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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -<title>THE OLD DOMINION</title> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2015-02-14" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1907" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Old Dominion" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Mary Johnston" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Old Dominion" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="48258" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.title" content="The Old Dominion" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.source" content="/home/ajhaines/dominion/dominion.rst" /> -<meta scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" content="en" /> -<meta scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" content="2015-02-14T21:35:20.934837+00:00" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.rights" content="Public Domain in the USA." /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48258" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta name="DCTERMS.creator" content="Mary Johnston" /> -<meta scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" content="2015-02-14" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> -<meta name="generator" content="Ebookmaker 0.4.0a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="the-old-dominion"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">THE OLD DOMINION</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world 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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> included with -this ebook or online at </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>. If you -are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws -of the country where you are located before using this ebook.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: The Old Dominion -<br /> -<br />Author: Mary Johnston -<br /> -<br />Release Date: February 14, 2015 [EBook #48258] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE OLD DOMINION</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 47%" id="figure-11"> -<span id="mary-johnston"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Mary Johnston" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Mary Johnston</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold red xx-large">THE OLD -<br />DOMINION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">MARY JOHNSTON</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">Author of "By Order of the Company" "Audrey" -<br />and "Sir Mortimer"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON -<br />ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & CO LTD -<br />1907</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">1st Impression, January, 1899 -<br />2nd " August, 1899 -<br />3rd " May, 1900 -<br />4th " July, 1900 -<br />5th " October, 1900 -<br />6th " February, 1901 -<br />7th " August, 1901 -<br />8th " August, 1902 -<br />9th " April, 1904 -<br />10th " (Pocket Edition) March, 1906 -<br />11th " " " Sept. 1907</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container dedication"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">TO MY FATHER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-sloop-comes-in">A Sloop comes in</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#its-cargo">Its Cargo</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-colonial-dinner-party">A Colonial Dinner Party</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-breaking-heart">The Breaking Heart</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-three-mile-field">In the Three-Mile Field</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-hut-on-the-marsh">The Hut on the Marsh</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-mender-of-nets">A Mender of Nets</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-new-secretary">The New Secretary</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-interrupted-wooing">An Interrupted Wooing</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#landless-pays-the-piper">Landless pays the Piper</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#landless-becomes-a-conspirator">Landless becomes a Conspirator</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-dark-deed">A Dark Deed</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-tobacco-house">In the Tobacco House</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-midnight-expedition">A Midnight Expedition</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-waters-of-chesapeake">The Waters of Chesapeake</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-face-in-the-dark">The Face in the Dark</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#landless-and-patricia">Landless and Patricia</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-capture">A Capture</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-library-of-the-surveyor-general">The Library of the Surveyor-General</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#wherein-the-peace-pipe-is-smoked">Wherein the Peace Pipe is smoked</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-duel">The Duel</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-tobacco-house-again">The Tobacco House again</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-question">The Question</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-message">A Message</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-road-to-paradise">The Road to Paradise</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#night">Night</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#morning">Morning</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#bread-cast-upon-the-waters">Bread cast upon the Waters</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-bridge-of-rock">The Bridge of Rock</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-backward-track">The Backward Track</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-hut-in-the-clearing">The Hut in the Clearing</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#attack">Attack</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-fall-of-the-leaf">The Fall of the Leaf</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-accident">An Accident</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-boat-that-was-not">The Boat that was not</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-last-fight">The Last Fight</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#vale">Vale</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-sloop-comes-in"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A SLOOP COMES IN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"She will reach the wharf in half an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker shaded her eyes with a great fan of -carved ivory and painted silk. They were beautiful -eyes; large, brown, perfect in shape and expression, -and set in a lovely, imperious, laughing face. The -divinity to whom they belonged was clad in a gown of -green dimity, flowered with pink roses, and trimmed -about the neck and half sleeves with a fall of yellow -lace. The gown was made according to the latest -Paris mode, as described in a year-old letter from the -court of Charles the Second, and its wearer gazed -from under her fan towards the waters of the great -bay of Chesapeake, in his Majesty's most loyal and -well beloved dominion of Virginia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The object of her attention was a large sloop that -had left the bay and was sailing up a wide inlet -or creek that pierced the land, cork-screw fashion, -until it vanished from sight amidst innumerable green -marshes. The channel, indicated by a deeper blue -in the midst of an expanse of shoal water, was -narrow, and wound like a gleaming snake in and out -among the interminable succession of marsh islets. -The vessel, following its curves, tacked continually -its great sail, intensely white against the blue of inlet, -bay and sky, and the shadeless green of the marshes, -zigzagging from side to side with provoking leisureliness. -The girl who had spoken watched it eagerly, -a color in her cheeks, and one little foot in its -square-toed, rosetted shoe tapping impatiently upon the floor -of the wide porch in which she stood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her companion, lounging upon the wooden steps, -with his back to a pillar, looked up with an amused -light in his blue eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why are you so eager, cousin?" he drawled. -"You cannot be pining for your father when 't is -scarce five days since he went to Jamestown. Do the -Virginia ladies watch for the arrival of a new batch -of slaves with such impatience?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The slaves! No, indeed! But, sir, in that boat -there are three cases from England."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, that accounts for it! And what may these -wonderful cases contain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One contains the dress in which I shall dance -with you at the party at Green Spring which the -governor is to give in your honor—if you ask me, sir. -Oh, I take it for granted that you will, so spare us -your protestations. 'T is to have a petticoat of blue -tabby and an overdress of white satin trimmed with -yards and yards of Venice point. The stockings are -blue silk, and come from the French house in Covent -Garden, as doth the scarf of striped gauze, and the -shoes, gallooned with silver. Then there are my -combs, gloves, a laced waistcoat, a red satin bodice, a -scarlet taffetas mantle, a plumed hat, a pair of clasped -garters, a riding mask, a string of pearls, and the -latest romances."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A pretty list! Is that all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are things for aunt Lettice, petticoats and -ribbons, a gilt stomacher and a China monster, and -for my father, lace ruffles and bands, a pair of French -laced boots, a periwig, a new scabbard for his rapier, -and so on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man laughed. "'T is a curious life you -Virginians lead," he said. "The embroidered suits -and ruffles, the cosmetics and perfumes of Whitehall -in the midst of oyster beds and tobacco fields, savage -Indians and negro slaves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl put on a charming look of mock offense. -"We </span><em class="italics">are</em><span> a little bit of England set down here in the -wilderness. Why should we not clothe ourselves like -gentlefolk as well as our kindred and friends at -home? And sure both England and Virginia have -had enough of sad colored raiment. Better go like a -peacock than like a horrid Roundhead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her companion laughed musically and sang a stave -of a cavalier love song. He was a slender, well-made -man, dressed in the extreme of the mode of the year -of grace, sixteen hundred and sixty-three, in a richly -laced suit of camlet with points of blue ribbon, and -the great scented periwig then newly come into fashion. -The close curled rings of hair descending far -over his cravat of finest Holland framed a handsome, -lazily insolent face, with large steel-blue eyes and -beautifully cut, mocking lips. A rapier with a -jeweled hilt hung at his side, and one white hand, half -buried in snowy ruffles, held a beribboned cane with -which, as he talked, he ruthlessly decapitated the pink -and white morning-glories with which the porch was -trellised.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The house to which the porch belonged was long -and low, built of wood, with many small windows, -and at either end a great brick chimney. From the -porch to the water, a hundred yards away, stretched -a walk of crushed shells bisecting an expanse of green -turf dotted with noble trees—the cedar and the -cypress predominating. Diverging from this central -walk were two narrower paths which, winding in and -out in eccentric figures, led, on the one hand, to a -rustic summer-house overgrown with honeysuckle and -trumpet-vine, and on the other to a tiny grotto -constructed of shells and set in a tangle of periwinkle. -Along one side of the house, and protected by a stout -locust paling overrun with grape-vines, lay the garden, -where flowers and vegetables flourished contentedly -side by side, the hollyhocks and tall white lilies, the -hundred-leaved roses and scarlet poppies showing like -gilded officers amidst the rank and file of sober -essuculents. Behind the house were clustered various -offices, then came an orchard where the June apples -and the great red cherries were ripening in the hot -sunshine, then on the shore of a second and narrower -creek rose the quarters for the plantation servants, -white and black—a long double row of cabins, -dominated by the overseer's house and shaded by ragged -yellow pines. Along one shore of this inlet was -planted the Indian corn prescribed by law, and from -the other gleamed the soft yellow of ripening wheat, -but beyond the water and away to the westward -stretched acre after acre of tobacco, a sea of vivid -green, broken only by an occasional shed or drying -house, and merging at last into the darker hue of the -forest. Over all the fair scene, the flashing water, -the velvet marshes, the smiling fields, the fringe of -dark and mysterious woodland, hung a Virginia -heaven, a cloudless blue, soft, pure, intense. The -air was full of subdued sound—the distant hum of -voices from the fields of maize and tobacco, the faint -clink of iron from the smithy, the wash and lap of -the water, the drone of bees from the hives beneath -the eaves of the house. Great bronze butterflies -fluttered in the sunshine, brilliant humming-birds, -plunged deep into the long trumpet-flowers; from the -topmost bough of a locust, heavy with bloom, came -the liquid trill of a mock bird.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a fair domain, and a wealthy. The Englishman -thought of certain appalling sums lost to Sedley -and Roscommon, and there flitted through his brain -a swift little calculation as to the number of -hogsheads of Orenoko or sweet-scented it would take to -wipe off the score. And the girl beside him was -beautiful enough to take Whitehall by storm, to be -berhymed by Waller, and to give to Lely a subject -above all flattery. He set his lips with the air of a -man who has made up his mind, and turned to his -companion, who was absorbed in watching the white -sail grow slowly larger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How long, now, cousin?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But a few minutes unless the wind should fail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then you will have your treasures. But, -madam, when you have assumed all the panoply your -sex relies on to increase its charms 't will be but to -'gild refined gold or paint the lily.' The Aphrodite -of this western ocean needs no adornment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl looked at him with laughter in her eyes. -"You make me too many pretty speeches, cousin," -she said demurely. "We know the value of the fine -things you court gallants are perpetually saying."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon my soul, madam, I swear"—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know the amount of the fine for -swearing, Sir Charles? See how large the sail has grown! -When the boat rounds the long marsh she will come -more quickly. We will soon be able to see my -father wave his handkerchief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man bit his lip. "You are pleased to -be cruel to-day, madam, but I am your slave and I -obey. We will look together for Colonel Verney's -handkerchief. How many black slaves does he bring -you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She laughed. "But half a dozen blacks, but there -will be several redemptioners if you prefer to be -numbered with them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Redemptioners! Ah, yes! the English servants -who are sold for their passage money. I thank you, -madam, but </span><em class="italics">my</em><span> servitude is for life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The men my father will bring may not be the -ordinary servants who come here to better their -condition. He may have obtained them from a batch of -felons from Newgate who have been kept in gaol in -Jamestown until word could be got to the planters -around. I am sure I wish the ship captains and the -traders would stop bringing in the wretches. It is -different with the negroes: we can make allowance -for the poor silly things that are scarce more than -animals, and they grow attached to us and we to them, -and the simple indented servants are well enough -too. There are among them many honest and -intelligent men. But these gaol birds are dreadful. It -sickens me to look at them. Thieves and murderers -every one!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should not think the colony served by their importation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not indeed, and we have hopes that it will -cease. I beg my father not to buy them, but he says -that one man cannot stop an abuse—that as long as -his fellow-planters use them he might as well do so -too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles Carew delicately smothered a yawn. -"The ship that brought me over a fortnight ago," he -said lazily, "had a consignment of such rascals. It -was amusing to watch their antics, crowded together -as they were in the hold. There were two wild -Irishmen whom we used to have on deck to dance for us. -Gad! what figures they cut! The captain and I had -a standing wager of five of the new guineas as to -which of the rascals could hold out longest, promising -a measure of rum to the victorious votary of Terpsichore. -When I had lost a score of guineas I found -that the captain was in the habit of priming his man -before he came upon deck. Naturally, being filled -with Dutch courage, he won."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Poor Sir Charles! What did you do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sent the captain a cartel and fought him on his own -deck. There was one man in the villainous company -whom, I protest, I almost pitied, though of course the -rogue had but his deserts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What was he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A man of about thirty. A fellow with a handsome -face and a lithe well-made figure which he managed -with some grace. He had the air of one who -had seen better days. I remember, one day when the -captain was bestowing upon him some especially choice -oaths, seeing him clap his hand to his side as though -he expected to touch a rapier hilt. He was cleanly -too; kept his rags of clothing as decent as circumstances -allowed, and looked less like a wild beast in a -litter of foul straw than did his fellows. But he was -an ill-conditioned dog. We had some passages -together, he and I. He took it upon himself to defend -what he was pleased to call the honor of one of his -precious company. It was vastly amusing.... After -that I fell into the habit of watching him through the -open hatches. A little thing provides entertainment -at sea, Mistress Patricia. He would sit or stand for -hours looking past me with a perfectly still face. -The other wretches were quick to crowd up, whining -to me to pitch them half pence or tobacco, but try -as I would, I could not get word or look from him. -Sink me! if he did n't have the impudence to resent -my being there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was cruel to stare at misery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lard, madam! such vermin are used to being -stared at. In London, Newgate, and Bridewell are -theatres as well as the Cockpit or the King's House, -and the world of mode flock to the one spectacle as -often as to the other. But see! the sloop has passed -the marsh and has a clean sweep of water between -her and the wharf."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, she is coming fast now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is coming?" asked a voice from the doorway.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Flying Patty, Aunt Lettice," the girl -answered over her shoulder. "Get your hood and come -with us to the wharf."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mistress Lettice Verney emerged from the hall, two -red spots burning in her withered cheeks, and her tall -thin figure quivering with excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am all ready, child," she quavered. "But, mark -my words, Patricia, there will be something wrong -with my paduasoy petticoat, or Charette will not have -sent the proper tale of green stockings or Holland -smocks. Did you not hear the screech owl last -night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Aunt Lettice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It remained beneath my window the entire night. -I did not sleep a wink. And this morning Chloe -upset the salt cellar, and the salt fell towards -me." Mistress Lettice rolled her eyes heavenward and sighed -lugubriously. Patricia laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dreamed of flowers last night, Aunt Lettice; -miles and miles of them, waxen and cold and sweet, -like those they strew over the dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mistress Lettice groaned. "'T is a dreadful sign. -Captain Norton's wife (she that was Polly Wilson) -dreamed of flowers the night before the massacre of -'forty-four. The only thing the poor soul said when -the warwhoop wakened them in the dead of the night -and the door came crashing in, was, 'I told you so.' They -were her last words. Then Martha Westall dreamed -of flowers, and two days later her son James -stepped on a stingray over at Dale's Gift. And I -myself dreamed of roses the week before those horrid -Roundhead commissioners with the rebel Claiborne at -their head and a whole fleet at their back, compelled -us to surrender to their odious Commonwealth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At least that evil is past," said the girl with a gay -laugh. "And ill fortune will never come to me -aboard the Flying Patty, so I shall go down to the -wharf to see her in. Darkeih! my scarf!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A negress appeared in the doorway with a veil of -tissue in her hand. Sir Charles took it from her and -flung it over Patricia's golden head, then offered his -arm to Mistress Lettice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wharf was but a stone's throw from the wooden -gates, and they were soon treading the long stretch of -gray, weather-beaten boards. Others were before -them, for the news that the sloop was coming in had -drawn a small crowd to the wharf to welcome the -master.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dozen or so of boatmen, white and black, who -had been tinkering about in the various barges, shallops -and canoes tied to the mossy piles, left their -employments and scrambled up upon the platform, and a -trio of youthful darkies, fishing for crabs with a string -and a piece of salt pork, allowed their lines to fall -slack and their intended victims to walk coolly off -with the meat, so intense was their interest in the -oncoming sail. A knot of negro women had left the -great house kitchen and stood, hands on hips, chatting -volubly with a contingent from the quarters, their -red and yellow turbans nodding up and down like -grotesque Dutch tulips. The company was made up -by an overseer with a broadleafed palmetto hat pulled -down over his eyes and a clay pipe stuck between -his teeth, a pale young man who acted as secretary to -the master of the plantation, and by three or four -small land-owners and tenants for whom Colonel -Verney had graciously undertaken various commissions -in Jamestown, and who were on hand to make -their acknowledgments to the great man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They all made deferential way for the two ladies -and Sir Charles Carew. Mistress Lettice commenced -a condescending conversation with one of the tenants, -Darkeih added a white tulip to the red and yellow -ones, and Patricia, followed by Sir Charles, walked to -the edge of the wharf, and leaning upon the rude -railing looked down the glassy reaches of the water -to the approaching boat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wind had sunk into a fitful breeze and the -white sail moved very slowly. The tide was in, and -the water lapped with a cooling sound against the -dark green piles. In the distance the blue of the -bay melted into the blue of the sky, while the nearer -waters mirrored every passing gull, the masts of the -fishing boats, the tall marsh grass, the dead twigs -marking oyster beds—each object had its double. -On a point of marshy ground stood a line of cranes, -motionless as soldiers on parade, until, taking fright -as the great sail glided past, they whirred off, uttering -discordant cries and with their legs sticking out like -tail feathers. Slowly, and keeping to the middle of -the channel, the boat came on. Upon the long low -deck men were preparing to lower the sail, and a -portly gentleman standing in the bow was vigorously -waving his handkerchief. The sail came down with a -rush, the anchor swung overboard, and half a dozen -canoes and dugouts shot from under the shadow of -the wharf and across the strip of water between it and -the sloop. The gentleman with the handkerchief, -followed by a man plainly dressed in brown, sprang -into the foremost; the others waited for their lading -of merchandise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before the boat had touched the steps the master -of the plantation began to call out greetings to his -expectant family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Patricia, my darling, are you in health? Charles, -I am happy to see you again! Sister Lettice, -Mr. Frederick Jones sends you his humble services."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"La, brother! and how is the dear man?" -screamed Mistress Lettice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As well as't is in nature to be, with his heart at -Verney Manor and his body at Flowerdieu Hundred."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boat jarred against the piles and the planter -stepped out, grasping Sir Charles's extended hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Again, I am happy to see you, Charles," he cried -in a round and jovial voice. "I have been telling my -up-river good friends that I have the most topping -fellow in all London for my guest, and you will have -company enough anon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles smiled and bowed. "I hope, sir, that -you were successful in the business that took you to -Jamestown?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fairly so, fairly so. Haines here," with a wave -of the hand towards the man in brown, "had a lot -picked out for me to choose from. I have six -negroes and three of those blackguards from Newgate—mighty -poor policy to shoulder ourselves with such -gaol sweepings. I doubt we 'll repent it some day. -The blacks come by way of Boston, which means -that they will have to be cockered up considerably -before they are fit for work. Is that you, Woodson? -How have things gone on?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer took his pipe from between his teeth -and made an awkward bow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to see your Honor back," he said deferentially. -"Everything 's all right, sir. The last rain -helped the corn amazingly, and the tobacco 's prime. -The lightning struck a shed, but we got the flames -out before they reached the hogsheads. The Nancy -got caught in a squall; lost both masts and ran -aground on Gull Marsh. The tide will take her off at -the full of the moon. Sambo 's been playing 'possum -again. Said he 'd cut his foot with his hoe so badly -that he could n't stand upon it. Said I could see -that by the blood on the rag that tied it up. I made -him take off the rag and wash the foot, and there -wa'n't no cut there. The blood was puccoon. If -he 'd waited a bit he could 'a' had all he wanted to -paint with, for I gave him the rope's end lively, -until Mistress Patricia heard him yelling and made -me stop."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, Woodson. I reckon the plantation -knows by this time that what Mistress Patricia says -is law. Here come the boats with the boxes. Tell -the men to be careful how they handle them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a hearty word or two to tenants and land -owners the worthy Colonel joined his daughter and -sister; and together with Sir Charles Carew they -watched the precious boxes conveyed up the slippery -steps, the overseer shouting directions, plentifully -sprinkled with selected, unfinable oaths to the panting -boatmen. When all were safely piled upon the wharf -ready to be wheeled to the great house, the empty -boats swung off to make room for others, laden with -the colonel's Jamestown purchases.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One by one the articles climbed the stairs, each as -it reached the level being claimed by the overseer -and told off into a lengthening line. Six were -negroes, gaunt and hollow-eyed, but smiling widely. -They gazed around them, at the heap of clams and -oysters piled upon the wharf, at the marshes, alive -with wild fowl, at the distant green of waving corn, -the flower-embowered great house, the white quarters -from which arose many little spirals of savory smoke, -and a bland and child-like content took possession of -their souls. With eager and obsequious "Yes -Mas'rs" they obeyed the overseer's objurgatory -indications as to their disposition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There next arose above the landing the head of a -white man—a countenance of sullen ferocity, with a -great scar running across it, and framed in elf locks -of staring red. The body belonging to this prepossessing -face was swollen and unshapely, and its owner -moved with a limp and a muttered curse towards the -place assigned him. He was followed by a sallow-faced, -long-nosed man, with black oily hair and an -affected smirk which twitched the corners of his thin -lips. Singling out his master's family with a furtive -glance from a pair of sinister greenish eyes, he made -a low bow and stepped jauntily into line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The third man rose above the landing. Sir Charles, -standing by Patricia, laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This world is a place of fantastic meetings, -cousin," he said, airily. "Now who would suppose -that I would ever again see that chipping from a -London gaol I told you of—my shipmate of cleanly -habit and unsocial nature. Yet there he is."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="its-cargo"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">ITS CARGO</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The afternoon sunshine lay hot upon the house -and garden of Verney Manor—the leaves drooped -motionless, the glare of the white paths hurt the eye, -the flowers seemed all to be red. The odor of rose -and honeysuckle was drowned in the heavy cloying -sweetness of the pendant masses of locust bloom. -Down in the garden the bees droned in the vines, and -on the steps the flies buzzed undisturbed about the -sleeping hounds. Above the long, deserted wharf -and the green velvet of the marshes quivered the -heated air, while to look upon the water was like -gazing too closely at blue flame. From the tobacco -fields floated the notes of a monotonous many-versed -chant, and a soft, uninterrupted cooing came from -the dove cot. Heat and fragrance and drowsy sound -combined to give a pleasant somnolence to the wide -sunny scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Deep in the cavernous shade of the porch lounged -the master of the plantation, his body in one chair, -his legs in another, and a silver tankard of sack -standing upon a third, over the back of which had -been flung his great peruke and his riding coat of -green cloth, discarded because of the heat. Thin, -blue clouds curled up from his long pipe, and -obscured his ruddy countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His shrewd gray eyes under their tufts of grizzled -hair were half closed in a lazy contentment, born of -the hour, the pipe, and the drink. The world went -very well just then in Colonel Verney's estimation. -His crop of the preceding year had been a large and -profitable one: this year it bid fair to be still more -satisfactory. During the past few months he had -acquired a number of servants and slaves, and his head -rights would add a goodly number of acres to his -already enormous holdings; land, land, always more -land! being the ambition and the necessity of the -seventeenth century Virginia planter. Trader, planter, -magistrate, member of the council of state, soldier, -author on occasion, and fine gentleman all rolled into -one, after the fashion of the times; Cavalier of the -Cavaliers, hand in glove with Governor Berkeley, and -possessed of a beautiful daughter, for whose favor one -half of the young gentlemen of the counties of York -and Gloucester were ready to draw rapier on the other -half,—Colonel Verney's world was a fair and stirring -one, and gave him plentiful food for meditation on a -fine afternoon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Opposite him sat his kinsman and guest, Sir -Charles Carew. He was similarly equipped with pipe -and sack, but there the resemblance to his host ended, -Sir Charles Carew being a man who made it a point -of honor to be clad like the lilies of the field on every -possible occasion in life, from the carrying a breach -to the ogling a milkmaid. The sultry afternoon had -no power to affect the scrupulous elegance of his -attire, or to alter the careful repose of his manner. -In his hand he held a volume of "Hudibras," but his -thoughts were not upon the book, wandering instead, -with those of his kinsman, over the fertile fields of -Verney Manor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have a princely estate, sir, in this fair, new -world," he said at last, in a sweetly languid voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The planter roused himself from considering at -what point of his newly acquired land he should -begin the attack upon the forest. "It 's a fair -enough home for a man to end his days in," he said -with complacence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We of the court have very erroneous ideas as to -Virginia. I confess that my expectation of finding a -courteous and loving kinsman," a gracious smile and -inclination of the head towards the older man, "is -the only one in which I have not been disappointed. -I thought to see a rude wilderness, and I find, to -borrow the language of our Roundhead friends, a very -land of Beulah."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, ay. D' ye remember what old Drayton -sings?</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'Virginia!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Earth's only paradise!'</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>And a paradise it is, with mighty few drawbacks, -now that the King has come to his own again, if you -except these d—d canting Quakers and Anabaptists, -and those yelling red devils on the frontier, and the -danger of a servant insurrection, and the fact that his -Majesty (God bless him!) and the Privy Council -fleece us more mercilessly than did old Noll himself. -I verily think they believe our tobacco plants made -of gold like those they say Pizarro saw in Peru. But -'tis a sweet land! Why, look around you!" he cried, -warming to his subject. "The waters swarm with -fish, the marshes with wild fowl. In the winter the -air rings with the </span><em class="italics">cohonk! cohonk!</em><span> of the wild geese. -They darken the air when they come and go. There -in the forest stand the deer, waiting for your bullet; -badgers and foxes, bears, wolves, and catamounts are -more plentiful than are hares in England. You taste -pleasure indeed when you ride full tilt through the -frosty moonlight, down the ringing glades of the forest, -and hear the hounds in full cry, and see before you, -black against the silver snow, a pack of yelling wolves. -Then in summer the woods are full of singing birds -and of such flowers as you in England only dream of. -Strawberries make the ground red, and there are -wild melons and grapes and mulberries, and more -nuts than squirrels, which is saying much for the nuts. -Everything grows here. 'T is the garden of the -world. And what is there fairer than the green of -the tobacco and the golden corn tassels? And the -noble rivers, whose head waters no man has ever -found, hidden by the Lord in the Blue Mountains -near to the South Sea! Sir, Virginia is God's country!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You in these lowlands have no trouble with the Indians?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None to speak of since 'forty-four, when -Opechancanough came down upon us. The brush with -the Ricahecrians seven years ago was nothing. They -are utterly broken, both here and in Accomac. -Further up the rivers the devil still holds his own, we -hearing doleful tales of the butchery of pioneers with -their wives and children; and above the falls of -the far west, in the Monacan country, and towards the -Blue Mountains, is his stronghold and capitol; but -here in the lowlands all's safe enough. There is no -fear of the savages. Would we could say as much of -the servants!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, what do you fear from them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It 's hard to say; but an uneasy feeling has -prevailed for a year or more. It's this d—d Oliverian -element among them. You see, ever since his -Majesty's blessed restoration, gang after gang of rebels -have been sent us—Independents, Muggletonians, -Fifth Monarchy men, dour Scotch Whigamores—dangerous -fanatics all! Many are Naseby or Worcester -rogues, Ironsides who worship the memory of -that devil's lieutenant, Oliver. All have the gift of -the gab. We disperse them as much as possible, not -allowing above five or six to any one plantation, we -of the Council realizing that they form a dangerous -leaven. Should there be trouble, which heaven -forbid! they would be the instigators, restless -mischief-makers and overturners of the established order of -things that they are! Then there are their fellow -criminals, the highwaymen, forgers, cutpurses and -bullies of whom we relieve his Majesty's government. -They are few in number, but each is a very plague -spot, infecting honester men. The slaves, always -excepting the Portuguese and Spanish mulattoes from -the Indies, who are devils incarnate, have not brain -enough to conspire. But in the actual event of a -rising they would be fiends unchained."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A pleasant state of affairs!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, it is not so serious! We who govern the Colony -have to take all possibilities, however unpleasant, -into consideration. I myself do not think the danger -imminent, and many in the Council and among the -Burgesses, and well-nigh all outside will not allow -that there is danger at all. We passed more stringent -servant laws last year, and we depend upon them, -and upon the great body of indented servants, who -are, for the most part, honest and amenable and know -upon which side their bread is buttered, to repress the -unruly element."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will you do with the convicts you brought -with you this morning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Use them in the tobacco fields just now when all -hands are needed to weed and sucker the plants, and -afterwards put them to hewing down the forest. I -told Woodson to bring them around to me this -afternoon when they had been decently clothed. I always -give the scoundrels a piece of my mind to begin with. -It saves trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do they give you much trouble?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not on this plantation. Woodson and Haines -are excellent overseers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The planter refilled his pipe, struck a light with his -flint and steel, and leaning back amidst the fragrant -clouds, allowed his eyelids to droop and his mind to -wander over a pleasant sunshiny tract of nothing in -particular.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles tasted his sack, adjusted his ruffles, -and resumed his reading. But even the delectable -adventures of the Presbyterian knight, over whom all -London was laughing, palled on such an afternoon, -and the young gentleman, after listlessly turning a -page or two, laid the book across his knee, and with -closed eyes commenced the construction of an air -castle of his own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was roused by the sound of approaching footsteps -upon the shell path leading to the back of the -house, and by the harsh voice of the overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here come your hopeful purchases, sir," he said -lazily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer turned the corner of the house and -came forward with the three convicts at his heels. -He doffed his hat to the two gentlemen, then turned -to his charges. "Fall into line, you dogs, and salute -his Honor!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first man, he of the long nose and the twitching -lip, smiled sweetly, and bent so low that his fell -of greasy hair well-nigh swept the steps; the second, -with a brow like a thunder cloud, gave a vicious nod; -the third, with as impassive a countenance as Sir -Charles's own, bowed gravely, and stood with folded -arms and a quietly attentive mien.