon's going to open." + +During the colloquy of the two spinsters a grave, respectable-looking +man, somewhat advanced in years, had taken a seat behind the +reading-desk, and opening the large Bible that lay upon it, selected +a chapter, and now invited the attention of the audience to its +contents. Upon its conclusion he gave out a hymn, the tune of which +was announced by another person, who immediately on naming it pulled +out a pitch-pipe from his pocket and making a slight sound, furnished +the starting note. The singing proceeded principally from a certain +part of the room, as if by some understanding the singers had been +collected together, although scattered sounds also, of either rumbling +bass or shrill treble whose trembling modulations betrayed the +advanced age of the performers, were here and there heard. Some +of these guerrilla passages were sadly out of time and tune, and +according to the humor of the hearer might either provoke a smile +or start a tear. The gay and thoughtless might, indeed, laugh at the +wavering and undecided notes, but to the reflecting mind there was +something profoundly pathetic in the feeble tribute to the praise of +their Maker, of those whose voices in the ordinary course of nature +must soon be silent in the grave. + +After the singing was ended, the person who had hitherto officiated +invited Deacon Baldwin, calling him by name, to make a prayer. +Hereupon the deacon rose, and folding his hands complied with the +request, while most of the congregation respectfully bent forward, +or covered their faces with their handkerchiefs. The prayer evidently +came from a sincere and earnest heart, but contained nothing that +requires it should be recorded. Another hymn was then sung, upon the +conclusion of which followed the sermon. + +The person who came forward to perform this office was a short, +thick-set man, of middle age, with a bull neck. His features were +harsh and severe, and stamped with an expression of mortification, +though the gross animality of the mouth and chin too plainly revealed +how many and desperate were the conflicts it must have cost him to +become a saint. As he passed to the reading-desk his clothes brushed +Holden, who shrunk from the touch. The Solitary looked up, but as if +what he saw was displeasing, he averted his face and shut his eyes. + +The first thing done by Davenport on reaching the desk, and casting a +furtive glance around, was to draw an East India silk handkerchief out +of his pocket, and having noticed a spittoon by his side, to blow his +nose sonorously. He then cleared his throat two or three times, and +commenced reading. + +It happened, singularly enough, that the subject was prophecy, +considered as evidence of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. +The writer, after referring to the fulfillment of many prophecies +contained in the Old Testament, came to those in the New, and amongst +others he spoke of that in which Christ alludes to the destruction of +Jerusalem. He said that even in the times of the Apostles, there were +persons who, by putting too literal a construction upon the words, +were misled into believing that the end of the world was at hand, and +that there had never been a time when there were not victims to the +same delusion. + +It was impossible, with reference to the condition of Holden's +mind, to have selected either a topic or reader more unsuitable. The +aversion he had manifested at first increased every moment. It was one +of those antipathies as unquestionable as they are unaccountable. It +at first exhibited itself in restlessness, and an inability to remain +quiet, and afterwards in half-suppressed groans and sighs. If he +opened his eyes and looked at the reader, he saw a devilish figure, +with a malignant leer glaring at him; if he shut them to exclude the +disagreeable image it was converted into a thousand smaller figures, +dancing up and down like motes in a distempered vision, all wearing +that intolerable grin, while the whole time a hissing sound, as if it +came from a snake, whispered in his ears temptations to some deadly +sin. It was a trial the shattered nerves of the enthusiast were +ill qualified to bear, and, finally, a torture beyond his powers +of endurance. The very force of the reasons urged by the writer +distressed him more and more. They seemed to his disordered +imagination the subtle enticements of an evil spirit to lure him +from the truth, and Davenport an emissary of Satan, if not the +arch-deceiver himself. No adequate answers to doctrines which he was +persuaded were false presented themselves to his mind, and this he +ascribed to some hellish spell, which fettered his reason, and must +soon be broken, or he was lost. Mentally, then, first ejaculating a +prayer, he suddenly sprung to his feet, and in a loud voice bade the +reader to stop. + +"Forbear," he cried, "man of sin, to seduce the people with these +soul-damning and abominable lies. I conjure thee, Satan, to leave the +body of this man, and depart. Ha! thou wouldst lull them into +security that they may slumber and have no oil in their lamps when +the Bridegroom cometh, when He cometh in the clouds of heaven. My soul +have not thou thy portion with the unbelievers." + +The words were uttered with wonderful vehemence and rapidity, and upon +their conclusion, he strode with long strides down the passage towards +the door. Not an exclamation was heard, not a hand raised to stay his +departure, so stupefied were all with astonishment. Upon leaving the +room he rushed into the street, and, forgetful of his promise to Mr. +Armstrong, took his way to his own hut. The tything man, awakening +from his lethargy, and a few others recovering their presence of mind, +went at last to the door, and gazed up and down the street, but the +disturber of the meeting was not in sight, nor, sooth to say, were +any of the number sorry, or wished to meet him that night. Contenting +themselves, therefore, with this slight demonstration of zeal, they +returned to the Conference-room. There, great as was the scandal +occasioned by the interruption, all things soon settled down into +their usual course, and the meeting was regularly concluded and +dismissed. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + _Angelo_.--We must not make a scarecrow of the law, + Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, + And let it keep one shape, till custom make it + Their perch, and not their terror. + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE. + + +The events of the preceding evening caused quite a sensation in the +village. We shall better understand the various opinions and feelings +of the inhabitants by stepping, at about eleven o'clock the following +morning, into the shop, or, as it was called in those days, and would +generally be called now, the "store" of Truman and Jenkins. This was +an establishment at the foot of the hill, where it hung out its sign, +in company with several others of the same character, which professed +to supply all the wants of the community. Here everything was to be +had from a gallon of molasses to a skein of thread, or a quintal of +codfish, to a pound of nails. On one side, as you entered, were ranges +of shelves, protected by a counter, on which were exposed rolls of +flannels of divers colors, and calico and broadcloth, and other +"dry goods," while a showcase on the counter contained combs, and +tooth-brushes, and soaps, and perfumery, and a variety of other small +articles. The back of the store was used as a receptacle for hogsheads +of molasses, and puncheons of rum and wine, and barrels of whisky and +sugar. Overhead and on the posts were hung pails, and rakes, and iron +chains, and a thousand things necessary to the complete enjoyment of +civilization. On the other side was a small counting-room partitioned +off, with a door, the upper part of which was glass, for the +convenience of looking into the shop, in order to be ready to attend +to the wants of such customers as might come in. This little room, +scarcely eight feet square, contained a small close stove, around +which were gathered some half a dozen persons. + +"I say, squire," exclaimed Tom Gladding, a tall, awkward, good-natured +looking fellow, with legs sprawling out, and heels on the top of the +stove, addressing himself to a man in a black suit, rather better +dressed than the others, "what do you think of this here rusty old +Father Holden cut up last night at Conference?" + +Squire Miller, as one in authority, and who might be called to +adjudicate upon the case, and for other reasons of his own, was not +disposed to commit himself, he, therefore, cautiously replied, _more +Novo Anglicano_, by asking another question, "Were you there, Mr. +Gladding?" + +"No," said Tom, laughing; "the old folks used to make me go so +regular, when I was a boy, I guess I've done my part. So after a while +I give it up." + +"It is a pity you ever gave it up," said the squire. "You might get a +great deal of good from it." + +"There's two opinions about that," said Tom. "You see, squire, as long +as mother was alive, I always went with her regular, 'cause it kind o' +comforted her, though somehow or other I never took to it. So when she +died I sort o' slacked off 'till now it's 'een amost two year since I +been in." + +"They say," observed Mr. Jenkins, "they've took the old man up." + +"I'm sorry for that," cried Tom. "To go to take up a kind o' +half-crazy man for speaking in meetin'!" + +"Why," inquired the squire, "would you allow the man to go about +disturbing the neighbors as he pleased?" + +"I never heard tell of his disturbing nobody," said Tom. "Just take +him off his notions about the ten vargins and their lamps, and the +judgment day, and I don't know a likelier man than old Holden. In my +opinion, he's a cleverer fellow than Davenport, by a long shot." + +"I don't believe he's been caught," said a man in a pee-jacket, +who, from his appearance, was a fisherman. "I passed his island this +morning about sunrise, with a boatload of oysters, and I see the old +man at his door." + +"Well," observed Mr. Jenkins, "I hope he isn't. It's enough to make +a body puke up his boots to hear Davenport, and I don't much blame +Holden for cutting him short." + +"I heard somebody say," said Gladding, "that the old man shook his +fist right in old Davenport's face, and told him up and down he was a +good for nothing liar. I want to know if he can sue him, squire?" + +"Why, as to that," answered Miller, who being appealed to on a +question of law, conceived it necessary to show his learning, "if a +man strikes at me within striking distance, I can sue him for assault, +though he shouldn't touch me. That I call one of the nice pints of the +law. I decided so myself in the case of Samuel Pond _versus_ Ezekiel +Backus. You see Pond and Backus had a little quarrel about some +potatoes Pond sold him, and Pond got mad, and told Backus he lied. +Backus is rather hasty, and doubled up his fist, and put it near +Pond's nose, and insinuated that if he said that again he would +knock him down." Here the squire paused, and looked round to see what +impression he was making on his audience, and the momentary silence +was taken advantage of by Gladding to observe: + +"That Pond's a mean cuss." + +The justice took no further notice of honest Tom's not very +complimentary remark than to cast at him a look of angry surprise, +which the other endured with complete indifference. + +"So," continued Squire Miller, "Pond went to Lawyer Tippit, and he +brought the suit before me. Backus pleaded his own case, but he had a +fool for a client; the law was all against him, and I had to fine him +a dollar and cost." + +"That's considerable to pay," exclaimed Tom, "just for skinning such +a fellow's nose as Sam Pond's (I've heard of the case afore), but you +ain't said nothing, squire, about calling a man a liar." + +"Well," said Squire Miller, "that's what we call a mute point. I heard +the affirmative and negative argued once by Lawyer Ketchum and Lawyer +Tippit. Lawyer Tippit was the affirmative, and Lawyer Ketchum the +negative. Lawyer Tippit's principle was in _medio pessimus ibis_, +while Lawyer Ketchum held _qui facit per alien facit per se_. They, +therefore, couldn't agree, they were so wide apart, you see. So they +separated without either giving up, though I think Lawyer Tippit had a +little the best of the argument." + +"Lawyer Tippit knows a thing or two," said the fisherman, in a low +tone. + +Here Squire Miller handed to Mr. Jenkins twelve and a half cents, for +the four glasses of Jamaica he had drank, a portion of which some way +or other seemed to have got into his last speech, and took his leave. + +He had hardly left the store when who should come in but Constable +Basset, bearing in his hand a black staff, "having a head with the +arms of the State thereon," the badge of his office, as provided by +law, and which he was required to carry "upon proper occasions." Some +such occasion had, in the judgment of the constable, evidently arisen, +else it would not now be forthcoming. + +He was a bullet-headed, carroty-haired little fellow, with a snub nose +and eyes so diminutive and deeply sunken, that but for the sparks of +light they emitted, they would have been undiscernible. The expression +of his face was like that of a wiry terrier, being derived partly from +his occupation, which, in his opinion, required him to be as vigilant +in spying out offenders as the aforesaid peppery animal, in scenting +vermin, and being partly the gift of nature. But though the person of +Basset was small, such was not his opinion of himself. That was in an +inverse ratio to his size, and at once the source of his highest joys, +and, sooth to say, of an occasional mortification. But the former +greatly preponderated, and, on the whole, it was a pleasure to +a benevolent mind to look at him, if for no other reason than to +consider how much enjoyment there may be in ignorance. + +As soon as Gladding set his eyes on the constable, he hailed him: + +"Here, Basset," he cried, "what are you going to do this morning with +that are stick?" + +The constable did not much relish hearing the badge of an office which +he esteemed one of the most important in the State thus lightly spoken +of and degraded to a common stick; he, therefore, replied somewhat +shortly-- + +"I guess, Mr. Gladding, you don't see the head of my staff, do ye?" + +"Don't I?" said Gladding. "I know old +Authority-by-the-State-of-Connecticut a mile off, without seeing his +head, I rather think. But what are you up to now?" + +Basset, who, though no Solomon, had too much wit to admit every one +into his confidence, answered: + +"O, nothing; I was only looking for Squire Miller." + +"Why," said Gladding, "he only left the store a minute ago. I say +Basset, you got a warrant agin old Holden?" + +"Why," said Basset, "what makes you ask?" + +"Because," replied Gladding, mischievously, who strongly suspecting an +intention to arrest Holden, and knowing the constable's cowardice, +was determined to play upon his fears, "I shouldn't like to be in your +skin when you go for to take him." + +"I'd like to see the man what would dare to resist when I showed him +my authority," said the constable. "I guess I'd make him cry copeevy +in less than no time." + +"Well," said Gladding, who all this while had been leisurely whittling +a bit of white pine, "well, Basset, you know your own business best, +and I'm not a man to interfere. My principle is, let every man skin +his own skunks. You haint no wife nor children, have you?" + +"No," said Basset. "What makes you ask?" + +"Well, I'm glad to hear it. I always think it judgmatical, you see, +to choose a man for constable who haint got no family; 'cause, if any +accident should happen, 'twouldn't be of so much consequence." + +"I don't catch your meaning clear," said Basset. + +"You'll catch it clear enough, I guess," answered Gladding, "if Holden +gits hold o' ye." + +"Now, Tom Gladding, you needn't think you're going to frighten _me_," +cried Basset, on whom the charm was beginning to work. + +"I never had sich an idea," said Tom. "But folks does say he's a +desperate fighting character. Did you never hear tell of Kidd the +pirate, and his treasures, ever so much gold and silver, and rings and +watches, and all sorts o' trinkets and notions, buried somewhere along +shore, or perhaps on the old fellow's island? Folks does say that +when it was kivered, two men was murdered on the spot, so that their +sperits should watch it, and hender other folks from gitting on't. +But them may be all lies. I heard tell, too," he added, bending down +towards the constable, and speaking in a low, confidential tone, as if +he wished to be overheard by no one, "that Holden's Kidd himself; but +I don't believe a word on't. I tell you this as a friend of your'n, +and I advise you to be prudent." + +Poor Basset left the shop, with a much less confident air than that +with which he had entered it. The truth is, he had in his pocket, all +the while, a warrant issued by Squire Miller to arrest Holden, which +he now most heartily wished he had never burnt his fingers with. +He had heard before, the strange stories in circulation about the +Solitary, but had listened to them with only a vague feeling +of curiosity, without any personal interest therein, so that no +impression of any consequence had been made upon his mind. But now the +case was different. The matter was brought home to his own bosom. Here +was he, Constable Basset, required and commanded, "by authority of the +State of Connecticut," to arrest a man of the most violent character, +"for," said Basset to himself, "he must be a dangerous fellow, else +how would he venture to insult a whole conference? Tom Gladding's +more'n half right, and I must look sharp." Gladly would he have +abandoned the whole business, notwithstanding his cupidity was not a +little excited by the fees, but he doubted whether the sheriff, his +deputy, or any other constable would execute the warrant in his +stead; nor did any plausible excuse present itself to account for +transferring it to other hands. Thus musing, with fear and avarice +contending in his breast, he walked up the street. But it may be +necessary to tell how Basset got into the dilemma, and, in order to do +so, we must retrace our steps. + +The interruption at the conference had not a little offended +Davenport. A pompous and conceited man, any slight to himself, any +failure to accord a deference he considered his due, he felt sensibly +as an injury; much more, then, an open defiance and direct attack. +That Holden or any one should have the hardihood, before an assemblage +of his friends and acquaintances, to interrupt him and load him with +reproaches, wounded his self love to the quick, and he fancied it +would affect his reputation and influence in the community were the +offence to be passed over without notice. He therefore resolved that +something should be done to punish the offender, though unwilling to +appear himself in the matter, as that might expose his motives; and +all the way home, his mind was engrossed with schemes to accomplish +his purpose. It was little attention, then, he be stowed upon the +"good gracious" and "massy on us" of his better half, as, with +indignation becoming the provocation, she kept herself warm, and +shortened the way. But, notwithstanding, he was forced to hear them, +and they affected him like so many little stings to urge him to +revenge. So excited were his feelings, that it was some time before he +fell asleep that night, long after notes other than those of music had +announced the passage of Mrs. Davenport to a land of forgetfulness, +though not before her husband had matured a plan for the morrow. + +Accordingly, after breakfast, Davenport walked round to the office of +Mr. Ketchum. Ketchum was a young man, who, but a short time before, +had, in the fortunate town of Hillsdale, hung out his professional +sign, or shingle, as people generally called it, whereon, in gilt +letters, were emblazoned his name and the titles of "Attorney and +Counsellor at Law," whereby the public were given to understand that +the owner of the aforesaid name and titles was prepared with pen or +tongue, or both, to vindicate, _a entrance_, the rights of all who +were able and willing to pay three dollars for an argument before a +Justice Court, and in proportion before the higher tribunals. He was +a stirring, pushing fellow, whose business, however, was as yet quite +limited, and to whom, for that reason, a new case was a _bonne bouche_ +on which he sprung with the avidity of a trout. + +This gentleman Davenport found apparently lost in the study of a +russet sheep-skin covered book. A few other books, bound in like +manner, were lying on the table, with pens and loose paper and an +ink-stand, among which were mingled files of papers purporting to +be writs and deeds. Against the walls were two or three shelves +containing some dingy-looking books having a family likeness to the +former. + +After the usual compliments, Davenport made known his business. "A +scandal," he said, "had been occasioned by the conduct of Holden, and +a great injury inflicted on the cause of religion. It was for that +reason," he intimated, "and not from any private feeling he wanted him +brought to justice. Some people think him a little touched," he said, +"though I don't believe it, and if it was only my own case I should +overlook his insults, for it is the part of a Christian to suffer +wrong without complaining, but there's others to be thought of, and +I'd sooner cut off my right hand than not do my duty. So, squire," +he concluded, "we must see if we can't learn him reason, and stop his +disturbing the worship of God." + +"There is no difficulty about that, Squire Davenport," said Ketchum, +who was acquainted with the particulars of the occurrence of the +night previous, before the arrival of his client, having heard them +discussed over breakfast at his boarding-house. "You have the plainest +case in the world. We'll soon put him through a course of sprouts." + +"How do you think we had better proceed?" said Davenport. + +"Why," replied the other, opening the Statute Book, "you have at least +two causes of action; you can bring a civil action for the slander, +and also proceed against him on the part of the State for the +interruption of the meeting." + +"I don't care about suing him on my own account," said the client, +who, perhaps, not reposing unlimited confidence in the young man's +knowledge of law, and doubting the success of a civil action, had +visions of possible costs he might be obliged to pay floating before +his imagination. Besides, Davenport was a shrewd fellow who had been +"in the law" before; and experience taught him how to make allowance +for the natural anxiety of a new practitioner to obtain business. +"No, I have no feeling about it myself," said Davenport, "and it is my +opinion we had better take him on the part of the State." + +"It is just as well," said the attorney; "one suit will not interfere +with the other. We can first proceed against him criminally, and +afterwards bring an action for damages." + +"Well, well," said Davenport, "now about the prosecution." + +"Then," said Ketchum, opening the Statute Book at the title +"Meetings," after first running though the index; "we can take him +under the Act on the 492d page, entitled, 'An Act for preserving due +order in town meetings, society meetings, and in the meetings of other +communities, and for preventing tumults therein,'" and he read the act +aloud. + +"I don't exactly like that," observed Davenport, "The fine, in the +first place, is only eighty-four cents, except the case is aggravated, +when it is a binding over, and then the County Court cannot go over +thirty-four dollars fine. There's no imprisonment and Tom Pownal or +Armstrong would go bail, and pay the fine too, if it comes to that; so +there would be nothing gained by the operation." + +"Let as see if we cannot find something else," said Ketchum, "to suit +your taste better I think (for he now perfectly understood the temper +of his client, and read the vindictive purpose of his soul, and, +alas! was willing to descend to the meanness of ministering to its +gratification,)--I think it would be a reproach to the law if such a +high-handed outrage should be permitted to pass unpunished." He again +referred to the index and apparently finding what he wanted turned the +leaves till he came to the title, "Workhouses." "Here," cried he, "at +the 688th page, in the seventh section, we have got him;" and he read +from the Statutes a provision, authorising and empowering an associate +or Justice of the Peace to send "'all rogues, vagabonds, sturdy +beggars, and other lewd, idle, dissolute, profane and disorderly +persons that have no settlement in this State, to such workhouses, and +order them to be kept to hard labor' &c.; and here on the next page, +'also such as are guilty of reviling and profane speaking.'" + +"That last will do, if the law will hold him," said Davenport. + +"Leave that to me," said Ketchum. "That section will hold water or +nothing will. Give me the names of your witnesses, and we will set +the mill a grinding. I suppose," he added, carelessly, "you have no +objection to bringing the case before Squire Miller?" + +"Oh, none in the world," answered the other, who knew perfectly well +the influence he exercised over the Justice. "But you haven't said a +word about the Grand Juror to make the complaint." + +"That will be all straight," replied Ketchum. "Two Grand Jurors I know +were at the meeting, either of whom will answer our purpose. Trust +that to me, and I will attend to it." + +Hereupon, Davenport mentioned the names of the witnesses he wished +subp[=oe]ned. "And now, Squire," he added, "that this matter is +concluded between us, how comes on my case with Fanning?" + +Ketchum felt some surprise at the question, although his countenance +expressed none, for it was only a short time since he had gone over +the whole subject with his client, and the plan of operations had +been agreed on between them. He understood, however, the character +of Davenport too well not to know that he had a reason of his own +for asking, and not doubting it would come out in the course of the +conversation, he replied very composedly that it would probably be +reached the next term. + +Davenport went on for awhile, talking of his case, Ketchum all the +time wondering at his drift, until, having concluded what it pleased +him to say, he rose to take leave. After bidding good morning by way +of farewell, he walked to the door, when suddenly turning, as if the +thought had just struck him, he observed--"By the way, if anybody +should happen to notice that I had called on you, I have no objections +to your saying I had a talk with you about that case of Fanning's." + +As soon as the door was closed, Ketchum leaned back in his chair and +indulged in a low sarcastic laugh. "The old sinner," he said, aloud; +"he is a cute one; sharp as a pin, but needles are sharper. What a +knack he has of whipping the devil round the stump! To look at that +man you would suppose he was too good for preaching. And he flatters +himself he is imposing on me! He must get up earlier for that. It is +my opinion his only chance when his turn comes will be in cheating his +Satanic Majesty. Well, practice makes perfect, and he has enough +of it. I do declare," he added, after a pause, as if scruples of +conscience were arising in his mind, "I am almost sorry I undertook +this business. But all trades must live." + +Consoling himself with this reflection, Ketchum started to hunt up the +grand juror. He found no difficulty in inducing him to make complaint +to Justice Miller, having first satisfied him that an offence had been +committed which the law compelled him to notice officially. + +Squire Miller, however, seemed disposed, at first, to take a different +view of the subject. He said he had known Holden a good many years, +and never heard harm of him except that he was a little flighty +sometimes; but if the grand juror insisted, of course he would issue +the warrant. + +The minister of the law must have been inexorable, for the complaint +was made, and the warrant signed in due form and delivered to Basset +to be executed. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + _Esculus_.--Come hither to me, master Elbow, come hither, + master constable. How long have you been in this place of + constable? + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE + + +We have seen that when the constable left the shop he felt some +anxiety about the proper course to be pursued. On the one hand were +his duty and avarice, on the other his fears. After some meditation he +finally effected a compromise between them, by adopting the resolution +to wait until the formidable Holden should make his appearance again +in the village, where, he thought he would be less likely, in +open day, and surrounded by others, to resist, or, if he did, the +assistance of the bystanders might be commanded. + +Two or three days passed in this manner, none, excepting the five +persons above-mentioned, having any knowledge of the issuing of +the warrant. The excitement had died away, and the little community +supposed no notice would be taken of the occurrence, and, for the most +part, were disposed that none should be. Meanwhile, Basset, like a +spider in the centre of his web, watched for his victim, ready to +pounce upon him, as soon as the propitious moment should arrive. It +is curious how the desire to capture Holden increased with delay. At +first, and in the prospect of immediate danger, the business was far +from being relished, but as time slipped along, and his mind became +familiarized to its contemplation, it began to assume something of +even a tempting character. He began to fancy that if he could secure +the Recluse, he should achieve for himself a reputation for courage, +which he was far, at present, from possessing. Yet, still he desired +to discharge his commission in the most prudent manner. + +But Holden did not appear. Was it possible he could have obtained +information of the threatened danger, and was keeping himself +concealed? At the thought, Basset stood two inches higher; his courage +mounted rapidly, and the terrible pirate dwindled into a submissive +culprit. + +Ketchum, meanwhile, began to be importunate. He had become impatient +at waiting, and demanded of the constable the reason of the delay. +The latter, unwilling to confess the true cause, put him off with such +excuses as his ingenuity suggested, until he had exhausted his stock, +and was obliged to apply himself to the discharge of his duty. He, +therefore, made up his mind to face the danger, but not to monopolize +the glory of the achievement. He dared not go alone, and accordingly +looked round for somebody to assist him in the perilous enterprise. +Now, the veteran Primus, by virtue of his exploits in the +Revolutionary War, and the loss of one of his legs on the field of +battle, enjoyed a high reputation for bravery. Backed by the old +warrior, or rather led by him, for Basset meant to yield him the post +of honor, the constable thought he should stand a much greater chance +of success. He determined, therefore, to apply to Primus, secure his +services, and take counsel with him on the best mode to apprehend +Holden. With this view, he betook himself to the bachelor quarters of +the black--a hovel on the outskirts of the village, where we find him +at this present moment. + +"I hab some interjection, Missa Basset," said Primus, evidently in +reply to a proposition of the constable. "Suppose you come to ketch +me, how I like to hab somebody help you?" + +"No danger of that, Prime," said Basset; "you are too clever a fellow +for me to go with a warrant after; and if it was your case, I should +more likely give you a squint of what was going on, than be plotting +how to git hold on ye. You don't know your friends, Prime." + +"Dey say 'tis a wise child dat know his own fader," answered Primus. +"Now, if a child dat see his fader ebery day, and been brung up in +de same house, not know him, how is it possible dat I know you, Missa +Basset, who neber before do me de honor ob a visit?" + +"Why," said the constable, who hardly knew what reply to make, "you +never come to see me, Prime." + +"Dat is de trute," said Primus, "and dat look as do you and me is +no great friends, arter all. But," added he, observing the other's +embarrassment, "dat is needer here nor dere. I always suspect you bery +much, sar, and is willing to do anything to obleege you. Tell us, now, +'xactly, what you want me to do." + +"Why, you see, I want somebody to go along with me to be there when +I take him, that's all. The island's three or four miles off, and I +shall want you to help row the boat." + +"O, if dat is all, I is 'greeable," exclaimed Primus. "When you tink +of going, Missa Basset?" + +"I ain't just made up my mind on that pint, and that's one thing I +want to talk about. When will he be most likely to be at home? What do +you think? Had we better go in the morning, or wait till afternoon." + +"Dat inquire some deflexum. Let me see: I don't know about de day, at +all. If he see you coming, he make off, probumbly, and den de job is +lost, and de fire is in de fat. De night is de best time, I guess, to +ketch dis kind ob fish." + +But this opinion did not suit the notions of the constable. + +"It won't be half so pleasant," he said. "It's plaguy cold at night; +and if it keeps on at this rate, the river will soon freeze up. I +expect we can git him easier, too, in the day-time than at night." + +For some reason Primus seemed to entertain a decidedly contrary +opinion. + +"You suspec'," cried he, "de ole man let you put you hand an him as +easy as Frisky wink (looking at a little mongrel, that at the mention +of his name jumped into his master's lap). Ketch a weasel asleep! De +old man beard too long for dat." + +"Why, I can't see," said Basset, "what objections you can have if I +take the risk. You can't deny it's a great deal pleasanter in the +day time than to go along shivering at night, and, perhaps, catch a +tarnation cold. So, Prime, what say to going down to-morrow in the +forenoon or afternoon, I don't care much which? It's all one to me." + +"It's all no use," persisted Primus. "You just hab to pay for de boat +and my sarvices, and git noting. Dat is what I call a berry bad spec, +Missa Basset." + +"Well, what's that to you, I tell you? If I choose to run the risk, +that's enough, and you ought to be satisfied. You git your pay, and +what more do you want?" + +"Dere is someting more I want," exclaimed the General, "I want de +satisfacshum ob victory. I want de satisfacshum here," he repeated, +laying his hand on his breast. "Do you tink, sar, dat a genlmn, dat +fight in de Resolutionary war, and gib one leg, dat you may stand on +two free leg, hab no feeling ob honor? Beside, dis old soger don't +want no bread he don't arn." + +"Well, I'll make a bargain with you, that if we don't catch Holden, +you shan't have anything. That horse is soon curried." + +"Ah, dat won't do. My time is precious, and de hire is wordy ob de +laborer. No, Missa Basset, if you want to go in de day time, you can +go. Dere is nobody will hender you. But dis child you will please +'scuse. Beside, dere is a good reason I say noting about 'cause I +don't want to hurt you feelings." + +"What's that?" said Basset. "Don't be afeared, spit it out." + +"Well, seeing as how you is so pressing you see I tink someting ob my +'spectability." + +"Your what?" exclaimed the constable, utterly at a loss to imagine the +meaning of the other. + +"My 'spectability," repeated Primus, gravely. "You see, when I was a +young man I sociate wid da best company in de country. I members de +time when General Wayne (dey called him Mad Antony cause he fight so +like de dibble) say afore de whole army dat haansome fellow--meaning +me--look like anoder Anibal (Anibal I guess was a French General). +Ah," sighed Primus, "dey made more 'count ob colored pussons den, dan +dey does now." + +"What has all this to do with your respectability?" inquired Basset +who began to be a little impatient. + +"I come to dat at de end ob de roll call," responded Primus. "Do you +tink it bery 'spectable now, for a man who, in his younger day, fight +for liberty, to go for to take it away in his old age from anoder +man?" + +"But just consider," said Basset, whose cue was flattery and +conciliation, "Holden went agin the very laws you made." + +"I make de law, Missa Basset?" roared Primus, "haw! haw! haw! I make +de law, haw! haw! haw! does you want to kill me! O dear!" + +"Yes," said Basset stoutly, "and I can prove it. Now say, if the +Americans didn't make their own laws, wouldn't the British make 'em +for 'em? And who was it drove the British out and give us a chance to +make our own laws eh?" + +"Pity you isn't a lawyer," said Primus, suddenly abandoning his mirth +at the other's explanation, "dere is a great deal in what you say--de +white men owes a big debt to us colored pussons. Dat is a fust rate +reason why I should want to see de law execute but not for me to go +myself in particular, when, perhaps de ole man point his rifle at me, +and tell me to clear out." + +"Why, you don't think he'll resist?" cried the constable somewhat +startled, feeling the apprehensions revive which Tom Gladding had +occasioned, but which the passage of a few days had almost lulled +asleep. + +"'Tis bery hard to tell what a man do when he git in a corner," said +Primus, shaking his head, and fastening his eyes on the constable's +face, "but, if you want to know my 'pinion, it is just dis--if Missa +Holden know what you up to, he make day light shine trough you, in +less dan no time, rader dan be took." + +"Poh?" exclaimed Basset, affecting a courage he was far from feeling, +"you're skeary, Prime. So, in your judgment, it's safer to go by +night, is it?" + +"My 'pinion is made up on all de pints," said Primus, resolutely, and +bringing all his batteries to bear. "Dis case hab two hinge, de fust +is de 'spectability, and de second de safety. Now, if any man suspect +me to go on work ob dis a kind in de day time, when ebery body see me +in you company, he as much mistake as when he kiss his granny for a +gal. De night is de proper time for sich a dark business, and it suit +me better if I 'scuse altogeder from it. But I wish to 'bleege you, +Missa Basset. Now, de second hinge is de safety, and it 'stonish me +dat an onderstanding man, and a man ob experunce and larning like +you, Missa Basset, should dream o' going in de daytime. Dere stand old +Holden probumbly wid his rifle in de window and all he hab to do, he +see so plan, is to pull de trigger and den where is you, Missa Basset? +Or perhaps," he added laughing, "'stead ob shooting at you, he shoot +at me, and dat would be bery onpleasant. In de day-time, a colored +pusson make a better mark dan a white man; but in de night we has de +advantage. Haw! Haw!" + +This was a view of things that did not please the constable at +all, and the mirth of the negro appealed excessively ill-timed. He, +therefore, said: + +"Don't talk so, Prime; it's dreadful to hear you. Well, if you're +afraid, say so, and done with--" + +"Me, 'fraid," exclaimed Primus, "me dat is as 'customed to de bullets +as de roof to de rain! No, sar, you is better 'quainted wid de genlmen +dat is 'fraid dan dis child." + +"Don't git mad though," said Basset, in whose mind one apprehension +drove out another, and who began to fear he might lose altogether his +new ally. "Everybody knows you're as brave as Julius Caesar, Prime." + +"Please, sar, not to repair me to no Caesar," exclaimed the indignant +General. "De Caesars ob my 'qaintance was nebber no great shakes. I hab +a better name dan dat. My name is Primus--dat mean, in Latin, fust--so +I hear genlmn say, and Ransome, and de meaning ob dat is, dat in de +glorious Resolution I run some arter de British (dough de foolish +doctor abuse me and say dey give me de name 'cause I run away), and +putting bote togedder dey makes a name any genlmn may be proud ob. +But, Missa Basset, what you going to gib me for dis job?" + +"Why, a quarter'll be good wages, I guess." + +"A quarter ob a dollar! Do you s'pose I dispose myself to ketch cold +on de ribber, and die afore my time, and arter dat to be shoot at, +like a duck, for a quarter? I don't 'list on no such tarms." + +"We'll say a half. I'm inclined to be liberal, but I shall expect you +to be lively, Prime." + +"Dat is too little;" grumbled Primus. "And who else you got to help +you?" + +"Why, hain't two enough? I might as well give up the job at once, and +done with it, if I'm to pay out all the fees." + +"One more will make all sure," said Primus, who, prudent general that +he was, thought no odds could be too great against an enemy. "S'pose I +speak to Missa Gladding to insist?" + +"Tom Gladding be hung. I won't give him a cent." + +"But," said Primus, who seemed determined to have his own way in +everything, "you no interjection, I guess, if it don't cost you +noting." + +"No," replied Basset, who was glad enough of another auxiliary, +provided his own packet was not affected. "But, mind ye, I don't pay +him a red cent." + +"I pay him myself, out ob my own pass. De danger won't be so much, and +de work will be done up right, sartin. So, atween genlmn, de business +is settle." + +They parted with the understanding that the General was to see +Gladding and induce him to take part in the enterprise, and that the +three would meet at a certain place in the evening, the constable +being careful to repeat that he couldn't afford more than fifty cents +for any assistance that might be rendered. Primus accordingly called +upon Gladding, and the arrangement must have been satisfactory, for +the three were all at the place of rendezvous at the appointed hour. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + "All these tales told in that dreamy undertone with which men + talk in the dark, the countenances of the listeners only now + and then receiving a casual gleam from the glare of a pipe, + sunk deep in the mind of Ichabod." + + Legend of Sleepy Hollow + + +It was on the village wharf that the coadjutors met. Basset, as he +contemplated the martial bearing of the General and the burly form +of Gladding, felt comforted. The clouds that all day long had lowered +above his mental horizon parted, and patches of blue sky began +to appear. It was a cause of special gratulation to him, which he +realized more sensibly in the darkness than by day, that assistance so +important as Gladding's had been secured, and that without additional +expense. He was confident now of an easy victory. The associates +jumped into the boat, the painter was cast off, the constable, as +principal, took the steersman's seat, and Tom and Primus disposed +themselves to row. + +The night was neither clear nor dark, or rather was both by fits and +starts. Light fleecy clouds were constantly passing over the heavens, +now gathering densely together and completely hiding the stars, and +now breaking up and revealing between the rifts then shining points. A +low wind softly moaned through the leafless trees on the banks of the +Severn, sadly chiming in with the murmur of the tide, which rose quite +up to the Falls of the Yaupaae. In the indistinct light, just enough +to stimulate and keep in active play the imagination, softening away +all those harshnesses which the garish brilliancy of day discloses, +and inviting the mind to supply with its own creations what is vague +and deficient, the village presented an appearance more attractive, +if possible, than by day. Along the margin of the river, and up +the hill-sides, the lights scattered in every direction, and rising +irregularly one above another, contended successfully with the +struggling stars to light the way of the adventurers; while a low +sound, the faint indication of life, hardly distinguishable from other +noises, rose from the village, for it was yet early in the night, +and imparted a sense of security by the consciousness of human +propinquity. But gradually, under the skillful strokes of the oars, +the sounds became fainter and fainter, and one light after another +disappeared till, at a turn in the stream, the bold promontory of +Okommakemisit hid the town from view. + +A feeling of loneliness now, in spite of the presence of his two +friends, began to creep over the constable. So long as the lights +had been visible, he felt a strength derived from the vicinity of the +habitations of his fellow-beings, as if, were anything untoward to +happen, assistance was close at hand and ready to be proffered, but +now he might die a thousand deaths, and none be the wiser for his +wretched end. As these and other thoughts equally dismal chased each +other through his mind, the silence became more and more oppressive +(for it was only now and then, hitherto, a word had been uttered), and +it was with an emotion of thankfulness and relief he heard it broken +by the voice of Gladding. + +"I say, Primus," he said, "do you know where you are?" + +"I guess I does," answered the black, speaking from between his shut +teeth, which the necessity of retaining the stump of a pipe he was +smoking compelled him to keep tight together, "I is on de river +'joying a row wid two white genlmn." + +"Any fool knows that," said Tom, "though for the matter of the +enjoyment, there might be two words about that. Some jugs has two +handles." + +"Well, if dat doesn't please you, I all in a shiver wid de cold. My +wood toe is almost freeze." + +"That's a plaguy curus thing," said Tom. "You know Jim Hardy. Well I +hearn him say he can feel the fingers in his hand that was ground off +in the mill, just an much as in tother. I expect your experience is +pretty much the same." + +"Dat's a fact," said Primus. "I can feel de foot and de toes just as +much as ebber, only de leg is a sort o' kind o' shorter. Now, Missa +Gladding, you is a man ob gumption, can you splain dat?" + +"Sartin," said Tom, who didn't wish to appear ignorant to the presence +of the negro; "there's no great difficulty about that, though I rather +think it takes more larning than you've got to onderstand the thing. +You see," he added, recollecting as well as he could some Latin words +he had heard used by the doctor, "the narves of the rigdum flagdum in +circumnavigating through the humorous rusticus, deflastigated by the +horrentibus oribus sort o' twist the aures arrectos into asinos, and +that you see, to a man of larning makes the whole thing as clear as +one of elder Sillyway's sarmons." + +Primus fairly caught his breath at Tom's display of learning, who +rose considerably higher also in Basset's estimation. After somewhat +recovering from his astonishment, and as if he had been reflecting on +the subject, the General said-- + +"Larning is a great ting, and perhaps you is right and perhaps you +isn't, but I hear anoder way to 'count for it." + +"Out with it then," cried Tom. + +"White folks," said Primus, "hab one way to 'count for tings, and +colored pussons hab anoder way. Now I hear a colored pussun, who come +all de way from Africa, where dey onderstands dese tings, say it was +de jumbee." + +"The jumbee! What in natur's that!" inquired Basset, who had not +before mingled in the conversation. + +"Now, none of your tricks, Prime," cried Tom, suspecting the negro +of an intention to mystify them with a jargon like that he had palmed +off; "jumbee ain't Latin." + +"Nobody say it was," returned Primus, "I guess de old fellow nebber +hab much chance to study Latin. He better 'quainted wid de shovel and +de hoe. Dat mean in de Congo language, sperit." + +"Colored people are curus folks," ejaculated Basset + +"I don't see fairly what you're driving at yet," said Gladding. +"Suppose jumbee does mean sperit, what then?" + +"I mean dat de hand turn into a sperit. Don't you see, Missa Basset," +exclaimed Primus, suddenly poking his wooden leg at the constable, "de +sperit ob my leg?" + +"Don't, don't, Prime," cried the startled constable, drawing back +and nearly falling in his fright into the water. "What's the use of +talking about sperits now? Come let us talk about something else." + +"Well," grinned Primus, "if you don't see de sperit, I feel him." + +"Don't talk so; you're spoiling all the pleasure of the sail by such +kind o' nonsense," urged Basset. + +"Don't you believe in sperits?" inquired the persevering General. + +"I tell ye I don't like to talk about such things now," responded +Basset. + +"Why I can give you chapter and varse for 'em," said Tom. "You +remember, Basset, all about Samuel and the witch o' Endor, and that's +authority, I guess." + +"Well, if I do I don't care to be chattering all the time about 'em, +though there's some says, they don't appear now as they used to in old +times." + +This was an unfortunate remark for the badgered Basset. His two +friends, as if it were of the extremest consequence to convert him +from an opinion so heretical, opened for his benefit a whole budget of +ghost stories In spite of most unwilling ears he was obliged to listen +with a fascinated reluctance to tales of supernatural wonders, in most +of which the narrators had themselves been actors, or derived their +information from persons, whose veracity it would be a sin to doubt. +Among them was a legend told by Gladding, of a murdered fisherman, +whose ghost he had seen himself, and which was said still to haunt the +banks of the Severn, and never was seen without bringing ill-luck. It +is the only one with which we will trouble our renders, and we relate +it as a sort of specimen of the others: + +"You see," said Tom, "it was the spring o' the year, and the shad +begun to swim up stream, when I joined Sam Olmstead's company, and +took a share in his fishing. Well, things went on pretty well for a +while, it was fisherman's luck, fish one day, and none the next, and +we was, on the whole, tolerable satisfied, seeing there was no use to +be anything else, though towards the end, it's a fact, there wasn't +many schools come along. We had built a sort o' hut of boards by the +side of the river where we kept the nets, and where some on us slept +to look after the property. Well, my turn came to stay at the shanty, +and I recollect the night just as well! It was coolish, not so cool +as this, though something like it, for there was some clouds floating +around, but it was a good deal lighter, 'cause the moon was in her +third quarter. I felt sort o' lonesome there, all alone with the nets +and the fish, and I don't know what I should have done but for some +of the 'O be joyful' I had in a jug. I tried my best to fortify my +stomach, and keep up my sperits agin the damp, but I didn't seem to +succeed. Finally, thinks I to myself, I'll go and take a snuff of +the night air, perhaps it will set me up So I sort o' strolled down +towards the shore, and then I walked up a piece, and then I walked +back agin, and once in a while I'd step into the shanty and take a +pull at old Rye. Well, seeing as how it agreed with me, and I begun to +feel better, I kept making my walks longer and longer till I strolled +to a considerable distance. It was in one of them turns I see the +ghost. I supposed afore that ghosts always appeared in white, but this +one didn't. He was dressed just like any other fisherman, in a dark +grey jacket and trowsers and a tarpaulin. It seemed to me at first he +wanted to git out of the way, but I made tracks for him, for I didn't +then a bit mistrust about its being a sperit, and halloed out, 'Who's +that?' The sperit, as soon as he heard me, came straight up, and then +I noticed he had two fish dangling down by a string, and says he, in +a sort o' hoarse voice, as if he'd caught cold lying in the ground, +'It's me; it's the ghost of Jimmy Lanfear.' Well, when I heard him +speak so, my flesh began to kind o' crawl, though I didn't know but it +might be some fellow who had stole the shad out of the shanty, for I +never heard of ghosts carrying fish afore. So says I, 'What are you +doing with them fish?' Then, says he, 'Them ain't any real fish; see +if you can touch 'em.' And then he swung 'em round and round in the +moonlight, and I did my best to catch 'em, but I might just as well +have snatched at the moonshine, for my hands went right through 'em +agin and agin, till I stubbed my toe, and fell somehow, and when I got +up, the sperit was gone. Then I knew it was Jim Lanfear's sperit, +who was murdered years ago right opposite the spot where I asked you, +Prime, if you knew where you was; and I was sartin the luck was all up +for that season, and sure enough it was, for we didn't make more'n two +or three hauls more of any consequence." + +"I am sure dere was one sperit dere," said Primus, in a musing way, +and shaking his head. + +"Now, Prime, what do you mean by bobbing up and down your wool? Do +you intend to signify, you unbelieving old scamp, you doubt my word? I +tell you I was no more corned than I am now. Why, if you want to, you +can see Jim almost any dark night. Perhaps he's walking along shore +now." + +"What dat?" cried Primus, pretending to see something on the land. + +Basset started, and strained his eyes through the darkness in the +direction indicated, but could discover nothing. The vision of Primus +and Gladding was better. + +"Don't ye see someting," said the former, lowering his voice, "right +under de bank. I can't just see de shape, but it seem as if it swim in +de air widout legs. You eyes is younger, Missa Gladding; guess dey see +furder dan mine." + +"I can make him out now," whispered Gladding. "It's a man, sure as +rates Golly!" he exclaimed, suddenly, "if it ain't Jim--look, Basset, +look." + +The constable had listened in an agony of terror to the colloquy, +and at the exclamation of Primus, availing himself of his post as +steersman, turned the bow of the boat towards the opposite shore, +to place as great an interval as possible between himself and the +spectre. The action had not passed unnoticed, though neither of his +companions made any remark upon it. Repeatedly his head had flown +round over his shoulder, to catch a glimpse of what he dredded to +see, but, notwithstanding the excitement of his imagination, he could +behold nothing. + +"O, Tom! O, Prime!" exclaimed the poor fellow, "let us go home. I wish +we was fairly out of this scrape." + +"Why," said Tom, "we're 'most there now. We should be laughed at if +we was to give it up so. Who's afraid o' sperits? They're nothing but +moonshine. I vow," he cried, pointing over the opposite side of the +boat, "if he ain't there agin! Look, Basset." + +But Basset was too busy with his paddle to look. With a twist of his +wrist he had whirled the bow of the boat in the direction of the bank +they had just left, and was paddling away for dear life. This time +he appeared to arrive at the condition that the middle of the stream +would be the safest position, and having attained that, he kept, as +nearly as he could judge, at equal distances from the banks. A short +space only now remained to be passed over, and in a few moments they +were abreast of the island. Here the two men rested on their oars, and +a whispered consultation was held, at the conclusion of which the +boat was quietly pulled towards the goal. This was not done, however, +without another attempt on the part of the constable to postpone +the capture for that night, but the proposal was overruled by his +associates, who scouted at his fears, and declared there was no +danger. + +Basset's nerves were in a shocking condition. The doleful stories +croaked into his ears the whole passage down; the darkness of the +hour; Holden's terrible character; and the remoteness from any +assistance other than that of Gladding and Primus, in whom his +confidence diminished every moment, conspired to throw him into the +abjectest trepidation. But there was no retreat; Gladding was as +obstinate as a mule, and as for the General, true to his military +reputation, he insisted on advancing, and the unfortunate officer of +the law, who was as much afflicted, with spiritual as with material +fears, found himself in a dilemma, the solution of which was taken +away from him. No alternative remained. He must, be the consequences +what they might, see the adventure through. Borrowing, therefore, +courage from despair, with a timid step and palpitating heart, he left +the boat and closely followed his companions. + +No light was visible, and the constable began to hope that Holden +was away from home, and made the suggestion that since such was +undoubtedly the fact, they had better return and come another time. +But Gladding, pointing to a canoe not before observed, convinced +Basset of the contrary, and it was then agreed that they should first +according to the plan arranged approach the cabin and reconnoitre +through the window. This being the post of danger was offered to +Basset who however could be prevailed on by no entreaties to accept +it which finally forced Gladding to volunteer. They all stood now on +a side of the hut where there was neither door nor window, being, +indeed, the side they had been careful to approach in the boat. +Gladding was to steal to one of the windows and after examining the +interior (if possible) to return and apprise them of his discoveries. +Accordingly he started off. + +He had been gone but a few minutes when Primus began to be uneasy and +proposed to change their position to one nearer the hut their figures +being too much exposed where they were, in consequence of standing +in relief against the sky and water. The constable would gladly have +stuck by the boat, as furnishing a means of retreat, but dared not +remain alone. Reluctantly therefore, and cursing the obstinacy of the +provoking black he crouched his body towards the ground, and followed +in the rear of the General, that brave officer seeming disposed to +talk louder and make more noise generally than pleased his companion +who, from time to time, earnestly remonstrated with him on the +imprudence. + +"What dat!" suddenly exclaimed Primus recoiling on the other and +pointing with his hand directly in front. + +"Where? where?" whispered Basset, with his heart in his mouth raising +himself, and catching bold of Primus' arm. + +"Hush!" said the General, "is dat a groan?" + +At that instant a tremendous blow was applied to the shoulders of the +constable which sent him flat upon his face, dragging the General who +caught a part of the application after him. As Basset fell his +hat dropped off and a paper flew out which Primus picked up and +immediately pocketed, hastening then as fast as his wooden leg would +permit towards the boat which lay only four or five rods distant. +There he found Gladding preparing to push off, and scrambling in, they +had just succeeded in getting her afloat, when Basset, without his hat +flung himself, in the extremity of his terror, headlong in, pitching +Primus down upon the bottom, breaking his wooden leg, and capsizing +Tom into the water. It was so shoal that he found no difficulty in +getting in again, escaping with only a thorough ducking. It was now +_sauve que peut_, and the three addressed themselves, so far as their +bewildered faculties would permit, to the business of escape. + +Thus closed the adventures of that disastrous night. All the way home, +Primus kept groaning over the loss of his leg, the only consolation +he could extract out of the calamity, being that it was easier to mend +than one of flesh, and cheaper, and upbraiding Basset with his haste +and carelessness. Gladding insisted on being landed in order to +prevent, by exercise, taking cold, threatening in his turn the +constable, that if his clothes were spoiled he should come upon him +for the damage. Poor Basset, quite confounded by these harrowing +events, had not a word to answer, and replied only by shrugging +and twisting his shoulders with pain. The departure of Tom made it +necessary for him to assist the negro in rowing back the boat, which +he did with a handkerchief tied about his head, which Primus lent him +and wincing with the soreness of his bones, the negro interspersed +his moans with expressions of sorrow over their ill luck and of wonder +whether it was Holden or the ghost of the fisherman that assaulted the +constable vowing he would "hab satisfacshum for de loss ob de leg." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + _Celia_.--Here comes Monsieur Le Beau, + _Rosalind_.--With his mouth full of news. + + AS YOU LIKE IT. + + +"You strike dreadful hard, Missa Gladding. If you can't write, I guess +you can make you mark," said the General, rubbing his shoulders. + +"I was larned to do one, and t'other come natural," said Tom, +laughing; "but I didn't lay it on a bit too hard. You see I had to +bring him a pretty good polt, so as to lay him flat, else he might ha' +found it all out, the good-for-nothing son-of-a-gun, to go to sarve a +warrant on an old man, just for speaking his mind in meeting. I go +in for liberty. And then to insult you and me, Prime, by asking us +to help him! But I didn't mean to strike you, except in the way of +friendship." + +"You friendship too smart for me, Missa Gladding, and s'pose I break +my neck in de fall, what you friendship good for den?" + +"But you hain't broke nothing but your leg, and I see you've got +another rigged, and the half dollar Basset give you will more'n pay +for that; though, if I was you, I'd come down upon him in damages for +the loss--'twas in his sarvice--and then his digging his head right +into your stomach, when he come thundering into the boat, I call a +regular assault and battery." + +"How you like you cold duck wid sea-weed saace, Missa Gladding?" +retorted Primus; and here the two united in peals of laughter. + +"Cunning fellow, dat Basset," said Primus. "He kill two bird wid one +stone--knock me into de bottom ob de boat, and chuck you oberboard, +all at once." And the merriment was renewed. + +"Do you think he has any suspicions, Prime!" said Tom. + +"Dat question acquire some reflexum," answered the General. "Whedder +it was old Holden or de fisherman ghost dat gib him de strike on de +back?" + +"No, I don't mean that. I mean whether he thought you or me had +anything to do with it." + +"I guess not," said the General, doubtingly. "If sich an idee git into +his head, somebody will put it dere." + +"Well, what did he say coming home?" + +"Not much; dere he set in front, wid his back to me, rowing, and his +head all tie up wid my bandanna, and he seem sort o' snarl up, as if +he want a night's rest to take de kinks out ob him. He was not much +'cline to 'greeable conversashum. I feel kind o' sorry when I see him +so mellancholliky like." + +"You needn't be so liberal with your sorry. The scamp desarves it all +and more, too. The cretur's cheated us out of half our fun." How I +should ha' liked to leave him, as we intended, alone with old Holden +on the island! The chicken-hearted booby would ha' half died o' +fright, and then 'twould ha' been worth nuts to see how he looked when +the old man caught him in the morning, and asked after his business." + +"He nebber stay till dat time. He would hab swum 'cross de channel, +and run home." + +"Well, he'd found out, then, how a fellow likes to be soused in the +water, as the blundering blunderbus did me, darn him." + +"O, nebber bear no malice. I 'scuse Basset 'cause he don't know no +better, and you must forgib him." + +"As to that, you needn't fret your gizzard. But how did you git home, +Prime, with your broken leg?" + +"Dat is a secret atween me and Basset; but I didn't walk." + +"Then, I vow," said Tom, bursting into a laugh, "he either trundled +you along in a wheelbarrow, like a load o' pumpkins, or else carried +you on his back." + +"Nobody roll me in a wheelbarrow," said the General, drawing himself +up, and affecting to be offended. + +"I would ha' given all my old shirts to see a darkey riding Basset," +said Tom, whose merriment increased the more he dwelt on the idea. + +"A colored pusson as light complexum as a white man in de dark," +exclaimed Primus, grinning. + +"Well, old Prime, you're the cleverest nigger I ever did see," said +Tom, slapping him on the back, and still laughing; "but take care you +don't feel too proud after your ride. Put a nigger on horseback, and +you know where he goes. But what have you got there?" he inquired, +seeing the General draw a paper out of his pocket. + +"Dis paper fall out ob Missa Basset hat when de ghost strike him last +night, and I pick him up." + +"Golly! if it ain't the warrant. Prime, you're the ace o' clubs. I'm +gladder of this than if I found a good dinner." + +"Well, what shall I do wid him?" + +"Why, man, burn it up; it's the constable's sword and gun, and +baggonit and cartridge-box; he can't do nothing without it; why, +without the warrant, he's just like a cat without claws. He daresn't +touch a man without a warrant." + +"If Missa Basset trow de paper away, I 'spose he don't want him, and +he ain't good for noting, and nobody can find fault wid me for burning +up a little piece ob waste paper, just to kindle de fire," said +Primus, throwing the warrant into the flames, where it was immediately +consumed. + +"There, we've drawn Basset's eye-teeth now," said Gladding. "Holden's +as safe as you or me. And, Prime," he added, rising, and, as he took +leave, making a peculiar gesture with the thumb of his right hand +touching the end of his nose, and his fingers twinkling in the air, +"you're too old a fox to need teaching, but it will do no harm to say +I advise you to keep as dark as your skin." + +Such was the conversation that, on the morning after the adventure of +the island, took place at the cabin of Primus, and the reader will now +perfectly understand (if, indeed, he has not before discovered it) the +relation which the associates bore to the constable. Yet, there +was some difference in the feelings of the two: Gladding felt only +unmitigated contempt for Basset, while the good-nature of the negro +(proverbial of the race) infused some pity into the sentiment. + +"Tom Gladding hab no manners," said Primus to himself, after the +departure of his friend. "It is bery onpleasant to hear sich pussonal +inflections. But, probumbly, arter he keep company wid me a little +longer, he larn better." + +How it got out, nobody could tell. Tom and the General both declared +they had said nothing about it, and Basset was equally positive he had +not opened his mouth. It is, therefore, singular that, before twelve +o'clock the next day, rumors of the adventure had reached the ears of +more than one-half the inhabitants of Hillsdale. True, none were very +accurate, nor did any two agree; for, as is apt to happen, in such +cases, each one who told the story took care, most conscientiously, +it should lose nothing in the repetition. Hence, before noon, it was, +like most of our modern literature, "splendidly embellished." + +It was not strange, then, that the doctor, in his morning round among +his patients and friends, should get some inkling of it. Divested of +ornaments, enough remained to satisfy him that an attempt to arrest +Holden had been made. For the cause, he was at first at a loss; for, +though he had heard of the disturbance at the conference, he hardly +supposed that an offence which he regarded as so venial, would +have drawn along such serious consequences. But when he heard that +generally assigned as the reason, having no words of his own to +express his astonishment, he was obliged to resort to his unfailing +treasury-- + + "'Can such things be, + And overcome us like a summer cloud, + Without our special wonder?'" + +The quotation did not seem fully to answer the purpose, and he +added, "Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun: it shines +everywhere." This gave him relief. It acted more soothingly than +his own anodyne drops; and, having thus recovered his equanimity, he +determined to ascertain if the Armstrongs had heard the news. + +He found Miss Armstrong at home, but not her father. + +"You have heard the news, Faith, this morning. I suppose?" said the +doctor. + +"No; we are not much like the Athenians. Neither my father nor myself +are accustomed to get the first edition. What is it, doctor?" + +But the doctor did not relish being called, by the remotest +implication, an Athenian. As inquisitive as the most prying Yankee is +said to be, he stoutly repelled the imputation of inquisitiveness, as +applied to himself or to his countrymen. "It was," he was in the habit +of saying, "a slander invented by your porter-guzzling Englishmen and +smoking Dutchmen. What can you expect of people who are involved in +a perpetual cloud either of their own raising or of the making of +Providence? They are adapted to circumstances. It never was intended +they should have more than one idea a week; it would be too much for +their constitution; and therefore they ask no questions. No wonder, +then, they feel uncomfortable when they get into a clear climate, +where they can see the sun, and hear ideas buzzing about their ears +like a swarm of bees." + +The doctor appeared to have forgotten his own question, and not to +have heard Miss Armstrong's. + +"You are looking remarkably well," he said. "You ought to be ashamed +to meet me: if everybody else were like you, I should starve." + +"All your own fault, dear doctor. Your presence brings cheerfulness +and health." + +"To say nothing of the medicine. Of that (in confidence between us), +the less the better. If I should ever become crazy enough to prescribe +any other than bread pills, be sure to throw them out of the window. +There, you have the secret of medical success; though if I pursue the +system much longer, I think I shall be obliged to adopt the Emperor +of China's plan, and require a salary for your health, on condition it +shall stop when you are sick." + +"I admire the Emperor's plan, so let it be understood that is the +arrangement between us. I have the best of the bargain, for I shall +secure a greater number of visits." + +"You provoking creature! smothering me with compliments, and +pretending you are not dying with curiosity. This is always the way +with your tormenting sex: + + 'Let Hercules do what he may, + The cat will mew'"-- + +"And girls will have their way," interrupted Faith, laughing, and +finishing the quotation to suit herself. "But, doctor, you have +conquered, and please now 'unmuzzle your wisdom.'" + +"Methinks," cried the doctor, "'sometimes I have no more wit than a +Christian or an ordinary man; but I am a great eater of beef, and +I believe that does harm to my wit,' else I should not allow you to +tease me. But," added he, in a more serious tone, "there is a report +in the village that an attempt has been made to arrest Holden." + +"To arrest whom?" exclaimed Faith, turning pale, "father Holden! For +what?" + +"He is not taken yet, and, were one to believe all the stories one +hears, not likely to be. According to them, his enchanted castle on +Salmon Island is protected, not only by his own stalwart arm, but by +legions of ghosts and hobgoblins; and, since that is the case, he +may safely defy the _posse comitatus_ itself, with the sheriff at its +head. But, for the cause-- + + "'It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, + Let me not name it to you, ye chaste stars, + It is the cause'-- + +Why, because he made the most interesting speech at conference the +other evening." + +Miss Armstrong, whom the jesting manner of the doctor somewhat +re-assured, begged him to give her all the information he had +obtained; but, throwing aside what he considered the embellishments of +fancy, it was no more than what he had already imparted. + +"What would be the punishment for such an offence?" inquired Faith. + +"I am more learned in pills than in points of law; but I suppose some +trifling fine." + +"It would be of no great consequence, were it any one else," said +Faith; "but it would grieve me to have Mr. Holden subjected to an +indignity he would feel sensibly. It was through my father's and +my entreaties he attended the meeting, and if censure is to fall +anywhere, it ought to alight on us, and not on him, who certainly +supposed he was performing a duty, however much he might be mistaken. +Dear doctor, I shall trust in you to watch that no harm befalls him. I +should forever reproach myself as the cause, if any did." + +"You may rely on me, my dear. It is not so much on account of the old +fellow, who richly deserves to be fined and shut up a week for +running about the country and frightening the children with his long +beard--why my horse started at it the other day--but because you take +an interest in him, and I am above all jealousy; therefore, command +me, + + 'Be't to fly, + To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride + On the curled clouds; to thy strong bidding task + Ariel and all his quality." + +"My commands will not be so difficult to perform, I trust," said +Faith, smiling. + +"Understand me metaphorically, parabolically, poetically," cried he, +taking leave. + +After he was gone Miss Armstrong sat musing over what she had heard. +The idea that any annoyance should happen to the Solitary, growing +out of a circumstance with which she was in some manner connected, +distressed her exceedingly, and, dissatisfied with the meagre +statement of the doctor, she determined to go over to Judge Bernard's, +to try to procure more satisfactory information. + +"He will, at least," she said, "be better acquainted with the law than +Doctor Elmer, and there is no favor he will refuse me." + +But the Judge was unable to add anything of importance. He had heard +the same rumors, but could not vouch for their truth. With regard to +the issuing of a warrant for such a cause, he could not say but that +persons might be found malignant enough to get one out, and justices +of the peace foolish and ignorant enough to be made their instruments, +but if it came to the worst, the penalty could only be a fine, which +he would gladly pay himself. + +"He cannot be imprisoned then?" inquired Miss Armstrong. + +"No; they would not dare," he said, to himself in a tone so low +that Faith could catch only a word or two here and there, "send +him--disorderly--no settlement--no, no--too bad--might be done. No, +Faith," he said, "you need anticipate no serious trouble about your +_protege_." + +"Cannot we prevent his being arrested? It would mortify him +exceedingly." + +"For that, perhaps, there is no remedy, but we will see. We are all +equally amenable to the laws. But after all, the thing may not be +noticed. These may be only rumors put out by some mischievous person +to keep Holden away from the village." + +"They can have no such effect." + +"No: and yet the rogue who invents them may think they will." + +"I should not be at all anxious, Faith," said Anne. "Here are my +father, and yours, and my chivalrous brother, and--" + +"And Mr. Thomas Pownal," said Faith, smiling, observing she hesitated. + +"Yes, and Mr. Pownal; I am sure they would all be happy to spend a +great deal of breath and a little money in your service. They will +protect Father Holden. What are the gentlemen good for, if they cannot +grace a fair lady thus far?" + +"And Mistress Anne, should they fail, would, like another Don Quixote, +with lance in rest, charge the enemy, and release the captive knight, +herself," said her father, pinching her cheek. + +"Like Amadis de Gaul, father, and then would I present the captive of +my sword and lance to you, Faith, though what you would do with him I +do not know." + +"Do not let us hear of swords and lances from you, Anne," said her +mother. "Thimbles and needles become you better." + +"If I had been a man," exclaimed Anne, "and lived in the olden time, +how I would have gloried in such an adventure! You, Faith, should have +been the distressed damsel, I the valorous knight, and Father Holden a +captured seneschal. How would I have slashed around me, and how +would you have blushed, and hung about my neck, and kissed me, when I +appeared leading by the hand your venerable servitor!" + +"What! what!" cried her father, "before the seneschal?" + +"He would be so old he could not see, or, if he was not, tears of joy +would fill his eyes so that they would blind him," said Anne. + +"An excellent idea, my dear," said Mrs. Bernard: "hand me my +knitting-work." + +"What! a knight hand knitting-work?" + +"Certainly," said her father. "It is a knight's business and delight, +to be employed in the service of the fair." + +"Here is your knitting, mamma. I am an enchanted knight, changed +by some horrible incantation into a girl," said Anne, resuming her +needle. + +"Worth twice all the preux chevaliers from Bayard down," said the +Judge, kissing her blooming cheek. + +"Who is in great danger of being spoiled by the flattery of her fond +father," said Mrs. Bernard, smiling. + +"Dear mother, how can you speak so of an enchanted knight?" + +"I will crave your aid in the hour of peril, Sir Knight," said Faith, +rising. "Meantime, accept this kiss as guerdon for your good will." + +"Or retainer," said the Judge. + +Faith left her friends in better spirits than she had met them. The +assurances of Judge Bernard had relieved her mind of a weight of +anxiety. It was evident, she thought, from the manner in which the +subject was treated by the family, that they felt no apprehensions. +The gaiety of Anne, too, had not failed of its design. It was, indeed, +scarcely possible to be in the presence of this sweet girl without +feeling the charm which, like the sun, radiated light and happiness +about her. It was the overflow of an innocent and happy heart, and as +natural to her as light to the sun, or fragrance to the rose. + +Faith found her father in the house on her return. She communicated to +him what she had heard, and asked his opinion. He knew, he said, that +while there were some--probably the majority--who, regarding Holden's +conduct as only an impropriety, would be disposed to overlook it; +there were others who would desire to have him punished, in order +to prevent a repetition of such scenes. "Such," said he, "are the +feelings of the world, but they are not mine. So far from deserving +censure, Holden is entitled to all honor and praise, for he spoke from +the inspiration of conviction. Nor, whatever may be the attempts to +injure him, will they succeed. As St. Paul shook the deadly viper from +his hand, so will this man rid himself of his enemies. There are more +with him than against him, and the shining ones are the stronger." + +The confidence of her father harmonized so well with the hopes of +Faith, that it was easy to participate in it, nor in the excitement +which she felt, did his language seem other than proper for the +occasion. