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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ellen Walton, by Alvin Addison
+
+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: Ellen Walton
+       The Villain and His Victims
+
+Author: Alvin Addison
+
+Release Date: July 22, 2005 [EBook #16345]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLEN WALTON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ELLEN WALTON;
+
+OR, THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIMS.
+
+
+BY ALVIN ADDISON,
+
+AUTHOR OF THE RIVAL HUNTERS, ETC.
+
+CINCINNATI:
+H.M. RULISON, QUEEN CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 115-1/2 MAIN STREET.
+PHILADELPHIA:
+QUAKER CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 32 SOUTH THIRD STREET.
+1855.
+
+Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by
+
+H.M. RULISON,
+
+In the Clerk's Office of the District Court, for the Southern District of
+Ohio.
+
+
+
+
+THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIMS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+FLEMING'S HOTEL.
+
+
+In the year 1785, as, also, prior and subsequent to that time, there was a
+hotel situated in one of the less frequented streets of Pittsburg, then the
+largest town west of the mountains, and kept by one Fleming, whence it
+derived the name of "Fleming's Hotel." This house, a small one, and
+indifferently furnished, was a favorite resort of the Indians who visited
+the town on trading expeditions. Fleming had two daughters, who possessed
+considerable personal attractions, and that pride of a vain
+woman--_beauty_. History does not, to the best of our knowledge, give us
+the first names of the two girls; and we will distinguish them as Eliza and
+Sarah. Unfortunately for these young females, they had ever been surrounded
+by unfavorable circumstances, and exposed to the vices of bad associations;
+and that nice discrimination between propriety and politeness, which is a
+natural characteristic of the modest woman, had become somewhat
+obliterated, and the hold which virtue ever has by nature in the heart of
+the gentler sex, had been somewhat loosened. In short, the young Misses
+Fleming failed at all times to observe that degree of propriety which
+should ever characterize the pure in heart, and were, by many, accused of
+immorality. How far this accusation was true, we shall not attempt to say,
+but, doubtless, there were not wanting many tongues to spread slanderous
+reports.
+
+In early years of womanhood, Eliza had given her affections to one who
+sought her love under the guise of a "gentleman of fortune." He proved to
+be what such characters usually are--a libertine, whose only motive in
+seeking to win her confidence and young affections was to gratify his
+hellish passions in the ruin of virtue and a good name. Under the most
+solemn assurances of deep, abiding, unalterable love for her, and the most
+solemn promises of marriage at an early day, which if he failed to perform,
+the direst maledictions of heaven, and the most awful curses, were called
+down upon his own head, even to the eternal consuming of his soul in the
+flames of perdition, he succeeded in his design. Virtue was overcome, and
+the jewel of purity departed from the heart of another of earth's
+daughters. Vain were the tears of the repentant girl to induce a
+performance of the promises so solemnly made; false had been and still were
+the vows of the profligate; but he continued to make them all the more
+profusely; and hope, at first unwavering, then fainter and fainter, filled
+the heart of his victim. Once conquered, and the victory was ever after
+comparatively easy; and having taken something of a fancy to this lady, he
+was for a long time attached to her, and, in his way, remained faithful.
+
+Such were the mutual relations sustained by these two toward each other,
+when, one day, the betrayer entered the presence of the betrayed, and, in
+some agitation, said:
+
+"Eliza, my dear, you have always been a kind, dear girl to me, and I have
+resolved to repay your constancy and devotion by making you my bride in a
+few days; but first I must demand of you a service, an important service.
+Can I depend on you?"
+
+"You know you can; let me know how I can aid you in such a manner as will
+insure me your hand, and I will serve you unto death."
+
+"Bravely spoken! Just what I expected of your devoted love! But the service
+I shall require will sorely try that love!"
+
+"Then let me prove its strength."
+
+"Eliza, do you doubt my truth? my sincerity?"
+
+"Have I not given you stronger proof than a thousand asseverations, or the
+strongest oaths, that my confidence is unbounded? Without this trust, I
+should be wretched beyond endurance!"
+
+"I am glad to hear you talk so. Still I fear you will not consent to serve
+me as I shall wish."
+
+"Try me and see."
+
+"Are you of a _jealous_ disposition, my love?"
+
+"Jealous? What a question for _you_ to ask!"
+
+"It may appear strange, yet I would be pleased to have you answer me truly,
+and without reserve. Tell me your real sentiments without reserve or
+disguise. Much depends thereon."
+
+"Truly, I cannot say, never having been tried; but I can verily believe
+that intense hatred would arise in my heart toward one of my sex who would
+attempt to supplant me in your affections."
+
+"Suppose I should disregard their efforts, what then?"
+
+"Nothing. If sure of your attachment, I would care for nothing beside."
+
+"'Tis well! But suppose that I should tell you that I once loved another
+than you?"
+
+"As you love me?"
+
+"No; with a boyish affection, soon forgotten."
+
+"Then I would care nothing for it."
+
+"Not if it left an incurable wound?"
+
+"Did it?"
+
+"It did!"
+
+"My God! How have I been deceived."
+
+"Don't be alarmed, my dear, the wound was not in the heart--it was in
+pride."
+
+"How?"
+
+"I was not troubled at heart, but the girl I fancied gave me mortal
+offense, and I would be revenged!"
+
+"How so? What is this? Don't love, and wish revenge! Revenge for what? And
+that dark frown--what means all this?"
+
+"Be calm; you are excited; you fear my truth; and where there is no
+confidence, love soon departs. I can soon explain all. In my young days I
+fell in love with a beautiful girl of my own age; but soon learned that she
+was not virtuous, and with this knowledge my love changed into desire. As
+the least return for my love, to gain which she had recourse to all the
+wiles and blandishments of a coquette, I wished to possess her for a time;
+but she spurned me from her presence as she would a dog! From that hour I
+have sworn to have my revenge and gain my point. My hour has now come, and
+I can accomplish my oath, provided I am secure of one thing."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"Your co-operation."
+
+"Me aid in such a scheme!"
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"_Why not?_ Shall I turn the enemy of my own sex, and aid in the
+destruction of one who has never injured me?"
+
+"She _has_ injured you."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"By destroying, in a good degree, my confidence in the sex. Had that
+confidence been unshaken, you would, long ere this time, have been my wife;
+but how could I trust my happiness with woman when woman had proved
+treacherous? I had been once deceived, and distrust had taken the place of
+faith, when I met you. You know the result. Now tell me, has not this girl
+injured you deeply?"
+
+"It may be so; but why not let her go? What good can it do to pursue her
+with vengeance? Perhaps she has repented. How wicked, then, to destroy her
+peace of mind."
+
+"Dream not that such as she will ever repent. But to satisfy you on this
+point, I can say, _I know she has not changed from what she was_; and it is
+this knowledge that, above all things, urges me on in my plans."
+
+"Well, what do you wish me to do?"
+
+"Listen. I have just learned that this girl, in company with her family,
+will be in town to-day, on their way to Ohio or Kentucky, and will put up
+at this house. Now I wish you to so place the young lady, that I can have
+access to her sleeping apartment; this is all."
+
+"I cannot do it."
+
+"You can; I will take number eighteen for the night; put her in seventeen,
+and it is all I ask. I am sure this is easily done."
+
+"And thus bring about my own shame and her dishonor?"
+
+"I tell you she is already dishonored; and instead of bringing shame upon
+yourself, you take it away forever."
+
+"Do not tempt me to do wrong! Alas, I have done too much evil already! I
+pray God I may be forgiven!"
+
+"Come, now, be a good girl, and do me this _one_ favor; it is the last I
+shall require of you until I give you my name."
+
+"I cannot. Such conduct would disgrace our house."
+
+"It need not be known."
+
+"It is hard to prevent such things being spread abroad."
+
+"I will take care of that point. Your house shall not be injured one
+particle by the occurrence, I give you my word for it. Now do you consent?"
+
+"Perhaps you still love this girl, and are trying to deceive me."
+
+"I swear that I do not, that I love only you."
+
+"Why, then, seek the society of this other?"
+
+"I have sworn it, as I have already told you; and this oath _must_ be
+performed. Will you aid me or not?"
+
+"I cannot. I pray you again, do not tempt me!"
+
+"But you _must_ help me. I cannot do without you."
+
+"For God's sake say no more! Every feeling of my heart revolts at the
+thought! Just think, for a moment, what it is you ask of me! Think what
+would be my feelings! Love is incompatible with your request. How can I see
+you debase yourself and me by such an act?"
+
+"I only desire you to decide between this and a worse debasement. Which
+will you choose?"
+
+"What mean you?"
+
+"That I will only marry you on condition you will accede to my present
+proposition."
+
+"Have you not told me, time and again, that you looked upon me as your wife
+by the highest of all laws, the laws of nature and of God? How, then, can
+you talk of not making me legally yours, in the sight of men?"
+
+"I will, I tell you, if you will do as I wish in the present instance.
+Come, be kind, be gentle and loving, as you ever have been, and we will
+soon be completely happy by acknowledging our love before men, at the
+altar."
+
+"This again! Oh, tempter, betray me not!"
+
+"You have your choice. I will _never_ marry you if you refuse my present
+offer, NEVER! Whose, then, will be the shame? Which will you be, an
+honorable wife, or a despised offcast? Your destiny is in your own hands,
+make your election."
+
+"Oh, God! I am in your power!"
+
+"Then you consent?"
+
+"What assurance have I that this promise will make me your wife? Have you
+not promised the same thing scores of times?"
+
+"Require any form of obligation, and I will give it; as I mean what I say,
+make your own conditions."
+
+"Give me a written promise."
+
+He gave it as she dictated it:
+
+"I hereby promise to marry Eliza Fleming within one month from this 12th
+day of April, 1786. This promise I most solemnly give, calling on heaven to
+witness it, and if I fail in its performance, may the curses of God rest
+upon my soul in this world and in the world to come.
+
+"LOUIS DURANT."
+
+"That will do," she said.
+
+"And I may depend on you?"
+
+"Yes; I am no longer free. But mind, all must be done quietly and kept a
+profound secret."
+
+"Leave that to me; I will be responsible for the result."
+
+Thus was a net woven for an unsuspecting victim. Who was she, and what the
+cause for this unrelenting and revengeful feeling on the part of Durant?
+Time must show.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A VILLAIN UNMASKED.
+
+
+In a beautiful district of the "Old Dominion," bordering on the
+Rappahannock, there lived, just previous to the time of the opening of our
+story, a planter, who had once been wealthy, but whose princely fortune had
+become much reduced by indiscriminate kindness. Possessed of a noble heart,
+a generous disposition, and the finest sympathies, he could never find it
+in his heart to say "no" to an application for assistance. Thousands had
+thus gone to pay debts of security; and, at last, he resolved to move to
+the West, as a means of retrieving his affairs, as well as to cut loose
+from the associations which were rapidly diminishing the remains of his
+wealth.
+
+This planter, whom we shall call General Walton, (the last name assumed,
+the title one given him by common consent,) had one son, and an only
+daughter, the former twenty-one, the latter eighteen, at the time we wish
+to introduce them to the reader's notice. Both were worthy, the one as a
+man, the other as a woman. He was noble, intellectual, manly; she was
+beautiful, accomplished, intelligent; both possessed those higher and
+nobler qualities of mind and heart which dignify and ally it to divinity.
+
+Ellen Walton, an heiress, jointly with her brother, in prospective, and
+reputed the wealthiest fair one in all the district, (the world don't
+always know the true situation of a man's affairs,) was not left to pine
+away in solitude with the dismal prospect in view of becoming that dreaded
+personage--_an old maid_. No, she was _beset_ with admirers; some loving
+_her_, some her _wealth_, and some _both_. To all but one she turned a deaf
+ear; that one, though the least presuming of the many, and too diffident to
+urge his claim until impelled by the irresistable violence of his love,
+possessed, unknown to himself, a magnetic power over the heart of the fair
+being. Many were the doubts and fears of both--natural accompaniments of
+true, sincere, devoted, but unacknowledged, love--but all were dispelled
+by the mutual exchange of thoughts, and the mutual plighting of faith. Vows
+once made by the pure in heart, are seldom, if ever, broken, and then by
+some higher duty or demand.
+
+For a time the youthful lovers were happy--happy in themselves, and the
+joys of the new existence opened up to them by the magic wand of LOVE. But
+love has its trials, as all can testify who have tasted its potency in the
+heart; and so these two learned. Their engagement was a family secret, not
+yet to be developed. Hence, many of her admirers still offered their
+attentions, in the vain hope of ultimate success. Particularly was this the
+case with those who had an eye to the fortune rather than the heiress,
+taking the latter as the only means of obtaining the former; and first
+among this number was Louis Durant, a man of corrupt principles, and deeply
+depraved feelings. A sprig of a noble family of small pretensions, whose
+pride far exceeded their means, he was desirous of obtaining wealth; and
+being too indolent to enter a profession, too poor to become a merchant,
+and too proud to work, as a last resort, he wished to _marry_ a fortune.
+Like most of his class, he was unscrupulous as to _means_ so the _end_ was
+attained. It was, therefore, an easy matter to conform, in outward
+appearance, to the society he was in. This he never failed to do. When with
+the Waltons, he was a pattern of generosity, and a pitying angel. When with
+the gambler, or the _roue_, he was equally at home--a debauchee, or a
+handler of cards.