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The planter gathered himself up from his chair -and came forward to the top of the steps, his tall, -corpulent figure towering above the men below much -as his fortunes towered above theirs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, men," he said, speaking sternly and with -slow emphasis. "I have just one word to say to you. -Listen well to it. I am your master; you are my -servants. I reckon myself a good master, it not -being my way to treat those belonging to me, whether -white or black, like dumb beasts. Give me -obedience and the faithful work of your hands, and you -shall find me kind. But if you are stubborn or -rebellious, by the Lord, you will rue the day you left -Newgate! Whipping-post and branding-irons are at -hand, and death is something closer to a felon in -Virginia than in England. Be careful! Now, -Woodson, what have you put these men to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They 'll go into the three-mile field to-morrow -morning, your honor, unless you wish other -disposition made of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, that will do. Take them away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer faced about and was marching off -with the recruits for the three-mile field when his -master's voice arrested him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take those two in front on with you, Woodson, -and send me back the brown-haired one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The "brown-haired one" turned as his companions -disappeared around a hedge of privet and came slowly -back to the steps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You wished to speak to me, sir?" he said quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. You are the man who was tolerably helpful -in the squall last night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was so fortunate as to be of some small service, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You understand the handling of a boat?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hum. I will tell Woodson to try you with a -sloop when the press of work in the fields is past. -What is your name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Godfrey Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Chevalier d'Industrie and frequenter of the -Newgate Ordinary," put in Sir Charles lazily. "Of the -Roundhead persuasion too, if I mistake not,—from -robbery in the large, descended to thievery in the -small; from the murder of a King to knives and -a black alley mouth. Commend me to these grave -rogues for real knaves! Pray inform us to what little -mishap we owe the honor of your company. Did -you mercifully incline to relieve weary travelers over -Hounslow Heath by disburdening them of their -heavy purses? Or did you mistake your own -handwriting for that of some one else? Or did you woo -a mercer's wife a thought too roughly? Or perhaps—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man shot a fiery upward glance at the slim, -elegant figure and mocking lips of his tormentor, but -kept silence. Colonel Verney, who had returned to -his pipe, interposed. "What is all this, Charles? -What are you saying to the man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, nothing, sir! This gentleman and I were -shipmates, and I did but ask after his health since -the voyage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir Charles Carew is very good," the man said -proudly. "I assure him that the object of his solicitude -is well, and only desires an opportunity to repay, with -interest, those little attentions shown him by his -courteous fellow voyager."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The planter looked puzzled: Sir Charles laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our liking is mutual, I see," he said coolly. "I—but -what is this, Colonel Verney! Venus descending -from Olympus?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Out of the doorway fluttered a brilliant vision, all -blue and white like the great butterflies hovering over -the clove pinks. Behind it appeared the faded -countenance of Mrs. Lettice, and a group of turbaned -heads peered, grinning, from out the cool darkness of -the hall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Papa!" cried the vision. "I want to show you -my new dress! Cousin Charles, you are to tell me if -it is all as it should be!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles bowed, with his hand upon his heart. -"Alas, madam! I could as soon play critic to the -choir of angels. My eyes are dazzled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stand out, child," said her father gazing at her -with eyes of love and pride, "and let us see your -finery. D' ye know what the extravagant minx has -upon her back, Charles? Just five hogsheads of -prime tobacco!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mistress Lettice struck in: "Well, I 'm sure, brother, -'t is much the prettiest use to put tobacco to, to turn -it into lace and brocade and jewels,—much better, -say I, than to be forever using it to accumulate filthy -slaves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia floated to the centre of the porch and stood -sunning herself in a stray shaft of light, like a very -bird of paradise. The "tempestuous petticoat," -sky-blue and laced with silver, swelled proudly outwards, -the gleaming satin bodice slipped low over the snowy -shoulders and the heaving bosom, and the sleeves, -trimmed with magnificent lace and looped with pearls, -showed the rounded arms to perfection. Around the -slender throat was wound a double row of pearls, and -the golden ringlets were partially confined by a snood of -blue velvet. She unfurled a wonderful fan, and lifted -her skirts to show the tiny white and silver shoes and -the silken silver-clocked ankles. Her eyes shone like -stars, faint wild roses bloomed in her cheeks, charming -half smiles chased each other across her dainty mouth. -Such a picture of radiant youth and loveliness did she -present that the Englishman's pulses quickened, and -he swore under his breath. "Surely," he muttered, -"this is the most beautiful woman in the world, and -my lucky stars have sent me to this No Man's Land to -win her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you like me?" she cried gayly. "Is't -not worth the five hogsheads?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her father drew her to him and kissed the smooth -forehead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You look just as your mother did, child, the day -that we were betrothed. I could not give you higher -praise than that, sweetheart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And does it really lack nothing, cousin?" she -cried anxiously. "Is it in truth such a dress as they -wear at Court?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at Whitehall, madam, nor at Brussels, nor -even at St. Germains have I seen anything more point -device than the dress,—nor as beautiful as the -wearer," he added in a lower voice and with a lulling -look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl's face dimpled with pleasure and innocent, -gratified vanity. She swept him a magnificent -courtesy, and he bent low over the slender fingers she -gave him. Suddenly he felt them stiffen in his clasp, -and looking up, saw a curious expression of fear and -aversion pass like a shadow across her face. She -spoke abruptly. "That man! I did not see him! -What does he here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles wheeled. The convict, forgotten by the -two gentlemen, had been left standing at the foot of -the steps, and his sombre eyes were now fixed upon -the girl in a look so strange and intent as fully to -explain her perturbation. Through his parted lips -the breath came hurriedly, in his eyes was a mournful -exaltation as of one who looks from a desert into -Paradise. He stood absorbed, unconscious of aught -save the splendid vision above him. For a moment -she stared at him in return, her eyes, held by his, -slowly widening and the color quite gone from her -face. With a slow, involuntary movement one white -arm rose, and stiffened before her in a gesture of -repulsion. The fan fell from her hand upon the floor -with a click of breaking tortoise shell. The sound -broke the spell, and with a strong shudder she turned -her eyes away. "Make him go," she said in a -trembling voice. "He frightens me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles sprang forward with an oath. "Curse -you, you dog! Take your ill-omened eyes from the -lady! Colonel Verney, do you not see that the fellow -is annoying your daughter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The planter had fallen into a reverie born of recollections -of the Patricia of his youth, long laid in her -grave, but he roused himself at the words of his guest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that?" he cried. "Annoying Patricia!" -He walked to the head of the steps and raised his cane -threateningly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hark ye, sirrah! The servants of Verney Manor, -white or black, felon or indented, need all their -eyesight for their work. They have none to waste in -idle gazing at their betters. Begone to your mates!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man who, at Sir Charles's intervention, had -started as from a dream, colored deeply and -compressed his lips, then glanced from one to the other of -the group above him. There was pain, humiliation, -almost supplication in the look which he directed to -the girl who had brought this rating upon him. He -glanced at his master with a countenance studiously -devoid of expression, at Mistress Lettice with indifference, -at Sir Charles Carew with chill defiance. Then, -with a grave inclination of his head, he turned, and a -moment later had disappeared behind the hedge.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-colonial-dinner-party"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A COLONIAL DINNER PARTY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Three days later the master of Verney Manor -gave a dinner party.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Jamestown, twenty miles away, the Assembly -had just adjourned after a busy session. A law -debarring that "turbulent people" the Quakers from -further admittance into the colony, and providing -cold comfort for those already within its doors, was -passed with acclamation, as was another against -Anabaptists, and a third concerning the hue and cry for -absconding servants and slaves. The selling rates for -wines and strong waters were fixed, a proper penalty -attached to the planting of tobacco contrary to the -statute, a regulation for the mending of the highways -adopted, a fine imposed for non-attendance at church, -the Navigation Act formally protested against, the -trainbands strengthened, an appropriation made for -the erection of new whipping-posts and pillories, a -cruel mistress deprived of the slave she had -mistreated, a harborer of schismatics publicly reproved, -and a conciliatory message and present sent to the -up-river Indians—when the Assembly adjourned with -the consciousness of having nobly done its duty. The -only measure upon which there was not unanimity of -opinion was one proposing the erection of schoolhouses -at convenient cross-roads, and the Governor's -weight being thrown into the balance against it, it -was promptly quashed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The burgesses from the fourteen counties filled the -twenty houses that constituted the town to suffocation. -Up-river planters, too, had come in, choosing -the time the Assembly was in session to attend to -their interests in the "city." Several ships were in -harbor, and their captains, professing themselves tired -of salt water, threw themselves upon the hospitality of -their friends ashore. The crowded population -overflowed into the houses of the neighboring planters, -who, after the manner of their kind, entertained -profusely, giving jovial welcome and good liquor to all -comers. There was a constant jingling of reins along -the bridle paths, a constant passing of white-sailed -sloops upon the river, as gentlemen in riding coats -and jack boots, or in laced coats and silk stockings, -fared to and fro between plantation and town. In -the intervals of business the worthy burgesses and -their fellow planters made merry. They were good -times—for king's men—and it behooved every loyal -subject to follow (at a respectful distance) his -Majesty's example, and get all possible enjoyment from -a laughing world. So there were horse-races and -cock-fights and bear-baitings, as well as dinners and -suppers, at which much sack and aqua vitæ was drunk -to king, church, and reigning beauties. And if a -quarrel sprung, full armed, from the heated brains -of young gallants, crossed rapiers did but add a -piquancy, a dash of cayenne, to life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Popular with the elder gentlemen because of his -excellent Madeira, quick wit, jovial soul, and -friendship with the Governor, and with the younger by -virtue of being father to Mistress Patricia Verney, -Colonel Richard Verney had no difficulty in securing -a score of guests for a day's entertainment at Verney -Manor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About ten in the morning of the appointed day the -guests began to arrive, some by water, some on -horseback, Colonel Verney meeting each arrival with a -stately bow and a high-flown speech of welcome, and -handing him on to the hall where stood Sir Charles -Carew and the ladies of the household.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon a pillion behind her father, Major Miles -Carrington, Surveyor-General to the Colony, came Mistress -Betty Carrington, bosom friend to Mistress Patricia -Verney. Her sweetly serious face, pensive eyes, and -smooth, dark hair, with her dress of sober silk and -kerchief of finest lawn, demurely crossed over her -bosom, contrasted finely with Patricia's radiant beauty, -decked in shimmering satin and rich lace, and -heightened by a tinge of vermilion upon the smooth cheek, -and a long black patch beneath the left temple. The -two met like friends whom weary years have parted, -and indeed they had not seen each other for nearly a -week.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All the guests, save one, had arrived. Colonel -Verney fidgeted, sent a servant wench to look at the -kitchen clock, and dispatched his secretary to an -upstairs window, whence was visible a long stretch of -what courtesy called the highroad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The secretary returned and whispered his master. -"God be thanked!" exclaimed the latter. "I feared -that his machine had mired in the Two-Mile Swamp, -or had toppled into a gully coming through the Devil's -Strip. Gentlemen, the Governor's coach is in sight. -Shall we adjourn to the porch and there await his -Excellency?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A mighty straining, jingling and lumbering came -with the breeze down the road and proceeded from a -pillar of dust which was approaching the house with -reasonable rapidity. Presently the road changed -from a trough of dust into a ribbon of greensward. -The cloud dissipated itself, streaming away like the -tail of a comet, and a ponderous and much begilt -coach, drawn by six horses, their manes and tails tied -with red ribbons, and outriders in gorgeous livery at -the heads of each pair, rolled, or rather bumped into -sight. With a seasick motion it undulated over the -green acclivities of the road, and finally drew up -beside the great horse-block at the gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two lackeys sprang from their perch behind the -vehicle, flung open the door, and lowered a short flight -of steps. A very stately gentleman, richly dressed, -with a handkerchief of point in one hand and a -jeweled snuff-box in the other, descended the steps, -placing one shapely leg in its maroon-colored stocking -before the other with the mannered grace of the -leader of a Coranto.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Verney met him with a low bow and smiling -face, after which the two embraced, for they were -old friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear Governor!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear Colonel!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am charmed to welcome your Excellency to my -poor house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear Colonel, I am charmed to be here. Gad! the -possession of the only chariot in the Colony is a -burdensome honor! I thought dinner would be over, -and the stirrup cup in order while I was creeping, like -a snail with his house on his back, over these 'fair -and pleasant roads'—as I call them in my book, eh, -Dick! But you have a goodly company, I see; -Ludwell, Fitzhugh, Carey, Anthony Nash, mine ancient -enemy Lawrence, Wormeley, Carrington our Puritan -convert and his pretty daughter, young Peyton, and -that pretty fellow, your nephew or cousin, is he? -Odzooks! he is much what I was at his age, begotten -of Delilah and Lucifer, hand of iron in glove of -velvet, eh, Dick! I hear he is hail-fellow-well-met with -the King and with Buckingham and Killigrew and -their wild set. Ah, boys will be boys! 'We have -heard the chimes at midnight,' eh, Dick?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the Governor in high good humor skipped -up the steps with the agility of youth, bent low with -sugared compliments over the hands of his hostesses -and of Mistress Betty Carrington, and gave courteous -greeting to the assembled gentlemen, after which the -company flowed back into the grateful twilight of hall -and "great room," where the weather, the state of -the crops, and the last horse-race engaged them until -the announcement of dinner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a flourish of his costly handkerchief, the -Governor offered his arm to the young mistress of the -house, and led the way to the dining-room, where old -Humfrey, the butler, marshaled the guests to their -seats. Mistress Betty Carrington had for her -cavalier Sir Charles Carew, to whose honeyed words she -listened with a species of awe, wondering in her innocent -soul if all the wild tales they told of this very fine, -smooth-tongued, handsome gentleman could be true.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Doctor Anthony Nash made a long and fluent grace -wherein much latinity was aired, a neat allusion made -to the </span><em class="italics">jus divinum</em><span>, and an anathema hurled against -those "who break down the carved work of the -sanctuary." Then was uncovered the mighty saddle of -mutton, reposing in the dish of honor, the roast pig, -the haunch of venison, the sirloin of beef, the breast -of veal, the powdered goose, the noble dish of -sheeps-head and bluefish, and the pasty in which was -entombed a whole flock of pigeons. These </span><em class="italics">pièces de -resistance</em><span> were flanked by bowls of oysters, by rows -of wild fowl skewered together, by mince pies and a -grand salad, while upon the outskirts of the damask -plain were stationed trenchers piled with wheat bread, -platters of pease and smoking potatoes, cauliflower -and asparagus, and a concoction of rice and prunes, -seasoned with mace and cinnamon and a pinch of -assafœtida. A great silver salt-cellar stood in the -centre of the table, and smaller receptacles of the -same metal held pepper and spices. Silver flagons of -cider and ale were placed at intervals, the Madeira, -Fayal and Rhenish awaiting upon the sideboard the -moment when, the cloth drawn and the ladies gone, a -gentlemanly carousal should be inaugurated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The company drew their Russian leather chairs -closer to the table, spread over their silken knees the -fringed damask napkins, and for a space little was to -be heard but the sound of knife and spoon (forks -there were none), for the morning ride had sharpened -appetites. The servants passed from chair to chair; -the master, seconded by his daughter and sister, -pricked his guests on to fresh attacks, pressing a third -slice of mutton on one, a fresh helping of capon upon -another, protesting that a third ate as though it were -a fast day, and that a fourth drank as though the -October were sea-water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the cloth was drawn and the banquet put -on, tongues were loosened. The Governor quoted -passages from his "Lost Lady" to Patricia, lifting -her lovely flushed face from the carving of a tart -with wonderfully constructed towering walls. Behind -a second turreted marvel of pastry, Mistress Lettice -and Mr. Frederick Jones sighed and ogled with -antique grace. Sir Charles Carew, fingering his -cherries, told a piquant little court anecdote to Mistress -Betty Carrington, and was lazily amused at the blush -and veiled eyelids with which the young lady received -it. Young Mr. Peyton, on her other side, looked -very black.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wine was put on and the toast to King and -Church drunk standing, after which the ladies dipped -their white fingers into the basin of perfumed water, -dried them on the silver-fringed napkin, and sailed -to the door, through which, after the profoundest of -courtesies on the one side and the lowest of bows -upon the other, they vanished, leaving the gentlemen -to wine and wassail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Verney drank to the Governor; the -Governor to Colonel Verney; Sir Charles to the -author of the "Lost Lady" and the "Discourse and -View of Virginia," so tickling the Governor's vanity -thereby that he became altogether charming. -Mr. Peyton toasted Mistress Betty Carrington, and -Mr. Frederick Jones, Mistress Lettice Verney, "fairest -and most discreet of ladies." They drank to Captain -Laramore's next voyage, to Mr. Wormeley's success -in vine planting, to Major Carrington's conversion. -They drank confusion to Quakers, Independents, Baptists -and infidels, to the heathen on the frontier and -the Papists in Maryland, the Dutch on the Hudson -and the French on the St. Lawrence,—"Quebec in -exchange for Dunkirk!" In short, there were few -things in heaven or earth but justified draughts of -Madeira.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The room filled with a blue and fragrant mist -proceeding from twenty pipe-bowls. Mr. Peyton sang a -pretty song of his own composing. The company -applauded. Sir Charles Carew, in a richly plaintive -tenor voice, sang a lyric of Rochester's. Several of -the gentlemen looked askance (the clergyman had -left the room with the ladies), but on the Governor's -crying out "Excellent!" they considered themselves -over-squeamish, and clapped loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles, being dry after his song, drank to -Hospitality,—"A duty," he said, smiling, "that you -gentlemen make so paramount that you must wonder at -the omission of 'Thou shalt be hospitable' from the -Decalogue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Faith, sir!" cried Mr. Peyton, "God is too good -a Virginian not to consider such a commandment -superfluous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor commenced a story which all present, -but one, had heard a dozen times. It mattered the -less, as it was a good one. Sir Charles capped it with -a better. The Governor told a weird tale of Lunsford's -men, the "babe-eating" regiment. Sir Charles -recounted a little adventure of His Grace of -Buckingham with a quack astrologer, a Court lady, and an -orange girl, which made the company die of laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rat me! but you tell a story well, sir!" said the -Governor, wiping his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I serve King Charles the Second, your Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And so have to live by your wit, eh, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely, your Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Emigrate to Virginia, man! to the land of good -eating, good drinking, good fighting, stout men, and -pretty women—who make angelic wives." And the -Governor, who loved his own wife with chivalric -devotion, kissed a locket which he wore at his neck. -"Come to Virginia where we need loyal men and -true. Lord! we all thought the millennium was come -with the king, but damme! if it doesn't seem as far -off as ever! Not that his Majesty is to blame," he -added quickly, as though fearing that his words might -be taken as an aspersion upon Charles's ability to -conduct the millennium single-handed. "The naughty -spirit of the age sets itself against the Lord's -Anointed. The Puritan snake is but scotched, not killed. -It's the old prate of freedom of conscience, government -by the people, and the like disgusting stuff (no -offense to you, Major Carrington) that makes the -trouble of the times both here and at home. I sigh -for the good old days when, for eleven sweet years, -no Parliament sat to meddle in affairs of state, when -Wentworth kept down faction and the saintly Laud -built up the Church which he adorned." And the -Governor buried his woes in the Rhenish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir William Berkeley's loyalty is proverbial," -said Sir Charles suavely. "The King knows that -while he is at the helm in Virginia, the colony is on -the high road to that era of peace and prosperity -which his majesty so ardently desires—for his -tax-paying people. And I have thought more than once -of late that I might do worse than to dispose of my -majority in the 'Blues,' bid the Court adieu, and -obtaining from his Majesty a grant of land, retire here -to Virginia to pass my days on my own land and amid -a little court of my own, in the patriarchal fashion -you gentlemen affect. Under certain circumstances -it is a course I might possibly pursue." He glanced -at his kinsman, whose countenance showed high -approval of a plan which dovetailed nicely with one of -his own making.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you guess the 'certain circumstances' which -are to give us the pleasure of his confounded -company?" whispered Mr. Peyton to Mr. Carey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An easy riddle, Jack. Damn the insolent, -smooth-spoken knave of hearts, and confound the women! -They all drop to a court card."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not Mistress Betty Carrington. She looks below -the surface."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! What does she see below thine? An -empty gourd with a few madrigals and sonnets, and -fine images, conned from the 'Grand Cyrus,' rattling -about like dried seeds?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hush, thou green persimmon! the Governor is -speaking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The governor rose with care to his feet. His wig -was awry, his cravat of fine mechlin under one ear. -Benevolent smiles played like summer lightning across -his flushed face. He raised his tankard slowly and -with attentive steadiness. "Gentlemen," he said in a -high voice, "we have eaten and we have drunken. -Dick Verney's wine is as old as the hills and as mellow -as sunlight. It groweth late, gentlemen, and some of -you have miles to travel, and it takes cool heads to -ride the 'planter's pace.' For William Berkeley, -gentlemen, Governor of Virginia by the grace of God -and his Majesty, King Charles the Second, it takes -more than Dick Verney's wine to fluster him. I call -a final toast. I drink again to our loving friend and -host, the worshipful Colonel Richard Verney, to his -beauteous daughter and sister, to his man-servant and -his maid-servant, his ox and his ass, and the stranger -which is within his gates." He smiled benignly at a -reflection of Sir Charles in a distant mirror. -"Gentlemen, the devil, you see, can quote scripture. Let -the cup go roun' go roun', go roun'."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The toast was drunk with fervor, and the party -broke up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor, with Colonel Ludlow and Captain -Laramore, was to sleep at Verney Manor, and Mistress -Betty Carrington was left by her father to bear -Patricia company for a day or two. One by one the -remainder of the company rode or sailed away, those -who had an even keel beneath them being in much -better case than their brethren on horseback.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the last sail showed a white speck in the -distance, Patricia and Betty came out upon the porch -and sat them down, one on either side of the Governor, -with whom they were great favorites. Colonel -Ludlow and Captain Laramore were at dice at a table -within the hall, and Colonel Verney had excused -himself in order to hear the evening report from his -overseers. Sir Charles Carew, very idle and -purposeless-looking, lounged in a great chair, and studied the -miniature upon his snuff-box. The Governor, whom -the wine had mellowed into a genial softness, a kind -of sunset glow, alternately puffed wide rings of smoke -into the air, and paid compliments to the young ladies. -The evening breeze had sprung up, rustling the leaves -of the trees, and bringing with it the sound of the -water. In the western sky crimson islets forever -shifted shapes in a sea of gold. A rosy light suffused -the earth. In it the water turned to the pink of a -shell, the marshes became ethereal and far away, -earth and sky seemed one. The flashing wings of -gull and curlew were like fairy sails faring to and fro.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I had wings," said Patricia dreamily, her hands -clasped over her knees, "I would fly straight to that -highest island of cloud. The one, Betty, that looks -like a field of daffodils, with those beautiful peaks -rising from it, and the violet light in the hollows. I -would set up my standard there, Sir William, and the -island should be mine, and I would rule the fairies -that must inhabit it, with a rod of iron—as you rule -Virginia," she ended with a laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor laughed with her. "You would -have no such stiff-necked folk to deal with, my love, -as have I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, they should all be good Cavaliers and -Churchmen—no Roundheads, no servants—and if Indians -on neighboring isles threatened we would pray for a -wind and sail away from them, around and around the -bright blue sky."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And when you are gone to take possession of your -castle in the air what will poor Virginia do?" -gallantly demanded the governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, she would still exist! But I am not going -to-night. The princess of the castle in the air is -engaged to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia for -a game of chess. In the mean time here comes my -father, who shall entertain your Excellency while -Betty and I go for a walk. Come, Lady-bird."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two graceful figures twined arms and moved -off down the walk. Sir Charles looked after them a -moment, then, with a "Permit me, sir," to the -Governor, he snapped the lid of his snuff-box and started -down the steps. The Governor laughed. "We will -excuse you, sir," he said graciously. "Dick," to -Colonel Verney, as the young gentleman hastened -after the ladies, "that fine spark is to be your -son-in-law, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the wish of my heart, William."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has birth and breeding. His father was my -good friend and kinsman, and as loyal a Cavalier as -ever gave life and lands for the blessed Martyr. He -died in my arms at Marston Moor, and with his last -breath commended his son to me. My dear wife was -then expecting the birth of our child, of Patricia. I -can see him now as he smiled up at me (he was ever -gay) and said, 'If it's a girl, Dick, marry her to my -boy.' Well! he died, and his brother took the boy, -and my wife and I came over seas, and I never saw -the lad from that day to this, when he comes at my -invitation to visit us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, he is a very pretty fellow! And what does -Patricia say to him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Patricia is a good daughter," said the Colonel -sedately, "and is possessed of sense beyond the -average of womenkind. She knows the advantages this -match offers. Sir Charles Carew can give her a title, -and a name that's as old as her own. He is a man of -parts and distinction, has served the King, is familiar -with the courts of Europe. I do not pin my faith to -the tales that are told of him. His father was a -gallant gentleman, and I am not the man to believe ill -of his son. Moreover, if, as he hath half promised, -he will come to Virginia, he will throw off here the -vices of the Court, the faults of youth, and become an -honest Virginia gentleman, God-fearing, law-abiding, -reverencing the King, but not copying him too -closely—such an one as them or I, William. The king -should give him large grants of land, and so, with -what Patricia will have when I am gone, there will be -laid the foundation of a great and noble estate, which, -please God, will belong in the fair future of this fair -land to a great and noble family sprung from the -union of Verney and Carew. Patricia, trust me, sees -all this with my eyes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph!" said the Governor again.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-breaking-heart"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE BREAKING HEART</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sir Charles was up with the two girls before they -reached the garden; and they passed together through -the gate and into the spicy wilderness. The dew was -falling and as they sauntered through the narrow -paths, Betty held back her skirts that the damp leaves -of sage and marjoram might not brush them; but -Patricia, gathering larkspur and sweet-william, was -heedless of her finery. At the further end of the -garden was a wicket leading into a grove of -mulberries. The three walked on beneath the spreading -branches and the broad, heart-shaped leaves, until they -came to a tree of extraordinary height and girth -whose roots bulged out into great, smooth excrescences -like inverted bowls. Patricia stopped. "Betty is -tired," she said kindly, "and she shall sit here and -rest. Betty is a windflower, Sir Charles, a little -tender timid flower, frail and sweet—are you not, -Betty?" She sat down upon one of the bowls, and -pulled her friend down beside her. Sir Charles leaned -against the trunk of the tree. "Betty is a little -Puritan," continued Patricia; "she would not wear the -set of ribbons I had for her; and that hurt me very -much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Patricia!" cried Betty, with tears in her eyes. -"If I thought you really cared! But even then I -could not wear them!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you little martyr," said the other, with a kiss. -"You would go to the stake any day for what you -call your 'principles.' And I honor you for it, you -know I do. Cousin Charles, do you know that Betty -thinks it wrong to hold slaves?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles laughed, and Betty's delicate face -flushed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Patricia!" she cried. "I did not say that! I -only said that we would not like it ourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Pon my soul, I don't suppose we would," said Sir -Charles coolly. "But, Mistress Betty, the negroes -have neither thin skins nor nice feelings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know that," said Betty bravely; "and I know -that our divines and learned men cannot yet decide -whether or not they have souls. And, of course, if -they have not, they are as well treated as other -animals; but all the same I am sorry for them, and I -am sorry for the servants too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For the servants!" cried Patricia, arching her -brows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Betty, standing to her guns. "I am -sorry for the servants, for those who must work seven -years for another before they can do aught for -themselves. And often when their time is out they are -bowed and broken; and those whom they love at -home, and would bring over, are dead: and often -before the seven years have passed they die themselves. -And I am sorry for those whom you call rebels, for -the Oliverians; and for the convicts, despised and -outcast. And for the Indians about us, dispossessed -and broken, and—yes, I am sorry for the Quakers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I waste no pity on the under dog," said Sir -Charles. "Keep him down—and with a heavy -hand—or he will fly at your throat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hark!" said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some one in the distance was singing:—</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Gentle herdsman, tell to me</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Of courtesy I thee pray,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Unto the town of Walsingham,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Which is the right and ready way?</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Unto the town of Walsingham</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>The way is hard for to be gone,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>And very crooked are those paths</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>For you to find out all alone."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The notes were wild and plaintive, and sounded -sadly through the gathering dusk. A figure flitted -towards them between the shadowy tree trunks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is Mad Margery," said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And who is Mad Margery?" asked Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No one knows, cousin. She does not know -herself. Ten years ago a ship came in with servants, -and she was on it. She was mad then. The captain -could give no account of her, save that when, the day -after sailing, he came to count the servants, he found -one more than there should have been, and that one -a woman, stupid from drugs. She had been spirited -on board the ship, that was all he could say. It's a -common occurrence, as you know. She never came to -herself,—has always been what she is now. She was -sold to a small planter, and cruelly treated by him. -After a time my father heard her story and bought -her from her master. She has been with us ever since. -Her term of service is long out; but there is nothing -that could drive her from this plantation. She -wanders about as she pleases, and has a cabin in the woods -yonder; for she will not live in the quarters. They -say that she is a white witch; and the Indians, who -reverence the mad, lay maize and venison at her door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The voice, shrill and sweet, rang out close at hand.</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Thy years are young, thy face is fair,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Thy wits are weak, thy thoughts are green,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Time hath not given thee leave as yet,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>For to commit so great a sin."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Margery!" called Patricia softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman came towards them with a peculiar -gliding step, swift and stealthy. Within a pace or -two of them she stopped, and asked, "Who called -me?" in a voice that seemed to come from far away. -She was not old, and might once have been beautiful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I called you, Margery," said Patricia gently. -"Sit down beside us, and tell us what you have been -doing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman came and sat herself down at Patricia's -feet. She carried a stick, or light pole, wound with -thick strings of wild hops, which she laid on the -ground. Taking one of the wreaths from around it, -she dropped the pale green mass into Patricia's lap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take it," she said. "They are flowers I gathered -in Paradise, long ago. They wither in this air; but -if you fan them with your sighs, and water them with -your tears, they will revive.... Paradise is a long -way from here. I have been seeking the road all -day; but I have not found it yet. I think it must -lie near Bristol Town, Bristol Town, Bristol Town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her voice died away in a long sigh, and she sat -plucking at the fragrant blooms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia said softly, "She talks much of Bristol -Town, and she is always seeking the road to Paradise. -I think that once some one must have said to her, -'We will meet in Paradise.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know little of Paradise, Margery," said Sir -Charles, good-naturedly; "but Bristol Town is many -leagues from here, across the great ocean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know. It lieth in the rising of the sun. I -have never seen it except in my dreams. But it is a -beautiful place—not like this world of trees. The -church bells are ever ringing there, ... and the -children sing in the streets. It is all fair, and smiling -and beautiful, all but one spot, one black, black, -black spot. I will tell you." She sunk her voice to -a whisper and looked fearfully around. "The mouth -of the Pit is there, the Bottomless Pit that the -Preacher tells about. It is a small room, dark, dark, -... and there is a heavy smell in the air, ... and -there are fiends with black cloth over their faces. -They hold a draught of hell to your mouth, and they -make you drink it; ... it burns, burns. And then -you go down, down, down, into everlasting blackness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She broke off, and shuddered violently, then burst -into eldritch laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I tell you what I found just now while I -was looking for Paradise?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A breaking heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A breaking heart!