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + See winter comes to rule the varied year, + Sullen and sad with all his rising train + Vapors and clouds and storms. + THOMSON'S SEASONS. + + +The charming poet depicted truthfully, doubtless, as well as +poetically, the English winter, but such is not the character of the +season in New England. Clouds and storms, indeed, herald his advent +and attend his march; capricious too his humor; but he is neither +"sullen" nor "sad." No brighter skies than his, whether the sun +with rays of mitigated warmth but of intenser light, sparkles o'er +boundless fields of snow, or whether the moon, a faded sun, leading +her festal train of stars, listens to the merry sleigh-bells and the +laugh of girls and boys, ever glorified a land. What though sometimes +his trumpet sounds tremendous and frowns o'erspread his face! +Transient is his anger, and even then from his white beard he shakes +a blessing, to protect with fleecy covering the little seeds in hope +entrusted to the earth, and to contribute to the mirth and sports of +man. + +A few days have passed since the occurrences last detailed. The +weather had gradually become colder; the ground was as hard as a +stone; there had been a heavy fall of snow, and the streets were +musical with bells. The snow had fallen before the intense cold +commenced, so that the glassy surface of the ice that bridged the +rivers and lakes was undimmed, and presented unusual attractions to +the skaters. + +It was on the afternoon of a fine day that the smooth Severn, hardened +into diamond, was covered, just where the Yaupaae and the Wootuppocut +unite, to give it form and an independent being, with a gay throng +of the people of the village of both sexes. They were mostly young +persons, consisting principally of boys from school (for it was +Saturday afternoon) with their sisters. Besides these were some young +men and women, with here and there one more advanced in years. + +It was a scene of gaiety and exuberant enjoyment. The children let +loose from school, where they had been confined all the week, put no +bounds to the loud and hilarious expression of their delight, which +the seniors showed no disposition to check--remembering they once were +children--and the banks of the stream rung with shouts and answering +cries and laughter. Here, flying round in graceful curves, a dexterous +skater cut his name in the ice; there, bands of noisy boys were +playing tag, and on the ringing steel pursuing the chase; while every +once in a while down would tumble some lubberly urchin, or unskillful +performer, or new beginner, coming into harder contact with the frozen +element than was pleasant, and seeing stars in the daytime, while +bursts of laughter and ironical invitations to try it again, greeted +his misfortune. In another place were girls on small sleighs or sleds, +capable of holding two or three, whirled along by half-a-dozen skaters +with great rapidity; while, holding on to handkerchiefs, were others +drawn upon their feet at less hazardous speed. Dispersed among the +crowd were little boys with flat, tin boxes suspended by a strap +from their necks, containing molasses candy, whose brittle sweetness +appeared to possess great attraction. All was fun and jest, and laugh +and merriment. + +Among others, allured by the beauty of the day, which though clear was +not so cold as to be uncomfortable, to witness the sports, were Faith +Armstrong and Anne Bernard, escorted by Pownal and young Bernard. The +cheeks of the ladies were crimsoned by the wholesome cold, and their +eyes shone with a brighter lustre than usual, and many were the looks +of envy or of admiration cast upon them as they passed, greeting their +acquaintances and joining in the revel. + +At the time when the little party arrived there happened to be a +circle gathered around one of the most accomplished performers to +witness an exhibition of his skill, and surely nothing could be more +graceful. Without sensible effort, and as if by mere volition, he +seemed to glide over the glossy surface, now forwards, now backwards, +now sideways, now swiftly, now slowly, whirling like an eagle in rapid +or dilatory curves, describing all the lines that Euclid ever drew or +imagined, and cutting such initials of the names of the spectators +as were desired. The performance, though hailed with very +general expressions of admiration, did not seem to give universal +satisfaction. + +"He does pretty well," said an elderly man, with a woollen scarf or +muffler about his neck and a fox-skin cap on his head, "He does it +pretty well; but, Captain, did you ever see Sam Allen?" + +"You mean," answered the person addressed, who was a man of about the +same number of years, "Allen who married old Peter's daughter, and +afterwards run away. Yes; it didn't go with him as slick with her as +on the ice." + +"Well, she didn't break her heart about it. She got married agin as +soon as the law allowed. I was in court when Judge Trumbull granted +the divorce. 'Twas for three years willful desartion and total neglect +of duty." + +"No, I guess she didn't. She was published the very next Lord's Day, +and got married in the evening. She was a mighty pretty cretur. Well, +I never see such a skater as Sam. This fellow is nothing at all to +him. He don't kind o' turn his letters so nice. Now, there's that +v, you might mistake it for a w. I like to see a man parfect in his +business." + +"I've hearn tell," said the Captain, "though I never see it myself, +that Sam could write Jarman text as well as Roman." + +"I never see it," said the Fox-skin cap, "but guess it's so. There +wasn't nothing Sam couldn't do on skates." + +"Do you recollect whether he used smooth irons or hollow?" inquired +the Captain. + +"Oh, smooth; they ain't so easy for beginners, but when a fellow gits +the knack of 'em they're a great deal better." + +Very different from the remarks of these _laudatores temporis acti_, +were those of the rising generation. + +"How beautiful!" exclaimed Anne. "What wonderful skill! Can anything +be more graceful?" + +"It is, indeed, graceful," said Faith; "and it must require +considerable boldness as well as skill to venture on some of those +evolutions. The least mistake would cause a violent fall." + +"Dear Faith, why did you mention it?" said Anne. "I was not thinking +of the possibility of falls." + +"Have no fear," said Pownal; "he is too completely master of the +science to hurt himself." + +"In Holland the ladies are said to skate as well as the gentlemen," +said Bernard. + +"That is a poor compliment, William," said Anne. "If I cannot skate +better without practice, than half of this awkward squad, I will never +bind skates on my feet a second time." + +"I know of nothing you cannot do," said her brother. + +"Come here, Andrew," cried Pownal, to a boy standing opposite in the +circle, and holding a pair of skates in his hand. "Come here and lend +me your skates. Here, Miss Bernard," said he, presenting them to her, +"here is a fine pair. Allow me to buckle them on. And then like a +winged Mercury to fly." + +"Please to compare me to no heathen gods, Mr. Pownal, or you may make +these old Puritans burn me for a witch. Let me see if they fit. No, +they are too large, I could never do myself justice on them. Here, my +little fellow is a ninepence for you; away with you." + +The boy took the little piece of silver with a grin, tied the rejected +skates upon his feet, and was soon lost among his companions. + +"I say," said an urchin, who was looking on with admiring eyes, "I +say, Bill, that beats all natur. Did you ever see such shindys?" + +"They ain't so bad," returned Bill; "but I guess I can do some of 'em +myself." + +"Which ones?" inquired the other. + +"Why," answered Bill, "when he throws himself right about face, and +then goes sculling backwards." + +"I'll bet you can't do it the first time." + +"What will you bet?" cried Bill. + +"I don't care; say a stick o' candy." + +"Agreed!" cried Bill. "You see I've done it afore." + +"You ought to told us that," said his companion. + +"A bet's a bet," said Bill. "You don't want to back out, do ye?" + +"Go ahead," cried the other, with some spirit. "I'll risk it. Let's +see what you can do." + +Thus exhorted and defied, Bill commenced preparations. He first +stooped down on one knee and then on the other, and tightened the +straps of the skates; next he took a handkerchief from his pocket, and +fastened it tightly around his waist, and lastly, moved slowly about +as if to determine whether all things were as they should be. + +The spectators who had overheard the conversation between the boys, +and were ready for any kind of fun, now began to express interest in +the trial, and various were the words of encouragement addressed to +Bill, as well as the mutterings of doubt over the result. The skater +who, until now, had attracted the most attention, ceased his +diagrams and approached Bill, in order to give him instructions, +notwithstanding the remonstrances of his companion, who loudly +vociferated it wasn't fair. + +"Hold your yaup," cried another boy, standing by; "if you don't like +your bet, Hen Billings, I'll take it off your hands." + +But little Billings seemed to think he had made a good bet, and +although loth to concede to Bill any advantage that did not of strict +right belong to him, was far from being disposed to relinquish it. "Go +your length, Bill," he said, "I ain't afeard of the expense." + +The space being now cleared, Bill began to circle round preparatory to +the trial. It was evident he was not very skillful, and the opinion of +the bystanders, who amused themselves with criticising his preliminary +performances, was about equally divided respecting his ability to +perform the undertaking. After a few turns Bill cried out: + +"Now, Hen, look out." With that he darted forward, until he supposed +he had attained the required momentum, when suddenly making a twisting +motion with his feet, he threw himself round. But unfortunately he had +made some miscalculation or slip, for instead of alighting square upon +the skates, his heels flew up, and with a tremendous thump, down came +poor Bill upon his back. + +"Hurrah!" cried Hen Billings; "there you go, candy and all. I hope you +ain't hurt you," he said, good naturedly. "I'd rather lose my bet than +have you hurt." + +"No," whined Bill, squirming round his body, and rubbing the back of +his head, "not much. What are you grinning at, you monkey? Did you +never see a man fall before?" cried he, shaking his fist at another +boy, whose face it seems did not wear an expression of condolence to +suit him. "I vow if I don't try that again," he added, after having +recovered a little from the effects of his fall. + +Thereupon space being again allowed, Bill, with genuine pluck, tried +the experiment once more, and this time with better fortune. +His success was greeted with shouts of congratulation, and with +expressions of "true grit," "stuffy little fellow," &c., and +he presently disappeared with his friend, Hen, in search of the +candy-merchant. + +Faith and Anne, with the two young men, had witnessed the whole scene +with some interest, and the different manner in which the girls were +affected was characteristic. Faith betrayed a lively sensibility when +the boy fell, and was hardly restrained from condoling with him; while +Anne took but little notice of it, but exhibited exquisite delight at +his courage and final success. But something else now attracted their +attention. A shout was raised, and exclamations were heard of "There +comes the ice-boat; there comes Grant's ice-boat." + +Turning round, they beheld what had the appearance of a boat under +sail, flying round the promontory of Okommakemisit. A slight breeze +was drawing up the stream, and before its favoring breath, the little +vessel, or whatever else it might be called, advanced with great +rapidity. In a few moments it had reached them, and with a sharp +grating sound as of iron cutting into ice, came suddenly to a stop, +and the persons gathering round had an opportunity to examine it. It +was the work of a village genius, and consisted of some boards, cut +in an elliptical form (as, perhaps, the most convenient), supported by +two pieces of iron, parallel to each other, to which the boards were +fastened, and running the whole length from bow to stern. In the +forward part was rigged a mast, to which was attached a sail, like the +mainsail of a sloop, and the whole was controlled by a piece of sharp +iron, fixed on the stern in such a manner as to turn like a rudder, +and to cut with any required degree of pressure, by means of a lever, +into the ice. With this simple regulator it was made perfectly safe, +being stopped as readily, and on the same principle, as a skater +arrests his course. + +Grant, to whom Pownal and Bernard were both known, invited the little +party to take a sail with him, assuring them there was no danger. The +invitation was at once accepted by Miss Bernard, though the more timid +Faith hesitated, and the four took their seats. The group of persons, +as before observed, were at the head of the Severn, and the wind was +drawing up the river, it was, therefore, necessary, to beat against +the wind at starting. To the surprise, in particular of the ladies, +this was done with the most perfect ease, the vessel, on her sharp +runners, making but little lee-way, and obeying her helm more readily +than any boat in water. Indeed, obedience was instantaneous. She +whirled round as quickly as one could turn one's hand, requiring +promptness and presence of mind in the steersman. Thus, like a +bird, with smooth and equable motion, she flew with her delighted +passengers, in many a zig-zag, down the Severn, until they had gone +as far as desired, when round she spun, and before the breeze, houses, +and men, and trees, gliding by as in a race, dashed up to the starting +point. + +Upon leaving the ice-boat, the eyes of Pownal discovered the tall form +of Holden, in the midst of a group of persons whom he appeared to be +addressing; and upon his mentioning the circumstance to the others, +it was proposed to join him. Accordingly, they added themselves to his +audience. Several large baskets were lying near him on the ice, and so +engaged was he in his subject that he took no notice of the approach +of his four young friends. The address was not without a burst or two +of eloquence, springing out of the intense conviction of the speaker, +and was listened to respectfully enough. Not that a convert was made; +not that there was a person present who did not regard his notions +as the hallucinations of a disturbed intellect, but a part of the +bystanders esteemed and respected him as a man of noble and generous +disposition, lavish of his small means towards those whom he +considered poorer than himself, and never faltering in any act of +kindness on account of hardship or privation; while the rest, as +already intimated, felt a sort of awe in his presence from the mystery +that surrounded him. Among the spectators was our old friend, Tom +Gladding, leisurely engaged in whittling out a chain from a pine +block, some twelve inches in length, from which he had succeeded in +obtaining three or four links that dangled at its end, and listening +with a comical expression, as if he were anticipating some fun. + +The Enthusiast had hardly concluded his exhortation before Basset, who +stood on the outside of the ring during its delivery, stepped forward, +and placing his hand on Holden's shoulder, informed him he was his +prisoner. Holden made no resistance, but drawing himself up to his +full height, and fastening his eyes sternly on the constable, he +demanded: + +"What art thou?" + +"My name is Barnabas Basset," answered the constable, a little +embarrassed. + +"I care not for thy name," said Holden, "but by what authority darest +thou to lay thy hand on a free man?" + +"By authority of the State of Connecticut," replied the constable, +recovering from his momentary confusion, and feeling quite safe in +the crowd. "It's true, I hain't got my staff, but everybody's bound, +according to law, to know the constable." + +"And, therefore, is an innocent man to be treated as a malefactor?" + +"I don't know about the innocence," said Basset, "and it's none of my +business. You must talk to the justice about that. All I've got to do +is to execute my warrant according to law." + +"It is written, resist not evil," said Holden, musingly. "Behold, I am +in thy hands; do with me what thou willest." + +But some of the spectators appeared indisposed to be so passive. +Pownal and Bernard walked up to the constable, and demanded to know +the meaning of the outrage. + +"You may just call it what you please, Mr. Pownal," answered Basset, +indignant at being interfered with, as he called it, in the discharge +of his duty, "and I advise you not to git your fingers catched in the +law; but if you must know, the justice, I guess, will tell you." + +"Keep your advice until it is asked for," said Pownal; "but before +what justice are you taking him?" + +"If you come with us, you'll find out," answered Basset, whose ill +nature seemed to increase. + +"That I certainly will. I must leave you," said Pownal, turning to the +ladies, "to see that this brutal fellow behaves himself." + +"Do," cried Faith; "do not let them insult him." + +"Let us go with him," said the impulsive Anne. + +"You would make a fine appearance in a justice court," said her +brother "No, I will see you home, and afterwards join Pownal." + +But an occurrence now happened which made any such arrangement +unnecessary. Tom Gladding, who all this while had been quietly +whittling out his chain and listening to the conversation, here +interposed: + +"Basset," he said, "you hain't showed your warrant." + +"It's all safe enough," cried the constable, striking his hand on his +pocket. + +"Well, if that's the case you're safe enough, too," said Tom, as if +not disposed to press an inquiry. + +But the hint had answered its purpose, and several voices demanded the +exhibition of the warrant, to which the constable replied, that it was +none of their business; he knew what he was about. + +Contrary, however, to what might have been expected from his former +submission, the prisoner required to see the written authority by +which he was to be consigned to bonds, and refused to move until +it had been shown, in which determination he was sustained by +the bystanders. Thus unexpectedly resisted, the constable had no +alternative but to release Holden or produce the instrument. He, +therefore, put his hand into his pocket, and pulling out a number of +papers, sought for the document. It was in vain; no warrant was to be +found; and, after repeatedly shuffling the papers, he exclaimed: "I +declare I must have lost it." + +Whether he discovered the loss then for the first time, or what is far +more probable, did not anticipate its demand from one so flighty as +Holden, and meant to procure one afterwards, is not certainly known, +but the fact is certain, he had no written authority to arrest. + +"You never had one. Is this the way you treat a free American? You +desarve a ducking; you had better make tracks," exclaimed several +indignant voices from the crowd, with whom a constable cannot be a +popular character. + +"It's my opinion," said the man in the fox skin cap, "Basset has made +himself liable for assault and battery. What do you think, Captain?" + +"I ain't clear on that point," returned his cautious companion, "but +free trade and sailors' rights, I say, and I've no notion of a man's +being took without law. I'm clear so far." + +The discomfited constable not venturing to proceed, and, indeed, +unable to conceive how, without Holden's assent, he could take him +before the justice, now relinquished his prey, and endeavored to make +his way out of the circle. Hereupon an agitation arose, none could +say how, the persons composing it began to be swayed backwards and +forwards in a strange manner, and somehow or other poor Basset's heels +got tripped up, and before he could rise, several men and boys fell +over him and crushed him with their weight, so that when he became +visible in the heap, he presented a most pitiable appearance. His coat +was torn, his neckerchief twisted so tight about his neck, that he +was half choked, and his hat jammed out of all shape. It is doubtful +whether he would have escaped so cheaply, had it not been for +Gladding, who, after he thought Basset had suffered sufficiently, came +to his assistance. + +"I always stand by the law," said Tom, helping him to his feet, "but +I admire your imprudence, Basset, in trying to take up a man without a +warrant." + +Basset's faculties were too confused to enter into a discussion of +the subject then, and with many threats of taking the law against his +tormentors, and, attended by Tom, he limped off the ice. + +Loud and boisterous were the congratulations with which the crowd had +greeted Holden on his escape from the clutches of the constable, but +he waved them off with a dignity which repressed their advances, and +gave some offence. + +"If I'd known the old fellow was so proud," said one, "I guess Basset +might have taken him for all I cared." + +"I sort o' sprained my wrist in that last jam agin the constable," +said another, laughing, "and it's een about as good as thrown away." + +"Perhaps," cried a third, "when he's took agin, I'll be there to help, +and perhaps I won't." + +While these various speeches were being made, the young men with +the ladies, had gathered around Holden, and were expressing their +mortification at the annoyance he had experienced, and their pleasure +at his escape. + +"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" cried +the enthusiast. "Surely their devices shall be brought to naught, +and their counsels to no effect. He that sitteth on the circle of the +heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and spurn them in His displeasure. +Because for Thy sake, I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my +face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my +mother's children." + +He waited for no remark; he looked at no one; but taking up the pile +of baskets which were tied together, threw them upon his back, and +stalked over the ice in the direction of his cabin. + +On their way home the young people discussed the events of the +afternoon, dwelling on the meeting with Holden as on that which most +occupied their minds. + +"It is with a painful interest," said Pownal, "that I meet the old +man, nor can I think of him without a feeling of more than common +regard. I am sure it is not merely because he was lately of so great +service to me, that I cannot listen to the tones of his voice without +emotion. There is in them a wild melancholy, like the sighing of the +wind through pine trees, that affects me more than I can describe." + +"I know the feeling," said Faith. "There is to me also a strange +pathos in his voice that brings the tears sometimes into my eyes +before I am aware. What is the cause, I do not know. I never heard +it spoken of till now, and did not suppose there was another affected +like myself." + +"You are a couple of romantic, silly things," cried Anne. "I flatter +myself there is some poetry in me, but it takes a different shape. +Now, when I see Father Holden, I begin to think of Jeremiah and +Zachariah, and all the old prophets, but with no disposition to cry." + +"Tears were never meant to dim those blue eyes, dear Anne," said +Faith. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + _Dogberry_.--You are thought here to be the most senseless and + fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore, bear you + the lantern. This is your charge; you shall comprehend all + vagrom men. + + MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. + + +It may well be supposed that the misadventures on the ice were ill +calculated to soothe the excited mind of the constable. He bore a +grudge towards the Solitary before, for his failure and the beating +he had received at the island, and now to be made the object of such +abuse in the presence of his townsmen, and that on account of a person +whom he looked down upon as a sort of vagrant, was more than his +philosophy could bear. For Basset, with that kind of logic which is so +common with a certain class of people, could not avoid regarding the +Recluse as the culpable cause of his misfortune in both instances. "If +he hadn't gone agin the law," he said to himself, "I shouldn't have +tried to take him; and if I hadn't tried to take him, I shouldn't have +been treated so." Whatever Hedge or Mills may think of such logic, it +was satisfactory to Basset. + +His lucubrations, moreover, were very different in the daytime from +those in the solemn shades of night. As ghosts are said to disappear +when they scent the morning air, so the constable's apprehensions of +them fled at the rising of the sun. When in the dark at the island he +received the blow that prostrated him on the earth, he was unable +to determine in his confusion, whether it had been inflicted by the +fisherman's ghost or by Holden. It never crossed his mind that it +might have come from any one else. On this subject he had mused during +the whole time of his return from his nocturnal disaster, without +being able to arrive at any conclusion. If in those witching hours, +when the stars gleamed mysteriously through the drifting clouds, +and the wind moaned among the bare branches, he was inclined to one +opinion rather than to another, it was to that which would attribute +the blow to the ghost. But with the light of returning day the current +of his thoughts changed. Things assumed an altered aspect. Fears +of inhabitants of an unseen world vanished, and Basset was angry at +himself for entertaining such silly imaginations. It was now evident +that Holden by some means had obtained a knowledge of the design to +capture him, or had suspected it, or had noticed the approach of the +boat and laid in wait to take a most unjustifiable revenge. "I wish +I could prove it," thought Basset; "if I wouldn't make him smart for +striking an officer!" + +We shall not be surprised to find that the constable feeling thus, +provided himself with another warrant. Smarting under a sense of +injury, both as a man and a baffled administrator of the law, he had +immediately sought the Justice, revealed the loss of the instrument, +and procured another. Upon returning to the river, where he hoped to +triumph in the presence of those who had witnessed his disgrace, +over one whom he now regarded as an enemy, he found to his infinite +mortification that the bird had flown. He dared not follow alone, and +meditating vengeance, he kept the fatal document safely deposited +in his pocket-book, where "in grim repose" it waited for a favorable +opportunity and its prey. + +On the following Monday morning, the constable met Gladding in the +street, whom he had not seen since the latter assisted him on the ice. + +"How are you?" cried Tom, seizing him by the hand, and affecting the +greatest pleasure at the meeting; "how do you feel after your row, +friend Basset?" + +"Oh, pretty well," answered the constable; "how is it with you? + +"Alive and kicking," said Tom. "But, Basset, you hain't got the dents +out o' your hat, I see." + +"No, and I don't expect they ever will come out. It's good as two +dollars damage to me," he added, taking off the hat and looking at it +with a woeful face. "You're a little to blame for it, too, Tom." + +"Me! You ongrateful critter," exclaimed Gladding, indignantly. "You +want me to give you a new hat, don't ye?" + +"What made you ask if I'd got the warrant?" + +"I never said no such a thing. I only said sort o' promiscuously, you +hadn't showed your document." + +"Well, what was the use o' that? If you'd kept still there wouldn't +been no fuss." + +"Who'd ha' thought you'd ha' gone to take a man without being able +to show your authority? Now I call that plaguy green, Basset. But who +stood by you when everybody else desarted you, and got you out from +under them rough boys, and helped you clean out o' the scrape? Darn it +all, Basset, you're the ongratefullest varmint I ever did see, when, +in a manner, I saved your life. Really, I did think, instead o' +blowing a fellow up in this way, you'd a stood treat." + +"So I will," said Basset, who began to fancy he had found too much +fault, and was unwilling to lose his ally; "so come along into +Jenkins', and we'll take it on the spot. But you must give in, Tom, +your observation was unfortunate" + +"Unfortunate for you," returned Tom; "but I guess Holden thought +'twasn't unfortunate for him. Howsomever, you'll let the old fellow +slip now, won't you?" + +"Let him slip!" almost screamed the exasperated Basset, whom Tom's +manner of treating the subject was not calculated to mollify. "Let +him slip, you say. I'll see him, I'll see him"--but in vain he sought +words to express the direful purpose; language broke down under the +effort. + +"Poh, poh," said Tom, "don't take on so, man--forget and +forgive--luck's been on his side, that's all." + +"I tell you what," said Basset, "who do you think struck me the other +night?" + +"Why, what could it be but Lanfear's ghost?" + +"Don't talk to me about sperits; whose afraid o' them? But tell us one +thing, did you see Holden when you looked into the window!" + +"What makes you ask?" said the cautious Tom, "supposing I did, or +supposing I didn't?" + +"'Cause I know you didn't. Now it's my opinion," said Basset, lowering +his voice and looking round suspiciously as if he were afraid of an +action for slander should he be overheard, "that Holden himself made +the assault." + +"That ain't possible," said Gladding, confidently. "You and Prime +stood by the door and would ha' seen him if he'd come out there, and I +know he didn't jump out o' the window, for I should ha' seen him." + +"But, perhaps he wasn't in the house at all," persisted Basset; +"it was plaguy dark, and perhaps he heard us coming and hid himself +outside on purpose to play the trick and take an unfair advantage on +us." + +"You'll never make me believe that story," said Gladding, shaking his +head. "I'd as soon believe it was me as the old man. Prime and me are +of the same opinion, and we should both be witnesses agin you." + +The two, at this stage of the conversation, reached the door of +the grocer's shop, into which we will not follow them, but turn our +attention elsewhere. + +Meanwhile, the cause of all this excitement was quietly pursuing +the ordinary tenor of his life. It will have been observed that when +Basset attempted to arrest him, Holden did not even inquire with what +offence he was charged, unless demanding the production of the warrant +may be considered so, and that upon the constable relinquishing +his purpose, he turned away without giving any attention to the +observations addressed to him. It is not probable that his design +was to avoid the service of process, all unconscious as he was of any +violation of the laws of the State; and certain it is he made not +the slightest difference in his habits. As before, he pursued his +occupation of basket-making at his hut and his recreations of +fishing and strolling through the woods, as though no such formidable +character as Basset was in existence. If he did not appear in the +village it was an accidental circumstance, it being only at irregular +intervals that he ever made his appearance there. Thus, then, passed +a week longer; the petulant constable on the watch, and the steady +malignity of Davenport gradually becoming impatient for gratification. +But the little drama had a course of its own to run. + +One morning Primus saw the tall figure of Holden passing his cabin. +The veteran was at the window smoking his pipe when the Recluse first +came in sight. A secret must have been very closely kept, indeed, in +the village, not to come to his ears, and the warlike equipment and +intentions of Basset were well known to him. "Dere he come," said the +negro to himself, "jist like a fly flying into de spider-web. I guess +I gib him warning." With this benevolent intention, Primus went to the +door, and as Holden approached, addressed him with the salutation +of the morning. It was courteously acknowledged, and the General +commenced as if he wished to engage in a conversation. + +"Beautiful wedder dis marning, Missa Holden." + +"Old man, thy days are too short to be wasted in chattering about the +weather," said Holden. "Speak, if thou hast aught to say." + +The General's attempt at familiarity was effectually checked, and he +felt somewhat chagrined at the reply; but for all that he would not +give up his friendly purpose. + +"Dey say," he said, with military precision, "dat de Constable Basset +hab a warrant agin Missa Holden." + +"Thanks, Primus," said Holden, resuming his walk, "but I fear the face +of no man." + +"De obstinate pusson!" exclaimed the negro. "And den to talk about my +short day! Dat is bery onpleasaut. Short day, Missa Holden, eh? Not as +you knows on. I can tell you dis child born somewhere about de twenty +ob June (at any rate de wedder was warm), and mean to lib accordingly. +Oh, you git out, Missa Holden! Poor parwarse pusson! What a pity he +hab no suspect for de voice ob de charmer! I always hear," he added, +chuckling, in that curious, mirth-inspiring way so peculiar to the +blacks, "dat de black snake know how to charm best, but all sign fail +in dry wedder, and de pan flash in de powder dis time." + +Holden paid not the least regard to the information. According to his +system of fatalism he would have considered it beyond his power to +alter the predetermined course of things, but it is not probable that +his mind dwelt upon the thought of personal security. He went straight +forward to the village, calling at places where he thought he would +most likely find customers for his wares, and in no respect avoiding +public observation. He had sold his baskets, and was on his return to +the river, over whose frozen surface lay his road home, when he beheld +a scene that solicited his attention and arrested his steps. + +It was an Indian burial. Holden in his round had strolled as far +as the piece of table land, of which mention was made in the first +chapter, to a distance of nearly a mile from the head of the Severn, +and was at the moment opposite a spot reserved by the tribe, of which +a small number were lingering in the neighborhood, as the revered +resting-place of the bones of their ancestors, whence they themselves +hoped to start for the happy hunting grounds. It was a place of +singular beauty, selected apparently with a delicate appreciation of +the loveliness of the scenery, for nowhere else in the vicinity was +there so attractive a combination of hill and dale, and wood and +water, to compose a landscape. + +The little burying-ground, shorn of its original dimensions by +the encroachments of the fatal race that came from the rising sun, +contained less than half an acre, and was situated at the top of a +ravine, running down from the level land, on which the gravestones +were erected, to the Yaupaae, where that river expands itself into +a lake. The sides of the ravine, along its whole sweep upwards, was +covered quite to the top with immense oaks and chestnuts, the growth +of centuries, interspersed with ash trees, while in the colder and +moister part in the centre, the smooth-barked birch threw out its +gnarled branches. There was no undergrowth, and under and between the +limbs of the trees, the eye caught a view towards the south of the +widened Yaupaae and of the islands that dotted its surface, with hills +sweeping round in a curve, and presenting an irregular outline like +that made by the backs of a school of porpoises. Towards the three +other quarters of the compass, a level plain extended for a short +distance, and then was broken up into an undulating surface which rose +into eminences covered with woods that hemmed in the whole. The falls +of the Yaupaae were at a distance of only a few rods, but invisible, +being hidden by the plain that occupied the intervening space, at an +elevation of some forty feet higher than the point where the river, +rushing down its rocky bed, made its presence known by a ceaseless +roar, and seemed to chant a dirge over the vanished greatness of the +tribe. + +Here were assembled some sixty or seventy Indians to perform the +rights of sepulture to one of their number. No vestige of their +original wildness was to be traced among them. They were clothed in +the garments of civilization, but of a coarse and mean quality, and +appeared broken down and dispirited. One half, at least, were women, +and at the moment of which we are speaking they were collecting +together from among the blue slate gravestones, where they had been +dispersed, around a newly dug grave. The rites were of a Christian +character, and performed by an elder of one of the neighboring +churches, who offered up a prayer, on the conclusion of which he +retired. The grave was immediately filled, and then commenced a +ceremony of a singular character. + +At a given signal the assembled company began with slow and measured +steps, and in silence, to encircle the grave. It must have been a +custom peculiar to the tribe, at least we do not recollect seeing +it alluded to by any traveller or describer of Indian manners, and +consisted in walking one after the other around the grave, in the +manner called Indian file, and recounting the good qualities of the +departed; nor was it considered permissible to leave until something +had been said in his praise. The Indians walked round and round in +unbroken silence, each one modestly waiting, as it seemed at first, +for another to speak. But no one begun, and it soon became evident +that some other cause than modesty restrained their speech. Thus, +with downcast eyes, or casting side long glances at each other, as in +expectation of the wished-for eulogy, and with the deepest gravity, +they followed round and round, but still with sealed lips. The defunct +must have been a strange being to deserve no commendation. Could +it be? Did he possess no one good quality by which he could be +remembered? Had he never done a kind act? Could he not hunt, or fish, +or make baskets, or plant corn, or beans, or potatoes? Surely he must +have been able to do something. Had it never happened that he did some +good by mistake? Perhaps that would answer the purpose. Or had he +been the mere shape and appearance of a man, and nothing more? He +had vanished like a shadow; was he as unsubstantial? Were they not +mistaken in supposing he had lived among them! Had he been a dream? + +Confused thoughts like these passed through the simple minds of the +rude race, as with tired steps they followed one another in that weary +round. But was there to be no cessation of those perpetual gyrations? +Yet no gesture, no devious step betrayed impatience. On they went, as +if destined to move thus for ever. Looks long and earnest began now to +be cast upon the new-made hillock, as if striving to draw inspiration +thence, or reproaching its tenant with his unworthiness. No +inspiration came, and gradually the steps became slower and more +languid, yet still the measured tread went on. A darker and darker +cloud settled on their weary faces, but they could not stop; the duty +was too sacred to remain unfulfilled. They could not leave without a +word to cheer their friend upon his way, and yet the word came not. +When would some one speak? Who would relieve them from the difficulty? +At length the countenance of an old squaw lighted up, and in low +tones she said, "He was a bery good smoker." The welcome words were +instantly caught up by all, and with renewed strength each one moved +on, and rejoicing at the solution of the dilemma, exclaimed, "He was +a bery good smoker." The charm had taken effect; the word of +affectionate remembrance was spoken; the duty performed; and each with +an approving conscience could now return home. + +What thin partitions divide the mirthful from the mournful, the +sublime from the ridiculous! At the wedding we weep, and at the +funeral we can smile. + +Holden who had been standing with folded arms leaning against the rail +fence that enclosed the yard, and contemplating the ceremonies till +the last Indian departed, now turned to leave, when the constable with +a paper in one hand approached, and touching Holden with the other, +told him he was his prisoner. The Solitary asked no questions, but +waving his hand to the constable to advance, followed him in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, and + my name is Elbow. I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in + here before your good honor two notorious benefactors." + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE. + + +The efforts of the Solitary's friends to ward off the blow were +unavailing, and the perseverance of the constable was crowned with +success. Of course it was impossible for Holden to walk through +the streets of Hillsdale with such a companion without attracting +observation. Long before he reached the office, where he was to have +his trial, a crowd of idle boys was gathered at his heels, attending +in a sort of triumphal procession, and wondering what was to be done +with the prisoner. Basset had need of all his natural dignity, and +more than he could assume besides, to keep the little mob in +tolerable order. It is true the conduct of Holden, who, to the +great astonishment of the constable, followed him like a lamb to the +slaughter, made the task less difficult. + +The place to which he was taken was no other than the office of +Ketchum, it not being usual for justices to have offices of their own, +the amount of business not warranting such an expense. On occasions +like the present it was customary for the lawyer who took charge of +the case to supply the court-room, and this, of course, was his +own office, as the most convenient place where law books and other +necessary instruments were at hand. Here, then, Holden was left by the +constable with Ketchum, the officer of the law meanwhile proceeding +to hunt up Squire Miller. During his absence, Ketchum addressed some +remarks to the prisoner, and endeavored to engage him in conversation, +but without success, Holden receiving his advances with coldness, +and evidently averse to establish the relation of even speaking +acquaintanceship. Ketchum finding all efforts vain, at last desisted, +and Holden sat in silence, brooding over his own thoughts. + +Upon Basset's return, he was accompanied not only by the justice, but +also by Pownal, who had accidentally heard of the arrest, and by two +or three other persons attracted by curiosity. Pownal immediately +walked up to his friend, and, grasping his hand, expressed his +interest, and tendered his services. + +"I know not," said Holden, in reply to his expressions of sympathy, +"why I am to be made a gazing-stock for curious eyes; but the Lord's +will be done." + +Pownal requested to see the warrant, and for the first time learned +the nature of the accusation; he then sent a messenger after Mr. +Tippit, and that gentleman, in compliance with the summons, soon made +his appearance. Him Pownal engaged to defend the prisoner. By this +time the little office was filled with an inquisitive crowd, eager to +hear the eloquence of the counsel, and to watch the vibrations of the +scales of justice, among whom Judge Bernard might be seen seated +by the side of the prisoner. Any person entered and departed as he +pleased, the room being, for the time of the trial, converted into a +public place; and while preparations were being made preliminary to +the opening of the court, the spectators amused themselves with making +observations to each other. + +"What have they took Holden up for?" said a man to Mr. Davenport, who, +of course, was present. + +"I hear it is for profane speaking and reviling," answered Davenport. + +"If everybody was to have his desarts," said our friend, Tom Gladding, +squirting a stream of tobacco juice over the floor, "I guess, some +others would be worse off," and he looked sharply at Davenport. + +"It is time such things should be punished," said Davenport. "People +begin to act as if there was no law in the country." + +"Don't you be quite so hard on a fellow," said Tom. "I recollect +the time before you were convarted, squire, when you swore like a +trooper." + +The face of Davenport faded into a dusky grey with anger, and he +looked as if he would have liked to annihilate the audacious Tom, but, +by a violent effort, controlling his passion, he said: + +"I trust the Lord has forgiven me the sin." + +"I hope he has," said Tom, "and seems to me it would be a good thing +for Squire Miller to follow his example." + +"Suppose you tell him so," said Davenport, sarcastically. + +"Well, seeing as how you're so pressing," said Gladding "I don't care +if I do. Squire," he cried, addressing the Justice, and drawing the +attention of all to himself, "here's Squire Davenport says, he expects +the Lord's forgive his cussing and swearing, and thinks you'd better +do as well by Father Holden, and let him run." + +A general shout of laughter greeted this speech of Gladding's, and +there were exclamations of "Well said, Tom," and "He had him, there," +and "Who would have thought that of Davenport?" + +The unfortunate victim glared, with fury in his eyes, at Tom, who, +interpreting his looks to suit himself, cried-- + +"He's coming, Squire, to speak for himself." + +Davenport here protested, he had said no such thing, and that it was a +shame he should be abused by a scurrilous fellow, in such a manner. + +"What's that you say?" said Gladding, stepping up to Davenport; "I'm +no more squirrilous, than you are yourself; though, for that matter, +there ain't a squirrel on a walnut tree, but would be ashamed to be +seen in your company,--squirrilous fellow, eh!" + +"Silence!" cried the Justice. "Mister Gladding, I must say, I think +such language very improper; and I hope, if you expect to remain here, +you will stop it." + +"Squire," said Gladding, "he begun it; I'll leave it to the company, +if he didn't first call me a squirrel." + +"Silence!" reiterated the Justice; "we must have order; and, if you +don't choose to observe order, you must leave the room." + +"You hain't opened court yet," persisted the pertinacious Tom. "I +guess we know our rights." + +Here Basset came up to Tom, and, taking him by the arm, whispered a +few words into his ear. They seemed to be of a sedative character, +for the latter, contenting himself with an occasional glance of +mischievous fun at his late opponent, abstained from further remark. + +By this time, the subpoena for the witnesses had been returned, and +the persons summoned made their appearance. The overt act was so +notorious, that it had not been considered necessary to summon many, +and the few needed were soon hunted up. Hereupon, Mr. Ketchum having +intimated a readiness, on the part of the State, to proceed, Mr. +Tippit, after some conversation with Judge Bernard and Pownal, Holden +refusing to hold any intercourse with him also, entered the plea of +"not guilty," for his client. + +The hour of noon had now arrived, and that being the dinner-time of +most present, Justice Miller yielded to the request of Mr. Tippet, and +the pleadings of his own stomach, to adjourn the sitting of the court +till two o'clock in the afternoon, in order, not only to gratify +the demands of appetite, but, also, that the counsel might have an +opportunity to confer with his client and prepare his defence. Ketchum +remonstrated against the delay as unreasonable, but the Justice, +who felt no disposition to hurry himself, and was, at bottom, not an +unamiable man, told him, there would be time enough to finish the case +in the afternoon, provided he and Mr. Tippit did not talk too long. +Meanwhile, upon the promise of Judge Bernard to be responsible for +the safety of the prisoner, Holden was allowed to depart with him, +and Pownal, who had been invited to dinner with the Judge, accompanied +them to his house. + +Here they found Faith, in a state of high excitement. "I,"--she said, +seizing the old man's hands, while the tears streamed down her cheeks; +"I am to blame for this persecution. O, Father Holden, if I had not +begged, and almost forced you to go with us that evening, this would +not have happened." + +"Dear child!" said Holden, "afflict not thyself. Thou and I are but +as flying dust on the eternal wheels of destiny. Fear not, nor let +thy heart be troubled. Even yet, the Lord will make bare his arm and I +shall escape, even as a bird from the snare of the fowler." + +But Faith partook not of the enthusiast's confidence. To her alarmed +imagination, the deliverance of Holden seemed as improbable as that +of Daniel from the den of lions, and the impending doom almost +as dreadful as that destined for the prophet. She knew what the +consequences would be were Holden found guilty; for, soon after the +reading of the warrant by Pownal, its contents had been communicated +to her, and she had been informed respecting the punishment. To +her delicate and sensitive mind, the charge itself--that of profane +speaking and reviling, was inexpressibly revolting. She knew that the +condition of mind such language implies, was entirely wanting, and +that it was in the performance of what he considered a duty, the old +man had spoken. Father Holden capable of profane speaking! He, whose +heart was the seat of all noble emotions; he, who had renounced the +world, and trampled its temptations and vanities under foot; he, +who living in the world, was not of the world! That such an one, so +harmless, so guileless, so innocent, should be paraded through the +streets like a wild beast which it was unsafe to have at large, that +he should be exposed to the prying looks of coarse and unfeeling men, +and compelled to hear their vile ribaldry, and, finally, compelled +to an ignominious punishment, among the vicious, in a workhouse! +The disgrace was more than she could bear. It seemed her heart would +break. Overcome by her emotions, she left the room, followed by Anne, +who partook of her grief and indignation. + +All participated in the feelings of the young ladies, and, as might +be supposed, the young men most. To Pownal, a wish of Anne's was a +command; nor was there a danger, scarcely, he would have refused to +encounter to gratify her. He had never, indeed, breathed a word of +love, but he had flattered himself of late that she understood his +feelings, and that the knowledge gave her no displeasure; and, in +spite of the disparity in their conditions, hope nestled at the +bottom of his heart. Besides, Faith was with him a favorite, and it +distressed him to witness her excitement. + +Nor could William Bernard behold unmoved the tears of Faith, or the +agitation of his sister. Never, indeed, before had the divine eyes of +Faith Armstrong so affected him as now, when suffused with tears; nor +had her beauty ever shone so resplendent. Upon the withdrawal of the +girls, he put his arm into that of Pownal, and drawing him into a +recess, the young men took counsel together respecting what should be +done. + +At the appointed hour, all parties were again present in the little +office of the lawyer, and the examination commenced. It is unnecessary +to recapitulate in full the testimony. In spite of the ingenuity +of Mr. Tippit, who closely cross-examined the witnesses for the +prosecution, and thereby only made them rather strengthen than weaken +the force of their testimony, the facts were fully proved. Indeed, the +whole occurrence was too recent and public to make the proof a task +of any difficulty. The only differences in the statements of the +witnesses were, that some thought Holden was standing at the side of +the reading-desk, when he addressed Davenport, while others were as +sure he was in front, a circumstance considered by Ketchum and +the Court as of no consequence, while Tippit regarded it as of the +greatest importance, as a test of the accuracy of the memory, if not +of the veracity of the witnesses; and, again, what came out in the +persevering cross-examination by Tippit, viz.: that in the opinion of +some witnesses, Holden, instead of saying "soul-damning and abominable +lies," said "damned, abominable lies". The eyes of Ketchum fairly +danced when the efforts of his opponent succeeded in eliciting from +the badgered and provoked witness this most _mal-a-propos_ testimony +which his own ingenuity had been unable to draw forth, and he took +care, in the rest of the examination, to get the same statement if +possible from the remainder of the witnesses. In this he was partially +successful, each one intending most sincerely to tell the truth, +and yet artfully led on by the lawyer, often falsely coloring and +distorting the facts. On the conclusion of the testimony on the part +of the State, Mr. Tippit produced witnesses to prove the words spoken, +who, after all, did not alter the complexion of things, and also the +good character of the prisoner, but this latter proposal was stoutly +opposed by Ketchum, as irrelevant to the issue. + +"What have we to do," said he, "with the character of the prisoner? +His character is not at issue. That may be as good as the Court's, +for instance (and I desire no higher), and yet the offence charged +may have been committed. If brother Tippit is allowed to run into all +these side issues, we shall never be done with the examination, and +therefore I object to the testimony." + +Tippit, in reply, expressed great surprise at the conduct of his +brother, Ketchum; "but," said he, "I do not wonder at the anxiety +of the gentleman to keep out testimony of so vast importance for my +client. Here is a discrepancy. Some witnesses state the language +said to have been used by my client in one way, some in another. Now, +although a man of good character might use the words 'soul damning and +abominable,' which we are constantly hearing in sermons and prayers, +and if they are proper there, one might suppose them proper in common +discourse, he would be less likely to use the other phrase; though, if +he did, I hope I shall be able to convince the court there's no great +harm in that." + +Here Ketchum's face expressed unutterable astonishment, and the +Justice, as if scandalized at the proposition, interrupted the +counsel, and told him he hoped he did not mean to justify profane +language. + +"Far from it, please your honor," answered Tippit, "but I say we have +been guilty of no profanity which, at the proper time, I expect to +satisfy the court of. We offer the testimony now for two purposes: +first, to assist the judgment of the court in coming to a conclusion, +whether the words were spoken or not, because if we prove the +prisoner's good character, it is less likely they were uttered by him; +and secondly, if your honor should be of opinion that the words were +used, in mitigation of punishment, if, indeed, the court should be +disposed to take notice at all of the trifle of which the prisoner +stands accused." + +Ketchum reiterated his objections, denying that the testimony was +admissible for either purpose. He did not think, he said, that his +brother Tippit was able to assist the judgment of the court a great +deal; as for judgment, the article was so scarce with a certain +gentleman, he advised him to keep the modicum he had for his own +use. So far as mitigation of punishment was concerned, he thought the +greater the respectability of the offender, the greater should be the +punishment, both because his education and opportunities should have +taught him better, and by way of example to others, in like case to +offend. The doctrine of the gentleman, he added, might do well enough +where kings and aristocrats ground the people to powder, but he hoped +never to see the day, when, in our own free country, a man might do +what he pleased because he was respectable. + +This sentiment, notwithstanding the feelings of almost all present +were in favor of Holden, was so decidedly patriotic, that it met +the most favorable reception, and there was a general whispering and +rustling among the audience. After the sensation had subsided, Justice +Miller, with some hesitation, decided to receive the testimony for the +present. "It is different," he said, "from allowing evidence to go to +a jury. I am both court and jury, and will think it over, and reject +it, if I think it should be." With this decision the counsel were +obliged to acquiesce, and Tippit proceeded with his testimony. + +It was easier to prove the good character of Holden than the exact +occurrence at the meeting. Judge Bernard, Mr. Armstrong, who came into +the court in the afternoon, Pownal, and many others, testified to his +irreproachable reputation, and were certain that his conduct proceeded +from no evil intent. + +After the testimony had all been taken, followed the speeches of the +counsel. Ketchum, who, as prosecutor, was entitled to the opening and +closing arguments, rose and stated that, as the days were short, and +it was growing late, he would waive his right of opening, and reserve +what he had to say to the time when his brother Tippit had concluded. +To this arrangement Tippit strenuously objected, insisting that the +State had made out so poor a case, that he hardly knew what to reply +to, and that in all fairness the counsel for the State ought to +enlighten him. The court, however, decided, that although it was +a strange thing for a lawyer to desire to be excused from making a +speech, yet it was a course he felt much obliged to Mr. Ketchum +for adopting, and hoped that he would not revenge himself for the +abstinence by putting two speeches into one, at the conclusion. + +Smiles and applauding whispers among the audience rewarded the Justice +for this brilliant display of wit. + +Hereupon Mr. Tippit rose and addressed the court. He begun by hinting +at the embarrassment he felt in not having the advantage, to use his +own language, of what his brother Ketchum intended to say. For his own +part, he had carefully considered the law and evidence, and could not +find the shadow of a pretext for detaining the prisoner. He then went +on to speak of the prisoner himself, his age, his harmless life, and +the excellent character he sustained. All this, he argued, went to +show the improbability of his having uttered the language considered +most objectionable. He contended that although he would most +cheerfully admit that the prisoner had said something in the +conference-room, it was impossible to determine accurately what +that something was; that if in this state of things the court not be +satisfied what the words were exactly, it was as if no words at all +had been uttered, and there were none to be passed upon. But what were +the words? Here the learned counsel minutely examined the evidence, +and arrived at the conclusion, that it was impossible to ascertain +them. Hence, he said, the _corpus delicti_ is wanting. But suppose +the words were as testified by some, though they are contradicted by +others, "damned abominable," what then? Was that reviling or +profane speaking? The words were two. Now, no one would pretend that +"abominable" was profane language. "The idea is abominable," said +Tippit, "and I hope brother Ketchum won't take me up for saying that. +What does the other word mean?" Hereupon the counsel referred to a +dictionary, to which also we refer our readers. "There you see," said +he, "there is no harm in it. At most, the word can in its present +application, be considered only as an intensitive, or the like. +The fact is, may it please the court, it is but a strong form of +expression, and means no more nor less than _very_, and I should be +willing to leave it to the good sense of those who hear me, as to a +jury, to say if my construction is not correct." + +Here Tom Gladding nodded his head at Tippit. + +"Mr. Gladding," continued Tippit, "nods his head, and I honor his +judgment, and venture to say there is not a man here better qualified +to speak on the subject." + +Here there was a general laugh at Tom's expense, in which the court +itself joined. Tom, appearing to regard the joke very little, and +only saying, "The squire's got it right by chance this time, I guess." +Presently, the court commanded silence, and Mr. Tippit proceeded. + +"I flatter myself," he added, "that I have satisfied your honor there +is no profane language in the case; and that ought to be sufficient +for my purpose, even though the court should be of opinion that the +prisoner was guilty of reviling; because the words of the statute are +in the conjunctive, providing punishment only where profane speaking +and reviling are united, being levelled, not at one alone, but at +both as one act. It should also be borne in mind, that the statute is +penal, and for that reason must be construed, strictly, in favor of +liberty. But I will now proceed to inquire whether there has been any +reviling in the sense of the statute. Who was intended to be protected +against injurious language? Reasonable beings only, certainly. +Assuredly not the delicate feelings of horses, or cows, or pigs, and +if so, much less those of an inanimate object, like a book. Now, +it will be recollected that the language uttered characterized the +contents of a book, not Mr. Davenport. The words were consistent with +the supposition that the prisoner cherished the highest respect for +him, whatever his opinion might be of the sermon. It was then absurd +to pursue a man criminally for criticising a book, and requesting +another not to read it, which was all that had been done." + +Here Ketchum inquired how his brother Tippit would get over the words, +"man of sin," which it was testified had been applied by the prisoner +to Davenport. + +Mr. Tippit treated the inquiry with great contempt. "Does the +gentleman," he asked, in turn, "claim for Mr. Davenport a superhuman +degree of piety? Would he have us understand that Mr. Davenport is +not a sinful man, and is the expression made use of by Mr. Holden more +than tantamount to that? I do not think the words worthy of notice," +he said, "nor am I disposed to waste time on them." Mr. Tippit +concluded by saying, that if a man, in the honest expression of his +opinions about a book, was to be dealt with criminally, free speech, +free action, the noble inheritance of our ancestors, were gone, and +the liberties of the country no more. Collecting himself for a last +effort, he represented the Goddess of Liberty, like Niobe, all +tears, weeping over the fate of her children, should the iniquity, +contemplated by Ketchum, be consummated. + +The impression made by the lawyer's speech was favorable, as was +evident from the looks of the audience, and the approving hum that +filled the room, and prepossessed as they were in favor of Holden, +they would undoubtedly have acquitted him, but, alas! they were +not the tribunal to decide his fate. We have already dilated on the +proceedings of the little court of _pied poudre_, beyond our original +intention, and for that reason shall endeavor, without designing, +"with malice prepense," to slight the eloquence of Ketchum, to +compress his remarks into as small a compass as possible. He has since +risen to the dignity of a County Court Judge, and, therefore, needs no +celebrity, which a work so unpretending as the present, can confer. + +Mr. Ketchum then began by saying, that to be sure his experience in +courts was not very great, but he had some, and, so far as it went, he +never knew a case plainer than the one on trial. The gentleman (bowing +to Tippit), with all his ingenuity, and he was not going to deny him +his due, which was greater than his knowledge of the law, had been +unable to affect his own mind, or, as he believed, the mind of his +honor, or of any one present. He felt, therefore, that the task before +him, though an unpleasant one, was lightened by the inability of his +brother Tippit to make out even a plausible defence. Peeling this, +he should, if he consulted only his own inclinations, be disposed to +leave the case where it was, without comment, but he supposed it was +expected he should say something, and in the discharge of his duty, +he would comply with the expectation. As for the character of the +prisoner, he had nothing to say about it. He would neither admit that +it was good, nor claim that it was bad; whatever it might be, it had +nothing to do with the case. The question was, what was done at the +meeting? All the witnesses agreed that the prisoner interrupted the +proceedings. True, they disagreed in respect to the exact words, but +take the testimony of any, and sufficient was made out to support the +prosecution. Here he dwelt upon a criticism of the words, coming to +conclusions precisely the opposite of Tippit's, and contending they +were both profane and reviling. "It was preposterous," he claimed, "to +say that Holden meant merely to criticise the book. The language was +not addressed to the book, but to Davenport: the book was not called, +'man of sin,' but Davenport. The words, 'man of sin' had a peculiar +meaning. They were designed in the Scriptures to express condemnation, +and horror, and wickedness. They were not synonymous with 'sinful +man,' though even these words might be considered words of reviling, +had they been used in the same circumstances. The contempt affected +by his brother Tippit was so much powder and shot thrown away. Nobody +believed he really felt it. It was like the grimaces of a culprit, +trying to hide his apprehensions by forced smiles." He concluded by +apologizing for not being a poet, like his brother Tippit, nor as +familiar with goddesses. He knew that his friend was a gallant young +man, and fond of the ladies, and he would confess to the weakness +himself, but as for goddesses, they were a touch above him, &c. + +The court had listened with patience to both testimony and speech, and +was now to pass sentence, acting up to the advice of a shrewd English +lawyer, to one who without much legal learning had been appointed to +a judgeship in a colony, never to give his reasons when he pronounced +judgment, for although the judgment had an equal chance to be right or +wrong, the reasons were almost certain to be incorrect, Justice Miller +contented himself with finding the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him +to a week's confinement in the town workhouse. + +It was not without some surprise that the friends of Holden heard the +decision. Although contemplating its possibility, they had indulged a +hope that the Justice would be unwilling to subject one so harmless, +and whom they considered innocent of all intention to violate the law, +to any punishment; but with that reverence for law which characterizes +New England, and without which there can be no security for free +institutions, they submitted, although not without some murmurs. It +was in vain, they knew, to ask for any mitigation; Justice Miller +having once pronounced sentence, being as inexorable as the Supreme +Court. The room was soon nearly emptied of the spectators, none +remaining except the particular friends of the prisoner. Nothing +remained but to carry the sentence into execution. Holden's friends +also at last took a sorrowful leave, and the mittimus being made +out, it was handed to Basset, to remove the prisoner to the place of +destination. + +For the sake of greater security, Basset now produced a pair of +handcuffs, which he put on the condemned man's hands, who offered no +objection, but calmly submitted to his fate. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + _Armado_.--By my sweet soul, I mean setting thee at liberty, + enfreedoming thy person: thou wert immured, captivated, bound. + + _Costard_.--True, true, and now you will be my purgation, and + let me loose. + + _Armado_.