+
+With the intuitive perception of woman, Ellen saw through his character at
+once; and, though she treated him with civility, never gave him any
+encouragement. Blinded by her fortune, and construing her reserve into the
+bashfulness of a first passion, being too vain to acknowledge the inability
+of his powers of fascination to carry all before them, he gave himself up
+to hope, and already counted on the half of the Walton estate as his own,
+and spent many a shilling of his small funds on the strength of the
+anticipation.
+
+When he saw that the bottom of his purse would soon be reached, he sought
+an opportunity, declared himself in love, and asked the hand of Miss
+Walton. The General to whom he had always appeared a "fine fellow," would
+leave his daughter to decide the matter. Thus referred, he lost no time in
+making Ellen the recipient of his "tale of love." All his theatrical powers
+were called in action; his eloquence commanded; but the impressions made
+were far different from those intended. Though the outward semblance was
+complete, Ellen saw that the passion was feigned, and a still deeper
+dislike took possession of her feelings. But with gentle delicacy, she told
+him his passion was not returned.
+
+"Then," said he, "let me win your love. I am sure your heart will yield
+when you are convinced of the depth of the devotedness of my affection."
+
+"Do not flatter yourself with a vain hope. I feel that I shall never be
+able to love you; and it is in kindness that I tell you so at once."
+
+"Ah, adorable, angelic being! One so kind, so considerate, so good, is too
+pure, too near akin to heaven, for man to possess. I only ask to be your
+friend."
+
+"As such, you shall ever be welcome."
+
+"Thanks! thanks! May I but prove worthy of your friendship!"
+
+Thus terminated his first attempt to win Ellen. His fall from the lover to
+a friend was the first step in a plot already matured. As a friend, he
+could ever have access to the heiress, and be received more familiarly than
+in any other capacity, save as an acknowledged lover. This familiarity
+would give him the opportunity of ingratiating himself into her affections,
+of which, finally, he felt certain.
+
+He became a constant and frequent visitor at the mansion of the Waltons,
+and was ever received with cordiality. He let no opportunity pass
+unimproved to carry out his design. Goodness, benevolence, charity, were
+counterfeited most adroitly, until even Ellen began to think she had done
+him injustice by her suspicions. This is a favorable moment for a lover.
+Prove that you have been dealt with unjustly, and a woman's heart is opened
+by sympathy to let you in. It was well for Ellen that her heart was already
+occupied, or this might possibly have been her fate. As it was, she
+became, insensibly and unintentionally, kind to Durant. He did not fail to
+notice the change, and his heart exulted in the prospect of complete
+success.
+
+When he thought the proper time had arrived, he prepared the way, and again
+declared himself a lover, with more eloquence than before. Again his suit
+was gently declined; but this time he persevered until his importunities
+became unbearable, and with them, all Ellen's old prejudices returned,
+strengthened ten-fold. If he could and would force himself for weeks and
+months upon an unwilling victim of his importunities, and attempt by such
+means to force her to accept his hand, he was depraved enough for any other
+wickedness. So she plainly told him she could not and would not submit
+longer to his unreasonable conduct; that he must consider himself as
+finally, fully and unrecallably dismissed.
+
+"And give up all hope--the hope that has sustained and given me life so
+long? Oh, think, Ellen, think of my misery, of the untold wretchedness into
+which you plunge me, and let your heart, your kind, generous heart,
+relent!"
+
+"Mr. Durant, I have told you often and often that it was impossible for me
+to love you, and that it was kindness to tell you so. If you have
+disregarded my oft repeated declaration, the truth of which you must long
+ere this have been convinced, the fault is yours, not mine."
+
+"I know you have so spoken often, but still I have dared to hope. I loved
+too fervently for the passion ever to die before you denied me hope. Think
+of all these things, and then recall your words."
+
+"You have repeated them so frequently, that I could not well avoid thinking
+of them whether I chose to or not. Let me now say, once for all, that
+importunities are utterly useless, and can prove of no avail."
+
+"Then I am to understand you as casting me off from your presence; and this
+being the _end_ of your kindness, may I ask what was the _object_ of that
+kindness?"
+
+"I always endeavor to do unto others as I would have them do to me. If you
+think such a course wrong, I cannot help it."
+
+"Then you would wish some person, who had the power, to show you all
+manner of good will, until your affections were won, and so firmly fixed as
+to be unalterable, and then cast you off?"
+
+"No, I should be far from desiring such conduct on the part of any one."
+
+"And yet that is your way of 'doing as you would be done by!'"
+
+"I am not aware of ever having done so; if I have been the unwitting
+instrument of such acts, I am truly sorry for it."
+
+"Then let your sorrow work repentance."
+
+"Tell me how, and I will try to do so."
+
+"You cannot be ignorant of my meaning."
+
+"I am totally at a loss to know how your remarks can apply to me, in any
+way."
+
+"Then I will speak plainly. Your actions for the last few months have been
+such as to bid me hope for a return of my love, and allured by that hope,
+founded on those actions, I have placed my affections so strongly, that I
+fear it will be death to tear them away. As you have caused me to love, is
+it demanding more than justice that I should ask you to at least _try_ to
+love me in return?"
+
+"Mr. Durant, you know that your accusations are untrue. Did you not just
+tell me that you loved before you ever spoke to me on the subject? and have
+you not repeatedly, aye, a hundred times, told me I was cold toward you,
+ever evincing a want of cordiality? How, then, can you have the face to ask
+a return of love on this score? Since you have been at such pains to make
+out so contradictory a case, I will say that you but lessen yourself in my
+esteem by the attempt!"
+
+"I see, alas, you are a heartless coquette!"
+
+"Because I will not place the half of my father's wealth in your
+possession. I have read your motive from the beginning, sir, and have only
+refrained from telling you my mind, because I make it a rule to have the
+good will of a dog, in preference to his ill will, when I can. But as your
+conduct to-day has removed the last thin screen from your real character,
+and revealed your naked depravity of heart, I care not even for your
+friendship. You know, you _feel_, that you are a degraded wretch, and that
+you are unworthy of the society of the virtuous."
+
+"Madam, those words just spoken have sealed your fate! Dog as I am, I have
+the power to work your ruin, and _I will do it_! I go from your presence a
+bitter and unrelenting foe! The love you have rejected has turned into
+bitterness, and the dregs of that bitterness you shall drink till your soul
+sickens unto death! I will never lose sight of you! Go where you may, I
+will follow you! Hide in what corner of the world you may, I will find you!
+When you meet me, remember I am an implacable enemy, seeking revenge!"
+
+"Go, vile miscreant, from my presence! Think not to intimidate me. Better
+an 'open enemy than a secret foe.' I am glad you have unmasked yourself so
+fully. Now I know that I have escaped the worst fate on earth."
+
+"Not the worst! To be the wife of even a villain is better than to be his
+victim!"
+
+"Leave my presence, sir, or I will call a slave to put you out! Infamous
+wretch! The curse of God be upon you!"
+
+He went, quailing under the flash of her indignant eye, which made his
+guilty soul cower in abasement.
+
+When he was fairly gone, her high strung energies relaxed, and the reaction
+prostrated her strength. She sunk upon a lounge, and, giving way to her
+feelings, exclaimed:
+
+"That man may yet work the ruin of my happiness! Oh, God, pity me, and let
+not the wicked triumph! In Thee I put my trust. Let thy watchful eye be
+over me, and thy power protect me. Oh, let me not fall into the hands of my
+enemy; but preserve me by thy right hand, and keep me lifted up!"
+
+Prayer gave her strength, and renewed her courage. Relying, with firm
+faith, on the goodness and watchful care of her Father in heaven, she
+became cheerful and composed.
+
+She very seldom saw or heard anything of Durant, but when she did, it
+always awakened fear. For a year she heard nothing of him, and, at last,
+the old dread had passed from her heart, when her father prepared to go to
+the West.
+
+As for Durant, he went from her presence muttering curses and threatening
+vengeance, among which was distinguished by a slave, grated out between his
+clenched teeth, "I'll make her repent this day's work in 'sack-cloth and
+ashes!' aye, if all h--ll oppose!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIM.
+
+
+The reader has, doubtless, arrived at the conclusion that Durant was
+planning the destruction of Ellen Walton when he so earnestly desired the
+assistance of Miss Fleming; and it will now be perceived how false were his
+statements in relation to the _character_ of the expected guest. Though
+unseen himself, he had taken every precaution to make certain of the party
+at the Fleming Hotel; and just at the close of day he had the satisfaction
+of seeing his efforts crowned with success. General Walton, influenced by
+the tales his daughter's foe had whispered to him in confidence, passed by
+the more elegant houses, which, but for defaming reports, he would have
+preferred making his abode during his short stay in the place, and took
+lodgings at the "Fleming."
+
+Eliza Fleming made the acquaintance of her young female guest, and every
+fresh insight into Miss Walton's character made her regret the hard
+necessity she was under of doing her an injury. She had a hard struggle in
+her mind, but at length her determination was fixed. To procure the ruin of
+the innocent guest, (for she had thoroughly satisfied herself that Miss
+Walton _was_ innocent and virtuous,) whom every obligation of hospitality
+required her to protect, was indeed damnable; but to forfeit the hand of
+Durant under the circumstances was impossible, and not to be thought of.
+Poor Ellen! Heaven shield thee!
+
+Durant was not seen by any of the Waltons, as it was his object to keep
+them in entire ignorance of his proximity until such time as he chose to
+reveal himself. Miss Fleming knew where to find him; and, according to
+agreement, met him during the evening, to arrange some matters connected
+with the plot.
+
+"Louis, you have required too much at my hands in this affair. I fear I
+shall not be able to comply with the terms of agreement."
+
+"Then return my written promise of marriage, and live to be despised and a
+by-word among men! I thought the matter was definitely settled, and that
+you had resolved to save your own honor and name at every hazard."
+
+"But is this my only hope?"
+
+"Yes, as true as there is a God in heaven, it is. I will forsake you
+forever unless you comply with my wishes in this affair."
+
+"Then I must name some conditions, to which I shall demand the strictest
+compliance on your part."
+
+"Name them."
+
+"In the first place, then, to avoid the possibility of noise or mishap, I
+will give the lady a potion, which will stupefy her faculties, and cause a
+deep sleep to lock up all her senses for the space of three or four hours.
+I will so arrange it, that these hours shall be from eleven to three
+o'clock, and what is done must be accomplished between those periods of
+time. You shall, therefore, not enter number seventeen until after eleven
+o'clock, and you must positively leave it before three; and you shall not
+let your victim know what transpires at this house until after the Waltons
+have left the city. Do you consent to these terms?"
+
+"I suppose I must."
+
+"Then the matter is settled. Remember the hours; I shall know if my
+injunctions are disregarded, and you will fare the worse for it."
+
+"Fear not. Come to reflect, I like your plan better than my own, as there
+is less danger in it every way."
+
+"Enough. Good night."
+
+"Hold a moment. Is there any fastening on the door between the rooms, on
+the side in number seventeen?"
+
+"There is; but I will take care of that; and you know no one, unless well
+acquainted with the spot, could tell there was a door there."
+
+"True, true--I had forgotten that fact."
+
+"Oh, I forgot one prohibition. You must in no case let a ray of light into
+seventeen. It might render all our precautions abortive, and defeat their
+object."
+
+"Very well. I will be careful."
+
+"Do so, and all will be well. Of course, no noise, even as loud as a
+whisper, must be heard in the lady's room."
+
+"I will be discreet; trust me for that. I am glad you have come to the
+rescue; I find there is nothing like a woman's wit."
+
+"Take care, then, that you are never _outwitted_ by them!"
+
+"Not much fear of that while I have such an ingenious ally!"
+
+"Take good care to keep her an ally; as an enemy, she might be equally
+ingenious."
+
+And so they parted. As she left the room, she mentally exclaimed:
+
+"'Come to the rescue!' Yes, I am truly glad I have!"
+
+The guests retired to their beds, and all was still as the solemn silence
+of midnight. The old clock in the corner tolled the hour of eleven, and
+half an hour afterward, a stealthy tread might have been heard along the
+partition dividing the two rooms already named. Soon a door slowly opened
+on its rusty hinges, and in the rayless darkness Durant entered the number
+containing his victim. He reached the couch, and paused to assure himself
+that all was as he desired. His ear was saluted with a heavy breathing, as
+of one in deep sleep.
+
+"All right!" he muttered within himself. "My hour has come. The vengeance
+of the '_dog_' shall be complete! Oh, but how I will glory in _my_ triumph,
+and the proud one's disgrace! I'll make her _feel_ what it is to insult a
+nobleman by blood! Gods, how the memory burns my brain of that indignity!
+An unknown girl to scorn and cast contumely upon one of England's line of
+lords! This night be the stain wiped out!"
+
+Lost! lost! _lost_! demon! from thy presence we turn away! Villain and
+victim, there is a God above!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The morning dawned, and the sun rose as cloudless as though no deeds of
+crime, needing the darkness to cover them, had been perpetrated on the
+earth. The Waltons left with the company they expected to join at Pittsburg
+on the succeeding day, not knowing that Durant had slept under the same
+roof with them. No, not so fast. One of their number _did_ know the
+fact--Ellen. Was it that knowledge that caused the paleness on her cheek,
+that aroused the anxious solicitude of her tender and watchful parents?
+
+"Are you sick, my daughter?" was the mother's affectionate inquiry. But she
+was cheered by the assurance that there was no serious cause of alarm; and
+that Ellen was only a little unwell. Without any mishap, they reached their
+new home in Kentucky.