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery nodded. "Yes," she said. "I thought -it would surprise you. I find many things, looking -for Paradise. The other day I found a brown pixie -sitting beneath a mushroom, and he told me curious -things. But a breaking heart is different. I know -all about it, for once upon a time my heart broke; -but mine was soft and easy to break. It was as soft, -and weak as a baby's wrist, a little, tender, helpless -thing, you know, that melts under your kisses. But -this heart that I found will take a long time to break. -Proud anger will strengthen it at first; but one string -will snap, and then another, and another, until, at -last—" she swept her arms abroad with a wild and -desolate gesture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What does she mean?" asked Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know," answered Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery rose and took up her leafy staff,</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come," she said. "Come and see the breaking heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Patricia!" cried Betty, "do not go with her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?" asked Patricia resolutely. "Come, -cousin, let us find out what she means. We will go -with you, Margery; but you must not take us far. It -grows late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery laughed weirdly. "It is never late for -Margery. There is a star far up in heaven that is -sorry for Margery, and it shines for her, bright, -bright, all night long, that she may not miss the road -to Paradise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She glided in front of them, and moved rapidly -down the dim alley of trees, her feet seeming scarce -to touch the short grass, and the long green wreaths, -stirred by the wind, coiling and uncoiling around her -staff like serpents. Patricia, with Betty and Sir -Charles, followed her closely. She led them out of -the mulberry grove, through a small vineyard, and -into a patch of corn, beyond which could be seen the -gleam of water, faintly pink from the faded sunset.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is taking us towards the quarters!" -exclaimed Patricia. "Margery! Margery!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Margery held on, moving swiftly through the -waist-deep corn. Betty looked down with a little -sigh at her dainty shoes, which were suffering by their -contact with the dew-laden leaves of pumpkins and -macocks. Sir Charles put aside the long corn blades -with his cane, and so made a way for the girls. He -felt mildly curious and somewhat bored.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly they emerged upon the banks of the inlet, -within a hundred yards of the quarters. Patricia -would have spoken, but Margery put her finger to her -lips and flitted on towards the row of cabins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before them stretched a long, narrow lane, sandy -and barren, with a pine-tree rising here and there. -Rude cabins, windowless and with mud chimneys, -faced each other across the lane. Half way down -was an open space, or small square, in the centre of -which stood a dead tree with a board nailed across -its trunk at about a man's height from the ground. -In either end of the board was cut a round hole big -enough for a man's hand to be squeezed through, and -above hung a heavy stick with leathern thongs tied to -it, the whole forming a pillory and whipping-post, -rude, but satisfactory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was almost dark. The larger stars had come -out, and the fireflies began to sparkle restlessly. The -wind sighed in the pines, and a strong salt smell came -from the sea. Overhead a whippoorwill uttered its -mournful cry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The long day's work, from sunrise to sunset, was -over, and the population of the quarter had drifted -in from the fields of tobacco and maize, the boats, the -carpenter's shop, the forge, the mill, the stables, and -barns. Hard-earned rest was theirs, and they were -prepared to enjoy it. It was supper-time. In the -square a great fire of brush-wood had been kindled, -and around it squatted a ring of negroes, busy with -bowls of loblolly and great chunks of corn bread. -They chattered like monkeys, and one who had -finished his mess raised a chant in which one note was -a yell of triumph, the next a long-drawn plaintive -wail. The rich barbaric voice filled the night. A -figure, rising, tossed aside an empty bowl, and began -to dance in the red fire-light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The white men ate at their cabin doors, sitting upon -logs of wood, or in groups of three or four messed at -tables made by stretching planks from one tree-stump -to another. It was meat-day; and they, too, made -merry. From the women's cabins also came shrill -laughter. Snatches of song arose, altercations that -suddenly began and as suddenly ceased, a babel of -voices in many fashions of speech. Broad Yorkshire -contended with the thin nasal tones of the cockney; -the man from the banks of the Tweed thrust cautious -sarcasms at the man from Galway. A mulatto, the -color of pale amber, spoke sonorous Spanish to an -olive-hued piece of drift-wood from Florida. An -Indian indulged in a monologue in a tongue of a -far-away tribe of the Blue Mountains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The glare from the fire and from flaring pine-knots -played fitfully over the motley throng, now bringing -out in strong relief some one face or figure, then -plunging it into profoundest shadow. It burnished -the high forehead and scalp lock of the Indian, and -made to gleam intensely the gold earring in the ear -of the mulatto. The scarlet cloth wound about the -head of a Turk seemed to turn to actual flame. -Under the baleful light vacant faces of dully honest -English rustics became malignant, while the negro, -dancing with long, outstretched arms and uncouth -swayings to and fro, appeared a mirthful fiend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three gentlefolk and their mad conductress -gazed from out the shadow and at a safe distance. -Sir Charles Carew, a man of taste, felt strong artistic -pleasure in the Rembrandtesque scene before him—the -leaping light, the weird shadows, resolving -themselves into figures posed with savage freedom, the -dancing satyr, the sombre pines above, and, beyond -the pines, the stillness of the stars. Betty drew a -little shuddering breath, and her hand went to clasp -Patricia's. The latter was looking steadily upward at -the slender crescent moon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do not look, Betty," she said quietly. "I do not. -It is a horror to me—a horror. I am going back," -she said, turning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But she had reckoned without Margery, who caught -her by the arm. "Come," she said imperiously. -"Come and see the breaking heart!" Patricia -hesitated, then yielded to curiosity and the insistent -pressure of the skeleton fingers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cabins nearest them were deserted, their -occupants having joined themselves to the groups further -down the lane where the firelight beat strongest and -the torches were more numerous. With no more -sound than a moth would make, flitting through the -dusk, the mad woman led them to the outermost of -these cabins. Within five paces of the door she -stopped and pointed a long forefinger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The breaking heart!" she said in a triumphant -whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A man lay, face downwards, in the coarse and -scanty grass. One arm was bent beneath his forehead, -the other was outstretched, the hand clenched. -It was the attitude of one who has flung himself down -in dumb, despairing misery. As they looked, he gave -a long gasping sob that shook his whole frame, then -lay quiet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A burst of revelry came down the lane. The man -raised his head impatiently, then let it drop again -upon his arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia turned and walked quickly back the way -they had come. Betty and Sir Charles followed her; -Margery, her whim gratified, had vanished into the -darkness of the pines.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No one spoke until they were again amidst the wet -and rustling corn. Then said Betty with tears in her -voice, "O Patricia, darling! there is so much misery -in the world, fair and peaceful as it looks to-night. -That poor man!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That 'poor man,' Betty," answered Patricia in a -hard voice, "is a criminal, a felon, guilty of some -dreadful, sordid thing, a gaol-bird reclaimed from the -gallows and sent here to pollute the air we breathe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was the convict, Landless, was it not?" asked -Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, Patricia," said the gentle Betty, "whatever -he may have done, he is wretched now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has sowed the wind; let him reap the whirlwind," -said Patricia steadily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went on to the house and into the great room -where the myrtle candles were burning softly, the -dimity curtains shutting out the night. Mrs. Lettice -was at the spinet, with Captain Laramore to turn the -leaves of her song book, and the Governor, with the -chess table out and the pieces in battle array, awaited -(he said) the arrival of the Princess of the Castle in -the Air.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-three-mile-field"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">IN THE THREE-MILE FIELD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In a far corner of the Three-mile Field Landless -bent over tobacco plant after tobacco plant, patiently -removing the little green shoots or "suckers" from -the parent stem.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His back and limbs ached from the unaccustomed -stooping, the fierce sunshine beat upon his head, the -blood pounded behind his temples, his tongue clave to -the roof of his mouth,—and the noontide rest was still -two hours away. As, with a gasp of weariness, he -straightened himself, the endless plain of green rose -and fell to his dazzled eyes in misty billows. The -most robust rustic required several months of seasoning -before he and the Virginia climate became friends, -and this man was still weak from privation and -confinement in prison and in the noisome hold of the ship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He turned his weary eyes from the vivid gold green -of the fields to the shadows of the forest. It lay -within a few yards of him, just on the other side of -a little stream and a rail fence that zigzagged in gray -lines hung with creepers. At the moment he defined -happiness as a plunge into the cool, perfumed -darkness, a luxurious flinging of a tired body upon the -carpet of pine needles, a shutting out, forever, of the -sunshine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly he felt that eyes were upon him, and his -glance traveled from the fringe of trees to meet that -of an Indian seated upon a log in an angle of the fence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was a man of gigantic stature, dressed in coarse -canvas breeches, and with a handkerchief of gaudy -dye twisted about his head. His bold features wore -the usual Indian expression of saturnine imperturbability, -and he half sat, half reclined upon the log -as motionless as a piece of carven bronze, staring at -Landless with large, inscrutable eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, staring in return, saw something else. -The rank growth of weeds in which the log was sunk -moved ever so slightly. There was a flash as of a -swiftly drawn rapier, and something long and mottled -hung for an instant upon the shoulder of the Indian, -and then dropped into its lair again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a sudden lithe twist of his body, the savage -flung himself upon it, and holding it down with one -hand, with the other beat the life out with a heavy -stick. The creature was killed by the first stroke, -but he continued to rain vindictive blows upon it until -it was mashed to a pulp. Then, with a serenely -impassive mien, he resumed his seat upon the log.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sprang across the stream, and went up to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are bitten! Is there aught I can do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian shook his head. With one hand he -pulled the shoulder forward, trying, as Landless saw, -to meet the wound with his lips: but finding that it -could not be done, he desisted and sat silent, and to -all appearance, unconcerned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless cried out impatiently, "It will kill you, -man! Do you know no remedy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian grunted. "Snake root grow deep in -the forest, a long way off. Besides, an Iroquois does -not die for a little thing like a pale face or a dog of -an Algonquin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you try to reach the sting with your mouth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To suck out the evil."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that a cure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian nodded. Landless knelt down and -examined the shoulder. "Now," he said, "tell me if I -set about it in the right way," and applied his lips to -the swollen, blue-black spot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian gave a grunt of surprise, and his white -teeth flashed in a smile; then he sat silent under the -ministrations of the white man who sucked at the -wound, spitting the venom upon the ground, until -the dark skin was drawn and wrinkled like the hand -of a washerwoman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good!" then said the Indian, and pointed to the -stream. Landless went to it, rinsed his mouth, and -brought back water in his cap with which he laved -the shoulder of his new acquaintance, ending by -binding it up with the handkerchief from the man's head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A guttural sound from the Indian made him look -up. At the same instant the whip of the overseer, -descending, cut him sharply across the shoulders, he -sprang to his feet, the veins in his forehead swollen, -his frame tense with impotent anger. The overseer, -having gained his attention, thrust the whip back into -his belt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you don't want to get what will hurt as bad as -a snake bite," he said grimly, "you had best tend to -your tobacco and let vagrom Indians alone. That -row is to be suckered before dinner-time or your pork -and beans will go begging. As for you," turning to -the Indian, "what are you doing on this plantation? -Where 's your pass?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian took from his waistband a slip of paper -which he handed to the overseer, who looked at it and -gave it back with a grudging—"It's all right this -time, but you 'd better be careful. It's my opinion -that Major Carrington lets his servants run about a -deal more than 's good for them. Anyhow, you 've -no business in this field. Clear out!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian arose and went his way. But as he -passed Landless, suckering a plant with angry energy, -he touched him, as if by accident, with his sinewy -hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka never forgives an enemy," came in -a sibilant whisper too low to be heard by the watchful -overseer. "Monakatocka never forgets a friend. -Some day he will repay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The red-brown body slipped away through the tall -weeds and clumps of alder, like the larger edition of -the thing that had hung upon its shoulder. The -overseer strode off down the field, sending keen glances to -right and left. He was a conscientious man and -earned every pound of his wages.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, left alone, worked steadily on, for he had -no mind to lose his midday meal, uninviting as he -knew it would prove to be. Moreover, he was one -who did with his might what his hand found to do. -His body was weary, and his heart sick within him, -but the green shoots fell thick and fast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yon was a kindly thing you did. Pity 't was in no -better cause than the saving of a worthless natural."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker, who was at work on the next row -of plants, had caught up with Landless from behind, -and now moved his nimble fingers more slowly, so as -to keep pace with the less expert new hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, raising his head, stared at a figure of -positively terrifying aspect. Upon a skeleton body -of extraordinary height was set a head bare of any -hair. Scalp, forehead and cheeks were of one dull, -ivory hue like an eastern carving. Upon the smooth, -dead surface of the right cheek sprawled a great red -R, branded into the flesh, and through each large -protruding ear went a ragged hole. For the rest, the -lips were of iron, and the small, deep-set eyes were -so bright and burning that they gave the impression -that they were red like the great letter. It might -have been the face of a man of sixty years, though it -would have been hard to tell wherein lay the semblance -of age, so smooth was the skin and so brilliant -the eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Indian needed help. Why should I not have -given it him?" said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because it is written, 'Cursed are the heathen -who inhabit the land.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless smiled. "So you would not help an -Indian in extremity. What if it had been a negro?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cursed are the negroes! 'Ye Ethiopians also, -ye shall be slain by the sword.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A Quaker?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cursed are the Quakers! 'Silly doves that have -no heart.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless laughed. "You have cursed pretty well -all the oppressed of the land. I suppose you reserve -your blessings for the powers that be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The powers that be! May the plagues of Egypt -light upon them, and the seven vials rain down their -contents upon them! Cursed be they all, from the -young man, Charles Stuart, to that prelatical, -tyrannical, noxious Malignant, William Berkeley! May -their names become a hissing and an abomination! -Roaring lions are their princes, ravening wolves are -their judges, their priests have polluted the sanctuary! -May their flesh consume away while they stand -upon their feet, and their eyes consume away in their -holes, and their tongues consume away in their mouths, -and may there be mourning among them, even as -the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a Muggletonian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily am I! a follower of the saintly -Ludovick Muggleton, and of the saintlier John Reeve, -of whom Ludovick is but the mouthpiece, even as -Aaron was of Moses. They are the two witnesses of -the Apocalypse. They are the two olive trees and the -two candlesticks. To them and to their followers it -is given to curse and to spare not, to prophesy against -the peoples and kindred and nations and tongues -whereon is set the seal of the beast. Wherefore I, -Win-Grace Porringer, testify against the people of -this land; against Prelatists and Papists, Presbyterians -and Independents, Baptists, Quakers and heathen; -against princes, governors, and men in high places; -against them that call themselves planters and trample -the vineyard of the Lord; against their sons and their -daughters who are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth -neck and wanton eyes, walking and mincing -and making a tinkling with their feet. Cursed be -they all! Surely they shall be as Sodom and -Gomorrah, even the breeding of salt-pits and a perpetual -desolation!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your curses seem not to have availed, friend," -said Landless. "Curses are apt to come home to -roost. I should judge that yours have returned to -you in the shape of branding-irons."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man raised a skeleton hand and stroked the -red letter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This," he said coolly, "was given me when I ran -away the second time. The first time I was merely -whipped. The third time I was shaven and this -shackle put upon my leg." He raised his foot and -pointed to an iron ring encircling the ankle. "The -fourth time I was nailed by the ears to the pillory, -whence come these pretty scars."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless burst into grim laughter. "And after -your fifth attempt, what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man gave him a sidelong look. "I have not -made my fifth attempt," he said quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They worked in silence for a few minutes. Then -said Master Win-Grace Porringer:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was sent to the plantations, because, in defiance -of the Act of Uniformity (cursed be it, and the -authors thereof), I attended a meeting of the -persecuted and broken remnant of the Lord's people. -What was your offense, friend, for I reckon that you -come not here of your free will, being neither a rustic -nor a fool?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I came from Newgate," said Landless, after a -pause. "I am a convict."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man's hand stopped in the act of pulling off a -shoot. He gave a slow upward look at the figure -beside him, let his eyes rest upon the face, and looked -slowly down again with a shake of the head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph!" he said. "The society in Newgate -must be improved since my time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They worked without speaking until they had nearly -reached the end of the long double row, when said the -Muggletonian:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are too young, I take it, to have seen service -in the wars?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fought at Worcester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon which side?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Commonwealth's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought as much. Humph! You were all, -Parliament and Presbytery, Puritan and Independent, -Hampden and Vane and Oliver, in the gall of bitterness -and the bond of iniquity, very far from the pure -light in which walk the followers of the blessed -Ludovick. At the last the two witnesses will speak against -you also. But in the mean time it were easier for the -children of light to walk under the rule of the -Puritan than under that of the lascivious house of -Jeroboam which now afflicts England for her sins. But -the Lord hath a controversy with them! An east -wind shall come up, the wind of the Lord shall come -up from the wilderness! They shall be moved from -their places! They shall lick the dust like serpents, -they shall move out of their holes like worms of the -earth, and be utterly destroyed! Think you not as I -do, friend?" he asked, turning suddenly upon Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said Landless, "that you are talking -that which, if overheard, might give you a deeper scar -than any you bear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But who is to hear? the tobacco, the Lord in -heaven, and you. The senseless plant will keep counsel, -the Lord is not like to betray his servant, and as -for you, friend,—" he looked long and searchingly at -Landless. "Despite the place you come from, I do -not think you one to bring a man into trouble for -being bold enough to say what you dare only think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless returned the look. "No," he said quietly. -"You need have no fear of me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear no one," said the other proudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he craned his long body across the plant -between them until his lips almost touched the ear of -the younger man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall you try to escape?" he whispered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A smile curled Landless's lip. "Very probably I -shall," he said dryly. He looked down the long lines -of broad green leaves at the toiling figures, black and -white, dull peasants at best, scoundrels at worst; and -beyond to the huddled cabins of the quarter, and to -the great house, rising fair and white from orchard -and garden; seeing, as in a dream, a man, young in -years but old in sorrow, disgraced, outcast, friendless, -alone, creeping down a vista of weary years, day after -day of soul-deadening toil, of association with the -mean and the vile, of shameful submission to whip -and finger. Escape! The word had beaten through -brain and heart so long and so persistently, that at -times he feared lest he should cry it aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Win-Grace Porringer shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's not an easy thing to escape from a Virginia -plantation. With dogs and with horses they hunt -you down, yea, with torches and boats. They band -themselves together against the fleeing sparrow. They -call in the heathen to their aid. And it is a fearful -land, for great rivers bar your way, and forests push -you back, and deep quagmires clutch you and hold -you until the men of blood come up. And when you -are taken they cruelly maltreat you, and your term of -service is doubled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet men have gotten away," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but not many. And those that get away are -seldom heard of more. The forest swallows them up, -and after a while their skulls roll about the hills, -playthings for wolves, or the deep waters flow over their -bones, or they lie in a little heap of ashes at the foot -of some Indian torture stake."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you try to escape?" asked Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man gave him another sidelong look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I tried because I was a fool. I am no longer a -fool. I know a better way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A better way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hush!" The man looked over his shoulder and -then whispered, "Will you go with me to-night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go with you! Where?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To a man I know—a man who gives good advice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many can do that, friend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, but not show the way to profit by it as doth -this man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A servant even as we are servants,—a learned -and godly man, albeit not a follower of the blessed -Ludovick. Listen! About the rising of the moon -to-night, slip from your cabin and come to the blasted -pine on the shore of the inlet. There will be a boat -there and I will be in it. We will go to the cabin of -the man of whom I speak. He is a cripple, and -knowing that he cannot run away, the godless and -roistering Malignant who calls himself our master hath -given him a hut among the marshes, where he mendeth -nets. Come! I may not say more than that it -will be worth your while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we are caught—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our skins pay for us. But the Lord will shut the -eyes of the overseers that they see not, and their ears -that they hear not, and we will be safely back before -the dawn. You will come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Landless. "I will come."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-hut-on-the-marsh"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE HUT ON THE MARSH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was shortly after midnight when the two servants -slipped along the inlet, silently and warily, and -keeping their boat well under the shore. It was a -crazy affair, barely large enough for two, and -requiring constant bailing. When they had made half a -mile from the quarters, the Muggletonian, who rowed, -turned the boat's head across the inlet, and ran into a -very narrow creek that wound in many doubles through -the marshes. They entered it, made the first turn, -and the broad bosom of the inlet, lit by a low, crimson -moon, was as if it had never been. On every side high -marsh grass soughed in the night wind,—plains of -blackness with the red moon rising from them. The -tide was low. So close were the banks of wet, black -earth, that they heard the crabs scuttling down them, -and Porringer made a jab with his pole at a great -sheepshead lying </span><em class="italics">perdu</em><span> alongside. The water broke -before them into spangles, glittering phosphorescent -ripples. A school of small fish, disturbed by the oars, -rushed past them, leaping from the water with silver -flashes. A turtle plunged sullenly. From the grass -above came the sleepy cry of marsh hens, and once a -great white heron rose like a ghost across their path. -It flapped its wings and sailed away with a scream of -wrath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boat had wound its tortuous way for many -minutes before Porringer said in a low voice: "We can -speak safely now. There is nothing human moving -on these flats unless the witch, Margery, is abroad. -Cursed may she be, and cursed those who give her -shelter and food and raiment and lay offerings at her -door, for surely it is written, 'Thou shalt not suffer -a witch to live.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there anything a Muggletonian will not curse?" -asked Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered the other complacently. "There -are ourselves, the salt of the earth. There are a -thousand or more of us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the remainder of the inhabitants of the earth -are reprobate and doomed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily, they shall be as the burning of lime, -as thorns cut up will they be burned in the fire."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why have you to do with me, and with the -man to whom we are going?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because it is written: 'Make ye friends of the -mammon of unrighteousness;' and moreover there be -degrees even in hell fire. I do not place you, who -have some inkling of the truth, nor the Independents -and Fifth Monarchy men (as for the Quakers they -shall be utterly damned) in the furnace seven times -heated which is reserved for the bigoted and bloody -Prelatists who rule the land, swearing strange oaths, -foining with the sword, and delighting in vain apparel; -keeping their feast days and their new moons and -their solemn festivals. They are the rejoicing city -that dwells carelessly, that says in her heart, 'I am, -and there is none beside me.' The day cometh when -they shall be broken as the breaking of a potter's vessel, -yea, they shall be violently tossed like a ball into -a far country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here they struck a snag, well-nigh capsizing the -boat. When she righted, and Landless had bailed -her out with a gourd, they proceeded in silence. -Landless was in no mood for speech. He did not know -where they were going, nor for what purpose, nor did -he greatly care. He meant to escape, and that as -soon as his strength should be recovered and he could -obtain some knowledge of the country, and he meant -to take no one into his counsel, not the Muggletonian, -whose own attempts had ended so disastrously, nor the -'man who gave good advice.' As to this midnight -expedition he was largely indifferent. But it was -something to escape from the stifling atmosphere of -the cabin where he had tossed from side to side, -listening to the heavy breathing of the convict, Turk, and -peasant lad with whom he was quartered, to the silver -peace of moon-flooded marsh and lapping water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They made another turn, and in front of them -shone out a light, gleaming dully like a will-of-the-wisp. -It looked close at hand, but the creek turned -upon itself, coiled and writhed through the marsh, and -trebled the distance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian rested on his oar, and turned to -Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yonder is our bourne," he said gravely. "But I -have a word to say to you, friend, before we reach it. -If, to curry favor with the uncircumcised Philistines -who set themselves over us, thou speakest of aught -thou mayest see or hear there to-night, may the Lord -wither thy tongue within thy mouth, may he smite -thee with blindness, may he bring thee quick into the -pit! And if not the Lord, then will I, Win-Grace -Porringer, rise and smite thee!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may spare your invectives," said Landless -coldly. "I am no traitor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, friend," said the other in a milder tone. "I -thought it not of thee, or I had not brought thee -thither."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shoved the nose of the boat into the shore, and -caught at a stake, rising, water-soaked and rotten, -from below the bank. Landless threw him the looped -end of a rope, and together they made the boat fast, -then scrambled up the three feet of fat, sliding earth -to the level above where the ground was dry, none -but the highest of tides ever reaching it. Fifty yards -away rose a low hut. It stood close to another bend -in the creek, and before it were several boats, tied to -stakes, and softly rubbing their sides together. The -hut had no window, but there were interstices between -the logs through which the light gleamed redly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the two men had reached it, the Muggletonian -knocked upon the heavy door, after a peculiar -fashion, striking it four times in all. There was a -shuffling sound within, and (Landless thought) two -voices ceased speaking. Then some one said in a low -voice and close to the door: "Who is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The sword of the Lord and of Gideon," answered -the Muggletonian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A bar fell from the door, and it swung slowly inwards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enter, friends," said a quiet voice. Landless, -stooping his head, crossed the threshold, and found -himself in the presence of a man with a high, white -forehead and a grave, sweet face, who, leaning on a -stick, and dragging one foot behind him, limped back -to the settle from which he had risen, and fell to work -upon a broken net as calmly as if he were alone. -Besides themselves he was the only inmate of the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A pine torch, stuck into a cleft in the table, cast a -red and flickering light over a rude interior, furnished -with the table, the settle, a chest and a straw pallet. -From the walls and rafters hung nets, torn or mended. -In one corner was a great heap of dingy sail, in -another a sheaf of oars, and a third was wholly in -darkness. Lying about the earthen floor were several -small casks to which the man motioned as seats.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Leaving Landless near the door, Win-Grace Porringer -dragged a keg to the side of the settle, and -sitting down upon it, approached his death mask of a -face close to the face of the mender of nets, and -commenced a whispered conversation. To Landless, -awaiting rather listlessly the outcome of this nocturnal -adventure, came now and then a broken sentence. -"He hath not the look of a criminal, but—" "Of -Puritan breeding, sayest thou?" "We need young -blood." Then after prolonged whispering, "No -traitor, at least."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the Muggletonian arose and came -towards Landless. "My friend would speak with you -alone," he said, "I will stand guard outside." He -went out, closing the door behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets beckoned Landless. "Will -you come nearer?" he asked in a quiet refined voice -that was not without a ring of power. "As you see, -I am lame, and I cannot move without pain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless came and sat down beside the table, -resting his elbow upon the wood, and his chin upon his -hand. The mender of nets put down his work, and -the two measured each other in silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless saw a man of middle age who looked like -a scholar, but who might have been a soldier; a man -with a certain strong, bright sweetness of look in a -spare, worn face, and underlying the sweetness a still -and deadly determination. The mender of nets saw, -in his turn, a figure lithe and straight as an Indian's, -a well-poised head, and a handsome face set in one -fixed expression of proud endurance. A determined -face, too, with dark, resolute eyes and strong mouth, -the face of a man who has done and suffered much, -and who knows that he will both do and suffer more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am told," said the mender of nets, "that you -are newly come to the plantations."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was brought by the ship God-Speed a month ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did not come as an indented servant?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless reddened. "No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nor as a martyr to principle, a victim of that most -iniquitous and tyrannical Act of Uniformity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nor as one of those whom they call Oliverians?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets tapped softly Against the table -with his thin, white fingers. Landless said coldly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These are idle questions. The man who brought -me here hath told you that I am a convict."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other looked at him keenly. "I have heard -convicts talk before this. Why do you not assert your -innocence?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who would believe me if I did?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a silence. Landless, raising his eyes, -met those of the mender of nets, large, luminous, -gravely tender, and reading him like a book.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will believe you," said the mender of nets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, as God is above us," said the other -solemnly, "I did not do the thing! And He knows that -I thank you, sir, for your trust. I have not found -another—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know, lad, I know! How was it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was a Commonwealth's man. My father was -dead, my kindred attainted, and I had a powerful -enemy. I was caught in a net of circumstance. And -Morton was my judge."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! the marvel is that you ever got nearer -to the plantations than Tyburn. Your name is—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Godfrey Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Landless! Once I knew—and loved—a Warham -Landless—a brave soldier, a gallant gentleman, -a true Christian. He fell at Worcester."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets covered his eyes with his hand. -"O Lord! how wonderful are thy ways!" he said -beneath his breath, then aloud, "Lad, lad, I cannot -wholly sorrow to see you here. Wise in counsel, bold -in action, patient, farseeing, brave, was thy father, -and I think thou hast his spirit. Thou hast his eyes, -now that I look at thee more closely. I have prayed -for such a man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad you knew my father," said Landless simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a long silence, in which the minds of both had -gone back to other days, the mender of nets spoke -gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have no cause to love the present government?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Landless grimly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were heart and hand for the Commonwealth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean to escape from this bondage?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets took from his bosom a little -worn book. "Will you swear upon this that you will -never reveal what I am about to say to you, save to -such persons as I shall designate? For myself I would -take your simple word, for we are both gentlemen, -but other lives than mine hang in the balance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless touched the book with his lips. "I swear," -he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man brought his serene, white face nearer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What would you have given," he asked solemnly, -"for the cause for which your father died?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My life," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you give it still?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A worthless gift," said Landless bitterly. "Yea, -I would give it, but the cause is dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other shook his head. "The cause of the -just man dieth not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a pause broken by the mender of nets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art no willing slave, I trow. The thought -of escape is ever with thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall escape," said Landless deliberately. "And -if they track me they shall not take me alive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets gave a melancholy smile. -"They would track you, never fear!" He leaned -forward and touched Landless with his hand. "What -if I show you a better way?" he asked in a whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A way to recover your liberty, and with it, the -liberty of downtrodden brethren. A way to raise -the banner of the Commonwealth and to put down the -Stuart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless stared. "A miserable hut," he said, "in -the midst of a desolate Virginia marsh, and within it, -a brace of slaves, the one a cripple, the other a -convict,—and Charles Stuart on his throne in -Whitehall! Friend, this dismal place hath turned your -wits!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other smiled. "My wits are sound," he said, -"as sound as they were upon that day when I gave -my voice for the death (a sad necessity!) of this -young man's father. And I do not think to shake -England,—I speak of Virginia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of Virginia!