--I give thee thy liberty, set thee free from + durance; and in lieu thereof impose on thee nothing but this. + + LOVE'S LABOR LOST. + + +By the time the court had concluded its session it was eight o'clock +in the evening. It was quite dark, and the snow was falling heavily. +When, therefore, the constable stepped into the street, holding his +prisoner by the arm, it is not surprising that he encountered but few +passengers. Those whom he did meet had their hats or caps slouched +over their brows, which were bending down upon their breasts to +protect the face from the driving snow. It was impossible, so thick +were the flakes, to see more than a few feet before one. It was a +fortunate circumstance, inasmuch, at least, as it saved the Recluse +from the humiliation of being seen by his townsmen. + +The workhouse was situated at the distance of nearly a mile from the +centre of the village, on a little farm of some twenty acres, and +stood several rods apart from any inhabited house. It was the half of +a large unpainted wooden building divided into two sections, the other +half of which was used as an alms-house, and might be considered as a +sort of auxiliary or ally of the county jail, to receive those minor +offenders whom the dignity of the latter rejected. + +The road Basset had to travel passed over the lower bridge of the +Yaupaae, next went up a hill, and then suddenly turning, skirted the +lake-like expanse of water, on which the building was situated. In +order, however, to reach the house, it was necessary to leave the main +road and pass down a lane of some twenty rods in length. + +Together the pair proceeded through the driving snow, Basset keeping +hold of Holden, who walked meekly by his side. The fatalism of the +latter seemed to have taken entire possession of his mind, and he +probably regarded his sufferings as a necessary part of the designs +of Providence, which it would be as wicked as vain to resist. The +constable had repeatedly endeavored to engage his companion in +conversation, striving to comfort him with the opinion, that the +keeper of the quasi jail was a "clever man," and that people did not +find it as bad as they expected, and a week would quickly pass away. +"In winter," said Basset, "when it's hard to get work, I've known +many a likely young fellow do some trick on purpose to be put into the +workhouse till spring; so it can't be the worst place in the world." +Basset stretched the truth a little. He might have known or heard of +persons, who, in order to obtain warmth, and food, and shelter during +that inclement season, had committed petty crimes, but such instances +were exceedingly rare, and the offenders were anything but "likely +fellows." But Basset must be excused his leasing, for he felt lonely, +and longed to hear the sound of a human voice, and failing that of +another, was fain to put up with his own as better than none. But +Holden steadily resisted all the advances of the constable, refusing +to reply to any question, or to take notice of anything he might +say, until the latter, either wearied out by the pertinacity of his +captive, or vexed by what he considered sullenness or arrogance, +himself relapsed into silence. + +They had crossed the bridge, passed up the hill, and traversed the +road along the margin of the Yaupaae, and were now just entering the +lane that runs down to the house. The storm was raging with unabated +fury, and the constable, with clenched teeth, and bent head, and +half-shut eyes, was breasting the driving flakes, and congratulating +himself with the idea that his exposure would soon be over, and he +by the side of a warm stove in one of the stores, the hero of the +evening, recounting the adventures of the day and comfortably taking +his cheerful glass, when suddenly, without having seen a person, his +cap was violently pulled over his eyes, a thick coffee-bag slipped +over his head, and a hand applied to his throat to stifle any cries, +should he be disposed to make them. But the poor fellow was too much +frightened to emit a sound, had he been never so much inclined to +scream. + +"Make no noise," said a stern but disguised voice, "and you are safe. +No injury is designed. I will lead you. Follow quietly." + +The man grasped his arm, and led him, as it seemed, out of the +travelled path into an adjoining field, for he was directed to lift +his feet at a particular spot, and in doing so, struck them against +what were evidently wooden bars, such as are everywhere to be found in +New England, at the entrances to the stone wall encircled lots. They +were followed by Holden, and, as the constable judged, from the slight +sounds he succeeded in occasionally catching, by another person. +When his captor seemed to think he was in a place where he would be +unlikely to be disturbed by a casual passer, he stopped and demanded +the key to the handcuffs. Every movement of the constable must have +been narrowly watched during the evening, for, as he hesitated, either +confused by the unexpected capture, and forgetful of where he had +placed the key, or desirous to gain time in the hope that help might +arrive--whatever might have been the motive, no time was granted, the +same stern voice instantly adding, + +"The key is in the right pocket of your pantaloons: give it to me at +once." + +With a trembling hand, the constable produced the key from his pocket, +and was confirmed, by what followed, in the belief that his captor +must have a coadjutor, for he still kept his hold, and uttered the +single word "here," as if addressing another, and handing him the key. +Presently, the handcuffs were thrown down at his feet, and he thought +he could detect the sound of receding footsteps. His captor then +demanded the mittimus, which he tore into small pieces, and scattered +around. In this condition muffled so that he could hardly breathe, +with a desperado, or he knew not how many at his side, who, at the +least attempt to make an outcry, might do him some bodily injury or +perhaps murder him, the next quarter of an hour seemed a whole dismal +night to the unfortunate Basset. At the expiration of that time, his +guard addressed him again, and in the same carefully feigned voice: + +"You are in my power, and who would know it were I to leave your +corpse to stiffen on the snow? But I bear you no ill will, and have +no intention to hurt you. I would not harm a hair of your head. I will +not subject you even to the inconvenience of having these fetters on +your wrists, though you were unfeeling enough to place them on a man, +the latchet of whose shoes you are unworthy to unloose. Be thankful +for the forebearance, and show that you know how to appreciate it. +Mark what I say. Remain where you are, nor venture to remove the +covering for half an hour. It will keep you warm. Return then to your +home, nor seek to discover either Holden or who rescued him, and be +assured he was not privy to the intention to release him. Remember, +remember. Eyes will be upon you. Good night!" So saying, the unknown +departed and left the stupefied constable like a statue, rooted to the +spot. + +There he remained, not daring to stir or to remove the uncomfortable +head-dress--for by what unseen dangers he was surrounded he knew +not--until, as he supposed, the half hour was more than passed. Then +Basset cautiously and slowly raised his hand to his head, as if to +intimate that if any one were watching and wanted him to desist, he +was ready to do so, and hearing no sound, proceeded to divest himself +of the hood. He looked around but could see nothing; the falling snow +effectually shut out all objects from sight. He tried to move, but +stiff with cold his limbs refused their office, and he nearly +fell down. He took a step forward and his feet struck against the +handcuffs. He stooped down and picked them up, comforting himself with +the reflection, that bad as was his case, it might have been worse had +they been transferred to his wrists. He strove to peer into the fallen +snow, to discover, if possible, any tracks, but except his own just +made none were distinguishable. The snow had already obliterated them. +Faint and weary, and frozen, and vexed and frightened, the melancholy +Basset turned his face to the village, not among his cronies with bold +brow and loud voice to boast of his achievements, and by the aid of +John Barleycorn to screw his courage up to a fabulous pitch, but with +drooping crest and dejected spirits to slink to his bachelor's bed, +and dream of banditti all the night. + +A sadder, if not a wiser man + + "He rose the morrow morn." + +Not a word spoke he the next day of his misadventure, until it having +been ascertained that Holden had not been at the workhouse, inquiry +was made respecting his non-appearance. The constable was then obliged +to confess the truth, which his captors, as if defying discovery, +had not enjoined him to conceal. Faithful to his instructions, he +exculpated Holden from all blame, praising him for his submissiveness +to the law, expressing his conviction that the old man knew nothing of +the intentions of his captors, nor whether they were friends or +foes. Notwithstanding the reluctance of the constable, the indignant +Justice, in the first ebullition of his anger, made out another +mittimus, which he almost forced into the other's unwilling hands, and +commanded him to arrest the fugitive, wherever he might find him, by +night or by day, on the Lord's Day or on any other day, were the place +the Sanctuary itself. + +But the rescue had diverted public attention from the Solitary into +another channel, and the community had not a stock of indignation +sufficient, like the Justice, to expend on Holden as well as on his +rescuers. It appeared, even to the few who were originally in favor +of his arrest, that he had suffered enough, satisfied as they were, +as well from his behavior they had witnessed as from the report of the +constable, that he had in no respect contributed to his freedom, but +was rather compelled to accept it, and therefore attaching no blame to +him for the escape. The resentment of the citizens was now transferred +to the daring offenders, who, with a strong hand, had interposed +between the sentence and the execution of the law, and this last +offence, as being of so much greater magnitude than Holden's, cast it +quite into the shade. Who were they? Who would have the audacity, in +the midst of a law-loving and law-abiding people, to trample on the +laws and defy the State? The constable could give no information. He +had not even seen a person. He had only heard a voice he never heard +before. Ought not some persons to be arrested on suspicion? Who should +they be? Who were obnoxious to suspicion? The friends of the Solitary +were among the most respectable people in the place. Would it be safe +to proceed against them? There would be some hazard in the experiment. +They would be sure to defend themselves to the uttermost, and if +successful as they probably would be, would make the movers in the +matter rue their officiousness. + +Of such a nature were the various questions discussed around the +hearths, and in the bank and shops of the little town of Hillsdale. +The excitement was a perfect god-send to stir the sluggish blood of +winter. Above all it was attractive for the mystery that invested it. +But we will leave the village gossips to beat the air with their idle +speculations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + I could endure + Chains nowhere patiently: and chains at home + Where I am free by birthright, not at all. + + COWPER. + + +Bright and beautiful broke the morning after that night of storm. The +weather had cleared up towards midnight, and when the rejoicing sun +surveyed the scene, his golden glances fell on a wide expanse of pure, +unsullied white. A slight breeze had arisen, which, gently agitating +the bent and laden boughs of the evergreens, shook off the fleecy +adornment that fell like blossoms from the trees. The air was soft +and almost balmy, as is not unfrequently the case even in "the dead +of winter" in our variable climate, lovelier and dearer for its very +variableness, like a capricious beauty, whose smile is the more prized +for the pout that precedes it. It was a day to seduce the old man into +the sunshine in the stoop on the south side of the house, and to bring +out the girls and young men, and swift trotting horses and pungs and +jingling bells in gay confusion in the streets. + +In the course of the forenoon, a bright crimson sleigh, the bottom +filled with clean straw, and the seats covered with bear and buffalo +robes, the horse ornamented around the neck and back with strings of +bells that jangled sweet music every step he took, drove up to the +door of Judge Bernard. A young man stepped out, whom we recognize as +Pownal. He entered the house, and in a few minutes returned with Anne +Bernard, muffled in cloak and boa, and carrying a muff upon her arm. +Health glowed in her cheek and happiness lighted up her eyes. Pownal +assisted her into the sleigh, and carefully disposing the robes about +her, took his seat by her side and drove off. + +They drove at first into the older part of the town, as yet +undescribed by us, nor do we now intend a description, save that the +road was wide, and a considerable part of the way bordered by elms and +maples, glorious with beauty in summer, but now standing like mourners +shivering in the wintry air, and as they passed hailed with special +looks and expressions of admiration those two fraternal elms, towering +over all, like patriarchs of the vegetable world, which, once seen, +none will forget. + + "Huge trunks, and each particular trunk a growth + Of intertwisted fibres, serpentine, + Upcoiling, and inveterately convolved-- + Nor uninformed with Phantasy and looks + That threaten the profane." + +Thence, following the street that winds around the village green, and +greeted by the joyous shouts of acquaintances in passing sleighs, +and joining, now and then, in friendly races, they crossed the upper +bridge of the Yaupaae, and leaving the shouts and merriment behind, +struck into a more secluded road. + +Whatever charms the conversation that passed between the young +people might have for them, it would not interest the reader, and we +therefore pass it over. It was such as might be expected between two +youthful beings, one of whom knew he was in love, and the other began +to suspect, from emotions never felt before, the commencement of a +partiality that was as sweet as it was strange. To two hearts thus +attached, and tuned to vibrate in harmony, all nature ministers with a +more gracious service. The sun is brighter, the sky bluer, the flower +more fragrant, the chime of the brook has a deeper meaning, and a +richer music swells the throat of the bird. Things unobserved before, +and as unconnected with the new emotion, indifferent, now assume +importance. A look, a tone of the voice, a pressure of the hand, are +events to dream about and feast upon. In the presence of the beloved +object all things else are either unheeded or dwindle into comparative +insignificance. + +It will occasion no surprise, then, that Anne, engrossed with her own +happiness, should hardly have observed the road taken by Pownal, or +been conscious of how far they had driven, until some remark of his +attracted her attention to the scenery. She then perceived that they +were in the midst of the Indian settlement on the Severn, and to a +playful question of Pownal, inquiring how she would like to leave her +card with Queen Esther, she replied by expressing her delight at the +proposition. Esther's cabin stood some little distance off from the +main road, towards which a long and narrow winding track led, seldom +travelled by any other vehicles than ox carts and sleds. Over the yet +unbroken snow, Pownal directed the horse, the light pung plunging +with every motion of the animal, and threatening to upset, causing +merriment, however, rather than alarm to the occupants of the +conveyance. In this manner, straining through the snow-drifts, they +finally reached the dwelling of Esther. She herself, attracted by the +sound of the bells, came to the door, and welcomed them with great +cordiality. + +"Mr. Pownal and I," cried the lively Anne, "are come to make a +New-Year's call, Esther. I have not your presents with me, but the +next time you are at our house, you shall have them." + +"Miss Anne more'n all present," replied the pleased Esther. "She cold; +she must come to the fire." + +"No," said Anne, as she was being ushered by the squaw into the cabin, +"I am not cold. Why, what a nice"--but the sentence was not concluded. +Her eyes had fallen on the stately form of Holden, who sat on a bench +near to the fire. + +"O, father Holden!" exclaimed the lovely girl, running up to him, +throwing her arms round his neck, and kissing his forehead, "is it +you? How glad I am you escaped from those abominable men. Tell me all +about it. How was it? Did they do you any harm?" + +At this moment, Pownal entered, and advancing, grasped the old man's +hand, and congratulated him on his escape. + +"My God," said Holden, in his wild way, "hath sent His angel and shut +the lions' mouths that they have not hurt me. He raiseth the poor out +of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the mire." + +"But," urged Anne, with feminine curiosity, "we are anxious to hear +how you escaped." + +The Recluse did not seem to consider it necessary to make any +secret--at least to those present--of the events of the past night, +and, with the frankness that characterized him, spoke of them without +hesitation. + +After stating what we already know, he said he was led away rapidly by +a man dressed in a sailor's suit, whose face he did not see, and who +accompanied him until they had passed the last house on the street. +They met no one, and, on parting, the man forced a purse into his +hand, and entreated him to make his way to the cabin of Esther, where +he would be safe and welcome, and there to remain until his friends +should be apprised of his retreat. + +"To me," concluded the Solitary, "a dungeon or a palace ought to be +alike indifferent; but I will not thwart the minds of those who love +me, however vain their desires. The Lord hath brought this light +affliction upon me for His own good purpose, and I await the +revelation of His will." + +"I do not doubt we shall be able soon to release you from your +confinement," said Pownal; "meanwhile, tell us what we can do to make +your condition tolerable." + +"I lack nothing," said Holden. "These hands have ever supplied my +necessities, and I am a stranger to luxury. Nor liveth man by bread +alone, but on sweet tones, and kind looks, and gracious deeds, and I +am encompassed by them. I am rich above gold, and silver, and precious +stones." + +"If there is anything you desire, you will let me know? Command me +in all things; there is nothing I am not ready to do for you," said +Pownal. + +"The blessing of one who is ready to depart be upon thee, for thy kind +words and loving intentions; and should real trouble arise, I will +call upon thee for aid. I know not now," he continued, "why I should +hide like a wounded beast. I fear 'tis but for a visionary point +of honor. Why should not a gentleman,"--this he said +sarcastically--"occupy the workhouse as well as a boor. In the eyes of +One, we are all equal. Ah, it might do this hard heart good." + +"You have promised to respect the prejudices of your friends," said +Pownal, "whatever you may think of their weakness." + +"You shall never endure the disgrace," said Anne, with kindling +cheeks. "See how Providence itself interposes to protect you!" + +"Your suggestions, my children, find an echo, alas! too truly in my +own heart to be rejected," said Holden, dejectedly. "I repeat, I will +obey you." + +The young people remained for an hour or more at the hut, conversing +with the Solitary, to whom their presence appeared to give great +pleasure; and, before parting, Pownal exchanged some words apart with +Esther, having for their object the promotion of her guest's and +her own comfort. The kind heart of the squaw needed no incentives +to conceal and protect Holden, but Pownal felt he had no right to +encroach upon her slender means, and such arrangements were made as +would more than compensate her. + +As the sleigh started from the door, Anne said to Pownal, with some +tenderness in the tone of her voice: + +"You need not tell me, Mr. Pownal, the name of one of the strange +Paladins last night. How will Faith thank and admire you. But, O, let +me beg you to be prudent, lest you fall into the power of these bad +men." + +It would have better suited the feelings of Pownal, had Anne uttered +her own thanks more directly. His inexperience and distrust of himself +did not comprehend that it was in reality the way in which the modest +girl expressed the admiration that swelled her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + Impelled with steps unceasing to pursue + Some fleeting good that mocks me with the view; + That, like the circle, bounding earth and skies, + Allures from far, and, as I follow, flies. + + GOLDSMITH. + + +Whenever Tom Gladding and Primus put their heads together, it was +pretty certain that there was some mischief afoot, and a few words of +the conversation, which we overhear, as they walk down the street in +company, leave no doubt on the subject. + +"You see, Prime," said Gladding, "the foolish fellow ain't cured yet." + +"Let us insult ober his case," said Primus. + +"I thought he'd got enough; but, he's as parvarse as the nine lives of +a cat. Why, there was the whack at the island, and, then, the jam +on the ice, and, last, the scare in the snowstorm; a fellow's +unreasonable to want more, and, yet, the darn'd crittur's holding out +his platter." + +"What you want to put in, Missa Gladding?" + +"Some of the same mess. I don't care about hurting him; but, I should +like to cure him of his parsecuting ways." + +"Well, you is a good cook. What you up to dis time?" said the General, +grinning at the idea of more tricks. + +"Colored people is celebrated for their contrivances; so, scratch your +wool, and give us the benefit of your genius." + +"De sheep hab no gumption," said Primus, looking grave at this +allusion to his hair. + +"I tell you what I want you to do," said Tom, taking no notice of +Primus' gravity, and certain that the old fellow was unable to resist +the temptation to a frolic; "but, don't let's stand here all day +talking. Folks may suspicion something; so, push along, and I'll give +you my idees." + +They must have pleased the General, for, soon, his face began to +brighten, and his eyes to glisten; and he parted from his companion, +apparently, with the best understanding, and in the highest good humor +possible. + +In accordance with the arrangement between them, the negro hunted up +Basset, and soon learned from him, that he had a mittimus to commit +Holden. The cunning fellow, at first, pretended to dissuade him from +making use of it, taking care, at the same time, to drop a few +words, from which, it might be inferred, there was no difficulty +in apprehending the fugitive. He, at last, let out the fact, rather +unwillingly, as it seemed, that the Recluse was in the habit +of passing his hut, in the evening, on visits--as the General +supposed--to his friends in the village. The constable caught at the +bait, and, having lost all fear of any resistance, on the part of +the Solitary, persuaded Primus, with some difficulty, to allow him to +watch at his cabin, for his prey; engaging his assistance, at the same +time, should it become necessary. It was, accordingly, agreed, that +the same night should be devoted to enforce the demands of justice. + +Just before the shades of evening shut in, Basset--agreeably to the +preconcerted plan, presented himself at the hut of the General, and +took his station at the window that commanded, for quite a distance, a +view of the road. The moon was shining, and her beams, reflected from +the snow, made it easy to distinguish objects. The constable sighed, +as he took his seat, and declared that, in all his experience, +he never had so much difficulty in his legal business. It was the +General's cue to encourage his visitor, and keep up his resolution. +He, therefore, said, in a cheerful tone-- + +"Folks say, dere is nebber no lane but hab one turn. Now, dis is de +turn. See, how de road twist round my house. Dat is a good sign." + +"If I don't git him this time," said Basset, "I guess I might as well +give it up, and the State of Connecticut may just be reckoned beat." + +"Don't ground you arms yet, Missa Basset. In de long run, de raal grit +allers carry de day." + +"When I think it all over," said the constable, musing, "it seems kind +o' queer. I'm sort o' bewitched, and, if the days of witches wasn't +gone by, I shouldn't wonder if some of them hadn't got me in tow. +But, I ain't going to give it up yet. I don't forget the old chap's +knocking me down in the dark behind my back, as though I'd been no +better than a woodchuck or a skunk." + +"How it feel, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, with a grin. "Did de old +man strike wid de soft side or de hard side ob de cudgel?" + +"You needn't show your ivory," said the constable, whom the +remembrance of his misfortune irritated; "I wish to conscience you'd +felt it yourself; you'd have known, then, without the need of asking +questions." + +"Golly! Missa Basset," exclaimed Primus. "You tink nobody hab feeling +but yousef. You gib my arm sich a winch when de ole man kick you +behind, or knock you ober (I nebber know which) dat I feel him now." + +"He didn't kick me," said Basset, indignantly. "'Twas a regular +assault with a club, I tell you." + +"Well, I shouldn't like sich salt on my shoulder, aldo dey say, salt +bery good to keep de wound from catching cold." + +"I tell you what, darkey," cried the constable, losing patience at the +other's sneers. "You talk like an old fool. If you hain't got anything +pleasanter to say, you might as well shut up." + +"Yes, I be an old fool," said Primus, as if speaking to himself, "and +dis is all de tank I git from dis white man. I depose my life on de +ribber. I git a'most murdered when de ghost kick him behind; he break +my leg made out ob a good piece ob ash; I invite him to my house, like +a gen'leman, and de civilest word I get, is--darkey and old fool. Yes, +Primus, you complexion is dark, and you be a big fool." + +"Don't take on so, Prime," said Basset; "I spoke rash, and I ask your +pardon. But, what's the use of aggravating a man in that way!" + +"I tink you must 'scuse my keeping company wid you, arter to-night," +continued Primus, looking steadily into the fire, and knitting his +brows; "I nebber get noting but bad luck in his sarvice. Next time, +I git my neck broke, and den 'tis all done wid dis poor niggur. De +carpenter find hard work to make one to fit." + +"Now, Prime," said Basset, "you're rather too hard. I asked your +pardon, and that's all a man can do. I'm sure I didn't mean to set you +agoing at this rate." + +"It bery easy, Massa Basset, to say I ask you pardon, and bery polite +for a white man to say it to a colored pusson, but does dat pay for de +breaking ob a leg or de setting ob my neck?" + +"What did it cost to mend your leg?" + +"I gib Fannin, de carpenter, a halb dollar for a new one dat wasn't +half so good as de ole one." + +"Well, I vow, that's considerable for an old stick, 'cause I know +there wasn't no new iron work about it, for you had the old ferule +left; but seeing as how I broke it, I'll split the difference with +you, so there's a quarter. But why didn't you speak of it afore?" + +"'Cause," said Primus, taking the money with eyes brightening at the +sight, "'tween gen'lemen, de trifle was too small." + +"Well, you're a curious chap. Now most folks would have dunned me +right off for the damage. There's Tom Gladding', if he had a wooden +leg, and I broke it, don't you suppose he'd make me settle before +sunset next day? Besides the law was all on your side." + +"I guess, Massa Gladding 'tend to business in his own way," said the +now good-humored General, "but you, Squire, is an old 'quaintance, and +you disappointment so great, I didn't like to mention de leg." + +As soon as Primus uttered the word "Squire," Basset knew that the +reconciliation between them was complete. The General never used the +word in reference to his companion, except when pleased and desirous +to pay a compliment, and was fully aware of the effect it produced. +The constable, born and bred among a people fond of titles, and fond +of giving them, was not exempt from the common weakness. He, however, +thought it incumbent on him to disclaim the dignity, to which Primus +answered, that if he were not a Squire he ought to be, and would be +next year. + +A tall figure, which, from the gait and dress, appeared to be that of +Holden, was now seen approaching deliberately in the moonlight, and +the constable addressed himself to the performance of his duty. It was +thought best to allow the fugitive to pass the cabin, so that in the +event of an attempt at evasion, which was not anticipated indeed, but +which the prudent General thought ought to be guarded against, the +difficulty of escape might be greater. As the man advanced, the +constable was certain it was Holden. There was the long beard falling +on his breast, and the grey frock girt with a sash; and had not the +cap been pulled down low over his forehead, even the features might +have been distinguishable. + +After the person had passed, Basset cautiously opened the door and +quietly stole after him, but, in spite of every precaution, it was +impossible to move without making a sound on the crisp snow, easily +heard in the still night. The person heard it, and turning his head, +beheld the constable two or three rods in the rear. Basset observing +him look round, quickened his pace, and advanced confidently to make +the capture; but in the same proportion the figure hastened his steps. +Thereupon the constable increased his speed, in which he was imitated +by the other, until both pursuer and pursued were in a run. + +It was now who should run the fastest. The race had hitherto been +in the road, and Basset was evidently gaining on the fugitive, when, +turning short, the latter jumped over some bars which had been left +down, and directed his course across a field. The constable's blood +was up, and without hesitation, he followed, every moment lessening +the distance between himself and the chase. He could not help, as he +ran, wondering at the agility of Holden, from whom, on account of his +seeming age, he had not anticipated such activity, and ascribed it +now to his greater length of limb, and habit of constant exercise and +exposure. And now he was within a few feet of him, and extending his +arm to place his hand on the captive's shoulder, when suddenly the +ground gave way under his feet, and he was precipitated to an unknown +depth, while the snow came tumbling down upon his head, blinding and +covering him up, so as to leave him at first in total darkness. +The astonished and confused constable, by dint of struggling and +floundering about, succeeded at length in disencumbering himself of +the superincumbent load of snow and cornstalks, and was able to form +an idea of his situation. He found himself in a large hole, at a depth +of six or seven feet below the surface of the ground, to escape from +which every effort proved fruitless. In vain the entrapped Basset +sprung up the sides again and again, and grasped at the snow, in hope +to catch hold of some object on which to retain a hold; it yielded +to his hands, and every time he fell back more and more exhausted. He +endeavored to attract assistance by shouting, but it seemed as if his +voice mounted no higher than to the top of the hole. He looked up. +Nothing was to be seen but the moon gazing sadly upon him, and the +stars winking at him their glittering eyes. Frightened and vexed, he +threw himself upon the bottom of the hole, then got up, and dashing +down his cap, stamped upon it in ungovernable rage, vowing vengeance +against the traitor, Primus, who, he did not doubt, had led him +into the snare. At first the violent exercise, and next vexation +and resentment, kept him warm; but gradually the effect of the +first passed off, and then the latter, without its aid, was found +ineffectual to ward off the cold. The teeth of poor Basset began to +chatter, and tears of anger and apprehension fell from his eyes. He +started up, and again tried the walls of his prison, but they were too +steep, and too slippery, to permit exit, and at last, with desperate +calmness, he resigned himself to his fate, and awaited such result as +Providence might send. The thought of starvation and freezing to +death passed through his mind, but he was too fully convinced of the +complicity of the black to believe he was ignorant of his condition, +and satisfied that, however tricky, he intended no serious harm. There +was comfort in the thought, and as these reflections prevailed he +became more composed, while a sense of shame succeeded to that of +despair. Shrugging himself together to keep warm, and lifting up +his voice from time to time in a shout, if, perchance, some casual +wayfarer might catch the sound, the constable waited for deliverance. + +Meanwhile, Gladding, for it was no other, who personated the Solitary, +and the General were cozily seated by the fire in the hut of the +latter, discussing the events of the evening. The false beard was +lying on a chair, and a large stone pitcher, containing cider, was +placed near the centre of a table, on which the elbow of Tom was +leaning, who, from time to time, replenished a mug with the liquor, +which made frequent journeys to his mouth. The old General, with +his pipe, was seated on the other side of the table, and appeared as +fervent in his devotions to the pitcher as his guest. + +"I tell you what, Prime," said Tom, "I come plaguy nigh tumbling in +myself. I thought I marked the spot exactly, but somehow or other the +snow light sort o' blinded me, and I stepped right on the edge, and +had to spring for't like all natur'." + +"Dat would a been fust rate, to catch two fox in one trap," said the +General, the whites of whose eyes gleamed plainer than ever in the +fire light at the thought. + +"Fun for you, but not for me by a long chalk. Basset would have the +best on't, too, for he'd have come right top on me. How the crittur +would have crowed!" + +"I hear him crow two or tree time already," said Primus, who had been +to the door several times, and could detect faint sounds whenever the +imprisoned Basset shouted. + +"Let him try his lungs a little longer. It will clear his voice for +singing school. I guess I must go to meeting next Sabbath, if for +nothing else, to hear him perform." + +"But I 'fraid de poor man freeze," said the compassionate General. + +"Never fear, 'twon't hurt him. It will do him good to freeze some of +the ugliness out of him. Besides it's best to wait awhile. Perhaps, +somebody coming along will help him out, and that will save you the +trouble." + +"Me! Missa Gladding! what hab I to do wid it? You put him dere, and +you is de one to pull him out." + +"Don't be onreasonable, Prime, now. You see, if I should go, he'd +know, of course, all about it. Why, he'd recollect the clothes, and +next thing I should be took up for assault and battery." + +"And who save me from being took up?" + +"O, there ain't no danger of that. They can't git no hold on ye. You +can say you hearn crying for help, and didn't know but what Holden had +turned on him, and so come to assist." + +Primus shook his head dubiously. He hardly knew what to reply, yet was +evidently disinclined to the adventure. For that reason, perhaps, he +allowed Basset to remain in durance longer than his own good-nature +prompted, in the hope that relief might arrive from some other +quarter. + +"I vow," at last exclaimed Gladding, "if I don't believe you're afraid +Basset will give you a licking." + +"Basset, nor no oder man, ebber see de day nor night to make me +'fraid," said the valorous General, whose natural courage was a +little stimulated by the cider he had been drinking, starting up and +preparing for his expedition. "But, Missa Gladding, you promise to +stand by me if dis scrape go any furder." + +"Sartainly," answered Tom, "I never left a friend in the lurch, I tell +you." + +"Gib us you hand on dat." + +Tom extended a great sledge-hammer fist, and the two shook hands in +sign of inviolable fidelity. + +"Now," said Tom, "I guess, I'll make myself scarce. I wouldn't have +him see me in this rig for all the cider I drank to-night. There's +some left in the old pitcher, so fetch him along, and comfort the +critter's heart with a few swigs." + +With these words, Tom took his leave, first altering somewhat the +disposition of his garments, divesting himself of the sash, placing +the cap higher on his brows, and depositing the false beard in his +pocket, while Primus, lighting a fresh pipe, sallied forth on his +errand of benevolence. + +As he approached he could hear plainer the halloo which Basset +occasionally emitted from his trap. The ears of the latter sharpened +by expectation, caught the sound of the advancing steps, while as yet +the deliverer was at too great a distance to see the hole, and his +cries for assistance were redoubled. + +"Help!" he cried, "help! They want to murder me. This way--here, in +the old well--this way--O, Lord!" + +Such were the cries that saluted the ears of Primus, as soon as he was +near enough to distinguish articulate sounds. + +"Who dere?" cried the General. + +"O, Prime, help us out of this tarnation hole," groaned Basset. + +"Onpossible! can dis be you, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, peering +over the edge of the pit. "How come you dere?" + +"Don't ask no questions, now, though, I guess, you know as well as +me." + +"His head turn wid de scare, probumbly," soliloquized Primus, loud +enough to be heard by the captive. "I curus to larn how you fall in. +Ebberybody know dis hole, Missa Basset." + +"Haul me out, and I'll let you know." + +There was something in the tone of voice that did not at all please +the General, so looking around, and observing no one in sight, for +it was a lonely place, and having all the advantage on his side, he +resolved to parley, and secure satisfactory terms before he delivered +the prisoner. + +"I bery sorry for you, Missa Basset," he said, "and if you wait +awhile, I go to de village to git a rope to haul you out." + +But this proposition was far from suiting the constable. Now that +assistance was near at hand, he dreaded to lose it out of sight or +hearing. He knew there was no necessity for procuring any rope, and +feared that if Primus put his threatened plan into execution, he would +bring along with him a rabble of men and boys, to jeer at and ridicule +his sufferings. This now seemed worse than all he had already endured; +he was, therefore, willing to make any compromise to avert the +disaster. + +"Don't go, don't go, Prime," begged the constable. "Just give us your +hand, and pull us out of this infarnal place. There's no need of any +rope." + +"But suppose you pull me in arter you, what we do den? De fire would +be all in de fat. Beside, you talk as if you respect me. No, I tink I +be safer if oder folks be here, too." + +"O, Prime," whined Basset, "you hain't no better friend in the world +than me, and no more bowels of marcy than a stump. I tell ye, I don't +suspect you. Lend us a hand, and I'll never forget it, the longest day +I have to live." + +"Well," said the General, "you must make us a promise, fust." + +"What promise? I'll make any promise you please, only do help us out. +I'm 'most dead with cold." + +"You must promise nebber to say any ting about dis night. Dere's +'spicious folks round, like de doctor, and when dey hear you git catch +like a rat in a trap, dey is likely to say, 'Ah, dat is dat old niggur +Primus's work,' and so I lose my good character. De innocent man must +be like de weasel dat is nebber catch asleep." + +It went hard against the grain, for the constable to make the promise, +but there was no alternative except remaining there, he knew not how +long, finally to be extricated by a laughing crowd. With a very ill +grace, therefore, he promised all that Primus required, and would have +bound himself to ten times more, if necessary; but the General was +generous, and asked only security for the future, having no indemnity +to demand for the past. Planting his sound foot firmly in the snow, +the General extended his hand, which being grasped by Basset, he was +soon delivered from thraldom. + +"What's to hender me now, you infernal darkey," exclaimed the +exasperated constable, as soon as he found himself in the upper air, +"from throwing you into the well, and letting you rot there!" + +"What to hender, Missa Basset?" returned the General, stepping back. +"You own feelings, Missa Basset. But you can try it if you please," he +added, letting fall his arms by his sides, which, at the threatening +tone of the constable, he had raised instinctively in self-defence. + +But the other seemed more disposed to allow his anger to explode in +words than to resort to violence. + +"To be chucked into a hole like a dead cat, by a cunning old wool +head, was more'n mortal man could bear," he said, "and he didn't know +why he shouldn't knock out his black brains, on the spot." + +"You can try de 'speriment, if you please," said Primus, cooly, "and +when dey is knock out, I advise you to gadder dem up for you own use." + +"You're a saacy nigger," said Basset, "and if I sarved you right, I'd +clap you into the workhouse." + +"Missa Basset, you bery mad; and when a man is mad, he always +onreasonable. But fire away--it keep you warm, and stop you catching +cold." + +"Onreasonable! when a fellow's been sprawling about in snow and +cornstalks, for more'n two hours, and got more'n half froze! How would +you like it?" + +"If Missa Basset chase Missa Holden, in de moonlight, and fall into a +hole, is I to blame?" + +"I don't believe it was Holden. I believe it was all a plan between +you and some other fellow to git me into the scrape. Come, now, +Prime," he said, moderating his voice into a less ill-natured tone, +"tell us, and I'll let you off this time." + +"O, Lord!" exclaimed Primus, lifting up his hands, with open palms, +and rolling up his eyes towards the moon, "de man is crazy wid de +fright, and he see Missa Holden, too, widin two tree feet." + +He turned now on his way home, as if disdaining longer converse with +one who refused to listen to reason. The constable followed at his +side, growling the whole way, and reproaching the General with his +perfidy, the latter protesting it was Basset's own fault, "when he +knew dere was a hole dere," and that he would have nothing to do with +him, or with the cunning old man, for the future. Upon arriving at the +bars, Primus, notwithstanding his indignation at the suspicion cast +on his honor, courteously invited Basset to take a drink with him, +but the latter, suspecting, perhaps, another snare, was in no humor +to accept the invitation; and, turning away without even noticing the +black's good-night, directed hasty steps towards the lights of the +town. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + "Who called you forth from night and utter death, + From dark and icy caverns, called you forth, + Down those precipitous black-jagged rocks, + For ever shattered, and the same for ever? + Who gave you your invulnerable life, + Your strength, your speed, your fury, and your joy, + Unceasing thunder and eternal foam?" + + COLERIDGE. + + +William Bernard had, of late, been more than usually attracted to the +society of Faith. In habits of familiar intercourse with the family +of the Armstrongs, from his childhood, and admitted to almost the same +degree of intimacy which exists between brothers and sisters with +the little black-eyed girl whom, in winter, he drew on his sled, with +Anne, to school, and, to fill whose apron, he shook chestnuts and +walnuts from the trees, in autumn, he and Faith had never had, during +the earlier period of their acquaintance, feelings other than those +attaching one to another, members of the same household. The fact that +Faith had no brother, taken in connection with her love for Anne, had +caused her to lean more on William, and be willing to call upon him +for a thousand little services, which he was as ready to grant as she +to ask. These, in the years of childhood, were rewarded by a kiss, or +permission to ride on her rocking-horse, or to make calls, with Anne +and herself, on their dolls, and so forth; but as years rolled on, +and vague feelings and shadowy intimations assumed definiteness, a +delicate veil of reserve imperceptibly interposed itself, as effectual +to bar the former familiarity as if a Chinese wall had been built +between them. Yet, for years, no warmer sentiment succeeded; and, +though William Bernard felt pleasure in the society of his beautiful +neighbor, he experienced no uneasiness in her absence. + +But a change was destined to take place which, indeed, it is +surprising had not sooner occurred. William found himself, he hardly +knew how, more frequently in the company of his sister's lovely +friend, notwithstanding it was with a more timid step he sought the +dwelling of Mr. Armstrong. For it seemed to him as if the little +community were beginning to suspect the existence of those feelings +which, like the morning glory, shrink from the rays of the sun. They +were too delicate for inspection. They were like the wing of the +butterfly or the plumage of the humming-bird, which cannot be handled +without being tarnished. Hence, though longing to enter the house as +in his school-boy days, were it only to catch for a moment the sounds +of Faith's voice or a glimpse of her face, he would content himself +with merely passing by, deriving a satisfaction from the consciousness +of being nearer to her, and of gazing on the house beautified by +her presence. Besides, as his feelings became more interested, his +distrust of himself increased. The heart of the bold, young man, which +real danger had never disturbed, fluttered like a caught bird at the +voice of Faith, more and more, and he hesitated to make an avowal +which might, indeed, crown his hopes, but which might, also, dash them +to the ground. For he could not conceal from himself that Faith, so +far from giving him encouragement as a lover, had never even appeared +to suspect his feelings. Her conduct had always been the same, the +same unreserved confidence, the same frank, unconstrained deportment. +She spoke to him as freely as ever of her hopes and fears; she took +his arm as readily, nor did a blush welcome his coming or a tremor of +the voice signalize his departure. + +Young ladies are usually sharp-sighted enough in detecting admiration, +and fathoming the heart of a lover, and some may think her want of +penetration strange. If so, I must entreat indulgence for my simple +Faith. Be the circumstances remembered in which she was placed and had +grown up; her child-like innocence and purity, unacquainted with +the world, her seclusion from society, the intimacy that had always +existed between her and young Bernard, which continued to make +many attentions that would have been marked in another, natural and +expected from him, and the want of all preoccupation in his favor, +and the surprise of the keen-sighted will diminish. Is not an +inexperienced and modest girl slow to suspect in another, emotions +towards herself of a kind which she has never felt? + +William Bernard, then, had never told his love, nor did Miss +Armstrong dream of its existence. To her he was the dear friend of +her childhood, and nothing more. His mother and sister suspected +the condition of his heart, and it was with calm satisfaction in the +former, and a glow of delight in the latter, that they looked forward +to the time when the attentions and amiable qualities of the son and +brother should ripen the friendship of the unimpassioned beauty into +love. Of this result, with a pardonable partiality they did not doubt. +With this explanation of the feelings of the two young people towards +each other at this time, we will accompany them on a morning walk to +the Falls of the Yaupaae. + +It was one of those bright, glorious days which the poet Herrick calls +the "bridal of the earth and sky." From a heaven intensely blue, the +sun, without a cloud, "looked like a God" over his dominions. Some +rain had fallen in the night, and the weather suddenly clearing up +towards morning, had hardened the moisture into ice. Every bush, every +tree, the fences, were covered with a shining mail, from which +and from the crisped surface of the snow, the rays of the sun were +reflected, and filled the air with a sparkling light. Transmuted, as +by a magician's wand, the bare trees were no longer ordinary trees. +They were miracles of vegetable silver and crystal. Mingled among +them, the evergreens glittered like masses of emerald hung with +diamonds. Aladdin, in the enchanted cavern, saw not so brilliant a +spectacle. + +The narrow road which led to the Falls descended a declivity, where it +left the main street until it came to within a few feet of the surface +of the river, then curving round the base of the hill, it skirted the +winding margin of the stream until it ascended another hill, on the +top of which, from a platform of level rock, one of the finest views +was commanded. The path was slippery with ice, and in descending the +declivity the arm of Bernard was necessary to support the uncertain +steps of his companion. It was with a sort of tremor he offered it, of +which Faith was all unconscious. She took it without hesitation, and +stepping cautiously over the glazed surface, and laughing at each +other's slips, the young couple pursued their walk. On their right was +a steep hill, rising in some places to a height of one hundred feet +above their heads, covered over, for a considerable distance along the +road, with the perennial beauty of the graceful hemlock and savin, now +resplendent in jewels; and on the left the Yaupaae, its frozen level +hid in snow, out of which the trees and shrubs on the little islands +raised their silver armor glittering in the sun. In the distance, +and visible from the greater part of the road, the river, in a narrow +chasm, dashed down the rocks. An unusual quantity of snow had lately +fallen, which, having been succeeded by heavy rains, had swollen the +stream to more than double its ordinary size. It was evident +that, what in the language of the country is called a freshet was +commencing. Such is the name given to those swellings of the water, +the most formidable of which commonly occur in the month of February, +or early in the Spring, when the overcharged rivers, bursting their +boundaries and overflowing the neighboring lowlands, sometimes +occasion great damage to property, sweeping away bridges, and mills, +and dams, with irresistible violence. + +The roaring of the Falls had been long distinguishable, but, it was +not until the first curve in the road had been turned, that they came +into sight." + +"Look! Faith," cried Bernard, as they burst into view; "did you ever +see them more magnificent?" + +The attention of the young lady had been, hitherto, too much engrossed +by the necessity of watching her footsteps down the descent, to give +much heed to surrounding objects; but, now, she looked up, having +reached the comparatively level spot, which extended as far as +the second hill or rising ground above mentioned, and felt all the +admiration expressed by her companion. + +"They are grand," she replied. "I have beheld this view a thousand +times, and never weary of its beauty. I do not know whether I love it +more in summer or in winter." + +"How would you express the difference of your feelings, then and now?" + +"I am afraid I have not the skill to put the feeling into words. But, +the impression, on a day like this, is of a magnificence and splendor +unusual to the earth. In summer, the beauty though less astonishing, +is of a softer character." + +"You would rather listen to the song of the robin, and of our northern +mocking-bird, than to the roaring of the angry river?" + +"There is no anger in the sound, William," she replied, looking up +into his face; "It is the shout of praise to its Creator, and the +dashing of the torrents over the rocks are the clapping of its hands." + +"You are right, Faith. How much better you are tuned to the meanings +of nature than I?" + +"You do yourself injustice. It was your love of all this beauty that +induced you to invite me to this walk. Without you I should have +missed it, nor known what I had lost." + +William Bernard sighed. She has not, he thought, the least suspicion +that I love her. She does not know, and would not care if she did, +that, by her side, the only prospect I behold is herself, and the +invitation to this stroll but a pretext to approach her. + +"Your presence, dear Faith," said he, "imparts a double charm to the +scenery." + +"It is sweet," she answered, leaning, as it seemed to him, at the +moment, more affectionately on his arm, "to have one to whom we can +say, how lovely is all this loveliness." + +"The sentiment of the Poet never seemed so true before," said Bernard, +looking at her with admiration. + +She made no reply, for her whole soul was absorbed by the view before +her. + +They had arrived at the platform, which, somewhat higher than the +Fall, commands a prospect of the river and surrounding country. Below +them foamed and thundered the torrent, which, first, making a leap +some twenty feet down, over large, irregularly-shaped boulders of +granite, that strove to oppose its passage, rushed in a steep descent +over a bed of solid stone, irregularly worn by the action of the +water; and, then, contracting itself between its adamantine walls, +burst in distracted fury, like a maniac, from the narrow throat. +Against the opposing rocks, which, perhaps, had fallen into the +Yaupaae, when the fierce convulsion of nature opened the chasm, and +bade the river pour down the gorge--the water lashed with ceaseless +rage, throwing the spray high into the air. This, freezing as it +fell, encrusted the rough sides of the beetling crags with icy layers, +covering them all over with plates like silver, and hanging them with +stalactites. Right in front, and separated only by the narrow pass +from the ledge on which they stood, still higher than which it rose, +towered a huge rock, perpendicularly, to a height of ninety or one +hundred feet above the cataract. Its foam-beaten base, just above +the water, was encased in icy incrustations, higher up, gray moss +overspread its flat side, and tufts of cedar struggled through the +fissures, whilst its top was canopied with hemlocks and savins, and +white oaks. Looking towards the left, the eye swept over the green +hill-side, along which they had walked, and, glancing over the islands +in the Yaupaae, followed the winding coarse of the river, catching +here and there on ground, that sloped to the stream, the sight of +white buildings, with green blinds, till the surrounding hills shut in +the view. + +They both stood silent, as they looked, she, unwilling, by an +exclamation, to break the charm; and he, with his mind full of the +lovely creature before him. Surely, never so angelic a being gazed +upon that scene! As, with kindling countenance and suspended breath, +her dark eyes flashing with enthusiasm, her soul drank in the +sublimity and sparkling radiance that enveloped her, she seemed +no being of mortal mould, but some celestial visitant. The rapt +expression of her face gradually settled into awe, and she softly +murmured these lines, of the Russian poet, Derzhavin-- + + "God! thus to Thee my lowly thoughts can soar, + Thus seek thy presence, Being wise and good, + 'Midst Thy vast works, admire, obey, adore; + And when the tongue is eloquent no more, + The soul shall speak in tears of gratitude." + +The tears were indeed standing in her eyes, as she turned and placed +her hand in that of Bernard. + +"You must think it strange," she said, "that I, to whom all this is no +novelty should be thus affected. It is a weakness from which I shall +never recover." + +"Not weakness, dear Faith," said Bernard, "but the impressibility of a +poetical temperament. Only an insensible heart could be unmoved." + +"If these rocks could speak, what legends they might tell of vanished +races," said Faith. "There is something inexpressibly sad in the fate +of those who once were the masters of these woods and fields, and +streams. + +"They but submit to the common fate, which compels the inferior to +make way for the superior race, as my father says." + +"How beautiful," she continued, "must this goodly land have seemed to +the Indian hunter, when, after the day's chase, he dropped the deer +upon the ground, and, from this high point, looked over the green +forests and shining stream. I should not wonder, if now, in the voice +of the cataract, he fancies he hears the groans of his ancestors, and +the screams of demons." + +"There are traditions connected with this place," said Bernard, "but +they are fast fading away, and promise soon to be forgotten." + +"Are you acquainted with any?" + +"A friend of mine has endeavored to rescue one from oblivion, but I +doubt if it would interest you." + +"I am interested in everything that relates to this people. Tell me +the story now. What more fitting place for romance!" + +"A fitting place certainly, but no fitting time. Romance would hardly +mitigate the keenness of the air, or diminish the probability of +taking cold, were you to stand here listening to Indian legends. +Besides, the tale is in manuscript, and I should not be able, relying +on memory, to do it justice." + +"You shall read it to me this evening, where you cannot make such +excuses," she replied, taking again his arm, and resuming their walk, +"by the light of candles, and near the parlor fire, where we may hear, +and not feel the wind." + +"But where would be the accompaniments of the tale? The framing I fear +would spoil the picture." + +"You will have the benefit of contrast, which every great painter +desires." + +"I am only too happy to please you," he said, with a sigh. + +"My almost brother, William, I knew you would not refuse me the +favor." + +Conversing in this manner, they had reached a turn in the road, which +led back to the village by a route different from that they had come, +when they saw Esther approaching, with her son. The boy walked in +advance of his mother, who seemed to tread in his steps, while that +unfailing companion of the semi-civilized red man, a dog, lounged by +his side. + +Quadaquina was a handsome child, of thirteen or fourteen years of age, +with a perfectly oval face, and eyes deep set and keen, that glittered +like a snake's, resembling his mother, from whom he inherited his +beauty. His dress differed not from that of white boys, except +that there was thrown round his shoulders a piece of coarse blue +broadcloth, disposed like a shawl. Esther had on her head a dark +colored felt hat, such as is worn by laborers, from beneath which long +black hair fell down upon her shoulders. A shawl, like the boy's, was +thrown over her, a skirt, of the same material, extended half way down +between the knee and ankle, and crimson leggins completed the dress. + +As they came up, Faith and Bernard stopped to speak to them, and +inquire after Holden. She had been apprised of his escape, and of the +visit of Pownal and Anne, but had refrained from going to his retreat +in consequence of its being thought advisable to attract as little +attention to it as possible. To her inquiries Esther returned the most +satisfactory answers. Holden appeared quite contented, and was engaged +in preaching to the Indians, and teaching them the principles of the +Christian faith. + +"Do the Indians listen to what he says?" inquired Bernard. + +"They listen; Indian always listen," said Esther, "and the wind blow +the words through the ears." + +"I suppose so," said the young man, laughing. "Holden may now +truly call himself the voice of one crying in the wilderness, and a +wilderness it is likely to remain." + +There was something both in the manner and language that jarred the +feelings of Faith, and she said: + +"I will never give up the hope that these poor people may be +Christianized. Do you not think, Esther, that there has been an +improvement in the habits of the tribe within a few years?" + +Esther hung down her head, and only answered, "Indian will be Indian." + +"I will not despair," said Faith. "Be sure, Esther, you come to the +house before you return. I have something for you, and a message for +Father Holden. + +"I can conceive of no character," said Faith, after they had parted +from Esther, "more noble than that of the Christian missionary. He is +the true redresser of wrongs, the only real knight that ever lived. +You smile," she said, looking at Bernard. "Do you not think so?" + +"I think with you," he replied. "There can be no nobler man than he +who submits to privation, and exposes his life to danger through love +to his fellow man. It is God-like. But I smiled at the association of +ideas, and not at the sentiment. Think of Holden as a knight." + +"To me there is nothing ludicrous in the thought. When I look at him, +I see not the coarse unusual dress, but the heroic soul, that would +have battled valiantly by the side of Godfrey for the holy sepulchre." + +"I am afraid he will meet with only disappointment in his efforts to +reform the Indians." + +"We cannot know the result of any labor. We will do our duty, and +leave the rest to God." + +"They have not the degree of cultivation necessary to the reception of +a religion so refined and spiritual as the Christian. They must first +be educated up to it." + +"But you would not, meanwhile, neglect the very thing for which they +are educated. Religious instruction must be a part of the education, +and it brings refinement with it." + +"Certainly, if it can be received; but therein consists the +difficulty. I am afraid it is as reasonable to expect a savage to +apprehend the exalted truths of Christianity, as one unaquainted with +geometry, the forty-ninth proposition of the first book of Euclid." + +"The comparison is not just. Science demands pure intellect; but +religion, both intellect and feeling, perhaps most of the latter. +The mind is susceptible of high cultivation, the heart feels +instinctively, and that of a peasant may throb with purer feeling than +a philosopher's and for that reason be more ready to receive religious +truth. And who may limit the grace of God?" + +"You have thought deeper on this subject than I, Faith. But how +hard must it be for the rays of divine truth to pierce through the +blackness of that degradation which civilization has entailed on them! +The conversion of the North American Indian was easier at the landing +of the Pilgrims than now." + +"The greater our duty," exclaimed Faith, clasping her hands, "to atone +for the wrongs we have inflicted. But, William, some good has been +done. Look at my dear, good Esther." + +"Esther deserves your praise, I am sure, because you say it. But it is +you that have made her good. She could not be with you, without being +benefited." + +"You are very kind, but no merit attaches to me. They were the +precepts of Christianity that softened her heart, though she was +always gentle." + +"It was the sweetness of religion she heard in your voice, its +kindness she read in your eyes, and its loveliness illustrated in your +life, that attracted and improved Esther" + +"Were I to admit what you say, the credit would, after all, belong to +religion." + +The sun had nearly reached his meridian, as the young couple +approached the house of Mr. Armstrong. What a change had been produced +in a few hours! The warm sunshine, while it glorified the landscape +had robbed it of its sparkling beauty. The trees no longer wore their +silver armor; the branches, relieved of the unusual weight, had +lost the graceful curves and resumed their original positions; white +blossoms no longer bedecked the evergreens; and all around, +large drops were falling, as if lamenting the passing away of the +short-lived magnificence. + +On parting from Bernard, at her father's door, Faith reminded him of +his promise, and invited him and Anne to tea with her in the evening. +Bernard accepted the invitation for himself, and conditionally for his +sister. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "O nymph, with loosely flowing hair, + With buskined leg, and bosom bare, + Thy waist with myrtle girdle bound, + Thy brow with Indian feathers crowned, + Waving in thy snowy hand + An all-commanding magic wand + Of power, to bid fresh gardens blow, + Mid cheerless Lapland's barren snow!" + + JOSEPH WARTON. + +Bernard and his sister, on their arrival, found only Mr. Armstrong +and his daughter, but were joined, in the course of the evening, by +Pownal, at whose arrival all expressed pleasure. The whole company +united with Miss Armstrong in requesting Bernard to read the legend, +who, at last, produced the manuscript from his pocket. + +"I must entreat your indulgence," he said, "for the defects of which +the piece is full. The author is an inexperienced writer, and +unable, like an accomplished hand, to atone by elegance of style for +improbability or poverty of incident. You will expect no more than +that he should observe the proprieties of his subject, nor require him +to introduce into a tale of the children of Nature the refinement +of language or delicacy of sentiment, to be met with in the modern +romance. The stories of an uncivilized people must be rude, even +approaching in simplicity tales designed for children." + +"The writer could not have an audience more ready to be pleased," said +Mr. Armstrong; "and are we not all children of various growths?" + +"I do not believe any excuses are necessary," said Faith, "and am +expecting a great deal of pleasure." + +"The more extravagant, the better," cried Anne. "What can equal the +Arabian Nights Entertainment?" + +"We are all attention," said Pownal; "so whistle your apprehensions, +Bernard, to the wind." + +Thus encouraged, the young man opened his manuscript, and commenced +reading. + + THE LEGEND OF MAGISAUNIKWA AND LEELINAU. + +Where the clear Sakimau mingles its waters with the great salt lake, +which would be too salt, but for the innumerable rivers that pour +themselves into its bosom, the mighty Aishkwagon-ai-bee, whose name, +rendered into the language of the pale faces, is the 'Feather of +Honor,' had erected his lodge. He was the war-chief of a tribe whose +name is lost in the mists of antiquity. He boasted his descent from +the great Ojeeg, of whom it is related that he opened a hole in the +blue sky and let out the soft, warm air of Paradise, so that it +poured down upon the earth, and bestowed summer upon a region before +condemned to perpetual cold. He also liberated the singing-birds +from the mocucks, or basket-cages, where they were confined, which, +descending through the aperture, have since enlivened the woods and +fields with their melodies. He was unable to return to this world, and +may still be seen in the heavens, being changed into the stars called +Ojeeg Annung, known to the wise men among the pale faces as the +Constellation of the Plough. + +Nor was Aishkwagon-ai-bee unworthy of his noble descent. The grandeur +of his thoughts and the boldness of his achievements proved the +purity of his blood. A skillful hunter, a successful warrior, equally +renowned for wisdom in council and bravery in action, he enjoyed the +highest consideration, not only in his own tribe, but as far as the +great lakes to the North, and the river Delaware to the South. When he +pointed to the beautiful scalps that adorned the sides of his wigwam, +he could with truth say, there was not one of them but had graced the +head of a warrior. + +The Sachem had several children, sons and daughters, and among the +latter, the lovely Leelinau was the darling of his heart. The maiden +had attained the age of eighteen, and was the admiration of the youth +for many days' journey round. Her cheeks were the color of the +wild honey-suckle, her lips like strawberries, and the juice of the +milk-weed was not whiter than her teeth. Her form was lith as the +willow, her eyes sparkled like the morning star, her step was that of +a bounding fawn, and her fingers were skilful in weaving the quills of +the porcupine. What wonder if hearts both young and old beat quicker +at her approach? + +Many, it may well be supposed, were the offers of marriage made to the +beautiful Leelinau. Innumerable were the legs of venison, and +choice pieces of bear's meat, which the mothers of the young hunters +presented for acceptance at her lodge, being careful to mention whose +skill in the chase procured them, but in vain did they look for the +bowl of succatash or embroidered moccasins--the products of woman's +labor--in token that their gifts were pleasing to the coy beauty. +In vain, when the shades of evening fell, the softly breathed flute +lamented in melancholy tones her cruelty. In vain, with tasteful +hand, the sighing lover painted his face and person to heighten his +attractions and draw attention. The insensible Leelinau relished not +the venison or bear's meat, nor would she listen to the flute, or look +often at the painted suitors. + +Among her admirers none was more deeply smitten by the power of her +charms nor cherished a truer love than Magisaunikwa or Wampum-hair, +so called from the gentleness of his disposition and love of peace. +He was only a few years the senior of the maiden, and of an obscure +family compared with that of the famous Aishkwagon-ai-bee. But love +levels all distinctions, and, impelled by an influence he could not +withstand, he dared to aspire to the hand of Leelinau. Besides, there +was one superiority he enjoyed which made the claim less presumptuous. +Young as he was no hunter of the tribe could be compared with him in +skill or daring. Other lodges might be destitute, but there was always +abundance of meat in that of Magisaunikwa and those of his friends. +Happy, thought most of the girls, would she be who should lie in the +bosom of the young hunter, and cook his food. + +But notwithstanding his devotion, Leelinau would not accept his gifts. +Still he fancied he had made some impression. She would listen to +his conversation by the light of the evening star, though whenever he +hinted at his passion, she would hastily retire; and twice or +thrice he had caught her eyes fixed on him, when she thought herself +unobserved. Hope lives on scanty aliment, and the young man did not +despair. + +Aishkwagon-ai-bee had noticed the liking of Magisaunikwa for his +daughter, and was not displeased. The noble youth had found favor in +his eyes, and he did not disdain his alliance. There was only a single +cause of hesitation in his mind. Wampum-hair had never been on a +war-path, and had always shown a disinclination to shed human blood. +Yet his courage was undoubted. None encountered with more audacity the +panther and the bear, and several were the lives he had saved at the +hazard of his own. A successful war expedition only was necessary to +complete his claims to the highest honors. Save the bloody scalp, no +ornament was lacking in his wigwam. + +"Magisaunikwa," said the Sachem, "the fire of your eyes melts not the +snow around the heart of Leelinau, and it is because she looks upon +your hands and sees they were never painted with the blood of an +enemy." + +"Can Leelinau be happier." asked the young hunter, "because another is +made miserable? Were I to kill a warrior for her sake, would not her +dreams be disturbed by the groans of his mother?" + +The eyes of the Sachem flashed when he heard such language. + +"Go," he said, "if thou art a dove, seek not to mate with the hawk." + +But the resolution of Wampum-hair was not to be shaken by threats or +reproaches, nor weakened by the seductions of love. In the long and +final fast which revealed to him his guardian spirit, twelve days +with unshaken fortitude, to the wonder of the tribe, had he remained +without food before the vision came. He then beheld a child white as +the water-lily leading a little animal unknown to the country. It was +the size of the beaver, and covered all over with long white hair +that curled closely to its body. Its eyes were mild and sweet, and the +expression of its face gentler than anything ever seen on earth. +The child laid his hand on the heart of the fainting youth, and an +influence soft as the breath of the south wind streamed through his +frame, and he was strengthened, and stood upon his feet and partook +of food. Since then the war-song had been hateful to the ears of +Wampum-hair, and he loathed the vauntings of the braves. He preached +peace to his people, and endeavored to convince them of the folly of +killing their fellow men. But prejudices old as the mountains were not +to be removed by the exhortations or arguments of an obscure youth; +and although the old men listened, and some few approved, yet the +young men scoffed and burned to distinguish themselves after the +manner of their ancestors. It was fortunate for the young man that +opportunities had occurred to test his courage, and that he had never +hesitated when others flinched. His tribe therefore ascribed his +conduct to no want of bravery, but to a delusion sent by his guardian +genius. Hence, though his influence was impaired, it was not entirely +destroyed. + +Thus things continued for some time, till one day the Sachem again +addressed Wampum-hair. + +"Does the heart of Magisaunikwa still beat softly, like the heart of a +deer!" + +"It beats like a man's," said the young hunter, "and not like that of +a vile wild beast. The Indian should imitate the Good Spirit in his +actions, and not destroy his brothers and sisters" + +"Yes," said the Sachem, "his heart is a man's, though it is soft. Does +Wampum-hair still love Leelinau?" + +"The breath of Thequan is not more welcome to the wood-flower which it +wakes up to life, or the song of the bird dearer to its mate, than the +sight of Leelinau to Magisaunikwa." + +"What would Wampum-hair do to obtain her love?" + +"He would climb the sky, or dive to the bottom of the salt lake; all +that the Great Spirit could ask would he do." + +"A chief cannot compel the affection of his daughter, but he can +give his own consent, and the young bird listens to the voice of its +parent." + +"Let the great chief say what he would have, and the arm of +Wampum-hair shall be strong to do his will. For the sake of Leelinau +he would please her father." + +The Sachem paused, and gazed with pleasure on the kindling features +of the young man. He was a wise chief, and desired the good of his +people. In those days the panthers, driven from the north by a severe +winter, infested the country in great numbers, and threatened to +destroy the game, on which the Indians depended for subsistence. +Although many had been killed, there still remained enough to ravage +the land and do serious injury; and they had become so cunning by +being frequently hunted that they almost uniformly succeeded in +eluding the chase. It would be a public service, though a difficult +undertaking, to exterminate the ravenous animals. He therefore said:-- + +"Let Magisaunikwa bring me a conaus made of the scalps of panthers, +and another for Leelinau, and he shall have the strong word of a chief +to whisper commendations of the hunter in the ears of the maiden." + +"It is well. The words of the great chief are pleasant, and my ears +drink them up as the thirsty sand the drops of rain. The feet of +Wampum-hair are swift; his arrows are true, and they shall pierce the +screaming panther." + +That same day, so eager was the young hunter to commence the chase, he +started for those parts of the forest where the game was most likely +to be found. Many were the beasts destroyed by him, so that a little +child might wander in security ten days' journey, in every direction, +from the lodge of the Sachem, and narrow were the escapes from death +of the intrepid hunter, and yet scarcely scalps enough were obtained +to make a conaus or wrapper for the sloping shoulders of Leelinau. In +vain, the enamored youth extended his hunt still further, even twenty +days' journey from his starting point. Only at long intervals was a +beast discovered, but, finally, not one was to be found, and the youth +awoke to the conviction that he had been made a dupe to the cunning of +the Sachem. + +After a fruitless chase he was musing one day sorrowfully over his +disappointed hopes, ashamed to go back to his village, to which he +had never returned without success before, when, suddenly, a man of +majestic presence stood before him. His nose was like the beak of an +eagle, and his eyes resembled fires in a dark night. Strange feathers, +of brilliant colors, were woven into his scalp-lock; a magnificent +robe of skins depended from his shoulders; and in his hand he held a +long spear, tipped with a pointed stone. + +"My brother is sad," he said. "Let my brother give me the half of his +grief to bear." + +Thus exhorted, Magisaunikwa disclosed the cause of his dejection to +his sympathizing friend. + +"Is that all?" said the stranger. "Return, and thou shalt find the +conaus in thy lodge, and when thou beholdest them, remember they are +the gift of Manabozho. I am Manabozho." + +He spoke, and before the astonished hunter had time to thank him, +vanished from his sight. Then the young man knew that he had conversed +with the capricious Manito, and with full faith and light heart, he +directed his steps homeward. + +He found the two conaus in his wigwam, according to the promise of the +Manito. One he presented to the chief, and the other he offered to the +maiden, but she refused to accept the tribute of his devotion. + +The astonishment of Aishkwagon-ai-bee, and of the whole tribe, is not +to be conceived, and the fame of Wampum-hair mounted to the stars. The +truthful chief spoke earnestly to his daughter, of the merits of +her lover, and proposed him for her husband, but Leelinau showed the +strongest aversion to the union. The haughty maiden inherited the +fierce temper of her father, without his wisdom, and she looked with +contempt on all not distinguished by high descent or bloody deeds, +nor in her soaring pride was there one of the young men of the tribe +worthy of her hand. Not that there were not youthful warriors who +could point to the evidences of their prowess, and whose names were +familiar to the song, but in every instance the difficult beauty had +found some objection, and turned away her head. The truth is, the west +wind, that entices the flowers from the ground in spring, and leads +the bird to its mate, had never breathed upon the heart of Leelinau. + +But the time finally came when the maiden was constrained to make a +choice. Her family had become impatient of delay, and Leelinau yielded +to their remonstrances. It was only in appearance, however, that she +acquiesced in the wishes of her relatives. She determined to propose, +as the price of her hand, some enterprise too difficult to be +accomplished. She represented to her father that lightly won, was +lightly prized, and that the daughter of a great chief like him, was +not to be wooed like other maidens, and obtained from him, to whom her +voice was sweeter than the notes of the mocking-bird, his consent to +her scheme. + +The conditions on which Leelinau consented to follow a husband to his +lodge were soon known. Only him would she acknowledge for her lord, +who should guide his canoe in safety from the head of the Falls of +the Yaupaae to the little islands below. The old men shook their heads +when they heard the terms, and the squaws said, her heart must be made +of stone, but the young men felt warm, and thought of trying their +fortunes. + +The enterprise was more difficult than any Manabozho had undertaken. +When the river was low, it poured almost perpendicularly down, a +height of twenty feet, on rocks, thrusting sharp points into the air, +then bounded in sinuous windings through rifts and basins, made by the +constant beating of the water, and the attrition of stones, whirled +round in the cavities, to dash over a declivity of yet other rocks, +before it reached its calm welcome below. When swollen by rains the +rocks were all hidden, the perpendicular fall disappeared, it was as +if the Great Salt Lake were pouring down the side of the mountain, +and from top to bottom was all one vast mass of foam, lashing the +huge rock at the throat, around which the torrent turned with a sudden +bend. No canoe could live on such a cataract. It must be overturned +and engulfed long before reaching the bottom, or if those perils were, +by any wonderful chance, escaped, inevitable destruction awaited the +presumptuous adventurer, dashed against the rock at the bottom. + +The lovers of Leelinau gazed at the Fall, but the more they considered +the less inclination they felt to encounter the danger. In a low stage +of the water the canoe would be overturned, and pierced by the sharp +rocks, while mangled limbs certainly, if not death, must be the doom +of the rash aspirant, and who would dare to brave the terrors of the +swollen river? + +The eyes of Leelinau were bright, and her smile sweet, but there were +other maidens with bright eyes and sweet smiles, and less difficult to +please. + +But not thus felt Magisaunikwa. The absorbing passion swallowed up +all considerations of prudence, and he resolved to undertake the +adventure. If he perished, the Great Spirit would be pleased with his +courage, and what was life without Leelinau? While thoughts like these +passed through his mind, he remembered Manabozho. He had assisted him +once, although in vain, why not a second time? He sought once more +the recesses of the forest, where he had met him, and called upon his +name, but no answer was returned. He kindled a fire and threw upon +it the fragrant tobacco, and called again, "Ho! Manabozho!" and the +majestic figure stood before him, but there was anger on his brow. To +his stern demand the hunter made known what had happened, and begged +his assistance. But the Manito showed no disposition to grant it. In +fact, the task was beyond his powers, but he was unwilling that it +should be known. + +"Fool!" he said, "is a scornful squaw worth the hazard of death and +the shame that attends defeat? Seek thy lodge and blow away these +thoughts as the wind disperses the winged seeds of the stinging +nettle." It was evident Manabozho had never been in love, for then he +would not have thrown away his advice. He stayed not for a reply, but +with a gesture of disdain disappeared. + +Wampum-hair sought his wigwam, melancholy but not discouraged. It +was, indeed, impossible to follow the counsel of the friendly Manito. +Sleeping or waking the image of Leelinau swam before his eyes, and +sometimes smiled as if to incite him to the enterprise. + +He resolved to undertake a solemn fast. He therefore sought a retired +place and built a pointed lodge. + +Six days and nights he fasted, lying on the ground, and on the seventh +day, at the rising of the sun, his guardian spirit, the child with +the white beaver, slowly descended from the sky. His face was kind and +gentle as at the first, but not as before did he lay his hand on the +heart of Wampum-hair. Now he pressed his palm upon the forehead of the +hunter, and strange thoughts and determinations, like rising storms, +passed through his mind: slowly, then, up through the pointed roof, +which opened for his passage, mounted the child till he disappeared in +the blue field. + +Magisaunikwa arose from the ground, and a frown was upon his brow. He +ate and was refreshed, and returned to his lodge. + +It was the last month of snows, and great rains had fallen, and the +torrents were shouting from the mountains, and the Yaupaae pouring out +a mightier flood than had ever been seen rushing through between +the cleft rocks. It was then Wampum-hair announced his intention to +undertake the adventure of the Falls, and invited the tribe to gather +together to witness its performance. It is said that the heart of +Leelinau, touched by so much constancy, was inclined to relent and +excuse her lover the terrible ordeal, but this is probably the dream +of some soft-hearted girl, and only indicates what she would have done +in like circumstances. + +On the day selected, the tribe was collected at the outpouring of the +waters, to witness the achievement of Magisaunikwa, and lament his +death. In great numbers they lined the banks of the stream, seeking +those positions from which the best views could be obtained, while his +friends watched at the foot of the cataract in canoes to rescue the +body should it be thrown up by the raging water. Leelinau, too, was +there, unyielding, yet proud of a devotion unheard of in the annals +of her nation. She looked haughtily as on a spectacle devised in her +honor, of which she should be celebrated as the heroine, long after +her feet should have travelled the path that leads to the Spirit-land. +No regret for the destruction to which her lover was doomed appeared +to touch her heart, nor did pity moisten her eyes as she looked upon +the preparations for the sacrifice. + +At length Magisaunikwa appeared, and never before had he attracted +such admiration. He moved like one returning from victory. No war +paint, such as warriors are accustomed to use when upon the war-path +in order to strike terror into the foe, or when commencing an +enterprise of great peril, stained his person. His dress was the +conaus of panther scalps, and he walked amid a company of young men of +his own age, above the tallest of whom he rose by a head. + +Before commencing the adventure, he performed the customary ceremony +to propitiate the Great Spirit, pointing to the heavens, the earth, +and the four winds, and invoking with a loud voice the Master of Life +to smile upon the undertaking. This being done, he cast his eyes over +the assembled crowd, till they fell upon Leelinau. Long he gazed, +as if he desired to carry her image with him to the Spirit-land, nor +after that last look did he allow his glance to rest upon another +human being. Then, at a little distance above the head of the +cataract, he entered the canoe and grasped the paddle. + +The motion of the frail bark was at first gentle, but only for a short +time: every moment its speed became accelerated, until, even before it +reached the plunge, it seemed to fly like the swallow. Calmly guiding +its fearful course sat the young man, his eyes fixed upon the narrow +opening between the rocks. And now the canoe is at the brink of the +Falls--it leaps like the salmon when he journeys up the stream--it is +gone!