+
+Two weeks had passed, and Eliza Fleming was still unmarried. During that
+time, she had seen Durant but twice, and he appeared desirous of avoiding a
+private interview. She was not slow to perceive this, and it filled her
+mind with misgivings of his truth, or the sincerity of his protestations.
+She demanded an interview; the demand was acceded to; and she said:
+
+"Why do you not make arrangements for our approaching marriage? It is
+surely time you were about it."
+
+"Oh, no hurry yet," he replied. "There is plenty of time."
+
+"Plenty of time! Yes, if all that need be done, is to call the minister,
+and have the ceremony performed! But it strikes me this is _not_ all.
+However, what day have you fixed upon as your choice for the wedding
+occasion?"
+
+"I can't say as I have thought upon any day in particular; in fact, the
+subject had so far escaped my mind, that I had nearly forgotten it
+entirely."
+
+"A devoted lover, truly! What am I to think of such unmerited coldness?"
+and she burst into tears.
+
+"Come, Eliza, let us understand each other, and be friends."
+
+"Friends! Is that all?"
+
+"Lovers, then."
+
+"Husband and wife, you mean."
+
+"Lovers only; as we have been."
+
+"Am I to understand you as saying you will not fulfill your written promise
+of making me your lawful wife?"
+
+"You might be farther from the truth."
+
+"Is this the reward of my devotion? the fruits of my sacrifice? Oh, God,
+who shall measure the depths of wickedness of a depraved heart? Sir, I
+shall enforce my rights."
+
+"You dare not do it."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"The very attempt will ruin yourself, and your father's business by
+bringing disgrace upon his house."
+
+"I see it, sir; but what if I still proceed?"
+
+"You cannot."
+
+"I can."
+
+"On what plan?"
+
+"On your own written promise."
+
+"You have no such promise."
+
+"Do you deny giving it?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Then your own hand-writing will condemn you."
+
+"Be certain of that before you proceed."
+
+"You know I _have_ such a document."
+
+"I know you have _not_."
+
+"Then I will prove it."
+
+And she went in search of the paper, where she had carefully placed it
+away. But no paper was to be found! What could have become of it? She
+returned.
+
+"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting
+manner.
+
+"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to answer
+my purpose."
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Durant, you _know_ I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying
+it?"
+
+"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he continued:
+"We might as well understand each other at once."
+
+He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you
+speak of. I see it is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should
+again fall into your hands, I will destroy it."
+
+And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The outwitted
+girl sat dumb with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and, for several
+seconds, was speechless. When utterance came, she inquired:
+
+"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your possession?"
+
+"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went
+and took it."
+
+"And this is my reward for the signal service you demanded as the price of
+that written promise?"
+
+"My continued love will be your reward."
+
+"_Your_ love! Think you, vile miscreant, I would have the base semblance of
+affection from such a polluted thing as you? No, sir! Now that I see your
+depravity, worlds would not tempt me to wed you, degraded as I am! How I
+have remained blinded so long is a mystery I cannot solve, in the
+overwhelming light of this hour. Thank God, I am even with you!--Yes, thank
+Him from the bottom of my heart! You have deceived me, but in this instance
+I am not behind you. Ellen Walton left this house as pure as she entered
+it! Think you I had no object in all my restrictions of time, of secrecy
+and darkness? I had. One hour in the society of Miss Walton, convinced me
+of her unsullied purity, and another of your baseness. I resolved to save
+her at all hazards; and I did. My only regret _now_ is, that I made myself
+the victim instead of her!"
+
+"H--ll and furies!"
+
+"Even, am I not?"
+
+"May the devil take you!"
+
+"Better take care of the old fellow yourself; and of woman's wit, too!"
+
+"I'll have my revenge yet. I'll swear that I did stay the night with Ellen,
+despite your treachery."
+
+"It will do you no good. My sister gave the young lady an attested
+certificate, stating that she passed the whole time with her, the two
+together, that the door to their room was locked, and that they were
+undisturbed during the night.--Nothing like a 'woman's wit!'"
+
+[Illustration: "And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to
+conceal in her dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the
+trigger, aimed it at his heart."--See page 29.]
+
+"I curse you! Vile, treacherous--"
+
+"Spare your epithets, inhuman monster! or, by the heavens above us, you
+leave not this spot alive!"
+
+And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to conceal in her
+dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the trigger, aimed it at
+his heart. Like all villains of his caste, he was a coward, and trembled
+with quaking fear before the flashing eye and resolute look of the excited
+girl.
+
+"Now, vile, degraded, polluted _thing_! you go from my presence never to
+return. Hold! not just yet, I have a parting word to say before you leave.
+I confess, with self-abasement, that I once loved you, and with deep
+humiliation, amounting to agony, that that love was the cause of my ruin.
+The vail is now torn from my eyes, and I behold you as you are, a
+corrupted, debased, unfeeling demon, in the human form; and I would not
+even touch you with my finger's end, so deep is my detestation and
+abhorrence of your depravity! Aye, sir, even for _me_ your very touch is
+defiling! But if ever you whisper a word concerning the relation you once
+sustained toward _me_, be it but so loud as your breath, I will as surely
+destroy you as I now stand before you! Remember and beware! for I call God,
+and angels, and earth to witness this my vow! One so lost as _you_, shall
+not couple _my_ name with his!"
+
+She paused a moment, as if to collect her energies for a last effort, and
+then continued:
+
+"Into the darkness of this moonless, starless, sky-beclouded night, you
+shall soon be driven. May it faintly prefigure the unending blackness of
+that eternal night you have chosen as your future portion. As you have
+willfully, voluntarily, and most wickedly called it down upon your own
+head, may the 'curse of God rest upon you in this world and the world to
+come!' May evils betide you in this life, every cherished hope be blasted;
+every plot of villainy thwarted, and you become a reproach among men, an
+outcast and a vagabond on the face of the earth! And when, at last, your
+sinful race is run, and your guilty soul has been ushered into that dreaded
+eternity you have plucked upon it, may your polluted carcass become the
+prey of the carrion-crow and the buzzard, and the wild beasts of the desert
+wilderness howl a requiem over your bones! Go now, and meet your doom! Go
+with the curse of wretched innocence ever abiding upon you! Go with the
+canker-worm of festering corruption ever hanging, like an incubus, upon
+your prostituted heart, and may its fangs, charged with burning poison,
+pierce the very vitals of existence, till life itself shall become a burden
+and a curse! Go!"
+
+And he went, with the awful curse ever burning as a flaming fire on the
+tablet of his memory.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The reader must bear with us for being compelled to introduce in our pages
+some exceptional characters. Had we consulted our own taste, or painted the
+characters ourself, it would not have been so. In this particular, we had
+no choice, as the actors were furnished to our hand in the light we have
+represented them, as we shall presently show by authenticated history. For
+the present, however, we pass to other scenes.--AUTHOR.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MORE VILLAINY.
+
+
+From the presence of Miss Fleming, Durant went to an obscure old cabin near
+the river, where he met an accomplice in villainy, a tool of his, by the
+name of Ramsey, whom he often employed to do hazardous and dirty work, he
+himself was too cowardly or too _aristocratic_ to perform. The object of
+the present interview was to learn on what boat the Waltons had taken
+passage. He was scheming again.
+
+"Ramsey," said he, "what boats have left in the last two weeks to go down
+the river?"
+
+"Only three, sir."
+
+"Three! Did you see them all?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Did you know any of the passengers?"
+
+"I did. Colonel Thomas Marshall commanded one of the boats, with whom there
+were a number of Virginians, several of them personally known to me."
+
+"Was there a family by the name of Walton among them?"
+
+"Walton--Walton? I don't know them."
+
+"A father, mother and daughter; the girl eighteen, and uncommonly good
+looking--present a much richer appearance than is usual with emigrants."
+
+"I remember them; they went in another boat."
+
+"Do you think they have reached Maysville yet?"
+
+"If unusually lucky, they have; but most probably not."
+
+"Then there is a possibility of their being overtaken, you think?"
+
+"There _may_ be; particularly if any bad luck has attended them."
+
+"Quick, then, quick! away!--Have the boat decoyed to the shore, and
+captured by the Indians! You understand, _captured_: the girl must on no
+account be killed."
+
+"You don't mean that I shall start out to-night in this storm and
+darkness?"
+
+"Yes, and without a moment's delay. Set the red dogs on the scent--capture
+the girl, and you shall be rewarded on your own terms. Go, or it will be
+too late!"
+
+With some hesitation Ramsey obeyed, and when once in for the business,
+pushed it forward with all the energy he could master. This fellow was on
+friendly terms with the Indians, a band of whom--kind of
+renegades--whenever he could come across them, would follow his orders, or
+do his bidding. With a dispatch that would have done credit to the swiftest
+courier in the days of chivalry, he pushed forward through the wilderness
+to the usual place of rendezvous of this band, hoping to find and enlist
+them in the enterprise on hand; but they were absent on some expedition of
+their own. Not to be discouraged by one disappointment, Ramsey paused only
+long enough to determine that his expected coadjutors were not to be found
+in or about their usual lurking place, then continued his course down the
+Ohio with unabated ardor, and on the second day came in sight of a boat
+just at dusk of the evening. A momentary scrutiny convinced him that it was
+the one he was in pursuit of, and he concluded it must have been delayed by
+some misfortune, as he did not expect to come up to it so soon, if at all.
+However this might be, one thing was certain, the boat was there, and more
+still, the crew were careless, a certain sign that they felt secure and
+free from any dread of danger. So much the better for his purpose, thought
+the villain.
+
+Driving on through the forest, at a speed far exceeding the slow motions of
+the boat, he resolved to collect a body of savages, and intercept the
+prize. Fortune seemed to favor him; for on the next day he fell in with a
+large force of warriors, who were "on the war-path," and ready for any work
+that gave promise of blood, booty, or scalps. They were easily induced to
+further the designs of Ramsey, of whose character they were well aware; and
+placing themselves under his guidance, he soon posted them along the banks
+of the river to watch for the coming boat. At dark it was descried, but
+being too far out to admit of being attacked, the enemy silently withdrew,
+and hastening forward, took a second position below the first. This was
+done several times, and, at last, Ramsey had the satisfaction of seeing the
+boat near the Ohio shore. When within fifty yards of the bank, the Indians,
+to the number of several hundred, suddenly came down to the edge of the
+water, and opened a heavy fire upon the crew.
+
+The boat was commanded by Captain James Ward--was a crazy old thing, with
+only a single pine board for a bulwark. The captain was at one oar, and his
+nephew, a young man, at the other. Knowing that all depended on reaching
+the middle of the stream, the captain used his best exertions to force the
+vessel out; but his nephew let go his oar, and took up his gun to fire. As
+he did so, he was pierced through with a ball, and fell, mortally wounded.
+His oar dropped into the river; and the exertions of the captain only
+tended to force the boat nearer the shore. Seeing this, the savages gave a
+yell of triumph, and prepared to take possession of the prize. Ward,
+however, seized hold of a board, and with it took the place of his nephew,
+giving his own oar to one of the men, and made renewed exertions to gain
+the current, the enemy, meanwhile, pouring upon the crew an incessant
+volley of balls, thick as the falling hail of the storm, which soon riddled
+everything above the plank breastwork, and killed or wounded all the horses
+on board--seven in number.
+
+During this time most of the crew were too badly frightened to do or be
+conscious of anything, excepting danger. One large, fat old Dutchman, in
+particular, was so taken aback, he threw himself down flat, with his face
+to the deck, hoping thus to escape with his life. Unfortunately for his
+peace of mind, however, his posterior protuberance was of such enormously
+aldermanic dimensions, that it projected above the defenses, and became a
+fine and laughable target for the savage marksmen, who aimed the great
+majority of their shots thereat. As the bullets tore through the old
+fellow's unmentionables, and raking his hide, made it smart, he would shift
+his position, and endeavor to shield himself all over; but it was of no
+use. In spite of all the efforts he could make, the young mountain _would_
+remain in view in its exposed situation, to the great annoyance of its
+owner, and the equally great merriment of the enemy. In this sad
+predicament the phlegmatic hero of the flesh mountain lay, piteously
+bemoaning his fate, and cursing his foes.
+
+As the balls would rake the subnascent appendage, making it twinge with the
+sharp sting, he would cry out:
+
+"Oh! oh, Lort! haf' mercy on _me_ and _mine_!"
+
+But his cries availed nothing; and so losing all patience, he raised up his
+head, and, looking at the enemy, called to them:
+
+"Oh, now, t'ere! quit t'at tam nonsense, will you?"
+
+The boat was, finally, saved, with all on board, except the young man and
+the horses. (For further particulars of this affair, see "Western
+Adventure," page 275-6.)
+
+Ramsey discovered at the commencement of the fray that this was not the
+boat he was in quest of, and so, leaving the Indians to accomplish its
+capture as they pleased, he hastened onward in the hope of still overtaking
+the right vessel. In this he failed; already had it reached its
+destination, and the Waltons were in their new home. He returned, and
+reported his ill success to Durant, who was greatly vexed at the issue of
+his undertaking, but resolved to renew his efforts to obtain possession of
+Ellen, or in some way work her ruin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+STILL AT WORK.
+
+
+An evil heart, bent on mischief, is never contented in idleness, but, like
+the volcanic fires, its passions and thirst for revenge, when not in open
+eruption, are actively at work in secret and darkness, preparing for new
+outbursts, bearing death along their path, and leaving devastation, blight
+and ruin in their wake. This was much the case with Louis Durant, after the
+failure of his attempt on the boat. He was resolved to accomplish the
+villainy on which he had set his heart, and to this end determined to leave
+no means untried, be they ever so base, which lay within his reach.