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, of this goodly land, a garden spot, a new -earth where should be planted the seeds of a mighty -nation, strong in justice and simple right, wise, -temperate, brave; an enlightened people, serving God in -spirit and in truth, not with the slavish observance of -prelatist and papist, nor with the indecent familiarity -of the Independent; loyal to their governors, but -exercising the God-given right of choosing those -who are to rule over them: a people amongst whom -liberty shall walk unveiled, and to whom Astrœa -shall come again; a people as free as the eagle I -watched this morning, soaring higher and ever higher, -strongly and proudly, rejoicing in its progress -heavenward."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In other words, a republic," said Landless dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?" answered the other with shining, -unseeing eyes. "It is a dream we dreamed ten years -ago, I and Vane and Sidney and Marten and many -others,—but Oliver rudely wakened us. Then it was -by the banks of the Thames, and it was for England. -Now, on the shores of Chesapeake I dream again, and -it is for Virginia. You smile!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you considered, sir,—I do not know your name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Robert Godwyn is my name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you considered, Master Godwyn, that the -Virginians do not want a republic, that they are more -royalist and prelatical than are their brethren at home; -that they out-Herod Herod in their fantastic loyalty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true of the class with whom you have -come into contact,—of the masters. But there is -much disaffection among the people at large. And -there are the Nonconformists, the Presbyterians, -Independents, Baptists, even the Quakers, though -they say they fight not. To them all, Charles Stuart -is the Pharaoh whose heart the Lord hardened, and -William Berkeley is his task-master."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Any one else?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are those of the gentry who were Commonwealth's -men, and who chafe sorely under the loss of -office and disfavor into which they have fallen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And these all desire a republic?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They desire the downfall of the royalists with -William Berkeley at their head. The republic would -follow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And when a handful of Puritan gentlemen, a few -hundred Nonconformists, and the rabble of the -colony shall have executed this project, have usurped -the government, dethroning the king, or his governor, -which is the same thing,—then will come in from -the mouth of Thames a couple of royal frigates and -blow your infant republic into space."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think so. Thu frigates would come -undoubtedly, but I am of another opinion as to the -result of their coming. They would not take us -unprepared as those of the Commonwealth took -William Berkeley in fifty-two. And with a plentiful lack -of money and a Dutch war threatening, Charles -Stuart could not send unlimited frigates. Moreover, if -Virginia revolted, Puritan New England would follow -her example, and she would find allies in the Dutch -of New Amsterdam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You spin large fancies," said Landless, with some -scorn. "I suppose you are plotting with these -gentlemen you speak of?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said the man, with a scarcely perceptible -hesitation. "No, they are few in number and scattered. -Moreover, they might plot amongst themselves -but never with—a servant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you are concerned with the Nonconformists?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Nonconformists are timid, and dream not -that the day of deliverance is at hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless began to laugh. "Do you mean to say," -he demanded, "that you and I, for I suppose you count -on my assistance, are to enact a kind of Pride's Purge -of our own? That we are to drive from the land the -King's Governor, Council, Burgesses and trainbands; -sweep into the bay Sir William Berkeley and Colonel -Verney, and all those gold-laced planters who dined -with him the other day? That we are to take -possession of the colony as picaroons do of a vessel, and -hoisting our flag,—a crutch surmounted by a ball and -chain on a ground sable,—proclaim a republic?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not we alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, ay! I forgot the worthy Muggletonian."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is but one of many," said the mender of nets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless leaned forward, a light growing in his -eyes. "Speak out!" he said. "What is it that will -break this chain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets, too, bent forward from his -settle until his breath mingled with the breath of the -younger man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A slave insurrection," he said.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-mender-of-nets"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A MENDER OF NETS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"A slave insurrection!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, recoiling, struck with his shoulder the -torch, which fell to the floor. The flame went out, -leaving only a red gleaming end. "I will get -another," said the mender of nets, and limped to the -corner where the shadow had been thickest. Landless, -left in darkness, heard a faint muttering as -though Master Robert Godwyn were talking to -himself. It took some time to find the torch; but at -length Godwyn returned with one in his hand, and -kindled it at the expiring light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless rose from his seat, and strode to and fro -through the hut. His pulses beat to bursting; there -was a tingling at his finger-tips; to his startled senses -the hut seemed to expand, to become a cavern, -interminable and unfathomable, wide as the vaulted earth, -filled with awful, shadowy places and strange, lurid -lights. The mender of nets became a far-off sphinx-like -figure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn watched him in silence. He had a large -knowledge of human nature, and he saw into the -mind and heart of the restless figure. He himself -was a philosopher, and wore his chains lightly, but -he guessed that the iron had entered deeply into the -soul of the man before him. The sturdy peasants, -indented servants with but a few short years to serve, -better fed and better clad than their fellows at home, -found life on a Virginia plantation no sweet or easy -thing; the political and ecclesiastical offenders -enjoyed it still less, while the small criminal class found -their punishment quite sufficiently severe. To this -man the life must be a slow </span><em class="italics">peine fort et dure</em><span>, -breaking his body with toil, crushing his soul with a -hopeless degradation. The thought of escape must be -ever present with him. But escape in the conventional -manner, through pathless forests and over broad -streams, was a thing rarely attained to. Ninety-nine -out of a hundred failed; and the last state of the man -who failed was worse than his first.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless strode over to the table, and leaned his -weight upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen!" he said. "God knows I am a desperate -man! My attempt to escape failing, there is -naught but his word between me and the deepest -pool of these waters. I am no saint. I hate my -enemies. Restore to me my sword, pit me against them -one by one, and I will fight my way to freedom or -die.... A fair fight, too, a rising of the people -against oppression; a challenge to the oppressor to do -his worst; a gallant leading of a forlorn hope.... -But a slave insurrection! a midnight butchery! There -was one who used to tell me tales of such risings in -the Indies. Murder and rapine, fire rising through -the night, planters cut down at their very thresholds, -shrieking women tortured, children flung into the -flames,—a carnival of blood and horror!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are not in the Indies," said the other quietly. -"There will be no such devil's work here. Sit down -and listen while I put the thing before you as it is. -There are, most iniquitously held as slaves in this -Virginia, some four hundred Commonwealth's men, each -one of whom, at home and in his own station, was a -man of mark. Many were Ironsides. And each one -is a force in himself,—cool, determined, intrepid,—and -wholly desperate. With them are many victims -of the Act of Uniformity, godly men, eaten up with -zeal. For their freedom they would dare much; for -their faith they would spill every drop of their blood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are like our friend, the Muggletonian, -fanatics all, I suppose," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Possibly. Your fanatic is the best fighting -machine yet invented. Do you not see that these two -classes form a regiment against which no trainbands, -no force which these planters could raise, would -stand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they are scattered, dispersed through the -colony!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, but they can be brought together! And to -that end, seeing how few there are upon any one -plantation, upon the day when they rise, they must raise -with them servants and slaves. Then will they -overpower masters and overseers, and gathering to one -point, form there a force which will beat down all -opposition. It is simple enough. We will but do -that which it was proposed to do ten years ago. You -know the instructions given by the Parliament to the -four commissioners?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They were to summon the colony to surrender to -the Commonwealth. If it did so, well and good; if -not, war was to be declared, and the servants invited -to rise against their masters and so purchase their -freedom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. Berkeley submitted, and there was no -rising. This time there will be no summons, but a -rising, and a very great one. It will be, primarily, -a rising of four hundred Oliverians, strong to avenge -many and grievous wrongs; but with them will rise -servants and slaves, and to the banner of the -Commonwealth, beneath which they will march, will flock -every Nonconformist in the land, and, when success -is assured, then will come in and give us weight and -respectability those (and they are not a few) of the -better classes who long in their hearts for the good -days of the Commonwealth, and yet dare not lift a -finger to bring them back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the royalists?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If they resist, their blood be upon them! But -there shall be no carnage, no butchery. And if they -submit they shall be unmolested, even as they were -ten years ago. There is land enough for all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The servants and slaves?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They that join with us, of whatever class, shall be -freed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This insurrection is actually in train?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us call it a revolution. Yes, it is in train as -far as regards the Oliverians. We have but begun -to sound servants and slaves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am, for lack of a better, General to the Oliverians."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you believe yourself able to control these -motley forces,—men wronged and revengeful, -fanatics, peasants, brutal negroes, mulattoes (whom -they say are devils), convicts,—to say to them, 'Thus -far must you go, and no farther.' You invoke a fiend -that may turn and rend you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn shaded his eyes with his hand. "Yes," he -said at last, speaking with energy. "I do believe it! -I know it is a desperate game; but the stake! I -believe in myself. And I have four hundred able -adjutants, men who are to me what his Ironsides were to -Oliver, but none—" he stretched out his hand, thin, -white, and delicate as a woman's, and laid it upon the -brown one resting upon the table. "Lad," he said -in a gravely tender voice, "I have none upon this -plantation in whom I can put absolute trust. There -are few Oliverians here, and they are like Win-Grace -Porringer, in whom zeal hath eaten up discretion. -Lad, I need a helper! I have spoken to you freely; -I have laid my heart before you; and why? Because -I, who was and am a gentleman, see in you a gentleman, -because I would take your word before all the -oaths of all the peasant servants in Virginia, because -you have spirit and judgment; because,—in short, -because I could love you as I loved your father before -you. You have great wrongs. We will right them -together. Be my lieutenant, my confidant, my helper! -Come! put your hand in mine and say, 'I am with -you, Robert Godwyn, heart and soul.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sprang to his feet. "It were easy to say -that," he said hoarsely, "for, in all the two years I -lay rotting in prison, and in these weeks of sordid -misery here in Virginia, yours is the only face that -has looked kindly upon me, yours the only voice that -has told me I was believed.... But it is a fearful -thing you propose! If all go as you say it -will,—why WELL! but if not, Hell will be in the land. I -must have time to think, to judge for myself, to -decide—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door swung stealthily inward, and in the opening -appeared the dead white face, with the great letter -sprawling over it, of Master Win-Grace Porringer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are boats on the creek." he said. "Two -coming up, one coming down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn nodded. "I hold conference to-night with -men from this and the two neighboring plantations. -You will stay where you are and see and hear them. -Only you must be silent; for they must not know that -you are not entirely one with us, as I am well assured -you will be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are Oliverians?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All but two or three."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I secured the mulatto," interrupted the Muggletonian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," said Godwyn, "I thought it well to have one -slave representative here to-night. These mulattoes -are devils; but they can plot, and they can keep a -still tongue. But I shall not trust him or his kind -too far."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The peculiar knock—four strokes in all—sounded -upon the door, and Porringer went to it. "Who is -there?" passed on the one side, and "The sword of -the Lord and of Gideon" on the other. The door -swung open, and there entered two men of a grave -and determined cast of countenance. Both had -iron-gray hair, and one was branded upon the forehead -with the letter that appeared upon the cheek of the -Muggletonian. Again the knock sounded, the -countersign was given, and the door opened to admit a -pale, ascetic-looking youth, with glittering eyes and a -crimson spot on each cheek, who stooped heavily and -coughed often. He was followed by another stern-faced -Commonwealth's man, and he in turn by a brace -of broad-visaged rustics and a smug-faced man, who -looked like a small shop-keeper. After an interval -came two more Oliverians, grim of eye, and composed -in manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Last of all came the mulatto of the pale amber -color and the gold ear-rings; and with him came the -long-nosed, twitching-lipped convict in whose company -Landless had crossed the Atlantic. His name was -Trail; and Landless, knowing him for a villainous -rogue, started at finding him amongst the company.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His presence there was evidently unexpected; -Godwyn frowned and turned sharply upon the -mulatto. "Who gave you leave to bring this man?" -he demanded sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mulatto was at no loss. "Worthy Señors -all," he said smoothly, addressing himself to the -company in general. "This Señor Trail is a good -man, as I have reason to know. Once we were together -in San Domingo, slave to a villainous cavalier -from Seville. With the help of St. Jago and the -Mother of God, we killed him and made our escape. -Now, after many years, we meet here in a like -situation. I answer for my friend as I answer for myself, -myself, Luiz Sebastian, the humble and altogether-devoted -servant of you all, worshipful Señors."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man with the branded forehead muttered -something in which the only distinguishable words -were, "Scarlet woman," and "Papist half-breed," -and the smug-faced man cried out, "Trail is a forger -and thief! I remember his trial at the Bailey, a week -before I signed as storekeeper to Major Carrington."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This speech of the smug-faced man created something -of a commotion, and one or two started to their -feet. The mulatto looked about him with an evil eye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My friend has been in trouble, it is true," he said, -still very smoothly. "He will not make the worse -conspirator for that. And why, worthy Señors, should -you make a difference between him and one other I -see in company? Mother of God! they are both in -the same boat!" He fixed his large eyes on Landless -as he spoke, and his thick lips curled into a tigerish -smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless half rose, but Godwyn laid a detaining -hand upon his arm. "Be still," he said in a low -voice, "and let me manage this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless obeyed, and the mender of nets turned to -the assembly, who by this time were looking very -black.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Friends," he said with quiet impressiveness, "I -think you know me, Robert Godwyn, well enough to -know that I make no move in these great matters -without good and sufficient reason. I have good and -sufficient reason for wishing to associate with us this -young man,—yea, even to make him a leader among -us. He is one of us—he fought at Worcester. And -that he is an innocent man, falsely accused, falsely -imprisoned, wrongfully sent to the plantations, I well -believe,—for I will believe no wrong of the son of -Warham Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a loud murmur of surprise through the -room, and one of the Oliverians sprung to his feet, -crying out, "Warham Landless was my colonel! I -will follow his son were he ten times a convict!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn waited for the buzz of voices to cease and -then calmly proceeded, "As to this man whom Luiz -Sebastian hath brought with him, I know nothing. -But it matters little. Sooner or later we must engage -his class,—as well commence with him as with -another. He will be faithful for his own sake."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dark faces of his audience cleared gradually. -Only the youth with the hectic cheeks cried out, "I -have hated the congregation of evil doers, and I will -not sit with the wicked!" and rose as if to make for -the door. Win-Grace Porringer pulled him down -with a muttered, "Curse you for a fool! Shall not -the Lord shave with a hired razor? When these men -have done their work, then shall they be cut down -and cast into outer darkness, until when, hold thy -peace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The company now applied itself to the transaction -of business. Trail was duly sworn in, not without a -deal of oily glibness and unnecessary protestation on -his part. The man who held the little, worn Bible -now turned to Landless, but upon Godwyn's saying -quietly, "I have already sworn him," the book was -returned to the bosom of its owner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each conspirator had his report to make. Landless -listened with grave attention and growing wonder to -long lists of plantations and the servant and slave -force thereon; to news from the up-river estates, and -from the outlying settlements upon the Rappahannock -and the Pamunkey, and from across the bay in -Accomac; to accounts of secret arsenals slowly filling -with rude weapons; to allusions to the well-affected -sailors on board those ships that were likely to be in -harbor during the next two months;—to the details -of a formidable and far-reaching conspiracy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Oliverians spoke of the hour in which this mine -should be sprung as the great and appointed day of -the Lord, the day when the Lord was to stretch forth -his hand and smite the malignants, the day when -Israel should be delivered out of the hand of Pharaoh. -The branded man apostrophized Godwyn as Moses. -Their stern and rigid features relaxed, their eyes -glistened, their breath came short and thick. Once -the youth who had wished to avoid the company of -the wicked broke into hysterical sobbing. The two -rustics spoke little, but possibly thought the more. -To them the day of the Lord translated itself the day -of their obtaining a freehold. The smug-faced -shopkeeper put in his oar now and again, but only to be -swept aside by the torrent of Biblical quotation. -The newly admitted Trail kept a discreet silence, but -used his furtive greenish eyes to good purpose. Luiz -Sebastian sat with the stillness of a great, yellow, -crouching tiger cat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn heard all in silence. Not till the last man -had had his say did he begin to speak, approving, -suggesting, directing, moulding in his facile hands the -incongruous and disjointed mass of information and -opinion into a rounded whole. The men, listening to -him with breathless attention, gave grim nods of -approval. At one point of his discourse the branded -man cried out:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the Puritan gentry you talk of would gird -themselves like men, and come forth to the battle, -how quickly would the Lord's work be done! They -are the drones within the hive! They expect the -honey, but do not the work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is so," said Godwyn, "but they have lands -and goods and fame to lose. We have naught to -lose—can be no worse off than we are now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the Laodicean, Carrington,"—began the -branded man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn interrupted him. "This is beside the -matter. Major Carrington is a godly man who hath, -though in secret, done many kindnesses to us poor -prisoners of the Lord. Let us be content with that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A moment later he said, "It waxeth late, friends, -and loath would I be for one of you to be discovered. -Come to me again a week from to-night. The word -will be, 'The valley of Jehoshaphat.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The conspirators dropped away, in twos and threes -gliding silently off in their stolen boats between the -walls of waving grass. When, last of all save Landless -and the Muggletonian, Trail and Luiz Sebastian -approached the door, Godwyn stopped them with a -gesture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay a moment," he said. "I have a word to say -to you. We may as well be frank with you. I -distrust you, of course. It is natural that I should. -And you distrust me as much. It is natural that you -should. I would do without the aid of you and the -class you represent if I could, but I cannot. You -would do without my aid if you could, but you cannot. -Betray me, and whatever blood money you get, it will -not be that freedom which you want. We are obliged -to work together, unequal yoke-fellows as we are. Do -I make myself understood?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To a marvel, Señor," said Luiz Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damn my soul, but you 're a sharp one!" said Trail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn smiled. "That is enough, we understand -one another. Good-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two glided off in their turn, and Godwyn said -to the Muggletonian, "Friend Porringer, that mended -sail must be bestowed in the large boat before the hut -against Haines' coming for it in the morning. Will -you take it to the boat for me? And if you will wait -there this young man shall join you shortly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian nodded, piled the heap of dingy -sail upon his head and strode off. The mender of nets -turned to Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," he said. "What do you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said Landless, raising his voice, "that -the gentleman in the dark corner must be tired of -standing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a dead silence. Then a piece of shadow -detached itself from the other heavy shadows in the -dark corner and came forward into the torch light, -where it resolved itself into a handsome figure of a -man, apparently in the prime of life, and wearing a -riding cloak of green cloth and a black riding mask. -Not content with the concealment afforded by the -mask, he had pulled his beaver low over his eyes and -with one hand held the folds of the cloak about the -lower part of his face. He rested the other ungloved -hand upon the table and stared fixedly at Landless. -"You have good eyes," he said at last, in a voice as -muffled as his countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a warm night," said Landless with a smile. -"If Major Carrington would drop that heavy cloak, -he would find it more comfortable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man recoiled. "You know me!" he cried -incredulously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know the Carrington arms and motto. </span><em class="italics">Tenax -et Fidelis</em><span>, is it not? You should not wear your -signet ring when you go a-plotting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Surveyor-General of the Colony dropped his -cloak, and springing forward seized Landless by the -shoulders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You dog!" he hissed between his teeth, "if you -dare betray me, I 'll have every drop of your blood -lashed out of your body!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless wrenched himself free. "I am no traitor," -he said coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington recovered himself. "Well, well," he -said, still breathing hastily, "I believe you. I heard -all that passed to-night, and I believe you. You have -been a gentleman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Had I my sword, I should be happy to give Major -Carrington proof," said Landless sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other smiled. "There, there, I was hasty, but -by Heaven! you gave me a start! I ask your pardon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless bowed, and the mender of nets struck in. -"I was sorry to keep you so long, Major Carrington, -in such an uncomfortable position. But the arrival -of the Muggletonian before he was due, together with -your desire for secrecy, left me no alternative."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I surmise, friend Godwyn, that you would not -have been sorry had this young man proclaimed his -discovery in full conclave," said Carrington with a -keen glance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn's thin cheek flushed, but he answered -composedly, "It is certainly true that I would like to -see Major Carrington committed beyond withdrawal -to this undertaking. But he will do me the justice to -believe that if, by raising my finger, I could so -commit him, I would not do so without his permission."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Faith, it is so!" said the other, then turned to -Landless with a stern smile. "You will understand, -young man, that Miles Carrington never attended, nor -will attend, a meeting wherein the peace of the realm -is conspired against by servants. If Miles Carrington -ever visits Robert Godwyn, servant to Colonel -Verney, 't is simply to employ him (with his master's -consent) in the mending of nets, or to pass an idle -hour reading Plato, Robert Godwyn having been a -scholar of note at home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly," said Landless, answering the smile. -"Major Carrington and Master Godwyn are at -present much interested in the philosopher's pretty but -idle conception of a Republic, wherein philosophers -shall rule, and warriors be the bulwark of the state, -and no Greek shall enslave a fellow Greek, but only -outer barbarians—all of which is vastly pretty on -paper—but they agree that it would turn the world -upside down were it put into practice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely," said Carrington with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had best be off, lad," put in Godwyn. "Woodson -is an early riser, and he must not catch you -gadding.... You will think on what you have heard -to-night, and will come to me again as soon as you -can make opportunity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Landless slowly. "I will come, but I -make no promises."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He found Porringer seated in their boat, patiently -awaiting him. They cast off and rowed back the way -they had come through the stillness of the hour before -dawn. The tide being full, the black banks had -disappeared, and the grass, sighing and whispering, -waved on a level with their boat. When they slid -at last into the broader waters of the inlet, the stars -were paling, and in the east there gleamed a faint rose -tint, the ghost of a color. A silver mist lay upon land -and water, and through it they stole undetected to -their several cabins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the two men, left alone in the hut on the -marsh, looked one another in the face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you sure that he can be trusted?" demanded -Carrington.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would answer for his father's son with my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What of these scruples of his? Faith! an unusual -conjunction—a convict and scruples! Will you -manage to dispose of them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn smiled with wise, sad eyes. "Time will -dispose of them," he said quietly. "He is new to the -life. Let him taste its full bitterness. It will plead -powerfully against his—scruples. He has as yet no -special and private grievance. Wait until he gets into -trouble with Woodson or his master. When he has -done that and has taken the consequences, he will be -ours. We can bide our time."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-new-secretary"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE NEW SECRETARY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<!-- --> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>That, from the nunnery</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>To war and arms I flee....</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Yet this inconstancy is such</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>As you too shall adore.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>I could not love thee, dear, so much,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Loved I not honor more."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The rich notes rang higher and higher, filling the -languid air, and drowning the trill of the mockingbirds. -Patricia, filling her apron with midsummer -flowers, sang with a careless passion, her mind far -away in the midst of a Whitehall pageant, described -to her the night before by that silver-tongued courtier, -Sir Charles Carew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still singing, she went up the steps of the porch -and into the cool wide hall. In her face there was a -languorous beauty born of the sunshine outside; a soft -color glowed in her cheeks, her eyes were large and -dreamy, little damp tendrils of gold strayed about her -temples. She threw down her hat, and loosened the -kerchief of delicate lawn from about her warm young -throat; then, with the flowers still in her arms, she -raised the latch of the door of a room held sacred to -Colonel Verney, and entered, to find herself face to -face with the convict, Godfrey Landless, who sat at a -table covered with papers, busily writing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She started violently, and the mass of flowers fell -to the floor, shattering the petals from the roses and -poppies. Landless came forward, knelt down, and, -picking them up, restored them to her without a -word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you," she said coldly. "I thought my -father was here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Colonel Verney is in the next room, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She moved to the door leading into the great room -with the gait of a princess, and Landless went back to -his work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Verney, on his knees before the richly -carven chest containing his library, looked up from -the two score volumes to behold a mass of brilliant -blooms transferred from two white arms to the ground -outside the open window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, sweetheart," he said. "What is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Papa," she said, coming to his side, and looking -down upon him with a vexed face: "you promised -me that you would employ no more convicts in the -house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, so I did, my dear," answered her father, -comfortably seating himself upon "Purchas: His -Pilgrimmes." "And I meant to keep my word, but this -is the way of it. The day after you went to -Rosemead with Betty Carrington, down comes young Shaw -with the fever, and has to be sent home to his mother. -His illness came at a precious inconvenient season, for -the gout was in my fingers again, and I was bent on -disappointing William Berkeley, who hath wagered a -thousand pounds of sweet scented that my 'Statement -of the Evil Wrought by the Navigation Laws to His -Majesty's Colony of Virginia' won't be finished in -time for the sailing of the God-Speed. So I told -Woodson to find me some one among the men who -knew how to write. He brought me this fellow, and -I vow he is an improvement on young Shaw. He -does n't ask questions, and he is a very pretty Latinist. -The paper will be finished to-day. I was but searching -for a neat quotation to close with. Then the -fellow will go back to the tobacco, and you will be no -longer annoyed by his presence in the house. Now -kiss me, sweet chuck, and begone, for I am busied -upon affairs of state."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Left alone, Colonel Verney pored over his books -until he found what he wanted, when, after rearranging -his library in the carved chest, he rose stiffly to -his feet, and went into the next room and up to the -writing-table. Landless rose from his seat, and, -resigning it to his master, stood gravely by while the -Colonel looked over the manuscript upon which he had -been employed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha!" said the Colonel. "A very fair copy! You -have numbered and headed the pages, I observe. Let -me see, let me see, let me see," and he ran them over -between his fingers. "Oppressive Nature of the -Act.—Grave Dissatisfaction.—It advantageth No One -save Small Traders at Home.—Increase of Revenue -to His Majesty if 't were repealed.—Dutch -Bottoms.—Trade with Russia.—His Majesty's Poor Planters -Throw Themselves upon His Majesty's Mercy. Very -good, very good!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is nigh finished, sir," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, ay! By the Lord Harry, William Berkeley -will repent his wager! A pretty paper it is, and -containeth many excellent points and much good Latin, -and you have copied it fairly and cleanly. It is a -pity, my man," he added not unkindly, "that you -should have lived so evilly as to bring yourself to this -pass, for you have in you the making of an excellent -secretary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it your will, sir, that I finish the copy now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but take it to the small table within the -window there. I myself will sit here and jot down some -ideas for my dedication which you can afterwards -amplify."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The worthy colonel pulled the big Turkey worked -chair closer to the table, turned back his ruffles and -fell to work. Landless retired to the table within the -window, and for a while naught was heard in the quiet -room but the scratching of quills, as master and man -drove them across the whitey-brown sheets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the master pushed his chair back and -stretched himself with a prodigious yawn. "The -Lord be thanked!" he said, addressing the air. -"That's done! And it is time to see to the dressing -of that sore upon Prince Rupert's shoulder; and I -remember Haines said that one of the hounds had -been gored by Carrington's bull. Haines can't dress -a wound. Haines is a bungler. But, by the Lord -Harry! Richard Verney is as good a veterinary as -he is a statesman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lifted his burly figure from the depths of the -chair, and going over to Landless, dropped upon the -table before him a page of hieroglyphics for him to -decipher at his leisure. Then with another word of -commendation for the beauty of the copy, he walked -heavily from the room. A moment later Landless -heard him whistle to his dogs, and then break into -a stave of a cavalier drinking song, sung at the top -of a full manly voice, and dying away in the direction -of the stables.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless' hand moved to and fro across the paper -with a tireless patience. He did not go back to the -central table, for the light was better in the window, -and a vagrant breath of air strayed in now and then. -The window was a deep one, and heavy drugget -curtains hung between it and the rest of the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door opened and a man's voice said: "This -room is darkened into delicious coolness. Shall we -try it, cousin?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia entered like a sunbeam, and after her -sauntered Sir Charles Carew, languid, debonair, and -perfectly appareled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, seeing them plainly, did not realize that -in the shadow of the heavy curtains he was himself -unseen. He had grown so accustomed to the quiet -insolence that overlooks the presence of an inferior as -it does that of any other article of furniture, that he -did not doubt that the fine lady and gentleman -before him were perfectly aware of the presence in the -room of the slave whom his master's caprice had -raised for the moment to the post of secretary. It -was some few minutes before he began to consider -within himself that he might be mistaken.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-interrupted-wooing"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">AN INTERRUPTED WOOING</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Sir Charles pushed forward the big chair for -Patricia, and himself dropped upon a stool at her feet. -Taking her fan from her, he began to play with it, -lightly commenting on the picture of the Rape of -Europa with which it was adorned. Suddenly he -closed it, tossed it aside, and leaning forward, -possessed himself of her hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam, sweet cousin, divinest Patricia," he -exclaimed in a carefully impassioned tone; "do you -not know that I am your slave, the captive of your -bow and spear, that I adore you? I adore you! and -you, flinty-hearted goddess, give no word of -encouragement to your prostrate worshiper. You trample -upon the offering of sighs and tears which he lays at -your feet; you will not listen when he would pour -into your ear his aspirations towards a sweeter and -richer life than he has ever known. Will it be ever -thus? Will not the goddess stoop from her throne -to make him the happiest of mortals, to win his -eternal gratitude, to become herself forever the object of -the most respectful, the most ardent, the most devoted -love?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He flung himself upon his knee and pressed her -hand to his heart with passion not all affected. He -had come to consider it a piece of monstrous good -luck, that, since he must make a wealthy match, -Providence (or whatever as a Hobbist he put in place of -Providence), had, in pointing him the fortune, pointed -also to Patricia Verney. But the night before, in the -privacy of his chamber, he had suddenly sat up -between the Holland sheets with a startled and amused -expression upon his handsome face, swathed around -with a wonderful silken night-cap, and had exclaimed -to the carven heads surmounting the bed-posts, "May -the Lard sink me! but I 'm in love!" and had lain -down again with an astonished laugh. While sipping -his morning draught he made up his mind to secure -the prize that very day, in pursuance of which -determination he made a careful toilet, assuming a suit -that was eminently becoming to his blonde beauty. -Also his valet slightly darkened the lower lids of his -eyes, thereby giving him a larger, more languishing -and melancholy aspect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia, from the depths of the Turkey worked -chair, gazed with calm amusement upon her kneeling -suitor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You talk beautifully, cousin," she said at length. -"'Tis as good as a page from 'Artemène.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles bit his lip. "It is a page from my -heart, madam; nay, it is my heart itself that I show -you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And would you forsake all those beautiful ladies -who are so madly in love with you?