--the raging waters have devoured it--no, I see it again--the arm +of Magisaunikwa is strong, and the paddle unbroken. Help, Manito! he +is dashed against the rock at the throat--no, the canoe is whirled +round and darts away, and I behold it gliding with the youth over the +quiet water. The Great Spirit hath protected him. + +A shout, rivalling the roar of the Falls, went up from the assembled +multitude, and they rose with songs such as welcome returned warriors +to greet the successful hero. + +But Wampum-hair received their congratulations and their praises with +indifference. With eyes fixed on the ground, he suffered himself to be +borne in triumph to the spot, where, on a platform of rock, stood the +beautiful Leelinau. What were the thoughts that passed through her +mind? Was she proud of being the object of a love so true and daring, +or did she lament the necessity of accepting a lord? Wampum-hair +approached, and before his calm, sorrowing eyes, her own sunk to the +ground. Searching was his look, as if to descry the secrets of her +soul, and at last he spoke. + +"Leelinau," he said, "the Great Spirit created thee loveliest among +the daughters of women; wherefore gave he thee not a heart? + +"Leelinau, Wampum-hair will sigh no more for thee. Henceforth, thou +art to him only a flower or a painted bird. + +"Leelinau, the waters of the Yaupaae have extinguished the fire that +burned here," and he laid his hand on his heart. He turned upon his +heel and left the assemblage. + +Astonishment at the address of Magisaunikwa at first held all mute, +but presently a cry for revenge arose among the kinsmen of +the slighted maiden. But the commanding voice of the wise +Aishkwagon-ai-bee stilled the tumult. + +"The blood of the mighty Ojeeg," he said, "cannot mingle with water. +The Great Spirit hath taken this way to release Leelinau from a +promise which He is displeased that she made." + +Whatever might have been the vindictive feelings of the relations of +Leelinau, their resentment was never visited on the head of the young +hunter. Once, it is said, two brothers of the rejected maiden lay in +ambush to take his life; but as he passed unconsciously near them, and +the fatal arrows were drawn to the head against his bosom, Manabozho +appeared and forbade the deed. + +Magisaunikwa continued to cherish through a long life his love of +peace. He obtained a great influence over his own and the neighboring +tribes, and succeeded in spreading widely his pacific views. At the +time of his death, which happened at an advanced age, the calumet +of peace was everywhere smoked among the northern tribes, and their +numbers had greatly increased. Wampum-hair was universally honored, +and regarded as the cause of this felicity. But no wife ever cooked +the venison in his lodge. With the dream of his youth vanished all +predilection for the softer sex. He had loved and been disappointed. +Where he expected to meet gentleness he had found pride. He looked for +the yielding willow, and behold the inflexible oak! + +But in Leelinau also a revolution had been effected. Her whole being +was transformed. What devoted love that anticipated every wish was +incapable of accomplishing, indifference achieved. Her soul from that +moment flew on the wings of desire after Magisaunikwa. At first she +thought his conduct caused by some temporary pique or resentment, and +trusted to the power of her fascinations to restore him to her +nets. As time, however, wore on, her hopes became fainter, until the +terrible conviction settled like a night upon her soul, that she had +trifled with the noblest heart of her nation and driven it for ever +away. Then it was she felt the desolation no language can express. A +settled melancholy took possession of her. Her eyes lost their fire, +her lip its smile, and her voice the song. She would wander alone, +far away into the recesses of the forest, speaking to herself in +low tones, and weeping at the remembrance of happy days. Her health +declined rapidly until she became too weak to leave without assistance +the couch, where day after day reclined her fading form. One soft +summer morning she begged two of her mates to support her to the +rock, whence she beheld the exploit of Wampum-hair. She sank down, and +removing, with her wasted hand, the long hair that had fallen over +her eyes, gazed sadly on the foaming river. With a wistful look she +followed the course of the cataract from top to bottom, probably +recalling at the moment her lover's danger for her sake and her own +repented scorn, then heavily sighed, and leaning her head on the bosom +of one of her companions, expired. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + Wide o'er the brim with many a torrent swelled, + And the mixed ruin of its banks o'erspread, + At last the roused up river pours along: + Resistless, roaring, dreadful, down it comes + From the rude mountain and the mossy wild. + + THOMSON'S SEASONS. + + +The company expressed their acknowledgments to Bernard for the +entertainment he had furnished, although they all seemed to consider +the conduct of Wampum-hair inconsistent with his amiable character, +and to pity the fate of Leelinau. + +"The writer must have had some suspicion of the inconsistency +himself," said Bernard, "to judge from his attempt to obviate +the difficulty, by ascribing a magic change in his hero, to the +application of the child's hand to the head, instead of as before, +to the heart. This part of the tale is slightly and unskillfully +developed." + +"I cannot agree with you," said Faith, "and think you do your +friend injustice. The idea is, that the guardian genius exercised a +controlling influence over the destiny of the young man; and I see no +reason why if we concede the power to the genius to soften his nature, +we may not grant also the ability to harden it." + +"Especially," observed Pownal, "as the object of the protecting spirit +would have been frustrated, had the lovers been united." + +All looked inquiringly towards him for an explanation. + +"I mean," said he, "that with such a fierce little squaw for a wife, +the gentleman with the unpronounceable name, would not have continued +a man of peace long. There certainly would have been war within the +wigwam, however dense the puffs of smoke from the calumet of peace +outside." + +All laughed at the sally, but Anne intimated that she would have +preferred a different termination. + +"At least," said Mr. Armstrong, who had listened in silence to the +criticisms of the young people, "it teaches a profitable lesson to you +girls." + +"What is that, Mr. Armstrong?" inquired Anne. + +"That young ladies should know their own minds." + +"A most unreasonable expectation!" exclaimed Anne. "We should become +as stupid--as stupid as reasonable people." + +"Besides," said Faith, coming to her friend's assistance, "the story +was intended for the benefit of Indian girls, and not for those who +read Shakspeare." + +"I suspect," said Bernard, "that the writer was better acquainted with +the Shakspearean ladies, than with Indian girls." + +"Why do you think so?" asked Faith. + +"Do you not observe," answered Bernard, "that he confines himself to +generalities? Not a word does he venture to say about the toilette of +the beauty. A description of the dress of the heroine, has always been +considered indispensable in every tale." + +"Poh, William!" said Anne, "what a savage critic you are. But, +probably, there was so little to describe, the author did not think it +worth his while." + +"And," said Pownal, "is anything admissible in a picture which +distracts the attention and withdraws it from the principal figure? +Good taste excludes ear-rings and gold chains from portraits." + +"Well," said Bernard, "I dare say you are right. It may be, too, that +the dress was indescribable." + +"Who is this Manabozho, who comes in so opportunely, yet, without +effecting much after all?" inquired Anne. "I am charmed with his +appearance; particularly, his big eyes." + +"He is a sort of Indian Hercules," replied Bernard, "who plays a +conspicuous part in many legends. He is a compound of wisdom and +folly, of benevolence and mischief, of strength and weakness, partly +Manitou and partly man, and is privileged to do anything, however +absurd and impossible, at one moment, while, at the next, he may be +shorn of his power, so as to be incapable of taking care of himself." + +"A very convenient person indeed," said Anne. + +"Loosing the knot of a difficulty by the intervention of such a Power, +shows but little ingenuity, I confess," said Bernard. + +"There is classical authority for it, though," said Mr. Armstrong. +"Homer, himself, condescends to introduce a God, when he cannot +extricate himself from embarrassment without his help." + +"Aye," said Bernard, "but the rule of Horace must not be forgotten, +nec Deus," &c. + +"True," said Mr. Armstrong; "but how would you have accomplished the +feat, like one of the labors of Hercules, without some such means?" + +"I do not pretend to be able to do it," answered Bernard, modestly; +"but, doubtless, one possessed of more imagination could have +accomplished it." + +"You are but a cold advocate for your friend," said Faith. "You do not +allow him half the merit he deserves" + +"He would not complain were he to hear me," said Bernard. "No one can +be more sensible than himself, of the defects of his work." + +"And I say," said Anne, "that I like his story exceedingly; only, +he knows nothing about our sex. It may be all very well for a man to +praise that hard-hearted Wampum-head, and make poor Leelinau pine away +for his precious sake, but, I do not believe she was so silly as to +care much about him." + +"If the truth were known," said Pownal, "I have no doubt that the girl +rejected him, because she liked some one else better." + +"And her ungallant beau," said Anne, "made up the story, to cover his +confusion." + +"I am satisfied with it as it is," said Faith. "We pity and love +Leelinau, now; her haughtiness and pride are forgotten in her +misfortunes, and we remember her as one faithful unto death." + +"Your tale reminds me," said Pownal, addressing Bernard, "that there +is a tremendous freshet in the Wootuppocut, and that the waters are +increasing. Suppose, if the ladies consent, we make up a party, to +view it, to-morrow?" + +The proposition was received with approbation by all, and it was +agreed, that they would meet at the house of Mr. Armstrong, as the +starting-point, on the afternoon of the next day. The evening being +now considerably advanced, Faith's friends took their leave. + +The nine o'clock bell was ringing, as the young people passed through +the quiet streets. The custom of ringing a bell, at that hour, is one +which has fallen into desuetude, although, once, almost universal in +New England, and may be said to bear some relation to the vesper-bell, +in Roman Catholic countries. Its avowed object, indeed, was not, as +in the case of the latter, to call the people to prayers, but, its +effect, perhaps, was the same; for, it marked the hour at which the +population of the village were in the habit of retiring to rest; and, +in those days of simple faith, many were the families whose members +united together, before seeking their pillows, to return thanks +for the blessings of the day, and ask for protection during the +defenceless hours of the night. Luxury and dissipation have since +crept in, and parties assemble, now, at an hour when they formerly +broke up. We call ourselves more refined, but, it may admit of a +doubt, whether all our show and parade are not purchased at too dear a +rate, at the price of substantial comfort and happiness. + +The shore was lined with spectators, when the little party approached +the scene of the freshet. We do not know that we have succeeded in +conveying a clear idea of the river we have attempted to describe. It +may be recollected, that it was spoken of as one of the tributaries of +the Severn, coming in from the East, and sweeping round that side of +the town. The banks, on the side opposite, were high and precipitous; +but, on the hither side--with the exception of the narrow passage +through which the river poured itself into the Severn, and for a +short distance above--the ground rose gently from the stream before +it reached the foot of the hill, interposing a piece of comparatively +level land. The road that ran on this flat spot, and connected the +eastern portion (which, from the extempore character of its buildings, +as well as from other causes we do not choose to mention, was called +Hasty-Pudding), with the rest of the town, was, usually, in very high +floods, overflowed. Such was the fact in the present instance, and +boats were busily engaged in transporting persons over the submerged +road. As you stood near the mouth of the river, and looked up the +current, a scene of considerable interest, and, even grandeur, +presented itself. At that time, the innumerable dams higher up the +stream, that have been since constructed, had not been built, nor had +the rocks, at the throat, been blasted to make a wider egress. The +ice, which then rushed down, as it were by agreement, simultaneously +and in huge blocks--but, now-a-days, at intervals, and broken up by +falling over the dams--unable to escape in the eager rivalry of the +cakes to pass each other, was jammed in the throat, and piled up high +in the air, looking like ice-bergs that had floated from the North +Pole. You saw the stream, at all times, rapid, and now, swollen vastly +beyond its ordinary proportions, rushing with ten-fold force, and +hurrying, in its channel, with hoarse sounds, the ice-cakes, which, in +the emulous race, grated against, and, sometimes, mutually destroyed +one another, to drive some under the icy barrier, thence to glide away +to the ocean, and to toss others high above the foaming torrent on the +collected masses, more gradually to find their way to the same bourne. +Looking away from the channel, one saw the cakes caught in the eddies, +whirled up against the banks, and, in some instances, forced into +smoother and shoaler water, where they grounded, or were floated into +little creeks and bays formed by the irregularities of the shores. +These quiet places were, of course, on the side nearest the town, the +opposite bank being too abrupt and the water too deep, for there +was the channel, and there the water tore along with the greatest +violence. + +In one of these placid bays a party of school-boys were amusing +themselves with getting upon the loose blocks and pushing them about +like boats. The amusement appeared to be unattended with danger, the +place being so far from the current, and the water but two or +three feet deep. The children, therefore, were but little noticed, +especially as they were at quite a distance from where the multitude +of spectators was assembled, being considerably higher up and near the +flat-land, bearing the undignified name which only historical accuracy +compels us to introduce. After a time a cake, on which one of the boys +was standing, began slowly to slip away from the shore. So gradually +was this done that it was unobserved by the boys themselves until it +had quite separated itself from the neighborhood of the other cakes, +so that no assistance could be rendered, when one of his companions +cried out to the little fellow upon it, to push for the shore. This +he had already been attempting to do, but in spite of all exertions +he was unable to come nearer. On the contrary, it was evident he was +receding. The water had now become so deep that his pole could no +longer reach the bottom. The current had drawn in the cake, and was +sweeping it with its precious freight to destruction. The children set +up a cry of alarm, which was heard by the spectators below, and first +attracted their attention. + +A thrill of horror ran through the crowd. Men drew in their breath +hard, and women shrieked, unable to turn away their eyes, fastened by +a terrible fascination on the peril. Horrid apprehensions invaded the +mind of many a parent. The doomed boy might be his own son. Despairing +glances were cast around in every direction for help. In vain: none +could be given. There was time for nothing: with every second the +child was swept more rapidly to destruction. + +Meanwhile the brave little fellow, planted firmly on the centre of the +cake, was balancing himself with the pole, and intrepidly confronting +the danger he could not avoid. Not a cry escaped, nor did his +self-possession desert him. As the vexed and whirling water raised up +the one side or the other of his frail bark, he would incline his body +in this or that direction to preserve the equilibrium, now standing +upright and now cowering close to the surface of the uncertain +footing. And now the block approached the throat, where the torrent +ran the swiftest and was most turbulent. The child seemed to have +escaped thus far by miracle, but now it appeared impossible he would +be able to maintain his place. His head must become dizzy, his courage +fail in the awful confusion of so many threatening dangers; the +tormented waves must upset the block, or another must strike against +it and cast the boy into the water. And now the cake has reached the +icy barrier stretched across the stream. It strikes; it is sucked in +below and disappears. + +The spell-bound spectators, their eyes fastened upon the danger of the +boy, had not noticed the figure of a man, who, descending the opposite +bank, and clambering at considerable risk over the masses of heaped +up ice, stood waiting for the approach of the child. So truly had he +judged the sweep of the current, that he had planted himself upon the +edge of the ice at the precise spot where the block struck. Reaching +out his arm at the moment when it slipped beneath, he seized the boy +by the collar of his jacket and drew him to the place on which he +stood. As soon as the crowd caught sight of the man, they saw that it +was Holden. + +The position of the two was still one of danger. A false step, the +separating of the ice, the yielding of a cake might precipitate both +into the torrent. But the heart of the man had never felt the emotion +of fear. He cast his eyes deliberately round, and with a prompt +decision took his course. Raising the rescued child in his arms, he +started in the direction of the wharf, built just below the narrow +opening. Springing with great agility and strength over the blocks, +selecting for footing those cakes which seemed thickest and fastened +in firmest, he made his way over the barrier and bounded safely on +the land. The spectators, seeing the direction he was taking, had run +down, many of them, to the place, and were waiting to receive them. + +"I vow," said our friend, Tom Gladding, who was among the first to +welcome Holden, "if it ain't little Jim Davenport. Why, Jim, you come +pretty nigh gitting a ducking." + +"Yes," said the boy, carelessly, as if he had been engaged in a +frolic, "I wet my shoes some, and the lower part of my trousers." + +Here a man came hastening through the crowd, for whom all made way. It +was Mr. Davenport. He had been, like the rest, a witness of the danger +and the rescue, but knew not that it was his own son who had made the +perilous passage. But a report, running as if by magic from one to +another, had reached his ears, and he was now hurrying to discover +its truth. It was, indeed, his son, and Holden was his preserver. +He advanced to the boy, and examined him from head to foot, as if +to assure himself of his safety before he spoke a word. Shaking with +agitation, he then turned to Holden, and grasping his hand, wrung it +convulsively. + +"May God forget me, Mr. Holden," he stammered, in a broken voice, +"if I forget this service," and taking the boy by the hand he led him +home. + +"Well," said Gladding, who had been looking on, "Jim don't mind it +much, but I guess it'll do old Davenport good." + +Holden, according to his custom, seemed indisposed to enter into +conversation with those around him, or to accept the civilities +tendered, and started off as soon as possible, upon his solitary way. +As he emerged from the crowd, he caught sight of the advancing figures +of Faith and of her companions, who had more leisurely approached, and +stopped to greet them. From them he seemed to receive with pleasure +the congratulations showered upon him, though he disclaimed all merit +for himself. + +"Be the praise," he said, devoutly, "given to Him who, according to +the purpose of his own will, maketh and destroyeth. The insensible +block of ice and I were only instruments in His hands." He turned +away, and walking rapidly was soon out of sight. + +Constable Basset, who was present, had just sense enough to understand +that this was no occasion for his interference, and although he +followed the retreating figure of the Solitary with longing eyes, +while his hands clutched at the writ, ventured on no attempt to +exercise his authority. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + We talk of love and pleasure--but 'tis all + A tale of falsehood. Life's made up of gloom: + The fairest scenes are clad in ruin's pall, + The loveliest pathway leads but to the tomb. + + PERCIVAL. + + +After the event just recorded, it may well be supposed that all +further legal proceedings against the Recluse were abandoned. They +had been commenced only to gratify the wounded pride of Davenport, and +since the preservation of the life of his son by Holden, the community +would have cried shame on him had the matter been pursued further. But +no such public sentiment was needed in order to induce Davenport to +give the justice and Basset a hint to do nothing more. He was really +grateful, though feeling no compunction for his conduct, easily +persuading himself that it had been prompted by a love of justice, and +a desire to protect the interests of religion. + +Holden could, therefore, without fear of the consequences, resume +openly his usual visits to the village. Of late they had been more +than usually frequent at the house of Mr. Armstrong, by whom he seemed +almost as much attracted as by Faith. With the former the conversation +usually turned upon points of theology that every day appeared to +assume with Armstrong deeper importance, with the latter on the +effects produced by the teachings of Holden among the Indians. For +since his exile at the Patmos of the Indian village, a new subject had +engaged the attention of the Solitary, to which with characteristic +energy he had devoted the powers of his soul--the conversion of +the poor wretches who had kindly harbored and protected him. To +his sanguine expectations, expressed in the impassioned language of +Scripture he loved to use, the enthusiastic girl would listen, +with the warmest interest. Accustomed to assign every event to an +overruling Providence, she thought she now saw clearly the hand of a +superior Power in the occurrences which had compelled Holden, in +the first instance, to take up his temporary residence among them. +Temporary residence, we say, because the Solitary had since returned +to his hut, which was at the distance of only two or three miles from +the cabins of his former protectors. Solitude he found was necessary +in order to enable him the better to perform his new duties, and the +distance was too slight to interpose any serious obstacle, or even +inconvenience. + +Such was the state of things, when some weeks after the freshet, Mr. +Armstrong acquainted his daughter, at the breakfast-table, with his +intention to visit Holden that day. + +"It is a long time," he said (four days had elapsed), "since we have +seen him, and there are things upon my mind I would gladly speak +about." + +A few months before, such a declaration from her father would have +suprised Faith, but now she regarded it as quite natural. The intimacy +between the family and the Recluse had become such, and the commanding +character of the latter had acquired so great an influence over +both its members, that neither of them saw anything strange in the +deference paid him. She, therefore, acquiesced with some common-place +remark in the proposal, begging to be remembered to the old man. + +Accordingly, after breakfast, Mr. Armstrong walked down to the wharf, +thinking it probable he might find some boat going down the river, by +which he might be left at the island, intending, should he not +find the Solitary there, to go to the Indian settlement. Nor was he +disappointed. He found a fisherman making preparations to cast off +his boat, who cheerfully consented to convey him to the place of +destination. Mr. Armstrong jumped into the boat, and, the wind +favoring, they rapidly scudded down the stream. + +The fisherman, a fine, frank fellow, of some thirty years of age, to +whom Mr. Armstrong was well known, at least, by reputation, +although the recognition was not mutual, endeavored to engage him +in conversation, but without effect. Although answering politely any +questions, he made no remarks in return, and the conversation soon +languished for want of material to support it. Poor Josiah Sill, +finding his social qualities not appreciated, soon himself relapsed +into silence, wondering what could induce his companion to seek +Holden, and connecting his reserve in some mysterious way with the +visit. Finding the silence not altogether agreeable, Josiah finally +burst out with "Yankee Doodle," which he amused himself with whistling +together with some other favorite tunes, until they reached the +island. As they approached they caught a glimpse of Holden entering +the house, and Josiah landed his passenger, promising to call for him +on his return in the afternoon, though Armstrong expressed a doubt +whether he should remain so long. + +"If you ain't here, there won't be no harm done," said the +good-natured fellow, "and it won't take a minute to stop." + +Mr. Armstrong having thanked him and wished him success, advanced to +the cabin. + +He found Holden in the outer room, engaged in his usual employment, +when at home, of weaving baskets. A large quantity of prepared +saplings, split very thin, lay scattered around him, while bundles of +walnut poles, the crude material of his manufacture, were piled up +in the corners ready for use. With a quick and dexterous hand the +Solitary wove in the ribbon-like pieces, showing great familiarity +with the work. Without desisting from his labor, he expressed pleasure +at the visit of his friend, and requested him to be seated. + +"I am honored," he said, "this day. To what shall I ascribe the notice +of the wealthy Mr. Armstrong?" + +There was a slight tone of irony in the words. It probably was +observed by Mr. Armstrong, for, with some feeling, he replied: + +"Speak to me not so coldly. And yet," he added, dejectedly, "I +deserve that all the world should reject me. Neither the happy nor the +miserable feel sympathy for me." + +The wayward humor of Holden was evidently softened by the sadness of +the sweet, low voice. + +"Each heart," he said, "knoweth best its own bitterness, and I repent +me of my rudeness. But when I saw thee here I could not but remember +that I had dwelt long years in this dwelling, and"--he hesitated, and +Armstrong finished the sentence: + +"And you would say this is the first time I have darkened your door. +Well may it be called darkness where my unhappy shadow falls. But +forgive me: it is only lately that I learned to know you." + +"Thou errest, James Armstrong," returned Holden, "if thou thinkest +thou knowest me, or will ever know me. Yet, after all," he added in +a gentler manner, "thou art right. Yes, know me as a fellow sinner, +journeying with thee to eternity." + +"As my friend," replied Armstrong; "as the guide whose deeper +experience in heavenly things shall teach me the way to heaven, unless +by some inscrutable decree I am excluded." + +"How has my heart been open, how has it longed for years to meet +thine! How gladly would I have poured out my grief into thy bosom as +into that of a brother!" cried Holden, his voice choked with emotion. + +The countenance of Mr. Armstrong betrayed astonishment. "How is this?" +he said. "I never knew it. You have always been to me as a common +acquaintance." + +A shade fell on the face of Holden. He misunderstood the meaning +of the other. He supposed the phrase applicable to the feelings of +Armstrong towards himself, and not as descriptive of his own conduct +to Armstrong. "For the sake of the little Faith," he said coldly, "who +is now a lovely woman, have I highly regarded thee." + +"It is even so," said Armstrong, in a melancholy tone. "There are none +left to love me for my own sake. Yet why should I quarrel with my own +daughter? Let me rather be grateful that she has been the means of +attracting one being towards me. How can I show my friendship? How can +I make you my friend?" + +"I _am_ thy friend," cried Holden, grasping his hand with another +revulsion of feeling. "Put me to any proof. I will not fail." + +"If money could avail with a man like you," continued Armstrong, "it +should not be wanting. If ease or luxury could tempt--but you have +trampled them under foot, and what are they to one whose conversation +is in heaven?" + +Holden, while he was speaking, had risen from his seat and strode +twice or thrice across the room. When Armstrong had finished speaking +he again approached him. + +"It is not for naught," he exclaimed, "that the Lord hath conducted +thee this day unto me. Speak what he shall put into thy mouth to say." + +"I would have your confidence," said Armstrong. "As the sick beast or +the hurt bird knows by an infallible instinct what herb or plant will +best promote its cure, so it seems to me does Providence direct me to +you. Repulse me not, but be my kind physician." + +"How can the physician prescribe, if he knoweth not the complaint." + +"You shall know if you have patience to listen. But I must go back +years to make myself intelligible." + +"Speak, my brother," said Holden, gently, "not a word shall fall in +vain." + +"Then listen," said Armstrong, "and learn what sorrows the outward +shows of prosperity may gild." + +Holden resumed his seat, and Armstrong began his relation. + +"My parents," he said, "had but two children, myself and my brother, +who was younger by two years. The tenderest affection existed between +us, and we were never separated until I went to college, where, after +a couple of years, I was joined by him, and where we remained together +until the close of my collegiate course. I then returned home, in +order to take my place in the mercantile business, in which our +father was engaged. My brother George was destined for one of the +professions. During the last year of his stay at college, his letters +to me were full of the praises of a young lady whose acquaintance he +had made, and in vacations he was never weary of talking of her beauty +and amiable qualities. I was present when he took his degree, and at +a party, given during my stay, in the town, he introduced me to +her. Alas! that introduction was the cause of the happiness and the +wretchedness of my life. It found me a wife, and lost me a brother. I +cannot describe the impression which the first sight of Frances made +upon me. Nor did she seem averse to my attentions. I offered myself, +and was accepted." + +"And didst thou nothing to alienate her affections from thy brother?" +inquired Holden, in a hoarse voice. + +"She never regarded him with more than a passing liking," returned +Armstrong, "nor do I believe she had an idea of the fervor of +his affection. God be my witness, I never spoke a word in his +disparagement. We were married, and shortly after George began to +exhibit indications of insanity. By the advice of physicians he was +taken to an asylum for the insane, where it was hoped, under proper +treatment, his reason might be restored. May God pardon me, who am the +cause of the horrid tragedy, but, by some negligence of his keeper, +he was permitted to escape--his body was found, after some days, in +a neighboring pond." Here Armstrong paused and covered his face with +both hands. + +"The body was recognized as thy brother's?" inquired Holden. + +"It had been in the water too long to be perfectly recognized, but +the height, and age, and color of the hair, and what there was left to +make it distinguishable, were sufficient to identify it as George's." + +"There is no certainty then. Thy brother may be yet alive." + +"There can be no doubt of his death. Thirty years have elapsed, +and were he in existence he must have been heard of. Twelve years +afterwards my Frances died, leaving me two children, a son and infant +daughter. God saw fit, in his providence, to take my boy, but left me +Faith, to lay my grey hairs in the grave. It will not be long before +she will do me that service." + +Mr. Armstrong ceased speaking, and silence succeeded, which was at +last broken by the Solitary. He bent his brows with a keen, searching +glance upon his guest, and said: + +"Thou wert false to thy brother." + +"Yes, and his blood cries against me. Whither shall I turn to hide my +guilt?" + +"Thou dost repent, then, of thy treachery?" inquired Holden, who +seemed determined to probe the wound to the bottom. + +"Alas! restore to me the morning of life; place me in the same +circumstances, and I should fall again. I should be irresistibly +attracted by a heart that seemed made for mine." + +"In _her_ arms thou didst forget the brother, whom thy cruelty had +doomed to the maniac's cell and chain?" said Holden. + +"Never! his image is graven on my heart. I have never ceased to think +of him." + +"Thou wouldst know him should he stand before thee?" + +"Know him! aye, amidst ten thousand. No years could make such changes +as to hide him from me. But he is in his grave, while his murderer +lives." + +"Thou didst find compensation for lamentation over the dead, in the +caresses of the living?" + +"True, too true. While Frances lived, she was my heaven. It was +necessary that this idol should be torn from me. My son, too. Oh, +James, my son! my son!" + +Holden, during the conversation, had been unable to keep his seat, but +with the restlessness of his nature had been walking across the room, +stopping occasionally before Armstrong. The last expression of feeling +evidently affected him. The rapidity of his steps diminished; his +motions became less abrupt; and presently he laid his hand upon the +shoulder of Mr. Armstrong. + +"Thy tale," he said, "is one of sorrow and suffering. Thou didst +violate thy duty, and art punished. No wrong shall escape the avenger. +As it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' +But it is also written, 'He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, +and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.' Thou art after +all but an instrument in the hand of One mighty to do. Even out of +crime He works out the purposes of his will. Thou knowest not from +what sin and sorrow an early death may be the refuge. Commit thyself +to the hands of the Lord, nor grieve as one without hope. Thy brother +liveth, and thou shalt yet behold him." + +"I know he lives, and at the Judgment shall I behold him," said +Armstrong, shuddering, "to upbraid me with his murder." + +"Not to upbraid, but to forgive, and to imprint upon thy brow the seal +of reconciliation, as I now, by this token, vow to thee an everlasting +love." So saying, Holden bent down, and his lips touched the forehead +of Armstrong. + +We do not know that we ought to be surprised at anything in the +conduct of this extraordinary man. The principles by which he +regulated himself, if he had any that were fixed and determinate, and +was not impelled to his actions by the impulse of the moment, were so +different from those of other men, that it is difficult to reduce them +to the same standard, or, indeed, to assign them to any standard. Be +it as it may, so accustomed was Mr. Armstrong to his ways, that so +singular a thing did not impress him as strange. He only looked up +with eyes dimmed with tears, and, in broken accents, thanked the +Solitary. + +The rest of the time spent by Armstrong on the island, was passed in +conversation of very much the same description. It would seem from his +self-reproaches and confessions, that during the lives of his wife and +son, the melancholy death of his brother had made no great impression +upon him. Happy in a woman he adored, and who returned his affection; +with a blooming family around him; immersed in thoughts of business; +and in the enjoyment of a large fortune, there seemed nothing wanting +to complete his felicity. He remembered, too, that there had been an +instance of insanity in his family, some years before the birth of +himself, which had terminated fatally, the cause of which could not +be traced, and felt disposed, therefore, with the natural tendency to +self-exculpation of the happy, to find the reason for the tragical end +of his brother in hereditary infirmity, rather than attach any serious +blame to himself for securing the affections of a lady, whom he +was assured had never loved another. But when after a few years of +unclouded bliss, first his wife, and then his son, was taken away, all +things assumed an altered aspect. He found himself the last male of +his family, his name about to become extinct and forgotten, with only +one other being in the world in whose veins ran his blood, and for +whose life his paternal solicitude almost daily trembled. His mind +brooded day by day more and more over his misfortunes, which gradually +began to wear the form of judgments, the object and result of which +must be to erase his hated name from the earth. As Faith grew up, his +anxieties on her account diminished, but that only left him the +wider scope to dwell upon wild imaginations and make himself more the +subject of his thoughts. Of a grave and reflective cast of mind, he +had even from his early years respected the duties of religion, and +now he turned to it for consolation. But the very sources whence he +should have derived comfort and peace were fountains of disquiet. His +diseased mind seemed incapable of appropriating to itself the gentle +promises of pardon and acceptance, but trembled at the denunciations +of punishment. The universal Father came not to him with open arms, +as to welcome a returned prodigal, but frowned with the severity of +a Judge about to pronounce sentence. Whithersoever the unhappy man +turned, he saw no ray of light to gild the darkness, and he himself +sometimes feared lest reason should desert her throne. But his friends +felt no apprehensions of the kind. In their presence, though grave, +he was always reasonable and on his guard--for he shrunk with the +sensitiveness of a delicate mind from exposing its wounds--nor with +the exception of the minister, and now Holden, was there one who +suspected his condition, and they probably did not realize it fully. +These remarks may serve to abate, if not to remove entirely the +reader's surprise, that one with the education, and in the position of +Armstrong, should have sought counsel from Holden. But it may be, that +the condition of mind to which Armstrong was approaching--similar in +some respects to that of the Solitary--established a sort of relation +or elective affinity between them, operating like the influence of the +magnet, to attract one to the other. We have seen how fond Holden +was of visiting the house of Mr. Armstrong. Could it be that this +mysterious influence, all unconsciously to himself, led his steps +thither, and that afar off he dimly espied the talisman that should +establish a full community between them? Or was not this community +already established? How else account for the visit of Armstrong, the +strange conversation, the confessions, concluded by an act, tender, +and perhaps graceful, but only such as was to be expected from a +deranged man? + +Josiah Sill, true to his promise, arrived while the two men were still +talking, heedless of the passage of time. Mr. Armstrong stepped on +board, and the boat resumed her course. The wind was drawing down the +river, remaining nearly in the same point from which it had blown in +the morning, and they were obliged in consequence to pursue a zig-zag +course, tackling from one shore to the other. It blew fresh, and the +little vessel, gunwale down, with the water sometimes pouring over the +lee side, flew like a bird. They had run two-thirds of the distance, +nor was the sun yet set, when the wind, which, till then, had blown +pretty steadily, began to intermit and come in flaws or puffs, now +driving the small craft with great rapidity, and now urging her gently +on. At an instant, when she was about to tack, having hardly head-way +sufficient to prevent missing stays, a sudden and violent puff, from a +gorge in the hills, struck the sail. Had it come at any other moment, +the catastrophe that followed could not have happened; but the boat +lying almost motionless, received all the force of the wind, and +instantly upset. Mr. Armstrong, unable to swim, and encumbered by his +clothes, sank, but was caught by the strong arm of Sill, and pulled +upon the keel. In a state of great discomfort, though of safety, there +both remained for some time, waiting for assistance. None arriving, +Sill, at last, became impatient, and as he was an excellent swimmer, +proposed to throw off the heavier part of his clothing, and swim to +land to hasten succor. As Mr. Armstrong made no objection, and the +danger appeared less than what was likely to proceed from a long +continuance on the boat, exposed in their wet clothes to the wind, the +shore being but a few rods distant, Sill, after divesting himself of a +part of his clothes, plunged into the water, and with vigorous strokes +swam towards the land. He had proceeded but a short way when, either +in consequence of becoming benumbed by the coldness of the water after +being chilled by exposure to the wind, or from being seized by cramp, +or from what other cause, the unfortunate man suddenly turning +his face towards Armstrong, and uttering a cry of alarm, sank and +disappeared from sight. Once more only was anything seen of him, when +brought near the surface, perhaps, by an eddy in the stream, a hand +emerged, and for an instant the fingers quivered in the air. + +With a sort of desperate horror Armstrong gazed upon the appalling +spectacle. The expression of anguish on the face of the drowning +fisherman, as his distended eyes met his own, froze his blood, and +left a memory behind to last to his dying day. Fascinated, his +eyes dwelt on the spot where the fisherman sunk, and for a moment a +terrible temptation was whispered into his ear quietly, to drop into +the river, and accompany the spirit of the drowned man. But it lasted +only a moment, and the instinct of life resumed its power. + +It was not long ere his condition was discovered from the shore, when +chilled and shivering he was taken off by a boat that put out to +his rescue. On arriving at his home, Faith, excessively alarmed, +immediately dispatched the faithful Felix for the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + How sweetly could I lay my head + Within the cold grave's silent breast, + Where sorrow's tears no more are shed, + No more the ills of life molest. + + MOORE + + +Mr. Armstrong escaped, to all appearance, with a cold, from the +accident. But although this seemed the only effect produced upon his +bodily health, his mind had suffered a severe shock which was not +equally obvious. Fancies, each gloomier than the preceding, took, +henceforth, more and more possession of his imagination. He seemed the +harbinger of misfortune to all connected with him. Frequently rose up +the image of his dead brother, mingling with his dreams and obtruding +itself even into his waking thoughts, at one time dripping with +water as when taken from the pond--ghastly pale--livid--with scarcely +distinguishable lineaments; at another wrapped in the dress of the +tomb, and pointing with bony finger to a new-made grave. Then his wife +would appear, holding their little son by the hand, and standing on +the opposite side of a river that rolled between, beckoning him to +cross. But whenever he made the attempt the waves would close over his +head, and he awoke with a sense of suffocation and gasping for breath. +At another time the scene of the drowning fisherman would be repeated, +but with innumerable variations. Sometimes, in some way or other, +Holden would be mixed up with it, sometimes Faith, and sometimes, most +horrible of all, he himself would be desperately struggling to hold +Sill under water, till finally the yielding body sunk, sunk into +depths no eye could fathom. But never till the face turned and +transfixed him with the despairing glare of those dreadful eyes. + +But we are anticipating and rather describing the condition into +which his mind gradually fell, than its state immediately after his +interview with the Solitary. It took some time longer before the idea +that by an inexorable decree he was doomed to entail destruction +on all connected with him, became fixed. For awhile it floated +uncertainly and impalpably before him, and only slowly, like +an approaching spectre, took upon itself shape and presence. A +conversation between himself and his daughter on the second day after +the accident, and his conduct immediately thereafter, may give us some +apprehension of the current of his thoughts and feelings then. + +"My dearest father," said Faith, throwing her arms around his neck, +and repeating what she had said more than once before, "oh, how +thankful ought I to be for the saving of your precious life!" + +"We are often thankful in our ignorance," said her father, "for the +greatest misfortunes." + +"Do you call it a misfortune to me," she cried, "that I am not left +alone in the world? Oh, father, what should I do without you?" And +in spite of her exertions to suppress them, the tears burst from her +eyes. + +"Come to me, my child," said Armstrong, and he took the weeping girl +into his arms, and leaned her head gently upon his bosom. "Compose +yourself. Believe me, there are trials harder to be borne than the +loss of parents." + +"None, none to me," sobbed Faith. "If it were right I would pray that +I might die the same moment with you." + +"It is well for one like me to think often of death," said her father, +"nor should the young forget they are mortal. But many happy days, I +trust, are reserved for my darling." + +"Happy, if you are to share them with me, father. But why do I weep," +she said, raising up her head and smiling through her tears, "at +thinking of the possibility of a misfortune to myself, when my heart +is swelling with thankfulness for your preservation?" She arose from +her father's lap, drew a chair to his side, and as her custom was, +took one of his hands in both of hers. + +"Such are the dispensations of Providence," said Armstrong. "The old +man, with white hair and bent body, creeps to his grave, while the +infant that has just learned to smile in its mother's face, is hurried +from her arms. Why was it that Sill, so strong, so happy, so young, +with a wife and children dependant on him for support, should be taken +and I left?" + +"Why should we curiously inquire?" replied Faith. "If we could look +behind the curtain, no doubt we should see sufficient reasons for the +choice." + +"When I look back upon my life," continued Armstrong, more distinctly +revealing the thought lurking in his mind, "it seems as if I were born +to be the cause of misfortune to others. Had any one else been in +the boat, the accident would not have happened, or certainly not +terminated fatally." + +"Do not say so, dear father. Can you regulate the winds and waves?" + +"No, Faith. Yet unmanly as it is, let me lament the fate that makes me +the instrument to execute the decrees of Heaven. I am a rod to +attract the fires that consume, while itself rises unscathed amid the +destruction." + +It seemed to Faith natural that her father should be affected by the +death of the fisherman, who, after saving his life, had perished in +the attempt to bring rescue, although she thought his expressions +exaggerated. She felt pained at his self-reproaches, but doubted not +that soon the keenness of regret would lose its edge. In order the +sooner, therefore, to produce this result, she attempted to divert his +thoughts into another channel. + +"You are unjust to yourself, father," she said. "How many are there to +bless you for charities known only to themselves and you?" + +"Mention them not, Faith, crumbs from my superfluity, like those that +fell from the other rich man's table. Besides, of what avail will +any charities, as you call them, of mine be? They will serve only to +convey the curse that attaches itself to me. I tremble to think you +are my daughter." + +"And I," said Faith, "can never be thankful enough for having such +a father. Ah, how happy we might be, if you would only banish these +fancies from your mind!" + +"Thus it is," said Armstrong. "Did I not say right? Like an evil +spirit I scatter only gloom around one. I will remove a presence that +blasts whatever it meets." + +So saying he rose, and in spite of the tearful entreaties of his +daughter, walked into the hall, and taking his great coat from the +hook that held it, put it on and passed into the street. + +Faith, upon his departure, sunk into a chair, and allowed free +course to her tears. They brought relief, and after a few moments she +recovered composure. "This is very foolish," she said to herself, "to +cry like a child. My dear father is nervous, and I do not wonder, that +shocking accident agitates him. I am glad he is gone, for it is +better he should seek the society of his friends, than sit here making +himself melancholy with me. I must be cheerful to receive him when he +returns. At least, he shall see no trace of tears." + +Meanwhile, Mr. Armstrong walked down the street, but shunning +the sight of others, he turned at the first opportunity into an +unfrequented road. It led towards the Severn, and hardly knowing how +it happened, he crossed a bridge, and soon found himself in the woods +that skirt the left bank of that river. Unconsciously, and as if +attracted by some spell, he was directing his course towards the scene +of the late disaster. The walk and the solemn silence of the woods, +in which no sound was heard except the cawing of a watchful crow, +some sentinel placed to give notice of approaching danger to his +companions, gradually subdued the excitement of his feelings. His +pace, at first rapid, relaxed, the light began to play upon the clouds +that brooded on his spirits, and he wondered at his fancies and his +conduct. + +"How could I," thought he, "be so cruel to my own Faith! Her life +ought to be all sunshine and gladness, and would be but for me, and I +must sadden and darken it with the baleful imaginings of a distempered +mind. I must struggle harder and pray oftener and more fervently to +be preserved from myself. And now my soul feels the need of communing +with the Infinite Spirit. What fitter place for adoration than the +stillness of these old woods? Here worldly interruptions cannot come, +and the veil between Him and His creature is withdrawn." + +He stopped. He looked up into the sky, and watched the clouds floating +in the blue. He glanced at the sun flaming in golden magnificence. His +eyes fell on the hoary stems of the giants of the forest. He saw +the trailing arbutus, the delicious herald of warmer suns and softer +winds, creeping to his feet, and raised his hands to heaven and +repeated the lines of Milton-- + + These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good, + Almighty, thine this universal frame, + Thus wondrous fair; Thyself how wondrous then! + Unspeakable, who sitt'st above the heavens, + To us invisible, or dimly seen + In these thy lowest works: yet these declare + Thy goodness beyond thought and power divine. + +He stooped down and picked a few bunches of the arbutus, and put them +in his bosom. "Faith loves flowers," he said, "and the sweetness and +whiteness of these are types of herself." + +He was now quite calm, and realized fully where he was. It is strange, +he thought, how I came hither. I am like Philip, whom the Spirit +caught away. + +He continued his walk, striving to drive away the gloomy ideas, which, +in spite of his resistance, threatened again to master him. With his +eyes bent upon the ground, he proceeded some distance, when a slight +noise attracted his attention. He raised his eyes, and discovered +the cause. Five or six men were approaching, bearing, between them, +something on some boards. Mr. Armstrong stopped, and, as they came +near, perceived, it was the body of the drowned fisherman. + +"Fate," he murmured between his teeth, "has driven me here. It was +meet that the murderer should be confronted by his victim." + +The men, when they had surmounted the steep river bank, tired with the +weight, put down the corpse near where Armstrong stood. He walked up +to it, and gazed upon the face. The men, solemnized by the mournful +task, and respecting the feelings of Armstrong, whom they all knew, +preserved silence. + +There was no expression of pain upon the features. They wore the calm, +impassive look of marble. The eyes and mouth were wide open--efforts +to close them had been in vain--but, there was no speculation in the +former, and the soul played no more around the latter. The long brown +hair, from which the water dripped, hung in disorder over the forehead +and down the neck. Armstrong knelt on the withered leaves, by the side +of the corpse, and parted the hair with his fingers. + +"The agony," he said, as if addressing the drowned man, "is over. The +curtain is lifted. The terrible secret is disclosed. You have heard +the summons we must all hear. You have trod the path we must all +tread. You know your doom. Poor fellow! how gladly would I give my +life for yours." + +The bystanders were moved. Thus to behold the rich and prosperous +Mr. Armstrong, whose reserve was mistaken by some for haughtiness, +kneeling on the ground and lamenting over the obscure fisherman, was +something they had not expected. + +"Sill was a good fellow and a ginerous," said Tom Gladding, wiping +away a tear, with the rough sleeve of his coat. + +"He was a clever fellow, was Sill," added another. + +"I've known him more than once," said Tom, "give half his fish away to +a poor family. Josiah tried to make everybody comfortable." + +"When I was sick, a year ago," said one of the men, "and the neighbors +thought I was going to die, Josiah set up many a night with me, when +he had to work all the next day for his wife and children. I had no +notion, then, he'd have to go afore me." + +"It's true what the primer says," said another-- + + "Xerxes the great must die, + And so must you and I." + +"It don't need the primer or Xerxes either to tell us that," said Tom. +"Now, it looks kind o' hard to have a young man like Josiah go; but, +seeing as how he must die, sometime or other, I guess it don't much +consarn him whether it's to-day or to-morrow, when you think of +etarnity. Howsoever, it's no use standing here sniveling; so, let's +get on. Miss Sill will be glad the body's found, though it will 'most +kill her to see it." + +Thereupon, Tom and his friends took up the corpse, and pursued their +way to the village. + +Armstrong stood still, and looked after them till they were out of +sight. He then turned, descended the bank, and sat upon a rock on the +edge of the water. + +He reviewed the events of the day before the yesterday. He had +repeatedly endeavored to divert his mind from such thoughts; but, in +spite of his wishes, they would force themselves back. Finding all +resistance vain, he had, finally, abandoned himself to their control. + +They passed confusedly through his mind. It was difficult to arrange +them in the order of their succession. He began to be uncertain +whether his visit to Holden was made before or after the drowning of +Sill. He tried to recollect the purpose of his visit to the Solitary, +but could fix upon nothing definite. He seemed to remember that he had +made a confession of some sort, and that Holden had charged him with +the murder of his brother; and, at the same time, commended him for +removing George from the evil to come. His thoughts then reverted to +the upsetting of the boat. He knew that Sill had saved his life; but +why, when in safety on the boat, had he left it? He had a notion of +some conversation between them, and strove, till his brain burned, to +remember it. Had he not urged the unfortunate man to swim ashore? Was +it not most probable he had done so? Was not that most consistent with +his usual treatment of others? Was not that the means adopted by the +stern angel of fate, to accomplish the decree? + +Such was the nature of the thoughts of the unhappy Armstrong. Do +what he might, he could not exclude them. They would give place to no +others. They were at home. They had a right to rule and to torture. +They were a foretaste of a never-ending punishment. His will did not +consent; but, a mightier will commanded, and the weaker must obey. +The sport of an irresistible necessity--with no power of choice--the +blind, unwilling instrument of a controlling force, he was, +notwithstanding, justly chargeable with every misfortune, and, like a +malefactor, must endure the consequences. + +Long he sat thus absorbed in these wretched reflections. He stared +upon the water, but saw nothing: the tide rose and wet his feet, but +he felt it not; the wind blew chill, but he was not cold. He got up +at last from his seat, and was recalled to life. He felt stiff from +having been in one posture so long. He took out his watch, and found +it was twelve o'clock. He looked at the sun, and perceived it did not +contradict the watch, and turned his steps homeward. + +The crow from the topmost bough of a withered tree eyed him as he +passed along quite near, and croaked once, but did not leave his +perch. Armstrong heard him not. Nor did he heed the blue-bird singing +in the noonday sun to the arbutus blossoms crushed by his unwitting +feet, or notice the petulant squirrel flinging down the shells of his +nuts, as if in mockery at the passing stranger. He was met by Primus +in the village street, who took off his cap, but to the salutation +of the negro he paid no regard. The General stopped as he passed, and +turned round, with a sorrowful surprise, to look after him, and shook +his head. It was the first time Mr. Armstrong had passed him without +notice and a kind word. The negroes are very superstitious, and great +observers of signs. He remarked that Mr. Armstrong's hat was pulled +over his eyes, in the same manner he wore it at the funeral of his +wife, and augured some impending calamity. + +Mr. Armstrong entered his house, and threw himself into a seat, but +he sat only a moment. Something seemed to be wanting. A restless +impatience possessed him. He took up the tongs and begun to alter +the disposition of the sticks of wood. He could not suit himself, and +finally abandoned the fire to itself, after having filled the room +with smoke. He went to the bookcase, and took down a book, and +commenced reading. But presently his eyes wandered off, and fastened +themselves on the rug. He threw down the book, and rung the bell +violently. Felix instantly answered the summons. + +"It seems to me you are very negligent in attending to the bell this +morning," said he. "It is unpleasant to be obliged to ring so often." + +"You ring only once, Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, opening his eyes +wide with astonishment. "I in the kitchen at the time, and come +immediumtly. The tongue still jingle." + +"You may well say your tongue jingles," said Mr. Armstrong, sharply. +"Let me trouble you not to contradict me. Where is Miss Faith?" + +"Miss Faith went out an hour ago. I guess she is calling on some +ladies." + +"Go, and find her, and request her to come home." + +Felix retreated hastily into the kitchen, and seized his cap. But +before going out he thought it necessary to speak to Rosa. + +"O, Rosa!" he said, "take care o' the boss while I'm gone. Something +dreadful is happened to him, and I'm 'fraid of the consequence. If you +hear the bell, Rosa, run for your life." + +"How can I leave the dinner? It all spoil, Felix," said Rosa. "I send +Katy." + +"Never mind two dinners," cried Felix. "Better burn the roast beef +than make _him_ feel worse. I never know him cross afore." + +Felix was not obliged to go far. He had hardly got outside of the +gate, when he saw his young mistress coming down the street. Walking +rapidly, he soon met her, and communicated his errand. Faith quickened +her steps, and in a few moments stood by the side of her father. + +She found him contemplating the sprigs of arbutus he had picked for +her. The sight and scent of the lovely flowers had carried him back to +the moment when he plucked them, and restored, in a measure, the +tone of mind that prevailed then. It was, therefore, with his usual +sweetness he addressed her, though there was something in his voice +that made the words drop like so many tears upon her heart. + +"I have brought you some flowers, my darling," he said. "They are the +first nurslings of spring. Beautiful things! looking up all night and +day, with their starry eyes, to heaven, and drinking the dew of God's +grace. Happy things! they know no sin nor sorrow, and are remembered +only for their perfume and beauty. Take them, Faith. Sweets to +the sweet. Like these flowers, your soul exhales an atmosphere of +fragrance, and they belong to you." + +The mutations of Mr. Armstrong's mind were like the changes of an +April day. The softer mood was now prevailing, and as Faith kissed the +flowers, before she put them in her bosom, she felt less unhappy than +in the morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + Whose part in all the pomp that fills, + The circuit of the summer hills. + Is that his grave is green. + And deeply would their hearts rejoice, + To hear again his living voice. + + BRYANT. + + +The funeral, with the usual celerity with which such things are done +in our country, was to take place on the next day. Too often the haste +appears indecent, and it may be that in some instances the body has +been buried before life deserted it. It would seem that the family +felt constrained by the presence of the corpse, and compelled to +exercise an irksome self-control, and, therefore, desired to hurry it +under ground, as if it would be less likely there to know how soon it +was forgotten. + +But in the present case there was no reason why the body should be +longer kept. There could be no doubt that life was extinct. It had +lain too long in the water to admit a ray of hope to the contrary. +The sooner it was placed in its final earthly home the better for +poor Jane Sill, the widow. Her grief would the sooner be mitigated, by +withdrawing her thoughts from the dead to fix them on the necessity of +providing for the living. Until the burial the sympathizing neighbors +took upon themselves to perform the usual work of the household, such +as cooking the necessary food, &c., and one or another came in at +times to look after the children, to see that nothing was neglected +for their comfort, and to console the lone woman in her affliction. +But this could not last long. It was better it should not, but that +things should, as quickly as possible, resume their usual and natural +course. + +When the hour for the ceremony arrived, Mr. Armstrong sent round his +carriage to convey the mourning family in the melancholy procession, +while he and Faith, as the distance was short, proceeded on foot to +the house. It was situated on a sandy beach, near the Wootuppocut, and +a considerable company had collected together before their arrival. +Poor Josiah's generosity and good-nature had made him a general +favorite, and his acquaintances had pretty generally turned out to +render to him the last testimony of affection it would ever be in +their power to pay. The house was too small to hold all present, so +that besides the relations, very few except females were admitted. +Faith entered, but her father, though courteously invited in, and in +consequence of his connection with the accident that caused the death, +considered in some wise a mourner, preferred to remain on the outside. +Meanwhile, during the preparations in the house, groups without were +scattered round, engaged, in low voices, in various conversation. +In some, expressions of condolence and pity were let fall for the +condition of the widow and her family; others descanted on the +good qualities of the deceased; others debated on what might be the +feelings of Armstrong, and wondered what he would give the widow. They +were all acquainted with his generosity, and doubted not of his desire +to repair, so far as he was able, the misfortune with which the more +ignorant would insist upon connecting him as in some sort, a cause. +For this reason, some of them stole sly glances, from time to time, +at his face, wishing not to be observed, as if they expected to read +therein his purposes. But Armstrong, his eyes fastened on the ground, +and absorbed in his own reflections, was unconscious of the attention +he attracted. So lost was he, indeed, in his own thoughts, as not to +observe many of the nods and greetings directed to him. + +Presently low tones, as of one speaking, were heard issuing from the +house, and those standing outside gathered round the open door, to +listen to the prayer of the minister. It seems to be taken for granted +that on such occasions the prayer must occupy some considerable time, +whether because a short one would be irreverent to the Being to whom +it is addressed, or disrespectful to the sorrowing friends, or because +the mind cannot sooner be impressed with due solemnity. Hence it +follows that as these prayers are extempore, and the abilities and +taste of those who offer them of different degrees, they are of +various shades of merit. Seldom is one made in which the canons of +good taste are not violated, and some are not compelled to smile who +ought to weep. The reverend gentleman who conducted the services, +was not insensible to what was expected from him, and determined +"to improve" the mournful event to the benefit of the living. After +alluding to the gratitude his hearers ought to feel at not being thus +hurried, like poor Sill, without time for preparation, before the bar +of Judgment, who, however, he hoped, was prepared, and in order +to heighten the feeling of thankfulness, contrasting the light and +liberty of life with the darkness of the grave (as if the spirit were +confined there), he ran through the usual common places, speaking +with an assured conviction, as if the country beyond the grave were +as familiar to him as the streets of the town. With a tedious +particularity he then entreated the divine blessing upon the members +of the bereaved family, mentioning them by name, beginning with the +widow, to whom succeeded the children, two boys, one of four, and +the other of two years of age, followed by fathers, and mothers, and +brothers, and sisters to an indefinite extent, until the compliment +was duly paid to all who were supposed to have any claim to it. The +prayer was closed very much as it began, with a reference to the +suddenness of the death, which was treated as a warning sent for their +benefit, and a hope that it might be laid to heart, and induce sinners +to fly from the wrath to come. The usual time being now consumed, the +minister who had labored hard, and not without sundry hesitations +and coughings to accomplish his task, brought it to a conclusion, and +announced an appropriate hymn. There was something sadly sweet +and touching in the homely words and simple tune, sung in low and +suppressed tones, as if they were afraid of disturbing the slumbers of +the dead. + +Upon the conclusion of the hymn, the person who acted as master of +the ceremonies went to the door, and, addressing those gathered round, +said that all who desired might now have an opportunity to see +the corpse. Several accepted the invitation, and among others, Mr. +Armstrong. + +The coffin was placed upon a table in the centre of the room, with +a part of the lid turned back on hinges, so as to leave the face +exposed. The former friends and acquaintances of the dead man, giving +place and succeeding to one another, came, looked, and passed out +again, moving lightly on tip-toe solemnized and subdued by the awful +mystery of death. As they came in and left the house, they could see +through an open door in an adjoining room the weeping widow in full +mourning, with her little boys on either side, and the relations +seated round in chairs. + +All having gazed upon the corpse who wished, preparations now +commenced for screwing down the lid of the coffin. The sobs and sounds +of grief which had proceeded from the room where the mourners were +collected, and which had been, as by an effort, suppressed during the +prayer and hymn, now broke forth afresh. + +"O, do not hinder me," poor Mrs. Sill was heard to say; "it's the only +chance I shall have in this world." + +"I guess you'd better not," said a voice, trying to dissuade her. +"It's no use; and, then, before all them strangers." + +"I will see Josiah," she exclaimed, rising from her seat, and putting +aside the well-meaning hand that strove to detain her. "Who has a +better right to take the last look than me?" + +With these words, her crape veil thrown in disorder back upon her +shoulders, her eyes red and swollen with crying, and tears streaming +down her cheeks, she advanced towards the body, all respectfully +making room for her as she approached. + +We are not a very demonstrative people. The inhabitants of New England +are taught, from an early age, the lesson of self-control. They do +not wear in their bosoms windows into which any eyes may look. It is +considered unmanly for men to exhibit excessive feeling, and perhaps +the sentiment has an influence even on the softer sex. The conduct of +Mrs. Sill was unusual, and excited surprise; but it is difficult to +stem strong passion and it had its way. + +She moved quickly up to the table, and threw her arms around the +coffin, resting her cheek on that of her husband, while the hot tears +ran in large drops down its marble surface. One who thought he had a +right to interfere, whispered in her ear, and took hold of an arm to +draw her away, but she turned fiercely upon him. + +"Who are you," she said, "to separate me from my husband? Go--I will +keep him as long as I please." + +The person, seeing her determination, desisted; and all looked on in +mournful silence. + +"O, Josiah," she sobbed, "who'd have thought it! The best, the kindest +husband a woman ever had. O! how sorry I am for every hard word I ever +spoke to you. And you so good--never to find fault when I scolded. +I was wicked--and yet all the time I loved you so. Did you know it, +Josiah? If you were back again, how different I would treat you! The +fire should always be burning bright, and the hearth clean, when you +came back cold from fishing, and you should never, never ask me a +second time for anything. But you don't hear me. What's the use +of crying and lamenting? Here," she said, raising herself up, and +addressing those next her, "take him, and put him in his grave." + +She staggered and fainted, and would have fallen, had she not been +caught in the arms of sympathizing friends, who removed her into the +adjoining chamber, and applied the usual restoratives. This caused +some little delay, but, after a time, the person who had assumed upon +himself the arrangements of the funeral, entered, preceding the four +bearers, whose hats he took into his own hands, to restore them to the +owners when the coffin should be placed in the hearse--a plain black +wagon, with black cloth curtains--waiting at the door. The coffin was +taken up by them, and deposited accordingly; after which, they took +their places in front of the hearse, while the four pall-bearers +ranged themselves on each side. At a signal from the director of the +ceremony, the whole moved forward, leaving space for the carriages +to approach the door. Mr. Armstrong's carriage was driven up, and the +widow and children, with two or three females, were assisted in. Then +followed a few other vehicles, with the nearest relatives, after whom +came others, as they pleased to join. A large number of persons had +previously formed themselves into a procession before the hearse, +headed by the minister, who would have been accompanied by a +physician, had one assisted in making poor Sill's passage to the other +world easier. + +The mournful cortege wound slowly up a hill to the burying-ground--a +piece of broken land on the top. At the time of which we write, the +resting-place of the departed of Hillsdale presented a different +appearance from what it does now. Wild, neglected, overgrown with +briers, it looked repulsive to the living, and unworthy of the dead. +The tender sentiment which associates beauty with the memory of +our friends, and loves to plant the evergreen and rose around their +graves, seemed then not to have touched the bosoms of our people. A +pleasing change has succeeded. The briars have been removed, trees +planted, and when necessary to be laid out, new burial-ground spots +have been selected remarkable for attractiveness and susceptibility +of improvement. The brook has been led in and conducted in tortuous +paths, as if to lull with a soft hymn the tired sleepers, and then +expanded into a fairy lake, around which the weeping willow lets fall +its graceful pendants. The white pine, the various species of firs, +the rhododendron, mixed with the maple, the elm, and the tulip tree, +have found their way into the sacred enclosure. The reproach of +Puritanic insensibility is wiped out. Europe may boast of prouder +monuments, but she has no burial-places so beautiful as some of ours. +Pere la Chaise is splendid in marble and iron, but the loveliness of +nature is wanting. Sweet Auburn, and Greenwood, and Laurel Hill are +peerless in their mournful charms. + +The coffin was lowered into the grave in silence. No solemn voice +pronounced the farewell "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." The ceremonies +were concluded. The minister took off his hat, and addressing the +bystanders, some of whom, respectfully imitating his example, raised +the coverings from their heads, thanked them in the name of the +afflicted family for this last tribute of regard. The procession +was formed again, and slowly returned to the house, leaving the +grave-digger to shovel in the gravel and complete his task. + +As Mr. Armstrong and Faith walked home together, but few words were +exchanged between them. Each was absorbed in reflection upon the scene +just witnessed. In Faith's mind it was solemn, but devoid of gloom. +With the hopefulness of health and youth, gleams of sunshine played +over the grave. She looked beyond, and hoped and trusted. + +But with her father it was different. Had it not been for him Sill +might have been alive and well. He had made the wife a widow and her +children orphans. He had introduced weeping and wailing into a happy +home. But this was a slight calamity, and hardly worthy of a thought +in comparison with another. The words of the minister, that the victim +had been hurried to his sentence without time for preparation recurred +with a feeling of horror. It was he through whose instrumentality Sill +had been thrust into tormenting but undestroying flames. Better that +he had never been born. Better that he had been strangled in the hour +of his birth. + +With thoughts like these, this unhappy man, whose heart was the seat +of all the virtues, tormented himself. It seemed sometimes strange +that people did not point their fingers at him: that he was not +arrested for the murder: that he was permitted to walk abroad in the +sunshine. His mind, unknown to those about him, unknown to himself, +was hovering on the confines of insanity. Only a spark, perhaps, was +necessary to light a conflagration. Alas! that one so good, so noble, +should be a victim of destiny. But we forbear to intrude further into +reflections alike miserable and insane. + +Mr. Armstrong felt more composed the next day, and in the afternoon, +accompanied by Faith, went to the dwelling of the widow. They found +her engaged in ordinary family affairs. The duties to the living must +be respected. To neither rich nor poor does sorrow furnish an excuse +for their neglect. Let the mind find something to occupy it, the +hand something to do. Thus do we become sooner reconciled to those +dispensations of Providence at which our weakness, and ignorance, and +presumption rebel. + +The poor woman received them kindly, and offered chairs. Faith took +into her lap the younger child from the floor on which it was sitting, +gnawing a crust of brown bread, and began to talk to him. The round +eyes of the boy expressed his astonishment, but as he looked into the +loving face and heard more of the sweet voice, the alarm he at first +felt at the approach of the stranger subsided, and he smiled with the +confiding innocence which children return to the caresses of those who +are fond of them. + +"Jimmy doesn't know what a loss he's had," said Mrs. Sill. + +"Jimmy will grow up to take care of his mother bye and bye, and repay +her for some of her trouble, won't he?" said Faith, addressing the +boy. + +"O, Josiah and Jimmy are my only comfort," said the widow--"now that +he's gone. I don't know what I should do without them, I'm sure." + +Mr. Armstrong had called the elder boy, Josiah, to his side, and the +little fellow had quickly become familiar enough to play with his gold +watch-chain. Seeing it pleased the child, he took the watch and held +it to his ear, at which the countenance of the boy became radiant with +delight. "O, Jimmy," he cried, "it talks." + +Mr. Armstrong released the watch into the hands of Josiah, who ran +with it to his brother. + +"He will drop it," exclaimed Mrs. Sill, starting forward, taking the +watch from the hands of the disappointed boy, and offering it to Mr. +Armstrong. + +"Keep it," he said, "for Josiah, to associate me, when he grows up, +with his father's death." + +"You don't mean to give away your gold watch?" said Mrs. Sill, still +holding it out towards him. + +"Yes, Mrs. Sill," said Mr. Armstrong, "I intended it for him: I would +give him all I have if I could thereby restore his father to life." + +This observation renewed in full force the sorrow of the poor woman. +She sank back into a chair, and covering her face with her apron, +sobbed and wept bitterly. + +Faith looked at her father with an expression which seemed to say--do +not refer to the cause of her grief. Armstrong understood the appeal, +but he had that in his mind which was unknown to his daughter, and +after a pause he proceeded. + +"I have more property than I deserve, and what better use can I put +it to than give it to the deserving? You will find in that," he +continued, handing a paper to the widow, "what will entitle you to +a little income during your life. I hope it will enable you to take +better care of your children." + +Mrs. Sill took the paper mechanically, and gazed upon without opening +it or imagining the extent of the gift. She kept turning it round and +round in her fingers, as if not knowing what to do with it. + +"Everybody knows you're a kind man, and as generous as you're rich, +Mr. Armstrong;" at last she said, "But I guess I shant want anything +long in this world." + +"I hope you may live long yet," said Mr. Armstrong, "for the sake of +the little boys." + +This allusion recalled her more to herself, and without looking at +the paper she put it into her bosom. "I'm sure I thank you with all my +heart, and shall always try to do my duty by them," she said. + +Here Mr. Armstrong rose, and Faith, putting down the child, that +seemed loth to leave her, spoke in a low tone some parting words of +consolation. + +"I'm sure you're very good; I'm sure I'm very much obleeged to you," +was all Mrs. Sill could say. + +On their way home Faith spoke of the promising appearance of the +children, and of what the hopes of the mother must be on their +account. + +"It is true they are all that are left to her," said Mr. Armstrong, +"and what hopes she has of earthly happiness must be built on them. +But who can look into to-morrow? A few days ago, never dreaming of +misfortune, she exulted in the enjoyment of her husband and little +boys. The first is taken away, and none know how soon the latter may +be. So joys and sorrows are mingled together. At this moment she is +more miserable for having been happy, and so great is the misery, it +outweighs all the happiness of former years. Such is the nature of +pain and pleasure. A pang of the former, an instant's acute agony, may +be equivalent to hours of what is called enjoyment. We are so made. We +may hope for happiness: we are certain of sorrow. We must seek +after the one: the other is sure to find us. When I look round, what +evidences of wretchedness do I see! Alas, it is indeed a fallen world, +and the ground is cursed for man's sake." + +"You take a gloomy view, father," said Faith. "Look beyond. Are we not +promised a happier time when the bliss of Eden shall be renewed?" + +"Yes, and the time will come. Not only prophets and apostles have +had it revealed to them, but grand souls among the heathen have dimly +descryed its dawning from afar. But what unimaginable scenes of horror +must first be? What doleful _misereres_ must first ascend to cloud +the brightness of the heavens and dim the joy of the blest! Long, long +before then, your and my remembrance, Faith, will have perished from +the earth. You will be then a seraph, and I--. If there be ever an +interval of pain, it will be when I think of your blessedness, and +you, if angels sometimes weep, will drop a tear to the memory of your +father, and it shall cool his torment." + +What could the grieved and alarmed daughter say? She spoke in gentle +and loving tones. She combated by every possible argument these +miserable fancies. She entreated him for her sake as well as his own, +to cast them off. He listened to her without impatience, and as if +he loved to hear the sound of her voice. But he shook his head with +a mournful sadness, and his melancholy remained. As may well be +supposed, the dark cloud that had settled down upon his mind was not +thus to be dissipated. Faith, though troubled, did not despair. She +trusted the impression of the late calamity, to which she attributed +much of his unhappiness, would in time wear off. Meanwhile, she +commended him to the kind protection of that Gracious Being who is +loving to all his works. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + I cannot think of sorrow now: and doubt + If e'er I felt it--'tis so dazzled from + My memory by this oblivious transport. + + BYRON + + +"Here come that strange old man," said Felix, the next morning, +looking out of the kitchen window, which commanded a view of the road. +"I do believe he's bewitched the boss." + +Rosa, to whom the remark was addressed, ran to the window, and saw the +Recluse coming up the street. + +"I'm 'stonished," she said, "that Mr. Armstrong and Miss Faith give +so much encouragement to these low pussons. They always take so much +liberty." + +"Give 'em an inch and they take two feet," said Felix. "I wish his +two feet take him away from this house for the last time," he added, +laughing. + +"Ha, ha, ha, you so 'musing Felix," said Rosa. "There is something too +very genteel in your laugh." + +"You do me proud, sweet Rosa," answered Felix, bowing with his hand +upon his breast. + +Holden was no favorite of the black. The well-dressed and well-fed +servant of a wealthy family, with the feeling common to all who judge +from outside appearances, had at first been disposed to look down upon +the coarsely-dressed anchorite, who supported himself by so mean a +labor as the manufacture of baskets, and to consider him as little +better than a beggar-man. No sooner, however, did Holden detect the +feeling, and it was instantly, than he corrected it, so that it never +made its appearance again in his presence. In fact, a feeling of fear +superseded the impertinence of the negro. There was something in the +burning glare of Holden's eyes, and the deep tones of his voice, that +exerted an inexplicable power over Felix. Much he turned it over in +his mind, why, in spite of himself, he was obliged to be as civil +to Holden as to white gentlemen, and at last concluded, the Solitary +possessed some magic art, by which he controlled others. He the more +readily adopted the opinion because he considered his master and young +mistress under the spell of the same glamourie to which he himself had +succumbed. + +When, therefore, Holden struck with the knocker on the door, the +obsequious Felix was at hand to open it, and show him into the parlor. + +"Tell your master I am here," said Holden, entering. + +"How does he know Mr. Armstrong is at home?" said Felix, to himself. +"But I'm a free man, and it is very onpolite to talk about my master." + +"The Lord hath raised up a mighty salvation for us," was the address +of Holden, as Mr. Armstrong entered the room. "I come to bid thee +farewell for a time." + +"Farewell!" repeated Mr. Armstrong, without comprehending the meaning +of the other. + +"Sit thee down, dear friend, and listen to what will give thee joy for +my sake now, and thine own hereafter. My son, who was dead, is alive +again.". + +Armstrong was at a loss to divine the meaning of his visitor. He took +it for some figurative form of expression, and, without making any +reply, passed his hand over his forehead, as if trying to recall some +idea. + +Holden read his thoughts. "Thou dost not understand," he said. "Know +then that the child perished not with the mother." + +"My friend," said Armstrong, who had now complete command of himself, +"you do not reflect that I cannot understand your allusions. Explain +to me, that I may participate in your joy." + +"The child of my youth, he whom I lost, whom I mourned for so many +years as dead, is alive," exclaimed Holden, in tones of irrepressible +emotion. + +"I give you joy," said Armstrong, grasping his hand. "But you never +mentioned you had a son. How have you lost, and how found him?" + +"It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes," said +Holden. "Not long since thou didst tell of an unhappy man, round whom +afflictions had gathered. Now will I tell thee of another not less +wretched, the clouds of whose sorrow the setting sun is gilding. Be it +unto thee for a lesson of hope, for I tell thee, James, that assuredly +thou shalt be comforted." + +We will endeavor to compress into a few words the more diffuse +narrative of the Recluse, confining ourselves to the substance. + +It will be recollected that before Holden's constrained retirement +among the Indians, he had attached to him the squaw, Esther, by the +ties of both gratitude and respect. But it was only at a distance she +looked up to him whom she regarded as a sort of superior being. She +would not have ventured to speak to him of herself, for how could he +take an interest in so insignificant a creature? The nearer relations, +however, into which they were thrown, while he was an inmate of +her cabin, without diminishing her affection, abated her awe. The +teachings of Holden, and the strong interest he manifested for herself +and tribe so affected her, that one day she made to him a confession +of the events of her life. It is only necessary to recount those which +have a connection with this story. Some twenty years previous she had +accompanied her husband on a visit to a tribe in Kentucky, into which +some of her own relatives had been received. While there an expedition +had been undertaken by the Indians, which her husband joined, against +the white settlements, then inconsiderable, and exposed. After a few +days the warriors returned in triumph, bringing with them many +scalps, but no prisoner, except a little boy, saved by her husband, +Huttamoiden. He delivered the child to her, and having none herself, +she soon learned to love it as her own. Huttamoiden described to her +with that particularity which marks the description of natural objects +by an Indian, whose habits of life in the forest compel him to a close +observation, the situation of the log-hut from which the child was +taken, the hut itself before which leaped a mountain stream, the +appearance of the unfortunate woman who was murdered, and the +desperate resistance of the master of the cabin, who, at the time, was +supposed to have perished in the flames, but was afterwards known by +the name of Onontio--as the scourge and terror of the tribe which +had destroyed his family. She had shortly afterwards started with her +husband, taking with them the little boy, for the east, but they found +the innumerable questions and suspicions occasioned by the possession +of the white child so annoying, and dreaded so the inquiries and +investigation that would be made upon their return home, that they +determined to get rid of him upon the first opportunity. As their +route lay through New York, the streets of a populous city furnished +the very chance they desired. It was with great reluctance Esther +felt herself compelled to this course, and she was unwilling the child +should fall into unkind hands. While reflecting upon what was to be +done, she remembered a family which had come from that part of the +country whence she came, and whom she had known as worthy people, +and determined to entrust to them the boy. She dared not to do +this openly. So one night she placed the child on their door-step, +enjoining him not to stir until some one took him into the house, +while she herself watched close by, until she saw him taken in. Since +then, not daring to make inquiries, for fear of bringing on herself +some unknown punishment, she had not heard of the boy. She remembered +the name of the people with whom he was left, and also the street, and +the number, and gave them to Holden. + +Upon this foundation it was the Recluse built up the hope that his son +was yet alive. + +"I am Onontio," he said. "The Being who touched the heart of the +ferocious savage to spare the life of the child, hath preserved him. +Mine eyes shall yet behold him." + +Armstrong was deeply touched, and in the contemplation of the +brightening prospects of his friend, he forgot the clouds that hung +around his own horizon. Perhaps he was not so sanguine of success +as Holden, whose eagle eyes seemed penetrating the future, but he +respected too deeply the high raised hopes and sacred feelings of the +father, to drop a word of doubt or discouragement. + +"Myself, my purse," he said, "are at your service." + +"Thomas Pownal goeth to the city to-morrow," replied Holden. "I will +speak unto him, and accompany him. Nor do I refuse thy assistance, but +freely as it is offered as freely do I accept it. They who are worthy +to be called my friends, regard gold and silver only as it ministers +to their own and others' wants." + +He took the proffered bank-bills with quite as much an air of one +conferring, as one of receiving a favor, and, without even looking at +the amount, put them in his pocket. + +It was so long since Holden had been in the great world, or mingled +in the ordinary pursuits of men--and his appearance and mode of speech +were so different from those of others--that Armstrong had some fears +respecting his researches. It was, perhaps, this latent apprehension +of his fitness to appear in the world--an apprehension, however, +only dimly cognizable by himself--that induced Holden to seek the +companionship of Pownal. With these feelings, and believing he might +be of advantage to this strange man, for whom this new development +awakened additional interest in his mind, Armstrong offered to be his +companion, in the search for his son; but, to his surprise, his offer +was hastily rejected. + +"No," said Holden; "it befitteth not. Stay, to take care of Faith. +Stay, to welcome me when I shall return with a crown of rejoicing upon +my head." + +Armstrong shrunk within himself at the repulse. He would not have +regarded or hardly noticed it once, but, his mind had become morbidly +sensitive. A word, a look, a tone had now power to inflict a wound. +He was like the Sybarite whose repose was disturbed by a wrinkled +rose-leaf; with this difference, that they were spiritual, not +material hurts he felt. Did the forecast of Holden penetrate the +future? Did he, as in a vision, behold the spectres of misfortune that +dogged Armstrong's steps? Was he afraid of a companionship that +might drag him down and entangle him in the meshes of a predestined +wretchedness? He is right, thought Armstrong. He sees the whirlpool +into which, if once drawn, there is no escape from destruction. + +Holden succeeded better in communicating a portion of his confidence +to Pownal. In the morning of life, before experience has dimmed our +sky with clouds, we readily perceive the sun of joy. The bright eyes +of youth catch his rays on the mountain tops, before the drooping lids +of age are raised from the ground. The ardent temperament of the +young man entered with delight into the hopes of his elder. He even +anticipated the request Holden intended to make, and asked permission +to accompany him. With a very natural feeling he endeavored to effect +some change in the costume of the Recluse, but here he met with +decided opposition. + +"I have nothing to do with the world or its follies," said Holden. +"Let it pass on its way as I will on mine. It will reck but little of +the garments of an unknown man." + +It was more for the sake of his friend than himself that Pownal +proposed the change. Perceiving the feelings of the other, he forbore +to press a proposal further, which, after all, was of but little +consequence. A sloop was to sail the next day--the wind favoring--from +Hillsdale, and it was agreed between the two to take passage together. + +We may judge of the feelings of Pownal at this time, from the fact +that the last evening he spent at Hillsdale, before he left for New +York, where, indeed, he expected to remain but a short time, found him +at the house of Judge Bernard. He was fortunate, whether beyond his +expectations or not we cannot say, in finding Miss Bernard alone. At +least it was a fortunate coincidence with his wishes, and might we +judge, from the raised color of the cheeks, and the smiles that played +round the lips of the beautiful girl, not displeasing to her. It is +wonderful, when we look back, how frequently these charming accidents +of youth occur. + +It was unnecessary that Pownal should speak of his intended trip to +the commercial capital. He seemed to assume that Anne was already +acquainted with his purpose, but of Holden's discovery she had not +been informed. + +"Beautiful!" cried Anne, clapping her hands. "We shall have a +_denouement_ fit for a novel yet. Oh, I do hope he may find his son. +And," added she, with a warm quick feeling, "I can see now reason for +the strange habits of our poor dear prophet. Oh, to think of the long +years of lonesome misery he must have passed!" + +"He seems to have no doubt," said Pownal, "of discovering his lost +son. I confess that when I heard him in his animated way tell his +story, with eyes raised in thankfulness to heaven, I was swept along +by his enthusiasm, and felt no more doubt than himself of his success; +but when I reflect more calmly on the circumstances the prospect is +not so brilliant." + +"Do not doubt: the prospect _is_ brilliant: Jeremiah shall cease his +lamentations: our prophet shall be made happy. Ah, why anticipate +anything but good!" + +"I accept the omen, dear Miss Bernard," said Pownal, looking with +admiration upon her beaming countenance, "Men arrive at conclusions, +how often false, by a fallible process of reasoning, while truth comes +to your more fortunate sex by a happy inspiration." + +"And I accept the compliment, since you accept the inspiration. I hope +it is with more than the ordinary sincerity of those in the habit of +making compliments." + +"I wish you could see into my heart." + +"You would wish the window closed immediately. What do you suppose I +should see there?" + +"Yourself." + +"Then it is a looking-glass," said Anne, blushing. "A valuable piece +of furniture certainly, in which any lady may view her face!" + +"No! a portrait more true to life than Stuart's, and which I prize +above everything." + +"You must be mistaken in fancying it mine. Only old pictures are +prized. The moderns have no reputation." + +"You will always jest. I assure you I am serious," said Pownal, who, +however, was obliged to smile. + +"I see you are very serious. Oh, I hate seriousness ever since I was +frightened by the long face of Deacon Bigelow, when he discovered my +ignorance of the catechism. It was as long," she added, looking round +for something to compare it to, "as the tongs." + +"Or as your lessons of a June day, when the sunshine and birds, and +flowers were inviting you to join them." + +"Or as the time when I do not see Faith for twenty-four hours." + +"Or as my absence will be to me in New York." + +"I wonder how you," said Anne, "who are accustomed to the bustle and +excitement of a large city, can be contented with the quiet monotony +of a country town." + +"I found something here not to be found in all country towns," said +Pownal. "Besides, the noise and confusion of a large place never were +agreeable to me, and when I return to them they lie like a weight upon +my spirits. Instead of a city I ought to have been born in a boundless +forest." + +"You know I have said, I thought there was a wildness about you," +replied Anne, laughing. + +"Do you not consider the wild animal tamed?" + +"Not entirely. It belongs to a species almost irreclaimable." + +"He will never be tamed a second time." + +"Then he must not be suffered to escape." + +The words flew from the lips of the gay impulsive girl before she was +aware. The eloquent blood crimsoned her cheeks, and clapping both her +hands upon her face to conceal the blushes, she burst into a laugh as +musical as the song of the canary bird. Pownal's eyes sparkled with +delight, but before he could utter a word, she had sprung upon her +feet. + +"It is too bad," she cried, "to compare you to a wild animal. Forgive +and forget my impertinence. I have been reading a novel," and as, she +said so she took a book from the table, "by an American author, which +interests me greatly. Have you seen it?" + +Pownal took the book into his hands. It was one of Charles Brockden +Brown's. + +"I read it some years ago," he said; "and I remember it made a great +impression upon me at the time. It appears to me to be written with +wonderful power of enchaining the attention. I could not lay it down +until it was finished." + +"Exactly as I was affected," said Anne. + +"Yet I wonder that one so lively and merry as Miss Bernard should +be pleased with such a book. The subjects of Brown's novels are all +gloomy. His imagination seems at home only in sombre scenes. His is +the fascination of horror." + +"I wonder at it myself. But it shows the ability of the writer, in +being able to affect as thoughtless a person as I am." + +"Not thoughtless. No one would say that of you but yourself. It is, +perhaps, because of your gaiety--on account of the contrast. The +sunshine loves to light up dark places." + +"Very prettily expressed. Really, if you go on improving, we must +have you appointed valentine-manufacturer-general for the town of +Hillsdale." + +"I suspect the valentines would all be addressed to one person." + +"Then I shall oppose your appointment. But let that pass for the +present. You were telling me why I liked Brown's novels." + +"I am not so presumptuous. I was only guessing. It is the Yankee's +privilege. The world concedes it to us. I suggest then that your mind +wanders through those dark scenes with an interest like that with +which a traveller contemplates a strange country. And may they ever +remain a strange region to you. May you ever continue to be what you +are now, a bright being, at whose approach sorrow and sadness fly +away." + +The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of the Judge and +Mrs. Bernard, on their return from some neighborly call. Anne received +the bonnet and shawl from her mother, who was evidently accustomed to +such attentions, nor had the young lady ever appeared more beautiful +in the eyes of the young man, than when he saw her rendering those +little services of filial respect and affection. "She deserves," he +said to himself, "the richest gifts of Providence. One so bright, so +pure, so innocent, must be a favorite of the angels." + +These were lover's thoughts, and our readers at the remembrance of +youthful dreams and fancies will pardon their extravagance. They come +at only one period of life, and oh, how quickly do they fly, leaving +behind a trail of light which may, indeed, be obscured, but never +quite extinguished. + +Pownal informed the Judge of his intended departure, and, as usual, +received from him and Mrs. Bernard some commissions to execute on +their account. That of the former was for some books, while his +wife's, we are compelled to say, however undignified it may sound, was +for nothing more important than the last fashionable French bonnet. +But let us add that she took not more pleasure in wearing a becoming +head-dress (and what new fashion is not becoming?) than he in seeing +her handsome face in its adornment. + +"My husband," she said, "Mr. Pownal, tries to Frenchify me a little, +sometimes, and I am obliged to indulge him, he is generally so good; +but he will never succeed in making anything else out of me than a +plain Yankee woman." + +"Plain or beautiful, the highest title to my affection," said the +Judge, gallantly. "I have been a traveller, Thomas, and have seen +the Old World. This is a progressive world; and, believe me, the +productions of the New are not, to say the least, inferior to those of +the Old." + +"I can well believe it," said Pownal, bowing to the ladies. + +"A pleasant voyage, Thomas," said the Judge, as he bade his young +friend good-bye, "along the sandy shores of Long Island, and through +the perils of Hell Gate." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + "Then lock thee fast + Alone within thy chamber, there fall down + On both thy knees, and grovel on the ground: + Cry to thy heart: wash every word thou utter'st + In tears (and if't be possible) of blood: + Beg Heaven to cleanse the leprosy." + + FORD'S PLAYS. + + +Armstrong, upon the departure of Holden, sat moodily pondering what +had been told him. Were his emotions those of pleasure or of pain? At +first, the former. The natural goodness of his disposition made +him instinctively rejoice in the happiness of his friend. For a few +moments, he forgot himself, and, as long as the forgetfulness lasted, +was happy in the participation of the other's hopes. But this frame +of mind was only momentary. We have seen how an answer of Holden was +sufficient to restore his gloom. Thoughts chased each other in wild +confusion, over which he had no control, which he reproached himself +for admitting--which he would have excluded, if he could. The +connection between him and the Solitary was one of mutual misfortune. +Sorrow was the ligament that united them. For years had he known +Holden, but it was only within a short time, namely, since an awakened +conscience (so he judged, himself) had revealed to him his own +hideousness, that he had been attracted to the Solitary. Should Holden +recover his son, should his heart expand once more to admit worldly +joys, would it not be closed to him? As he once felt indifference +towards Holden, so would not Holden, by a change of circumstances, +by the awakening of new desires and new hopes, by the occupancy +of emotions the more delightful because fresh and for so long +unexperienced, stand to him in other and colder relations? These +reflections were not clear, distinct, sharply defined. They drove +through his mind, ragged and torn, like storm-clouds chased by the +tempest. + +There were two beings struggling with one another in him--the one +striving to encourage the noble feelings of his nature, and drive away +whatever was inconsistent with truth and reason--the other whispering +doubt, and selfishness, and despair. He rose and paced, with rapid +steps, the room. + +"Has it come to this?" he said to himself, as if wondering at his +condition. "Am I become incapable of participating in the happiness of +others? Am I a festering mass of selfishness? O! once it was not so. +I will resist these thoughts which come from the bottomless pit. They +shall not master me. They are the temptations of the Evil One. But can +I resist them? Have I not grieved away the spirit? Is there place for +repentance? Am I not like Esau, who sought it in vain with many tears? +If he was refused the grace of God, why not I? Why not I, that I may +go to my own place? Already I feel and know my destiny. I feel it in +the terrible looking for of judgment. I feel it in that I do not love +my neighbor. If I did, would I not sympathize in his happiness? Would +this wretched self for ever interpose? I never knew myself before. I +now know the unutterable vileness of my heart. I would hide it from +Thee, my God. I would hide it from Thy holy angels--from myself." + +That day, Mr. Armstrong stirred not from the house, as long as the sun +remained above the horizon. The golden sunshine deepened his mental +gloom. Nor to his eyes was it golden. It was a coppery, unnatural +light. It looked poisonous. It seemed as if the young leaves of spring +ought to wither in its glare. + +He heard the laugh of a man in the street, and started as if he had +been stung. It sounded like the mockery of a fiend. Was the laugh +directed at him? He started, and ran to the window, with a feeling +of anger, to see who it was that was triumphing over his misery. +He looked up and down the street, but could see no one. The +disappointment still further irritated him. Was he to be refused the +poor satisfaction of knowing who had wounded him? Was the assassin +to be permitted to stab him in the back? Was he not to be allowed to +defend himself? He returned and resumed his seat, trembling all over. +Faith's canary bird was singing, at the top of its voice. Armstrong +turned and looked at it. The little thing, with fluttering wings and +elevated head, and moving a foot, as if beating time, poured out a +torrent of melody. The sounds, its actions, grated on his feelings. He +rose and removed it into another room. + +He folded his arms, his head fell upon his chest, and he shut his +eyes to exclude the light. "I am out of harmony with all creation," +he said. "I am fit for a place where no bird ever sings. This is the +evidence of my doom. Only the blessed can be in harmony with +God's works. Heaven is harmony--the music of his laws. Evil is +discord--myself am discord." + +Faith had still some influence over him, though even at her entrance +he started "like a guilty thing surprised." Her presence was a charm +to abate the violence of the hurricane. He could not resist the gentle +tones of her voice, and at the spell his calmed spirit trembled into +comparative repose. Armstrong acknowledged it to himself as an augury +of good. + +I cannot be wholly evil, he thought, if the approach of a pure angel +gives me pleasure. The touch of Ithuriel's spear reveals deformity +where it exists; in me it discloses beauty. + +With her he could talk over the ordinary affairs of the day with +calmness, though it is singular, considering the perfect confidence +between them, that he never adverted to the communication of Holden, +notwithstanding he knew it would possess the highest interest for her. +It betrays, perhaps, the weakened and diseased condition of a mind, +wincing like an inflamed limb at the apprehension of a touch. + +As the father listened and looked at his child, he felt transported +into a region whither the demons could not come. They could not endure +her purity; they could not abide her brightness. Her influence was a +barrier mightier than the wall that encircled Paradise, and over which +no evil thing could leap. He therefore kept her by him as much as +possible. He manifested uneasiness when she was away. His consolation +and hope was Faith. As the Roman prisoner drank life from the pure +fountains to which he had given life, so Armstrong drew strength from +the angelic spirit his own had kindled. + +Yet was his daughter unconscious of the whole influence she exerted, +nor had she even a distant apprehension of the chaos of his mind. +How would she have been startled could she have beheld the seething +cauldron! But into that, only the Eye that surveys all things could +look. + +Thus several days passed by. An ordinary observer would have noticed +no change in Armstrong, except that his appetite diminished, and he +seemed restless. Doctor Elmer and Faith both remarked these symptoms, +but they did not alarm the former, though they grieved the latter. +Accustomed to repose unlimited confidence in the medical skill of +the physician, and too modest to have an opinion adverse to that +of another older than herself, and in a department wherewith he was +familiar, and she had no knowledge except what was colored by filial +fears and affection, and, perhaps, distorted by them out of its +reasonable proportions, Faith went on from day to day, hoping that +a favorable change would take place, and that she should have +the happiness of seeing her dear father restored to his former +cheerfulness. + +It is painful to follow the sad moods of a noble mind, conscious of +its aberrations, and yet unable to control them. We have not the +power of analysis capable of tracing it through all its windings, and +exhibiting it naked to the view, and if we had, might shrink from the +task, as from one inflicting unnecessary pain, both on the writer +and the reader. It is our object only so far to sketch the state of +Armstrong's mind, as to make his conduct intelligible. + +His restlessness has been alluded to. He found himself unable to sleep +as formerly. Long after retiring to rest he would lie wide awake, +vainly courting the gentle influence that seemed to shun him the more +it was wooed. The rays of the morning sun would sometimes stream into +the window before sleep had visited his eyelids, and he would rise +haggard, and weary, and desponding. And if he did sink into slumber, +it was not always into forgetfulness, but into a confused mist of +dreams, more harassing than even his waking thoughts. The difficulty +of obtaining sleep had lately induced a habit of reading late into the +night, and not unfrequently even into the morning hours. Long after +his daughter had sought her chamber, and when she supposed he was +in bed, he was seated in his solitary room, trying to fasten his +attention on a book, and to produce the condition favorable to repose. +The darkness of his mind sought congenial gloom. If he opened +the sacred volume, he turned not to the gracious promises of +reconciliation and pardon, and the softened theology of the New +Testament, or to those visions of a future state of beatitude, which +occasionally light up the sombre pages of the Old, as if the gates of +Paradise were for a moment opened, to let out a radiance on a darkness +that would else be too disheartening and distracting; but to the +wailings of the prophets and denunciations of punishment. These he +fastened on with a fatal tenacity, and by a perverted ingenuity, in +some way or other connected with himself, and made applicable to +his own circumstances. Naught could pass through his imagination or +memory, but, by some diabolical alchemy, was stripped of its sanative +and healthful properties, and converted into harm. + +"Young's Night Thoughts" was a book that possessed peculiar +attractions. For hours would he hang over its distressful pages, and +many were the leaves blotted by his tears. Yet those tears relieved +him not. Still, from time to time, would he recur to the book, as if +tempted by a fascination he could not resist, striving to find, if +possible, in the wretchedness of another, a lower deep than his own. +Especially in the solemn hours of the night, when the silence was so +profound, he could fancy he heard the flickering of the candles, he +read the book. Then hanging upon image after image of those deploring +strains, and appropriating all their melancholy, intensified through +the lens of his own dark imagination, he would sink from one depth +of wretchedness to another, till he seemed lost away, where no ray of +light could ever penetrate, or plummet sound. + +He had been reading one night late, until as if unable to endure the +images of woe it conjured up, he pushed the book away from him. The +night was dark and stormy, and the rain pouring in torrents. He walked +to the window and looked out. He could see nothing, except as the +landscape was revealed for an instant by a flash of lightning. He +could hear nothing, except the peals of thunder rolling through +the valleys. He took a candle, and walked cautiously to the door of +Faith's chamber, to see if she were asleep. The door was ajar, for +the purpose of ventilation, and, shading the light with his hand, +Armstrong could see the face of his sleeping daughter without waking +her. She lay in the profound slumber of health and youth, undisturbed +by the noise of the thunder, as one conscious of a protecting +Providence. Her left hand was under her cheek, the black hair combed +back, and collected under the snowy cap. Her breathing was scarcely +perceptible, but soft and quiet as an infant's. An expression of +happiness rested on her features, and the color was a little kindled +in her cheek, looking brighter in contrast with the linen sheet. + +"She sleeps," he thought, "as if there were no sin and misery in the +world. And why should she not? What has she to do with them? Were my +spiritual eyes opened, I should see the protecting angels in shining +garments around her bed, unless my approach has driven them away. +Heaven takes care of its own. So I could sleep once. Will the time +come when she, too, shall be so guilty she cannot sleep? Almighty +God forbid! Better she were in her grave. They are fortunate who die +young. They are taken from the evil to come. The heart ceases to beat +before it becomes so hard it cannot repent. Were she to die to-night +her salvation would be assured. What infinite gain! The murderer could +inflict no injury, but would confer a benefit." + +Why did he start? Why did he shudder all over? Why did he hastily turn +round, and shut the door, and hasten to his own room, locking it after +him? Why was it he took something from his pocket, and, opening the +window, threw it violently into the dark? But a moment Armstrong +remained in his room. Blowing out the candles, and noiselessly +descending the stairs, he as quietly opened and shut the front door, +and stood in the open air. + +The storm was at its height. The rain poured with such violence that +in the flashes of lightning he could see the large drops leap from +the ground. But he felt not that he was wet to the skin. He minded +not that he had left the house without a hat, and that the water was +running in streams from his head to the earth. With a rapid pace, +approaching running, he fled through the streets, until he reached the +grave-yard. Without a ray to guide him, through a darkness that might +be felt, he found his way to a grave, it was his wife's. He threw +himself prostrate on his face, and lay motionless. + +When Armstrong raised himself from the ground the storm had ceased, +the clouds had left the sky, and the stars were shining brilliantly. +He gazed around, then looked up into the blue vault. What were those +innumerable shining points? Were they worlds, as the learned have +said? Were they inhabited by beings like himself, doomed to sin and +suffer? Did they suffer, more or less? Could the errors of a few years +be expiated by sufferings of ages, as countless as the grains of +sand on the seashore? He struck the palm of his hand violently on his +forehead; he threw out his arm, as if in defiance, toward heaven, and +groaned aloud. It seemed as though from every heaped-up grave that +groan was echoed, and called to him like an invitation to join the +hosts of darkness. He started, and looked again at the gruel sky. But +no voice of comfort was breathed thence. The silver stars were now +sparks of an universal conflagration. With a gesture of despair, he +left the city of the dead. + +Silence and darkness still shrouded the house of Mr. Armstrong on his +return. He closed the door quietly after him, and, cautiously as +he had descended, ascended the stairs, which, in spite of all his +precaution, creaked under his feet. The sounds sent a thrill of +alarm through him as though he feared discovery. It was as if he were +returning from some guilty enterprise. Without striking a light, he +threw off his soaked garments, and got into bed. Strange, perhaps, to +say, he soon fell into a sleep, deeper and more refreshing than any +he had for a long time enjoyed. It may be that the excitement of his +system was worked off by rapid motion, and exposure to the night air +and rain, or that nature, unable longer to endure it, sunk beneath +the tension. It was not until a late hour he arose, when he found +breakfast awaiting him. After the usual greetings, Faith said: + +"Here is your penknife, father, which Felix found lying on the path +this morning. You must have lost it from your pocket." + +Mr. Armstrong took the knife, without reply, and, when unobserved, +dropped it into the fire. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + Cities humming with a restless crowd + Sordid as active, ignorant as loud, + Whose highest praise is that they live in vain, + The dupes of pleasure, or the slaves of gain. + + COWPER. + + +We have a little anticipated the order of events for the purpose of +presenting more clearly the details of the story, it being after the +departure of the Solitary and Pownal that some of them occurred. The +favorable wind for which the packet Calypso had waited for two or +three days at last came, and with a flowing sheet the good sloop sped +over the waters of the Severn. + +The means of communication between Hillsdale and the commercial +capital were very different in those days from the present. Instead +of the fine steamboats and railroad cars, which now connect the +two places, the mode of travelling was by sailing vessels and stage +coaches. The latter were the surer--but not the more popular. In the +wintry months, when the navigation of the river was unimpeded by ice, +the condition of the roads was such that, in spite of the dreariness +of water transit, at that season, the packets were able to maintain +a fair rivalship with the coaches, while, in the summer, the latter +stood but little chance in the competition, but were almost entirely +deserted. To this result the comfortable cabins of the coasters, +designed for passengers (spacious and satisfactory for those times, +however the refined effeminacy of the present generation might sneer +at them), and the good fare they furnished, not a little contributed. +The Calypso was one of the finest of the line of packets to which she +belonged, and provided with every convenience that could be desired. +She was a sloop of some ninety or one hundred tons, with a tall mast, +that, to the timid eye of a landsman, seemed fitter for a vessel of +twice her size, and when her enormous mainsail was raised and usual +sail set, she looked more like one of those birds whose wings bear +such a disproportion to the body, that in the contemplation we forget +to what they are attached, than like a safe and sea-worthy craft. But +the shipwright who laid her keel and shaped her ribs, knew what he was +about, and the Calypso was as staunch and stiff as she was handsome. +Her cabin extended full one-half the length of the vessel, and by +means of a raised quarter deck, was conveniently high between joints, +so that even the tallest man ran no risk of striking his head. True, +it was not embellished with gilding, and mahogany, and satinwood, but +the paint was virgin white, the state-rooms commodious, the berths +wide, and the bedding and linen scrupulously clean. Captain Standish +prided himself upon the comfort and propriety of his craft, and the +good reputation he enjoyed and deserved. The length of the passage +varied according to the state of the winds and tides. It might, under +the most favorable circumstances, be made in less than twenty-four +hours, and it might last a week. It was at a period of the world's +existence, before steam and electricity had imparted a feverish +impatience to the community, and men did not hurry as if they had not +time enough to live. + +But let it not be thought, that it is as one who peevishly resents the +improvements made in mechanical and other departments of knowledge, we +dwell upon these particulars. We are quite awake to the fact that the +world turns round, and although the consequence is an alternation +of light and darkness, are satisfied with the change. With the +philosopher Pangloss we would rather believe, "_dans ce meilleur des +mondes possible_," than to entertain any less cheerful opinion. No. +It is rather to perpetuate the remembrance of what has been, or to +qualify more truthfully and modestly the expression, to save it for a +moment longer from oblivion. It is with a melancholy pleasure that +one who has reached that stage of the journey of life, from which +henceforth his progress can only be one of continued descent towards +the valley whereon broods the cloud not untouched with rays of +divine light, reverts to whatever, even though they may seem trifles, +characterized the beginning of his career. Ah! it was the breaking of +the morning. For a time the sky glowed with a deepening glory, to fade +at last into the "light of common day." We never can, we never would +forget that lovely dawning. + +Holden, nothing doubting, was confident that the voyage would +terminate for him in the restoration to his arms, of the son whom +he had mourned as one dead. Nor did he seem to have a doubt of the +worthiness of the long lost treasure. A hope, brilliant and beautiful, +that glorified whatever it touched, had taken absolute possession of +him. It would admit no fear, no uncertainty, no despondency. The new +feeling penetrated all departments of his mind, and mixed itself up +with and colored even his religious speculations. He began to +connect, in some way, the realization of his awakened hopes with +the millennium, of which it was to be a forerunner. This appeared +especially on the second day of the voyage, which lasted three days. + +It was a warm, bright afternoon in the latter part of the month of +May, just before the setting of the sun, and Holden and Pownal +had walked to the bow of the vessel, as if to be nearer the golden +luminary when he should sink from sight. A gentle breeze filled the +sails of the Calypso, the soft murmur from under whose cutwater seemed +to testify to the delight with which she moved on her liquid way. For +some time Holden had stood with folded arms, watching the sun, as by +slow degrees he sunk into the waves. Pownal, himself, was thrillingly +alive to the magnificence of earth, and sky, and ocean, and all fair +forms and hues of nature, and noticing the exalted and rapt expression +of his elder friend's face, and sympathizing in the influence that +produced it, was in no mood to break the silence. + +"Type of the Infinite," at last Pownal heard him say, "how have +I loved to watch thy coming and departure! Chariot of fire, whose +burning wheels support the throne of judgment, thy course is onward +until the fullness of the time is come. Of man's impatience thou +reckest not. With thee a thousand years are as a day." + +He ceased speaking, and a total silence for some time succeeded. His +eyes continued fixed upon the spot where the sun had disappeared, but +they saw nothing. An interior struggle was going on which engrossed +the faculties, and left no opportunity for the observation of external +objects. Repeatedly he passed his hand over his eyes and forehead, +pressing the palm forcibly, as if to concentrate the attention, and at +length he addressed Pownal. + +"The scoffers have long sat in the gate, and lolled out the tongue and +cried aha! but of a surety the time draweth nigh. Because He delayeth, +where, say they, is the promise of His coming? But doth a sparrow fall +to the ground without His knowledge, and are not ye of more value +than many sparrows, oh, ye of little faith? Shall not the sorrows of +fathers move the heart of the universal Father?" + +It is scarcely to be expected that the young man entirely understood +the rhapsody of Holden, though familiar with his moods. He saw, +however, it had some connection with the one idea that had mastered +all others, leaving them, notwithstanding, at perfect liberty, except +so far as they interfered with itself. For it cannot have escaped +observation, that on all subjects but one Holden exercised an ordinary +degree of judgment, a circumstance by no means singular in the case +of persons affected with monomania. Pownal, therefore, did as he +was accustomed, avoiding all contradiction, and falling in with the +other's thoughts. + +"That," said Pownal, "it seems to me, is the worthiest name that can +be given to the Supreme Being." + +"It is the worthiest and the dearest. Thou, young man, canst know +nothing of the emotions of a father's heart. Couldst thou look into +its abysses of tenderness a new world would be revealed to thee, +of which now thou only dreamest. Not a drop of blood that wandereth +through its channels, but would coin itself into a joy for the +beloved. But what is human love to His, the Creator of love? A breath, +a bubble, a sigh. One great heart comprehendeth in its embrace all +hearts. Look around thee," he added, throwing up his arms, "and behold +the evidence: yon blue vault filled with bright worlds, bright because +they are happy; this vast ocean teeming with strange life; the green +earth whence, as from an altar, the perfume of grateful flowers and +chants of praising birds do ceaselessly arise. Young man, be thankful +and adore." + +Holden stopped, as if he expected a reply, and Pownal therefore said: + +"I am not, I fear, sufficiently thankful for the favors of +Providence." + +"'Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,'" pursued the old +man. "How many evils had I escaped had I heeded the advice I give! +But it is the old tale of human folly. The aged with his experience is +counted for nothing. My son," he added impressively, laying his hand +on Pownal, "behold these furrows on a withered face. They are the +traces of unrestrained passion. I forgot my Creator in the days of my +youth." + +He turned and walked away, but presently retraced his steps and took +up the train of thought he seemed to have dropped. + +"But he forgot not me. His mercies are over all his works. Even when I +was a great way off my Father saw me, and had compassion, and ran, and +fell on my neck, and kissed me. And now will he put the best robe upon +me, and a ring upon my finger, and shoes upon my feet." + +Such was the excited and hoping condition of Holden's mind as the +vessel approached the port of New York, which it reached the next +morning. Although then a place of great trade, and giving indubitable +promise of what it has since become, New York was far, very far from +approaching its present splendor and magnificence, which entitle it to +vie with the most brilliant capitals of the world. Even then the ships +of all nations were to be found at its wharfs, but the taper masts +rising into the sky, formed not a cordon so immense as that which now, +like a forest stripped of its leaves, girts it round. Nor from even +its most fashionable portions, the residence and resort of the wealthy +and the gay, had all the humbler buildings, which belonged to its +origin, disappeared. Alongside of the modern brick, or occasionally +stone mansion of four stories, that style of architecture, dear yet to +the heart of a genuine Knickerbocker of which Holland boasts, if not +the invention, at least the perfectioning, reared its pointed gable, +and rose like Jacob's ladder with parapeted roof into the sky. But +slightly injured by weather in a climate singularly clear and pure, +under a sky untarnished by the dismal clouds from bituminous coal +fires, which enshroud less favored lands, the brave little Dutch +bricks held their own with a sturdiness becoming their ancestry. Those +monuments of a simpler age have almost disappeared, and the ingenuity +they exhibited, and the taste of which they were the specimens, are +likely soon to be remembered only as steps in the worlds pupilage. + +But, however the fashions of man may change, the grand features of +nature remain eternal. Beautifully bright then as now sparkled in +the light of the May morning sun, the waves of that glorious bay, +unrivalled but by one, while little boats and pinnaces darting about +in all direction like sea-birds, gave animation to a scene, which +without the accompaniment would have possessed peculiar interest to +one who, like Holden, had lived so long in seclusion. As the vessel +turned around Castle Garden to seek her berth in the North River, +and his eyes ran over the islands and Jersey shore, and up the noble +stream, and one by one he recognized the objects he had seen in his +youth, it seemed as if feelings, supposed dead, were coming to life, +and nature re-assuming the gala garb which she once wore. + +But, independent of the causes that made the scene peculiarly +attractive to our traveller, it is impossible to approach a large city +after a long absence without excitement. The aggregation of a mass of +human beings full of life, and instinct with its hopes, and fears, +and joys, and sorrows, and passions, acts like a stimulus. Nature is +beautiful, and art glorious, but the object of deepest interest to +man is man himself. In his fellow beings he sees reflected his own +interior world, a world of mystery and marvel, whence any news is +welcome that will impart information respecting its light and shade, +its harmonies and discords. He cannot stand outside, a looker-on, +separate and apart, having no portion therein: he is in it and of it, +an integral atom, a something which cannot be isolated if it would. + +The packet, after some delay, occasioned by the occupation of her +berth by a casual trader, was finally able, by advancing one vessel, +and pushing another back, and shoving a third on one side, to approach +the wharf at the foot of Courtlandt street, and land her passengers. +A coach was presently procured, and Holden, who had been invited +by Pownal, accompanied his young friend. The distance up Courtlandt +street, and down Broadway to the house of the elder Pownal, which +was near the Battery, was short, and therefore even had the +carriage proceeded more leisurely, and the Recluse been disposed +to observation, he could have seen but little, and that in an +unsatisfactory manner. Pownal felt some curiosity respecting the +impression which would be made by the turmoil of a large city upon one +who for so many years had excluded himself from the crowded haunts of +men, and therefore watched his companion with no little interest; +but Holden, as if he divined his thoughts, and was displeased at the +discovery, or for some other unknown reason, betrayed no change of +feeling, or conduct, but was as impassive and indifferent to all +passing around him as if he were in his own hut. So far from showing +any emotion, he threw himself into a corner of the carriage, and shut +his eyes as if desirous to exclude objects of which he was regardless, +or which only annoyed him. The young man knew not exactly how to +interpret the other's conduct, but was too much accustomed to his +habits to feel surprise, and respected him too greatly to desire to +intrude into anything he wished to conceal. + +The carriage stopped before a fine, large brick mansion, worthy of a +merchant prince, fronting the Battery, and, of course, commanding a +view through the trees which shaded the greensward of that beautiful +spot, of the blue water, and islands, and the Jersey shore sweeping +away in the distance. Fashion, always capricious in her movements, has +deserted the lower part of Broadway and the Battery, by far the most +charming quarter of the city, to emigrate to a part of the island on +which New York is built, more remote from the marts of trade. Immense +warehouses occupy the sites where once stood the abodes of elegance +and hospitality, and the chaffer of traffic has succeeded to social +welcomes and greetings of conviviality. + +The black servant who came to the door at the ringing of the bell, +stared with astonishment at the unusual figure of Pownal's companion, +but if disposed, as is the habit of his class, to be deficient in +respect to one not bearing the conventional stamp, a glance of the +young man's eye, and his marked deference toward the stranger, to say +nothing of the latter's natural air of authority, soon restored his +courtesy and usual obsequious attention. It was, therefore, with a +gracious expression of countenance and polite bow, that Mr. Johnson +ushered the two gentlemen into the parlor. + +"Where is Mr. Pownal, Johnson?" inquired the young man. + +"He is out of town, sir, with the whole family. I believe he went to +Albany, sir." + +"Is Mrs. Corning in the house?" + +"Mrs. Corning is just come back from market, sir. I heard her voice +only a minute ago." + +"Say, I would like to speak to her." + +In a few moments, Mrs. Corning, the housekeeper, a respectable-looking +woman, of some forty-five years of age, made her appearance, and +testified a hearty pleasure at seeing the young man, whom she kissed +with great affection, and by whom she was received with every mark of +regard. + +The family, she said, in reply to the questions of Pownal, had been +absent, at Albany, where they were, on a visit to some relatives, for +three weeks, but were daily expected home. She was _so_ sorry they +were absent. They were all well, and would be so glad to see him +looking so well. She thought she had never seen him looking better. +There was nothing like country air to paint the cheeks. + +Pownal thought this a good opportunity to commend his friend to the +favorable consideration of the housekeeper, and said-- + +"That I am well, I probably owe to the kindness of this gentleman, +who will remain with us during my stay in town," at the same time, +introducing Holden to the lady. + +"Your friends, Mr. Thomas," said Mrs. Corning, courtesying to Holden, +"will always be welcome in this house. But, tell me, have you been +sick?--I'm sure, you don't look so--or some accident, or"---- + +"I will tell you all about it, by-and-by. At present, a cup of +coffee." + +"My! what a thoughtless creature I am!" exclaimed Mrs. Corning. "The +pleasure of seeing you again, put all idea of breakfast out of my +mind. I never thought of asking, if you had had any. But, it shan't be +long before that mistake shall be remedied." + +So saying, good Mrs. Corning bustled out of the room, on hospitable +thoughts intent, and, in a short time, the substantial comforts of +an American breakfast were smoking on the board. Pownal partook of it +with the liberal appetite of high health and youth sharpened by his +little voyage, while Holden himself, though in far greater moderation, +was not unmindful of the viands before him. His achievements, however, +did not seem to satisfy the housekeeper, who vainly pressed her +delicacies upon him, and who, subsequently, after a more thorough +observation of his character at meals, expressed her wonder, to +Pownal, whether the effect of a long beard was not to diminish the +appetite! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + I met with scoffs, I met with scorns + From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs, + They called me in the public squares, + The fool that wears a crown of thorns. + + TENNYSON'S "IN MEMORIAM." + +It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of +his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his +ability, by Pownal. All the time the young man could spare from his +own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was +little probability of succeeding in the search. But who, however, +convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his +assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an +interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success? +And such is the nature of enthusiasm, or a high-wrought faith, that +Pownal himself could not refrain from entering with some degree of +spirit into an inquiry, which he felt would probably be in vain. + +Together they sought out, in the first place, the street indicated by +Esther. Formerly an obscure part of the city, it had now become, by +those mutations which are constantly occurring, and nowhere with such +rapidity as in this country, a considerable rendezvous of trade. By +rare good luck, the name of the street had been preserved, and by luck +still rarer, the house itself, corresponding in all respects to the +description by Esther. It was one of those ancient Dutch houses, of +which mention has been made, built of a yellowish brick, and standing +with its gable-end toward the street, its steep-pointed roof, +constituting at least one-half of the building, rising with an air of +command, dominating the whole, and seeming, indeed, to be that portion +to which all the other parts were only subsidiary, and constructed for +its honor and glory. Neither Holden nor Pownal had, for an instant, +doubted the honesty and truth of Esther, and yet it must be confessed, +that the discovery of a building, so exactly corresponding with her +description, added fresh fuel to the hopes of the former, and was +not without influence on the latter. And yet, at a moment when, as +it seemed to himself, he was about to realize his dear hopes--for the +imagination of the Solitary leaped over all intervening difficulties, +and, in the confusion of his mind, it almost appeared as if when the +door opened, he should see and recognize his son--Holden laid his hand +on Pownal's arm, and arrested his steps. + +"Stay," he said, "let me pause a moment, and recover my wandering +thoughts. There is a sound as of a tempest in my brain, and a confused +noise, as of a trampling of men and horses." + +He sat down on the stone step, as if unable to support himself, and +rested his head on his hand. + +"Here," he said, speaking to himself, with a trembling voice, "the +merciful savage whose heart the Lord touched, left my child. Here his +little feet trod, and against this wall his head rested. Would that +these inanimate things could know my gratitude! But thou knowest it, +O, all Merciful, my goodness, and my fortress, my high tower, and my +deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I trust. Lord, what is man that +thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest +account of him! Didst thou not, in the olden time, hear the voice +of the perishing child, Ishmael, and say, by thine angel, unto his +weeping mother, Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad +where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand, for +I will make him a great nation? Even so now hast thou done unto me and +remembered me in my low estate, for thy mercy endureth for ever." + +Thus the father poured out his heart, alike unconscious of the +gathering crowd, which his unusual appearance and strange language had +collected around him, and of the observations they made. + +"I say, Haxall," said a stout boy, whose dirty and ragged clothing, +and vicious expression of face, proclaimed him one of those +predestined candidates for the State Prison and gallows, bred to +their fate by the criminal neglect of the State, "I say," he said, +addressing his companion, as wicked looking as himself, "isn't it a +rum old covey." + +"Why the old cuss is a crying," answered Haxall, "or, perhaps, it's +the whisky leaking out he took for his morning bitters." + +"Whisky be d----d," said the other. "He never got as far as that. It's +nothing but sour cider. I can smell it." + +Here there was a brutal laugh, in which some of the bystanders, +equally degraded, joined. + +"For shame, young men," said a respectable-looking person, whose +broad-brimmed hat, and formal and amply cut clothing, proclaimed him +a Quaker; "is an old man, in tears, a proper subject for ribaldry? +It were better ye were engaged in some honest employment, than idling +away your time, and disgracing yourselves by the use of profane +language." + +"Smoke the old quiz, Haxall," cried the boy who had first spoken. "He +opens rich. Let's see what's in the prig." + +"Smoke him, smoke him," cried several voices. + +Thus exhorted, Haxall jerking his cap jauntily on one side of his +head, throwing an additional quantity of impudence into his face, and +placing his hands on the hips, so that the elbows stuck out on each +side, approached the Quaker. + +"So you set yourself up for a preacher of righteousness," he said; "do +ye? Well, you may preach away without asking my leave, or I'll give it +to ye gratis, for nothing. That's cheap enough, I guess. Most of +your sort, though, don't like to preach for nothing. So here's my +contribution to set you a going." So saying, he held out a cent. +"There's value received," he added, "and, mind ye, ye give us a +preachment equal to the consideration. But first, beloved brother, +I've a question to ask. Up to the tip top of your judgment, now do you +think your regimentals is just the right thing, and no mistake? +Did Saint Paul and Saint, Saint, d----n the fellows, I forget their +names"---- + +"Saint Tammany," suggested his companion. + +"I owe you a drink for that, Bill," said Haxall. "Yes, Saint Tammany. +Now, do you think them gentlemen, who I've heard, was real respectable +men, though it was rather a comedown to take to preaching, ever +sported such an infernal broadbrim as that, or turned out a tail as +broad as yours?" + +The Quaker gentleman, who, at the commencement of the young scamp's +speech, as if frightened at the prospect of a colloquy he had +provoked, had betrayed a desire to escape from the crowd, seemed, as +the other proceeded, to have changed his mind, and listened to him +with the utmost calmness and imperturbable good humor. When the boy +had got through with his impertinences, which he ran over with great +volubility, garnishing them with many epithets we have omitted, and, +at the close, had received the applause of those like him, who stood +around, and, now, seemed waiting for a reply, the Quaker, with great +sweetness, answered-- + +"My young friend, it would ill become me to return a harsh word for +thy rather rude address, nor will my feelings towards thee and all in +thy unhappy condition, permit me to speak to thee, except in pity and +in sorrow." + +"Go to h----l with your pity. Nobody asks you for it," exclaimed +Haxall, fiercely. + +"Gently, boy, gently, and do not profane thy lips with such language. +Alas! thou hast been allowed to grow up like a wild animal, and +canst not be expected to know there are those who regard thee with +affection. But, surely, goodness can never be quite extinguished in +one who has the form of humanity. I see thou dost not know me?" + +"Never set eyes on ye before, old square toes, and be d----d to you." + +"Yet, I know thee, and, perhaps, the guilt is partly mine that thou +art even now what thou art. Thou hast, then, forgotten the man who, +only a year ago, jumped off Coenties Slip, and, by the kindness of +Providence, rescued a boy from drowning?" + +"Have I forgot!" exclaimed Haxall, with a sudden revulsion of feeling. +"No, d----d me, not altogether. I thought there was something devilish +queer in your voice. So you was the man, and I am the b'hoy. Oh, +what a cussed beast I am to insult you! Give us your hand. I ask +your pardon, sir. I ask your pardon. And," he added, looking fiercely +round, "if there's a man here who crooks his thumb at ye, I swear I'll +whip him within an inch of his life." + +"Swear not at all," said the mild Quaker, "nor talk of fighting, as +if thou wert a dog. I see, notwithstanding thy coarseness and vile +language, thou art not all evil, and, if thou wilt come with me, +I will endeavor to repair my former neglect, by putting thee in a +situation where thou mayst become an useful man." + +The boy hesitated. Two impulses seemed to be drawing him in opposite +directions. He was afraid of the ridicule of his companion, and of the +sneer which he saw on his face, and who, now, was urging him to leave +with him. Yet, there was something peculiarly attractive about the +Quaker that was difficult to resist. + +The good Quaker read the indecision of his mind, and understood the +cause. "Come," he said, "be a man, and choose for thyself like a man. +Thou shalt remain with me only so long as thou wilt, and shalt be free +to leave at thy pleasure." + +"That's fair," said Haxall. "I'll go with you, sir. Goodbye, Bill," he +exclaimed, turning to his companion, and extending his hand. But +Bill, thrusting both his hands into his pockets, refused the hand, and +answered contemptuously-- + +"If you've turned sniveller, go and snivel with Broadbrim. I've +nothing to say to such a mean-spirited devil." + +"You're a mean devil yourself," retorted Haxall, all his fiery +passions kindling at the other's taunt. + +"Come, my young friend," said the gentleman, drawing him away gently, +"return not railing for railing. I trust the time may yet come, when +reproach, instead of exciting anger, will only be an incentive to +examine thy bosom more closely, to see if thou dost not deserve it." + +Long before the conclusion of this conversation, the original cause +of it had entered the house with Pownal, and, upon his departure, the +little crowd had gradually dispersed, so that, when the benevolent +Quaker left, with the boy whom he hoped should be a brand plucked from +the burning, very few persons remained. Bill followed his departing +companion with a scornful laugh, but the latter--as if his good +angel stood by his side to strengthen him--had resolution enough to +disregard it. + +When Holden and Pownal entered the house, the front part of which was +used as a shop, they were received with great civility by a woman who +was officiating at the counter, and, upon their desire to speak with +her husband, were shown by her into a back room, used as a parlor, and +requested to be seated. Her husband, she said, had stepped out a short +time since, though, already, gone longer than she expected, and would +certainly be back in a few moments. Her prophecy was correct, for, +sure enough, they were hardly seated before he made his appearance. + +He appeared to be an intelligent person, and answered without +suspicion or hesitation to the best of his ability, all the questions +addressed to him, so soon as he understood their object. But his +information was exceedingly limited. He knew nothing at all about a +person who had occupied the house more than twenty years before--nor +was it, indeed, reasonable to suppose he should. In all probability +the number of tenants was almost as great as of the years that had +since elapsed: the name mentioned to him was a very common one: many +such were to be found in the Directory, and the chances were that +the house itself had repeatedly changed owners in a community so +changeable and speculating. If the gentlemen would allow him to +suggest, the best course would be to examine the records in the +Register's office, and trace the title down to the time desired. +In this way the name of the owner could, without difficulty, be +discovered, and if he were alive he might, perhaps, be able to inform +them what had become of the person who was his tenant at the time, +although that was hardly probable. + +The suggestion was plainly sensible, and had, indeed, occurred to +Pownal from the beginning, and he had accompanied Holden that morning +more for the purpose of determining whether the house described by +Esther, still existed, than with the expectation of making any further +discovery. His anticipations had been more than realized; a favorable +beginning had been made; there was every inducement to prosecute +the search. When, therefore, Holden and Pownal thanked the obliging +shopkeeper for his politeness, and took their leave, both felt that +their morning had not been thrown away, though the condition of their +minds was somewhat different, the former being confident of success, +the latter hoping for it. + +"I will call at the Register's office," said the young man, "and +direct an examination to be made of the records. We shall be able to +obtain the result to-morrow, and until then you must endeavor to amuse +yourself, my dear friend, as well as possible. You know I sympathize +with your impatience, and shall expedite our search with all +diligence, and heaven grant it a happy termination." + +Pownal saw that the search was made at the office of the Register, and +the title traced through several persons to the period when the house +was occupied by the man named by Esther. Upon further inquiry it was +ascertained that the proprietor at that time was still alive, and one +of the principal citizens of the place. Holden lost no time in calling +upon him, but was doomed to disappointment. He was received, indeed, +with great urbanity by the gentleman, one of the old school, who +proffered every aid in his power, and made an examination of his +papers to discover the name of his tenant. He was successful in the +search, and found that the name was the same given by Esther, but what +had become of the man he was unable to say. + +Holden now determined to make the inquiry of every one of the same +name as that of the person sought. The search he pursued with all the +ardor of a vehement nature, stimulated by the importance of an object +that lay so near his heart. There was no street, or alley, or lane, +where there was the slightest chance of success, unvisited by his +unwearied feet. And varied was the treatment he received in that +persevering search: by some met with contempt and insult as a crazy +old fool, whose fittest place was the lunatic asylum, and who ought +not to be allowed to prowl about the streets, entering people's houses +at unseasonable hours and plaguing them with foolish questions: by +others with a careless indifference, and an obvious desire to be rid +of him as soon as possible, but to the honor of human nature, be it +said, by most with sympathy and kindness. It was, moreover, usually +among the poorer, that when it was necessary to mention the reason +of his inquiry, he was treated with the most gentleness and +consideration. Whether it is that suffering had taught them feeling +for others' woes, while prosperity and worldly greed had hardened the +hearts of the richer, let the reader determine. And, again, it was +upon the women his tale made the tenderest impression. Whatever maybe +the condition of woman, however sad her experience in life, however +deplorable her lot, however low she may be sunk in degradation, it is +hard to find one of her sex in whom sensibility is extinguished. With +her, kindness is an instinct. The heart throbs of necessity to a story +of sorrow, and the eye overflows with pity. + +But the diligence of Holden was in vain, and, at last, he was obliged +to confess that he knew not what further to do, unless he took his +staff in hand and wandered over the world in prosecution of his +search. + +"And that will I do, Thomas," he said, as one day he returned from his +inquiry, "if naught else can be done. My trust is in the Lord, and He +doth not mock. He despiseth not the sighing of the heart, nor hath He +made the revelation and put this confidence into my mind in vain. I +know in whom I have trusted, and that He is faithful and true." + +Whatever might have been the opinion of Pownal, he was incapable of +uttering a word to discourage Holden, or of inflicting unnecessary +pain. "Why should I," he said, "dampen his enthusiasm? Small, as seems +to me, the chance of ever discovering his son, it is, after all, mere +opinion. Things more wonderful than such a discovery have happened. By +me, at least, he shall be sustained and encouraged. Disappointment, if +it comes, will come soon enough. I will not be its ill-omened herald." +He, therefore, said, in reply-- + +"Esther's story is certainly true. Our researches corroborate its +truth. We have found the house, and a person of the name she gave, did +live in it at the time she mentioned." + +"They satisfy thee, Thomas; but I have a more convincing proof--an +internal evidence--even as the sure word of prophecy. It speaks to me +like a sweet voice, at mine uprising and lying down, and bids me be +strong and of good cheer, for the day of deliverance draweth nigh. +Doubt not, but believe that, in His good time, the rough places shall +be made smooth, and the darkness light. And yet, shall I confess +it unto thee, that, sometimes, a sinful impatience mastereth me? I +forget, that the little seed must lie for a time in the earth, and +night succeed day and day night, and the dew descend and the rain +fall, and the bright sun shine, and his persuasive heat creep into the +bosom of the germ before its concealed beauty can disclose itself, +and the lovely plant--the delight of every eye--push up its coronal +of glory. But, it is a transitory cloud, and I cry, Away! and it +departeth, and I say unto my heart, Peace, be still, and know that I +am God!" + +"It would seem," said Pownal, "that there is often a connection +between the presentiments of the mind and an approaching event. How +frequently does it happen, for instance, that one, without knowing +why, begins to think of a person, and that, almost immediately, the +person will present himself. + +"It is the shadow of approaching destiny, and men have moulded the +fact into a proverb. There is a world of truth in proverbs. They +enclose, within a small space, even as a nut its kernel, a sum of +human experience. In the case thou citest, may it not be that the man +doth project a sphere of himself, or subtle influence, cognizable by +spirit, albeit, the man be himself thereof unconscious? But know that +it is no vague and uncertain emotion that I feel. I tell thee young +man, I have heard the voice as I hear thee, and seen the vision +clearer than in dreams. Naught may stay the wheel of destiny. An +Almighty arm hath whirled it on its axis, and it shall revolve until +He bids it stop." + +Thus, unfaltering in his confidence, secure of the result, believing +that to himself a revelation had been made, the Solitary expressed +himself. As the blood mounted into his ordinarily pale cheeks, his +lips quivered and his eyes were lighted up with a wild enthusiasm, +Pownal could not but admire and acknowledge the omnipotence of +that faith which regards no task as arduous, and can say unto the +mountains, Be ye cast into the sea! and it is done. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + Oh my soul's joy! + If after every tempest come such calms, + May the winds blow till they have wakened death! + And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas + Olympus-high, and duck again as low + As hell's from heaven. + OTHELLO. + + +In accordance with the determination he had expressed, Holden began +soon to talk about putting his wild plan of roaming through the world +into execution, and was withheld from it only by the entreaties of +Pownal, that he would at least postpone it until after the arrival +of his uncle, who was daily expected, and until they had taken his +advice. + +"I consent," said Holden, "both out of love to thee, and because +I would not willingly leave a roof that hath protected me, without +giving thanks to its owner." + +A few days afterwards, Mr. Pownal returned with his family, by all +of whom the young man was welcomed with every evidence of the warmest +regard. Holden, too, as the friend of the younger Pownal, came in for +a share of attention. The family consisted of the father and mother, +and two children, a boy and girl, the former of whom could not be +more than ten years of age, while the latter was probably two years +younger. + +Mr. Pownal himself was a fine, frank, hearty gentleman of some sixty +years, whose appearance indicated that the world had gone well with +him, and that he was satisfied with the world. The ordinary expression +of his face was that of quiet contentment, though at times it betrayed +a keen sagacity and shrewdness, partly the revelation of nature, and +partly the product of an intimate intercourse with that world with +which his business brought him, in various ways, in contact. It was +however apparent, that however much the associations and experiences +of trade had sharpened his intellect, they had not tarnished the +natural goodness of his heart. That spoke in the frank tones of his +manly voice and shone in the light of his clear blue eyes. One could +hardly look at him without a conviction that he was a man to be +trusted, and a desire to grasp his hand in friendship. Holden felt the +influence at the introduction, and no mean judge of character himself, +was glad to make the acquaintance. + +Mrs. Pownal was by several years the junior of her husband, and in all +respects different from him. Her hair and eyes were raven-black, her +complexion dark and saturnine, and she wore an expression of care +inconsistent with enjoyment. She had been for many years a childless +wife, and it may be that early disappointment, occasioned by the want +of children, uniting with a melancholy temperament, had imparted an +appearance of dejection which the subsequent birth of a boy and girl +after she had given up the expectation of offspring, was unable to +remove. She seldom smiled, and when she did, the smile played over her +countenance like the sickly gleam of a wintry clay through clouds, +and seemed rather to chill than to warm what before was cold. It was a +formal tribute to the customs of society, not the spontaneous outburst +of joy. She presented the tips of her fingers with all the grace of +an accomplished lady, to Holden, and meant that her reception of him +should be kind, but the hand was cold, and apparently as unfeeling as +marble, and the Solitary dropped it as soon as touched. And yet Mrs. +Pownal had feeling. + +The first few days after the return of the Pownals was spent by them +in gathering up those threads of relationship by which people are +connected with society. Even a short absence from home induces +sometimes the necessity of paying and receiving many visits, +proportioned to the extent of the circle in which the parties move. +The visiting circle of the Pownals was large, and hence the longer +time was required. Besides, the business pursuits of the merchant +engrossed some hours each day, though as the head of a large house in +which there were several younger partners, he claimed and enjoyed all +the leisure he desired. For these reasons young Pownal had found no +fitting opportunity to speak in the presence of Holden of the purpose +which brought the Solitary to the city, and besides, he did not +wish to do so, until the time should arrive for his own return +to Hillsdale, when he hoped, with the assistance of his uncle, to +persuade him to return home. But the business of the young man was at +last completed, and he was ready to retrace his steps. + +It was then one evening when both Mr. and Mrs. Pownal were present, +and immediately preceding the day when he had announced his intention +to depart, that Holden, at the solicitation of young Pownal, supported +by the courteous entreaties of his uncle, narrated the events of his +life, which are already known to the reader, and avowed with that +unshaken trust in Providence, which in all circumstances sustained +him, his resolution to beg his way through the world on his sacred +search. His hosts had become, by this time, so accustomed to the fiery +enthusiasm and antique diction of his discourse, that they no longer +excited their surprise, but as he proceeded with his tale, the +attention of both seemed arrested by a strange fascination. Even the +figure of Mrs. Pownal lost its listlessness. Her black eyes became +riveted on the speaker. She bent forward, with parted lips, as +if unwilling to lose a word, while from time to time glances of +intelligence passed between the husband and wife, which neither Pownal +nor Holden were able to understand. + +"Thus far," said the enthusiast, in conclusion, "the Lord hath led me +on. By flood and fire, and in battle He hath preserved a life, that +long was wearisome to me. But in these latter days, He hath awakened +a new hope, and given me an assurance thereof which I can better feel +than tell. He hath not prolonged my life for naught. Behold, I know +assuredly, that the child liveth, and that in my flesh, I shall see +His salvation. Therefore, in obedience to the inner voice, will I gird +up my loins, and after thanking you my friends, for the bread we have +broken together, and the roof that hath sheltered the wanderer's head, +will I proceed upon my way." + +He rose and strode across the room, as if to put his design into +instant execution, but the voice of the elder Pownal arrested him. + +"Stay," he said, "and listen. Your steps have indeed, been wonderfully +directed. I can give you, perhaps, some information, about this John +Johnson, with whom the boy was left." + +Holden stopped but made no motion to return. He seemed to hear and +understand the words, but to be uncertain whence they proceeded. His +eyes were cast up and fixed on vacancy. At last he said, still gazing +in the air. "Speak Lord for thy servant heareth." + +Mr. Pownal approached, and taking Holden by an arm, led him gently to +the sofa, and took a seat by his side. Mrs. Pownal said not a word, +but threw her arms round young Pownal's neck, and sobbed upon his +bosom. + +The young man, unable to divine a reason for such unusual emotion, +could only silently return the caress and wait for an explanation. + +"I knew a person of the name," said Mr. Pownal, "but he has been dead +many years." + +"But the child, but the child," exclaimed Holden, "he is yet alive!" + +"I do not doubt he is alive, I am confident we shall be able to +discover him. Your trust in Providence is not misplaced." + +"Tell me," cried Holden, a little sternly, "what thou knowest of the +boy. My soul travaileth sore, and hope and doubt rend me in twain." + +"Hold fast your hope my friend," said Mr. Pownal, "for all will yet +be well. Prepare yourself to hear what, without preparation, might +overcome your strength." + +"Fear not," said Holden. "Yet alas! who knoweth his own heart? But a +moment ago, I thought myself as an iron mountain, and now am I weaker +than the untimely birth." + +"Eliza," said Mr. Pownal turning to his wife, "bring the token you +preserved." + +During the absence of his wife, Mr. Pownal endeavored to prepare the +mind of the Solitary for the joyful discovery he was about to make. +It was now, too, that Holden perceived, from the agitation of his +feelings, that he was weak, like other men, and that with whatever +hope and confidence and calmness he might contemplate the prospect +of distant happiness, its near approach shook him like a reed. Mrs. +Pownal presently returned, with a coral necklace in her hand, and +presented it to Holden. + +"Do you recognize it?" she said. + +He took it into his hands, and as if overcome by the violence of his +emotions, was unable to speak a word. He gazed steadily at it, his +lips moved but made no sound, and tears began to fall upon the faded +coral. At last, with broken utterance, he said: + +"The last time my eyes beheld these beads they were upon the neck of +my dear child. They were the gift of his mother, and she hung them +around his neck. Examine the clasp and you will find S.B., the +initials of her maiden name, engraved upon it. My tears blind my +sight." + +"They are, indeed, upon the clasp," said Mrs. Pownal, who appeared +to have a greater control over herself than her husband over his +feelings: "we have often seen them, but little did we expect they +would ever contribute to the discovery of the parentage of our +dear"---- + +She turned to young Pownal, and threw her arms again about his neck. + +"Come hither, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, "the necklace was taken from +your neck. This is your father. Mr. Holden, embrace your son." + +The young man rushed to his father, and threw himself at his feet. +Holden extended his hands, but the sudden revulsion of high wrought +feeling was more than he could bear. The color fled face and lips, and +he fell forward insensible into the arms of his long lost son. + +"I feared it would be so," said Mr. Pownal; "but joy seldom kills. +See," he added, after Mrs. Pownal had sprinkled some water in the face +of the gasping man, "he is recovering. He will soon be himself again." + +Restored to consciousness, Holden clasped his recovered son to his +bosom, and kissed his cheeks, while the young man returned with warmth +his demonstrations of affection. Pownal, we have seen, had been from +the first attracted to the Solitary, either by the noble qualities he +discovered in him, or from the interest he felt in his romantic +mode of life, or from that mysterious sympathy of consanguinity, the +existence of which is asserted by some, and denied by others. He +was, therefore, prepared to receive with pleasure the relationship. +Besides, it was a satisfaction to find his father in one, who, however +poor his worldly circumstances, and whatever his eccentricities, was +evidently a man of education and noble mind. For the young man was +himself a nobleman of nature, who had inherited some of the romance +of his father, and, indeed, in whom were slumbering, unconsciously to +himself, many traits of character like those of the father, and which +needed only opportunity to be developed. + +The first words Holden uttered, after recovering from his emotion +sufficiently to speak, were: + +"Lord! now let thou thy servant depart, for mine eyes have seen thy +salvation." + +"Do not talk of departing," said Mr. Pownal. "It seems to me now is +the very time to stay. Many years of happiness are in store for you." + +"But," said Holden, "tell me, thou who hast conferred an obligation +that can never be repaid, and restored as it were the dead to life, +how didst thou become the preserver of my child?" + +But a few words are necessary to answer Holden's questions. As the +happy father sat with his arm over his son's neck, Mr. Pownal related +the following particulars. + +"The John Johnson, of whom Esther the squaw told you," said Mr. +Pownal, "was some nineteen or twenty years ago a porter in the employ +of our house. He was an honest, industrious man, who remained in our +service until his death, which happened two or three years after the +event I am about to relate, and enjoyed our confidence to the last. It +was in the Spring--the month I do not recollect--when he came to the +counting-room and desired to speak with me in private. He told me that +on the previous evening he had found a child, dressed in rags, asleep +upon the steps of his house, and that to preserve it from perishing he +had taken it in. His own family was large, and he was a poor man, else +he would willingly keep it. He knew not exactly what to do, and as he +was in the habit of consulting me when in any difficulty, he thought +he had better do so now. It was a pretty lively little boy, but so +young that though beginning to speak it was unable to give any account +of itself. + +"While Johnson was speaking a plan came into my mind, which I had +thought of before, and it seemed as if the child were providentially +sent in order to enable me to accomplish it. The truth is, that I had +been married for several years, and the merry voice of no child of +my own had gladdened my home and I had given up the expectation of +children. Loving them dearly, it occurred to me to adopt some child, +and rear it as my own. The feelings of Mrs. Pownal were the same +as mine, and we had often talked over the subject together, but +one circumstance and another, I can hardly tell what they were, had +postponed the execution of our purpose from day to day. I therefore +said to Johnson that I would attend him home and see the child, after +which I should be better able to give him advice. Accordingly we +went together to his house, which I recollect was the very one you +described as having visited in your search in William street. There I +found the little waif, a bright eyed boy of some three or four years +of age, though his cheeks were pale and thin, as if he had already +known some suffering. He wore around his neck the coral beads you +have in your hand, which seemed to me at the time to have been left in +order to facilitate a recognition. The appealing look and sweet smile +with which he gazed into my eyes, as if demanding protection, was, in +the condition of my feelings, more than I could withstand, and I took +him home and gave him to my wife. She seemed equally pleased with +myself, and for a time we reared him as a child of our own. Richly has +he repaid our love, and you may well be proud of such a son. But some +ten years afterwards, to our surprise, for we had given up all hope +of such a blessing, Heaven gave us a son, and two years after that +a daughter. The birth of the children altered, in some respects, our +calculations, and I thought it necessary to communicate to Thomas the +fact that he was not my son, but promising that he should ever be to +me as one, and leaving it to be inferred from the identity of name, +for I had given him my own, that he was a relative. He has more than +once endeavored to penetrate the mystery, but I have always shrunk +from revealing it, although determined that at some time or another +he should be made acquainted with it, and with that view, to guard +against the contingencies of sudden death, prepared a narrative of the +events I am relating, which is at this moment in my desk addressed to +him. Mr. Holden," concluded Mr. Pownal, and his voice choked for an +instant, "I can wish you no higher good fortune than that the youth, +who, if not the offspring of my loins, is the son of my affection, may +be to you a source of as much happiness as he has been to me." + +Moved to tears the young man threw himself into the arms of his +benefactor, and in broken words murmured his gratitude. + +"Ah!" cried he, "you were always so indulgent and so kind, dear sir! +Had it not been for, you, what should I have been to day?" + +"Nay, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, "you have conferred a benefit greater +than you received. You filled a void in hearts that were aching for +an object of parental love, and for years were the solitary beam of +sunshine in a household that would else have been desolate and dark. +And had I not interposed, other means would have been found to restore +you to your proper sphere. There is that in you, my son--let me still +call you by the dear name--that under any circumstances would have +forced its way, and elevated you from darkness into light, from +obscurity into distinction." + +Young Pownal cast his eyes upon the carpet, and blushed like a girl at +the recital of his praises. No words came to his assistance, but the +deep voice of his father relieved him from his embarrassment. + +"It may be true what thou sayest, angel of the Lord," he said, +addressing Mr. Pownal, "thou who hast been even as a cloud by day, and +a pillar of fire by night, to guide the lad through the wilderness of +the world, but not the less are our thanks and eternal gratitude +due to thee as the chosen instrument to accomplish His will. May +the blessing of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Him who +called unto Moses out of the burning bush, of Him who is the root and +the offspring of David, the bright and morning Star, rest and +abide with thee and thy house for ever. And thou, madam," he added, +approaching Mrs. Pownal with a dignity and grace that caused his +singular appearance to be quite overlooked, "how shall he, who is an +outcast no longer, thank thee?" He pressed his hand upon his heart, as +if to restrain its beating, then bending over and taking her hand into +his own, kissed it with the devotion of a devotee. "Blessed be thou +above women. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble, and fulfill all +thy desire. Thou didst pity and shalt be pitied: thou wast merciful +and shalt receive mercy. 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of +these little ones, ye did it unto me,' saith Christ." + +"We are abundantly compensated, Mr. Holden," observed Mrs. Pownal, +feeling it incumbent to say something, and yet at a loss what to say. +"Mr. Pownal has expressed my feelings better than I can myself. But, +Thomas, you shall still be our son, for all these disclosures." + +"Mother! mother!" cried Pownal, kneeling by her side, and kissing the +lips she offered to his, "you shall always be my dear mother, as long +as you permit me to call you so. Oh, how little have I known how +much I was indebted to you, and my second father. I have dreamed and +wondered, but the imagination still fell short of the truth." + +"Thou hast received an obligation, my son," said Holden, "which +all thy love and devotedness can never repay, and the claims of thy +parents by kindness are stronger than mine. To me thou owest life, +to them its preservation and honorable station. Thou wilt give me the +love thou hast to spare, but to them belongs the greater portion." + +"We will be content with equal parts," said Mr. Pownal, smiling. "In +this partnership of affection none must claim a superior share." + +"Strange!" exclaimed Holden, fastening his eyes on his son, and +speaking, as was his wont sometimes, as to himself, "that the full +truth broke not on me before. The heart yearned to him, he was as a +bright star to me; his voice was the music of the forest to my ears; +his eyes were as a sweet dream, a vanished happiness, but I understood +not. It is plain now. It was the voice of my Sarah I heard: they were +her eyes that looked into my heart through his. And was it not thy +prompting, mysterious Nature, that inclined him to me? Was there not +a dim revelation, that I was more to him than other men? Else why +delighted he in the society of a lone, wayward man like me? Lord God +Almighty, no man knoweth the ordinances of heaven, nor can he set the +dominion thereof upon the earth!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + Welcome pure thoughts, welcome ye silent groves. + These guests, these courts my soul most dearly loves: + Now the winged people of the sky shall sing + My cheerful anthems to the gladsome spring. + + QUOTED BY IZAAK WALTON, AS BY SIR HARRY WOTTON. + + +No reason seemed now to exist for Holden's impatience to depart, yet +he longed for the quiet of his hut on the island. The excitement of +his feelings, which, while it acted as a stimulus, sustained him, +had passed away, and the ordinary consequences of overtasking nature +followed. Besides, he had lived so long in solitude, that any other +mode of life was to him unnatural, and especially the roar and tumult +of a populous place, disturbed him. The loudest sounds to which he +had been accustomed were the rippling of the tide on the beach, or the +sigh of the wind, and the songs of birds; and the difference between +them and the noises he now heard, formed a contrast equally harsh and +discordant. But by no word did he betray his wish. Both Mr. and Mrs. +Pownal were desirous to delay the departure of himself and son, and it +seemed to him ingratitude to act in any respect in opposition to the +inclinations of persons to whom he was so greatly indebted. +Several days, therefore, passed after the happening of the events +recapitulated in the last chapter, and yet he remained in New York. +But his feelings could not escape the observation of his son. Better +acquainted than their host and hostess with the peculiarities of his +father, he seized an opportunity to speak of the necessity of a speedy +farewell. + +"You are right, I do not doubt, Thomas," said Mr. Pownal, in reply to +the observation of the young man, "and yet I never felt so loth to let +you go. While with me you seem still in some wise to belong to me, and +I feel a reluctance to lose you out of my sight." + +"Do you think it possible," exclaimed young Pownal--whom his father, +out of a sentiment of delicacy towards his friends, had insisted +should be called by the name of his preserver, he had so long borne, +for which reason we shall continue to use it--"do you think it +possible I can ever forget how deeply I am indebted, that I shall ever +cease to love you with all the affection of a son, on whom you have +lavished every possible kindness?" + +"No; I have no fear of that. It is only the pain of parting from which +I shrink. As we grow older we cling with the greater tenacity, and, +perhaps, selfishness, to the enjoyments that are left. But this will +never do. I must think more of you, and less of myself. I have some +questions to ask, and something besides to say before you leave for +Hillsdale, and this is as good an opportunity, probably, as we shall +have, so take a seat by me, and we will enter upon business." + +Pownal, who hitherto had remained standing, now took a seat by +the side of his benefactor, and waited for him to continue the +conversation. + +"Are you satisfied," inquired Mr. Pownal, "with your situation at +Hillsdale?" + +"Perfectly," replied the young man. "My time has passed very happily +there." + +"I meant it," continued Mr. Pownal, "only as an interlude. I sent +you thither for the purpose of making you better acquainted with the +branches of our business, intending to leave it to your choice +either to remain or return to the city, and resume your place in the +counting-house. I confess, the latter would suit me better, because +you would be nearer to me; but consult your inclinations, and I shall +be satisfied." + +"My dear sir," said Pownal, with some little hesitation, "you are +always kind, and since you leave it to my choice, I hope it will not +offend you if I say, that for the present I should prefer to remain at +Hillsdale." + +"It is not at all surprising that you should wish to be with your +father, whom, in so wonderful a manner, you have discovered," answered +Mr. Pownal. "I am delighted with him, and his noble qualities must be +restored to the world. We must find means to induce him to conquer his +repugnance to society and its habits." + +"I hope for such a result," said the young man, "but he is evidently +now uneasy and pining for solitude." + +"'Time and I against any two,' says the Spanish proverb. I'll be bound +we will metamorphose him yet. Do you think the business at Hillsdale +is capable of much extension?" + +"I am sure of it. It may easily be doubled, and safely. I will give +you my reasons for the opinion now, if you wish." + +"Never mind for the present. It after all can make no difference in +what I am about to say. I have been looking at your balance-sheet, and +must say that, for a first year's business, you have done remarkably +well. You have made very few bad debts, the sales are large, and +profits satisfactory. You have the merchant in you, Thomas, and I must +try to secure you for us beyond the power of loss. How would you like +to become a member of the firm?" + +"Sir," said Pownal, "your goodness overpowers me. No father could be +more generous. You will do with me as you please. But what say your +partners?" + +"I have consulted with them, and they are of the same opinion as +myself, and desire your admission. I have drawn up the terms, which, +I hope, will please you, on this slip of paper, and that you may start +to a little better advantage, have directed a small sum to be carried +to your credit on the books, which you will also find jotted down on +the paper." + +"How can I thank you, sir?" said Pownal, receiving the paper, and +preparing, without examining it, to place it in his pocket. + +"But that is not like a merchant," exclaimed Mr. Pownal smiling, "to +accept of a contract without looking at it. Read it, Thomas, and see +if you wish to suggest any change." + +"I am willing to trust my interests, my life, to you, sir, and it is +unnecessary. But it is your command and I obey you." + +We must allow, that the thought of becoming at some time a member of +the firm, wherein he had received his mercantile education, had passed +before through the mind of Pownal, but the conditions upon which he +was now admitted were favorable beyond his most sanguine expectations. +The sum of money, too, carried to the credit of his account as a +capital, on which to commence, deserved a better name than that of +a small sum, which the opulent merchant had called it. Pownal saw +himself now at once elevated into a condition, not only to supply the +wants of his father and himself, but to warrant him to cherish hopes +for the success of other plans that lay very near his heart. As the +thought of Anne Bernard occurred to him, and he reflected upon the +goodness of his generous benefactor, it seemed, to his ingenuous mind, +as if he were half guilty of a wrong in withholding any part of his +confidence from Mr. Pownal, and he felt strongly tempted to admit him +into the inner sanctuary of his soul. But a feeling natural in such +cases, and the consideration that he was not perfectly sure his +affection was returned by Anne, restrained him, and he contented +himself with repeating his thanks for a generosity so much exceeding +his hopes. + +"Nay," said the merchant, "I must be the judge of these things. This +may do to begin with. When you are married I will double it." + +The tell-tale cheeks of Pownal excited the suspicions of the old +gentleman, whose eyes were fastened on him as he spoke. + +"Ah, ha!" cried he, laughing, "have I found you out, Thomas? I do not +believe, on the whole, the bribe will be necessary. I understand now +your enthusiasm about the beauties of Hillsdale. But never blush. +There's no harm in possessing good taste. I was in love twenty times +before I was your age. When shall the wedding be, eh?" + +"My dear sir," said Pownal smiling, "it will be time enough years +hence, to think of these things. In a matter of this kind, I know of +no better example to follow, than your own." + +"No, no, no, Thomas, do not imitate me there; I postponed my happiness +too long, and were I to commence life again, I should not crawl with +such a snail's pace towards it as formerly. But I have no fear of you +or that my joints will be too stiff to dance on the joyful occasion." + +The parting was such as might be expected between persons brought +together under circumstances so singular, where on the one side there +was a sense of obligation, it was a pleasure to cherish, and on the +other, the yet higher gratification of conferring happiness. As Holden +wrung the hand of Mr. Pownal who accompanied them to the vessel, that +was to take them home, he invoked, in his enthusiastic way, a +blessing upon his head. "The Almighty bless thee," he exclaimed, "with +blessings of Heaven above, and blessings of the deep that lieth under. +May thy bow abide in strength, and the arms of thy hands be made +strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob." + +Knowing how little his father prized the things of this world. Pownal +had not communicated to him before their departure the liberal conduct +of the noble merchant they had just left, but now, in a conversation +one day, in which they reviewed the past, and, notwithstanding the +Solitary's faith in the speedy coming of a mighty change, speculated +on the future, he disclosed the last evidence of the affection of his +preserver. Holden listened with a gratified air, for how could he be +otherwise than pleased that the worth and amiable qualities of his +son, had awakened so deep an interest in the heart of another, but +replied, + +"It was well meant, but unnecessary. Thou hast no need of the gold and +silver of others." + +The young man, supposing his father had reference to his peculiar +religious notions, was silent, for it was a subject which could not be +adverted to without great delicacy, and danger of vehement bursts of +enthusiasm. + +"Thou comprehendest me not," said Holden. "I say thou art in no +want of the dross with which men buy, to their grief and shame, the +deluding vanities of the world." + +"If it is your wish, father, I will return the gift," said Pownal, +"though I know it will hurt the generous heart of the giver." + +"I interpose not. No voice calleth me thereto. But my meaning is still +dark, and I know not whether it is best to admit thee fully to my +counsels. Yet, thus much mayest thou now know, and more shalt thou +know hereafter, that thy father is no pauper, to crave the wealth of +others, and that his poverty is voluntary. The body is kept poor, that +divine grace may the more readily enrich the soul." + +"Believe me, sir, I do not wish to intrude into anything which it is +your desire to keep secret." + +"There is nothing secret that shall not be revealed," exclaimed +Holden, catching at the last word, "but everything in its own order. +Let it satisfy thee, therefore, my son, to know for the present that +thy father hath but to stretch forth his hand and it shall be filled, +but to knock and it shall be opened. But this is not the day, nor for +my own sake, should the clock of time ever strike the hour, when that +which was thrown away shall be taken again, that which was despised +shall be valued. Yet because of thee may I not lawfully withhold the +hand, and as I gaze upon thy fair young face, thou seemest one whose +spirit is so balanced that what men call prosperity will not hurt +thee. But affection is blind, and my heart may deceive me, and +therefore will I wait until He speaks who cannot lead astray or +deceive." + +It was partly to himself, and partly to his son, that the Solitary +spoke, nor was Pownal at all certain that he comprehended his meaning. +He had at first fancied, his father was offended at his acceptance of +the rich merchant's bounty, but he soon saw that Holden regarded money +too little to consider the mere giving or receiving of it as of much +consequence. Upon further reflection, and a consideration of the +manner in which his father had lived for so many years, the idea which +yet seemed shadowed forth by his language, that he was possessed of +property, appeared utterly chimerical. He was therefore disposed to +attach to his father's words some mystical sense, or to suppose that +he imagined himself in possession of a secret, by means of which +he could command the wealth he scorned. Of course the young man +considered such anticipations as visionary as the immediate coming +of that millenium for which the longing eyes of the enthusiast daily +looked forth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + From yon blue heavens, above us bent, + The gard'ner Adam and his wife + Smile at the claims of long descent: + Howe'er it be, it seems to me, + 'Tis only noble to be good; + Kind hearts are more than coronets, + And simple faith than Norman blood. + + TENNYSON. + + +The news of the discovery of the relationship between Holden and +Pownal had reached Hillsdale before their arrival, and the friends +and acquaintances of both, comprising pretty much the whole village, +hastened to present their congratulations. Many supposed now they had +obtained a clue to the singularities of the Solitary, and expected +that since he had recovered his son, he would resume the habits of +ordinary life. But nothing seemed further from Holden's intention. In +spite of the entreaties of his son, and the remonstrances of those few +who ventured to speak to him on the subject, he returned on the very +day of their arrival to his cabin. It was, however, with no harshness, +but with gentle and even exculpatory language, he refused their +request. + +"Think not hard of me, my son, nor you, kind friends," he said, "if my +ears are deaf to your solicitations. The old man is weary and seeketh +rest. The trembling nerves still quiver to the cries of the horsemen +and the rattling of chariots, nor may the tumult pass away till old +sights and sounds stealing in with soft ministry compose the excited +yet not unpleased spirit. I would gladly in solitude lay my tired head +on the bosom of the Father, and thank Him in the silence of His works +for mercies exceeding thought." + +Holden, however, could not refuse to allow his son to accompany him, +and to provide such little necessaries, as were esteemed essential +to his comfort. But he permitted the young man to remain only a short +time. "Go," he said, "the world is bright before thee; enjoy its +transient sunshine. The time may come when even thou, with hope and +confidence in thy heart, and heaven in thine eyes, shalt say, 'I have +no pleasure therein.'" Pownal therefore returned to Hillsdale, without +reluctance it may be supposed, when we add, that the same evening +found him at the house of Mr. Bernard. It will be recollected he had +commissions to execute for both the Judge and his wife, but if the +reader thinks that not a sufficient reason why he should call +upon them so soon, we have no objection to his adopting any other +conjecture, even to the extravagant supposition, that there was some +magnet to attract the young man's wandering feet. + +It was a happy evening Pownal spent at the Judge's house. All seemed +glad to see him again, and expressed their delight and wonder at the +discovery of his parent. And yet the young man could not help fancying +there was a greater difference between his reception by the members +of the family, than he had been accustomed to. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard, +indeed, were equally cordial as of old, but Anne, though she tendered +him her hand with her usual frankness, and allowed it to linger in +his, appeared graver, and less disposed to indulge an exuberance of +spirits, while William Bernard was evidently more distant, and formal. +There was, however, no want of politeness on his part, for he mingled +with his usual grace and intelligence in the conversation, and +the change was perceptible rather in the omission of old terms of +familiarity, than in any manifestation of coldness. He seemed to pay +the same attention, and evince a like interest with the rest, in the +particulars of the adventures of Pownal, which, at the request of Mrs. +Bernard, he narrated. Had a stranger, or one who saw the two young +men together for the first time, been present, he would have noticed +nothing inconsistent with ordinary friendship, but Pownal compared +the present with the past, and his jealous sensitiveness detected a +something wanting. But for all that, his enjoyment, though it might be +lessened, was not, as we have intimated, destroyed. He half suspected +the cause, and his proud spirit rose with resentment. But so long as +he enjoyed the esteem of the parents, and was a welcome visitor at +their house, and Miss Bernard treated him with unabated regard, he +could well afford, he thought, to pass by without notice humors, +which, in his changed condition, he considered equally unreasonable +and absurd. For, he was no longer a mere clerk, without position in +society, but the member of a long-established and wealthy firm, and +a favorite of its head, who seemed to have taken the fortunes of his +young partner into his own hands, with a determination to secure their +success. True, he was the son of a poor and eccentric man, but no +dishonor was attached to his father's name, and so far as education +and genuine refinement were concerned, he was the equal of any, and +the superior of most, by whom he was surrounded. With far different +feelings, therefore, from those in the earlier period of his +acquaintance with Miss Bernard, when he discovered she was becoming +dearer to him than prudence permitted, did he now approach her. He +dared to look forward to the time when it would be no presumption to +avow his feelings. + +The cause of William Bernard's coldness will be better understood by a +reference to a conversation between him and his sister, shortly before +the return of Pownal to Hillsdale. Rumor, with her thousand tongues, +had been busy, and, as is not unusual on such occasions, embellished +the story with innumerable fanciful ornaments. The brother and +sister had both heard the reports, and they were the subject of their +discussion. + +"Why, Anne!" said William, "this is more wonderful than Robinson +Crusoe, or the Children of the Abbey. How do you think Pownal, or Mr. +Holden, as I suppose we must call him now, relishes the relationship?" + +"How, William, can he be otherwise than glad to find a father?" +replied his sister. + +"A vast deal depends upon who the father is." + +"What! is it you who speak so?" cried Anne, with sparkling eyes. "What +is there in the father unworthy of the son?" + +"Were I now in Pownal's place, I should have preferred to discover a +parent in some one else than in a half crazy man, who supports himself +by basket-making." + +"And can you not," said his sister, indignantly, "under the mask +which circumstances have imposed upon him, detect the noble-hearted +gentleman? This is not at all like you, William, and I think his very +misfortunes ought to be a passport to your kindness." + +"So they should be, and so they are, but the facts, which I will not +repeat, because it offends you, remain. Think you, it can be very +pleasant, for a young man, to have precisely--precisely such a +connection?" + +"I should despise Thomas Pownal, if he felt anything but pride in his +father. I am the daughter of a republican, and care little for the +distinctions which the tailor makes. The noblest hearts are not always +those which beat under the finest broadcloth." + + "The rank is but the guinea stamp, + The man's the gowd for a' that." + +"Well, Anne," said her brother, "I never expected to take a lesson, in +democracy, from you, nor fancied you were a politician before; but, +it seems to me you have become lately very sharp-sighted, to detect +Holden's merits. What is it that has so improved your vision?" + +"You are trying to tease me, now, but I will not be angry. You know, +as well as I do, that from the first I took a liking to Mr. Holden. So +far from being frightened at him, when I was a child, nothing pleased +me better that when he took Faith and me into his arms, and told us +stories out of the Bible. I do believe I had then a presentiment he +was something different from what he seemed." + +"But you have shown an extraordinary interest in him lately. Even now, +your voice trembles, and your color is raised beyond the requirements +of the occasion." + +"How is it possible to avoid being excited, when my brother speaks +disparagingly of one who has every title to compassion and respect? +Is it not enough to soften your heart, to think of the wretchedness +he suffered so many years, and which shattered his fine understanding? +And now, that his--Oh, William!" she cried, bursting into tears, "I +did not think you were so hard-hearted." + +"My dear Anne! my dear sister!" exclaimed her brother, putting his arm +around her and drawing her towards him, "forgive me. I never meant to +hurt your feelings, though I am sorry they are so much interested." + +"I will not affect to misunderstand you, brother," she said, +recovering herself; "but you are mistaken, if you suppose that Mr. +Pownal has ever--has ever--spoken to me in a manner different from the +way in which he is in the habit of conversing with other ladies." + +"Heaven be praised for that," said her brother. "But I ought to have +known you never would permit it." + +"You ought to have known that, had he done so, I should not have +kept it a secret. My father and mother, and you, would have been made +acquainted with it." + +"And, now, dear Annie, since things are as they are, I hope you +will not give Pownal any encouragement. Whatever may be your present +feelings, he cannot disguise the fact, that he loves dearly to visit +here." + +"Encouragement!" cried Anne, her natural vivacity flashing up at +the imputation. "What do you take me for, William Bernard, that you +venture to use such a word? Am I one of those old maids whom some +wicked wag has described as crying out in despair, 'Who will have me?' +or a cherry, at which any bird can pick?" + +"There spoke the spirit of my sister. I hear, now, Anne Bernard. You +will not forget the position of our family in society, and that upon +you and myself are centered the hopes of our parents." + +"I trust I shall never forget my love and duty, or have any secrets +from them. They have a right to be acquainted with every emotion of my +heart, nor am I ashamed they should be seen." + +"The accomplishments of Pownal entitle him to move in the first +society, I cannot deny that," continued young Bernard, "but, in my +judgment, something more is necessary in order to warrant his boldness +in aspiring to connect himself with one of the first families in the +country." + +"You will continue to harp on that string, William, but my opinion +differs from yours. In our country there should be no distinctions but +such as are created by goodness and intelligence." + +"It all sounds very well in theory, but the application of the rule is +impossible. The dreamers of Utopian schemes may amuse themselves with +such hallucinations, but practical people can only smile at them." + +"Class me among the dreamers. Nor will I believe that whatever is true +and just is impracticable. Does redder blood flow in the veins of the +child cradled under a silken canopy, than in those of one rocked in a +kneading-trough?" + +"You have profited to some purpose by the French lessons of our +father," said Bernard, bitterly. "Principles like these may yet +produce as much confusion in our family on a small scale, as they did +in France on a mighty theatre." + +"You are losing yourself in the clouds, dear brother. But there can be +no danger in following the guidance of one so wise and experienced as +our father, nor does it become you to speak slightingly of any opinion +he may adopt." + +"I did not mean to do so. I should be the last one to do so, though I +cannot always agree with him. But you take an unfair advantage of the +little excitement I feel, to put me in the wrong. Do you think I can +look on without being painfully interested, when I see my only sister +about to throw herself away upon this obscure stranger, for you cannot +conceal it from me that you love him?" + +"Throw myself away! Obscure stranger! You are unkind William. Love +him! it will be time enough to grant my love when it is asked for. It +does not become me, perhaps, to say it, but Mr. Pownal is not here to +answer for himself, and for that reason I will defend him. There lives +not the woman who might not be proud of the love of so noble and +pure a heart. But you are not in a humor to hear reason," she added, +rising, "and I will leave you until your returning good sense shall +have driven away suspicions equally unfounded and unjust." + +"Stay, Anne, stop, sister," cried Bernard, as with a heightened color +she hastened out of the room. "She is too much offended," he said to +himself, "to heed me, and I must wait for a more favorable opportunity +to renew the conversation. I have seen this fancy gradually coming on, +and, fool that I was, was afraid to speak for fear of making things +worse. I thought it might be only a passing whim, like those which +flutter twenty times through girls' silly heads before they are +married, and was unwilling to treat it as of any consequence. But does +Anne mean to deceive me? It is not at all like her. She never did so +before. No, she has courage enough for anything, and is incapable of +deception. But these foolish feelings strangely affect young women +and--young men, too. She must, herself, be deceived. She cannot be +acquainted with the state of her own heart. Yet it may not have gone +so far that it cannot be stopped. I had other plans for her, nor will +I give them up. Father! mother! Pooh! nothing can be done with them. +He would not see her lip quiver or a tear stand in her eye, if it +could be prevented at the expense of half his fortune, and mother +always thinks both perfection. No, if anything is to be done it must +be with Anne herself, or Pownal, perhaps. Yet I would not make the +little minx unhappy. But to be the brother-in-law of the son of an +insane basket-maker! It is too ridiculous." + +No two persons could be more unlike in temperament, and in many +respects in the organization of their minds, than William Bernard and +his sister. She, the creature of impulse, arriving at her conclusions +by a process like intuition: he, calm, thoughtful, deliberately +weighing and revising every argument before he made up his mind: she, +destitute of all worldly prudence and trusting to the inspirations +of an ingenuous and bold nature: he, worldly wise, cautious, and +calculating the end from the beginning. Yet were his aspirations noble +and untainted with a sordid or mean motive. He would not for a world +have sacrificed the happiness of his sister, but he thought it not +unbecoming to promote his personal views by her means, provided it +could be done without injury to herself. He was a politician, and +young as he was his scheming brain already formed plans of family and +personal aggrandizement, extending far into the future. Anne was mixed +up with these in his mind, and he hoped, by the marriage connection +she might form, to increase a family influence in furtherance of his +plans. These seemed likely to be defeated by Anne's partiality for +Pownal, and the young man felt the disappointment as keenly as his +cool philosophical nature would permit. But let it not be thought that +William Bernard brought worldly prudence into all his plans. His love +of Faith Armstrong had no connection with any such feelings, and she +would have been equally the object of his admiration and choice, had +she been a portionless maiden instead of the heiress of the wealthy +Mr. Armstrong. We will not say that her prospect of succeeding to +a large fortune was disagreeable to her lover, but though when he +thought of her it would sometimes occur to his mind, yet was it no +consideration that corrupted the purity of his affection. + +Anne, when she left her brother, hastened to her chamber and subjected +her heart to a scrutiny it had never experienced. She was startled +upon an examination her brother's language had suggested, to find the +interest Pownal had awakened in her bosom. She had been pleased to be +in his company, and to receive from him those little attentions which +young men are in the habit of rendering to those of the same age of +the other sex: a party never seemed complete from which he was absent: +there was no one whose hand she more willingly accepted for the dance, +or whose praise was more welcome when she rose from the piano: but +though the emotions she felt in his presence were so agreeable, she +had not suspected them to be those of love. Her brother had abruptly +awakened her to the reality. In the simplicity of her innocence, and +with somewhat of a maiden shame, she blamed herself for allowing any +young man to become to her an object of so much interest, and shrunk +from the idea of having at some time unwittingly betrayed herself. She +determined, whatever pain it might cost, to reveal to her mother all +her feelings, and to be guided by her advice. + +True hearted, guileless girl! instinctively she felt that the path of +duty leads to peace and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + Oh, how this tyrant, doubt, torments my breast! + My thoughts, like birds, who're frighten'd from their nest, + Around the place where all was hush'd before, + Flutter, and hardly nestle any more. + + OTWAY. + + +Our story now reverts to the Indians, of whom we have for so long made +little or no mention. It is in vain for us to attempt to control the +course of our tale, and to compel it, as it were, to be content with +the artificial banks of a canal, stealing insensibly on, with uniform +smoothness, to its terminus. Whatever we may do, it will assert its +liberty, and wander in its own way, foaming down rocks and rugged +precipices, like a mountain stream, at one moment, at the next, +stagnating into a pool, and afterwards gliding off in erratic +windings, roaming like Ceres, searching through the world for her lost +Proserpine. Not ours to subject the succession of events to our will, +but to narrate them with such poor skill as nature and a defective +education concede, trusting that a homely sincerity, if it cannot +wholly supply the place of art, may palliate its want. + +Peena, the partridge, or Esther, as she was more commonly called by +the whites, heard, with an exquisite delight, that the little boy; +whom she had left on the steps of the house, in New York, and now +discovered to be Pownal, was the son of Holden. Nothing could have +happened more calculated to deepen the reverence she had long felt +for the Solitary, and to convince her--though no such argument was +necessary--that he was a "great medicine," or one peculiarly the +favorite, and under the guardianship, of Superior Powers. She +herself seemed controlled by the Manito that watched over Holden, and +compelled, even unknown to herself, to guard his interests. For was it +not she who had preserved the child? Was it not she who had placed +him in a situation to become a great and rich man?--for such, to her +simplicity, Pownal seemed to be--was it not she who had brought father +and son together, and revealed each to the other? As these reflections +and the like passed through her mind, a shudder of superstition +thrilled her frame, and she turned her attention to the consideration +of how she might best fulfill the designs of the Manito. For it will +be remembered, that, although nominally a Christian, she had not +wholly cast off the wild notions of her tribe, if it be, indeed, +possible for an adult Indian to do so. The maxim of Horace: + + "Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem + Testa diu," + +is of universal application, nor has it ever greater force than when +reference is had to ideas, connected with the terrors of an unseen +world, and where the mind that entertains them is destitute of the +advantages of education. + +Esther, it may readily then be supposed, did not delay after their +arrival, to go to see both Holden and his son. She could not behold +again, and recognize the child she had preserved, in the young man +who stood before her, without strong feeling, nor could Pownal look +unmoved upon the gentle and timid woman, to whom he was so much +indebted. Esther knew again the string of coral beads she had left +upon the boy's neck, and ascribed it to the whispers of the Great +Spirit, that she had allowed them to remain. She did not return from +her visit to Pownal empty handed. In fact, she was loaded with as many +presents, of such articles as suited her condition and half-civilized +taste, as she and the boy, Quadaquina, who commonly accompanied her, +could carry. It was the mode which naturally suggested itself to +Pownal, as alike most pleasing to Peena, and most calculated to +impress her mind with a sense of his estimate of her services, +especially as there was connected with the gifts a promise, that +during his life her wants and wishes should all be supplied. Peena +now felt herself the happiest and richest of her tribe, and her heart +glowed with devotion towards those who had been the means of investing +her with wealth, and the consequence attached to it. + +"Hugh!" ejaculated Ohquamehud, in amazement, as the squaw and her son +threw down upon the floor of the cabin the rich red and blue cloths, +and hats, and shoes, and other articles which Pownal had pressed +upon them. The exclamation escaped involuntarily, but, with a natural +politeness, the Indian asked no questions, but waited till it should +please the squaw to furnish an explanation. + +The sweet-tempered Peena saw his desire, and turning to the boy, she +said, in their native language, in which the three always conversed +together: + +"Speak, Quadaquina, that the eyes of thy father's brother may be +opened." + +The boy, in obedience to the command of his mother, and without +looking at the Indian, tersely replied: + +"They are the gifts of my white brother with the open hand, the son of +the Longbeard." + +Ohquamehud appeared offended, and he asked, in a sharp tone: + +"Is Quadaquina ashamed, when he speaks to a warrior, to look him in +the eyes, and did he learn his manners from the pale faces?" + +The boy turned round, and gazed full at the other, and his eyes +glistened, yet it was in a low, soft tone he replied: + +"Quadaquina is a child, and knows not the customs of warriors, and +children turn away their eyes from what they do not wish to see." + +Ohquamehud's face darkened as he said: + +"The arts of the Longbeard have blown a cloud between me and my +kindred, so that they cannot see me, and it is time my feet were +turned towards the setting sun." + +"It is the fire-water that puts out the eyes of Ohquamehud, and makes +him forget what he owes to the wife of Huttamoiden," exclaimed the +boy, with suppressed passion. + +"Peace, Quadaquina," said his mother. "Ohquamehud is not now the +slave of the fire-water. Go," she added, detecting, with a mother's +sagacity, the tumult in the mind of the high-spirited boy, "and return +not until thou hast tamed thine anger. Wolves dwell not in the cabin +of Peena." + +The boy, with downcast eyes, and obedient to his mother, left the hut. + +In explanation of this scene we may say, that, unhappily, like most +Indians, Ohquamehud was addicted to the use of spirituous liquors, +his indulgence in the fiery gratification being limited only by his +inability at all times to obtain it. Although unable to indulge his +appetite in the cabin of Esther, he occasionally procured strong +liquors in the huts of the other Indians, with whom the practice +of taking stimulants was almost universal, and sometimes in such +quantities as utterly to lose his reason. Returned on one of these +occasions, he demanded rum from Esther, and, upon her refusal to give +it, struck her a blow. This so exasperated the boy, Quadaquina, who +was present, that, with a club, he prostrated the drunken man, which, +indeed, in the condition he was in, was not difficult, and would, had +he not been restrained by Peena, have inflicted a serious injury, if +not killed him. Ohquamehud never knew that he had been struck, but +ascribed the violent pain in his head the next day to the fire-water, +and the contusion to a fall. Peena, while lamenting the excesses of +her relative, felt little or no resentment towards him; but not so +with the boy. He despised Ohquamehud for the miserable exhibitions of +imbecility he made in his cups, and hated him for the violence to his +mother. + +"Look," said Peena, pointing to the articles, and desirous to remove +the rising discontent from the mind of the Indian, "the heart of the +young Longbeard (for she had no other name for Pownal in her language) +is large. All these he took out of it for Peena." + +"Accursed be the gifts of the pale faces!" exclaimed Ohquamehud. "For +such rags our fathers sold our hunting-grounds, and gave permission +to the strangers to build walls in the rivers so that the fish cannot +swim up." + +"Peena sold nothing for these," said the squaw, mildly. "Because the +young Longbeard loved Peena he gave them all to her." + +"Did not Peena preserve his life? But she is right. The white face has +an open hand, and pays more for his life than it is worth." + +"The words of my husband's brother are very bitter. What has the boy +whom Huttamoiden's arm saved from the flames, done, that blackness +should gather over the face of Ohquamehud?" + +"Quah! Does Peena ask? She is more foolish than the bird, from which +she takes her name, when it flies into a tree. Is he not the son of +Onontio?" + +"Peena never saw Onontio. She has only heard of him as one, who like +the red men, loves scalps. The Longbeard is a man of peace, and loves +them not. The eyes of Ohquamehud are getting dim." + +"The eyes of Ohquamehud are two fires, which throw a light upon his +path, and he sees clearly what is before him. It is only blood that +can wash out from the eyes of a warrior the remembrance of his enemy, +and nothing but water has cleansed Ohquamehud's. Thrice have I +meet Onontio, once on the yellow Wabash: again, where the mighty +Mississippi and Ohio flow into each other's bosoms, and a third +time on the plains of the Upper Illinois. Look," he cried suddenly, +throwing open his shirt, and exposing his breast, "the bullet of +Onontio made that mark like the track of a swift canoe in the water. +It talks very plain and will not let Ohquamehud forget." + +"If the Longbeard be Onontio, his son has done my brother no injury." + +"The gifts of the pale face have blinded the eyes, and stopped the +ears of my sister, so that she can neither see nor hear the truth. +Who, when he kills the old panther, lets the cubs escape?" + +"There is peace between the red man and the white on the banks of the +Sakimau. The long knives are as plenty as the leaves of the western +forests. Ohquamehud must forget the bullet of Onontio until he finds +him on the prairie, or where the streams run towards the setting sun." + +"My sister is very wise," said the savage, his whole manner changing +from the ferocity, which had at first characterized it, to a subdued +and even quiet tone. "But," added he, as it were despondingly, "let +her not fear for the safety of the Longbeard. Ohquamehud is weak +and cannot contend with so great a medicine." He turned away, as if +unwilling to continue the conversation, nor did Peena manifest any +disposition to renew it. + +There was, however, something about the Indian, that alarmed the +squaw, as she had never been before, notwithstanding the pacific +language, with which he concluded. The time was drawing nigh for +Ohquamehud's return to the West, and, knowing his brutal temper, she +feared that under the influence of the spirituous liquors he indulged +in to excess, he might attempt to signalize his departure by some act +of wrong and revenge, which would bring down destruction on himself, +and disastrously affect the fortunes of the tribe. He evidently +cherished a bitter animosity toward Holden, whom he had recognized as +a formidable enemy, and although a cool and wary savage when himself, +and as capable of appreciating the consequences of an act as clearly +as any one and therefore likely to be deterred from violence, there +was no knowing what he might do, when stimulated by the frenzy that +lurks in the seductive draught. Peena knew the difficulty, with +which an Indian foregoes revenge, and her apprehensions were the more +excited by the attachment she felt for the two white men. Fears, vague +and unformed had before floated through her mind, but they now assumed +consistency, and she determined to take such precautions until the +departure of her kinsman as should prevent harm either to himself or +others. With this view, the moment she was alone with her son, she +seized the opportunity to speak on the subject of her alarm. But, +first she thought it necessary to reprove him for his feelings towards +his uncle. + +"Whose blood," she inquired, "flows in the veins of Quadaquina?" + +"It is the blood of Huttamoiden," answered the boy, erecting his head, +and drawing himself up proudly. + +"And who gave the bold heart and strong arm to Huttamoiden?" + +"It was the mighty Obbatinuua, whose name men say is still mentioned +in the song on the great fresh water lakes." + +"He had two sons?" + +"Huttamoiden and"--He stopped as if unwilling to pronounce the name, +and turned with a gesture of contempt from his mother. + +Peena supplied the omission. "Ohquamehud," she said. "He is a brave +warrior, and the Shawnees are proud of his exploits." + +"He is a dog!" exclaimed the boy, fiercely. "The blood of Obbatinuua +has leaked out of his veins, and the fire-water taken its place." + +"He is the kinsman of Quadaquina, and it does not become a child to +judge harshly of any member of his tribe." + +"Mother," said the boy, gravely, as if he thought it incumbent on +him to justify his conduct, "listen. The hearts of Obbatinuua and of +Huttamoiden both beat in my bosom. They tell me that the son should +remember the glory of his father. Quadaquina is very sick when he sees +Ohquamehud lying on the ground, a slave of the fire-water, with his +tongue lolling out like a dog's, and he disdains to acknowledge him as +of his blood." + +Peena was not disposed to blame the boy for his disgust at +drunkenness. It was a feeling she had herself most sedulously +cultivated by every means in her power, pointing out, as occasion +offered, like the Lacedemonians, its exhibitions in its worst forms, +and contrasting the wretched drunkard falling, from degradation to +degradation, into a dishonored grave, with the sober and vigorous man. +She had succeeded in imparting to Quadaquina her own abhorrence of the +vice, and was cautious not to weaken the impression. + +"Enough," said Peena; "my son will grow up into a brave and good man; +but if he despises Ohquamehud for his drunkenness, let him not forget +he is his kinsman. Hearken," she added, earnestly, and drawing the +boy nearer, while she lowered her voice; "does Quadaquina know that +Ohquamehud hates the Longbeard?" + +"Quadaquina's ears and eyes are open," said the boy. + +"Ohquamehud's feet will soon chase the setting sun," continued Peena, +"but before he starts the fire-water may try to make him do some +foolish thing. Quadaquina must have love enough for his kinsman to +prevent the folly." + +"Not because Quadaquina loves, but because Ohquamehud is his father's +brother." + +"It is well. Ohquamehud must do the Longbeard no harm, and Quadaquina +must watch them both, and, if need be, warn the Longbeard of the +danger." + +The boy, proud of the trust committed to him, promised to obey his +mother and be watchful, and from that time commenced a system of +patient vigilance, of which a white child would scarcely be capable, +but which seems to be a part of the nature of an Indian. Whenever +Ohquamehud left the cabin Quadaquina sought no more to avoid him, but +accompanied him whenever invited, and if not, generally followed, so +as not to lose him long out of sight. There was something about the +trust that agreed well with the cunning of the child. It had for him a +kind of fascination, like that which induces the hunter patiently, day +after day, to pursue the track of the flying game, looking forward to +the moment of success, when all his toil is to be repaid. + +As for Esther, she lost no time in starting off to apprise Holden and +Pownal of the danger she feared. As the canoe glided along under the +strokes of the paddle, which she knew how to use as well as any +man, she reflected upon the proper manner of communicating her +apprehensions; but the more she thought on the subject, the more +difficult it appeared. She could not mention the name of her kinsman +as the person whom she suspected of an evil design. That seemed to her +a sort of treason, a violation of the rights of relationship and of +hospitality. He might be innocent. She herself might be to blame for +cherishing such suspicions. She knew not what evils the disclosure of +Ohquamehud's name connected with the charge might occasion. He might +be arrested and put in prison, perhaps, executed. The white people, +in the opinion of the Indians, had never exercised much forbearance +towards them, and regarded them as an inferior race. The liberty or +life of an Indian was, probably, with them, but of little consequence. +Besides, might she not be running some risk herself? But this +reflection weighed but little with the affectionate creature. While +such considerations occurred to the ignorant and timid woman, she +was half tempted to turn back, and trust to the Manito or protecting +genius, who had thus far borne the Solitary triumphantly through all +perils, but her fears at last prevailed over these scruples, and she +resolved to give the warning without making allusion to any person. + +But Holden, a man naturally of great courage, and familiarized from +his earliest years with danger, and the means of avoiding it, paid but +little attention to the obscure hints of Esther. He did not even take +the trouble to inquire to what direction her allusions pointed. +From whom, from what, had he to apprehend danger to his life? He had +voluntarily embraced poverty; there was nothing about him to tempt +cupidity; he loved all the world, and would hardly, indeed, hesitate +to sacrifice, if need were, his life for that of an another. What +motive could there be to injure him? He was not in the boundless +forest of the West, roamed by predatory savages, but in a land of law, +and order, and religion. Were he, indeed, in those regions which had +witnessed the fiery trials and perils of his youth, caution would be +necessary; but even then, he would have relied with confidence on his +own resources, controlled and directed by a shaping Providence. It was +not probable that Holden thought at all of Ohquamehud, but if his mind +rested for a moment on the Indian, it could not be with an emotion of +fear. The western pioneers feel their superiority too greatly to +be accessible to such apprehensions, and Holden had been too long a +hunter of savages, to dread either their cunning or their force. Had +he reflected on the subject, he would have seemed to himself to stand +in pretty much the same relation to a red skin that a grown man does +to a child; or, if the Indian were hostile, as the hunter does to the +bears, and wolves, and catamounts, he pursues. + +"Peena," said Holden, "I thank thee. It is not in human nature to +be ungrateful for affection, whatever be the color of the skin that +covers the heart which offers it. But dismiss thy fears, and think of +them as unsubstantial as the morning mist. And know that at all times +doubt and fear are in vain. Thou canst not make one hair white and +another black. It is appointed unto all men once to die, but of the +times and seasons, though fixed by the Master of Life with infallible +wisdom, and by a decree that may not be gainsaid, no man knoweth. The +arrow shot by the hand of Jehovah must reach its mark, though thou +seest not its track in the clouds." + +Somewhat more effect attended Esther's visit to Pownal, not that, +indeed, she felt the same apprehensions for him as for his father, or +was able to inspire him with fears on his own account. Living in the +village, and with habits so different from those of Holden, he was +vastly less exposed to a danger of the kind she apprehended. The +bullet or the knife of the savage would not be likely to reach him +in the streets of Hillsdale. For it is no part of the tactics of +an American Indian to expose his own life. On the contrary, he is +considered a fool who does so unnecessarily. Stratagem is prized above +force, and he is the greatest warrior who, while inflicting an injury, +takes care not to expose himself to harm. Esther knew all this, and +for these reasons, perhaps, if with Holden she was vague, with his son +she was oracular. Consequently, Pownal only laughed at her, when she +spoke of himself, as well, indeed, he might, but when she referred +to his father, the case was altered. Not that any clear, well-defined +danger presented itself, but as in low, monotonous tones the squaw +proceeded, darkly hinting at what she would not explain, an oppression +fell upon his spirits as strange as it was painful. We can liken it +to nothing with more propriety than to that dim sense of terror and +discomfort which is sometimes observed in the inferior animals at the +approach of an eclipse or the bursting of a hurricane. Yielding to the +mysterious monitor, and prompt in action as he was rapid in judgment, +Pownal proceeded instantly to seek his father. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + And with him thousand phantoms joined + Who prompt to deeds accursed the mind, + And those the fiends who, near allied, + O'er Nature's wounds and wrecks preside; + While Vengeance, in the lurid air, + Lifts his right arm, exposed and bare. + + COLLINS. + + +Ohquamehud, with all his burning passion for revenge, dared not +undertake anything against his enemy, in opposition to the commands of +the Manito. After the signal interposition, as he conceived it to +be, in favor of Holden at the cabin of the latter, he thought it not +prudent to renew the attempt at the same place. The terror of that +moment was too deeply impressed to allow him to hazard its repetition. +But the power of that Manito might not extend elsewhere, and there +were other Manitos who, perhaps, were more powerful, and might be more +propitious. He would endeavor to conciliate one of them, and so arrive +at the accomplishment of his wishes. + +It has been observed that the falls of the Yaupaae were a favorite +place of resort for the Solitary. Especially at this season of the +year (for it was now the delicious month of June, the loveliest of the +twelve) did he love to haunt its neighborhood. There was something +in the wild scenery, in the dash and tumult of the water, and in +its ceaseless shout, that harmonized well with his feelings in their +various moods. His was a grand soul, and felt itself allied to the +grandeur of nature. As the air, driven through the pipes of a mighty +organ, issues out in solemn concords and divine harmonies, of power to +lift the spirit on wings of cherubim and seraphim above "the mists of +this dim spot which men call earth" and recall its contemplations to +its heavenly origin, so these sights and sounds, playing through +the soul of the Solitary, chased away whatever would clog its upward +flight, soothing while they elevated, and bridging over the chasm that +separates the lower from the upper spheres. This habit of Holden was +well known to the Indian, for he had often seen the Solitary musing on +a rock that overhung the falls. The retirement of the place, likewise, +was favorable to the purpose of an assassin. It was seldom in those +days, except tempted by its romance, that a person visited the +spot. There were other reasons, also, that had an influence over the +superstitious mind of the Indian, in determining his choice. + +A child of nature, cradled in her wild bosom and reared in her arms, +he, too, felt her awful charms. He could not listen to the voice of +the majestic torrent, or gaze upon the grey rocks without a reverent +admiration. And in proportion to this feeling was his awe of the +Manito who presided over the scene. How prodigious must be His power! +The irresistible sweep of the cataract resembled his strength; its +roar, his voice; and the hoary rocks were indicative of his age. Could +he obtain the favor of so mighty a Being--could he induce him to aid +his design, it could be easy of execution. He would make the trial. He +would approach him with offerings, and acquaint him with his wishes. +The Genius of the Fall ought not to love the white man. The pale faces +never offered him gifts, while the red men, long before the arrival of +the fatal stranger and since, had covered the shores with presents. +He would not be disregardful or turn a deaf ear to one of his children +who sought a just revenge. + +Animated by these considerations and such hopes, Ohquamehud left the +hut of Esther on the afternoon of the following day, to propitiate the +Manito of the Falls. His way led through the wood, along the margin +of the Severn for a few miles and then crossed the high-road and some +open fields and another belt of woods, before he reached the Yaupaae. +Arrived at his destination, he looked with a solemn air around as if +half expecting to see the Genius of the place. But he beheld nothing, +save the wild features of nature, and the moss-grown roof of the old +mill, almost hid by the intervening trees: he heard no sound except +the uninterrupted roaring of the torrent. In the hot rays of that +June sun, not even the birds emitted a note, waiting under their leafy +shelters in the darkest recesses of the woods, until the pleasant +coolness of approaching evening should tempt them out and reawaken +their songs. The Indian, seeing that no one was in sight, commenced +collecting brush and sticks of dry wood that lay about, which he +heaped up into a pile upon a rock close to the water's edge. After he +had gathered together a quantity that appeared to him sufficient, he +selected from the stones lying around, a couple of flints which seemed +fittest for his purpose, and by striking them violently together, +soon succeeded in producing a shower of sparks, which falling on the +thoroughly dried and combustible matter, instantly set it on fire, +and shot a tongue of flame into the air. Reverently then inclining +his body towards the cataract, as in an attitude of supplication, +Ohquamehud addressed the Manito, and explained his wishes. He spoke +with dignity, as one who, though standing in the presence of a +superior, was not unmindful of his own worth. The sounds at first were +those of lamentation, so low as scarcely to be audible, and plaintive +and sweet as the sighs of the wind through the curled conch shell. +"Oh Manito," he said, "where are thy children, once as plenty as the +forest leaves? Ask of the month of flowers for the snows that 'Hpoon +scatters from his hand, or of the Yaupaae for the streams he pours +into the great Salt Lake. The sick-skinned stranger, with hair like +the curls of the vine, came from the rising sun. He was weak as a +little child: he shivered with the cold: he was perishing with hunger. +The red man was strong: he wrapped himself in bear skins and was warm; +he built his wigwam of bark, and defied the storm, and meat was plenty +in his pot. He pitied the dying stranger; he brought him on his back +out of the snow, and laid him by the fire; he chafed his limbs and +clothed him in furs; he presented venison with his own hands, and the +daughters of the tribes offered honey and cakes of maize, and wept for +compassion. And the pale face saw that our land was better than his +own, and he envied us, and sent messengers to his people to come and +strip us of our heritage. Then they came as the flights of pigeons in +the spring, innumerable: in multitudes as the shad and salmon, when +they ascend the thawed rivers. They poisoned the air with their +breaths, and the Indians died helpless in the pestilence. They made +war upon us, and drove us from our cornfields; they killed our old +men, and sent away our young men and maidens into slavery. O, Manito, +thus hath the accursed pale faces requited our kindness. + +"Wast thou displeased with the red men O, Manito? Had the children of +the Forest offended thee, that thou didst deliver them into the hand +of their enemies? See, what thine inconsiderate anger hath done. Thou +hast destroyed us, and injured thyself. Where are the offerings that +once covered these rocks, the bears' meat and the venison, the +wampum, the feathers of the eagle, and sweet-smelling tobacco? Who now +honoreth the Manito of the loud voiced Yaupaae? I listen, but I hear +no answer." + +Thus far the voice of Ohquamehud was low and melancholy, as the wail +of a broken heart, and his face sad, as of one lamenting for a friend, +but now it changed to a loftier expression, and the words were hissed +out with a guttural roughness, without being spoken much louder. + +"O, Manito!" he continued, "I alone am left to offer thee the +sacrifice of the fragrant tobacco. Behold! I will fill thy pipe many +times if thou wilt assist me. Onontio hath done me much mischief. He +hath burned the villages of my people, and slain our warriors. Why +shouldst thou favor him? Is he not a dog which thou wilt kick away +from the door of thy lodge? He cometh, sometimes, and sitteth upon the +highest rock, to look down upon thy dwelling-place. It is to nourish +the pride of his heart. It is to exult that, as far as his eye can +see, it beholds no wigwam, nor one bringing thee gifts. Help Manito! +Think upon thine own wrongs,--remember the sufferings of the red man, +and give me the scalp of Onontio. Accept my offering." + +Having thus spoken, and conciliated by every means that occurred to +his untutored mind, the good-will of the tutelary Spirit of the Falls, +recounting the generosity of the Indians, and the ingratitude of the +whites, remonstrating with the Manito for his supposed anger, and +pointing out its folly, trying to stimulate his indignation on account +of the neglect of himself, and, to tempt his love of presents by +promises, Ohquamehud threw a quantity of tobacco in the leaf, which +the Indians were accustomed to raise themselves around their cabins, +into the flames. But an incident took place, which, for a time, +dashed his hopes to the ground, and covered him with mortification and +confusion. + +The day, as we have already intimated, was unusually hot, even for the +month of June. As the hours advanced, a sultry and slumbrous silence +filled the air, which quivered with the heat. Clouds began to collect +in the northwest, and to roll up higher and higher towards the zenith, +in immense waves, which darkened momently, until half the heavens +seemed covered with a pall. The lightning began to play more +frequently over the surging blackness, and the mutterings of the +thunder became every instant louder. Ohquamehud was not altogether +unaware of the approaching storm, but, engaged in the solemn rite, the +appearances of the clouds had not attracted as much of his attention +as otherwise they would have done. At the instant he threw the tobacco +into the fire, the blackness of the clouds was intensest, and a grim +silence, as if nature were waiting in anxious expectation of some +grand event, brooded over the earth interrupted only by the shout of +the cataract; then, a thunderbolt blazed almost in the eyes of the +Indian, followed, instantly, by a crash, as if the solid rocks were +splintered into fragments, and by a torrent of rain, pouring, not +in drops, but, in one continuous flood. For a few moments, the rain +continued falling violently, then gradually slackened and ceased. The +lightning glittered less frequently; the threatenings of the thunder +became less distinct, and the clouds rolled up their dark standards +and dispersed, disappearing in the depths of the unfathomable sky. + +The Indian, meanwhile, remained immovable, staring at the fire in +which the rain hissed as it fell. Thus, like a statue, he stood, until +the storm had rolled away; then, recovering from his stupefaction, he +turned, despondingly, from the heap of ashes. His offering, then, had +been rejected. The Manito either could not or would not assist him. +Onontio bore a charmed life. He was a great medicine, beyond the power +of his vengeance. Ohquamehud, with a frown upon his brow, dark as the +folds of the departing clouds, strode several steps from the rock, +when, turning, as if struck by a sudden thought, he commenced +searching in the ashes. The surface, of course, was soaked; but, as +he penetrated deeper, they were drier, and at the bottom he found +unextinguished coals. He carefully searched round, to discover if +any portion of the tobacco was unconsumed, but could find none. The +offering had not, then, been rejected. The Manito had accepted it. +It was not he who sent the storm. Perhaps, some other Manito, who, +however, was unable to defeat the sacrifice. The countenance of +Ohquamehud brightened, and he began again to collect the brush +and scattered sticks. From hollows, in the butts of old trees, and +recesses under projecting cliffs, he succeeded in finding enough dry +fuel to start the fire anew, and soon it shot up a bright bold flame +as before. "O, Manito!" he softly said, "thou art not angry--receive +my gift." Again, he threw tobacco into the fire, and, this time, no +portent interposed. The greedy flame seized upon the dry leaves, which +crackled in the heat, and bore them on its shining billows high into +the air. The fire continued burning till all was consumed, and the +heap sent up only a spiral of indistinct smoke. + +The importunity of Ohquamehud had wrung from the Genius the consent +which he solicited. The gratified Indian stretched out his hand, and +again spoke-- + +"O, Manito, thanks! The heart of Ohquamehud is strong. When he +journeys towards the setting sun, his feet shall bound like those of a +deer, for the scalp of Onontio will hang at his girdle." + +He glided into the woods and disappeared, ignorant that any one had +been a witness of his actions. But, Quadaquina, from an evergreen +thicket, had watched all his motions. As the form of Ohquamehud became +dimmer in the distance, the boy could not repress his exultation at +the success of his ambush, but gave it vent in a whistle, imitating +the notes of the whipperwill. It caught the ear of the Indian, and he +turned, and as he did so, the boy threw himself on the ground. The sun +had hardly set. It was too early for the bird to be heard, which never +commences his melancholy chant until the shades of evening are spread +over the dewy earth. The eyes of Ohquamehud sent sharp glances in the +direction whence the whistle came, but he could discern nothing. He +listened for awhile, but the sounds were not repeated, and wondering +what they could mean--for he relied too implicitly on his senses +to suppose his imagination had deceived him--he resumed his course +homeward. Presently, Quadaquina slowly rose, and, perceiving no one in +sight, followed in the same direction. + +The boy, at first, walked deliberately along; but, after, as he +supposed, a considerable interval was interposed between him and the +Indian, he quickened his steps, in order to more at about the same +rate as the other. He had cleared the clumps of trees next to the +Falls, and crossed the open fields, and advanced some little distance +into the belt of continuous woods along the river, when, suddenly, +Ohquamehud, starting from behind the trunk of a large tree, stood +before him. Quadaquina's heart beat quicker, but no outward sign +betrayed emotion. + +"What does a child like Quadaquina, mean by wandering so far in the +dark away from its mother?" demanded Ohquamehud. + +"Quadaquina is no longer a child," answered the boy, "to need his +mother. He runs about, like a squirrel, in the woods, whenever he +please." + +"Quah! He is more like a bird, and it is to take lessons from the +whipperwill, that he comes into the woods." + +"Ohquamehud talks like a crow that knows not what he says." + +"When next," said the Indian, with a laugh, "Quadaquina tries to be a +bird, let him remember that the bashful whipperwill likes not the sun +to hear his song." + +The boy fancying that he had been discovered, and that any further +attempt at concealment was vain, answered boldly, + +"It is no concern of Ohquamehud, whether Quadaquina is a bird, or a +squirel, or a fish. He will fly in the air, or swim in the water, or +run in the woods without asking permission from any one." + +"And Ohquamehud is not a rabbit to be tracked by a little dog wherever +he goes. _Ahque_! (beware). He will strike the little dog if he +presses too close upon his heels." So saying, and as if to give +emphasis to his words, the Indian lightly touched the shoulders of the +boy, with a small stick which he held in his hand. + +It was like lightning falling in a powder-magazine, so suddenly blazed +up the anger of Quadaquina, when he felt the touch of the rod. He +jumped back as though bitten by a snake, and snatching up a stone, +hurled it with all his strength at Ohquamehud. It was well that the +Indian leaped behind a tree near which he stood, else the missile, +with such true aim and vindictive force was it sent, might have proved +fatal. As soon as the stone was thrown, the Indian stepped up to the +boy, who stood trembling with passion, but observing no intention on +the part of the latter to renew his violence, he passed close by him, +with a contemptuous laugh, and pursued his way, Quadaquina following, +though at some distance, in his steps. The boy came into the hut of +Peena within a short time after the entrance of the Indian, nor could +the most jealous eye have detected in either a trace of what had +happened. Ohquamehud moved with a grave dignity to the seat he usually +occupied, and his pipe presently sent grateful volumes of smoke +through the cabin. He noticed, however, that when Quadaquina came +in, his mother made no inquiry into the cause which had detained him +beyond the hour of the evening meal, and this confirmed the suspicions +that were floating in his mind. They were indeed vague, and he fancied +that if for any reason he had been watched by Quadaquina, the lesson +he had just given would intimidate the boy, and satisfy him there +would be danger in dogging the steps of one so vigilant as himself, +and who had avowed his intention to punish the offender, if he were +caught again. + +Quadaquina, when they were by themselves, related to his mother what +he had witnessed at the Falls, but made no allusion to the quarrel +betwixt Ohquamehud and himself, nor of the threats of the former. +He could give no account of the address to the Manito, the distance +having been too great to allow him to hear the words. His story caused +no alarm to Peena, inasmuch as acquainted with the superstitions of +the Indians, she ascribed the sacrifice to a desire to propitiate the +Manito, in order to secure a fortunate journey to the western tribe. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + But love itself could never pant + For all that beauty sighs to grant, + With half the fervor hate bestows + Upon the last embrace of foes, + When grappling in the fight, they fold + Those arms that ne'er shall lose their hold; + Friends meet to part; love laughs at faith: + True foes, once met, are joined till death! + + BYRON'S _Giaour_. + + +Pownal, upon parting with Esther, sought his father. But the +expression of his apprehensions was so vague, he was so incapable of +giving his fears any definite shape, that he made no more impression +than the woman. The calm austerity of the Solitary's face almost +melted into a smile at the idea that any event could occur except in +the determined course of things. It was the pride of the human heart; +it was the presumption of the human intellect that dreamed of freedom +of choice or of action. If individual wills were permitted to cross +and jostle each other, the universe would be a scene of confusion. +Freedom was only in appearance. One grand, serene, supreme will +embraced the actual and the ideal in its circle, and all things were +moved by a law as certain and irresistible as that which impels worlds +in their orbits. The conviction was a part of Holden's self. He could +no more be convinced of its fallacy than of his own non-existence, and +his son left him with the full assurance that, even were he to know +that his life was menaced, he would be the last one to take any +precautionary measures for its protection. But, in truth, the fears of +Pownal were so slight, that after an allusion to them, he forbore to +dwell upon the subject, especially as the conversation took a turn as +interesting to him as it was unexpected. + +"Thou art of an age, my son," said Holden, abruptly, "to take to thee +a wife, and the bounty of the good man whose name I permit thee still +to bear, hath placed thee in a condition to gratify an innocent and +natural desire. Hath thy heart moved at all in this matter?" + +The question was excessively embarrassing, and the young man blushed +and hesitated as he replied, that there was yet abundant time to think +of such things. + +"Think not," said the Solitary, observing his son's hesitation, "that +I desire to intrude into thy confidence, though the heart of a son +should be like a clear stream, the bottom of which may be seen by a +father's eye. I speak, because partly common fame, and partly my own +observation, connect thy name in some wise with a young lady's." + +"And who is the lady," inquired Pownal, laughing, "whom my indiscreet +gallantry has so compromised?" + +"Nay, if thou wilt not be frank with me, or choosest to reply in the +language of trifling, we will drop the subject." + +"I will be frank. I will answer any question you may ask." + +"Tell me, then, is there any relation between thee and Anne Bernard +tenderer than that of common acquaintance?" + +Pownal expected the question, and was therefore prepared. + +"I esteem Miss Bernard highly," he said. "I am acquainted with no +young lady who is her superior. I should consider myself fortunate to +attract her attention. But nothing, except the language of friendship, +has passed betwixt us." + +"I am satisfied," said Holden, "and it is evidence of excellence in +thyself that one possessing the lovable and noble qualities of Anne +should attract thee. But though, in the limited circle of the small +town, thy presence may be acceptable in the withdrawing room of the +wealthy lawyer, thinkest thou he will be willing to give thee the hand +of his only daughter?" + +"I have made no pretensions to the hand of Miss Bernard; and even if I +did, I see in it no presumption. There is no distinction of patrician +and plebeian in this country." + +"There are no such names, and yet there is a distinction. Will it +please the rich and polished Judge to ally his daughter with the son +of one like me?" + +"Judge Bernard is above the mean conceit of valuing himself upon +his riches. I never heard anything that sounded like arrogance or +superciliousness from him, and he has uniformly treated me with +kindness. For yourself, dear father, though for reasons of your own +you have chosen to lead hitherto this life of solitude and privation, +why continue to do so? Why not leave this miserable hut for comforts +more befitting your age and the society you are capable of adorning?" + +"Forbear! In this miserable hut, as thou callest it, I found the peace +that passeth understanding, and its walls are to me more glorious than +the gildings of palaces. If thou lovest Anne Bernard, as I strongly +suspect, I say not unto thee cease to love her, but wait, hoarding thy +love in secrecy and silence, until the fullness of the time is come. +Wilt thou not promise me this, for a short time?" + +"I will do nothing, father, that may be contrary to your +inclinations." + +"It is enough: then let there be no change in thy conduct. If thou +have the love of Anne, keep it as a precious jewel, but for the +present be content with the knowledge thereof: if thou have it not, +seek not thereafter. I promise thee it shall be for thy good, nor will +I unreasonably try thy patience." + +Here the interview ended, and Pownal departed, wondering over the +mystery his father affected, though he could not but confess to +himself there was a worldly wisdom (as he supposed it to be) in the +advice, not to be precipitate, but to watch the course of events. +Though unacquainted with the motives of his parent, he was bound to +respect his wishes, and felt a natural desire to gratify him to the +extent of his ability. He had never found him unreasonable, whatever +might be his singularities, and besides, no plan of his own was +crossed. He was obliged to admit the possibility of a failure of his +suit. To break up the pleasant relations existing betwixt the Bernard +family and himself; not to be allowed to approach Anne as before; a +cold constraint to be substituted for a confiding friendship! No, the +hazard was too great. Things should continue as they were. He and Anne +were still young: there was time enough; his father was right; the +counsels of age were wiser than those prompted by the rashness and +impetuosity of youth. + +The following morning was calm and warm, when Holden stood at the door +of his cabin, on the second occasion we choose to intrude upon his +devotions. Not a cloud was to be seen, and the pearly hue which +overspreads a clear summer sky, just stealing out of the shades of +night, had not disappeared, except in the eastern quarter of the +heavens, where a faint suffusion heralded, like a distant banner, the +approach of the sun, welcomed, at first, by the low twittering of the +birds, which gradually increased in frequency and loudness, until they +swelled into bold strains, and rose melodiously into the air. + +The Solitary stood, as before, with eyes fixed steadfastly upon the +kindling east. Could it be possible that an expectation, which +had been so often disappointed, should still be cherished; that no +experience, no arguments could dissipate the delusion? It would seem +so. By that subtle process, whereby minds possessed by an engrossing +idea convert facts, and language, and any circumstances, however +trifling, and which, to well-balanced intellects, would seem but +little adapted to the purpose, into proofs incontrovertible of their +opinions, had he, by dwelling upon certain texts of Scripture, which, +with a mad shrewdness, he had collated, imparted to them gigantic +proportions, and a peculiar coloring, which dominated and threw light +upon the context, but received no qualification or disparagement in +return. Without the necessity of repetition, various passages will +occur to the reader, which, taken out of connection with what precedes +and follows, may easily be made to support a theory of the kind he had +adopted. + +Holden stood as before, obedient to the command to watch, and verily +do we believe, that had he, indeed, seen the Son of Man in the clouds +of heaven, the magnificent vision would have impressed him with as +much joy as solemnity. But in vain he looked, and having waited until +the yellow sunshine, like a shower of gold, fell all around him, he +retired into his hut. Not unobserved, however. The Indian, Ohquamehud, +with his rifle by his side, from his place of concealment, on the +right shore, had been watching all his motions. There had he lain in +ambush ever since the stars had deserted the sky. Patiently he lay, +with his eyes fixed on the little island. The sun mounted higher; hour +after hour passed away, and yet he moved not. The time for the noonday +meal arrived, but he heeded it not. The hut of Peena was scarcely +more than a couple of miles distant, and he might reach it in a few +moments, but he stirred not. In the interval of his absence Onontio +might leave the island, and go, he knew not whither, and his watch for +the day would be in vain. And now the lengthening shadows were falling +towards the east. The middle of the afternoon had arrived. + +It was then Ohquamehud saw Holden, or Onontio, as he called him, leave +his cabin and enter the canoe. Its bow was turned toward that bank of +the river on which the Indian was concealed, but somewhat higher up +the stream, and, impelled by a vigorous arm, the light boat skimmed +rapidly over the water. It passed so near to the Indian, that a bullet +sent from a steady aim must have brought inevitable death, and the +thought crossed the mind of the lurking spy, whether it were not +better to fire from his ambush, but the recollection of his adventure +on the island, and of his offering to the Manito of the Falls, +occurred to him, and he allowed the tempting opportunity to escape. + +Holden having run the canoe upon a sandy beach that curved in between +two rocks, fastened it by a rope to a heavy stone, and pursued his +course along the shore in the direction of the village. The Indian +followed at a distance in the woods, taking care to keep his own +person concealed, but that of the pursued in sight. Ohquamehud had no +means of determining from the movements of Holden, for a considerable +time, what were his intentions, whether to enter the village or go to +the Falls, but when he reached the spot where, if his design had been +to do the latter, he would have turned to the left, to the Indian's +bitter disappointment, he advanced up the road to the right. +Ohquamehud pretty much gave up all hope of succeeding in his design +that day, but, notwithstanding, still continued his observation. +Holden did not proceed far before he entered a small house that stood +by the roadside. (This delay, as we shall presently observe, was +attended with important consequences.) The person whom the Solitary +wanted to see was, probably, not at home, but whatever may have been +the reason, he presently left the house, and retracing his steps, +struck off, to the delight of Ohquamehud, across the fields, and in a +direction towards the Yaupaae. The Indian waited until Holden was out +of sight, hidden by the woods on the opposite side of the field, when +he slowly followed, looking around, as if in search of game. Having +reached the woods, he seemed to think it necessary to use greater +precaution in his further approach, the nearer he came to his enemy. +With this view, he moved slowly, carefully avoiding stepping on any +dry sticks or fallen branches, and stopping if, by any chance, he +made the slightest noise. One would have supposed such extreme caution +unnecessary, for so loud was the incessant roar of the cataract, that +where the Indian stood the keenest hearing could not, even within a +few rods, have detected the noise made by walking. It is probable that +habit, quite as much as reflection, determined the proceeding of the +Indian. + +With stealthy tread, creeping like the catamount of his native +forests, when he is about to leap upon his prey, the wily and +revengeful Indian stole along, holding his rifle in his hand, while +each sense was quickened and strained to the utmost. The wood extended +quite to the margin of the Falls, so that he was enabled to come near +without exposing his person. At length, from behind a large oak, one +of the original Sachems of the wood, he beheld his foe. Holden was +unarmed, for though, at certain times of the year, when game was in +season, he often carried a gun, it was not an uniform practice with +him. He stood, unconscious of danger, with his back to the Indian, his +arms folded, and gazing upon the water, that roared and tumbled below. +The eyes of Ohquamehud gleamed with ferocious satisfaction as he +beheld his foe in his power. Thrice he raised the rifle to his +shoulder, after carefully examining the priming, and as often let +the butt slide gently to the ground, pausing a little while each time +between, and never taking his eyes off the victim. This conduct might +be mistaken for irresolution. Far from it. The fell purpose of the +savage never burnt more intensely; his hatred was never more bitter; +and he was debating with himself whether to shoot the Solitary as he +stood, nor allow him to know his destroyer, or to rouse him to his +peril, to play with his agonies, and thus give him a foretaste of +death. Holden was at a distance of not more than fifty feet; before +him were the precipice and the Falls, behind him was the Indian; there +was no retreat. The fiendish desire agitating Ohquamehud was the same +as that which the savages feel when they torture a prisoner at the +stake, and delay the fatal stroke that is a mercy. He felt sure of his +prey, and after a short period of hesitation, determined to gratify +the diabolical passion. + +He stepped softly from behind the oak, and glided onwards, until the +distance betwixt himself and Holden was reduced to thirty feet. +The back of the latter was still towards the Indian, and he seemed +absorbed in contemplations that shut his senses to the admission +of outward objects. Again Ohquamehud paused, but it was only for a +moment, and then uttered in a distinct tone the word, "Onontio." + +The sound caught the ears of Holden, who instantly turned, and beheld +the threatening looks and attitude of the savage. He comprehended, at +once, the hostile purpose of Ohquamehud, and the imminence of his own +danger, but betrayed not the slightest fear. His cheek blanched not. +His eye lost none of its usual daring as he surveyed the assassin; nor +did his voice falter, as, disguising his suspicions, he exclaimed-- + +"Ohquamehud! he is welcome. He hath come to listen to the voice of the +Great Spirit, who speaks in the Yaupaae." + +"Onontio is mistaken," said the Indian. "The eyes of Ohquamehud +are sharp. They have seen the blood of his kindred on the hands of +Onontio, and he will wash it off." + +"Indian, thou hast discovered--I know not how--that I once bore the +name you have mentioned. It was given to me in the days of madness and +folly by the western tribes. But, my hands are unstained by any blood, +save what was shed in fair and open warfare." + +"Ha! Onontio hath forgotten the fight in the night of storms, on the +banks of the Yellow Wabash, when the sister of Ohquamehud was slain +and his brother pierced by the knife of the accursed pale face, with +the curling-hair." + +"Indian! I sought to save the maiden's life. I can show the scar I +received in her defence. As for thy brother, I know naught of him. If +he fell by me, it was in the manner in which one brave warrior meets +another." + +"It is a lie! The heart of the pale-face is fainting. He is a weasel, +that tries to creep through a small hole." + +"If I were armed thou wouldst not dare to speak thus," said Holden, +some of the spirit of his youthful years flashing up. "But, go; thou +art a coward to come armed against a defenceless man." + +"Onontio is a fool! Who told him to leave his rifle in his lodge? He +knoweth not so much as a beast or a reptile. When the bear roameth in +the forest, doth he leave his claws in his den, or the rattlesnake, +his teeth in the hole in the rocks? Let Onontio sing his death-song, +but, softly, lest the north wind bear it to the cub, who is waiting +for the second bullet in the pouch of Ohquamehud." + +A pang of inexpressible agony cut, like a knife, through the heart +of Holden. He could brave death himself, but, good God! that his son +should be murdered by the savage! The thought was too horrible. For a +moment, the courageous heart almost stopped, and, with quivering lips, +he commended the young man to the protection of Providence. But the +momentary weakness soon passed away, as the dogma of divine decrees +or fate occurred to his mind. The blood flowed freer in his veins; his +form straightened, and with a dignified gesture, he answered-- + +"Heathen! I have no death-song to sing. The Christian goeth not to his +Maker, boasting of his fancied merits, but, like a child, hiding its +face in its mother's bosom, and asking to be forgiven. And know that +of thyself thou art powerless. Thou canst do only what is permitted." + +"It is well!" exclaimed Ohquamehud, a glow of admiration, at the +courage with which Holden met his fate, flashing--in spite of +himself--across his countenance, and which he vainly tried to +conceal. "The dog of a pale-face is tired of his life, and will thank +Ohquamehud for sending him to the spirits of his fathers." + +So saying, he raised the rifle to his shoulder and fired. The eyes of +the Solitary had been intently fastened upon every motion of his foe, +and, the instant before the gun was discharged, he threw his arms +violently into the air. Whether the gesture disconcerted the aim of +the Indian, or intemperance had weakened his nerves, the rifle +was aimed too high and failed of its mark. But Holden's escape was +extremely narrow. The bullet grazed his scalp, perforating the cap, +and throwing it from his head. In the colloquy, he had, probably, +determined upon his line of conduct; for, immediately, upon the flash, +he started, with an activity which his appearance hardly promised, +towards his antagonist, and before the latter could club his rifle or +draw a knife, had seized him around the waist, and strove to throw him +on the ground. The Indian dropped the useless gun, and returned the +death-grapple. + +"Child of the devil!" cried Holden, whose passions were now thoroughly +roused, and who fancied himself back again to the time when he fought +the red man of the West, "I will send thee, this day, to the place +appointed for thee." + +Ohquamehud answered not a word, but, straining the other in an embrace +as close as his own, summoned all his powers to the deadly struggle. + +The two were more equally matched than might at first be supposed. +The Indian was more active, but Holden was stronger, and towered above +him. The habits of Holden had been eminently conducive to health and +strength. There was no superfluous flesh about him, and his sinews +were like cord. But, on the other hand, the youth of the Indian was +a great advantage, promising an endurance beyond that to be expected +from one of the years of Holden. + +With desperate struggles each strove to gain an advantage; but +strength on the one side, and activity on the other, foiled their +opposing exertions. The turf was torn up under their feet, and they +were whirled round, now in this direction, and now in that, until, +maddened by the contest, neither thought of his personal safety, +nor heeded the frightful abyss on the brink of which they fought. At +length, foaming and endeavoring to throttle each other, the foot of +one tripped and he stumbled over the precipice, carrying the other +down with him in his arms. The grappled foes turned over in the air, +and then fell upon the edge of a projecting shelf of a rock, some half +a dozen feet below. Ohquamehud was undermost, receiving the full force +of the fall, and breaking it for Holden, who, as they touched the +rock, threw one arm around the trunk of a small tree that grew out +of a fissure. The Indian must have been stunned, for Holden felt +his grasp relax, and, still clinging to the tree, he endeavored to +withdraw himself from the other's hold. He had partially succeeded, +when the Indian, recovering consciousness, made a movement that threw +his body over the precipice, down which he would have fallen had he +not blindly caught at the freed arm of Holden, which he clutched +with the tenacity of despair. The Indian had now recovered from the +stunning effect of the fall, and become sensible of his danger. In +rolling over the edge of the rock, his moccasined feet had come into +contact with a slight projection where his toes had caught, and by +means of which, Holden, as well as himself, was relieved in part of +the weight of his person. Using this as a support, he made repeated +and frantic attempts to spring to the level surface, but the steepness +of the rock, and the lowness at which he hung, combined with the +exhaustion occasioned by the fierce and prolonged conflict, foiled +every effort. At last, he abandoned the attempt to save himself as +hopeless, and directed all his exertions to drag his enemy down +with him to destruction. With this view, he strained, with all his +remaining strength, upon the arm he grasped, in order to force Holden +to let go his hold upon the tree. It was now a question of endurance +between them, and it is probable that both would have perished, had +not an unexpected actor appeared upon the scene. + +The boy Quadaquina had been watching Ohquamehud. Like a trained +blood-hound, he had kept faithfully on the track and scarcely let the +Indian out of sight until he, came near the village. Here he was met +by a playmate, with whom, like a child as he was, he stopped to amuse +himself for a moment. This was the cause of his not arriving sooner, +the delay corresponding nearly with the time Holden was detained by +his visit. The boy now came running up, all out of breath, and gazed +around, but saw no one nor heard a sound, save the roar of the Fall. +His eyes fell upon the gun of the Indian, and the cap of the Solitary, +lying on the trampled turf, and his mind foreboded disaster. He +hastened to the margin of the beetling crag, and peering over it, saw +Ohquamehud hanging by Holden's arm, and struggling to pull him down. +Quadaquina stepped back, and from the loose stones lying round, picked +up one as large as he could lift, and going to the edge, dropped it +full upon the head of Ohquamehud. The Indian instantly let go his +hold, falling a distance of eighty feet, and grazing against the side +of the huge rock on his way, until with a splash he was swallowed up +in the foaming water that whirled him out of sight. + +Quadaquina watched the body as it went gliding down the rocks, and +dashing into the torrent, until it could be seen no more, and then, +as if terrified at his own act, and without waiting to see what had +become of the man to whom he had rendered so timely a service, started +on a run for his home. + +As for Holden, upon the weight being withdrawn from his arm, he slowly +gathered himself up and sat upright on the rock; nor did he know +to what he owed his deliverance. He possibly ascribed it to the +exhaustion of his foe. He felt jar'd and bruised, but no bones were +broken: his heart swelled with thankfulness, and raising his eyes to +heaven, he poured forth a thanksgiving. + +"The enemy came against me," he ejaculated, "like a lion that is +greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret +places. But thou didst arise, O Lord, thou didst disappoint him and +cast him down; thou didst deliver my soul from the wicked. For thou +didst gird me with strength unto the battle, thou didst enlarge my +steps under me, that my feet did not slip. He was wounded that he was +not able to rise. He fell under my feet. It was Thy doing, O Lord, +because thou hadst respect unto the supplications of thy servant. +Therefore my lips shall greatly rejoice, when I sing unto Thee, and my +soul which thou hast redeemed." + +After this expression of his thanks, he clambered with some +difficulty, by the assistance of the shrubs that grew in the crevices +along the sloping platform, until he had attained to the top of the +rock whence he had fallen. He cast his eyes below, but nothing was to +be seen but the wild torrent: no sign, no trace of the Indian. Holden +shuddered as he thought of Ohquamehud, cut off in his atrocious +attempt, and breathed a prayer that his savage ignorance might +palliate his crime; then exhausted and sore, and pondering the +frightful danger he had escaped, slowly took his way towards the +village. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + But is there yet no other way besides + Those painful passages, how we may come + To death, and mix with our connatural dust? + "There is," said Michael, "if thou will observe + The rule of _not too much_, by temperance taught." + + MILTON'S PARADISE LOST. + + Till oft converse with heavenly habitants, + Begin to cast a beam on th' outward shape, + The unpolluted temple of the mind, + And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence, + Till all be made immortal. + + COMUS. + + +The shades of evening were falling as Holden entered the village. He +proceeded straight to the house of Mr. Armstrong, whom he had seen +twice or thrice already since his return from New York, though we have +made no mention of the visits. + +He found Armstrong thinner and paler than ever. The constitutional +melancholy with which he was afflicted appeared to have deepened, and +there was something now in the tones of his voice so sad and tender, +that they moved Holden to an extraordinary degree. Other friends of +Armstrong were affected by them, but, with the exception of Faith, +there was no one who seemed to lay these signs of unhappiness so much +to heart as the Solitary. This, perhaps, may account, in a measure, +for the increased frequency of his visits. + +A smile like sunshine stealing from behind a wintry cloud over the +pure snow, welcomed Holden. As he took the offered hand of Armstrong, +he found it extenuated and cold, and pressed it with more than +ordinary feeling, before he took a seat by his side. The first inquiry +of the Recluse was, as usual, after Faith. + +"She is out," answered her father, "but I expect her soon." + +"The sight of Faith is to me as the beauty and fragrance of days long +gone," said Holden. "Unsinning Eve was not more lovely." + +"She was early dedicated to her God, and is, indeed, a meet offering +for his altar," said Armstrong. + +"Blessed are they," exclaimed Holden, "whose feet have never strayed +from the straight and narrow way. Where they tread spring up immortal +flowers, and they breathe the air of Paradise." + +"And, alas!" said Armstrong, "how short is usually their stay. How +soon they depart for the celestial regions, to which they belong, +leaving breaking hearts behind!" + +"Woe to the earth-born selfishness, that riseth up in opposition! +It is not agreeable to the law of God, nor can be. Down with the +rebellion of ignorance and unbelief." + +"But is no allowance to be made for human weakness? May we not weep +over the calamities of life?" + +"Aye, weep, if the tears wash out a sin, but not because the divine +will is different from thine own. What callest thou calamity? There is +no calamity, but sin." + +"It is hard," sighed Armstrong, "to reach that height of abnegation +and faith to which you would have me aspire." + +"Hard, but attainable, for without faith it is impossible to please +Him. There are examples set before us for imitation of what the +trusting spirit can achieve. By faith Abraham offered up Isaac when he +was tried, having confidence that God could raise him up even from +the dead. By faith--but why should I recount the deeds of those grand +souls, of whom the world was not worthy, who, through faith, subdued +kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths +of lions, quenched the violence of fire, even from Enoch, who tasted +not the bitterness of death, and Elijah, mounting on a fiery chariot, +in a whirlwind, to heaven, down to these latter days, when, as said +the apostle, 'faith should wax weak, and almost perish from the +earth?'" + +Armstrong looked at Holden, with an expression like fear. + +"Who is equal to these things?" said he. + +"I knew a man once," said the Enthusiast, thinking of the peril he had +just escaped, and darkly shadowing forth its circumstances, "whom a +ravening lion sought to destroy, and the heart of the man sunk within +him, for, in view of the beast, he forgot that the Lord God omnipotent +reigneth, but an angel whispered it in his ear, and strengthened him, +and he defied the lion, and smote him, and killed the lion. Thus doth +the Lord continue to perform his marvellous works, for he is faithful +and true, and his mercy endureth for ever to them that love him." + +Of course, Armstrong could have no correct idea of what Holden alluded +to, nor did he inquire. It was to him only another instance, added by +his enthusiastic friend, to the long catalogue of those in the +sacred record, for whom faith had triumphed over danger, and wrought +deliverance. + +"It is, indeed," he said, "a mighty means to bring down the divine +blessing." + +"As is the law of gravitation to the worlds," said Holden, looking out +upon the clear sky, filled with stars, "which is the constant force +flowing from the living centre of all things, and retaining them in +harmonious movement in their orbits; so is faith to the human soul. +When it is present all is peace, and harmony, and joy; when it is +absent, a wild chaos, whirling in darkness and confusion, over which +the Spirit hath never brooded like a dove." + +At this moment the door opened, and Miss Armstrong, attended by +William Bernard, entered the room. She advanced towards Holden, and +gave him her hand, which he took into both of his, and looking fondly +at her, said: + +"Dear child, thy mother's image, the room is brighter for thy +presence." + +"There, William," said Faith, smiling, "a lady seldom receives so +delicate a compliment." + +"Mr. Holden," said Bernard, "belongs to the old school of politeness, +of which Sir Charles Grandison is the model. Modern degeneracy might +strive in vain to compete with it." + +There was a slight, a very slight, an almost imperceptible tone of +irony about the words, which did not escape the sensitive ear of +Holden. He turned towards Bernard, and fastened his large eyes upon +him, in silence, awhile, before he said: + +"The secret of politeness is to be found in warmth and goodness of +heart. Flame blazes not up from ice." The words, the tone, the look, +conveyed his estimate of the character of the young man, and was not +without influence on one, at least, of his auditors. "But," continued +he, "thy presence, Faith, is truly, to me, as light. Deemest thou me +capable of unmeaning compliments?" + +"No," answered Faith, suspecting the little feeling of resentment, and +desirous to soothe it, "I do not. Forgive my absurd observation." + +"And I hope," said Bernard, in his most engaging manner, "that Mr. +Holden is not offended at my classing him among those who for delicacy +and refinement were never surpassed." + +"I like not," said Holden, "to be made a subject of conversation. We +will find a fitter topic." + +"You spoke of Faith's resemblance to her mother," said Mr. Armstrong, +"whose quick sensibility had also detected the jarring string; how did +you discover it?" + +"You forget," answered Holden, "that in conversation with me you have +spoken of her." + +"But not described her appearance." + +"The resemblance of a child to a parent, may be oftentimes deduced +from qualities of the mind, and traits of character. The outer garment +is fitted to the interior man. The exterior and transient is the +product of the interior and permanent. But I mean not that it was thus +I discovered the likeness; and if for a moment I misled thee, let +me correct my error and thy mistake. You will consider these as the +speculations of a visionary." + +"I do not consider them without foundation," said Armstrong, who, +in the turn given to the conversation, seemed to have forgotten his +question. + +"It is a speculation which, followed out, might lead to many +interesting conclusions," said Bernard. "Mr. Holden would greatly +oblige us with his ideas." + +"Do," said Faith, who delighted in the Solitary's flights. "Explain, +dear Mr. Holden, your theory." + +Holden looked at Mr. Armstrong, who bowed. + +"The first man, Adam," said Holden, "was created perfect, perfect in +body as in mind. The dignity and beauty of his person corresponded +to the grandeur and purity of his soul, of which it was the outward +expression. All graces and harmonies, and perfections of creation +centered in him, for he was the image of his Maker. He was incapable +of disease, because disease is disharmony and the fruit of sin, which +as yet existed not. And he was obedient unto the voice of the Lord, +nor did he transgress His laws in anything. His meat was the herb of +the field and the fruit of the tree, and his drink the running brook. +He had no permission to eat of flesh. But in an evil hour he fell; a +leprosy overspread his body and his soul; the divine purity could +not approach as before; and to his closed spiritual eyes, the holy +Presence once visible, became shrouded in clouds and thick darkness. +And as the spirit of man waxed more corrupt and he withdrew himself +further from his heavenly source, so did his outward appearance, by a +necessary law, whereby the outer and superficial conformeth itself, +to the inner and hidden, become deformed and hideous. Hence is man now +but a shadow, a skeleton of original beauty. The primeval perfection +and present degeneracy of man, are the tradition of centuries." + +Holden paused; and Faith said, gently, "There is a way to regain the +happiness we have lost." + +"There is a way," said Holden, "through Him, the second Adam, the Lord +from heaven. But mark: like him, must man be obedient. A faith without +works is fruitless and naught. How many imagine they have faith, +and have it not! Will they give their bodies to be burned? Will they +sacrifice the dearest thing they have, if it is His will? Nay, but +faith hath almost perished from the earth." + +Bernard observing Holden wandering from his subject, here inquired, +"And by a reversal of the process by which it was lost, the outward +beauty may be recovered?" + +"Yes. By the restoration of internal beauty. It is the latter that +shapeth and shineth through the former. But the eyes of men are +blinded, and they cannot, because they will not, see the truth. The +crust of inherited corruption interposeth betwixt them and the light. +Hence, having eyes they see not, and ears, and they cannot hear. There +is a law to control the spiritual, and a law for the material, and it +is by observance of these two laws, that man's first estate is to be +regained. He must, therefore be temperate, and sober, and wise in the +regulation of his appetites and passions, banishing those pernicious +inventions, whereby he degradeth and engendereth disease in a glorious +structure that ought to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, and must +diligently cultivate all noble aspirations, weeding out selfishness +and gross desires, loving his neighbor as himself, and the Lord his +God with all his heart, which latter is the admiration and love of +beauty, and truth and justice, and of whatever is excellent. Thus both +outwardly and inwardly will gradually be transformed, the marred and +defaced image of humanity into the glorious likeness of the Son of +God." + +"That day so longed for and so glorious, is far distant I fear," said +Mr. Armstrong. + +"Nay, but the signs of His coming are kindling in the Eastern sky," +exclaimed Holden, "and soon amid the hymns and hallelujahs of saints +shall he establish His benign and resplendent empire. Then shall +commence the upward career of the race, whose earthly goal is the +state of primeval perfection; whose heavenly it hath not entered into +the heart of man to conceive. Then in that bright Millennium, whose +radiance streams through the advancing ages, shall man cast off the +slough of ignorance and sin, and rise like the painted butterfly, on +the wings of faith, into the serene air of truth." + +Our readers must not hold us responsible for the sentiments of Holden. +They are his own, and no one's else, and expressed in his own words, +with all their wildness and incoherence. Opinions like these seem +to have prevailed at all periods of the Christian era. They were +entertained in the times of the Apostles, and are cherished now by a +modern sect. Milton alludes to them in his treatise "Of Reformation in +England" in language which for its stately eloquence, deserves to be +transcribed to enrich this page. He speaks "of that day when Thou, the +eternal and _shortly-expected_ King, shalt open the clouds to judge +the several kingdoms of the world, and distributing national honors +and rewards to religious and just commonwealths, shalt put an end to +all earthly tyrannies, proclaiming thy universal and mild monarchy +through heaven and earth; when they undoubtedly, that by their labors, +counsels, and prayers, have been earnest for the common good of +religion, and their country, shall receive above the inferior orders +of the blessed, the regal additions of principalities, legions, and +thrones, into their glorious titles, and in super-eminence of beatific +vision, progressing the dateless and irrevoluble circle of eternity, +shall clasp inseparable hands with joy and bliss in over-measure for +ever." + +His auditors never thought of reasoning with or contradicting the +Enthusiast. They listened in silence, only when he paused, making some +inquiry or suggestion, in order to induce him to develop his notions +still further; and so in conversation of this kind passed the evening. + +Upon the departure of Bernard, Holden was pressed to pass the night +at his host's, and accepted the invitation. The events of the day +had proved to be too much for even his iron frame, and he was not +unwilling to be relieved of the long walk to his hut. Before retiring, +he listened reverently to a chapter from the Bible, read by Armstrong, +and joined with him and Faith, in their customary devotions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + No man who sinks to sleep at night + Knows what his dreams shall be; + No man can know what wonder-sight + His inner eye shall see. + + THOMAS L. HARRIS. + + +When Holden was left alone in his chamber, he sank into a seat and +covered his face with both hands. He remained in this position for +some time, and when he removed them, it was very pale, and exhibited +traces of strong emotion. He cast his eyes slowly around the +room, examining every part, not even the furniture escaping minute +observation. But of all the objects a portrait that hung over the +fire-place attracted the most attention. It was that of a man, past +the prime of life, and who in youth must have possessed considerable +beauty. The features were regular and well-formed, the forehead high +and broad, and the hair long and abundant, waving in curls over the +shoulders. What was the age designed to be portrayed, it was +difficult to determine with any degree of exactness, for there was a +contradiction between the parts which appeared scarcely reconcilable +with one another. Looking at the furrows that seamed the face, its +pallor, and the wrinkles of the brow, one would have said that the +original must have been a man between sixty and seventy, while the +hair, dark and glossy, indicated much less age. Yet, the perfection of +the drawing, the flesh-like tints that melted into each other, and +the air of reality that stamped the whole, proclaimed the portrait the +work of a master, and it was impossible to avoid the conviction that +it was an authentic likeness. + +Holden placed the candle on the mantelpiece in such a manner as best +to throw light upon the picture, and stood at a little distance to +contemplate it. As he gazed, he began to fancy he discovered traits +which had at first escaped his observation. An expression of pain and +anxious sadness overspread the face, and gleams of light, like the +glare of insanity, shot from the eyes. So strong was the impression, +and so deeply was he affected, that as if incapable of enduring +the sight, he shut his eyes, and turning away, paced several times +backwards and forwards, without looking up. After a few turns, he +stopped before the portrait, and fixed his eyes upon it again, but +only for a moment, to resume his walk. This he did repeatedly, until +at last, with a groan, he dropped into a chair, where, crossing his +arms upon his breast, he remained for awhile lost in thought. Who can +say what were the reflections that filled his mind? Was he considering +whether the painter meant to delineate insanity, or whether it was not +a delusion springing from his own disordered intellect? + +It was a long time before sleep visited the Solitary in his soft +and curtained bed. It might be owing to the events of the day, so +startling and unusual; it might be on account of the yielding bed, +so different from his own hard couch; or in consequence of the effect +produced by the portrait; or of all these causes combined, that sleep +was long in coming, and when it did come, was disturbed with dreams, +and unrefreshing. Before, however, Holden fell asleep, he had lain, as +if under the influence of a spell, looking at the picture on which the +beams of the moon, stealing through the branches of the large elm +that shaded the house, flickered uncertainly and with a sort of wierd +effect, as the night wind gently agitated the leaves. + +It seemed to Holden, so insensibly glided his last waking thought into +his dreams making one continuous whole, that the portrait he had been +looking at was a living person, and he was astonished that he had +mistaken a living being for a piece of painted canvas. In a stern, +deep voice the man who had taken possession of the chair in which he +himself had been sitting, ordered him to approach. If Holden had been +so disposed, he had no ability to disobey the command. He, therefore +advanced towards the figure, and at a signal knelt down at his feet. +The man, thereupon, stretching out his hands, laid them upon his head +in the attitude of benediction. He then rose from his seat, and making +a sign to Holden to follow him, they noiselessly descended the stairs +together, and passed into the moonlight. The man constantly preceding +him, they went on, and by familiar paths and roads, and in the +ordinary time that would be required to accomplish the distance, +arrived at a spot on the banks of the Wootuppocut well known to +Holden. Here the stranger stopped, and seating himself upon the trunk +of a felled tree, motioned to his companion to be seated. Holden +obeyed, waiting for what should follow. Presently he saw two figures, +a male and female, approaching. The latter was veiled, and although +the face of the man was exposed, it swam in such a hazy indistinctness +that it was impossible to make out the features. Still it seemed to +him that they were not entirely unknown, and he tormented himself with +ineffectual attempts to determine where he had seen them. He turned to +his guide to ask who they were, but before he could speak the stranger +of the portrait placed his fingers on his lips, as if to require +silence. The two persons advanced until they reached a small brook +that babbled down a ravine, and fell into the river. Suddenly +something glittered in the air; the figures vanished; and upon looking +at the brook Holden beheld, to his horror, that it was red like blood. +He turned in amazement to his guide, who made no reply to the look of +inquiry, unless the word "Friday," which he uttered in the same deep +tone, can be so considered. + +Holden awoke, and the sweat was standing in great drops on his +forehead. As his senses and recollection were gradually returning, he +directed his eyes towards the place where the portrait hung, half in +doubt whether he should see it again. The beams of the moon no longer +played upon it, but there was sufficient light in the room to enable +him to distinguish the features which now, more and more distinctly +emerged to sight. The hollow eyes were fixed on his, and the word +"Friday" seemed still quivering on the lips. + +Holden lay and thought over his dream. With the young and imaginative, +dreams are not uncommon, but with the advanced in life they are +usually unfrequent. As the fancy decays,--as the gay illusions that +brightened our youth disappear, to give place to realities,--as the +blood that once rushed hurriedly, circulates languidly--farewell to +the visions that in storm or sunshine flitted around our pillows. + +It cannot, indeed, be said that Holden never had dreams. The excitable +temperament of the man would forbid the supposition, but, even with +him, they were uncommon. He turned the one he had just had over and +over again, in his mind; but, reflect upon it as he pleased, he could +make nothing out of it, and, at last, with a sense of dissatisfaction +and endeavoring to divert his mind from thoughts that banished sleep, +he forgot himself again. + +His slumbers were broken and harassed throughout the night, with +horrid dreams and vague anticipations of further evil. At one time he +was at his cabin, and his son lay bleeding in his arms, pierced by the +bullet of Ohquamehud. At another, Faith was drowning, and stretching +out her hands to him for succor, and as he attempted to hasten to her +assistance, her father interfered and held him violently back. And at +another, he was falling from an immeasurable height, with the grip of +the Indian at his throat. Down--down he fell, countless miles, through +a roaring chaos, trying to save himself from strangulation, until, +just as he was about to be dashed to pieces against a rock, he awoke +sore and feverish. + +The sun was already some distance above the horizon as Holden rose +from his troubled slumbers. The cool air of morning flowed with a +refreshing sweetness through the open window, and the birds were +singing in the branches of the large elm. With a feeling of welcome he +beheld the grateful light. He endeavored to recall and reduce to some +coherency the wild images of his dreams, but all was confusion, which +became the more bewildering, the longer he dwelt upon them, and the +more he strove to untangle the twisted skein. All that he could now +distinctly remember, were the place whither he had been led, and the +word spoken by the portrait. + +When he descended to breakfast, both Mr. Armstrong and his daughter +remarked his disordered appearance, and anxiously inquired, how he had +passed the night. To these inquiries, he frankly admitted, that he had +been disturbed by unpleasant dreams. + +"You look," said Mr. Armstrong, "like the portrait which hangs in the +chamber where you slept. It is," he continued, unheeding the warning +looks of Faith, "the portrait of my father, and was taken a short time +before he was seized with what was called a fit of insanity, and which +was said to have hastened his death. + +"How is it possible, dear father, you can say so?" said Faith, anxious +to prevent an impression she was afraid might be made on Holden's +mind. + +"I do not mean," continued Armstrong, with a singular persistency, +"that Mr. Holden's features resemble the portrait very much; but there +is something which belongs to the two in common. Strange that I never +thought of it before!" + +Holden during the conversation had sat with drooping lids, and a +sad and grieved expression, and now, as he raised his eyes, he said, +mournfully-- + +"Thou meanest, James, that I, too, am insane. May Heaven grant +that neither thou nor thine may experience the sorrow of so great a +calamity." + +Faith was inexpressibly shocked. Had any one else spoken thus, with +a knowledge of Holden's character, she would have considered +him unfeeling to the last degree, but she knew her father's +considerateness and delicacy too well to ascribe it to any other cause +than to a wandering of thought, which had of late rapidly increased, +and excited in her mind an alarm which she trembled to give shape to. +Before she could interpose, Armstrong again spoke-- + +"Insane!" he said. "What is it to be insane? It is to have faculties +exalted beyond the comprehension of the multitude; to soar above the +grovelling world. Their eyes are too weak to bear the glory, and, +because they are blind, they think others cannot see. The fools +declared my father was insane. They say the same of you, Holden, and, +the next thing, I shall be insane, I suppose. Ha, ha!" + +Holden himself was startled. He muttered something indistinctly before +he answered-- + +"May the world never say that of thee, dear James!" + +"Why not?" inquired Armstrong, eagerly. "Alas! you consider me +unworthy to be admitted to the noble band of misunderstood and +persecuted men? True, true! I know it to be true. My earthly instincts +fetter me to earth. Of the earth, I am earthy. But what shall prevent +my standing afar off, to admire them? What a foolish world is this! +Were not the prophets and apostles denounced as insane men? I have it, +I have it," he added, after a pause, "inspiration is insanity." + +Holden looked inquiringly at Faith, whose countenance evinced great +distress; then, turning to Armstrong, he said-- + +"Thou art not well, James. Perhaps, like me, thou hast passed a +disturbed night?" + +"I have, of late been unable to sleep as well as formerly," said +Armstrong. "There is a pain here," he added, touching his forehead, +"which keeps me awake." + +"Thou needest exercise. Thou dost confine thyself too much. Go more +into the open air, to drink in the health that flows down from the +pure sky." + +"It is what I urge frequently on my dear father," said Faith. + +"Faith is an angel," said Holden. "Listen to her advice. Thou canst +have no better guide." + +"She shall redeem my soul from death," said Armstrong. + +When Holden left the house of his host, he determined to carry +into effect a resolution which, it appeared now to himself, he had +strangely delayed, such was the influence what he had just seen +and heard exercised over him. That Fate or mathematical Providence, +however, in which he so devoutly believed, notwithstanding he acted as +though none existed, seemed as if, tired out with his procrastination +and irresolution, determined to precipitate events and force him to +lift the veil, that for so many years--with a wayward temper and love +of mystery, inexplicable by any motives that regulate the movements of +ordinary minds--he had chosen to spread around himself. What followed +only convinced him more thoroughly, if that were possible, of his +helplessness on the surging tide of life and of the delusion of those +who imagine they are aught but bubbles, breaking now this moment, now +that, according to a predetermined order. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + We receive but what we give + And in our life alone does nature live. + + COLERIDGE. + + +Mr. Armstrong was disposed to gratify his daughter, and to follow the +advice of Holden. That very morning, soon after the departure of the +Solitary, he accepted an invitation from Judge Bernard, to take a +drive with him to one of his farms in the afternoon. Accordingly, +the one-horse chaise, which was the usual vehicle in those days, +of gentlemen who drove themselves, stopped, late in the day, at +Armstrong's door. + +"Anne hopes," said the Judge, as they were about to start, "that in +retaliation for my capture of your father, Faith, you will come and +take possession of her. For my own part, if I can bring him back with +a little more color in his cheeks, I shall expect a kiss or two." + +"You shall have three, dear Judge, for every smile you can win from +father," exclaimed Faith. + +The road which the gentlemen took, led, at first, after leaving +the table-land on which their houses were situated, through the +thickly-settled and business part of the town, at the head of the +Severn, the whole of which it traversed, and then approaching the +banks of the Wootuppocut, followed its windings in a direction towards +its source. The country through which the river flowed presented an +appearance of soft and varied beauty, the view of which, while the +cool breeze across the stream fanned the fevered brain of Armstrong, +ought, if anything could, to have soothed his jarring nerves, and +breathed a portion of its own tranquillity into his heart. Is it not +true what the sweet poet sings of Nature and her lover, that + + "She glides + Into his darker musings with a mild + And gentle sympathy, that steals away + Their sharpness ere he is aware?" + +The river, for the greater part of the drive, flowed through a valley, +which it divided into two very unequal portions, skirting occasionally +with its left bank the woods that ran quite down the sides of the +hills to the water, and then winding away to the right, leaving +considerable intervals of level land betwixt itself and the woods +above mentioned, but, almost invariably, having still wider expanses +of champaign, that gradually ascended from the stream, until it met +the forest-covered hills that bounded the valley, on the right. In +some instances, the woods extended on both sides down to the river, +throwing an agreeable shade over the way-farers, and shedding abroad +a cool, moist freshness, that brought with itself a woodland-scent, +compounded of the fragrance of sassafras, and fern, and sweet-briar, +and mosses, and unknown plants. Then, again the road would run for +a considerable distance through an open space, unshaded by trees, to +cross, a little further on, another belt of woods, thus making their +darkened recesses doubly grateful from the contrast of alternating +light and shade, while all along the stream murmured a soft expression +of thanks for the lovely country it irrigated, for the blue sky, that +mirrored itself in its bosom with floating clouds, for the sunshine +sparkling on its ripples, and for the overhanging woods, and birds, +that sung among the branches. + +The disordered spirit of Armstrong was not insensible to the charm. +He gazed round, and drank in the beauty by which he was surrounded. +He scented the sweetness of the woods, and it seemed to impart an +agreeable exhilaration. In the pauses of the conversation, hitherto +carried on almost entirely by Judge Bernard, he listened to the +monotonous, yet soothing flow of the water, and it sounded like an +invitation to cast off trouble. As he listened the shooting pain +in his head diminished, his thoughts became less sombre, and he +surrendered himself to something like enjoyment. Very soon it seemed +as if he were exerting himself to be agreeable to his companion, and +to make up, by taking a more active part in the conversation, for +former silence and neglect. + +"This clear river," he said, "this beautiful valley, with its quiet +woods, are a blessing to me to-day. It is a pleasure to breathe the +air. Has Italy bluer skies?" + +"The encomiums of travellers on the skies of Italy are to be received +by us with some qualification," answered the Judge. "They are mostly +written by Englishmen, and the comparison is between the humid climate +of England and the drier one of Italy. This being borne in mind, the +praises lavished on Italian skies are just. But as compared with ours, +they can boast of little or no superiority in beauty. I have seen as +gorgeous heavens in my own country as ever glorified the land of the +Caesars." + +"And how is it with the landscape?" + +"There we must yield to Europe. We have nothing to be compared with +the grandeur of the Swiss mountains, or the combination of loveliness +and magnificence around the lake of Geneva." + +"But Niagara!" + +"Aye, Niagara! unequalled and alone. There can be but one Niagara." + +"And the Alleghany and White Mountains?" + +"Fine scenery, but hills in comparison with the mountains of +Switzerland." + +"And now for the works of man. You must have been struck by the +contrast between the towns in our own country and in Europe." + +"Yes, certainly, the difference is great." + +"In what does it consist?" + +"Principally in the newness of the one, and the oldness of the other. +There, what one sees reminds him of the past; here, he beholds only +presentiments of the future." + +"There is a great difference, I am told, and read too, in the style of +building." + +"You may well say that. Here there is no style. Our houses are models +of bad taste, and pretty much all alike. The time will undoubtedly +come when we shall have a domestic architecture, but it will require +some years before we get rid of narrow cornices, innumerable small +windows, and exclusive white paint." + +"You should make allowances for us," said Armstrong, deprecatingly. +"Consider the poverty of a new country, and the material that poverty +compels us to use." + +"I am willing to allow the excuse all the weight it deserves, but I +cannot understand how poverty can be an excuse for bad taste, or why +because wood is used, a house may not be made to have an attractive +appearance. I think there are other reasons more efficacious than the +plea of poverty, which can, indeed, no longer be made." + +"Come, come," said Armstrong, "you do not love anything about us +Puritans, and your objections, if politeness would allow you to +speak them out plainly, would be found to contain a fling at Calvin's +children; but hearken, if I cannot find excuses to satisfy even you." + +"I shall listen eagerly, but must correct you in one thing. I not only +love some things about the Puritans, but some Puritans themselves." + +"Surely, I know it. But now listen to my defence. The first settlement +of the country was attended with a great many hardships. The country +was colder than the immigrants were accustomed to; they arrived in the +winter, and the first thing to be attended to was to secure shelter. +Under these circumstances you will admit that attention to the +principles of architecture was not to be expected. They knocked up +houses as cheaply, and plainly, and rapidly as possible, content if +they kept out wind and weather. Wood was preferred, because it was +cheaper, and quicker worked. Thus lived the first generation. The +condition of the second was somewhat improved; they had become +accustomed to their houses and were tolerably satisfied. The third had +never seen anything better, and not having the means of comparison, +could not make it to their own disadvantage, and finally, as man is a +creature of custom and habit, and reverence, they learned to regard +a style of building that had sprung out of the necessities of their +ancestors, as an evidence not only of good sense, but of good taste. +The immigrants, arriving from time to time, might have disabused them, +but these would naturally fall into the ways and sentiments of the +people, and were their tastes ever so ambitious, probably had not the +means to gratify them. This is the origin, and thus is to be explained +the continuance of American architecture." + +"An architecture," said the Judge, "that would have driven a Greek +out of his senses. But though I will not quarrel with you about +its origin, does not its perpetuation for so long a time affect the +character of our countrymen for taste?" + +"It will pass away," said Armstrong, gloomily, "and with it the stern +virtues that are of more importance than a trifle like this." + +"There can be no connection between an improvement in architecture, +and a deterioration of morals." + +"Prosperity brings wealth, and wealth is the means to gratify the +caprices of luxury and taste. Perhaps, at some future day when stone +and marble shall have susperseded wood and brick; and magnificent +Grecian and Gothic temples, resplendent in stained glass, taken the +places of the humble, unpretentious meeting-houses, the thoughtful and +judicious will sigh for those times of primitive simplicity, when an +humble heart was more than an ostentatious offering, and God's word +was listened to devoutly on hard seats instead of being dozed over in +cushioned pews." + +"You are becoming gloomy, Armstrong," said the Judge. "This will +never do. Progress, man, progress I tell you is the word. The world is +improving every day. Banish these sick fancies." + +Armstrong shook his head. "I envy you," he said, "your hopeful and +joyous spirit, while I know you are mistaken." + +"Well, well, my friend, I wish I could give you a portion of it. But +to come back to where we started from. After finding so much fault, it +is time to praise. However we may ridicule the ugliness of our houses, +this much must be admitted in favor of our villages and country towns, +that in cleanliness and an appearance of substantial comfort, they +infinitely surpass their rivals in Europe. I do not except the +villages in England. Who can walk through one of our New England +country towns, where majestic elms throw their shadows over spacious +streets, and the white rose clambers over the front doors of the neat, +white painted houses, standing back a rod or two from the street with +gardens stretching behind, while Peace and Plenty bless the whole, and +not be grateful for a scene so fair, for a land so fortunate!" + +They had now arrived in sight of the Judge's farm-house, which stood +at some distance from the main road, from which a lane planted on both +sides with maples, led to it. As they drove along the Judge pointed +out the changes he had made since he became the owner. + +"When I purchased the property," he said, "the house looked very +differently. It was stuck full of little insignificant windows that +affected me like staring eyes; its two or three inches of cornice +stole timidly out, as if ashamed of itself, over the side, and the +whole wore an awkward and sheepish air. It made me uncomfortable every +time I looked at it, and I resolved upon an alteration. So I shut up +half the windows, and increased the size where I could, and threw +out a cornice, which, besides the merit of beauty, has the practical +advantage (that is the national word, I believe) of acting as an +umbrella to protect the sides against the mid-day heat of the sun in +summer, and the storms in winter. Besides, I added the veranda, which +runs nearly the whole length of the front." + +"I confess it is an improvement upon the ancestral style," said +Armstrong. + +"I expected the acknowledgment from your natural taste, which is +excellent," said the Judge laughing, "except when corrupted by +traditional prejudices. I must take care of my horse myself, I +suspect," he added, as they drove up to the door: "the men are +probably all in the fields. He will stand, however, well enough under +this shed." So saying, and after Armstrong had alighted at the door, +he drove the horse under a shed, near the barn, and fastened him; then +joining Armstrong, the two entered the house. + +"La, Judge!" said Mrs. Perkins, the farmer's wife who received them, +smoothing down her check apron, "you take us by surprise to-day. We +didn't expect you, and the men-folks is all in the lot. Didn't you +find your ride very warm?" + +"Not very; and if it had been, the pleasure of seeing you, Mrs. +Perkins, would more than compensate for any annoyance from the heat." + +"You are so polite, Judge," replied Mrs. Perkins, simpering. "I +declare you are equal to a Frenchman." + +With all his French education, this was a remark the Judge would have +been willing to dispense with; however on the French principle of +considering that as a compliment, the meaning of which is equivocal, +he bowed and introduced Mr. Armstrong. + +Mrs. Perkins courtesied. "She'd heard," she said, "of Mr. Armstrong, +and that he had the handsomest daughter, in the town of Hillsdale." + +"It is your turn now," whispered the Judge. "Let me see how you will +acquit yourself." + +But Armstrong was not a man for compliments. + +"Faith looks as well as young ladies generally I believe," he said. + +Mrs. Perkins did not like to have her pretty speech received with so +much indifference, so she answered, + +"I was, perhaps, too much in a hurry when I called Squire Armstrong's +daughter, the handsomest: I forgot Anne, and she's a right to be, +sence she's got her father's good looks." + +"Dear Mrs Perkins, you overwhelm me!" exclaimed the Judge, bowing +still lower than before. "I think higher than ever of your taste." + +"Ah! You're poking fun at me, me now," said Mrs. Perkins, hardly +knowing how to receive the acknowledgment. "But wouldn't you like to +take something after your ride?" + +Those were not the days of temperance societies, and it would have +been quite _secundum regulas_, had the gentlemen accepted the offer +as intended by their hostess. The Judge looked at Armstrong, who +declined, and then turning to Mrs. Perkins said, + +"The strawberry season is not over, I believe"-- + +"Oh! I can give you strawberries and cream," interrupted the +hospitable Mrs. Perkins. + +"And would you be so kind as to give them to us in the veranda? The +sun does not shine in, and it will be pleasanter in the open air." + +"Sartainly. Eliza Jane!" she cried, elevating her voice and speaking +through an open door to one of her little daughters, with a blooming +multitude of whom Providence had blessed her, + +"Eliza Jane, fetch two cheers into the piazza. That piazza, Judge, is +one of the grandest things that ever was. The old man and me and the +children, take ever so much comfort in it." + +"I am glad you like it. But we will spare your daughter the trouble of +taking out the chairs, and carry them ourselves." + +"Not for the world, Judge, for I think it's best to make children +useful." + +Accordingly Eliza Jane brought the chairs, and the mother retiring +with her, soon returned with the little girl, bearing in her hands +a tray containing the strawberries and cream. The Judge kissed the +child, and gave her a half dollar to buy a ribbon for her bonnet. + +"I do declare Judge!" cried the mother, whose gratified looks +contradicted the language, "you'll spoil Eliza Jane." + +"A child of yours cannot be spoiled, Mrs. Perkins," said the Judge, +"as long as she is under your eye. With your example before her, she +is sure to grow up a good and useful woman." + +"Well, I try to do my duty by her," said Mrs. Perkins, "and I don't +mean it shall be any fault of mine, if she ain't." + +It was nearly sunset by the time the gentlemen had finished, when the +Judge proposed to visit a piece of wood he was clearing at no great +distance from the house. Armstrong acquiesced, and they started off, +Mrs. Perkins saying, she should expect them to stop to tea. + +Their route lay through some woods and in the direction of the +Wootuppocut, on whose banks the clearing was being made. As they +approached, they could hear, more and more distinctly, the measured +strokes of an axe, followed soon by the crash of a falling tree. Then, +as they came still nearer, a rustling could be distinguished among the +leaves and the sound of the cutting off of limbs. And now they heard +the bark of a dog, and a man's voice ordering him to stop his noise. + +"Keep still, Tige!" said the voice. "What's the use of making such a +racket? I can't hear myself think. I say stop your noise! shut up!" + +"It is Tom Gladding, whom Perkins hired to make the clearing, one +of the best wood-choppers in the country. It is wonderful with what +dexterity he wields an axe." + +As the Judge uttered these words, the two gentlemen emerged from the +wood into the open space, denuded of its sylvan honors, by the labors +of Gladding. + +The clearing (as it is technically termed), was perhaps a couple of +acres in extent, in the form of a circle, and surrounded on all sides +by trees, only a narrow strip of them, however, being left on the +margin of the river, glimpses of which were caught under the branches +and the thin undergrowth. A brook which came out of the wood, ran, +glistening in the beams of the setting sun, and singing on its way +across the opening to fall into the Wootuppocut. The felled trees had +been mostly cut into pieces of from two to four feet in length, and +collected into piles which looked like so many altars scattered over +the ground. Here it was intended they should remain to dry, during the +summer, to be ready for a market in the fall. + +"So it's you, Judge and Mr. Armstrong," exclaimed Gladding as the two +came up. "I guessed as much, that somebody was coming, when I heard +Tige bark. He makes a different sort of a noise when he gits on the +scent of a rabbit or squirrel." + +"I dare say, Tiger knows a great deal more than we fancy," said the +Judge. "Why, Gladding you come on bravely. I had no idea you had made +such destruction." + +"When I once put my hand to the work," said Tom, laughing, "down they +must come, in short metre, if they're bigger than Goliah. Me and my +axe are old friends, and we've got the hang of one another pretty +well. All I have to do, is to say, 'go it,' and every tree's a goner." + +After this little bit of vanity, Tom, as if to prove his ability to +make good his boast by deeds, with a few well-directed blows, that +seemed to be made without effort, lopped off an enormous limb from the +tree he had just cut down. + +"I've heard tell," said Tom, continuing his employment of cutting off +the limbs, "that the Britishers and the Mounseers don't use no such +axes as ourn. You've been across the Big Pond, and can tell a fellow +all about it." + +"It is true, they do not. The European axe is somewhat differently +shaped from your effective weapon." + +"The poor, benighted critturs!" exclaimed Tom, in a tone of +commiseration. "I saw one of them Parleyvoos once, try to handle an +axe, and I be darned, if he didn't come nigh cutting off the great toe +of his right foot. If he hadn't been as weak as Taunton water--that, +folks say, can't run down hill--as all them outlandish furriners is, +and had on, to boot, regular stout cowhiders, I do believe he'd never +had the chance to have the gout in one toe, anyhow. Why, I'd as soon +trust a monkey with a coal of fire, in a powder-house, as one of them +chaps with an axe." + +"We have the best axes, and the most skillful woodmen in the world," +said the Judge, not unwilling to humor the harmless conceit of the +wood-chopper. + +"It's plaguy lucky we have, seeing as how we've got so many thousands +and thousands of acres to clear up," said Tom, with a sort of confused +notion, that the skill of his countrymen was a natural faculty not +possessed by "furriners." "But, Judge," he added, "I'm astonished at +your cutting down the trees at this season of the year, and it kind o' +goes agin my conscience to sling into 'em." + +"I know what you mean. You think they ought not to be cut when the sap +is rising. I suppose, the fire-wood is not so good?" + +"Not half. Turn the thing as you choose, and you'll see you're wrong. +In the first place, the wood ain't nigh as good; then, you lose the +growth the whole summer, and, lastly, you take away a fellow from +business that's more profitable." + +"How?" said the Judge. "Do I not give you full wages? Can you get +higher wages elsewhere?" + +"No fault to find with the pay," answered Tom; "that's good enough. +But, that ain't the idee. What I'm at is, that when I work, I like to +see something useful come to pass. Now, every time I strike a blow, +it seems to go right to my heart; for, I says to myself, this ain't no +season for cutting wood. The Judge don't understand his own interest, +and he's only paying me for injuring him." + +Judge Bernard was too well-acquainted with the honest independence of +Gladding to be offended at his uncomplimentary frankness. Nor, indeed, +looking at it from Tom's point of view, could he avoid feeling a +certain respect for that right-mindedness, which regarded not merely +the personal remuneration to be received, but, also, the general +benefit to be produced. He laughed, therefore, as he replied-- + +"You do not seem to set much value on my judgment, Gladding. Perhaps, +I have objects you do not see." + +"It ain't to be expected," said Tom, "and it ain't rational to +suppose, that a man, who, when he was young, spent his time travelling +over all creation, and then when he come home, took to the law, should +know much about these matters; though, I guess you know as much as +most folks, who ain't been brought up to 'em. But, as you say, it's +likely you've got reasons of your own, as plenty as feathers in a bed, +and I've been talking like most folks whose tongues is too long, like +a darned fool." + +"You are too hard on yourself, now. But, for your consolation, we will +stop to-day with this piece of work, and you shall not be pained to +cut down any more trees out of season. The clearing is as large as +I wish it, and we will see to the burning of the brush, when it is +drier. But, where is Mr. Armstrong?" + +Armstrong, at the commencement of the conversation, had strayed away +by himself, and sat down by one of the altar-like piles of wood, near +the margin of the brook. Here he leaned his head on his hand, and +seemed lost in meditation. He was in this posture when the exclamation +was made by the Judge, who, on looking round, discovered the missing +man, and immediately advanced toward him. So deep was his abstraction, +that it was not until his friend's hand rested on his shoulder that +he was aware of the other's presence. He arose, and the two retraced +their steps together. The sun, by this time, had sunk behind the +horizon, and, as they passed, Gladding threw his axe on his shoulder +and joined their company. + +"I'm glad," said the wood-chopper, as they stepped out of the +clearing, and turned to look back upon what he had accomplished, "that +job's done, and I can turn my hand to something else more like summer +work." + +"Do you mean to proceed no further with your chopping?" inquired +Armstrong. + +"Not at present. All has been done that I desired, and I ought to +respect Gladding's conscientious scruples." + +Armstrong looked inquiringly from one to the other, but asked no +question. + +The hospitable invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins was too pressing to +be resisted, and it was not until the full moon had risen, that the +gentlemen departed. The soft beauty of the delicious evening, or some +other cause, exercised an influence over Armstrong, that disposed +him to silence and meditation, which his companion perceiving, they +returned home without exchanging scarcely a dozen words. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + Man is a harp, whose cords elude the sight, + Each yielding harmony disposed aright; + The screws reversed (a task which if he please, + God in a moment executes with ease), + Ten thousand thousand strings at once go loose, + Lost, till he tune them, all their power and use. + + COWPER + + +The aberration of mind of the unhappy Mr. Armstrong was at last with +inevitable and steady step approaching its dreaded culminating point. +To the outward eye he exhibited but little change. He was indeed, at +times more restless, and his eyes would wander round as if in quest +of some object that was trying to elude his sight; at one moment +listless, silent, and dejected, and again animated, almost gay, like +one who, ashamed of an exhibition of moody temper, tries to atone +by extraordinary efforts of amiability for the error. His intimate +friends had some knowledge of these changes, and to Faith, above all, +living with him in the same house, and in the tender relation of +a daughter to a parent, each of whom idolized the other, they were +painfully apparent, and great was the anxiety they occasioned. How +bitter were the tears which in solitude she shed, and frequent and +fervent her supplications to the universal Father to pity and protect +her father! How willingly, even at the sacrifice even of her own life, +would she have restored peace and happiness to him! + +But to the neighbors, to those who saw Armstrong only in public, no +great change was manifest. He was thinner and paler than usual, to be +sure, but every one was liable to attacks of indisposition, and there +was no reason why he should be exempt; he did not speak a great deal, +but he was always rather taciturn, and when he did converse, it was +with his usual sweetness and affability. They guessed he'd be better +after a while. + +Such was the common judgment in the little community among those who +had any knowledge of Armstrong's condition. They saw him daily in the +streets. They conversed with him, and could see nothing out of the +way. But some few who recollected the history of the family, and the +circumstances attending the latter years of Armstrong's father, shook +their heads, and did not hesitate to intimate that there had always +been something strange about the Armstrongs. Curious stories, too, +were told about the grandfather, and there was a dim tradition, nobody +knew whence it came, or on what authority it rested, that the original +ancestor of the family in this country, was distinguished in those +days of ferocious bigotry, when the Indians were regarded by many as +Canaanites, whom it was a religious duty to extirpate, as much for an +unrelenting severity against the natives, bordering even on aberration +of mind, as for reckless courage. + +It is sad to look upon the ruins of a palace in whose halls the gay +song and careless laugh long ago echoed; to contemplate the desolation +of the choked fountains in gardens which _were_ princely; and with +difficulty to make one's way through encroaching weeds and tangled +briers, over what once were paths where beauty lingered and listened +to the vow of love; or to wander through the streets of a disentombed +city, or seated on a fallen column, or the stone steps of the +disinterred amphitheatre, to think of the human hearts that here, a +thousand years agone, beat emulously with the hopes and fears, the +loves and hates, the joys and sorrows, the aspiration and despair +that animate or depress our own, and to reflect that they have +all vanished--ah, whither? But however saddening the reflections +occasioned by such contemplations, however much vaster the interests +involved in them, they do not affect us with half that wretched sorrow +with which we gaze upon the wreck of a human mind. In the former case, +that which has passed away has performed its part; on every thing +terrestial "transitory," is written, and it is a doom we expect, and +are prepared for; but in the latter it is a shrouding of the heavens; +it is a conflict betwixt light and darkness, where darkness conquers; +it is an obscuration and eclipse of the godlike. We therefore feel no +desire to dwell upon this part of our history, but, on the contrary, +to glide over it as rapidly as is consistent with the development of +the tale. + +Next after Faith, the faithful Felix noticed, with disquietude, the +alteration in his master, and many were the sad colloquies he held +with Rosa on the subject. Holden in some way or another was connected +in his mind with the cause of Mr. Armstrong's melancholy, for although +for several years the latter had not been remarkably cheerful, yet it +was only since Holden's acquaintance had become intimacy, that that +melancholy deepened into gloom. The simple fellow naturally looked +round for some cause for the effect, and none presented itself so +plausible as the one he adopted. + +"I wish," he had repeatedly said to Rosa, "that the old man would stay +away. I'd see the divil with as much satisfacshum as him. Miss Faith +too, I am sorry to say, is out of her wits." + +One morning when Felix went up stairs, in answer to his master's bell, +he could not avoid remarking on his altered appearance. + +"I hope you will 'scuse me, sir," he said, "but me and the servants +very much alarm about you, sir." + +"I am obliged to you, Felix, and to all of you, but really there is no +occasion for any alarm," said Mr. Armstrong. + +"The case is the alarmingest when the patient doesn't know how sick he +is. There was my old friend, Pompey Topset. He was setting up on the +bed, when I come in to see him, smoking a pipe. And says he, says +Pompey to me, says he, Felix, how do you do? this child never feel +better. Then he give one puff and his head fall on the breast, and +the pipe jump out of his mouth and burnt the clothes, and where was +Pompey! He never," added Felix, shaking his head, "was more mistaken +in all his life." + +Mr. Armstrong was obliged to smile. "So you think me in as dangerous a +condition as Pompey was, when he took his last smoke." + +"Bless you, Mr. Armstrong for the sweet smile," exclaimed, the negro. +"If you know how good it make me feel here, (laying his hand on his +heart) you would smile pretty often. I can remember when the wren +wasn't merrier than you, and you laughed almost as much as this fool +Felix." At the recollection of those happy days, poor Felix pressed +his hands upon his eyes, and tried to hide the tears, that in spite of +his efforts stole through the fingers. "But," continued he, "I hope in +the name of marcy, that you ain't so bad off as Pompey. That can't be. +I only spoke of him for the sake of--of--the illumination." + +"And what would you have me do?" inquired Armstrong, desirous to take +all possible notice of the affectionate fellow. + +"I pufess a high 'pinion of the doctor," answered Felix. "There is no +man who gives medicine that tastes worse, and therefore must be the +powerfullest. I would proscribe the doctor, sir." + +"You would prescribe the doctor? Ah, Felix, I am afraid my case has +nothing to do with his medicines." + +"There is one other thing I should like to mention if I wasn't 'fraid +it might offend Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, hesitatingly. + +"And what is that, Felix? I will promise not to be offended." + +Thus encouraged, Felix ventured to say. + +"I have remark that Mr. Holden come often to see you, and you go to +see him. His visits always seem to leave you kind o' solemncolly like, +and all the world is surprise that you are so condescensious to the +basket-man." + +"Enough of this," said Armstrong, abruptly and sternly. "You permit +too much freedom to your tongue respecting your superiors. Leave the +room." + +Poor Felix, aghast at the sudden change in the manner of his master, +precipitately retired, casting back a grieved look, and ejaculating +under his breath, as he closed the door, "Good Lord!" + +"What is the matter with me?" said Armstrong, presently to himself, +upon being left alone. "I invite this poor fellow, whose only fault is +that he loves me too much, to speak freely, and then treat him harshly +for his unintentional impertinence, assuming an importance that +belongs to no one, and as if we were not worms creeping together +towards the edge of that precipice from which we must fall into +eternity. Whence springs my conduct but from pride, self-will, +selfishness? I would arrogate a superiority over this poor negro. Poor +negro! There spoke the pride of your heart, James Armstrong! But well +is he called Felix in comparison with you. Happy in being born of a +despised and persecuted race; happy in being condemned to the life of +a servant, to an ignorance that diminishes responsibility; happy in +receiving no good thing here. Strut about, James Armstrong, in purple +and fine linen, but know that for all these things, God will assuredly +call thee to judgment." + +That whole day Armstrong seemed debating some question with himself. +He paid less than even his usual attention to what was passing around, +and more than once was spoken to without heeding the address. In the +afternoon, he started off by himself, saying he might not return +until evening. Felix, whose anxiety the rebuff in the morning had +strengthened and confirmed, watched his master as he left the house, +and would have followed to guard him against a danger, the approach of +which he instinctively felt, but which he could not see, unless Faith, +to whom he thought proper to communicate his intention, had forbidden +him. She found it difficult to prevent him, so greatly were the fears +of the black excited, on whose mind the motives of delicacy that +induced Faith to desire to guard the movements of her father from +observation, cannot be supposed to have exerted so much force. +Much doubting and questioning the wisdom of the young lady, yet +not venturing to disobey her, Felix blamed himself for making her +acquainted with his design. + +"This child head," he said, apostrophizing himself, "ain't no better +than a squash. What made me tell Miss Faith what I were going to do?" + +After Armstrong left the house, he continued in the street only a +little way, soon striking across the fields and thus greatly abridging +the distance he must have passed over had he pursued the high road. +The truth is, he was directing his steps towards the very spot he +had visited with Judge Bernard. He reached it, notwithstanding he was +afoot, in much less time than the drive had taken, so rapidly did +he walk when out of sight, and so much was the length of the way +shortened. Upon arriving at the place, he sat down upon the same +log which had been his former seat, and folding his arms sunk into a +reverie. After the space of an hour, perhaps, thus passed, he rose and +commenced piling up near the brook some pieces of wood which he +took from the heaps about him, making another, differing from them +principally in being smaller. As he crossed the sticks laid regularly +at right angles upon each other, he filled up the intervals with the +loose leaves and dry brush lying around. In this way he proceeded +until he had raised a cube, perhaps six feet long, four wide, and four +high. + +During the whole time the work was progressing he seemed to be +contending with violent emotions and driven along by some power he +vainly tried to resist. Terror, awe, and repugnance were all portrayed +upon his countenance. But still the work went on. When it was finished +he stood off a few steps, and then, as in a sudden frenzy, rushed +at, and seizing upon the several sticks of wood, hurled them in every +direction around until the whole pile was demolished. Neglecting his +hat that lay upon the ground, he then ran with a wild cry, and at the +top of his speed, bounding, like a wild animal, over the brush and +trunks of trees, as if in haste to remove himself from a dreadful +object, until he reached the woods, when falling upon his face, he +lay quite still. After a time he appeared seized with a hysterical +passion; he pressed his hand on his side as if in pain, and heavy +sobs burst at irregular intervals from his bosom. These finally passed +away, and he sat up comparatively composed. A struggle was still +going on, for several times he got up and walked a short distance and +returned and threw himself down on the ground as before. At length, +indistinctly muttering, unheeding the blazing sun that scorched his +unprotected head, and lingering as though unwilling to advance, he +returned to the scene of his former labors. And now, as if unwilling +to trust himself with any delay, lest his resolution might falter, +he proceeded, with a sort of feverish impatience, to reconstruct the +pile. Shortly, the pieces were laid symmetrically upon each other as +before, and the dead leaves and brush disposed in the intervals. After +all was done, Armstrong leaned over and bowed his head in an attitude +of supplication. When he raised it the eyes were tearless, and his +pale face wore an aspect of settled despair. Resuming the hat, that +until now had lain neglected in the leaves, he went to the brook and +washed his hands in the running water. + +"Could man wash out the sins of his soul," he said, "as I wash +these stains from my hands! But water, though it may cleanse outer +pollution, cannot reach the inner sin. Blood, blood only, can do that. +Why was it that this dreadful law was imposed upon our race? But I +will not dwell on this. I have interrogated the universe and God, and +entreated them to disclose the awful secret, but in vain. My heart +and brain are burnt to ashes in the attempt to decipher the mystery. I +will strive no more. It is a provocation to faith. I dare not trust +to reason. There is something above reason. I submit. Dreadful, +unfathomable mystery, I submit, and accept thee with all the +consequences at which the quivering flesh recoils." + +Upon the return of Armstrong, all traces of violent emotion had +disappeared, and given place to exhaustion and lassitude. Faith had, +by this time, become so accustomed to the variable humors of her +father, that, however much they pained her, she was no longer alarmed +by them as formerly. It was her habit, whenever he was attacked by his +malady, to endeavor to divert his attention from melancholy thoughts +to others of a more cheerful character. And now, on this day, so +fraught with horrors of which she was ignorant, although the silence +of the unhappy man interrupted by fits of starting, and inquiries of +the time o'clock, revealed to her that he was suffering to an unusual +degree, she attempted the same treatment which, in more than one +instance, had seemed to be attended with a beneficial effect. +Armstrong was peculiarly sensitive to music, and it was to his love of +it that she now trusted to chase away his gloom. When, therefore, in +the evening, she had vainly endeavored to engage him in conversation, +receiving only monosyllables in return, she advanced to the piano, and +inquired if he would not like to hear her sing? + +"Sing! my child?" said Armstrong, as if at first not understanding the +question; "Oh, yes--let me hear you sing." + +Faith opened the piano, and turning over the leaves of a music book, +and selecting a sacred melody as best befitting the mood of her +father, sung, with much sweetness and expression, the following lines: + + How shall I think of Thee, eternal Fountain + Of earthly joys and boundless hopes divine, + Of Thee, whose mercies are beyond recounting, + To whom unnumbered worlds in praises shine? + + I see thy beauty in the dewy morning, + And in the purple sunset's changing dyes; + Thee I behold the rainbow's arch adorning; + Thee in the starry glories of the skies. + + The modest flower, low in the green grass blushing, + The wondrous wisdom of the honey bee, + The birds' clear joy in streams of music gushing, + In sweet and varied language tell of Thee. + + All things are with Thy loving presence glowing, + The worm as well as the bright, blazing star; + Out of Thine infinite perfection flowing, + For Thine own bliss and their delight THEY ARE. + + But chiefly in the pure and trusting spirit, + Is Thy choice dwelling-place, Thy brightest throne. + The soul that loves shall all of good inherit, + For Thou, O God of love art all its own. + + Upon Thine altar I would lay all feeling, + Subdued and hallowed to Thy perfect will, + Accept these tears, a thankful heart revealing, + A heart that hopes, that trembles, and is still. + +At the commencement of the hymn, Armstrong paid but little attention, +but as the sweet stream of melody flowed on from lips on which he had +ever hung with delight, and in the tones of that soft, beloved voice, +it gradually insinuated itself through his whole being, as it were +into the innermost chambers of his soul. He raised the dejected eyes, +and they dwelt on Faith's face with a sort of loving eagerness, as if +he were seeking to appropriate some of the heavenly emotion that to +his imagination, more and more excited, began to assume the appearance +of a celestial halo around her head. But it is not necessary to assume +the existence of insanity to account for such an impression. If there +be anything which awakens reminiscences of a divine origin, it is from +the lips of innocence and beauty, to listen to the pure heart pouring +itself out in tones like voices dropping from the sky. The sweetness, +the full perfection of the notes are not sufficient to account for the +effect. No instrument made by human hands is adequate to it. There +is something more, something lying behind, sustaining and floating +through the sounds. Is it the sympathy of the heavenly for the +earthly; the tender lamentation not unmixed with hope; the sigh of the +attendant angel? + +Upon the conclusion of the piece, Faith rose and took a seat by her +father. + +"Shall I sing more, father?" she inquired. + +"No, my darling," answered Armstrong, taking her hand into his. +"Dearly as I love to hear you, and although it may be the last time, +I would rather have you nearer me, and hear you speak in your own +language; it is sweeter than the words of any poet. Faith, do you +believe I love you?" + +"Father! father!" cried she, embracing him, "how can you ask so cruel +a question? I know that you love me as much as father ever loved a +daughter." + +"Promise me that nothing shall ever deprive you of a full confidence +in my affection." + +"I should be most wretched, could I think it possible." + +"But suppose I should kill you this instant?" + +"Dear father, this is horrid! You are incapable of entertaining a +thought of evil towards me." + +"You are right, Faith, but only suppose it." + +"I cannot have such a thought of my own father! It is impossible. I +would sooner die than admit it into my mind." + +"I am satisfied. Under no circumstances can you conceive a thought +of evil of me. But this is a strange world, and the strangest things +happen in it. I speak in this way because I do not know what may come +to pass next. I have always loved my fellow-men, and desired their +good opinion, and the idea of forfeiting it, either through my own +fault or theirs, is painful to me. But men judge so absurdly! They +look only at the outside. They are so easily deceived by appearances! +Do you know, that of late I have thought there was a great deal of +confusion in the ordinary way of men's thinking? But I see clearly the +cause of the errors into which they are perpetually falling. All the +discord arises from having wills of their own. Do you not think so?" + +"Religion teaches, father, that our wills are sources of unhappiness +only when opposed to the Divine will." + +"I knew you would agree with me. And then think of the folly of it. +The resistance must be ineffectual. That is a sweet song you sung, +but it seems to me the theology of it is not altogether correct. +It celebrates only the love of God, and is, therefore, partial and +one-sided. He is also a consuming fire." + +"A consuming fire to destroy what is evil." + +"I hope it is so. But do you know that I have been a good deal +troubled lest there might be truth in the doctrine, that Necessity, an +iron Necessity, you understand, might control God himself?" + +"Why will you distress yourself with these strange speculations, +father? There are some things, it was intended, we should not know." + +"Why," continued Armstrong, "it is an opinion that has been +entertained for thousands of years, and by the wisest men. The old +philosophers believed in it, and I do not know how otherwise to +explain the destiny of the elect and reprobate. For you see, Faith, +that if God could make all men happy, he would. But he does not." + +"I think we ought not to engage our minds in such thoughts," said +Faith. "They cannot make us wiser or better, or comfort us in +affliction, or strengthen us for duty." + +"They are very interesting. I have spent days thinking them over. But +if the subject is unpleasant we will choose another. I think you look +wonderfully like your mother to-night. I almost seem to see her again. +It was very curious how Mr. Holden discovered your likeness to her." + +"I was quite startled," said his daughter, glad to find her father's +mind directed to something else. "I wonder if he could have seen my +mother." + +He explained the way in which he found it out. "Was it not ingenious? +No one else would have thought of it. He has a very subtle intellect." + +"I was not quite satisfied," said Faith. "His explanation seemed far +fetched, and intended for concealment. I think he must have seen my +mother." + +"If that is your opinion, I will inquire into it. But I do not wish +to speak of Holden. You have been to me, Faith, a source of great +happiness, and when you are gone, I know I shall not live long." + +"We shall live many happy years yet, dear father, and when our time +comes to depart, we will thank God for the happiness we have enjoyed, +and look forward to greater." + +"Your time is at the door, my daughter," said Armstrong, solemnly. + +"I know that at any moment I may be called, but that does not affect +my happiness, or diminish my confidence, that all is well according to +the counsel of His will." + +"I see thee in the shining raiment of the blessed! I behold thee in +the celestial city!" exclaimed Armstrong. + +It was later than usual when the father and daughter separated that +night. It seemed as if he were unwilling to allow her to depart, +detaining her by caresses when she made suggestions of the lateness of +the hour, and assenting only when the clock warned that midnight was +passed. Then it was he said: + +"I do wrong to keep you up so long, Faith. You should be bright and +well for an excursion I intend to take with you to-morrow. You will go +with me, will you not?" + +"I shall be delighted. The clear sky," she added, walking to the +window, "promises a fine day." + +"Upon how many new-made graves will to-morrow's sun shine? I wish mine +was one of them" + +"O, do not say so. You will break my heart." + +"Not willingly. O! I do not pain you willingly. You were not born to +suffer much pain. Living or dying, you will be a pure offering to your +Maker, my daughter." + +"Father, how strangely you talk! You are ill." + +"As well as I shall be in this life. But do not be troubled. To-morrow +will make a change." + +He was near the door when he uttered the last words; and now, as +if not daring to trust himself in a longer conversation, he hastily +opened it, and proceeded to his chamber. Faith followed his example, +pondering sadly over the conversation. It did not escape her, that it +was more incoherent than usual, but she had seen persons before under +great religious distress of mind, whose peace was afterwards restored, +and she doubted not that, in like manner, her father's doubts would +be solved, and his spirit calmed. With, her heart full of him, and her +last thought a petition on his behalf, she fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + 'Tis necessity + To which the gods must yield; and I obey, + Till I redeem it by some glorious way. + + BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. + + +The next morning was beautiful, like most June mornings. Armstrong, +who had not closed his eyes during the whole night, rose with the dawn +to wander through his garden, which was a favorite resort. His walk, +at first rapid and irregular, as if he were trying to work off a +nervous excitement, gradually slackened, until it became a firm, +composed step. With folded arms and compressed, resolved lips, he +paced up and down the paths. He was living in an interior world. +He heard not the singing of the birds, which, in great numbers, +frequented the spacious gardens and orchards lying around; he saw not +the beautiful flowers, burdening the air with sweetness; nor the young +fruit, whose progress, through the various stages of its growth, he +had once watched with so much pleasure. His mind went back to the time +when he was a school-boy with his brother George; when they slept in +the same bed, and associated in the same sports; it then advanced to +their college days, and the face of the beautiful girl, who became his +wife, flitted by him. He thought of that fair face now for many a +long day, mouldering in the grave, into which he had seen the coffin +lowered; then his thoughts reverted to his brother George, so brave, +so generous, so strong once, but who presented himself to his vision +now, a livid corpse, dripping with water. Next came his mother, of +whom his recollection was faint; and then his father, with insanity in +his eyes. He felt, as it were, their presence around him, but it was a +companionship which afforded no pleasure. There seemed to be something +about himself that invincibly held them off, notwithstanding their +attempts to approach--a sullen sphere, which projected a dark shadow, +only to the edge of which the spirits could come, and which they made +repeated efforts to cross. + +While Armstrong was suffering under these strange delusions, Felix +approached, to call him to breakfast. The black beheld him walking +backwards and forwards, with orderly and composed steps, and +congratulated himself upon the change since the day before. He had +not, however, ventured to address his master since being ordered away, +and uncertain how he would be received, preferred to be spoken to +first. With this view, he drew nigh one of the flower-beds, which +Armstrong was passing and re-passing, and pretended to busy himself +with tying up one of the rose bushes, then in full bloom. Armstrong +did not see Felix as he passed, so deep was his reverie, but +on retracing his steps, he observed a shadow on the path, which +occasioned him to lift his eyes, when he discerned the black. He +stopped and spoke. + +"Felix," he said, "I was unkind to you yesterday. I ask your pardon." + +"O, Mr. Armstrong," said Felix, his eyes protruding with astonishment, +"there is no 'casion. I say so many foolish things, it is no wonder +you out of patience sometime." + +"No, Felix; it was a fancied superiority that made me speak harshly. +You have always been a good and faithful servant," he continued, +taking out his pocket-book, which he opened mechanically, as from the +force of habit, "and I wish I had it in my power to express better my +sense of the obligation. But why do I open it?" he said, closing at +the same time, and offering it to Felix. "You will find here what may +be of use to you, though I think there is little enjoyment purchasable +with money." + +"Why! Mr. Armstrong," cried Felix, stepping back. "What for do I want +more money? I have enough, and you will please keep it, sir, to give +some poor man if you wish." + +"You are right to despise it," said Armstrong. "It shows a superiority +of soul. Now here is this poor black," he went on soliloquizing, +though all the time Felix stood before him, "who has learned that +lesson of contentment which the generality never learn. Rich in his +poverty here, an inheritor of the skies, I have only insulted him by +so contemptible an offer." His head sunk upon his breast, his eyes +fell upon the ground, his pocket-book dropped from his unconscious +hand, and he resumed his walk. The negro stooped and picked it up, +saying, to himself: + +"Very strange! Mr. Armstrong act as if pocket-book chock full +o' bank-bills grow like chick-weed, but I will take him under my +protecshum till I give him to Miss Faith." + +Upon Armstrong's return from the end of the walk, Felix delivered +himself of his errand, and his master directed his steps towards the +house. + +He found his daughter with the breakfast apparatus before her, and +looking as fresh and charming as the morning itself. + +"You have shown better taste than I, father," she said. "You have been +enjoying the beauty of nature, while I was lying on a downy pillow." + +"Sleep is sweet to the young and healthy," said Armstrong, "and my +selfishness kept you up so late last night, that I do not wonder you +are not as early as usual." + +"My late hours have done me no harm. But when shall we take the drive +you promised me?" + +"At any time that is most agreeable to yourself." + +"If you refer it to me, I shall not long hesitate." + +"It will make no difference with me. Choose, yourself, my darling." + +"Then, why not this morning, while the air is fresh with the dews of +night, and before the roads are filled with dust? I anticipate a great +deal of pleasure, for it seems to me some mystery hangs about this +drive, and that you are preparing for me a delightful surprise." + +Armstrong started, and an expression of pain gathered over his face. + +"That was earlier than I intended," he said, "but a few hours can make +no difference." + +"If it is not perfectly convenient; if you have another engagement, +put it off later. It was only the loveliness of the morning which made +me select it." + +"I have no other engagement so important," said Armstrong; "it is of +great importance to us both: I ought to gratify any request you can +make, but"-- + +"Why hesitate, dear father, to make your own choice without regard to +a chance expression of mine? I really have no preference contrary to +yours." + +"There is no such thing as chance. We will go this morning, my +darling," said Armstrong, with decision. "I have observed, there are +some persons controlled by a heavenly influence, which prevents their +erring. I have felt it sometimes, and, I think I feel it now. You were +always right from infancy. The influence upon us both is the same, +and, I am convinced, we should follow it." + +Accordingly, shortly after breakfast, Faith and her father entered the +coach, which was driven by Felix. The route they passed over was the +same taken by the Judge and Armstrong, and we are, therefore, relieved +from the necessity of a description. Besides, we are now too much +interested in Armstrong, to allow us to pay much attention to the +beauties of external nature. Of such infinite worth is a human being; +so incalculably grand and precious those faculties and powers which +connect him with his magnificent source; so fraught with mystery the +discipline he endures, a mystery in which each one endowed with the +same nature, has part, that the natural and the visible shrink into +insignificance in comparison with the unseen and spiritual. Of +what consequence is a world of insensate matter, when brought into +competition with the immortal spirit? + +Vain would be the attempt to describe the tumult of feelings that, +like billows of fire, dashed through the soul of the unfortunate man. +Sitting, as he supposed, for the last time, by the side of one dearer +than life, his eyes no longer dwelt upon Faith, with that expression +of calm and boundless love, whence she had been accustomed to drink in +so much happiness. Yet, was the love all there, but it was a troubled +love, a love full of anguish. What sweetness! what confidence in him +he read in her face! It was like the placid surface of a mountain +lake, in which the skies delight to mirror themselves--no emotion +hidden, no thought concealed--and, for all this innocent confidence, +what was his return? He was entertaining, in his mind, a dreadful +purpose; carefully concealing it so that it should be beyond the +power of suspicion, and inveigling her into a snare, which, upon being +discovered, must fill her young heart with an agony worse than death. +But no thought of swerving from his purpose crossed now the mind of +Armstrong. Considerations like these had long been reflected upon, and +in connection with others, been able, indeed, to retard the execution +of his design, but not, as it seemed, to defeat it. Whatever weight +they might have had, they were obliged to yield to more powerful +antagonists. He was no longer a free agent. A force, as with the grip +of a vice, held him fast. A scourge, whose every lash drew blood, as +it were, from his heart, drove him on. Beautiful, magnificent, the +harmonious and healthy play of the human faculties; horrid, beyond +conception, the possible chaos of their diseased action! + +Meanwhile, Faith, ignorant of what was passing in her father's +mind, endeavored to interest him in the objects which attracted her +attention, but in vain. The moment was nigh which was to accomplish +a deed, at the bare contemplation of which his whole being revolted; +but, to whose execution he felt drawn by a power, as irresistible by +him as is that force which keeps the worlds in their places, by those +rolling spheres. Engrossed, absorbed by one dominating idea, there was +no room in his mind for another. The musical tones of Faith's voice; +the smiles evoked for his sake, that played around those lips sweeter +than the damask rose, clustered inevitably about that one thought. +But, he felt them as a swarm of angry bees, that eagerly settle upon +a living thing to sting it into torture. That living thing was his +burning, sensitive heart, quivering, bleeding, convulsed, longing for +the bliss of annihilation. And thus, in an agony far greater than that +which the martyr endures in the chariot of flame which is to waft him +to heaven, as the sufferings of the immortal spirit can exceed those +of the perishable body, the insane man pursued his way. How unending +seemed that road, and yet, how he longed that it might extend on for +ever! Within the time of each revolution of the wheels, an age of +torment was compressed; yet, how he dreaded when they should stop! + +But this could not last, and, at length, the coach reached a spot +where Armstrong proposed they should alight. Accordingly, he assisted +Faith out, and, preceding her, they took their way across the fields. +Faith, unable to resist the attraction of the wild-flowers scattered +beneath her feet, stooped occasionally to pick them, and soon had her +hands full. + +"What a pity it is, father," she said, "that we should step upon these +beautiful things! They seem little fairies, enchanted in the grass, +that entreat us to turn aside and do them no harm." + +"It is our lot, in this world, cursed for our sakes," said Armstrong, +hoarsely, "to crush whatever we prize and love the dearest." + +"The flower is an emblem of forgiveness," said Faith. "Pluck it, and +it resents not the wrong. It dies, but with its last breath, exhales +only sweetness for its destroyer." + +"O, God!" groaned Armstrong. "Was this, too, necessary? Wilt thou +grind me between the upper and the nether millstone?" + +"What is the matter, father?" inquired Faith, anxiously, catching some +words between his groans. "O, you are ill, let us return." + +"No, my daughter, there is no return. It was a pang like those to +which I am subject. Will they ever pass off?" + +They had reached the open space of ground or clearing made by +Gladding, and Armstrong advanced, with Faith following, directly to +the pile he had built near the brook. + +"What a beautiful stream!" exclaimed Faith. "How it leaps, as if alive +and rejoicing in its activity! I always connect happiness with life." + +"You are mistaken," said Armstrong. "Life is wretchedness, with now +and then a moment of delusive respite to tempt us not to cast it +away." + +"When your health returns, you will think differently, dear father. +Look! how enchanting this blue over-arching sky, in which the clouds +float like angels. With what a gentle welcome the wind kisses our +cheeks, and rustles the leaves of the trees, as if to furnish an +accompaniment to the songs of the birds which flit among them, while +the dear little brook laughs and dances and claps its hands, and tells +us, like itself, to be glad. There is only one thing wanting, father, +and that is, that you should be happy. But I wonder why this pile of +wood was built up so carefully near the edge of the water." + +"It is the altar on which I am commanded to sacrifice thee, my child," +said Armstrong, seizing her by the arm, and drawing her towards it. + +There was a horror in the tones of his voice, a despair in the +expression of his face, and a lurid glare in his eyes, that explained +all his previous conduct, and revealed to the unhappy girl the full +danger of her situation; even as in a dark night a sudden flash of +lightning apprises the startled traveller of a precipice over which +his foot has already advanced, and the gleam serves only to show him +his destruction. + +"Father, you cannot be in earnest," she exclaimed, dreadfully alarmed +at being in the power of a maniac, far from assistance, "you do not +mean so. Oh," she said throwing herself into his arms, "I do not +believe my father means to hurt me." + +"Why do you not fly? Why do you throw your arms about me? Do you think +to defeat the decree? Unwind your arms, I say, and be obedient unto +death." + +So saying, with a gentle force he loosed the hold of the fainting +girl, who with one hand embracing his knees, and the other held up to +deprecate his violence, sunk at his feet. + +"God have mercy upon us! Christ have mercy upon us," her pale lips +faintly gasped. + +"Faith, my precious, my darling," said Armstrong, with a terrible +calmness, as he drew a large knife out of his bosom, "You know I +do not this of myself, but I dare not disobey the command. It might +endanger the soul of my child, which is dearer than her life. Think, +dear child, in a moment, you will be in Paradise. It is only one short +pang, and all is over. Let me kiss you first." + +He stooped down, he inclosed her in his arms, and strained her to +his heart--he imprinted innumerable kisses on her lips, her eyes, her +cheeks, her forehead--he groaned, and large drops of sweat stood on +his face, pressed out by the agony. + +"You will see your mother and my brother George, Faith. Tell them not +to blame me. I could not help it. You will not blame me, I know. You +never blamed me even in a thought. I wish it was for you to kill me. +The father, it would seem ought to go first, and I am very weary of +life." + +He raised the knife, and Faith, with upturned and straining eyes, saw +it glittering in the sunshine. She strove to cry out, but in vain. +From the parched throat no sound proceeded. She saw the point about +to enter her bosom. She shut her eyes, and mentally prayed for her +father. At that moment, as the deadly instrument approached her heart, +she heard a voice exclaim, "Madman forbear!" She opened her eyes: +the knife had dropped from her father's hand; he staggered and leaned +against the altar. A few words will explain the timely interruption. + +When Armstrong and his daughter left the carriage to cross the field, +the mind of Felix was filled with a thousand apprehensions. He would +have followed had he dared to leave the horses, but this, his fear of +the consequences if the high-spirited animals were left to themselves, +forbade. With anxious eyes he pursued the receding foot-steps of his +master and young mistress until they were lost to sight, and then, +with a foreboding of evil, hid his face in the flowing mane of one of +the horses, as if seeking comfort from his dumb companion. Some little +time passed, which to the fearful Felix seemed hours, when, whom +should he see but the man whom of all the world he dreaded most. It +was Holden, bounding along with strides which showed that the +habits of his forest-life were not forgotten. At any other time the +apparition of the Solitary would have imparted anything but pleasure, +but now it was as welcome as a spar to a shipwrecked sailor. Holden +advanced straight to the carriage, but before he could speak the black +addressed him, + +"Oh, Mr. Holden, if you love Mr. Armstrong and Miss Faith, go after +them quick; don't stop a minute." + +"Where are they?" said Holden. + +"They go in that direcshum," answered Felix, pointing with his chin, +across the field. + +"How long ago?" + +"Ever so long; Oh, good Mr. Holden, do hurry," said Felix, whose +anxieties made him magnify the progress of time. + +Holden asked no further questions, but increasing his speed, hastened +on an Indian lope in the direction indicated, following the traces in +the grass. + +As he hurried on, his dream occurred to him. The features of the +country were the same as of that he had traversed in his sleep: +he remembered also, that the day of the week was Friday. As these +thoughts came into his mind, they stimulated him to press on with +increased speed, as if something momentous depended upon the swiftness +of his motions. It was well he did so. A moment later might have been +too late; a moment more and he might have seen the fair creature he +so loved weltering in her blood. Too late to stay the uplifted hand +of the deranged man with his own, he had uttered the cry which had +arrested the knife. + +Holden stooped down, and taking into his arms the insensible form of +Faith, bore her to the brook. Here he lavishly sprinkled her face with +the cool water, and sobs and deep drawn sighs began, after a time, to +herald a return to consciousness. Armstrong followed, and as he saw +the pale girl lying like a corpse in the arms of Holden, he threw +himself down by her side upon the grass, and took her passive hand, +which lay cold in his own. + +"She is not dead, is she?" said he. "O, say to me, she is not dead. +I thought I heard a voice from heaven--I expected to hear it--which +commanded me to forbear. Did I disobey the angel? Was he too late? +Too late, too late, too late! Oh, she is dead, dead. My Faith, my +daughter, my darling! O, God, it was cruel in thee!" + +But presently, as we have said, sighs and sobs began to heave the +bosom of Faith, and as she opened her languid eyes their soft light +fell upon the face of her father. + +With a cry of delight he sprang from the ground. "She is not dead," he +exclaimed, "she is alive! I knew it would be so. I knew it was only +a trial of my faith. I knew God would send his angel. He has angels +enough in heaven. What does he want of Faith yet? My darling," he +said, getting down and leaning the head of his daughter upon his +bosom, "God did not mean it in earnest. He only meant to try us. It is +all over now, and hereafter we shall be so happy!" + +Holden, who, when Faith began to revive, had surrendered her to her +father, stood looking on, while tears streamed down his face. Faith +had now so far recovered as to sit up and look about her, and throwing +her arms around her father's neck, she hid her face in his bosom." + +"My brain whirls," she said, "and it seems to me as if I had had a +dreadful dream. I thought you wanted to kill me, father." + +"No, no, no!" cried Armstrong, "I never wanted to. It was my trial," +he added, solemnly, "and I shall never have another, Faith. God is too +merciful to try a man twice, so." + +"James," said Holden, and his voice sounded with unusual magnificence, +"dost thou know me?" + +"Certainly," said Armstrong; "it is a strange question to ask me. You +are Mr. Holden." + +"I am thy brother George." + +Without a doubt, without a misgiving, Armstrong, still holding his +daughter, extended his hand to Holden. + +"So, George," he said, "you have risen from the dead to save Faith's +life. I knew God would work a miracle if it was necessary." + +"I trust I have risen from the death of sin but I have never been in +the grave of which thou speakest. Know that in veritable flesh and +blood, I am thy brother George, who hath never tasted of death." + +But this was an idea which Armstrong was incapable of receiving. He +shook his head, and muttering to himself, "Can the dead lie?" looked +suspiciously at Holden. + +The announcement of the Solitary struck Faith, at once, as the truth. +Her mind was in no condition to reason and compare proofs. She only +felt how sweet had been her intercourse with him, and how he had +contrived to make her love and reverence him. She hoped it was true, +he was her long lost uncle, and she believed it because she hoped it. + +"My Uncle George!" she said, as attempting to rise she received his +embrace. She could say no more. The agitation of her feelings choked +her voice and vented itself in a flood of tears. + +"What, crying, my darling?" said Armstrong. "This is no time for +tears. You should rejoice, for is not George here, who left his grave +to save your life, and has not our faith received its triumphant +crown?" + +"Alas!" exclaimed Holden, by a word and look conveying his meaning. +"As soon as you are able to walk, dear Faith, we had better return to +your home." + +"I think I am sufficiently restored," she replied, "if you will assist +me." + +Holden gave her his arm, and supported her to the carriage, followed +with great docility by Armstrong, who broke out into occasional +snatches of music, once a common habit, but in which he had not been +known to indulge for a long time. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + + O, you kind gods, + Cure this great breach in his abused nature! + The untuned and jarring senses O, wind up! + + KING LEAR. + + +As soon as they reached the house of Armstrong, Dr. Elmer was sent +for, and to him Holden communicated the events of the morning, not +concealing his own relationship. This last particular was a case not +provided for in the books, or coming within the scope of the good +doctor's practice. Contenting himself, therefore, with ejaculating, + + "Is this the lord Talbot, Uncle Gloster, + That hath so long been resident in France?" + +he shook Holden by the hand as an evidence of welcome, and, without +hesitation, assented to the propriety of the Solitary's suggestion, +that the insanity of Armstrong and his attempted violence, should +be kept secret. Rest was prescribed by the doctor for Faith, whom, +contrary to her inclinations, he compelled to retire to her chamber, +whither he sent a composing draught, with assurances that her father +was doing well, which declaration, probably, had quite as much effect +in inducing the slumbers that succeeded, as the anodyne. He next +turned his attention to her father. + +No one, without particular observation, would have remarked any change +in him. Upon returning home, he had quietly entered the parlor and sat +down in a large arm-chair, which was a favorite seat, looking first +around with a grave and pleased expression. His daughter was with him +then, who, indeed, until the arrival of the physician, had remained by +his side, and nothing seemed to please Armstrong so much as retaining +her hand in one of his, to pass the other over her silken hair, and +let it slide down over the pale cheeks, all the time gazing at her +with an appearance of infinite affection. But when the doctor felt his +pulse, he found it bounding like a frightened steed; and this symptom, +together with the heightened crimson of the cheeks, and deepening +blackness of the eyes, but too plainly revealed the access of violent +fever. Bleeding was in vogue in those days, and much practised, and +the skill of Elmer could suggest nothing better for the pressure +of blood on the brain, than letting blood. Having had, therefore, +Armstrong conducted to his chamber, he opened a vein, and bleeding him +till he fainted, he afterwards administered the medicines he thought +proper, enjoining the strictest quiet, promising to be with him every +moment that his professional engagements permitted. During the whole +Armstrong was passive, yielding himself like a child to all that was +required, and seeming to be in a beatitude, which made whatever might +occur of but little concernment. As the doctor was about leaving, +he accepted of Holden's proposal, which was rather uttered as a +determination, to remain, and send for his son. "If," thought Elmer, +"Holden is Armstrong's brother, he has a right to stay; if not, he has +at least saved Faith's life, as she says herself, and he knows after +all, a 'hawk from a hand-saw.' Young Holden, too, is a sensible +fellow, and I think I may trust them." In some such way thronged the +thoughts through Elmer's mind. "I will," he said to himself, "stop as +I pass Judge Bernard's house, to let Anne know that her friend +Faith is indisposed, and ask her to sleep with her to-night." Such, +accordingly, was, for a short time the composition of the family under +Mr. Armstrong's roof. + +Once or twice daring the night Faith started in her sleep, and threw +her arm around her lovely companion, as if to ask for protection, and +Anne heard her moaning something indistinctly; but, on the whole, her +sleep was refreshing, and in the morning she awoke, paler, indeed, and +weaker than common, but with no other signs of illness about her. + +"They will soon pass off," said the doctor. "It was a severe shock, +but youth and a good constitution are great odds." + +But it was not so with Armstrong. The combined effects of loss of +blood and of the medicines he had taken, were unable to calm the +excitement of the nerves, much less produce drowsiness. All night he +lay with eyes wide open, burning with fever, and calling for drink. +But, although his body suffered, the exaltation of his mind continued +to triumph over pain, and, from the words that escaped him, from time +to time, it would seem as if he felt himself absolutely happy. + +When Doctor Elmer came in the morning, and heard the report of Holden, +he expressed no surprise. + +"It is as I supposed," he said. "He must have a run of fever, and what +the result may be, no mortal man can divine. Let us hope for the best, +while prepared for the worst." + +Faith, from the moment she was permitted, was assiduous by the +bed-side of her father. The delusion with respect to Holden, which had +taken possession of him, whom, while continuing to recognize as his +brother, George, he would not believe was alive, fancying it was his +spirit, extended itself after a time to his daughter, whom also he +believed to be dead. So far as could be gathered from the disjointed +utterances that escaped him, he supposed that his own spirit was +trying to escape from the body, and that the spirits of his brother +and daughter had been sent to comfort and assist him. + +Thus tossing and tumbling on a heated bed, which the delicious breath +of June, streaming through the open windows, could not cool for him, +passed nine long wretched days, during which the confinement of both +Holden and Faith was almost incessant, for whenever either moved from +the bed or made a motion as if to leave the room, Armstrong would +intreat them, in the most touching tones and pathetic language, which +neither the brother's nor daughter's heart could withstand, not to +leave him, for he was just then ready, only one more struggle was +necessary, and he should be free. And besides carrying into his +insanity a habit, of which we have spoken, he would insist on holding +their hands. The touch of their heavenly bodies, he said, sent a +sensation of roses and lilies through his earthly body; they refined +him and attracted him upward, and he was sure he had sometimes risen a +little way into the air. "O!" he would exclaim, "I never knew before, +how much flowers resemble spirits. They smile and laugh alike, and +their voices are very similar." + +On the tenth day the fever abated, and Armstrong gradually fell into +a long, deep sleep. So long, so profound was the slumber that the +attendants about his bed feared that it might be one from which there +was no awaking. But the orders of the doctor, who, at the crisis was +present the whole time, were peremptory that the patient should not +be disturbed, but Nature allowed, in her own way, to work out her +beneficent purposes. Armstrong then slept many, many hours, in that +still and darkened room, while attentive ears were listening to the +deeper drawn breath, and anxious eyes watching the slightest change of +countenance. + +At last he awoke, and the first word he spoke, so low, that even in +the hushed chamber it was scarcely audible, was, "Faith." A smile of +wonderful sweetness illuminated his face, as he tried to extend his +hand, white as the snowy coverlet on which it rested, toward her, but +so weak was he, that only a motion of the fingers could be perceived. +Faith, through the tears which fell upon the hand she covered with +kisses, could mark the light of returned intelligence, and her heart +swelled with an almost overpowering emotion. + +"O, doctor," she said, turning to Elmer, "say he is safe." + +"I hope so," answered Elmer, "but control yourself. I forbid all +agitation." + +The life of Armstrong, for some days longer, vibrated in the +balance. So excessive was the weakness consequent upon the tremendous +excitement through which he had passed, that sometimes it appeared +hardly possible that nature could sufficiently rally, to bring the +delicate machinery again into healthy action. But stealing slowly +along, insensibly, the gracious work went on, until one day the +anxious daughter had the happiness to hear from the lips of the doctor +that her father was out of danger. + +It seems a strange thing, but so it is, that the events of the +dreadful day, when, as if by a heavenly interposition, his hand had +been arrested when raised to take away the life of his daughter, +and also of the time when he lay insane upon his bed, were blotted +completely from the memory of Armstrong. The scratches of a school-boy +on a slate were never more perfectly erased by a wet sponge. All his +conduct proves this. When he beheld his brother after the return of +reason, he addressed him as Mr. Holden, and never, in conversation +with any one, did he make allusion to his aberration of mind. Nor +during the short period while he remained on earth, did he know of his +conduct on the banks of the Wootuppocut. The secret was confined to +the bosoms of a few, and it was mutually agreed that it was wisest it +should be concealed. + +It was not until the health of Armstrong seemed completely restored +that his brother, in the presence of his son and of Faith, disclosed +his relationship. He had made it known before to his son, to whom, as +well as to his father, we must, for the brief period our acquaintance +with them continues, give their true name of Armstrong. It may well be +conceived, that young Armstrong had no objections to recognize in the +lovely Faith a cousin, nor was she unwilling to find a relative in the +amiable and intelligent young man. + +But, if they were pleased, how shall we express the happiness of James +Armstrong? The sting of a sorrow that had poisoned so many years of +his life was extracted. If he had been the cause of misfortune to his +brother, he had it now in his power to repair, in a degree, the wrong +he had inflicted. Nor had he recovered only a brother, but also +a nephew, whom he could love and respect, and who would, in some +measure, supply the loss of his son, by transmitting his family name, +the extinction of which no man can regard with indifference. + +Long was the conversation of the brothers after their children had +left them to themselves. Together they wandered over the scenes of +childhood, recalling its minutest, and, what would be to strangers, +uninteresting scenes, George Armstrong listening, with a sad pleasure, +to the details of his parents' lives after his own escape from the +Asylum, and, also, to changes in the family of his brother since their +death; while James Armstrong as eagerly drank in the particulars of +his brother George's adventures. But little respecting the latter need +be added, after what has been disclosed. + +We already know, that George Armstrong married, in one of the Western +States, and commenced the life of a pioneer, and that, in a night +attack, his cabin had been burned, his wife killed, and his son +carried away by the savages. It would seem that the effect of these +misfortunes was again to disturb his reason, and that, urged by a +passion for revenge, he had made himself terrible, under the name of +Onontio (given by the natives, with what meaning is unknown,) among +the Western Indians. But, after a time, the feeling passed away, and +he became, somehow, a subject of religious impressions, which assumed +the shape of a daily expectation of the Coming of Christ, joined with +a firm belief in the doctrine of predestination. In this frame of +mind, influenced by a feeling like the instinct, perhaps, of the bird +which returns from the southern clime, whither the cold of winter has +driven it, to seek again the tree where hung the parental nest, George +Armstrong came back to the place of his birth. He was supposed to +be dead, and, even without any such prepossession, no one would have +recognized him; for, the long beard he had suffered to grow, and the +sorrow and hardship he had undergone, gave him an appearance of much +more advanced age than his elder brother, and effectually disguised +him. Why, instead of taking possession of the cabin, on Salmon Island, +and secluding himself from society, he did not make himself known to +his brother and demand his inheritance, always puzzled the gossips of +Hillsdale, and yet, it appears to us, susceptible of explanation. + +When he came from the West, he felt, at first, as if the ties which +had united him to the world, were broken, never to be renewed. What he +most prized and loved he had lost. He was an exception to other +men. He had been isolated by destiny, whose iron finger pointed to +solitude, and solitude he chose as most congenial to his bruised +spirit. But, besides, an idea had mastered him, in whose presence the +vanities and indulgences of the world and all worldly considerations, +shrunk into insignificance. Of what consequence were wealth and +distinction to one who looked momently for the introduction of a state +of things, when they would be of less importance than the baubles of a +child? The gay world might laugh and jest in its delusion, but it was +for him to watch and pray. Some feeling of resentment, too, towards +his brother, may have helped to color his conduct. As time, however, +wore on, his heart began to expand to human affections; for we +have seen, how fond he became of the society, first, of Faith, +and, finally, of his brother; deriving, possibly, a sort of insane +gratification from even the concealment of his relationship, as a +miser gloats over the security of his hoard. It is, indeed, probable, +that, but for the discovery of his son, he would have died without +betraying the secret, but, that discovery awakened anew feelings which +he never expected to have again in this life. He looked upon his +son and the inheritance, which to him was valueless, assumed +an importance. And it may be--who can tell?--that, sometimes, a +doubt--for how long had he waited in vain?--might throw a shadow +over his expectation of the Millennium. But this we have no means +of determining, and, as we shall presently see, his subsequent life +rather sustains the opposite opinion. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + By his great Author man was sent below, + Some things to learn, great pains to undergo, + To fit him for what further he's to know. + + This end obtained, without regarding time, + He calls the soul home to its native clime, + To happiness and knowledge more sublime. + + ALLAN RAMSAY + + +The period of time which has elapsed since the occurring of the events +detailed in the preceding chapters, enables us to give a tolerably +full account of the destiny of the actors, who, for the space of a few +months, have flitted across our stage. + +James Armstrong lived in the enjoyment of pretty good health some two +years after his recovery. The melancholy with which nature had tinged +his disposition was, indeed, never quite eradicated, but probably +those two years were the sweetest and sunniest of his life. Those whom +he most loved were prosperous and happy, and the reflection of their +happiness shone upon his daily walk. At the end of that time he fell +asleep, and in the confidence of a lively faith and the comfort of +a holy hope, was gathered to his fathers. Immediately upon the +restoration of his reason he had divided his estate with his brother, +or rather with his nephew, for the Solitary refused to have anything +to do with wealth. It would be to him, he said, a burden. He was not a +pack-horse, to carry loads, though they were made of gold. + +With whatever eyes, however, the possession of property might +be viewed by George Armstrong, his son, who, within a few months +afterwards, was united to Anne Bernard, with even the approbation of +her brother, considered the addition thereby made to his income as no +disagreeable circumstance. Mr. and Mrs. Pownal, the benefactors of his +youth, were present, and the former had the satisfaction of dancing +at the wedding. No marriage could be more fortunate. A similarity of +taste and feeling and the harmonies of virtue had originally attracted +and attached each to the other. Anne had loved Armstrong because she +recognized in him her own truthfulness and nobility of spirit, and +he her, for her grace and beauty, and that inexpressible charm of +sweetness of temper and gaiety of spirit, that, like the sun, diffuses +light and animation around. Their career has been like a summer-day. A +numerous family of children has sprung from the union, who promise to +perpetuate the virtues of their parents. And it is to be hoped, and +we believe it to be a fact which the passage of so many years may be +considered to have tolerably settled, that the fatal blood-taint +of insanity, which had seemed hereditary on the side of one of the +parents, has disappeared. + +As for the Solitary, who survived his brother many years, he could +never be weaned from the mode of life he had adopted. As long as +James Armstrong lived, they were frequently together, few days passing +without one seeking the other, as if both were striving to make up +for their long separation, but yet George Armstrong preferred the rude +simplicity of his hut, and his hard couch, to the elegant chamber and +yielding bed, nor could he be persuaded to stop more than a night or +two at any one time, either at the house of his brother or of his +son. The efforts made to change this feeling were soon found to be +unavailing, and his commanding temper, as usual, had its way. After +the death of his brother, his visits to the village became less +frequent, and he was seldom to be met with, except at the house of +his son. It was a strange sight to see him, with two or three +grand-children on his knees, and playing, perhaps, with one of the +little ones, amusing itself with hiding behind the flowing majesty of +his long beard. A great part of his time was passed among the Indians +living on the banks of the Severn, to the amelioration of whose +condition and Christianization he devoted himself to the last. +And some insist that he never quite gave up the expectation of the +Millennium during his life, for early fishermen, passing his hut +before sunrise, are said to have reported that they had seen the +Solitary more than once, waiting for the rising sun, and heard his +bursts of passionate expectation. An occurrence, too, at his death, +which happened at the house of his son, justifies this opinion--when +sitting up suddenly in his bed, he stretched out his arms, and +exclaiming with a wild energy, "Lord, Thou art faithful and true, for +I behold Thy coming," he fell back upon the pillow and expired. From +respect to the memory of his father, his son bought the island where +the Solitary lived so many years, and having planted it with trees, +declares it shall never pass out of the family during his own life, +and so long as it can be protected by his will. + +Judge Bernard, his wife, the doctor, and the Pownals are gone, and the +three former repose with their friends in the romantic burial ground, +to which we once before conducted our readers; the two latter in the +cemetery of the thronged city, undisturbed by the sounding tread of +the multitudes who daily pass their graves. + +William Bernard, about the time of the marriage of his sister, made a +formal offer of his hand to Faith, but without success. He was refused +gently, but so decidedly, that no room was left for hope. But if the +enamored young man lost his mistress, he was satisfied there was no +rival in the case, and moreover that probably there never would be. +So selfish is the human heart, that this reflection mitigated the +bitterness of his disappointment. Convinced that the prospect of +altering her determination was hopeless, and unable to remain in her +presence, he made a voyage to Europe, where he remained five years, +and on his return, entered into political life. He has since filled +many eminent stations with credit to himself and advantage to the +country, and only delicacy restrains us from naming the high position +he now occupies, of course under a different name from that we have +chosen to give him. But he has never found another being to fill the +void in his affections, and remains unmarried, the most graceful and +attractive of old bachelors. + +And what shall we say of Faith, the pure, the high souled the devoted +Faith? As long as her father lived, he continued to be the object of +her incessant solicitude. She watched him with a tenderness like that +of a mother hovering about her sick infant, devoting her whole life +to his service, and when he died, the tears she shed were not those of +complaining grief, but of a sad thankfulness. Sad was she that no more +in this world should she behold him whom she had ever treasured in her +inner heart; thankful that with unclouded reason and resigned trust, +he had returned to the Source whence he came. Soon after his death, +she joined her uncle in his labors among the Indians, abandoning her +home and devoting the whole of her large income to the promotion of +their interests. There was much in her character that resembled that +of George Armstrong, and notwithstanding the disparity of years, +caused each to find an attractive counterpart in the other. There was +the same enthusiasm, trespassing from constitutional tendencies, +upon the very verge of reason; the same contempt of the world and +its allurements; the same reaching forward toward the invisible. Her +surpassing beauty, her accomplishments and great wealth, brought many +suitors to her feet, but she had a heart for none. She turned a deaf +ear to their pleadings, and "in maiden meditation fancy free," pursued +her course like the pale moon through heaven. Perhaps the awful shock +which she received on the terrible day when the appearance of her +uncle saved her life, working on a temperament so exalted, may +have contributed to confirm and strengthen what was at first only a +tendency, and so decided the character of her life. She died as such +gifted beings are wont to do, young, breathing out her delicate soul +with a smile, upon the bosom of her faithful friend, Anne Armstrong. +A purer spirit, and one better fitted to join the bright array of the +blessed, never left the earth, and to those who knew her, it looked +dark and desolate when she departed. + +We have thus disposed of the principal personages in our drama. It +remains to speak of some of those who have borne an inferior part in +the scenes. + +Esther left, with Quadaquina, for the Western tribes about the +time when the boy attained the age of sixteen years, and historical +accuracy compels us to admit, that, since their departure, we have +lost all traces of them. One would suppose she would have remained +with her powerful protectors, but it may be she feared the +demoralization around her, to which, in spite of the efforts of the +benevolent to the contrary, so many of her fated race fell victims, +and preferred to expose Quadaquina to the perils of savage life, +rather than to the tender mercies of civilization. We strongly +suspect, that her wild creed was never fairly weeded out of her heart. + +Primus remained to the end the same cheery, roguish fellow we have +seen him, and when he died was buried, as became a revolutionary +celebrity, with military honors, which so affected Felix, that, when +his turn came--knowing that he was entitled to no such distinction, +and, yet loth to pass away unnoticed--he begged Doctor Elmer to +write him a "first-rate epithet." The doctor redeemed his promise, by +prefacing a panegyric, in English, with the following quotation from +Virgil-- + + Hic jacet + FELIX QUI + Potuit Rerum cognoscere Causas + QUI + Que Metus omnes + Et inexorabile Fatum + Subjecit Pedibus + Strepitumque Acherontis avari. + +The doctor, on being asked its meaning, one day, by an inquisitive +negro, who had, for some time, been rolling the whites of his eyes at +the inscription, in a vain attempt to understand it, replied, it meant +that Felix was an intelligent and brave fellow, who lived like a +wise man, and died like a hero, whereat, his auditor expressed +great satisfaction, considering both the Latin and the sentiment a +compliment to "colored pussons," generally. + +Gladding emigrated to the West, where his stout arm and keen axe did +himself and the State good service. After making a fabulous number of +"claims," and as many "trades," he found himself, at middle age, the +master of a thousand acres of cleared land, with a proper proportion +of timber; his log-cabin converted into a brick house, and sons and +daughters around him. + +We had almost forgotten to speak of the fate of Constable Basset. The +good people of Hillsdale soon found out that his talents did not lie +in the line he had adopted, and, at the next election, chose another +in his place. Thereupon, not discouraged, he turned his hand, with +national facility, to something else--following, successively, the +business of a small grocer, of a tavern keeper, and of an auctioneer. +Somehow or other, however, ill luck still followed him; and, finally, +he took to distributing the village newspaper, and sticking up +handbills. This gave him a taste for politics, and having acquired, +in his employment as auctioneer, a certain fluency of speech, he +cultivated it to that degree--in town meetings and on other public +occasions--that, in the end, there was not a man in the whole county +who could talk longer and say less. His fellow-citizens observing this +congressional qualification, and not knowing what else he was fit +for, have just elected him to Congress, partly because of this +accomplishment, and, partly, on account of his patriotic dislike of +"furriners," a sentiment which happens now to be popular. Both his +friends and enemies agree that he is destined to make a figure there; +and Mr. Thomas Armstrong--in compensation, perhaps, for a youthful +trick--has promised the Member of Congress a new hat and full suit +of black broadcloth, to enable him to appear in proper style on +Pennsylvania Avenue. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Hunter, by John Turvill Adams + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST HUNTER *** + +***** This file should be named 15328.txt or 15328.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/2/15328/ + +Produced by Robert Shimmin, S.R.Ellison and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +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. 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