+
+To proceed openly, however, was not exactly practicable, as by so doing too
+many eyes would be upon him; and he was too cowardly to face an open foe on
+fair ground. So he went to work in secret.
+
+After mature deliberation, and the revolving and the re-revolving of the
+matter in his mind, he concluded to join the Indians, and through their aid
+accomplish the consummation of his designs. In carrying out this plan, he
+was very materially aided by his old accomplice in crime, Ramsey, whose
+familiarity with the red men gave him at once the facilities for
+introducing his friend to their notice, which he did with a flourish and
+eulogium. Things went on smoothly enough while Durant was learning the
+language, customs, manners and habits of his new allies. He had as much as
+he could do to convince them of his bravery and undaunted courage, which
+qualities, believing he was deficient in them, they as often as possible
+put to the test. In many of these adventures he barely came off with credit
+whole, a thing he found absolutely necessary to maintain any kind of credit
+with this singular people, and, for this purpose, he called into action
+every particle of courage from every crack and crevice of his system, and
+brought the whole to bear upon one point, the wavering of his own heart,
+and, with it, the staying of his almost quaking limbs, and
+ready-to-run-away feet. He had just "_quantum sufficit_" for this purpose,
+and _none to spare_.
+
+These achievements occupied about two years in their accomplishment, at the
+end of which period, Durant, having established himself pretty fairly in
+the good graces of his red brethren, felt as though the time had arrived
+for him to put in execution his long intended project; for, be it known,
+his desire for vengeance had neither slumbered nor died during the two
+years, but was the grand moving impulse to every important act. These
+years, so full of restrained wrath on his part, were years of peace to his
+intended victim. Ellen Walton, save the fear of Indians, and the usual
+trials incident to pioneer life, had spent her time in hopeful quiet, full
+of love's anticipated bliss in the bright _future_.
+
+Almost had she forgotten Durant and his threats. Pity she should ever be
+awakened from her blissful dreams to dread reality.
+
+Very early in the spring of 1787, and not quite two years since her
+father's settlement in the country, on a very pleasant day, she ventured to
+walk out a short distance into the forest, which adjoined their dwelling.
+Becoming interested in her own musings, she sat down on the trunk of a
+fallen tree, to give free vent and wide range to her thoughts. The reader
+can, doubtless, imagine as well as we, the rainbow hues of her straying
+fancy, as it reveled in the rosy bowers of love.
+
+"Miss Walton, I believe I have the honor of addressing."
+
+[Illustration: "Looking up, she saw a tall, dark man standing before her,
+his eye bent upon hers with a look that sent the blood to her heart."--See
+page 36.]
+
+At the sound of her name, Ellen sprung to her feet, with a suppressed
+scream of fright on her lips. Looking up, she saw a tall, dark man standing
+before her, his eye bent upon hers with a look that sent the blood to her
+heart, she hardly knew why; for certainly the individual before her was a
+stranger, or one with whom she had had so slight an acquaintance, as to
+remember nothing concerning him. While her mind was running over all the
+passing acquaintances she had ever made, and endeavoring among them to put
+the personage before her, he continued to scan her countenance with a
+steady gaze, as if to read her thoughts, which divining, he continued:
+
+"I perceive you do not remember me, though we have met before. My memory
+is not so treacherous; and, beside, your looks made a lasting impression on
+my mind, an impression that time can never efface or obliterate; and to
+this impression you are indebted for my present visit--an unceremonious
+one, I must confess."
+
+At this point of his discourse Ellen made a movement as if to retrace her
+steps homeward, seeing which, he went on:
+
+"Do not be impatient, fair maiden, or in haste to go, for I have that to
+tell thee which is of the utmost importance both to thy present and future
+welfare."
+
+This adoption of the familiar and solemn style of address, had the effect
+rather to increase than diminish the tremors about the girl's heart; yet
+she silently awaited his words:
+
+"I am come to warn thee that great, very great and imminent danger is
+hanging, impended but by a thread, over thy head."
+
+This blunt and unexpected announcement caused Ellen to start with a
+shudder, and sent the blood still more forcibly upon her heart, which
+labored, for a moment, under the load, and then beat so loud she was afraid
+the stranger would hear it. Noticing the effect of his words, he continued:
+
+"Thou hast an enemy, a bitter enemy, who has sworn to do thee an evil, and
+it is in his heart to keep the oath. I see by the pallor of thy countenance
+thou hast not forgotten him."
+
+And true it was that the mention of "an enemy" called up her old foe to the
+most vivid recollection of the now thoroughly alarmed Ellen. With the
+utmost exertion of her strength and will, she could barely suppress the
+outward manifestations of her terror.
+
+"Well, this enemy, whom you had well-nigh forgotten, has never, for a
+single day, had thee out of his mind. Ever since his threat, he has been
+laying deep schemes to ruin thee, and once very nearly succeeded. For two
+years he has been at work in a new way; his plans are about matured, and
+_you will soon be in his power!_"
+
+This last clause was spoken slowly, and emphasized on every word. All the
+time he was speaking, Ellen's feelings became more and more intensely
+excited, and, at the close, had reached the limit of control. For a moment
+she was overcome, and leaned against a tree for support; but seeing the
+stranger make a motion as though to assist her, she rallied again, and,
+becoming more composed, demanded:
+
+"How know you these things of which you speak?"
+
+"It matters but little to thee, to know more than the facts in the case;
+these I tell thee, but no more."
+
+"Then you have come as a kind friend to warn me of my danger?"
+
+"Aye, and more."
+
+"Thanks! thanks! and pardon me if, at the first, I looked with suspicion on
+a friend. The circumstances of our meeting is my apology for the ungenerous
+thought."
+
+"Thou hadst cause to suspect, if not to fear me, and for thy thought I have
+no need to pardon thee. But my mission is not yet completed."
+
+"Then let us go to the house of my father, which is but a short way off,
+and there hear what further is to be said."
+
+"No, I have but little time, and this place will answer my purpose quite as
+well as your father's house, with the situation of which I am well
+acquainted."
+
+"Indeed! Then you are not a stranger in these parts?"
+
+"Not entirely so; but as my business was with you, more particularly, it
+was natural that I should familiarize myself with your place of abode,
+that, if need be, I might render myself efficient in a case of emergency,
+which may arrive but too soon."
+
+This allusion to danger re-awakened Ellen's apprehensions, which noticing,
+he continued:
+
+"I have told you of overhanging peril; yet I have told you but half. You
+are unable to escape from the net that is woven around you--you have no
+means in your power to free yourself from the unseen toils that have been
+secretly laid to ensnare you. Every step you take is one of danger, and
+every effort you make to flee from that danger, may but drive you nearer to
+destruction. Such is the nature of your enemy's operations, that while they
+are secret, they are sure; and so thoroughly has every preparation been
+made, and so exact has every minute particular been examined and attended
+to, there is no possibility of his scheme failing, and equally no
+possibility for you to escape."
+
+"Your words are words of doom. How am I to interpret your enigmatical
+conduct? But now I thought you a friend, come to give me timely warning to
+guard against threatened danger, when, all at once, you declare my
+situation a hopeless one! If you _are_ my friend, why not warn me sooner,
+and in time?"
+
+This was said in a firm manner, and gave the stranger to understand he had
+no common, timid nature to deal with. The truth was, the thought had
+flashed across Ellen's mind that this man was some way connected with
+Durant, perhaps employed by him, and she began to conclude it might be a
+trick to frighten her, after all. If so, or if not, she determined to meet
+boldly what he had to say. The man perceived the change, and replied:
+
+"My seemingly enigmatical conduct is easily explained. It is true I have a
+long time been known to the fact that most determined designs of mischief
+were entertained against you, and that your enemy was ceaselessly at work
+to perfect his plans; but just as I was preparing to come to inform you of
+this state of affairs, I was so unfortunate as to be desperately wounded in
+battle with the Indians. I have but just recovered; the fresh scar you can
+see on my temple."
+
+And brushing away the hair, he exposed a hardly healed, terrible gash. This
+appeared to satisfy his listener.
+
+"I have, therefore, done the best I could, and you must charge the rest to
+fate--a fate whose inexorable decree I almost rebeled against bowing to.
+But I am here, my warning is given, and I can only regret that it comes so
+late."
+
+These words and the exhibition of the scar restored Ellen's confidence in
+the stranger, and, with it, her fears returned. He perceived this, and
+proceeded:
+
+"Though your case is a desperate one, there is still some hope; there is a
+_possibility_ of your deliverance from impending peril."
+
+"Then let me know how I am to act."
+
+"I fear to do so."
+
+"Why fear?"
+
+"It may prove a desperate alternative."
+
+"Nothing can be so dreadful as falling into the hands of my enemy."
+
+"Perhaps not; still you may be unable to choose between the evils."
+
+"Let me know them, and I will try."
+
+"As I said, it may be a desperate alternative, and I must ask of you
+beforehand to pardon me for being compelled to give you only the choice
+between what may prove one of two equally direful evils. Your only hope of
+relief from present evil _is in me_."
+
+This was an unexpected announcement; it fairly startled Ellen, and, in the
+moment of bewilderment, she made no reply. He continued:
+
+"Do not consider me selfish--at least do not condemn me for my selfishness.
+If you have ever loved, you know what almost omnipotent power that passion
+has over the mind and heart. For long years I have loved you in secret,
+with a burning, consuming intensity of feeling, which defies all efforts to
+describe. I cannot tell you all the joy or agony love has awakened in my
+bosom; I can only say, that you have it now in your power to render me
+supremely happy, or abjectly miserable. If you will cast yourself on my
+love, I will save you from your plotting foe, and devote my life to your
+service, and to make you happy. If I had any other means of saving you, I
+would not propose this one, but I have not. Just now I have not time to
+explain all that I would like to make clear, and must ask you, for the
+present, to take my word; for at any moment, even now, your malignant foe
+may come upon us, and then all is lost. Can you accept the alternative?"
+
+"I--I thank you, but I cannot."
+
+"You say, in view of all the facts, this is your unalterable decision, from
+which I may not hope to persuade you?"
+
+"It is. For all or any kind intentions and wishes you may have had or still
+entertain for me, please accept my sincere thanks; but do not attempt to
+change my purpose, for it is fixed, and I would save us both the pain of
+repeating it."
+
+"Then farewell, and God protect you!"
+
+"Amen!"
+
+This one word was said in such a fervent, and, at the same time, confident
+manner, the stranger paused a moment as he was turning away; for a short
+time he seemed engaged in deep thought, which had the effect of totally
+changing his former, and apparently predetermined course of action. Turning
+again to Ellen, who saw his hesitancy of action, he said:
+
+"You rely, then, in God?"
+
+"I do, most assuredly."
+
+"And you have a hope that He will deliver you from the sad situation in
+which you are now placed?"
+
+"I humbly trust He will shield and protect me from harm."
+
+"Perhaps that confidence induces your present course of action?"
+
+"Doubtless it does, in part."
+
+"Well, let me tell you that angels nor devils can save you!"
+
+"I have no wish to be saved by the devils."
+
+"I wonder you can be at all merry in your situation."
+
+"I begin to be less apprehensive than I was."
+
+"Indeed! and why, pray?"
+
+"To be plain, an explanation will not be very flattering to your vanity, or
+very creditable to my penetration, and, therefore, I had rather not make
+it."
+
+"I see you suspect me, so you may as well know the truth."
+
+Saying which, he threw off some outward disguises, and stood before the
+astonished maiden--LOUIS DURANT himself!
+
+"You see me, Ellen Walton, and in me your worst enemy, because you will not
+permit me to be a friend. I have made the present attempt to win you by
+stratagem, in the not very sanguine hope of success. I have failed--now for
+my revenge. Know that all I have said concerning my plans, and the net I
+have woven around you, is true. You are now in my power, and I only forbear
+taking you captive at this time because I wish you to live for a short
+period in dread and suspense, as you once made me."
+
+"Keep to the truth, sir, in making your statements."
+
+"I intend to; and so bid you beware, and _to escape if you can!_"
+
+"I have a very comfortable expectation for the future, thank you."
+
+"Well, cherish it, then; hug it close, for it will be short lived, I give
+you fair warning."
+
+"The warnings of a man who comes with the tissue of falsehood, are of
+little worth. Keep them to yourself."
+
+"Beware how you presume on my forbearance; it may give way."
+
+"I presume on nothing but your cowardice."
+
+"Enough! enough! I will bear no more! I go, but you will see me soon again!
+_Your doom is sealed!_ '_Cowardice!_' This from a woman! Gods! but I'll
+remember this in my revenge!"
+
+He started, as if to leave the place, but turned again, and said.
+
+"Girl, I dislike to leave you in this manner. For the love I bear you, I
+would still see you happy--happy as a wife and not a despised outcast--the
+scorn of society. You might once have been my honorable bride; yes, you
+might still be. Passing by all your insults, I would still offer you my
+hand, and honorable marriage."
+
+"Infamous villain! how dare you insult my self-respect by even naming such
+a thing? Never dare again, to couple my name with yours! never, sir! It is
+the basest sacrilege to humanity!"
+
+"Very well. Our _names_ shall _not_ be coupled; our _destinies shall be!_
+Go, with the consoling thought to cheer you for a few fleeting hours. Here
+I stand and swear it--witness my oath, ye trees! witness it, earth and sky!