—I vow, sir, you -told me so yourself! Let me see, there was Lady -Mary and Lady Betty, Mistress Winifred, the -Countess of —— and Madame la Duchesse de ——. Will -Corydon leave all the nymphs lamenting to run after -a little salvage wench who does not want him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'S death, madam! you mock me!" cried the -baronet, starting to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sure, I meant no harm, cousin; I but put in a -good word for the poor ladies at Whitehall. I fear -that you are but a recreant wooer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you marry me, madam?" demanded Sir -Charles, standing before her with folded arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She slowly shook her head. "I do not love you, -cousin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will teach you to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think you can," she said demurely. -"Though I am sure I do not know why I do not. -You are a very fine gentleman, a soldier and a courtier, -witty, brave and handsome—and this match"—a -sigh—"is my father's dearest wish. But I do not -love you, sir, and I shall not marry you until I do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" cried Sir Charles, and sunk again upon -his knee. "You give me hope! I will teach you to -love me! I will exhibit towards you such absolute -fidelity, such patient devotion, such uncomplaining -submission to your cruel probation, that you will -perforce pity me, and pity will grow by soft degrees into -blessed love. I do not despair, madam!" He pressed -her hand to his lips and cast his fine eyes upward in -a killing look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia gave a charming laugh. "As you please, -Sir Charles. In the mean time let us be once more -simply good friends and loving cousins. Tell me as -much as you please of Lady Mary's charms, but leave -Patricia Verney's alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles rose from his knees, smarting under an -amazed sense of failure, and very angry with the girl -who had discarded him, Charles Carew, as smilingly -as if he had been one of the very provincial youths -whom he awed into awkward silence every time they -came to Verney Manor. Without doubt she deserved -the condign punishment which it was in his power to -inflict by sailing away upon the next ship which should -leave for England. But he was now obstinately bent -upon winning her. If not to-day, to-morrow; and -if not to-morrow, the next day; and if not that, the -day after. He was of the school of Buckingham and -Rochester. He could devote to the capture of a -woman all the tireless energy, the strategic skill, the -will, the patience, the daring, of a great general. He -could mine and countermine, could plan an ambuscade -here, and lead a forlorn hope there, could take -one intrenchment by storm, and another by treachery. -And victory seldom forsook her perch upon his banners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Life in Virginia was pleasant enough, and he could -afford to devote several months to this siege. As to -how it would terminate he had not the slightest doubt. -But just now it was the course of wisdom to retreat -upon the position held yesterday, and that as quickly -as possible. So he smoothed his face into a fine calm, -modulated his voice into its usual tone of languor, -and said with quiet melancholy:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are pleased to be cruel, madam. I submit. -I will bide my time until that thrice happy day when -you will have learnt the lesson I would teach, when -Love, tyrannous Love, shall compel your allegiance -as he does mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A far day!" said Patricia with soft laughter. -"You had best return to Lady Mary. I do not think -that I shall ever love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She lifted her white arms, and clasping them -behind her head, gazed at him with soft, bright, -untroubled eyes and smiling lips. The sunlight, filtering -through the darkened windows in long bright stripes, -laid a shaft of gold athwart her shoulder and lit her -hair into a glory. From out the distance came the -colonel's voice:—</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"In his train see sweet Peace, fairest Queen of the sky,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Ev'ry bliss in her look, ev'ry charm in her eye.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whilst oppression, corruption, vile slav'ry and fear</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>At his wished for return never more shall appear.</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>Your glasses charge high, 'tis in great Charles' praise,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>In praise, in praise, 'tis in great Charles' praise."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Some one outside the door coughed, and then rattled -the latch vigorously. These precautions taken, the -door was opened and there appeared Mistress Lettice, -gorgeously attired, and with an extra row of ringlets -sweeping her withered neck, and a deeper tinge of -vermilion upon her cheeks,—for she had waked -that morning with a presentiment that Mr. Frederick -Jones would ride over in the course of the day. Sir -Charles rose to hand her to a chair, but she waved -him back with a thin, beringed hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you, Sir Charles: but I will not trouble -you. I am going down to the summer-house by the -road, as I think the air there will cure my migraine. -Patricia, love, I am looking for my 'Clelie,'—the -fourth volume. Have you seen it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Aunt Lettice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very strange," said Mrs. Lettice plaintively. -"I am sure that I left it in this room. 'T is that -careless slut of a Chloe who deserves a whipping. -She hides things away like a magpie."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look in the window; you may have left it there," -said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Lettice approached the window, laid a hand -upon the curtain, and started back with a scream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, madam?" cried the baronet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T is a man! a horrid, horrid man hiding there, -waiting to cut all our throats in the dead of night as -the Redemptioner did to the family at Martin-Brandon! -Oh! Oh! Oh!" and Mrs. Lettice threw her -apron over her head, and sank into the nearest chair. -Patricia started up. Sir Charles, striding hastily -towards the window, his hand upon his sword, was -met by the emerging figure of Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two gazed at each other, Sir Charles' first -haughty surprise fast deepening into passion as he -remembered that the man before him had assisted at -the scene of a while before, had witnessed his discomfiture, -had seen him upon his knees, baffled, repulsed, -even laughed at!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was the first to speak. "Well, sirrah," he said -between his teeth, "what have you to say for yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That I ask your pardon," said Landless steadily. -"I should have made known my presence in the -room. But at first I thought you aware of it; and -when I discovered that you were not, I ... it seemed -best to remain silent. I was wrong. I should have -made some sign even then. Again, I beg your -pardon." He turned to Patricia, who stood, tall, straight, -and coldly indignant, beside the chair from which she -had risen. "Madam," he said in a voice that faltered, -despite himself, "I crave your forgiveness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She bit her coral under lip, and looked at him from -under veiled eyelids. It was a cruel look, very -expressive of scorn, abhorrence, and perhaps of fear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My father hath many unmannerly servants," she -said coldly and clearly, "who often provoke me. But -I pardon them because they know no better. It seems -that like allowance cannot be made for you. -However," she smiled icily, "I shall not complain of you -to my father, which assurance will doubtless content -you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless turned from burning red to deadly white. -His eyes, fixed upon the floor, caught the rich shimmer -of her skirts as she moved towards the door; a -moment and she was gone, leaving the two men facing -each other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Between them there existed a subtle but strong -antagonism. Sir Charles Carew, courtier in a coarse and -shameless court masquerading under a glittering show -of outward graces, had taken lazy delight in heaping -quiet insults upon the man who could not resent them. -This amusement had beguiled the tedium of the -Virginia voyage; and when chance threw them together -upon a Virginia plantation, where life flowed on in -one long, placid lack of variety, the sport became -doubly prized. It had to be pursued at longer -intervals, but pursued it was. Heretofore the amusement -had been all upon one side; now, Sir Charles felt a -chagrined suspicion that it was he who had afforded -the entertainment. Simultaneously with arriving at -this conclusion he arrived at a point where he was -coldly furious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless returned his look coolly and boldly. He -considered that he had made quite sufficient apology -for an offense which was largely involuntary, and he -was in no mood for further abasement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are an insolent rascal," said the baronet smoothly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless smiled. "Sir Charles Carew should be a -good judge of insolence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles took a leisurely pinch of snuff, shook -the fallen grains from his ruffles, snapped the lid of -the box, looked languishingly at the miniature that -adorned it, replaced the box in his pocket, and -remarked, "Well, I am waiting!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And for what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To hear your petition that I forbear to bring this -matter to the notice of your master. The lady -mercifully gave you her promise. I suppose I must follow -so fair an example."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir Charles Carew may wait till doomsday to hear -that or any other request made by me to him or to the -lady—who does not seem always mercifully inclined—" -he broke off with a slight and expressive smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles took another pinch of snuff. "May -the Lard blast me," he drawled, "if they do not teach -repartee at Newgate! But I forget that the tongue is -the only weapon of women and slaves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some day I hope to teach you otherwise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other laughed. "So the slave thinks he can -use a sword? Where did he learn? In Newgate, -from some broken captain, as payment for imparting -the trick of stealing by the Book?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless forced himself to stand quiet, his arms -folded, his fingers tightly clenching the sleeves of his -coarse shirt. "Shall I tell Sir Charles Carew where -I first used my sword with good effect?" he said in -an ominously quiet voice. "At Worcester I was but -a stripling, but I fought by the side of my father. I -remember that, young as I was, I disabled a very -pretty perfumed and ringleted Cavalier. I think he -was afterwards sold to the Barbadoes. And my father -praised my sword play."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your father," said the other, bringing his strong -white teeth together with a click. "Like father, like -son. The latter a detected rogue, gaol-bird, and -slave; the former a d—d canting, sniveling Roundhead -hypocrite and traitor, with a text ever at hand -to excuse parricide and sacrilege."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sprang forward and struck him in the face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He staggered beneath the weight of the blow; then, -recovering himself, he whipped out his rapier, but -presently slapped it home again. "I am a gentleman," -he said, with an airy laugh. "I cannot fight -you." And stood, slightly smiling, and pressing his -laced handkerchief to his cheek whence had started a -few drops of blood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Lettice, whom curiosity or the search for the -fourth volume of "Clelie" had detained in the room, -screamed loudly as the blow fell; and Colonel -Verney, appearing at the door, stopped short, and stared -from one to the other of the two men.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="landless-pays-the-piper"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">LANDLESS PAYS THE PIPER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The hut of the mender of nets stood upon a -narrow isthmus connecting two large tracts of marsh. -That to the eastward was partially submerged at high -tide; that to the west, being higher ground, waved its -long grass triumphantly above the reaching waters. -Upon this side the marsh was separated from the -mainland of forest and field by a creek so narrow that -the great pines upon one margin cast their shadows -across to the other, and one fallen giant quite spanned -the sluggish waters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The grass of this marsh was annually cut for hay; -for though the great herds of cattle belonging to the -different plantations roamed at large through all -seasons of the year, seeking their sustenance from forest -or marsh, the more provident of the planters were -accustomed to make some slight provision against the -winter, which might prove a severe one with snow and ice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was late afternoon, and the hay was cut. The -half dozen mowers threw themselves down upon the -stubble, stretching out tired limbs and pillowing -heated foreheads upon their arms. They had been -given until sunset to do the work. Having no -taskmaster over them, and being hid from the tobacco-fields -by a convenient coppice of pine and cedar, they -had set to work in a fury of diligence, had cut and -stacked the grass in a race with time, and now found -themselves possessed of a precious hour in which to -dawdle, and swap opinions and tobacco before the -sunset horn should call them to quarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three were indented servants, lumbering, honest-visaged -youths whose aims in life were simple and -well defined. Their creed had but four articles: "Do -as little as you can consistently with keeping out of -the overseer's black books; get your full share of -loblolly and bacon, and some one else's if you are clever -enough; embrace every opportunity for reasonable -mischief that is offered you; honor Church and King, -or say you do, and Colonel Verney will overlook most -pranks." Of the others, one was the Muggletonian, -one the mulatto, Luiz Sebastian, and one a convict, -not Trail, but the red-haired, pock-marked, sullen -wretch who had come to the plantation with Trail and -Landless, and whose name was Roach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the rustics, who seemed more intelligent -than his fellows, and who had a good-humored deviltry -in his young face and big blue eyes, began an excellent -imitation of Dr. Nash's exhortation to submission -and obedience delivered upon the last instruction day -for servants, and soon had his audience of two -guffawing with laughter. The mulatto and the convict -edged by imperceptible degrees farther and farther -away from the others, until, within the shadow of a -stack of grass, they lay side by side and commenced a -muttered conversation. The countenance of the white -man, atrocious villainy written large in every -lineament, became horribly intent as his amber-hued -companion talked in fluent low tones, emphasizing what -he had to say by a restless, peculiar, and sinister -motion of his long, yellow fingers. At a little distance -lay the Muggletonian, his elbows on the ground, his -ghastly face in his hands, and his eyes riveted upon -the Geneva Bible which he had drawn from his bosom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he had brought his entertainment to a finish, -the blue-eyed youth rolled himself over and over the -stubble to where the Muggletonian lay, intent upon a -chapter of invective. The youth covered the page -with one enormous paw and playfully attempted to -insert the little finger of the other into the hole in -Porringer's ear. "What now, old Runaway," he -said, lazily, "hunting up fresh curses to pour on our -unfort'net heads?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cursed be he who makes a mock of age," said -the Muggletonian, grimly. "May he be even as the -wicked children who cried to the prophet, 'Go up, -thou baldhead!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy laughed. "Tell me when you see brown -bear a-coming," quoth he. "Losh! a bear steak -would taste mighty good after eternal bacon!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Porringer closed his book and restored it to his -bosom. "Tell me," he said, abruptly, "have you -seen aught of the young man called Landless?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'The young man called Landless,'" answered the -other, petulantly, "has a d—d easy berth of it! -Yesterday evening I carried water from the spring to the -great house to water Mistress Patricia's posies, and -every time I passes the window of the master's room -I see that fellow a-sitting at his ease in a fine chair -before a fine table, writing away as big as all out of -doors. And every time I says to him, says I, 'I -reckon you think yourself as fine as the Lord Mayor -of London? A pretty sec'tary you make!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you seen him to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I have n't seen him to-day,—but I see -someone else. Mates," he exclaimed, "Witch Margery's -coming down t' other side of creek. I 'll call her -over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Scrambling to his feet he gave a low halloo through -his hands, "Margery! Margery! Come and find the -road to Paradise!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery waved her hand to signify that she heard -and understood, and presently stepped upon the fallen -tree that spanned the stream. It was a narrow and a -slippery bridge, but she flitted across it with the secure -grace of some woodland thing, and, staff in hand, -advanced towards the men. Between them and the -western sun she stood still, a dark figure against a -halo of gold light, and threw an intent and searching -glance over the unbroken green of the marsh and the -blue of the waters beyond. Then with a wild laugh -she came up to them and cast her staff wreathed with -dark ivy upon the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The road is not here," she cried. "Here is all -green grass, and beyond is the weary, weary, weary -sea! There is no long, bright, shining road to -Paradise." She sat down beside her staff, and taking her -chin into her hand, stared fixedly at the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men gathered around her, with the exception -of the Muggletonian, who, after audibly comparing -her to the Witch of Endor, turned on his side and -drew his cap over his eyes as if to shut out the hated -sight. The convict took up the staff and began to -pull from it the strings of ivy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put it down!" she said quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man continued to strip it of its leafy mantle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put it down, can't you?" said the youth. "She -never lets any one touch it. She says an angel gave -it to her to help her on her way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a snarling laugh the convict threw it from -him with all his force. Whirling through the air it -struck the water midway from shore to shore. -Margery sprang to her feet with a loud cry. The boy -rose also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"D—n you!" he said, wrathfully. "I'd like to -break it over your misshapen back! Here, Margery, -don't fret. I 'll get it for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He ran to the bank, dived into the water, and in -three minutes was back with the dripping mass in his -arms. He gave it into Margery's hands, saying -kindly while he shook himself like a large spaniel; -"There! it is n't hurt a mite!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a cry of delight Margery seized the "angel's -gift" and kissed the hand that restored it. Then she -turned upon the convict.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When I go back to my cabin in the woods," she -said, solemnly, and with her finger up, "I shall whistle -all the fairy folk into a ring, all the elves and the -pixies, and the little brown gnomes who burrow in the -leaves and look for all the world like pine cones, and -I shall tell them what you did, and to-night they will -come to your cabin, and will pinch you black and -blue, and stick thorns into you, and rub you with the -poison leaf until you are blotched and swelled like the -great bull frog that croaks, croaks, in these marshes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an uneasy ring in the convict's laugh, -full of bravado as he meant it to be. Margery -continued with an ominously extended forefinger. "And -then they will fly to the great house where the master -lies sleeping, and they will whisper to him that you -took away the angel's gift from poor, lost Margery, -and he will be angry, for he is good to Margery, and -to-morrow he will make Woodson do to you what he -did to-day to the Breaking Heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the Breaking Heart!" exclaimed her auditors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery nodded. "Yes, the Breaking Heart. You -call him Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian sat up. "What dost thou mean, -wretched woman! fit descendant of the mother of all -evil?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery, offended by his tone, only pursed up her -lips and looked wise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did the master have done to Landless, -Margery?" asked the youth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery threw her worn figure into a singular posture. -Standing perfectly straight, she raised her arms -from her sides and spread them stiffly out, the hands -turned inward in a peculiar fashion. Then, still with -extended arms, she swayed slightly forward until she -appeared to lean against, or to be fastened to, some -support. Next she threw her head back and to one -side, so that her face might be seen in three quarter -over her shoulder. Her mobile features wreathed -themselves in an expression of pain and rage. Her -brows drew downward, her thin lips curled themselves -away from the gleaming teeth, and, at intervals of half -a minute or more, her eyelids quivered, she shuddered, -and her whole frame appeared to shrink together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pantomime was too expressive to be misunderstood -by men each of whom had probably his own -reasons for recognizing some one or all of its features. -The convict broke into a yelling laugh, in which he -was joined, though in a subdued and sinister fashion, -by Luiz Sebastian. The rustics looked at each other -with slow grins of comprehension, and the blue-eyed -youth uttered a long shrill whistle. The great letter -upon the cheek of the Muggletonian turned a deeper -red, and his eyes burned. The youth was curious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell us all about it, Margery," he said, coaxingly, -"and when the millons are ripe, I 'll steal you one -every night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery was nothing loth. She had attained the -reputation of an accomplished </span><em class="italics">raconteuse</em><span>, and she was -proud of it. Her crazed imagination peopled the -forest with weird uncanny things, and fearful tales -she told of fays and bugaboos, of spectres and awful -voices speaking from out the dank stillness of twilight -hollows. Often she sent quaking to their pallets men -who would have heard the war-whoop with scarcely -quickened pulses. And she could tell of every-day -domestic happenings as well as of the doings of the -powers of darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her audience listened greedily to the instance of -plantation economy which she proceeded to relate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When was this, woman?" demanded the Muggletonian, -when she had finished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery pointed to the declining sun and then -upwards to a spot a little past the zenith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just after the nooning," said the Muggletonian, -and began to curse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery stood up, her staff in her hand, and said -airily, "Margery must be going. The sun is growing -large and red, and when he has slipped away behind -the woods, the voices will begin to call to Margery -from the hollow where the brook falls into the black -pool. She must be there to answer them." She -moved away with a rapid and gliding step, flitted -across the fallen tree, and was lost to sight in the -shadow of the pines beyond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the last flutter of her light robe vanished, a figure -appeared, walking rapidly along the opposite margin -of the creek. The youth's sight was keen. He sent -a piercing glance across the intervening distance and -broke into an astonished laugh. "Lord in Heaven! it's -the man himself!" he cried in an awed tone. -"Ecod! he must be made of iron!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless crossed the bridge and came towards the -staring group. His face was white and set, and there -were dark circles beneath his eyes, which had the wide -unseeing stare of a sleep-walker. He walked lightly -and quickly, with a free, lithe swing of his body. The -men looked at one another in rough wonder, knowing -what was hidden by the coarse shirt. He passed -them without a word, apparently without knowing -that they were there, and went on towards the hut of -the mender of nets. Presently they saw him enter -and shut the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rustics and the convict, after one long stare of -amazement at the distant hut, began to comment -freely and with much recondite blasphemy upon the -transaction recorded by Margery. Luiz Sebastian -only smiled amiably, like a lazy and well-disposed -catamount, and the boy whistled long and thoughtfully. -But the countenance of Master Win-Grace Porringer -wore an expression of secret satisfaction.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="landless-becomes-a-conspirator"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">LANDLESS BECOMES A CONSPIRATOR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As Landless entered the hut Godwyn looked up -with a pleased smile from the net he was mending. -The two men had not seen each other since the night -upon which Landless had been brought to the hut by -the Muggletonian. Twice had Landless laid his -plans for a second visit, only to be circumvented each -time by the watchfulness of the overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The smile died from Godwyn's face as he observed -his visitor more closely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" he asked quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless came up to him and held out his hand. -"I am with you, Robert Godwyn, heart and soul," -he said steadily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets grasped the hand. "I knew -you would come," he said, drawing a long breath. -"I have needed you sorely, lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could not come before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know: Porringer told me you were prevented. -I—" He still held Landless' hand in both his own, -and as he spoke his slender fingers encircled the -young man's wrist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter with your pulse?" he demanded. -"And your eyes! They are glazing! Sit down!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is nothing," said Landless, speaking with -effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have been a physician, young man," retorted -the other. "Sit down, or you will fall."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He forced him down upon a settle from which he -had himself risen, and stood looking at him, his hand -upon his shoulder. Presently his glance fell to the -shoulder, and he saw upon the white cloth where his -hand pressed it against the flesh, a faint red stain -grow and spread.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of the mender of nets grew very dark. -"So!" he said beneath his breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He limped across the hut and drew from some -secret receptacle above the fireplace a flask, from -which he poured a crimson liquid into an earthen -cup; then hobbled back to Landless, sitting with -closed eyes and head bowed upon the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Drink, lad," he said with grave tenderness. "'T is -a cordial of mine own invention, and in the strength -it gave me I fled from Cropredy Bridge though -woefully hacked and spent. Drink!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He held the cup to the young man's lips. Landless -drained it and felt the blood gush back to his -heart and the ringing in his ears to cease. Presently -he raised his head. "Thank you," he said. "I am -a man again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is it that you are here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless smiled grimly. "I imagine it's because -Woodson thinks me effectually laid by the heels. -When he goes the rounds at supper time he will be -surprised to find my pallet empty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be in quarters before then. You must -not get into further trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well," was the indifferent reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were silent for a few moments, and then -Landless spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am come to tell you, Master Godwyn, that I -will join in any plan, however desperate, that may -bring me release from an intolerable and degrading -slavery. You may use me as you please. I will work -for you with hands and head, ay, and with my heart -also, for you have been kind to me, and I am grateful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mender of nets touched him softly upon the -hand. "Lad," he said, "I once had a son who was -my pride and my hope. In his young manhood he -fell at the storming of Tredah. But the other night -when I talked with you, I seemed to see him again, -and my heart yearned over him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless held out his hand. "I have no father," -he said simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now," at length said Godwyn, "to business! I -must not keep you now, but come to me to-morrow -night if you can manage it. You may speak to -Win-Grace Porringer, and he will help you. I will then -tell you all my arrangements, give you figures and -names, possess you, in short, with all that I, and I -alone, know of this matter. And my heart is glad -within me, for though my broken body is tied to my -bench here, I shall now have a lieutenant indeed. I -have conceived; you shall execute. The son of -Warham Landless, if he have a tithe of his father's -powers, will do much, very much. For more than a year -I have longed for such an one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me but one thing," said Landless, "and I am -content. You have so planned this business that there -shall be no wanton bloodshed? You intend no harm, -for instance, to the family yonder?" with a motion -of his head towards the great house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God forbid!" said the other quickly. "I tell -you that not one woman or innocent soul shall suffer. -Nor do I wish harm to the master of this plantation, -who is, after the lights of a Malignant, a true and -kindly man, and a gentleman. This is what will -happen. Upon an appointed day the servants, Oliverian, -indented and convict, upon all the plantations seated -upon the bay, the creeks, the three rivers, and over -in Accomac, will rise. They will overpower their -overseers and those of their fellows who may remain -faithful to the masters, will call upon the slaves to -follow them, and will march (the force of each -plantation under a captain or captains appointed by me), -to an appointed place in this county. All going well, -there should be mustered at that place within the -space of a day and a night a force of some two -thousand men—such an army as this colony hath never -seen, an army composed in large measure of honest -folk, and officered by four hundred men who, bold and -experienced, and strong in righteous wrath, should -in themselves be sufficient to utterly deject the -adversary. We will make of that force, motley as it is, a -second New Model, as well disciplined and as irresistible -as the first; and who should be its general but -the son of that Warham Landless whom Cromwell -loved, and whose old regiment is well represented -here? Then will we fight in honest daylight with -those who come against us—and conquer. And we -will not stain our victory. Your nightmare vision -of midnight butchery is naught. There will be no -such thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through the quiet of the evening came to them the -clear, sweet, and distant winding of a horn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis the call to quarters," said Godwyn. "You -must go, lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless rose. "I will come to-morrow night if I -can. Till then, farewell,—father." He ended with -a smile on his dark, stern face that turned it into a -boy's again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May the Lord bless thee, my son," said the other -in his gravely tender voice. "May he cause His face -to shine upon thee, and bring thee out of all thy -troubles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Landless turned to leave the hut the mender of -nets had a sudden thought. "Come hither," he said, -"and let me show you my treasure house. Should -aught happen to me, it were well that you should know -of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took up the precious flask from the table, and -followed by Landless, limped across the hut to the -fireplace. The logs above it appeared as solid, gnarled -and stained by time as any of the others constituting -the walls of the hut, but upon the pressure of -Godwyn's finger upon some secret spring, a section of the -wood fell outwards like the lid of a box, disclosing a -hollow within.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From this hollow came the dull gleam of gold, and -by the side of the little heap of coin lay several folded -papers and a pair of handsomely mounted pistols.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn touched the papers. "The names or the -signs of the Oliverians are here," he said, "together -with those of the leaders of the indented servants -concerned with us. It is our solemn League and -Covenant—and our death warrant if discovered. The -gold I had with me, hidden upon my person, when I -was brought to Virginia. The pistols were the gift -of a friend. Both may be useful some day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hide them! Quick!" said Landless in a low -voice, and wheeled to face a man who stood in the -doorway, blinking into the semi-darkness of the -room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lid of the hollow swung to with a click, the log -assumed its wonted appearance, and the mender of -nets, too, turned upon the intruder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the convict Roach who had pushed the door -open and now stood with his swollen body and bestial -face darkening the glory of the sunset without. There -was no added expression of greed or of awakened -curiosity upon his sullenly ferocious countenance. -He might have seen or he might not. They could not -tell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want?" asked Landless sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thought as you might not have heard the horn, -comrade, and so might get into more trouble. So I -thought I 'd come over and warn you." All this in a -low, hoarse and dogged voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't call me comrade. Yes: I heard the horn. -You had best hasten or you may get into trouble -yourself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man received this intimation with a malevolent -grin. "Talking big eases the smart, don't it?" and -he broke into his yelling laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get out of this," said Landless, a dangerous light -in his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man stopped laughing and began to curse. -But he went his way, and Landless, too, after waiting -to give him a start, left the hut and turned his steps -towards the quarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon the other side of the creek, sitting beneath a -big sweet gum, and whittling away at a piece of stick -weed, he found the boy who, the day before, had accused -him of feeling as fine as the Lord Mayor of London. -He sprang to his feet as Landless approached, and -cheerfully remarking that their paths were the same, -strode on side by side with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say," he said presently with ingenuous frankness, -"I asks your pardon for what I said to you -yesterday. I dessay you make a very good Sec'tary, and -Losh! the Lord Mayor himself might n't have dared -to strike that d—d fine Court spark. They say he -has fought twenty duels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have my full forgiveness," said Landless, -smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's right!" cried the other, relieved. "I -hates for a man to bear malice."'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have seen you before yesterday. I forget how -they call you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dick Whittington."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dick Whittington!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay. Leastways the parish over yonder," a jerk -of his thumb towards England, "called me Dick, and -I names myself Whittington. And why? Because -like that other Dick I runs away to make my fortune. -Because like him I 've little besides empty pockets -and a hopeful heart. And because I means to go -back some fine day, jingling money, and wearing gold -lace, and become the mayor of Banbury. Or maybe -I 'll stop in Virginia, and become a trader and -Burgess. I could send for Joyce Witbread, and marry -her here as well as in Banbury."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless laughed. "So you ran away?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; some four years ago, just after I came to -man's estate." (He was about nineteen.) "Stowed -myself away on board the Mary Hart at Plymouth. -Made the Virginny voyage for my health, and on -landing was sold by the captain for my passage money. -Time 's out in three years, but I may begin to make -my fortune before then, for—" He stopped speaking -to give Landless a sidelong glance from out his -blue eyes, and then went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A voice speaks through the land, from the Potomac -to the James, and from the falls of the Far West -to the great bay. What says the voice?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless answered, "The voice saith, 'Comfort ye, -my people, for the hour of deliverance is at hand.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It 's all right!" cried the boy gleefully. "I -thought you was one of us. We are all in the fun -together!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are in for a desperate enterprise that may -hang every man of us," said Landless sternly. "I do -not see the 'fun,' and I think you talk something -loudly for a conspirator."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy was nothing abashed. "There's none to -hear us," he said. "I can be as mum as t' other Dick's -cat when there are ears around. As for fun, -Losh! what better fun than fighting!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You seem to have a pretty good time as it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord, yes! Life 's jolly enough, but you see -there 's mighty little variety in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have found variety enough," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, you 've been here only a few weeks. Wait -until you've spent years, and have gone through your -experience of to-day half a dozen times, and you will -find it tame enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not wait to see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then a man gets tired of working for another -man, and hankers for the time when he can set up for -himself, especially if there 's a pretty girl waiting for -him." A tremendous sigh. "And then there 's the -fun of the rising. Losh! a man must break loose -now and then!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For all of which good reasons you have become a -conspirator?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, it does n't pay to run away. You are hunted -to death in the first place, and well nigh whipped to -death if you are caught, as you always are. And then -they double your time. This promises better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it succeeds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, it will succeed! Why should n't it with old -Godwyn, who is more cunning than a red fox or a -Nansemond medicine-man, at its head? Besides, if it -fails, hanging is the worst that can happen, and we -will have had the fun of the rising."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a philosopher."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A wise man. Tell me: If this plot remains -undiscovered, and the rising actually takes place, there -will be upon each plantation before we can get away -an interval of confusion and perhaps violence. 