+and, if such beings there are, witness it, angels and devils--_Ellen Walton
+shall be mine!_"
+
+He was so deeply absorbed in calling on his witnesses, he noticed nothing
+about him, and now looking to the spot where she stood, to observe the
+effect of his words, behold, Ellen was not there. His tragic agony had been
+wasted on the "desert air." Turning away once more, he left the place in a
+rage.
+
+Ellen, though she had left, heard his words in the distance, and
+notwithstanding she had made a show of boldness, she was really alarmed,
+and greatly dreaded the future. She knew that an evil-minded man, however
+contemptible, was capable of doing infinite harm to a fellow-being, when
+determinedly set thereon. Thus, between hope and fear, her time was passed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+PLANS FRUSTRATED--ESPIONAGE.
+
+
+Durant, who considered himself a perfect genius in contriving strategetical
+measures, now turned all his attention to the execution of the secret plans
+he had matured. He first accompanied a body of Indians, who were ready to
+march upon the settlements of Kentucky, with a select few, to whom he had
+confided his intentions of capturing a white squaw. With these villains he
+intended to attack the house of the Waltons, while the main body of the
+savages made their onset upon the bulk of the settlement, including the
+block-house. This measure failed, for the simple reason that he had
+mistaken the house, and a family by the name of Scraggs suffered in the
+stead of his intended victim.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: "Western Adventure," page 179-182.]
+
+He next resolved to go, with a few of his renegade followers, in a secret
+manner, and steal Ellen at night, or during some of her daily walks, when
+alone. Soon after crossing the river, he was taken sick, and his followers,
+mistaking his directions, went another way, and made a worse blunder than
+on the first occasion; and a party of whites coming into the vicinity of
+his camp, the villain hastened to recross the river to the Ohio side, not
+yet knowing the fate of the expedition, that portion of the band who had
+been commissioned with the execution of the plot not having returned when
+he was forced to retreat. However, he was not long kept in suspense; one of
+his men came back, and reported a wonderful adventure with a "big squaw,
+taller than the greatest warrior," who killed a number of the Indians, he
+said, and when two of the others undertook to get down the chimney, "big
+squaw took up mighty great wallet, all full of feathers, more than was on
+all the eagles of all the hunting grounds of the red men, and tearing it
+open, easy as we tear a leaf, poured them on the fire. Big black smoke puff
+up quick as powder flash, and down come Indian like he shot. White squaw
+take up big tomahawk, and strike both on the head. Me nearly in the door by
+this time; big squaw jump at me with he great tomahawk, so big the great
+chief no lift it, and lifted it to strike. Me no like to be killed by old
+squaw, so me come away." A very marvelous story told the Indians, full of
+high flourishes and exaggerations, but founded on truth, nevertheless.[B]
+
+[Footnote B: "Western Adventure," page 187.]
+
+Durant saw that some mistake had been made, and that his attempt had
+signally failed, notwithstanding his confidence and boasting, and the care
+with which he had laid his "hidden toils." He was greatly exasperated at
+the failure of his plots, on the success of which he had built such
+sanguine hopes.
+
+After much reflection, and the formation and abandonment of many schemes
+for the accomplishment of his object, he finally hit upon a plan which he
+felt sure would succeed. This time he called into requisition the services
+of his old crony in crime, the infamous, but not untainted, Ramsey. With
+him and a couple of trusty Indians, he set out on his expedition, resolved
+to succeed at the risk of his life. Ellen he would possess at all hazards.
+
+The party reached a point which was as near the settlement as prudence
+allowed them to go, and here, in the deep forest, his three companions hid
+themselves, while he went forward to make observations, and work out the
+details of the plot and attack. Stealthily approaching the vicinity of the
+Waltons, he secreted himself in a hollow tree during the day, from an
+orifice of which, at some distance from the base, he had quite a commanding
+view of the adjacent country for a considerable distance either way. Here
+he placed himself to make observations.
+
+It was in the early part of autumn; the weather was mild and pleasant; the
+forest had put on its diadem of rich colors, purple, scarlet and yellow,
+and was gorgeously beautiful in the ripened glory of its drapery. The
+season, the scene, the sunny warmth all invited to a participation in the
+enjoyment which nature held out to those who would accept her bounty, and
+refresh themselves in her sylvan bowers.
+
+It was on the second day of his watch, that Durant had the satisfaction of
+noticing the arrival of a gentleman at the house of Mr. Walton, which was
+followed on the succeeding day by a circumstance which at once gave him
+fresh encouragement and sanguine hopes. Ellen made her appearance, leaning
+on the gentleman's arm; they were out enjoying the pleasure of an excursion
+into the quiet woods, and to his infinite gratification, wended their way
+to his immediate neighborhood.
+
+Fortune sometimes favors the wicked, and, in this instance, she smiled on
+the villain; for the lovers, fancying the spot, seated themselves on the
+trunk of a fallen tree, that lay close to the one in which he had ensconced
+himself, and by placing his ear near the orifice, he could distinctly hear
+what passed between them.
+
+"It is so refreshing to sit in the shade of the 'gray old forest,'" said
+Ellen. "I have not enjoyed such a treat these many months."
+
+"Why, with your facilities, I should think you would recreate every day in
+pleasant weather."
+
+"That was my habit formerly; but the last time I ventured out alone, I met
+with an unexpected streak of ill luck, which has deterred me ever since
+from laying myself liable to a repetition of the same bad fortune."
+
+"Indeed! You have not informed me of this before."
+
+"For the simple reason that more agreeable thoughts and memories have
+occupied my mind; and, after all, it is hardly worth relating, though it
+made me feel very unpleasant for a time."
+
+"I must know of this adventure."
+
+"It was only the unlooked-for appearance of my old and sworn enemy, Durant,
+who made another attempt to deceive me; but failing in his designs, finally
+renewed his threats of revenge."
+
+She then, at her lover's request, narrated the incidents of her interview
+with Durant, as already known to the reader.
+
+"Strange that the villain should form such an unaccountable dislike for
+you, when you never injured him in the least."
+
+"I think his bad nature was excited, and his ill-will increased, by a few
+words of merited rebuke I was forced, by his unmanliness, to pronounce
+against him, the last time he was at our house in Virginia."
+
+"And you have heard nothing from him since the day he obtruded himself upon
+your notice here in the woods?"
+
+"Nothing direct or definite, though I think he made an attempt to capture
+me, with the aid of some Indians, soon afterward, but failed in his object
+from some cause. But notwithstanding I have heard no direct tidings from
+him, I feel a constant dread of evil, as though some impending calamity was
+hanging over me."
+
+"Such fears had better be banished at once from your mind."
+
+"I know it, and have tried to get rid of them, but they will, despite my
+efforts to the contrary, come into my mind. I do not and will not yield to
+them, though I find it impossible at all times to shake them off."
+
+"Singular, truly; I pray God, they presage no harm."
+
+"Oh, I so much wish you could always be near me; I dread nothing in your
+presence."
+
+"I hope the time is not far distant when this dearest wish of both our
+hearts will be realized."
+
+The conversation took a tender cast at this point; and as matters of the
+heart are secrets between lovers, which they dislike for third parties to
+look into, we will take ourselves away, and leave them to enjoy their hour
+of happiness in undisturbed quiet.
+
+Several days brought a return of much the same routine of events, the
+lovers always spending an hour of each afternoon in the woods. Durant kept
+to his tree, and the others invariably occupied the same seat near his
+hiding-place. At the end of a week, Durant learned from the conversation of
+the young couple that the gentleman was to return to Virginia in a day or
+two, to make preparations for the coming wedding, which was to take place
+about the holidays, he being now on a visit to arrange the preliminaries,
+and enjoy for a brief time the society of his betrothed. When they had
+returned home, Durant muttered to himself:
+
+"Now is my time! To-morrow is their last day for walking, and, like loving
+fools as they are, they will be so absorbed in each others' feelings, and
+the silly sentimentality of love, as to be easily surprised. Yes, to-morrow
+will be my time!"
+
+And gloating over the anticipated triumph, he left his burrow, and hastened
+to his companions, to make known his intentions, and prepare everything for
+the event of the morrow. He and one Indian were to seize and secure Ellen,
+while Ramsey and the other should perform the more difficult task of
+capturing her lover. All the details of their arrangements were discussed
+and adopted; and Durant, now that he felt certain of his victims--for his
+hate of Ellen's lover was bitter, though of recent date--was almost beside
+himself with malignant and hellish joy. He saw before him the speedy
+accomplishment of his fiendish purpose--the gratification of his inveterate
+hate and long sought revenge, by the commission of the most damnable act
+known this side of the "bottomless pit" of darkness; and his sin-polluted
+heart actually swelled with venomous delight, and demoniac exultation. One
+of the fairest flowers of earth is to be plucked by his rude hand, and
+soiled by his touch and embrace! Will he succeed in his satanic designs?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE LOVERS
+
+
+Ellen Walton, ere she left the home of her childhood for the scenes of
+border life, was the affianced bride of Walter Hamilton, a young man of
+most promising talent, irreproachable character, and fine looking withal;
+and, in a word, was worthy of the high favor he found in the eyes and the
+heart of his beloved. As gathered from the narrations of the last chapter,
+he was now on a visit to the wilderness home of his betrothed, to arrange
+for the nuptials, which were to be solemnized on Christmas Eve, the winter
+season being deemed most safe from the predatory excursions of the Indians.
+All these particulars their bitter adversary was familiar with; and he so
+exulted over the sad termination of their plans, he could scarcely command
+his feelings, or act with becoming sanity.
+
+Without further ado, we will introduce the lovers at their last interview
+in the forest, previous to Hamilton's return home. The same spot finds them
+seated again, as though fate led them surely on into the jaws of
+destruction, and opened the way of triumph for the plotting villain.
+
+"And this is the last time we shall enjoy together the sweet solitude of
+this sylvan temple of love?" said Hamilton, after they had been conversing
+for some time on the hopes before them.
+
+"Oh, I pray it may not be the _last_ time! What fatal words!" replied the
+fair Ellen, as a momentary pallor overspread her beautiful face.
+
+"You know, love I only meant for this visit. Of course, I hope to enjoy the
+same felicity many times when we shall mutually sustain to each other those
+dearest of all relations; after that our hopes shall have been fully
+consummated."
+
+"I know you did not intend to say the last time for life; but the word
+_last_ struck with a chill to my heart, and called up old dreads, which,
+unbidden, sent a thrill of fear through my spirit. I could not avoid the
+thought that this _might be_, indeed, our last meeting. Would to heaven the
+unwelcome thought were banished from my mind, never again to return."
+
+"Well, love, just banish it. You are certainly in no personal danger; and
+there is hardly a possibility, let alone a probability, protected as I
+shall be, of my encountering serious danger on my way home."
+
+"I know all you say; I can see no cause of fear; no reason to apprehend
+danger; yet I _do_ feel alarmed; but it is a vague, undefined sensation,
+which I hope reason will soon banish from my mind. I am not now, and never
+have been, a believer in presentiments, and I do not intend to become a
+convert to the notion to-day."
+
+"I am glad to hear you speak in that manner. There are but few things in
+the compass of possibility that may not be achieved, if we bring a resolute
+will to bear upon them. The belief in presentiments, signs of good and bad
+luck, and the like, is calculated, in no small degree, to 'make slaves of
+us all,' and to detract very much from the happiness we might otherwise
+enjoy. I have known persons who were perfect slaves to such things, having
+their evil omens and good omens, their bad days and good days, their moon
+signs, their owl signs, their cat and dog signs, and I know not what all
+other kinds of signs, all of which were regarded with the reverence due
+only to sacred things. I must confess I have often been disgusted at the
+tomfoolery of some of these 'signs' people."
+
+"Really, I hope you do not intend to be _personal_ in your remarks?"
+
+"My usual reply to such inquiries is, 'if the shoe fits, wear it;' but you
+know, love, I had no intention of alluding to you in what I said; at least,
+if you did not know it, I tell you so now."
+
+"Very well; your amusing strictures on the 'signs' have had the effect to
+dispel, in a good degree, my forebodings of evil, whatever may have given
+rise to them. I presume, if the sign is really reliable, I may now conclude
+that the danger, if any was near me, has passed away."
+
+"One would naturally suppose that the more imminent the danger, the
+heavier would be the pressure on the spirits."
+
+"And who knows but some unseen calamity _was_ near us--a serpent, for
+instance, whose deadly fangs might have proved fatal, or some other unknown
+or invisible foe, with power to work us evil?"
+
+"Without entering the field of speculation, we will just suppose your
+snakeship has departed, and, as your spirits have recovered their wonted
+elasticity, let us talk of more pleasing and interesting matters."
+
+"With all my heart."
+
+And _had_ the serpent, Durant, really withdrawn himself? Had some long
+buried cord of human sympathy at last been touched in his heart, and the
+slumbering emotions of a better nature awakened? Let us hope so if we can.
+
+The lovers continued to converse of their hopes for the future, and regrets
+for the immediate separation; and their attention became so fixed in each
+other, that it would have required some extraordinary occurrence or sound
+to arouse them. In reply to a remark of his companion, Hamilton said:
+
+"Yes, but four months, and our probation will be ended. Would that they
+would speed away as rapidly as the past week. Four months, and then shall
+our happiness be--"
+
+The sentence was never finished. At that precise moment rude hands grasped
+each lover. A smothered cry arose to Ellen's lips, but was hushed by a
+covering which was placed and fastened over her mouth. They were both
+secured with thongs, and led away into captivity. As Ellen was being
+secured, the miscreant captor hissed in her ear:
+
+"Be of good cheer, you are in the hands of Durant, the 'DOG!' who
+distinctly remembers your former kindness and amiability!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE CAPTIVES.
+
+
+With all the speed possible, Durant hurried off toward the Ohio, determined
+as soon as it could be done, to place that river between himself and
+captives and any pursuers that might follow them, when it became known that
+the lovers were missing.
+
+It was a matter of wonder with Ellen's family what could keep her and
+Hamilton out so late in the evening; and when darkness set in, and they
+were still absent, the wonder changed to alarm. Search was instantly made;
+they were traced to their resting-place; the evident marks of a scuffle
+were visible; and the unanimous opinion of all was that they were in the
+hands of Indians. Preparations for pursuit were immediately instituted, and
+by daylight next morning, a strong band of armed pioneers, well mounted,
+were on the trail of the fugitives, determined to retake the captives, if
+such a feat were in the bounds of possibility.
+
+Durant had everything so arranged, that his party need not be subjected to
+a moment's delay. Every member of his band, including the prisoners,
+expected a vigorous pursuit, and the lovers were not without hope that it
+would prove successful. In this hope, they, as far as circumstances and
+ability permitted, endeavored to retard the progress of the captors by slow
+movements; and Durant was finally constrained to threaten them, if they did
+not step with greater alacrity; for he feared they might be overtaken.
+
+At length the hilly banks of the Ohio were reached; the clear waters of
+that noble stream lay before them; and between the prisoners and despair,
+and no friends in sight to bid them hope! Durant now concluded all was
+safe; and the malice of his heart, which the pressure of circumstances had
+kept smothered, began again to display itself. Pointing to the verdure-clad
+and tree-crowned hills on the other side of the river, he said:
+
+"Once there, amid the lovely groves of Ohio, and you are beyond the last
+hope of recovery from my power, my beautiful girl! Then and there I shall
+have the exquisite pleasure of informing you more particularly concerning
+my plans for the future. For the present, receive my assurances, that
+nothing else could give me such unbounded satisfaction as the felicity
+unspeakable of having won my old and dear love from all competitors for her
+hand and person, and the certain assurance, that, for the time to come, she
+is all my own, without fear of rivalship!"
+
+The bitter irony attempted in this malignantly polite address went to the
+heart of the fair girl; but she resolutely set herself against any display
+of fear, or the least manifestation of alarm, well knowing that the marks
+of such emotions would but increase the revengeful feeling of delight
+evinced by her adversary.
+
+Just as Durant concluded his speech, the tramp of horses' feet was heard in
+the distance, and the cry raised by the Indians:
+
+"White man come! white man come!"
+
+All hands sprung to unmoor the canoes, which were in readiness, concealed
+among the drooping branches of some trees which overhung the margin of the
+stream. While thus engaged, Hamilton, who was watching his opportunity,
+knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling round like a
+top to the distance of ten or twelve feet, seized Ellen in his arms, and
+with strength almost superhuman, and a speed miraculous under the
+circumstances, bounded away in the direction of the approaching horsemen,
+who were now visible through the interstices of the forest, a good way off,
+but coming rapidly on to the rescue, though, as yet, in ignorance of their
+near proximity to friends and foes.
+
+"Seize them! seize them!--shoot the infernal dog!" roared Durant, in a
+hoarse voice of passion and rage, so soon as he recovered from the
+astonishment and fright into which the unceremonious assault of Hamilton
+had thrown him.
+
+[Illustration: "Hamilton knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent
+Durant whirling round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve
+feet."--See page 54.]
+
+His first command was not obeyed, for Hamilton and Ellen were already
+beyond reach when the order was given; but the second one led to the
+discharge of two guns without effect, and the leveling of a third by
+Ramsey, with a coolness and steadiness of nerve and aim which gave
+assurance of success. His finger was on the trigger, when Durant himself
+threw up the muzzle of the rifle, and sent the ball whizzing through the
+air, some ten feet above the heads of the fugitives.
+
+"My revenge must be fuller than that, or not at all," he said. "The ball
+would have killed both, and I would not have had that for the world."
+
+He had hardly uttered these words, when the sharp crack of the remaining
+Indian's rifle, who had recovered from the blow given him by Hamilton, and
+was glad of the opportunity of so speedily avenging it, rung in his ear
+with piercing shrillness, and looking in the direction of the flying
+couple, Durant saw Hamilton stagger with his burden, and then both fell to
+the earth. Instantly the demon was roused within him; every emotion of fear
+was swallowed up in his usually cowardly heart by the burning thirst for
+revenge which rankled in his bosom; and crying "_Come_!" he rushed to the
+spot where the lovers lay, followed by his comrade. Both were wounded, but
+neither was dead. Lifting the bleeding Ellen in his arms, he bore her back,
+while Ramsey and an Indian did the same by Hamilton. Springing into their
+canoes, and bending to the oars with all the strength they could muster,
+they were soon far out into the stream, and had just reached a point of
+safety, when the pursuing party of whites came up to the water's brink.
+Several shots were fired at the canoes without effect, and then the men
+tried to force their horses into the river; but by yelling and splashing
+the water with their oars by the enemy, the beasts were effectually
+frightened, so that no efforts of their riders could induce them to attempt
+the unwilling task of swimming across.
+
+Durant could perceive the agony of the father and brother of Ellen, as they
+wrung their hands in despair, still vainly striving to urge forward their
+stubborn steeds. Feeling perfectly secure, now that the pursuers were
+effectually baffled in their designs, he gave orders to cease the
+frightening demonstrations, and continue their course. In a few minutes the
+Ohio shore was gained, and they soon buried themselves in the deep woods
+beyond and were lost to the sight of those on the opposite bank, who
+reluctantly turned their faces homeward, and, in deep and mournful silence,
+retraced their steps, revolving in their minds what next could be done.
+
+Hamilton and Ellen were both severely wounded, the ball having passed
+through the right side of each, but no vital part seemed to have suffered,
+and the wounds were not deemed mortal of themselves, but might prove fatal
+if not properly attended to. Durant's first care was to have them dressed
+and bound up; and he used every means within his reach to expedite their
+recovery. He had them taken to a place of safety, a kind of cove, known to
+himself and Ramsey, which was in an obscure and unfrequented spot, where
+they were carefully nursed until in a fair way for speedy recovery.
+
+Until now, Durant had been careful to say and do nothing that might tend to
+excite the minds of his captives, fearing that inflamation might ensue, and
+rob him of his anticipated triumph and revenge. But so soon as their
+convalescence was distinctly manifest, the crisis and the danger past, he
+began to torment his victims; the one of his wounded vanity, his
+disappointed avarice, and his venomous hate; the other of his envy and
+jealous malice. In consummating his revenge upon Ellen, he would not only
+gratify his malicious and vengeful nature, but minister, also, to the
+basest passions of a corrupt human heart. Seating himself in her presence
+one day, he said:
+
+"I now understand why it was that I found no more favor in your sight while
+so foolishly attempting to win your love. Your heart was already occupied,
+a circumstance you took good care to conceal. Thank my stars, my rival is
+now in my hands! And do you know, my dear, that he is a doomed man? If not,
+permit me to inform you of the fact."
+
+"Sir, what has he ever done to you that you should wish to harm him?"
+
+"Done! Has he not robbed me of your love, your hand, and made my life a
+hopeless desert and a weary waste?"
+
+"No, sir, he has not. My heart was his before I saw you, and _you_, sir,
+attempted the part of a robber, not Mr. Hamilton. Now judge yourself by
+your own rule and what fate should be yours?"
+
+"Ah, very fine logic, truly; but, unfortunately, you have not the power to
+back it up. I presume you have never beheld the sacrifice of a victim on a
+funeral pile, nor more than read of prisoners burned at the stake; how
+would such a spectacle affect you, think?"
+
+This was said with a peculiar expression, and was evidently intended to
+make a strong impression; but whatever its real effect upon the mind of his
+auditor, no visible tokens of dread or pain were manifested, and Ellen
+replied:
+
+"I do not know, so much would depend on circumstances; but that I would
+abhor the actors in the scene of barbarous cruelty, I can well imagine."
+
+This was not the kind of a reply expected, and Durant changed his discourse
+from an insinuating tone to a direct manner.
+
+"I perceive it will be necessary for me to render my meaning more explicit,
+and I now change the form of my query, and beg to know how you would
+probably feel, were you compelled to witness the burning of your lover at
+the stake?"
+
+A momentary paleness blanched the cheek of the fair girl, as this heartless
+interrogation was fully comprehended, but recovering herself quickly from
+the rude shock, she replied:
+
+"I doubt not the sight would be a harrowing one, but I do not anticipate
+such an unlikely event."
+
+"Pardon me, but I may as well tell you at first, that this fate is in store
+for you."
+
+"Why do you persist in this attempt at refinement of cruelty? Bad as you
+are, I give you credit for too much humanity to believe your words are more
+than an idle threat, which you have no intention of putting into
+execution."
+
+"Then you have given me credit for more humanity than is justly my due; for
+I never was more earnest in my life, and it is my fixed determination to do
+exactly what I have intimated."
+
+Ellen, who had all the time been really alarmed, now gave way, in her
+reduced strength of body, to the feelings which, until now, she had kept in
+subjection; and, changing her tone, commenced pleading with the miscreant:
+
+"Mr. Hamilton has never harmed you, and can, therefore, only be hated by
+you through me; do not, then, make him the object of your wrath, but let it
+fall on me. I will readily burn at the stake to save him."
+
+This last remark, as it showed the depths and tenderness of her love for
+his rival, only excited him the more, and he repeated his intention of
+burning Hamilton at the stake in her presence, with many additions,
+purposely introduced to make a more horrifying impression. In vain she
+pleaded for her lover, and offered herself as the sacrifice; the only
+effect of her prayers was to render him more savage and determined in his
+intentions and avowals. The excitement of the interview, however, in her
+case, superinduced a state of fever, which bid fair, for a few days, to
+render her recovery very doubtful. This result was not expected by Durant,
+and he in turn became alarmed, lest his dearly bought vengeance should yet
+slip from him. Every exertion was put forth for her restoration, and
+finally success crowned the well directed but ill intentioned efforts of
+the villain. Ellen's fever abated, and she again began to mend. It would be
+some time, however, ere the monster would dare renew his threats, and in
+the interim, he set his wits to work with a little different object in
+view. A new thought had entered his mind, the ultimate end of which he
+would endeavor to carry out.
+
+He had never fallen in love with savage life, because it was one of too
+much peril to suit his natural disposition to cowardice, and he would
+gladly return to civilized life, if he could do so safely--his Indian home
+and habits having only been adopted as a means, and the only means, of
+ministering to his revengeful desires. His idea looked to the
+accomplishment of this object, and he was fain to believe he saw a way to
+succeed. As Ellen was to act a part in his newly formed plan, his manner
+toward her changed. He was polite and respectful in his words and
+attentions. He was, also, very kind and considerate toward Hamilton. They
+were both surprised at this unexpected change in the demeanor of their
+captor, but were unable to account for it. All was explained in time. One
+day, after Ellen was much restored, he ventured on the following
+communication:
+
+"I have," he said to her, "had very serious thoughts of late. A singular
+dream, which made a powerful impression on my mind, opened up to my mental
+vision the sinfulness of my past life, and convinced me of the necessity of
+repentance and reformation. I would gladly amend my ways, and lead a new
+and better life, but my way is hedged up before me. I am an outcast of
+society, made so by my own acts, the dark enormity of which I now behold
+with astonishment, and, unless some great influence is brought to bear in
+my favor, I dare not return to a Christian community, and if I remain here
+among the heathens, I may give up all hope at once, as it will be
+impossible for me, as one of the savages, to become a moral and Christian
+man. It is in your power, fair lady, to give me the requisite guarantee of
+safety. May I hope that you will extend to me the hand of salvation?"
+
+Ellen hardly knew whether to believe in the man's sincerity or not; but
+hoping for the best, she replied:
+
+"If in your good intentions I can aid you in any way, I shall be most happy
+to do so."
+
+"Thank you; I expected as much from your generous heart, though I have
+merited nothing but hatred from you by my acts. I will consult Mr. Hamilton
+on the subject, before pointing out more definitely the mode in which you
+can serve and save me."
+
+Leaving her presence, he placed himself before Hamilton, whom he addressed
+after this manner:
+
+"I am aware, my good sir, that you are on somewhat intimate terms with Miss
+Walton, the lady in another apartment of this rather dismal abode, and, I
+doubt not, have much influence over her. If so, I very much desire the
+benefit of that influence, to aid me in the best and noblest undertaking of
+my life."
+
+He then explained his intentions and desires of reformation, and the
+impediments in the way, much in the same manner as he had done to Ellen;
+after which he continued:
+
+"Now, to relieve me from my embarrassing situation, I deem it needful to
+form a connection with some influential person or family, whose
+recommendation and protection will secure me from harm, and restore me to
+the bosom of that society from whose enjoyments and privileges I severed
+myself by a rash act, committed in an hour of passion, and followed up by
+a strange course of infatuation ever since. I know of none upon whose names
+and aid I would sooner cast myself than upon you and Miss Walton, as your
+families are of the first respectability, and could throw an effectual
+shield around me. I would, therefore, that you let me bear to the young
+lady the assurances that you approve my plans and purposes, (if you really
+do so,) and that you are willing to aid me yourself, and hope she will
+also, in carrying them out."