'T is -then that the greatest danger will threaten the planters -and their families. You yourself have no ill feeling -towards your master or his family? You would -do them no unprovoked mischief?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy opened his big blue eyes, and shook his -head in a vehement negative.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord bless your soul, no!" he cried. "I would n't -hurt a hair of Mistress Patricia's pretty head, nor of -Mistress Lettice's wig, neither. As for the master, -if he lets us go peaceably, we 'll go with three cheers -for him! Bless you! they 're safe enough!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sanguine youth next announced that he smelt -bacon frying, and that his stomach cried "Trencher!" and -started off in a lope for the quarters, now only a -few yards distant. Landless followed more sedately, -and reached his cabin without being observed by the -overseer.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-dark-deed"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A DARK DEED</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Three weeks passed, weeks in which Landless saw -the mender of nets some eight times in all, making -each visit at night, stealthily and under constant -danger of detection. Thrice he had assisted at -conferences of the Oliverians from the neighboring -plantations, who now, by virtue of his descent, his intimacy -with Godwyn, and his very apparent powers, accepted -him as a leader. Upon the first of these occasions he -had set his case before them in a few plain, straightforward -words, and they believed him as Godwyn had -done, and he became in their eyes, not a convict, but, -as he in truth was, an Oliverian like themselves, and -a sufferer for the same cause. The remaining -interviews had been between him and Godwyn alone. In -the lonely hut on the marsh, beneath starlight or -moonlight, the two had held much converse, and had grown -to love each other. The mender of nets, though -possessed of a calm and high serenity of nature that -defied trials beneath which a weaker soul had sunk, -was a man of many sorrows; he had the wisdom, too, -of years and experience, and he sympathized with, -soothed, and counseled his younger yoke-fellow with -a parental tenderness that was very grateful to the -other's more ardent, undisciplined, and deeply wounded -spirit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon the night of their eighth meeting they held -a long and serious consultation. Affairs were in -such train that little remained to be done, but to set -the day for the rising, and to send notice by many -devious and underground ways to the Oliverian -captains scattered throughout the Colony. Landless -counseled immediate action, the firing of the fuse at -once by starting the secret intelligence which would -spread like wildfire from plantation to plantation. -Then would the mine be sprung within the week. -There was nothing so dangerous as delay, when any -hour, any moment might bring discovery and ruin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn was of a different opinion. It was then -August, the busiest and most unhealthy season of the -year, when the servants and slaves, weakened by -unremitting toil, were succumbing by scores to the fever. -It was the time when the masters looked for disaffection, -when the overseers were most alert, when a general -watchfulness pervaded the Colony. The planters -stayed at home and attended to their business, the -trainbands were vigilant, the servant and slave laws -were construed with a harshness unknown at other -seasons of the year. There were few ships in harbor -compared with the number which would assemble for -their fall lading a month later, and Godwyn counted -largely upon the seizure of the ships. In a month's -time the tobacco would be largely in,—a weighty -consideration, for tobacco was money, and the infant -republic must have funds. The ships would be in -harbor, and their sailors ready for anything that would -rid them of their captains; the heat and sickness of -the summer would be abated; the work slackened, -and discipline relaxed. The danger of discovery was -no greater now than it had been all along, and the -good to be won by biding their time might be -inestimable. The danger was there, but they would face it, -and wait,—say until the second week in September.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless acquiesced, scarcely convinced, but willing -to believe that the other knew whereof he spoke, and -conscious, too, that his own impatience of the yoke -which galled his spirit almost past endurance might -incline him to a reckless and disastrous haste.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was past midnight when he rose to leave the -hut on the marsh. Godwyn took up his stick. "I -will walk with you to the banks of the creek," he -said. "'T is a feverish night, and I have an aching -head. The air will do me good, and I will then -sleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man gave him his arm with a quiet, -protecting tenderness that was very dear to the mender -of nets, and leaning upon it, he limped through the -fifty feet of long grass to the border of the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I not wait to help you back?" asked Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said the other, with his peculiarly sweet and -touching smile. "I will sit here awhile beneath the -stars and say my hymn of praise to the Creator of -Night. You need not fear for me; my trusty stick -will carry me safely back. Go, lad, thou lookest -weary enough thyself, and should be sleeping after -thy long day of toil."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am loth to leave you to-night," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godwyn smiled. "And I am always loth to see -you go, but it were selfish to keep you listening to a -garrulous, wakeful old man, when your young frame -is in sore need of rest. Good-night, dear lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless gave him his hands. "Good-night," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stood below the other at the foot of the low -bank to which was moored his stolen boat. Godwyn -stooped and kissed him upon the forehead. "My -heart is tender to-night, lad," he said. "I see in thee -my Robert. Last night I dreamed of him and of his -mother, my dearly loved and long-lost Eunice, and -ah! I sorrowed to awake!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless pressed his hand in silence, and in a -moment the water widened between them as Landless -bent to his oars and the crazy little bark shot out into -the middle of the stream. At the entrance of the -first labyrinthine winding he turned and looked back -to see Godwyn standing upon the bank, the moonlight -silvering his thin hair and high serene brow. In the -mystic white light, against the expanse of solemn -heaven, he looked a vision, a seer or prophet risen -from beneath the sighing grass. He waved his hand -to Landless, saying in his quiet voice, "Until -to-morrow!" The boat made the turn, and the lonely -figure and the hut beyond it vanished, leaving only -the moonlight, the wash and lap of water, and the -desolate sighing of the marsh grass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were many little channels and threadlike -streams debouching from the main creek, and -separated from it by clumps and lines of partially -submerged grass, growing in places to the height of -reeds. While passing one of these clumps it occurred -to Landless that the grass quivered and rustled in an -unusual fashion. He rested upon his oars and gazed -at it curiously, then stood up, and parting the reeds, -looked through into the tiny channel upon the other -side. There was nothing to be seen, and the rustling -had ceased. "A heron has its nest there, or a turtle -plunged, shaking the reeds," said Landless to himself, -and went his way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some three hours later he was roused from the -heavy sleep of utter fatigue by the voice of the -overseer. Bewildered, he raised himself upon his elbow -to stare at Woodson's grim face, framed in the -doorway and lit by the torch held by Win-Grace -Porringer, who stood behind him. "You there, you -Landless!" cried the overseer, impatiently. "You sleep -like the dead. Tumble out! You and Porringer are -to go to Godwyn's after that new sail for the Nancy. -Sir Charles Carew has taken it into his head to run -over to Accomac, and he 's got to have a spick and -span white rag to sail under. Hurry up, now! He -wants to start by sun up, and I clean forgot to send -for it last night. You 're to be back within the hour, -d'ye hear? Take the four-oared shallop. There's -the key," and the overseer strode away, muttering -something about patched sails being good enough for -Accomac folk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless and the Muggletonian stumbled through -the darkness to the wharf behind the quarters, where -they loosed the shallop, and in it shot across the inlet -towards the mouth of the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will row," said the Muggletonian with grim -kindness; "you look worn out. I suppose you were -out last night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless nodded, and the other bent to the oars -with a will that sent them rapidly across the sheet -of water. A cold and uncertain light began to stream -from the ashen east, and the air was dank and heavy -with the thick mist that wrapped earth and water -like a shroud. It swallowed up the land behind -them, and through it the nearer marshes gloomed -indistinctly, dark patches upon the gray surface of the -water. The narrow creek was hard to find amidst the -universal dimness. The Muggletonian rowed slowly, -peering about him with small, keen eyes. At length -with a grunt of satisfaction he pointed to a pale streak -dividing two masses of gray, and had turned the -boat's head towards it, when through the stillness they -caught the sound of oars. The next moment a boat -glided from the creek and began to skirt the shores -of the inlet, hugging the banks and moving slowly -and stealthily. It was still so dark that they could -tell nothing more than that it held one man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, who is that?" said the Muggletonian. -"And what has he been doing up that creek?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hail him," Landless replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Porringer sent a low halloo across the water, but if -the man heard he made no sign. The boat, one of -the crazy dugouts of which every plantation had store, -held on its stealthy way, but being over close to the -bank presently ran upon a sand bar. Its occupant -was forced to rise to his feet in order to shove it off. -He stood upright but a moment, but in that moment, -and despite the partial darkness, Landless recognized -the misshapen figure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the convict, Roach!" he exclaimed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," said the Muggletonian, "and an ill-omened -night bird he is! May he be cursed from the sole of -his foot to the crown of his head! May there be no -soundness in him! May— What are you about, -friend?" he cried, interrupting himself. "There 's no -need of two pair of oars. We have plenty of time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless bent to the second pair of oars. "He -came down the creek," he said in a voice that sounded -strained and unnatural.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other stared at him. "What do you mean?" -he demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing: but let us hasten."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Porringer stared, but fell in with the humor of his -companion, and the shallop, impelled by strong arms, -shot into the creek and along its mazy windings with -the swiftness of a bird.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless rowed with compressed lips and stony face, -a great fear tugging at his heart. Porringer too was -silent. The vapor hung so heavily upon the plains -of marsh level with their heads that they seemed to -be piercing a dense, low cloud. The light was growing -stronger, but the earth still lay like a corpse, livid, -dumb, cold and still. There was a chill stagnant -smell in the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arriving at the stake in the bank below the hut, -they fastened the boat to it, and stepping out, moved -through the dense mist to where the hut loomed -indistinctly before them, looking in the blank and awful -stillness like a forlorn wreck drifting upon an infinite -sea of soundless foam.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The door is open," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, I see," answered Porringer. "Does he wish -to die before his time of the fever, that he lets this -graveyard mist and stench creep in upon him in his -sleep?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They spoke in low tones as though they feared to -waken the sleeper whom they had come to waken. -When they reached the hut, they knocked upon the -lintel of the door and called Godwyn by name, once, -twice, thrice. There was no answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on!" said Landless hoarsely, and entered -the hut, followed by the other. The cold twilight, -filtering through the low and narrow doorway, was -powerless to dispel the darkness within. Landless -groped his way to the pallet and stooped down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not here," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian stumbled over a sheaf of oars, -sending them to the floor with a noise that in the -utter stillness, and to their strained ears, sounded -appalling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's the darkness of Tophet," muttered Porringer. -"If I could find his flint and steel; there are pine -knots, I know, in the corner—God in Heaven!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it? What is the matter?" cried Landless, -as he staggered against him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's his face!" gasped the other. "There upon -the table! I put my hand upon it. It's cold!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless rushed to the fireplace where he knew the -tinder-box to be kept, and then groped for and found -the heap of pine knots. A moment more and the fat -wood was burning brightly, casting its red light -throughout the hut, and choking back the pale daylight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The familiar room with its familiar furnishing of -chest and settle and pallet, of hanging nets and piles -of dingy sail, sprung into sight, but with it sprung -into sight something unfamiliar, strange, and dreadful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the body of the mender of nets, flung face -upwards across the rude table, the head hanging over -the edge, and the face, which but a few short hours -before had looked upon Landless with such a bright -and patient serenity, blackened and distorted. Upon -the throat were dark marks, the print of ten -murderous fingers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a bitter cry Landless fell upon his knees -beside the table, and pressed his face against the cold -hand flung backwards over the head of the murdered -man. Porringer began to curse. With white lips -and burning eyes he hurled anathemas at the -murderer. He cursed him by the powers of light and -darkness, by the earth, the sea, and the air: by all -the plagues of the two Testaments. Landless broke -the torrent of his maledictions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence!" he said sternly. "</span><em class="italics">He</em><span> would have -forgiven." Presently he rose from the ground, and -taking the body in his arms, placed it upon the pallet, -and reverently composed the limbs. Then he turned -to the fireplace. It was easy to see that the -hiding-place had been visited. The spring was broken, and -the lid had been struck and jammed into place by a -powerful and hasty hand. Landless wrenched it off. -Before him lay the pistols; but the gold and papers -were gone. He turned to the Muggletonian, standing -beside him with staring eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen!" he said. "There was gold here. The -wretch whom we passed but now knew of it—never -mind how—and for it he has murdered the only -friend I had on earth. There will come a day when -I will avenge him. There were papers here, lists with -the signatures of Oliverians, Redemptioners, sailors,—of -all classes concerned in this undertaking, save -only the slaves and the convicts. There were letters -from Maryland and New England, and a correspondence -which would provide whipping-post and pillory -for other Nonconformists than the Quakers. All -these, the actual proofs of this conspiracy, are in -his—that murderer's—hands,—where they must -not stay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wilt thou do, friend?" said the Muggletonian -eagerly. "Wilt thou take the murderer aside -in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smite him -under the fifth rib, as did Joab to Abner the son of -Ner, who slew his brother Asahel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God forbid," said Landless. "But I will take -them from him before he knows their contents. One -moment, and we will go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He crossed to the pallet and stood beside it, looking -down on the shell that lay upon it with a stern and -quiet grief. One of the cold white hands was clenched -upon something. He stooped, and with difficulty -unclasped the rigid fingers. The something was a -ragged lock of coarse red hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," said the Muggletonian grimly. "It's evidence -enough. There 's but one man in this county -with hair like that. Leave that lock where it is, and -that dead man holds the rope that will hang his murderer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall be left where it is," said Landless, and -reclosed the fingers upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took a piece of sail-cloth from the floor, and -with it covered the dead man from sight. Next he -turned to the hollow above the fireplace, and took -from it the pistols, concealing them in his bosom. -"I may need them," he said. "Come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They left the hut and its dead guardian, and rowed -back through the summer dawn. The sky was barred -with crimson and gold, the fiery rim of the sun just -lifting above the eastern waters, the mist, a bridal -veil of silver and pearl drawn across the face of a -virgin earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They rowed in silence until they neared the wharf, -when Porringer said, "You are leader now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other raised his haggard eyes. "It is a trust. -I will go through with it, God helping me. But I -would I were lying dead beside him in yonder hut."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They left the boat at the wharf, and went towards -the quarters. Meeting one of the blowzed and -slatternly female servants, Landless asked where they -might find the overseer. He had gone to the three-mile -field half an hour ago, after bestowing upon the -two dilatory servants a hearty cursing, and promising -to reckon with them at dinner-time. "Where was -the master?" He had gone to the mouth of the inlet -with Sir Charles Carew, who had grown impatient, -and had sailed away under the Nancy's patched sail. -The under overseer was in the far corn-field, two -miles off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are all the men in the fields, Barb?" asked Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Barb informed him that they were, "as he might -very well know, seeing that the sun was half an hour -high."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you seen the man called Roach?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No: Barb had not seen him; but she had heard -the overseer tell Luiz Sebastian to take two men and -go to the strip of Orenoko between the inlet and the -third tobacco house, and Luiz Sebastian, had been -calling for Roach and Trail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless thanked her, and moved away without -offering to bestow upon her that which Barb probably -thought her information merited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you find Woodson," he said to the Muggletonian, -"and report this murder, saying nothing, however, -of what we know. I myself will go to the -tobacco house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Had I not best come with thee to hold up thy -hands?" said Porringer. "I would take up my text -from the thirty-fifth of Numbers, and from Revelation, -twenty-second, thirteen, and deal mightily with -the murderer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," answered Landless. "Woodson must be -seen at once, or we ourselves will fall under suspicion. -And, friend, ask that thou and I may be the ones to -bury </span><em class="italics">him</em><span>."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-tobacco-house"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">IN THE TOBACCO HOUSE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The third tobacco house was built upon a point of -land jutting into the larger inlet, and screened off -from the wide expanse of fields by a belt of cedars. -It was a lonely, retired spot, and the high, dark, -windowless structure with its heavy, low-browed door had -a menacing aspect. Landless expected to find the -men within the building, instead of outside attending -to their work, and he was not disappointed. As he -walked through the doorway into the pungent gloom -the three started up from the débris of casks, sticks, -and pegs, amidst which they had been squatting, with -their heads ominously close together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless strode up to Roach. "You murderer!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The convict recoiled; then with a bestial sound, half -snarl, half bellow of rage, he gathered himself for a -rush. Landless awaited him with bent body and -sinewy, outstretched arms; but the mulatto interposed. -Laying his long, beautifully shaped, yellow hands -upon Roach, he forced him back against a cask, and, -pinning him there, whispered in his ear. The face of -the wretch gradually resumed its usual expression of -low brutality, though an ugly sweat broke out upon -it, and the mouth opened and shut as though he had -been running. He turned upon Landless with a half -threatening, half cringing air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you 've found out what I was about last night, -eh, pardner? But you 'll keep a still tongue. You 're -not one to peach on your comrade as was in hell or -Newgate with you, and as crossed the ocean with you -to this d—d Virginia, and as has always liked you, -and has the same spite as you have against the man -what bought us. You say naught, comrade, and -you 'll not stand to lose by it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I go from here to give you up to Colonel Verney," -said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wretch gave a snarl of rage and fear. Luiz -Sebastian laid a soothing hand upon his shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I thought that," snarled the convict, "you 'd -never live to reach that door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall live to see you hanged," said the other -coolly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here the mulatto slipped something into Roach's -hand. "So you 'll give me up?" said the latter in a -peculiar voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have said so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, by the Lord! I 'll be even with you!" -Roach cried with savage triumph. "Do you see this, -and this, and this?" fluttering a mass of folded papers -before the other's eyes. "Ah! I was wise, I was, -when I could n't hide everything about me, to take -the papers, and leave the weapons. I 've got you -now. Here 's the lists that the old fool who is dead -and gone to hell had hidden behind the gold! Here 's -enough to hang you and your d—d Cromwellians -higher than Haman. There will be more than one -giving up, I 'm thinking! I 've got you under my -thumb, and I 'll squeeze you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You cannot read; you do not know what those -papers contain," said Landless steadily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I can," put in Trail smoothly. "I was but -just running them over to our friend whose education -has been so sadly neglected, when you came in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless drew a pistol from his bosom, cocked it, -and leveled it at the murderer. "You see," he said -with an ominously quiet eye and voice, "you were not -altogether wise to leave the weapons. Now, give me -those lists."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damnation!" cried the convict, and Luiz Sebastian -glided towards the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, quick of eye and active of body, saw the -movement, and sprang backwards to the opening -before the other could reach it. He covered the three -with his pistol.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will shoot the first of you that stirs," he said -sternly. "You, Roach, lay those papers upon that -bit of board, and push them towards me with your -foot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll go to hell first," was the sullen reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you please. I will give you until I count -twenty. If those papers are not in my hands, then I -will shoot you like the dog you are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The murderer uttered a dreadful curse. Landless -began to count. Roach made an irresolute motion or -the hand that held the lists. Landless counted on, -"fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen—" With -another oath and a grin of rage Roach dropped the -papers upon the board at his feet. "Now push it -towards me," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a brow like midnight the other did as he was -bid. Still covering his men, Landless stooped quickly, -and took up the precious papers, assured himself that -they were all there, and placed them in his bosom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now," he said, leaning his back against the -door-post, and regarding the three baffled rogues with a -grim eye, "I have a few words to say to you. I -speak first to you, Trail, and to you, Luiz Sebastian. -These papers have told you little that you did not -know before. It was not the information that you -gained from them that made them so valuable; it was -the possession of them, the possession of actual proofs -of this conspiracy which you might hold over our -heads, or, if the notion took you, might sell to Colonel -Verney?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor Landless sees the thing as it is," said Luiz -Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you no longer possess these proofs, and are -therefore just where you were yesterday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen, Señor Landless," said Luiz Sebastian -gloomily. "This plot does not please us. It is too -much in the hands of those who call themselves -soldiers and martyrs, whom our master calls fanatic -Oliverians, and whom I, Luiz Sebastian, call accursed -heretics. The servants have no say in the matter; -they are to follow like sheep where these others lead. -The slaves are not even to know of it until the last -moment. A handful of us who have white blood in -our veins are let into the secret, that we may incite the -blacks when the time is come; but are we consulted? -Are our opinions asked, our wishes deferred to? I, -Luiz Sebastian, who have been through three -insurrections in the Indies, and who know how such things -should be managed; has my advice been craved as to -this or that? You make us promises. Mother of -God! how do we know that those promises will be -kept? By St. Jago! the insurrection may arrive, and -the planters be put down, and next year may find us -slaves still, with but a change of masters!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is too late now for such questions," said -Landless steadily. "You must accept the conspiracy as it -is. In liberating themselves, these men will of necessity -free you even as they will free me, who am not, as -you know, of their class. I shall take my chance, as -I think you will take yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mulatto played with a tobacco peg, striking it -against his great, white teeth. At length he said -slowly and with a sinister upward glance at the figure -by the door, "Certainly, Señor Landless, it seems our -best, our only chance, for freedom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with this Landless had perforce to be content. -He turned to the murderer, saying sternly, "Now for -my word with you. I hold your life in my hands, for -I heard you last night in the marsh, and Porringer -and I saw you stealing from the creek this morning, -and I can swear that you knew of the gold hidden in -the hut. You have it on you at this moment. I could -hold you here with this pistol until the overseer should -come and search you. But I let you go, choosing -rather your safety than the endangerment of that -which was dearer than life to the man you murdered. -The unsupported assertion of a murderer as to the -contents of papers which he had not got to show, might -not go for much, but I prefer that you should not -make it. I have warned you;—you had best make -your escape at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you hold your tongue, there 's no reason why I -should run."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, there is! There is a reason in the hut -on the marsh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean that clasped in the hand of the man you -murdered is the missing half of that torn lock upon -your forehead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a yell Roach sprang to the door only to be -confronted by the muzzle of Landless' pistol.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a moment," he said composedly. "Oh, you -need not be afraid! I intend to let you go. But you -don't leave this tobacco house until after I have left -it myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Curse you!" cried the other, foaming at the lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are ungrateful. I not only promise not to -witness against you, but I aid you to escape."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For reasons of your own," suggested Trail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely: for reasons of my own. If you are -taken, I will hold my tongue just so long as you hold -yours. If you escape now, I will pray that my day -of reckoning will yet come. And it will be a heavy -reckoning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, that it will!" cried the murderer with brutal -fury. "You 've got the upper hand now: but wait! -Every dog has his day, and I 'll have mine! and when -it comes, I 'll do for you! I 'll smash your beauty! -I 'll draw more blood from you than ever the whip of -the overseer did! I 'll use you worse than I used -that old man last night, who writhed and struggled, -and tried to pray! I 'll—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With white lips and blazing eyes Landless sprang -forward, and clapped the mouth of the pistol to the -ruffian's temple. Roach recoiled, then sunk upon his -knees with an abject whine for mercy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless let his hand drop, and moved slowly back -to the door. "You had need to cry for mercy," he -said in a low, distinct voice, "for you were never so -near to death before. I let you go now, but one day -I shall kill you. Until which day—take care of -yourself!" Still with his face upon them he passed -out of the door, then turned and walked away with a -steady step, but with a heart bleeding for the loss of -his friend, and heavy with forebodings for the future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the tobacco house the murderer, the forger, and -the mulatto sat stricken into silence until the last crisp -footfall had died away. Then amidst a torrent of -curses Roach made for the door. Trail plucked him -back. "Where are you going?" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know! To the devil!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bloodhounds will be upon your trail before noon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wretch cried out and struck his hand against -the wall with a force that laid the knuckles bare and -bleeding.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a way," said Luiz Sebastian slowly, "a -way that only I know. You must take to the inlet -here, and swim up it until you come to the mouth of -the brook yonder in the forest. You must wade up -that brook until you come to a second, and up that -until you come to a third. When you have gone a -mile up that one, leave it, and strike through the -woods, going towards the north. Another mile will -bring you to a village of the Chickahominies upon -the Pamunkey.[#] They are at odds with Governor and -Council, and they will hide you. Moreover, I once -did their sachem a service, and they are my friends."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">[#] The modern York.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I 'm off," said Roach, breaking from the detaining -grasp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait," said Luiz Sebastian. "There as time -enough. Woodson will not come for a long while. -When he does, he shall find Señor Trail and myself -busily at work there outside, and we will say that you -left us, and went down the inlet a long time before. -But now we want to talk to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be quick then," growled the other, "I 've no mind -to swing for this job."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Luiz Sebastian brought his handsomely malevolent -face close to the other's hideous countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you not like to ruin that devil who but -now robbed you of your hard-earned property?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would I not?" cried the murderer with a -tremendous oath. "I 'd give everything but life and -gold to do it, as that cunning devil well knew. I 'd -give my soul!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you like to be shown how to get more gold -than old Godwyn's store, twenty times told? To get -your freedom? To have some black, sweet hours in -which to work your will on them at the house yonder? -To plunge your arms to the elbow in the master's -money chest, to become drunken with his wine; to -strike him down, and that smiling imp his cousin, and -that other devil, Woodson; to hear the women cry for -mercy—and cry in vain? You would like all this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Show me the way!" cried the brute with a ferocious -light in his bloodshot eyes. "Show me the way -to do it safely, and I 'll—" He broke off and -threatened the air with malignant fists.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go to the village on the Pamunkey," said Luiz -Sebastian with his most feline expression. "I will -come to you there the first night I can slip away, I -and our friend, the Señor Trail. There we will have -our little conference. Mother of God! Señor -Landless may find that others can plot as well as he and -his accursed heretics."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-midnight-expedition"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A MIDNIGHT EXPEDITION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Four nights later, the hour before midnight found -Landless walking steadily through the forest, bound -upon a mission which he had had in his mind since -the night after the murder of Godwyn. This was -the first night since that event upon which he had -deemed it advisable to leave the quarters, having no -mind to be captured as a runaway by one of the many -search parties which were scouring the peninsula -between the two great rivers for the murderer of Robert -Godwin. But the search was now trending northward -towards Maryland, to which colony runaways -usually turned their steps, and he felt that he might -venture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was little undergrowth in the primeval forest, -and the rows of vast and stately trees were as easy to -thread as the pillared aisles of a cathedral. When he -came to one of the innumerable streamlets that caught -the land in a net of silver, he removed his coarse -shoes and stockings, and waded it. The great branches -overhead shut in a night that was breathlessly hot -and still. He could see the stars only when he crossed -the streams or emerged into one of the many little -open glades. He walked warily, making no sound, -and now and then stopping to listen for the distant -halloo, or bark of a dog, which might denote that he -was followed, or that there was a search party abroad, -but he heard nothing save the usual forest sounds,—the -dropping of acorns, the sighing leaves, the cry of -some night bird,—sounds that seemed to make the -night more still than silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was nearing his destination when from out a -shadowy clump of alders, standing upon the bank of -the stream which he had just crossed, there shot a -long arm, and the next moment he was wrestling with -a dark and powerful figure whose naked body slipped -from his hold as though it had been greased. But -Landless, too, was strong and determined, and the two -swayed and strained backwards and forwards through -the darkness, wary and resolute, neither giving his -antagonist advantage. The hand of the unknown -writhed itself from the other's clasp and stole -downwards towards his waist. Landless felt the motion -and intercepted it. Then the figure, with an angry -guttural sound, began to put forth its full strength. -The arms encircled Landless with a slowly tightening -iron band; the great dark shoulder came forward -with the force of a battering-ram; the limbs twined -like boa-constrictors around the limbs of the other. -Locked together, the two reeled into a little fairy -glade, where the short grass, pearled with dew, lay -open to the moon. Here, borne backwards by the -overwhelming force of his assailant, Landless fell -heavily to the ground. The figure falling with him, -pinned him to the earth with its knee upon his breast. -In the moonlight he saw the gleam of the lifted knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had had but time for a half-tittered, half-thought -prayer when the pressure upon his breast -relaxed; the knife fell, indeed, but harmlessly upon -the grass, and the figure rose to its height with an -astonished "Ugh!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, rising also, began to think that he -recognized the gigantic form towering through the pale -moonlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ugh!" said the figure again. "The great Spirit -threw us into the light in time. Monakatocka had -been forever shamed had his knife drunk the life of -his friend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you set upon me?" demanded Landless, -still breathless from the struggle, while the -Indian was as calmly composed as upon the day of their -first meeting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka took you for the man for whom they -hunt with dogs through the forest, scaring the deer -from the licks and the partridge from the fern. Two -nights ago Major Carrington said to Monakatocka, -'Find me that man and kill him, and to the twenty -arms' length of roanoke which the county will pay to -Monakatocka, I will add a gun with store of powder, -and with a bullet for every stag between Werowocomico -and Machot.' When he heard you a long way -off, moving over the leaves, trying to make no sound, -Monakatocka thought he held the gun of the -pale-face Major in his hand. But now—" he waved his -hand with a gesture eloquent of resignation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sorry to disappoint you," said Landless, -amused at his air of calm regret.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad to have proved the strength of my -brother," was the sententious reply. "Where goes -my brother through the woods, which are full of -danger to him to-night? Or has he a pass?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have business at Rosemead," answered -Landless. "I am close to the house, I think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian pointed through the trees. "It lies -twelve bowshots before you. The overseer with the -dogs has gone to the great swamp to look for the man -with the red hair."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks for the information, friend," said Landless. -"I ask you, moreover, to say nothing of this -encounter. I have no pass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have but one friend," answered the Indian. -"His secret is my secret."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you, too, then, so lonely?" asked Landless, -touched by his tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen," said the Indian, leaning his back against -a great oak. "I will tell my brother who I am.... -Many years ago the Conestogas, they whom the -palefaces call the Susquehannocks, came down the great -bay and fought with the palefaces. Monakatocka was -then but a lad on his first war-path. Agreskoi was -angry: he hid his face behind a cloud. With their -guns the palefaces beat the Conestogas like fleeing -women back to their village on the banks of a great -river, and themselves returned in triumph to their -board wigwams, bearing with them many captives. -Monakatocka, son to a great chief, was one. The -palefaces made him to work like a squaw in their -fields of tobacco and maize. When he ran away they -put forth a long arm and plucked him back and beat -him. Agreskoi was angry, for Monakatocka had not -any offering to make him. One by one his fellow -captives have dropped away like the leaves that fall -in the moon of Taquetock, until, behold! he is left -alone. The palefaces are his enemies. He thinks of -the village beside the pleasant stream, and he hates -them. A warrior of the long house takes no friend -from the wigwam of an Algonquin. Monakatocka is -alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He spoke with a wild pathos, his high, stern -features working in the moonlight, and his bold glance -softened into an exquisite melancholy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I too am friendless," said Landless, "and bound -to a far more degrading captivity than that you suffer. -Our fate is the same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian took his hand in his, and raising it, -pressed the forefinger against a certain spot upon his -shoulder. "You have a friend," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You make too much of a very slight service," -said Landless. "But I embrace your offer of -friendship—there 's my hand upon it. And now I must -be going upon my way. Good-night!