+
+Hamilton was still confined by his wound, which had been a much more
+serious one than that inflicted upon Ellen; and in his then state of
+prostration, was not as well prepared to scorn the motives of Durant, or
+penetrate his designs, as he might have been under more favorable auspices;
+and having no reason to doubt the sincerity of the seemingly repentant man,
+he entered into his plans at once, with all the warmth of a benevolent and
+Christian heart. He said:
+
+"I can hardly believe it necessary that I should say a word to Miss Walton,
+to induce her to put forth her best endeavors to serve you in so worthy a
+work; but, if need be, bear to her the assurance of my hearty approval of
+your designs and wishes, and that I shall do all in my power to aid you in
+the laudable efforts you are making to return to a Christian country, and a
+virtuous life."
+
+"As I have, very unfortunately, laid myself liable to her distrust, will
+you have the goodness to place your approval on this slip of paper?"
+
+Saying which, he handed him the paper and a pencil. He wrote as follows:
+
+    "MISS WALTON:--The bearer, Mr. Durant, has laid before me his
+    intentions and wishes, and the difficulties in the way of his
+    reformation. I most heartily approve his plans, as they seem to be
+    the most judicious that now occur to me, and hope you will assist
+    him to the utmost of your ability in his very worthy object.
+
+    "HAMILTON."
+
+As Durant run his eye over the lines, a peculiar expression of satisfaction
+crossed his features, and with the warmest thanks on his lips, he
+departed, and lost no time in again presenting himself before Ellen, whom
+he thus addressed:
+
+"I have just laid my case before Mr. Hamilton, whose opinion on the subject
+you will find here expressed in his own hand-writing."
+
+And he gave her the slip. She read the lines traced upon it, when he
+proceeded:
+
+"If I only dared to hope you would as readily approve and as heartily enter
+into my plans, all disquiet in my heart would at once be set at rest."
+
+"I am quite sure I shall object to nothing Mr. Hamilton approves; and in
+all good endeavors, I shall be most happy to render you all the assistance
+I can command or bestow."
+
+"Then I need entertain no further apprehensions, and will at once make
+known to you the details which seem to me necessary to be carried out.
+There are very few persons in the settlements who have any knowledge of my
+connection with the Indians, and my first request is that you never, under
+any circumstances, allude to this connection, or let it be known that I
+have been here. Have I your promise?"
+
+"Most certainly."
+
+"I desire, in the second place, that you will say as much good of me as you
+can, (and that, I am sorry to say, will be but little,) to those who may
+ask you for information concerning me; but if you have _nothing_ good to
+say, then that you will say no evil, and especially if my Indian life is
+alluded to. May I hope for your favor in this respect?"
+
+"I will do my best to exonerate you in all cases where your reputation is
+at stake, and to aid you in reaching a place of honor in society."
+
+"Thank you. I have but one additional solicitation to make, and if to this
+you can give your assent, I shall be truly happy, delighted, and
+confident."
+
+All this time he had been driving at one point, which he had now reached,
+but was slow to present. A momentary pause ensued; Ellen was in doubt as to
+the nature of the requirement, and he of the propriety of making it. But he
+had set his all upon the desperate stake for which he was playing, and it
+would not now do to leave the game. He at length went on:
+
+"I shall not feel myself safe in society unless I can form an alliance with
+some family of note and respectability. I am not as extensively acquainted
+as some others--in a word, I know of no young lady but yourself to whom I
+can offer my hand, and having loved you so long and ardently, I can do
+nothing less than make this as my final request, _that you consent to
+become my wife_. I make this request the only condition of release, and
+upon your acceptance of my hand depends my present and future hope, my
+salvation in time and eternity. My fate is in your hands, and you can raise
+me to heaven, or cast me down to hell. Will you save me?"
+
+It would be quite impossible to depict the consternation this announcement
+created in the mind of Ellen. In spite of her better judgment, and the
+precedents in the villain's former life, she had suffered herself to be
+beguiled by his seeming sincerity of manner into the hope that he was
+really desirous of reforming; and even now she could hardly believe her own
+ears, so consummate was his hypocrisy; but as the whole truth shone out to
+her comprehension, she saw through his scheme at once--that all his seeming
+repentance was a pretense as hollow as his own heart. The hope that had
+begun to swell in her heart was blotted out in a moment. She replied
+without hesitation:
+
+"I cannot accede to your last proposition."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"It is impossible."
+
+"Then you willingly consign me to wretchedness in this life, and to
+perdition hereafter."
+
+"I do no such thing. _You_ are not responsible for _my_ acts; and your
+repentance can be just as sincere without a wife as with one."
+
+"You are mistaken. If I am doomed to remain among the Indians, I shall
+never be able to reform, however earnestly I may desire to do so; and if I
+go to the settlements, I shall be slain as a foe, unless protected by
+family ties and influence; these I can secure in no other way than by
+becoming your husband."
+
+"I am of an entirely different opinion; and I think your whole scheme a
+very thin and flimsy contrivance, of which you ought to be ashamed."
+
+"But there are two against you. Mr. Hamilton, as you have already seen,
+perfectly coincides with me in his views, and--"
+
+"I beg leave to correct you. Mr. Hamilton never consented to your last
+proposition, for the very good reason that it was never mentioned to him;
+in this respect you have tried to deceive me; but to put the matter to
+rest, at once and forever, let me say, as mistress of my own decisions,
+that whether _he_ should consent to your proposition or not, _I never
+will_!"
+
+"Then, as you voluntarily cast me off, and consign me to infamy and
+hopeless wretchedness, be the consequences upon your own head. I came to
+you and implored assistance in my extremity, but you turned away, and left
+me in despair. Do not, therefore, accuse me of cruelty if I demand by force
+that which you have denied as a free gift. You know that I have the power
+of life and death over yourself and Hamilton, and I now ask you, as a last
+resort, to choose between assenting to become my wife and seeing your lover
+at the stake! You may well start and turn pale; for as sure as there is a
+sky above and the earth beneath us, I swear that one or the other fate
+shall be yours. Make your own election, and, in doing so, bear in mind that
+Hamilton's death will be gratuitous, if caused, for you shall then be worse
+than my wife. As a lawful companion, I will use my best endeavors to make
+you happy; as a companion in what the world calls _guilt_, I will bind
+myself by no such promise. Think of all these things, and then decide."
+
+"Louis Durant, the very proposition you make, accompanied as it is by the
+alternative, is one of such black enormity, that if nothing else were added
+to debase you in my estimation, I would spurn your offer as I would the
+proffered hand of Satan himself or of the vilest imp in the loathsome pit
+of night where he reigns! You have your answer. As well try to pluck the
+sun from his place in the heavens or wrench the sparkling stars from the
+firmament as to alter my resolve."
+
+"Perhaps you will think differently when the trying hour comes, perhaps
+repent when it is too late."
+
+"Never, sir villain! Do you suppose I cannot penetrate the thin gauze that
+is intended to hide your motives? Your highest aspiration is after the
+_Wealth_ you imagine me to possess; if I were poor, you would not even
+offer me your hand, let alone make such efforts to obtain it. I see through
+all your devices, base miscreant, including your sham repentance, which
+deserves the descent of God's just indignation upon your guilty head, and
+polluted soul!"
+
+"Your perceptions are exceedingly acute, I must confess; but I leave you
+for the present, to reflect on the subject, so vital to us all, and hope
+that reason may yet prevail."
+
+Much after the same manner he continued to persecute her, day after day,
+and with no better success. In the meantime Hamilton had so far recovered
+as to be able to walk about. To him Durant appealed; but his offer of
+freedom, on condition of using his influence to induce Ellen to consent to
+become his captor's wife, was rejected with the contempt and scorn it
+merited, and a brave man could give it.
+
+This was the last peg upon which the villain hung a hope of working out his
+purpose, and he now resolved to fall back on his first intention, and
+execute his long threatened vengeance. The stake was prepared after the
+most approved Indian model, and the fagots piled high around it. The two
+victims were then led out to see what awaited them; and this excess of
+cruelty, this torture in advance, was forced upon the lovers with a view to
+shake their resolution.
+
+Again they were separately and jointly appealed to; but with the same
+result as before; they were pale with hopeless despair, but firm and
+unwavering in purpose.
+
+"I would die a thousand deaths of torture, my beloved Ellen, rather than
+persuade you to sacrifice yourself to save me," was Hamilton's language to
+his companion in distress. "Life without you would be a burden; and I can
+now die with a pleasing hope of reunion beyond the grave."
+
+Durant would not permit a continuation of such interchange of thoughts,
+and they were separated.
+
+On the following day Hamilton was fastened to the stake, and an Indian
+stood ready with a torch to fire the combustibles so soon as the word of
+command was given.
+
+"Behold the fate of him you pretend to love!" said Durant to Ellen, whom he
+had dragged to the spot. "His destiny is yet in the balances; say but the
+word, and he shall go free!"
+
+Pale as death itself, and scarcely able to stand, Ellen replied:
+
+"The will of God be done! I am prepared for the worst!"
+
+"The worst?" and he hissed in her ear some words of infamy.
+
+"Oh, God! not that! not that!" and she reeled as if struck with a blow.
+
+"Then, in the name of reason, save yourself, save both! It is easily done."
+
+The villain's words calmed her in a moment, and she responded:
+
+"Either fate is more than I can bear; but I will not perjure my soul to
+save myself from any fate it pleases God to send upon me."
+
+"And you will not be an honorable bride, then?"
+
+"Yours,--_never_!"
+
+"Fire the fagots!" he commanded in a voice of rage, and the order was
+instantly obeyed by the Indian who stood impatiently awaiting the word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE BURNING STAKE
+
+
+The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be
+collected, and a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery
+spires leaping high in air, and its forked tongues hissing like serpents!
+Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring flames rushed to their work of
+death!
+
+The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at
+a distance of some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the
+prisoner could walk, being fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length,
+one end of which was lashed to the stake, a large post, driven firmly into
+the ground. This vacant space was purposely left, that the sufferings of
+the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian
+tortures. As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton,
+though his sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while,
+murdering him by slow inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and
+reflections of this interval would bring repentance at the eleventh hour,
+and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.
+
+The fiery circle kept drawing nearer and nearer, narrowing the space
+between life and death at every moment; yet no groan escaped the lips of
+Hamilton; and he evinced the steady and unflinching heroism of a martyr. At
+a sign from Durant, the Indians prepared themselves with long splinters,
+which were to be fired at one end, and then driven into the flesh of the
+sufferer; the guns were loaded with powder, to be fired against the naked
+person of the prisoner when the signal should be given. Hamilton saw all
+these preparations, but they shook not his firm resolve for a moment. His
+proud soul rose above all the horrors of the scene, and remained calm in
+the dignity of its earthly despair and eternal hopes. He knelt down by the
+stake and engaged in prayer:
+
+"Oh, Father! give me strength to endure this trial by fire! Forsake me not
+in this hour of extremity, but send Thy ministering angels to strengthen
+and sustain my spirit, that it faint not with the consuming flesh! And, oh,
+God! protect Thy persecuted daughter, and save, oh, save her from the grasp
+of the destroyer! Let not the wicked triumph! my God, let not the wicked
+triumph! but shield, oh, shield the innocent! Thou art He who canst do
+wonders; make known Thy power in the rescue and salvation of the afflicted
+child of misfortune from the hands of the spoiler! Not for myself, but for
+her, I implore Thee for deliverance! Oh, hear my prayer in her behalf, and
+send help in the hour of need!"
+
+Durant listened to this prayer in spite of himself; there was a something
+about it which held him spell-bound, fascinated; and he forgot, for the
+moment, that his followers were awaiting his orders--everything, in fact,
+but the one scene before him, the man on his knees at the stake. And there
+was another of those present no less deeply interested, though in a
+different way--Ellen, who was in agony at the sight before her. A thought
+entered her mind--a wild thought, which only despair could arouse. She saw
+the fixed attention of her persecutor, and at the close of Hamilton's
+fervent prayer, she sprung from the midst of her enemies, and ere they
+comprehended her design, or had time to lift a hand to stay her progress,
+rushed through the flames, and fell on her knees by the side of her lover.
+In a moment they were in each others' arms, shedding tears on each others'
+bosoms.
+
+The spectators of this strange exhibition were struck dumb with wonder, as
+they beheld this act of devoted heroism, and looked on in astonishment,
+then exchanged glances of bewilderment and consternation. A solemn pause
+ensued, as though all were paralyzed by such a deed of self-devotion to
+death.
+
+"Tear away the fire! scatter the burning embers!" at length fell from the
+lips of Durant, as he aroused himself from the spell that was on him.
+"Quick! for your lives! for if they are not rescued, you shall all die!"
+
+His command was obeyed with alacrity, and every one present worked as
+though life really depended upon his exertions.
+
+Unobserved by any of the actors in this strange and exciting drama, a dark
+cloud had gathered and spread over the face of heaven, black as the
+heralding banner of an approaching hurricane, from whose bosom the lurid
+lightning leaped forth, and the deep-toned thunder resounded. Presently the
+large drops of rain fell peltering on the leaves; then the first heavy dash
+of the fitful storm came down, and presently extinguished the fire, which,
+by this time, was pretty well scattered over the ground. Walter and Ellen,
+still locked in a close embrace, were rescued from the jaws of the
+devouring element, and restored to a state of life more painful to
+contemplate than the prospect of ending existence in each others' arms,
+even at the stake.
+
+But He who had interposed to save them, was now speaking through the storm
+in a voice which made the guilty Durant tremble with conscious-smitten
+fear. Flash followed flash in quick succession, and the jarring thunder,
+loud and terrible, broke, peal after peal, on the ear! Then the howling
+wind, like ten thousand furies, came crashing and roaring through the
+forest, bearing whole trees on its driving wings, while others bent low
+before the blasting swoop of its leveling might!
+
+Cowering like a condemned criminal, the dark-deeded villain crept toward a
+shelter, dragging with him his captives. Suddenly a dazzling flood of
+light, blinding and bewildering, enveloped the whole party, and, at the
+same instant, an earth-shaking, sky-rending burst of sound stunned them all
+to prostration. It was some seconds before any one recovered. Then Hamilton
+arose and lifted Ellen also. On looking around, they perceived a large oak
+had been riven by the descending bolt at a short distance from them. A
+splinter from the tree had struck Durant on the breast and temple, and he
+lay bleeding and senseless upon the earth, but whether dead or alive, none
+could tell, as they had no time to certainly determine the point at such a
+moment. Hastily gathering him up, Ramsey and two of the Indians carried him
+to the cave, where they were all glad to congregate themselves during the
+continuance of the frightful tornado.
+
+Once sheltered, Walter and Ellen gazed out upon the raging tempest in
+bewildered amazement, not unmixed with awe. Never had they beheld the
+elements so fearfully agitated as now! Blacker than midnight were the
+pall-like clouds that "hung the heavens." Loud as thunder was the roaring
+of the wind. Incessantly the vivid lightnings blazed forth in blinding
+flashes; while above all the mingled commotion of the storm strife, the
+bursting thunders boomed. Like feathers in the breeze, great limbs of trees
+were wrenched from their places, and whirled, and twirled, and borne away.
+The tough oaks were twisted from their stems, or pulled up by the roots,
+while the smaller trees were snapped off like brittle reeds.
+
+"Terribly grand!" said Hamilton to his companion.
+
+"A fearful display of God's power!" responded Ellen.
+
+"A mere breath of his omnipotence--nothing more!"
+
+For half an hour the tempest raged in violence, then its fury was spent,
+and soon after the clouds rolled away. During its continuance, the wild
+passions of the savages were awed into quiet, and their hearts filled with
+other thoughts and emotions than those of vengeance and cruelty. They were
+silent as the grave, and harmless as silent.
+
+The party now found time to look about them. Durant had manifested signs of
+life, but was evidently badly hurt. Presently he opened his eyes, and
+stared about, but his glances were those of bewildered delirium. A high
+fever was burning in his veins; its fires penetrated to the head, and,
+reveling amid the brain, unhinged reason, and let loose the fierce passions
+so long time grown strong and o'ermastering.
+
+Who shall paint the darkness of a corrupt heart, when for years the basest
+feelings human nature is capable of experiencing have been nourished until
+more than mature? It was more dreadful to listen to the ravings of Durant
+than to witness the fearful war of the elements. The tempest just over, was
+nothing to the one that was struggling and out-breaking in his bosom. We
+shall not attempt to record all the dark revelations he made of his own
+evil thoughts and deeds, as we would spare the reader's feelings from the
+shock so revolting a record would produce. In his delirium he raved of the
+past, and unbosomed his intentions for the future. First he seemed to be
+enacting over the tragic scenes of the day.
+
+"Tear away the fagots!" he cried. "I say, tear them away! Stupid
+blockheads! do you not know that I must have my revenge on the girl?
+Scatter the fagots! Gods! if she dies the heart's blood of every dog of you
+shall be spilled! I--I must, I _will_ have her alive!"
+
+During the utterance of those words his voice, gestures, and expression of
+countenance were in keeping with the language itself, and truly horrible.
+Suddenly a change came over his countenance; the dark lines of passion
+retreated, and an expression of timidity or fear came in their place. He
+muttered incoherently for a time, and then, as if communing with himself,
+he spoke in a subdued voice of the last scene in his conscious life. A few
+sentences were audible and connected, showing how his mind was affected by
+the tempest:
+
+"How I dread the storm! It tells me there is a God! that the thunder is his
+voice, and the fierce wind but the motion of his breath! And the lightning!
+oh, the lightning! how it looks into the heart and exposes all its secrets
+to the eye of Deity! What a flash was that! Come! to the cave! to the
+cave!"
+
+With the concluding words his quiet ceased, and he struggled as if exerting
+himself to do something very hastily. A moment more and a short, frightened
+cry, escaped his lips, and he sunk back, as if dead. It was plain that he
+was re-living and re-enacting the day, and its scenes; and in this
+condition he remained for some time; then his insanity took a wilder and
+wider range, recalling the past, and exposing the future of his life and
+designs. He raved and cajoled, commanded and persuaded by times; was now
+quiet, and, anon, in a fever of excitement, or rage. After one of his quiet
+moods, he slowly aroused and addressed himself in this manner:
+
+"That oath! it was a great mistake, this worst blunder I have made. In
+spite of myself it will haunt me. And the curse! that awful curse! Gods!
+will it never cease ringing in my ears! night and day, sleeping and waking
+it never leaves me! I see her now! How weird-like her prophetic looks! How
+like the sentence of doom are her words, as, with flashing eye and
+quivering lip, she says: 'As you have wilfully, voluntarily, and wickedly
+called it down upon your own head, may the curse of God rest upon you in
+this world and the world to come.' Gods and demons! if their should be 'a
+world to come!'--How her words burn into my heart! and, worst of all, they
+are proving a reality! I am accused! my 'plans of villainy' do fail, and I
+_am_ a 'vagabond upon the face of the earth!' But I'll not endure it
+longer! I'll shake myself from these haunting fears! aye, and I'll prove
+them false! I'll do it if all the curses of the universe rise up before me!
+Avaunt, ye specters! I'll be a man despite your efforts to frighten me by
+your grim presence!"
+
+Again, in another strain, he broke forth with this development of his
+inward thoughts.
+
+"Heigh, ho! I am on the track now, and nothing can save her! Oh, but I'll
+be sweetly revenged! I'll teach the proud minx to insult a Durant! Won't
+she be humbled, though! ha! ha! ha! How she will struggle and beg for
+mercy! But will I pity her? Yes, 'as the wolf the lamb!' Oh, if I but
+possessed her now!"
+
+And again:
+
+"Proud as ever! Never mind, I'll bring her down! I'll wreathe that lofty
+brow with shame! I'll strike her through her lover! To save _him_ at the
+stake she'll yield! I'll revel in her charms, and then--then what? Ha! ha!
+As a reward for her condescensions, _I'll burn him alive_! Ha! ha! Fool,
+she'll be to think I'd let a _rival_ live, when _her_ heart was
+_his_!" * * *
+
+"How pale she is! the charm works! she'll bend to my will at last. * * Not
+yet? Look at his agony, have you the heart to see him suffer so? Ah, how
+dearly you must love him, to stand by and see him burn to ashes when a word
+from your lips would rescue him from the flames!" * * * * * * * *
+
+"Let me see, I'll not suffer him to die so soon; perhaps a little
+reflection will induce him to persuade her to yield. At all events I'll try
+the experiment. Ho! Ramsey, cut him loose; we'll adjourn the fun to another
+day."
+
+Having thus given a few snatches of the revelations made by the villain in
+his delirium, enough to show what were his intentions toward his prisoners,
+and the utter blackness of his heart, we will depict another phase of his
+madness, in which he imagines the swift feet of retribution to be on his
+track, while the future was uncurtained to his distempered gaze.
+
+"Coming! coming! coming! and there is no escape! * * Away! ye grinning
+devils! out of my sight, ye imps of h--l! Begone! ye ghostly demons,
+forever pointing with your long fingers! what would you have me see?"
+
+His eyes were wild with a horrible stare, as if fixed by the magic power of
+some ghastly sight, while large drops of perspiration oozed from every
+pore, and stood in cold beads upon his brow! In fixed horror he thus
+remained for some moments, then fell back and covered his eyes with his
+hands, as if to shut out the dreadful scene!
+
+Then rousing again, he exclaimed in another key:
+
+"No! no! no! not that! I'll not come to that! Alive, and food for crawling
+worms! No! no! no! Then birds of prey feasting upon my flesh! Oh, God! the
+curse! the curse!"
+
+This last vision seemed to overpower him, and he lay moaning most piteously
+for a length of time. Then the wilder phases of a distempered mind came on,
+and he again resumed his frenzied tone, manner, and language.
+
+"Begone! ye lying fiends, avaunt! I'll not believe your hissing tongues!
+'Tis false! all false! Back, or I'll smite you to the earth! Back! back!"
+
+And he fought the air furiously, for a brief period, then sunk back
+exhausted on his pallet. A troubled half hour's sleep followed, from which
+he awoke much debilitated. With his waning strength, the delirium took a
+milder form. The vail of the future seemed still to be lifted, to give him
+a glimpse of coming events, but the scene that appeared was not dreadful
+like the ones which had preceded it.
+
+"Happy at last, despite my oath, my vengeance unachieved! All my deep-laid
+schemes of no avail! Oh, Eliza! thou art indeed revenged! Thy worst
+predictions are realized."
+
+The fever soon returned in violence, and once more his ravings were
+dreadful.
+
+"Ho, Ramsey! keep them safe, on your life, keep them safe! do you hear?
+Your life, if they escape! I'll not be thwarted in my wishes; I'll move all
+h--l but I'll be revenged! ay, I'll walk through fire, flood and storm to
+gain my ends and work their ruin! They shall not escape my vengeance, I
+swear it in the face of earth and heaven!"
+
+But we will not dwell longer on this unpleasant picture of a wretched man
+exposing his own dark soul to the eyes of others. All the night long he
+continued to rave in this fever-crazed manner, Hamilton, and much of the
+time Ellen, too, a witness of his madness. As morning drew near he fell
+into a more tranquil slumber, and the violence of the fever seemed to have
+passed. With the early dawn seizing a favorable moment, when all their
+enemies were asleep, the lovers made their escape. Ramsey and the Indians
+were so much occupied with Durant, they did not think of the prisoners as
+they would have done under other circumstances, though they did not feel
+desirous of seeing the deeds of the past day re-enacted. It was some time
+before they noticed the escape, and then no pursuit was instituted until
+after the morning meal was dispatched.
+
+Hamilton and Ellen made the best of their way down the Ohio, and early in
+the evening had the good fortune to fall upon the camp of a party of
+whites, under the direction of Ellen's brother, who had busied himself day
+and night to raise the force and go in quest of the captives, having
+resolved never to cease his efforts until his sister was rescued, or her
+fate learned and her death avenged.
+
+The meeting was a happy one; and as the object of the expedition was
+accomplished, the party returned home, when there was a time of general
+rejoicing.
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+We have little more to say. As the reader will conclude without reading the
+fact, Walter and Ellen were married, according to their original
+arrangements, and afterward lived in the enjoyment of that happiness which
+love alone can procure, and which can be found only at the domestic
+fireside where peace reigns; their descendants may still be found in
+Kentucky and other western states.
+
+Durant recovered from his hurt, and lived for some years to plot more
+mischief, and fail in his designs. He at last quarreled with one of his
+savage followers, and in a fit of anger, struck him a blow with his fist.
+The indignity was never forgotten or forgiven. The Indian vowed to be
+revenged, and he kept his oath; dogging the steps of his foe, he found an
+opportunity to inflict a wound, which felled his adversary to the earth.
+With proper attention he might have recovered, but his enemy left him
+disabled and bound, to die by slow inches!
+
+His wound, at first very painful, soon began to mortify, and he felt the
+worms in his still living body! Vultures came to feast upon him, ere the
+vital spark of existence had gone out within him, and he had not the
+strength left to lift a hand, or speak a word in his own defense, though
+their long beaks were stretched over him and planted in his flesh and eyes!
+And when death at last came, and laid his icy fingers upon his heart, for
+the final stilling of its disquiet and guilty throbbing, his failing senses
+were suddenly and momentarily aroused, and the curdling blood sent again
+with quickened impulse through his veins, as his dull ears were saluted
+with the horrible sound of the howlings of wild beasts in the distance; and
+the last things that his closing, almost sightless balls beheld were the
+glaring eyes of the monsters of the forest, as they gloated over their
+prey!
+
+The sight was enough to finish the work of dissolution, already advanced
+near to completion, and the sluggish blood rushed for the last time upon
+his paralyzed heart with such chilling coldness and mastering power, that
+it ceased to beat, and the wretch was dead!
+
+Then a fight took place over his putrefying carcass, and the screech of
+the vulture, mingled with the angry growl of the wolf, as they contended
+for the remains of the man of crimes in their wild fury and ferocious
+hunger!
+
+A few hours longer, and the flesh was all torn from his frame, and only a
+ghostly, grinning skeleton was left of the once proud and vicious Louis
+Durant; and yet fresh beasts arriving upon the scene, disappointed in their
+anticipated feast, howled a dismal requiem over his bones, which were left,
+without sepulture, to bleach in the winds and storms of heaven!
+
+Such was the terrible end of the _villain_, while the _victims_ of his hate
+and malice, against whom he had plotted so often and so fiendishly, were
+happy in the enjoyment of life's best blessings; and thus the story points
+its own moral.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ellen Walton, by Alvin Addison
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