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian gave a guttural "Good-night," and -Landless strode on through the thinning woods. -Shortly he emerged from the forest and saw before -him tobacco fields and a house, and beyond the house -the vast sheet of the Chesapeake slumbering beneath -the moon. There was a beaten path leading to the -house. Landless struck into it and followed it until -it led him beneath a window which (having been once -sent with a message to the Surveyor-General), he -knew to belong to the sleeping-chamber of Major -Carrington. Stopping beneath this window he -listened for any sound that might warn him of aught -stirring within or without the mansion,—all was -silent, the house and its inmates locked in slumber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took a handful of pebbles from the path and -threw them, one by one, against the wooden shutter, -the thud of the last pebble being answered by a slight -noise from within the room. Presently the shutter -was opened and an authoritative voice demanded:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is it? What do you want?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless came closer beneath the window. "Major -Carrington," he said in a low voice, "It is I, -Godfrey Landless. I must have speech with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a moment's silence, and then the other -said coldly, "'Must' is a word that becomes neither -your lips nor my ears. I know no reason why Miles -Carrington </span><em class="italics">must</em><span> speak with the servant of Colonel -Verney."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you please: Godfrey Landless craves the -honor of a word with Major Carrington."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what if Major Carrington refuses?" said -the other sharply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think he will do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Surveyor-General hesitated a moment, then -said:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go to the great door. I will open to you in a -moment. But make no noise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless nodded, and proceeded to follow his -directions. Presently the door swung noiselessly inward, -and Carrington, appearing in the opening, beckoned -Landless within, and led the way, still in profound -silence, across the hall to the great room. Here, after -softly closing the door, he lighted candles, saw to it -that the heavy wooden shutters were securely drawn -across the windows, and turned to face his visitor in -a somewhat different guise than the riding suit and -jack boots, the mask and broad flapping beaver, in -which he had appeared in their encounter in the hut -on the marsh. His stately figure was now wrapped in -a night-gown of dark velvet, his bare feet were thrust -into velvet slippers, and a silken nightcap, half on -and half off, imparted a rakish air to his gravely -handsome countenance. He threw himself into a -great armchair and tapped impatiently upon the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well!" he said dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless standing before him began to speak with -dignity and to the point. Godwyn, the head of a -great conspiracy, was dead, leaving him, Landless, in -some sort his successor. In a conference of the -leading conspirators held but a few nights before the -murder, Godwyn had announced that not only had he given -to the son of Warham Landless his complete confidence, -but that in case aught should happen to himself -before the time for action, he would wish the young -man to succeed him in the leadership of the revolt. -There had been some demur, but Godwyn's influence -was boundless, and on his advancing reason after -reason for his preference, the Oliverians had acquiesced -in his judgment and had given their solemn promise -to respect his wishes. Three nights later, Godwyn -was murdered. Since that dreadful blow, Landless -had seen only such of the conspirators as were in his -immediate neighborhood. Confounded at the turn -affairs had taken, and utterly at a loss, they had -turned eagerly to him as to one having authority. -For his own freedom, for the sake of his promise to -the dead man, he would do his utmost. He had come -to-night to discover, if possible, Major Carrington's -intentions—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington, who had listened thus far with grave -attention, frowned heavily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If my memory serves me, sirrah, I told you once -before that Miles Carrington stirs not hand or foot in -this matter. I may wish you well, but that is all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T is a poor friend that cries 'Godspeed!' to one -who struggles in a bog, and gives not his hand to help -him out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your figure does not hold," said the other, dryly. -"I have not cried 'Godspeed!' I have said nothing -at all, either good or bad. I have nothing to do with -this conspiracy. You are the only man now living -that knows that I am aware that such a thing exists. -And I hope, sir, that you will remember how you -gained that knowledge."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am in no danger of forgetting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. Your journey here to-night was a -useless as well as a dangerous one. I have nothing -to say to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you tell me one thing?" said Landless, -patiently. "What will Major Carrington have to say to -me upon the day when I speak to him as a free man -with free men behind me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon that day," said the other, composedly, -"Miles Carrington will submit to the inevitable with -a good grace, having been, as is well known, a friend -to the Commonwealth, and having always, even when -there was danger in so doing, spoken against the -cruel and iniquitous enslavement of men whose only -offense was non-conformity, or the having served -under the banners of Cromwell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If he should be offered Cromwell's position in the -new Commonwealth, what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pshaw! no such offer will be made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must have weight and respectability, must -identify ourselves with that Virginia in which we are -strangers, if we are to endure," said Landless, with a -smile. "A fact that we perfectly recognize—as does -Major Carrington. He probably knows who is of, -and yet head and shoulders above, that party in the -state upon whose support we must ultimately rely, -who alone could lead that party; who alone might -reconcile Royalist and Puritan;—and to whom alone -the offer I speak of will be made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington smiled despite himself. "Well, then, -if the offer is made, I will accept it. In short, when -your man is out of the bog I will lend my aid to -cleanse him of the stains incurred in the transit. But -he must pull himself out of the mire. I am safe upon -the bank, I will not be drawn with him into a -bottomless ruin. Do I make myself plain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perfectly," said Landless, dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other flushed beneath the tone. "You think -perhaps that I play but a craven part in this game. -I do not. God knows I run a tremendous risk as it -is, without madly pledging life and honor to this -desperate enterprise!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fail to see the risk," said Landless, coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other struck his hand against the table. "I -risk a slave insurrection!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A noise outside the door made them start like -guilty things. The door opened softly and a charming -vision appeared, to wit, Mistress Betty Carrington, -rosy from sleep and hastily clad in a dressing-gown of -sombre silk. Her little white feet were bare, and her -dark hair had escaped from its prim, white night coif. -She started when she saw a visitor, and her feet drew -demurely back under the hem of her gown, while her -hands went up to her disheveled hair: but a second -glance showing her his quality, she recovered her -composure and spoke to her father in her soft, serious -voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I heard a noise, my father, and looking into your -room, found it empty, so I came down to see what -made you wakeful to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T is but a message from Verney Manor, child," -said her father. "Get back to bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From Verney Manor!" exclaimed Betty. "Then -I can send back to-night the song book and book of -plays lent me by Sir Charles Carew, and which, after -reading the first page, I e'en restored to their -wrappings and laid aside with a good book a-top to put -me in better thoughts if ever I was tempted to touch -them again. I will get them, good fellow, and you -shall carry them back to their owner with my thanks, -if it so be that I can find words that are both -courteous and truthful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop, child!" said her father as she turned to -leave the room. "The volumes, which you were very -right not to read, may rest awhile beneath the good -book. This is a secret mission upon which this young -man has come. It is about a—a matter of state -upon which his master and I have been engaged. No -one here or at Verney Manor must know that he has -been at Rosemead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, my father," said Betty, meekly, "the -books can wait some other opportunity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And," with some sternness, "you will be careful -to hold your tongue as to this man's presence here -to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not to speak of it to Mistress Patricia -or to any one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be silent, my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well," said the Major. "You are not like -the majority of women. I know that your word is as -good as an oath. Now run away to bed, sweetheart, -and forget that you have seen this messenger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going now, father," said Betty, obediently. -"Is Mistress Patricia well, good fellow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite well, I believe, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She spake of crossing to Accomac with Mistress -Lettice and Sir Charles Carew, when the latter should -go to visit Colonel Scarborough. Know you if she -went?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think not, madam. I think that Sir Charles -Carew went alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! They have fallen out then," said Betty, half -to herself, and with a demure satisfaction in her wild -flower face. "I am glad of it, for I like him not. -Thanks, good fellow, for your answering my idle -questions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless bowed gravely. Betty bent her pretty -head, and with a hasty, "I am going, father!" in -answer to an impatient movement on the part of the -Major, vanished from the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington waited until the last light footfall had -died away, and then said, "Our interview is over. -Are you satisfied?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At least, I understand your position."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Carrington, thoughtfully, "it is as well -that you should understand it. It is simple. I wish -you well. I am in heart a Commonwealth's man. I -love not the Stuarts. I would fain see this fair land -freed from their rule and returned to the good days of -the Commonwealth. And I may as well acknowledge, -since you have found it out for yourself,"—a haughty -smile,—"that I have my ambitions. What man has -not?" He rose and began to pace the room, his -hands clasped behind him, his handsome head bent, -his rich robe trailing upon the ground behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could rule this land more acceptably to the -people than can William Berkeley with his parrot -phrases, 'divine right,' and 'passive obedience.' I -know the people and am popular with them, with -Royalist and Churchman as well as with Nonconformist -and Oliverian. I know the needs of the colony—home -rule, self taxation, free trade, a more liberal -encouragement to emigrants, religious tolerance, a rod -of iron, for the Indians, the establishment of a direct -slave trade with Africa and the Indies. I could so -rule this colony that in a twelvemonth's time, Richard -Verney or Stephen Ludlow, hot Royalists though -they be, would be forced to acknowledge that never, -since the day Smith sailed up the James, had Virginia -enjoyed a tithe of her present prosperity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"''T is a consummation devoutly to be desired,'" said -Landless, dryly. "In the mean time, like the cat i' -the adage—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are insolent, sirrah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When a stripling I served under one who took -the bitter with the sweet, the danger as well as the -reward, who led the soldiers from whom he took his -throne."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cromwell, sirrah," said Carrington sternly, "led -soldiers. You would require Miles Carrington to lead -servants, to place himself, a gentleman and a master, -at the head of a rebellion which, if it failed, would -plunge him into a depth of ignominy and ruin -proportionate to the height from which he fell. He -declines the position. When you have won your freedom -he will treat with you. Not before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said Landless slowly, "upon the day on -which the flag of the Commonwealth floats over the -Assembly hall at Jamestown, then—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I will join myself to you as I have said, and -I will bring with me those without whom your -revolution would be but short-lived—the Puritan and -Nonconformist element in the colony, gentle and -simple."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is sufficiently explicit," said Landless, "and -I thank you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have trusted you fully, young man," said the -other, stopping before him, "not only because you -cannot betray me if you would, seeing that not one -scrap of writing exists to inculpate me in this matter, -and that your word would scarce be taken before -mine, but because I believe you to be trustworthy. I -believe also"—graciously—"that Robert Godwyn -(whose death I sincerely mourn) showed his usual -wisdom and knowledge of mankind when he chose you as -his confidant and co-worker. I wish you well through -with a dangerous and delicate piece of work and in -enjoyment of your reward, namely, your freedom, and -the esteem of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I will -myself see to it that any past offenses which you are -supposed to have committed (for myself, I believe you -to have been harshly used), shall not stand in your -light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Carrington is very good," said Landless, -calmly. "I shall study to deserve his commendation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other took a restless turn or two through the -room, stopping at length before the younger man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may tell me one thing," he said in a voice -scarcely above a whisper, and with his eyes bent -watchfully upon the other's composed face. "Had -Godwyn set the day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you will adhere to it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The thirteenth of September."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! Two weeks off! Well, my tobacco will -be largely in, and I shall send my daughter upon a -visit to her Huguenot kindred upon the Potomac. -Good night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good night," answered Landless.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-waters-of-chesapeake"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE WATERS OF CHESAPEAKE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Patricia was ennuyée to the last degree. That -morning Sir Charles had ridden to Green Spring with -her father; Mistress Lettice was in the still room -decocting a face wash from rose leaves, dew and honey; -young Shaw on his knees in the master's room, -disconsolately poring over piles of musty papers in search -of a misplaced deed which the colonel had ordered -him to find against his return. It was a hot and -listless afternoon. Patricia read a page of "The Rival -Ladies," tried her spinet, had a languid romp with -her spaniels, and finally sauntered into the porch, and -leaning her white arms upon the railing, looked -towards the dazzling blue waters of the Chesapeake. -Presently an idea came to her. She went swiftly into -the hall, and called for Darkeih. When that -handmaiden appeared:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Darkeih, go down to the quarters, and tell the -first man you meet to find Woodson, and send him to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Darkeih departed, and in half an hour's time the -overseer appeared at the foot of the porch steps, red -and heated from his rapid walk from the Three-Mile -field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's wrong, Mistress Patricia?" he asked quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia opened her lovely eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing is wrong, Woodson. What should be? I sent for you, -because I want to go to Rosemead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To Rosemead!" exclaimed the overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, to Rosemead, and I want a couple of men to -take me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer gave a short, vexed laugh. "I can't -spare the men, Mistress Patricia. You ought to have -known that every man jack on the plantation is busy -cutting. If I had a known this was all that was -wanted! Fegs! I thought something dreadful was -the matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Something dreadful is the matter," said the young -lady calmly. "I am bored to death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorry for ye, missy, but I can't spare the men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, you can!" said Patricia with unruffled -composure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer, knowing his lady, began to weaken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anyhow, you would n't want two men. You might -go on a pillion behind old Abraham. I could spare -</span><em class="italics">him</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not go a-horseback. 'T is too hot and -dusty. I shall go in one of the sail-boats—the -Bluebird, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, in the name of all that's contrary, what do -you want to do that for, Mistress Patricia?" cried -the harassed overseer. "It's twice as far by water."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll reach Rosemead before dark. The men can -bring the boat back to-night, and Major Carrington -will send me home on a pillion to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you forgotten that to-morrow is Sunday?" -said the overseer severely, and with a new-born -anxiety for the proper observance of the holy day. -"Will you have the Colonel pay a fine for you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go to service with the Carringtons then, and -come home on Monday," said the lady serenely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There 's a squall coming up this afternoon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There isn't a cloud in the sky," said his mistress -with calm conviction, looking straight before her at a -low, tumbled line of creamy peaks along the horizon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the Colonel were here—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He would say, 'Woodson, do exactly as Mistress -Patricia tells you.'" This with great sweetness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer gave it up. "I reckon he would, -missy," he said with a grin. "You wind him and all -of us around your finger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T is all for your good, Woodson," with a soft, -bright laugh. Then, coaxingly, "Am I to have the -Bluebird?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I reckon so, Mistress Patricia, seeing that you -have set your heart upon it," said the still reluctant -overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a good Woodson. I want Regulus to be -one of the boatmen. You can send any other you -choose. I shall take Darkeih with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't have Regulus, Mistress Patricia," answered -the overseer positively. "He 's worth any two -men in the field. I can't let him go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let him be at the wharf in half an hour. I will -be ready by then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't have him, Missy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia stamped her pretty foot. "Am I mistress -of this plantation, or am I not, Woodson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord knows you are!" groaned the overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then when I say I want Regulus, I will have -Regulus and no other."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer sighed resignedly. "Very well, -Mistress Patricia, I 'll send for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia danced away, and the overseer strode down -the path, viciously crunching the pebbles and bits of -shell beneath his feet. At the wharf he found a -detachment of the infant population of the quarters -busily crabbing; all of whom, save two little Indians who -fished stoically on, scrambled to their feet, and pulled -a forelock. The overseer touched one urchin upon -the shoulder with the butt end of his whip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You, Piccaninny, run as fast as your legs will -carry you to the field by the swamp, and tell Regulus -to leave his work, and come to the big wharf. -Mistress Patricia wants to go a pleasuring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Piccaninny's black shanks and pink heels flew up -and out, and he was away like a flash. The overseer -kept on to the end of the wharf, where were clustered -the boats, some tied to the piles, some anchored a -little way out. "Haines was to send a man to caulk a -seam in the Nancy," he muttered. "Whoever he is, -he 'll have to go in the Bluebird. I 'm not going to -take another man from the tobacco. What fools -women are! But they get their way,—the pretty -ones at least." He leaned over the railing, and -called,—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You there, in the Nancy!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Godfrey Landless looked up from his work. "What is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The overseer chuckled grimly. "It's that fellow -Landless who angered her once before," he said to -himself with a malicious grin. "Well, 't is n't my -business to know which of all the servants on this -plantation she most dislikes to come near her. She 'll -have to put up with him to-day. There is n't a better -boatman on the place anyhow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Landless he said, "Bring the Bluebird up to -the wharf, and see that she is sweet and clean inside. -Mistress Patricia starts for Rosemead in half an hour, -and you and Regulus are to take her. You 'll bring -the boat back to-night. Step lively now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless brought the Bluebird, a sixteen-foot open -boat, up to the wharf, made the inside, and especially -the seat in the stern, spotlessly clean, put up the sail, -and sat down to wait. Presently Regulus appeared -above him, and swung himself down into the boat -with a grin of delight, for he much preferred -sailing with "'lil missy" to cutting tobacco. He had -a great burly form and a broad, ebony face, and he -was the devoted slave of Patricia, and or Patricia's -maid, Darkeih. Moreover, he enjoyed the distinction -of being the first negro born in the Colony, his parents -having been landed from the Dutch privateer which -in 1619 introduced the slave into Virginia. Viewed -through a vista of nigh three hundred years, he -appears a portent, a tremendous omen, a sign from the -Eumenides. Upon that tranquil summer afternoon -in the Virginia of long ago he was simply a -good-humored, docile, happy-go-lucky, harmless animal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Lil Missy 's comin'," he remarked, with -bonhommie, to his fellow boatman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Darkeih, laden with cushions, appeared at the edge -of the wharf. Landless, standing in the bow below -her, relieved her of her burdens, and taking her by -the hands, swung her down into the boat. She -thanked him with a smile that showed every tooth in -her comely brown countenance, and tripped aft, where, -with the assistance of Regulus, she proceeded to -arrange a cushioned seat for her mistress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless waited for the lady of the manor to come -forward. In the act of extending her hands to the -boatman, she glanced at him, crimsoned, and drew -back. Landless, interpreting color and action aright, -buckled his armor of studied quiet more closely over -a hurt and angry heart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was ordered to attend you, madam," he said -proudly. "But if you so desire, I will find the -overseer and tell him that you wish for some one else in -my place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is not time," was the cold reply. "And -as well you as any other. Let us be going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless held out his arms again. She measured -with her eyes the distance between her and the boat. -"I do not need any help," she said. "If you will -stand aside, I can spring from here to the prow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And strike the water instead, madam," said Landless, -grimly, "when I would have to touch more than -your hand in order to pull you out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She colored angrily, but held out her hands. -Landless lifted her down and steadied her to her seat in -the stern. She thanked him coldly, and began at -once to talk to Regulus with the playful familiarity -of a child. Regulus grinned delight; he had been -"'lil Missy's" slave from her childhood. Landless -untied the boat from the piles and pushed her off; -Regulus, who was to steer, pulled the tiller towards him, -and the little Bluebird glided from the wharf, made -a wide and graceful sweep, and proceeded leisurely -down the inlet towards the waters of the great bay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless seated himself in the bow, and turned his -face away from the group in the stern. Patricia -leaned back amidst her cushions, and opened a book; -Darkeih, upon the other side of the rudder, held a -whispered flirtation with Regulus, squatting at her -feet, the tiller in his hand. There was but little -wind, but what there was came from the land, and -the Bluebird moved steadily though listlessly down -the inlet, between the velvet marshes. The water -broke against the sides of the boat with a languid -murmur. It was very hot, and the sky above was of -a steely, unclouded blue that hurt the eyes. Only in -the southwest the line of cloud hills was erecting itself -into an Alpine range. The glare of the sun upon the -white pages of her book dazzled Patricia's eyes; the -heat and the lazy swaying motion made her drowsy; -With a sigh of oppression she closed her book, and -taking her fan from Darkeih, laid it across her face, -and curled herself among her cushions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will sleep awhile," she said to her hand-maiden, -and serenely glided into slumberland.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was in a balcony with Sir Charles Carew, -looking down upon a fantastic procession that wound -endlessly on, with flaunting banners, and to the sound of -kettle-drums and trumpets, when she was aroused by -Landless' voice. She opened her eyes and looked up -from her nest of cushions to see him standing above -her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" she asked frigidly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I grieve to waken you, madam, but there is a -heavy squall coming up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She sat up and looked about her. The Bluebird -had left the inlet and was rising and falling -with the long oily swell of the vast sheet of water -that stretched before them to a horizon of vivid blue. -North and east the water met the sky; a mile to the -westward was the low wooded shore which they were -skirting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The sun is shining," said Patricia, bewildered. -"The sky is blue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look behind you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She turned and uttered an exclamation. The Alpine -range had vanished, and a monstrous pall of -gray-black cloud was being slowly drawn upward and across -the smiling heaven. Even as she looked, it blotted -out the sun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better make for the shore at once," said -Landless. "We can reach it before the storm breaks -and can find shelter for you until it is over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia exclaimed: "Why, we cannot be more -than three miles from Rosemead! Surely we can -reach it before that cloud overtakes us!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think not, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Regulus!" cried his mistress imperiously. "We -can reach Rosemead before that storm breaks, can we -not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among other amiable qualities, Regulus numbered -a happy willingness to please, even at the expense of -truth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sho-ly, 'lil Missy," he said with emphasis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And it will not be much of a squall, besides, will -it, Regulus?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, 'lil Missy, not much ob squall," answered the -obliging Regulus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is much wind in it," said Landless. "Look -at those white clouds scudding across the black; and -these squalls strike with suddenness and fury. I may -put the boat about, madam?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly not. Regulus, who must know the -Chesapeake and its squalls much better than you -possibly can, says there is no danger. I have no mind -to be set ashore in these woods with night coming on -and Indians or wolves prowling around."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg that you will be advised by me, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked at him as she had done that day in the -master's room. "Is it that you are </span><em class="italics">afraid</em><span> of a -Virginia squall? If so, you will have to conquer your -tremor. Regulus, keep the boat as it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless went back to his seat in the bow, with -tightened lips. The wind freshened, coming in hot -little puffs, and the Bluebird slid more swiftly over -the low hills. The water turned to a livid green -and the air slowly darkened. Across the black pall, -looming higher and higher, shot a jagged streak of -fierce gold, followed by a low rumble of thunder. A -mass of gray-white, fantastically piled clouds whirled -lip from the eastern horizon to meet the vast blank -sullen sheet overhead. There came a more vivid flash -and a louder roll of thunder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless walked aft and took the tiller from -Regulus' hand, motioning him forward to the place he had -himself occupied. The negro stared, but went with -his accustomed docility. Patricia sat upright in -indignant surprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you doing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am about to head the boat for the shore," -suiting the action to the word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her eyes blazed. "Did you not hear me say that -I wished to proceed to Rosemead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, madam, I did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I order you, sir—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I choose to disobey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall report you to Colonel Verney."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you please, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the prow, where he had been taking observations, -Regulus cried in a startled voice: "De win's -comin'! De win 's comin' mighty quick!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless thrust the tiller into Patricia's hands. -"Keep it there, just where it is, for your life!" he -cried authoritatively, and bounded forward to where -Regulus was already struggling with the sail. They -got it in and lashed to the mast just in time, for, with -the shriek of a thousand demons, the squall whirled -itself upon them. In an instant they were enveloped -in a blinding horror of furious wind and rain, glare of -lightning and incessant, ear-splitting thunder. A -leaden darkness, illuminated only by the lightning, -settled around them, and the air grew suddenly cold. -Beneath the whip of the wind the Chesapeake woke -from slumber, stirred, and rose in fury. The -Bluebird danced dizzily upon white crests or swooped -into black and yawning chasms. Steadying himself -by the thwarts, Landless went back to Patricia, -sitting pale and with clasped hands, but making no -sound. Darkeih, with a moan of fear, had thrown -herself down at her mistress' feet, and was hiding -her face in her skirts. Landless took a scarf from -among the pile of cushions, and wrapped it around -Patricia. "'T is a poor protection against wet and -cold," he said, "but it is better than nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you," she said then, with an effort. "Do -you think this squall will last long?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot tell, madam. It is rather a hurricane -than a squall. But we must do the best we can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he spoke there came a fresh access of wind with -a glare of intolerable light. The mast bent like a -reed, snapped off clear to the foot and fell inward, -the loosened beam striking Regulus upon the head, -and bearing him down with it. The boat careened -violently, and half filled with water. Darkeih -screamed, and Patricia sprang to her feet, but sat -down again at Landless' stern command, "Sit still! -She will right in a moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lifted and flung overboard the mass of -splintered wood and flapping cloth, then fell to bailing with -all his might, for the danger of swamping was imminent. -Presently Patricia touched him upon the arm. -"I will bail if you will see to Regulus," she said, in -a low, strained voice. "I think he is dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless resigned the pail into her hands and lifted -the negro's head and shoulders from the water in -which he was lying, pillowing them upon the stern -seat. He was unconscious, and bleeding from a cut -on the forehead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not dead nor like to die," Landless said. -"He will revive before long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl gave a long, quivering sigh of relief. -Landless finished the bailing and sat down at her -feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some time later she asked faintly: "Do you not -think the worst is over now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid not," he answered gently. "There -is a lull now, but I am afraid the storm is but -gathering its forces. But we will hope for the best—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another flash and crash cut him short. It was -followed by rain that fell, not in drops, but in sheets. -The wind, which had been blowing a heavy gale, rose -suddenly into a tornado. With it rose the sea. The -masses of water, hissing and smoking under the -furious pelting of the rain, flung themselves upon -the hapless Bluebird, laboring heavily in the trough -of the waves, or staggering over their summits. A -constant glare lit the heaving, tossing world of waters, -and the air became one roar of wind, rain, and thunder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Darkeih crouched moaning at her mistress' feet -Regulus lay unconscious, breathing heavily. -Suddenly, with a quick intake of his breath, Landless -seized Patricia, pulled her down into the bottom of -the boat, and held her there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see," she said in a low, awed voice. "It is -Death!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through the glare a long green wall bore down -upon them. The Bluebird leaped to meet it. It lifted -her up, up to meet the lightning, then hurled her into -black depths, and passed on, leaving her staggering -in the trough, water-logged and helpless.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-face-in-the-dark"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE FACE IN THE DARK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Patricia lifted her white face from her hands. -"We rode that dreadful wave?" she cried incredulously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By God's mercy, yes," said Landless gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there any hope for us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless hesitated. "Tell me the truth," she said -imperiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are in desperate case, madam. The boat is -half filled with water. Another such sea will sink us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why do you not bail the boat?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bucket is gone; the tiller also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She shivered, and Darkeih began to wail aloud. -Landless laid a heavy hand upon the latter's shoulder. -"Silence!" he said sternly. "Here! I shall lay -Regulus' head in your lap, and you are to watch over -him and not to think of yourself. There 's a brave -wench!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Darkeih's lamentations subsided into a low sobbing, -and Landless turned to her mistress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try to keep up your courage, madam," he said. -"Our peril is great; but while there is life there is -hope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not afraid," she said. "I—" The pitching -of the boat threw her against Landless, and he -put his arm about her. "You must let me hold you, -madam," he said quietly. She shrank away from his -touch, saying breathlessly, "No, oh no! See! I can -hold quite well by the gunwale." He acquiesced in -silence, only lifting her into a more secure position. -"I thank you," she said humbly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The storm continued to rage with unabated fury. -Flash and detonation succeeded flash and detonation; -the rain poured in torrents: and the wind whooped -on the angry sea like a demon of destruction. The -Bluebird pitched and tossed at the mercy of the -great waves that combed above her. Time passed, -and to the darkness of the storm was added the darkness -of the night. The occupants of the boat, drenched -by the rain and the seas she had shipped, shivered -with cold. Regulus began to stir and mutter. "He -is coming to himself," Landless cried to Darkeih. -"When you see that he is conscious, make him lie -still. He must not move about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know where we are?" asked Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, madam; but I fear that the wind is driving -us out into the bay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She said it with a sob, for a sudden vision of home -flashed across the cold and darkness; and presently -Landless could hear that she was weeping.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sound went to his heart. "I would God -could help you, madam," he said gently. "Take -comfort! You are in the hands of One who holds the sea -in the hollow of His hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a little while she was quiet. There passed -another long interval of silent endurance, broken by -Patricia's saying piteously, "My hands are so numbed -with cold that I cannot hold to the side of the boat -And my arms are bruised with striking against it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word Landless put his arm around her, -and held her steady amidst the tossings of the boat. -"You are shivering with cold!" he said. "If I had -but something to wrap you in!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She drooped against him, and the lightning showed -him her face, still and white, with parted lips, and -long lashes sweeping her marble cheek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam, madam!" he cried roughly. "You -must not swoon! You must not!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a strong effort she rallied. "I will try to be -brave," she said plaintively. "I am not frightened,—not -very much. But oh! I am cold and tired!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew her head down upon his knee. "Let it -lie there," he said, speaking as to a tired child. "I -will hold you quite steady. Now shut your eyes and -try to sleep. The storm is no worse than it was; -and since the boat has lived this long in this sea, she -may live through the night. And with morning may -come many chances of safety. Try to rest in that -hope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Faint and exhausted from cold and terror, she submitted -like a child, and lay with closed eyes in a sort -of stupor within his arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was less lightning now, and the thunder -sounded in long booming peals, instead of short, sharp -cannon cracks. The rain, too, had ceased; but the -wind blew furiously, and the sea ran in tremendous -waves. Regulus stirred, groaned, and struggled into -a sitting posture. "Lie down again!" ordered Darkeih. -"We 's all on de way to Heaben, but if nigger -shake de boat, we 'll get dere befo' de Lawd ready for -us. Lie down!" Regulus, muttering to himself, -looked stupidly about him, then dropped his head -back into her lap. In three minutes he was snoring. -Darkeih's whimpering died away, and her turbaned -head sank lower and lower, until it rested upon that -of Regulus, and she, too, slept.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sat very still, holding his burden lightly -and tenderly, and staring into the darkness. Against -the steep slope of the sea, a picture framed itself, -melted away, and was followed by others in long -procession. He saw a ruinous, ivy-grown hall, and an -old, grave, formal garden, where, between long box -hedges broken by fantastic yews, there walked a boy, -book in hand. A man with a stately figure and a -stern, careworn face met the boy, and they leaned -upon a broken dial, and the father reasoned with the -son of Right and Truth and Liberty, and something -touched upon the Tyrannicides of old. The yew trees -drooped their sombre boughs about the figures, and -they were gone, and in their place roared and swelled -the Chesapeake.... The sound of the storm became -the sound of a battle-cry. He saw a clanging fight -where sword clashed upon armor, and artillery belched -fire and thunder, and horse and man went down in -the melée, and were trampled under foot amidst -shrieks and oaths and stern prayers. The boy who -had leaned upon the dial fought coolly, desperately, -drunk with the joy of battle, stung to fierce effort by -his father's eyes. The great banner, blazoned with -the Cross of Saint George, streamed in crimson and -azure between the battle and the lonely watcher in -the storm-tossed boat, and the vision was gone.... -The spires of a great city, where men walked with -long faces and church bells made the only music, rose -through the gloom, and he saw a dingy chamber in a -dingy stack of buildings, and within it, bending over -great tomes of law, a man, impoverished and orphaned, -but young, strong, and full of hope,—a man well -spoken of and allowed to be on the road to high -preferment. The chamber wavered into darkness; -but the city spires flashed light, and the slow ringing -changed to mad peals from joy bells. Some one had -been restored—to drop balm upon the bleeding heart -of a nation, to bring light to them that sit in -darkness,—so said the joy bells.... He saw a loathsome -prison, and the man who had sat in the dingy -chamber lying therein under accusation of a crime which -he had not committed. He saw him pining there, -week after week, month after month, untried, forgotten, -at the mercy of an enemy to his house whose day -had come with the Restored One.... The prison -vanished, and the waves that tossed around him were -the waves of the Atlantic. A ship ploughed her way -through them. He saw into her hold,—a horrible -place of stench and filth and darkness,—a place where -hounds would not have kenneled. Men and women -were there who cursed and fought for the scanty, -worm-eaten food that was thrown them. Some wore -gyves: they were heavy upon the wrists and ankles -of the man of his vision. He saw a face looking -down upon this man, a handsome supercilious face, -with insolent amusement in the languid eyes and in -the curves of the lips. The hatches were battened -down upon the cargo of misery, and the ship with its -brutal captain and its handful of gold-laced, dicing, -swearing passengers vanished.... He saw a sandy, -grass-grown street, and a row of mean houses, and a -low, brick building with barred windows. There was -a crowd before this building, and a man standing -upon the platform of a pillory was selling human -flesh and blood. He saw the boy who had stood -beneath the yews of the old Hull, who had fought at -Worcester beneath his father's eye; the man who had -lain in prison and in the noisome hold of the ship, -put up and sold to the highest bidder. He saw him -carried away with other merchandise to the home of -his purchaser. He saw a Virginia plantation lying -fair and serene beneath a Virginia heaven; and a wide -porch, and standing therein an angelic vision, all -grace and beauty, vivid youth and splendor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The picture vanished into the night that raved -about him, and with a long shaken sigh he let his eyes -fall from the watery steeps to the face of the woman -who lay within his arms. He had not looked at her -before, conceiving that she might be awake and feel -his glance upon her. Now he could tell from her -breathing that she slept. He gazed upon the pure -pale face with the golden hair falling about it, in a -passion of pity and tenderness. She moaned now and -then in her sleep, or turned uneasily in his arms. -Once she spoke a few words, and he bent eagerly to -catch them, thinking that she had awakened and was -speaking to him. They were:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, your Excellency! where I reign there shall -be only good Churchmen and loyal Cavaliers—no -Roundheads, no rebel or convict servants!" and she -laughed in her sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless shrank as from a mortal blow, then broke -into a bitter laugh, and said to himself, "Thou art a -fool, Godfrey Landless. It were but too easy to -forget to-night what thou art and what thou must seem -to her. Thou art answered according to thy folly." He -sighed impatiently, and withdrawing his gaze -from the sleeping face, fell into a sombre reverie.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was roused to active consciousness by a sudden -and death-like pause in the gale. The lightning -showed the pall of cloud hanging low, black, and -unbroken; but the wind had sunk into an ominous calm. -He looked anxiously around him, then softly disengaging -himself from Patricia, leaned across her, and -shook Regulus awake. The negro started up, stupid -from sleep and from his wound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, massa?" he queried. "Wake mighty -early at Rosemead.... Lawd hab mercy! we 's still -on de Chesapeake!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will be in the Chesapeake in a moment," said -Landless sternly, "if you stagger about in that way. -Sit down and pull your wits together. You are like -to need them all directly." He touched Darkeih and -said, as her eyes, wide with alarm, opened upon him, -"Listen, my wench! Whatever happens, you are to -trust yourself to Regulus. He is a strong swimmer -and he will take care of you. You hear, Regulus!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" exclaimed Patricia, as he bent over -her. "Why have you waked Regulus? And oh! has -not that dreadful wind died away?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It has stopped, madam, stopped suddenly and -utterly," he said gravely. "But it will come upon -us from another quarter, and it will bring the sea -with it." He raised her, and held her with his arm. -"Trust yourself to me when it comes," he said gently. -"If I can save you, I will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no time for more. Above them broke a -new and more terrible storm. A ball of fire shot -from the cloud into the sea; it was followed by a -crash that seemed to shake the earth. A cataract of -rain descended. From the northeast there swooped -upon them a wind to which the gale of an hour before -seemed a zephyr. It drove the boat before it as if she -had been the bird from which she took her name. It -piled wave on wave until the sea ran in mountains. -Athwart the storm came a dull booming roar, and -above the great hills of water appeared a long ridge -crested with white.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is coming," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia looked up at him with great, despairing, -courageous eyes. "I have caused your death," she -said. "Forgive me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There came a vivid flash, and a loud scream from -Darkeih. "De lan'! de bressed, bressed, lan'!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless wheeled. Silhouetted against the lit sky -he saw a fringe of pines, and below it a low, shelving -shore where the waves were breaking in foam and -thunder. The Bluebird, driven by the wind, was -hurrying towards it in mad bounds. The great wave -overtook her, bore her onward with it, and sunk her -within fifty feet of the shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes later Landless, breathless and -exhausted, staggered from out the hell of pounding -waves and blinding, stinging spray on to the shore. -Unlocking Patricia's arms from about his neck he -laid her gently down upon the sand and turned to -look for the other occupants of the hapless Bluebird. -They were close behind him. In a few minutes the -two men, battling against wind and rain, had borne the -women out of reach of the waves, and had placed them -in the shelter of a low bank of sand. As Landless -set his burden down he said reverently, "I thank -God, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I thank God," she answered, in the same tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tried to shield her from the wind with his body. -"It is frightful," he said, "that you should be -exposed to such a night. I pray God that you take no -harm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would it not be more sheltered higher up the -shore, under those trees?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps, but I fear to risk you there with the -lightning so near. Later, when the storm subsides, -we will try it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He seated himself so as to screen her as much as -possible from wind and rain, and a silence fell upon -the party so suddenly snatched from death. Regulus -stretched himself upon the sand and pulled Darkeih -down beside him. Within a few minutes they were -both asleep. The white man and woman sat side by -side without speaking, watching the storm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By degrees it raved itself out. The rain fell in less -and less volume, the lightning became infrequent, the -thunder pealed less loudly, and the wind died from a -hurricane into a breeze. In two hours' time from the -swamping of the boat the booming of the sea, and a -ragged mass of cloud, lit by an occasional flash and -slowly falling away from a pale and watery moon, -were the only evidences of the tornado which had -raged so lately.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The storm is over," said Patricia, breaking a -long silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Landless. "You have nothing to fear -now. Would you not like to walk a little? You -must be sadly chilled and weary with long sitting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I would," she answered, with a sigh of relief. -"Let us walk towards those trees, and see if forest or -water be beyond them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He helped her to her feet, and they left the slaves -sleeping upon the ground, and moved slowly, for she -was numbed with cold, towards the fringe of pines.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless walked beside her without speaking. A -while ago she had been simply a woman in danger of -death—something for him to protect and to save. -He had well nigh forgotten: he knew that she had -quite forgotten. She was safe now, and was become -once more the lady of the manor to whose soil he was -fettered, he had remembered, and she was beginning -to remember, for presently she said timidly and -sweetly, but with condescension in her voice;—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not ungrateful for all that you have done -for me to-night, for saving my life. And, trust me, -you will not find your mas—my father, ungrateful -either. We will find some way to reward—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I neither merit nor desire reward, madam," said -Landless, proudly and sadly, "for doing but my duty -as a man and as your servant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But—" she began kindly, when he interrupted -her with sudden passion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unless you wish to cut me to the heart, to bitterly -humiliate me, you will not speak of payment for any -service I may have done you. I have been a gentleman, -madam. For this one night treat me as such."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon," she said at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They reached the belt of trees and entered it. -Outside, the broken clouds had permitted an occasional -gleam of watery moonshine; within the shadow of the -trees it was gross darkness. Above them the wet -branches, moved by the wind which still blew strongly, -clashed together with a harsh and mournful sound, -showering them with heavy raindrops. Their feet -sank deeply in cushions of soaked moss and rotting -leaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is nothing to be done here," said Landless. -"It is better beneath the open sky."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There came a last, vivid flash of lightning that for -a moment lit the wood, showing long colonnades of -glistening tree trunks, with here and there a blasted -and fallen monster. It showed something more, for -within ten feet of them, from out a tangle of dripping, -rain-beaten vines looked the face of the murderer -of Robert Godwyn.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="landless-and-patricia"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">LANDLESS AND PATRICIA</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>For one moment the parties to this midnight -encounter stared at each other with starting eyeballs; -the next, down came the curtain of darkness between -them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a cry of terror Patricia seized and clung to -Landless's arm, trembling violently, and with her -breath coming in long, gasping sobs. Exhausted by -the previous terrors of the night, this last experience -completely unnerved her—she seemed upon the point -of swooning. Divining what would soonest calm her, -Landless hurried her out of the wood and down the -shore to the bank, beneath which lay the sleeping -slaves. Here she sank upon the sand, her frame -quivering like an aspen. "That dreadful face!" she -said in a low, shaken voice. "It is burned upon my -eyeballs. How came it there? Was it—dead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, madam," Landless said soothingly. -"'Tis simple enough. The murderer is in hiding -within these woods, and we stumbled upon his lair."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She gazed fearfully around her. "I see it -everywhere. And may he not follow us down here? Oh, -horrible!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not likely to do that," said Landless, with a -smile. "You may rest assured that he is far from -this by now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She drew a long breath of relief. "Oh! I hope he -is!" she cried fervently. "It was dreadful! No -storm could frighten me as did that face!" and she -shuddered again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Try not to think of it," he said. "It is gone -now; try to forget it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will try," she said doubtfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless did not answer, and the two sat in silence, -watching out the dreary night. But not for long, -for presently Patricia said humbly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you talk to me? I am frightened. It is so -still, and I cannot see you, nor the slaves, only that -horrid, horrid face. I see it everywhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless came nearer to her, and laid one hand -upon the skirt of her wet robe. "I am here, close to -you, madam," he said; "there can nothing harm you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began to speak quietly and naturally of this and -that, of what they should do when the day broke, of -Regulus's wound, of the storm, of the great sea and -its perils. He told her something of these latter, for -he knew the sea; piteous tales of forlorn wrecks, -brave tales of dangers faced and overcome, of heroic -endurance and heroic rescue. He told her tales of a -wild, rockbound Devonshire coast with its scattered -fisher villages; of a hidden cave, the resort of a band -of desperadoes, half smugglers, half pirates, wholly -villains; of how this cave had been long and vainly -searched for by the authorities; of how, one night, -a boy climbed down a great precipice, scaring the -sea-fowl from their nests, and lighted upon this cavern -with the smugglers in it, and in their midst a -defenseless prisoner whom they were about to murder. How -he had shouted and made wailing, outlandish noises, -and had sent rocks hurtling down the cliffs, until the -wretches thought that all the goblins of land and sea -were upon them, and rushed from the cavern, leaving -their work undone. Whereupon, the boy reclimbed -the cliff, and hastening to the nearest village, roused -the inhabitants, who hurried to their boats, and -descending upon the long-sought-for cave, surprised the -smugglers, cut them down to a man, and rescued the -prisoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man who told these things told them well. -The wild tales ran like a strain of sombre music -through the night. His audience of one forgot her -terror and weariness, and listened with eager interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well—" she said, as he paused.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is all. The ruffians were all killed and the -prisoner rescued."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the boy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, the boy! He went back to his books."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you know him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I knew him. See, madam, it has quite -cleared. How the moon whitens those leaping waves!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is beautiful. I am glad the prisoner -escaped. Was he a fisherman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; an officer of the Excise—a gallant man, -with a wife and many children. Yes, I suppose he -prized life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I am glad that the smugglers were all killed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless smiled. "Life to them was sweet, too, perhaps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not care. They were wicked men who -deserved to die. They had murdered and robbed. -They were criminals—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stopped short, and her face turned from white -to red and then to white again, and her eyes sought -the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had forgotten," she muttered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The hot color rose to Landless's cheek, but he said -quietly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had forgotten what, madam?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She flashed a look upon him. "You know," she -said icily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know," he answered. "I know that the -perils of this night had driven from your mind several -things. For a little while you have thought of, and -treated me, as an equal, have you not? You could -not have been more gracious to,—let us say, to Sir -Charles Carew. But now you have remembered what -I am, a man degraded and enslaved, a felon,—in -short, the criminal who, as you very justly say, should -not be let to live."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She made no answer, and he rose to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is almost day, and the moon is shining brightly. -You no longer fear the face in the dark? I will first -waken the slaves, and then will push along the shore, -and strive to discover where we are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Wait," -she said, putting out a trembling hand. "I have hurt -you. I am sorry. Who am I to judge you? And -whatever you may have done, however wicked you -may have been, to-night you have borne yourself -towards a defenseless maiden as truly and as -courteously as could have done the best gentleman in the -land. And she begs you to forget her thoughtless -words."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless fell upon his knee before her. "Madam!" -he cried, "I have thought you the fairest piece of -work in God's creation, but harder than marble -towards suffering such as may you never understand! -But now you are a pitying angel! If I swear to you -by the honor of a gentleman, by the God above us, -that I am no criminal, that I did not do the thing for -which I suffer, will you believe me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean that you are an innocent man?" she -said breathlessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As God lives, yes, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why are you here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am here, madam," he said bitterly, "because -Justice is not blind. She is only painted so. Led by -the gleam of gold she can see well enough—in one -direction. I could not prove my innocence. I shall -never be able to do so. And any one—Sir William -Berkeley, your father, your kinsman—would tell you -that you are now listening to one who differs from the -rest of the Newgate contingent, from the coiners and -cheats, the cut-throats and highway robbers in whose -company he is numbered, only in being hypocrite as -well as knave. And yet I ask you to believe me. I -am innocent of that wrong."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moonlight struck full upon his face as he knelt -before her. She looked at him long and intently, with -large, calm eyes, then said softly and sweetly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe you, and pity you, sir. You have suffered much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He bowed his head, and pressed the hem of her -skirt to his lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you," he said brokenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there nothing?" she said after a pause, -"nothing that I can do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook his head. "Nothing, madam. You have -given me your belief and your divine compassion. It -is all that I ask, more than I dared dream of asking -an hour ago. You cannot help me. I must dree my -weird. I would even ask of your goodness that you -say nothing of what I have told you to Colonel -Verney or to any one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she said thoughtfully. "If I cannot help -you, it were wiser not to speak. I might but make -your hard lot harder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Again I thank you." He kissed the hem of her -robe once more, and rose to his feet with a heart that -sat lightly on its throne.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day began to break. With the first faint flush -Landless woke the slaves, who at length yawned and -shivered themselves into consciousness of their -surroundings. "What are we to do now?" demanded -Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had best strike through that belt of woods -until we come to some house, whence we may get -conveyance for you to Verney Manor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. But oh! do not let us enter the forest -here where we saw that fearful face. Let us walk -along the shore until the light grows stronger. It is -still night within the woods."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless acquiesced with a smile, and the four—he -and Patricia in front, the negroes straying in the -rear—set out along the shore. The air was chill -and heavy, but there was no wind, and the unclouded -sky gave promise of a hot day. In the east the rosy -flush spread and deepened, and a pink path stretched -itself across the fast subsiding waters. The wet sand -dragged at their feet, and made walking difficult, -moreover Patricia was chilled and weary, so their -progress was slow. There were dark circles beneath her -eyes, and her lips had a weary, downward curve; her -golden hair, broken from its fastenings, hung in damp, -rich masses against her white throat and blue-veined -temples, and amidst the enshrouding glory her perfect -face looked very small and white and childlike. The -magnificent eyes carried in their clear, brown depths -an expression new to Landless. Heretofore he had -seen in them scorn and dislike; now they looked at -him with a grave and wondering pity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the sun rose, the shipwrecked party left the -shore, and entered the forest. A purple light filled -its vast aisles. Far overhead bits of azure gleamed -through the rifts in the foliage, but around them was -the constant patter and splash of rain drops, falling -slow and heavy from every leaf and twig. There was -a dank, rich smell of wet mould and rotting leaves, -and rain-bruised fern. The denizens of the woodland -were all astir. Birds sang, squirrels chattered, the -insect world whirred around the yellow autumn blooms -and the purpling clusters of the wild grape; from out -the distance came the barking of a fox. The sunlight -began to fall in shafts of pale gold through openings -in the green and leafy world, and to warm the chilled -bodies of the wayfarers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is like a bad dream," said Patricia gayly, as -Landless held back a great, wet branch of cedar from -her path. "All the storm and darkness, and the -great hungry waves and the danger of death! Ah! how -happy we are to have waked!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her glance fell upon Landless's face, and there came -to her a sudden realization that there were those in -the world, to whom life was not one sweet, bright -gala day. She gazed at him with troubled eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope you care to live," she said. "Death is -very dreadful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think so," he answered. "At least it -would be forgetfulness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She shuddered. "Ah! but to leave the world, the -warm, bright, beautiful world! To die on your bed, -when you are old—that is different. But to go -young! to go in storm and terror, or in horror and -struggling as did that man who was murdered! Oh, -horrible!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The thought of the murdered man brought another -thought into her mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you think," she said, "that we had better tell -that we saw the murderer at the first house to which -we come, or had we best wait until we reach Verney -Manor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless gave a great start. "You will tell Colonel -Verney that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She opened her eyes widely. "Why, of course! -What else should we do? Is not the country being -scoured for him? My father is most anxious that he -should be captured. Justice and the weal of the State -demand that such a wretch should be punished." She -paused and looked at him gravely as he walked beside -her with a clouded face. "You say nothing! This -man is guilty, guilty of a dreadful crime. Surely you -do not wish to shield him, to let him escape?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, madam," said Landless in desperation. -"But—but—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what?" she asked as he stopped in confusion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He recovered himself. "Nothing, madam. You -are right, of course. But I would not speak before -reaching Verney Manor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless walked on, bitterly perplexed and chagrined. -The strife and danger of the night, the intoxicating -sweetness of the morning hours when he knew -himself believed in and pitied by the woman beside -him, had driven certain things into oblivion. He had -been dreaming, and now he had been plucked from a -fool's paradise, and dashed rudely to the ground. -Yesterday and the life and thoughts of yesterday, which -had but now seemed so far away, pressed upon him -remorselessly. And to-morrow! He did not want Roach -to be taken. Always there would have been danger -to himself and his associates in the capture of the -murderer, but now when the vindictive wretch would -assuredly attribute his disaster to the man to whom -the lightning flash had revealed his presence on the -shores of the bay, the danger was trebled. And it -was imminent. He had little doubt that another night -would see Roach in custody, and he had no doubt at -all that the scoundrel would make a desperate effort -to save his neck by betraying what he knew of the -conspiracy—and thanks to Godwyn's lists he knew a -great deal—to Governor and Council.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia began to speak again. "It imports much -that men should see that there is no weakness in the -arm the law stretches out to seize and punish -offenders. My father and the Governor and Colonel -Ludlow believe that there is afoot an Oliverian -plot— What is the matter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You stood still and caught your breath. Are you -ill, faint?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is nothing, madam, believe me? You were saying?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh! the Oliverians! Nothing definite has been -discovered as yet, but there is thunder in the air, my -father says, and I know that he and the Governor and -the rest of the council are very watchful just now. -But yesterday my father said that those few hundred -men form a greater menace to the Colony than do all -the Indians between this and the South Sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They walked on in silence for a few moments, and -then she broke out. "They are horrible, those grim, -frowning men! They are rebels and traitors, one and -all, and yet they stand by and shake curses on the -heads of true men. They slew the best man, the most -gracious sovereign; they trampled the Church under -foot, they made the blood of the noble and the good -to flow like water, and now when they receive a -portion of their deserts, they call themselves martyrs! -They, martyrs! Roundhead traitors!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam," interrupted Landless with a curious -smile upon his lips, "did you not know that I was, -that I am, what you call a Roundhead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," she said, "I did not know," and stood perfectly -still, looking straight before her down the long -vista of trees. He saw her face change and harden -into the old expression of aversion. The slaves came -up to them, and Regulus asked if 'lil Missy wanted -anything. "No, nothing at all," she answered, and -walked quietly onward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, an angry pain tugging at his heart, kept -beside her, for they were passing through a deep -hollow in the wood where the gnarled and protruding -roots of cypress and juniper made walking difficult, -and where a strong hand was needed to push aside the -wet and pendent masses of vine. Regulus, fifty yards -behind them, began to sing a familiar broadside -ballad, torturing the words out of all resemblance to -English. The rich notes rang sweetly through the -forest. Down from the far summit of a pine flashed -a cardinal bird, piercing the gloom of the hollow like -a fire ball thrown into a cavern. Landless held aside -a curtain of glistening leaves that, mingled with -purple clusters of fruit, hung across their path. Patricia -passed him, then turned impulsively. "You think me -hard!" she said. "Many people think me so, but I -am not so, indeed.... And there are good Puritans. -Major Carrington, they say, is Puritan at heart, and -he is a good man and a gentleman.... And you -saved my life.... At least you are not like those -men of whom I spoke. You would not plot against -the good peace which we enjoy! You would not try -to array servant against master?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a direct question asked with large, straight-forward -eyes fixed upon his. He tried to evade it, -but she asked again with insistence, and with a faint -doubt lurking in her eyes, "If these men are plotting, -which God forbid! you know nothing of it? You -have great wrongs, but you would take no such -dastard way to right them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless's soul writhed within him, but he told the -inevitable lie that was none the less a lie that it was -also the truth. He said in a low voice, "I trust, -madam, that I will do naught that may misbecome a -gentleman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was quite satisfied. He saw that he had regained -the ground lost by his avowal of a few minutes -before, and he cursed himself and cursed his fate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon afterwards they emerged from the forest upon -a tobacco patch, from the midst of which rose a rude -cabin, in whose doorway stood a woman serving out -bowls of loblolly to half a dozen tow-headed children.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour later, Patricia, rested and refreshed, -took her seat behind the oxen, which the owner of the -cabin had harnessed up, with much protestation of his -eagerness to serve the daughter of Colonel Verney, -emptied her purse in the midst of the open-mouthed -children, and bade kindly adieu to the good wife. -Darkeih curled herself up in the bottom of the cart, -and Landless and Regulus walked beside it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In two hours' time they were at Verney Manor, -where they found none but women to greet them. -Rendered uneasy by the storm, Woodson had -despatched a messenger to Rosemead, who had returned -with the tidings that no boat from Verney Manor had -reached that plantation. The overseer had ill news -with which to greet the Colonel and Sir Charles when -at midnight they arrived unexpectedly from Green -Spring. Since then every able-bodied man had -deserted the plantation. There were no boats at the -wharf, no horses in the stables. The master and Sir -Charles were gone in the Nancy, the two overseers -on horseback. A Sabbath stillness brooded over the -plantation, until a negro woman recognized the -occupants of the ox-cart lumbering up the road. Then -there was noise enough of an exclamatory, feminine -kind. The shrill sounds penetrated to the great -room, where, behind drawn curtains, surrounded by -essences, and an odor of burnt feathers, with Chloe to -fan her, and Mr. Frederick Jones to murmur consolation, -reclined Mistress Lettice. As Patricia stepped -upon the porch, Betty Carrington flew down the stairs -and through the hall, and the two met with a little -inarticulate burst of cries and kisses. Mistress -Lettice in the great room went into hysterics for the -fifth time that morning.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-capture"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A CAPTURE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At noon the next day returned the search party, -dispatched by the Colonel on receipt of his daughter's -information, and headed by Woodson and Sir Charles -Carew. In their midst, bound with ropes, and seated -behind one of the mounted men, was Roach. His -clothing hung from him in tatters, and witnessed, -moreover, to the quagmires and mantled pools through -which he had struggled; his arm had been injured, and -was tied with a bloody rag; blood was caked upon -his villainous face, scratched and torn in his breathless -bursting through thickets; his red hair fell over -his eyes in matted elf-locks; his lips were drawn back -in a snarl over discolored fangs; he panted like a dog, -his thick red tongue hanging out. He looked hardly -human. The man behind whom he rode was Luiz -Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The party dismounted in the small square, in the -midst of the quarters. It being the noon rest, the -entire servant population was on hand, and leaving its -cabins and smoking messes of bacon and succotash, -it hastened to a man to the square, where, beneath -the dead tree and its sinister appendage, stood the -master, listening to Woodson's account of the capture, -and to Sir Charles's airy interpolations. Roach, -dragged from the horse by a dozen officious hands, -staggered with exhaustion. Luiz Sebastian caught -him by the arm and so held him during the ensuing -interview.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the unusual bustle, the neighing of the -horses, and the excited voices of the crowd brought -the news of the capture to Landless, sitting, sunk in -anxious thought, within his cabin, he rose and began -to pace to and fro in the narrow room. Past his door -hurried men, women and children on their way to the -square. One or two beckoned him to follow, but he -shook his head. "If he betray me," he thought, -"my fate will come to me soon enough. I will not -go to meet it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In his restless pacing to and fro, he stopped before -a shelf where, beside some coarse eating utensils and -the heap of tobacco pegs, the cutting of which -occupied his spare moments, lay a little worn book. It -had been Godwyn's. He opened it at random, and -read a few verses. With a heavy sigh he laid his -arm along the shelf and rested his burning forehead -upon it. "'Let not your heart be troubled,'" he -said beneath his breath; and again, "'Let not your -heart be troubled.'" He recommenced his pacing up -and down the room. "'Peace I leave with you, My -peace I give unto you.'" Going to the doorway he -leaned against it and looked out into a world of -sunshine, and up to where the topmost branches of a -pine slept against the blue. "There may be peace -beyond," he said. "I have not found it here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Down the lane came a murmur of voices; then the -overseer's harsh tones; then a light and mocking -laugh. Seized by an uncontrollable impulse he left -the cabin and directed his steps towards the square. -As he passed a cabin some doors from his own, a -gaunt figure arose from the doorstep and joined itself -to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The murderer is here," said the sepulchral voice -of Master Win-Grace Porringer. "Verily the blood -hath been taken out of his mouth, and his abominations -from between his teeth. Cursed be the shedder -of innocent blood!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen," said Landless, then. "This capture is -like to be our ruin. This wretch will not keep -silence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he has no proofs. Since you destroyed those -lists there exists not a scrap of writing about this -affair. And we have covered our tracks as carefully -as if we were the cursed heathen of the land upon the -war-path. Let him say what he will. The Malignants, -besotted fools! will think he lies to save his neck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A week ago they might have thought so," said -Landless. "But not now. Something has gotten -abroad. Already Governor and Council think they -smell a plot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian caught his breath. "How do -you know this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No matter how: I know it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Porringer raised his scarred face to heaven. "God," -he said, "we are thy people! Save us! Let -destruction come upon them unawares; let them go down a -dark and slippery way to death; make them to be -as blind and deaf adders that see not the foot of the -destroyer! Yea, shake thy hand upon these Malignants -and make them a spoil to their servants!" He -turned his ghastly face and burning eyes upon Landless. -"Curse them with me!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless shook his head. "Thou and I look not -alike at things, friend," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a Laodicean!" cried the other wildly. -"Thou hast not an eye single to the Lord's work as -had thy father before thee. Thou wouldst not smite -the Amalekites hip and thigh, root and branch! One -damsel would thou save alive, and for her sake thy -heart is soft towards the whole accursed brood! Look -to it lest the Lord spew thee out of His mouth! Woe, -woe, to him that putteth his hand to the plough and -looketh back!" He laughed wildly and tossed out -his arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think thou hast eaten of the Jamestown weed!" -said Landless fiercely. "Collect thy senses, man! -And speak something less loudly, or Roach's betrayal -will be superfluous. As to myself, if I curse not, I -act; and as for my motives for what you call -lukewarmness, and I call common humanity, you will -please to let them alone!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The excitement faded from the fanatic's face, and -he said more quietly, "You are right, friend. I was -mad for a moment, mad to see that freedom which is -so near us so imperiled. I meant not to quarrel -with you who have shown in the conduct of this work -the discernment of a young Daniel, yea, who have so -borne yourself, that I have grown to care for you as -I never thought to care again for human being. I -have prayed much that you should be brought from -the twilight of Calvinism into the pure light wherein -walk the disciples of the blessed Ludovick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They reached the square and mingled with the -motly crowd that lined its sides, leaving the centre -occupied only by the murderer, his captors, and the -master. Followed by the Muggletonian, Landless -made his way to where the yellow locks of young -Dick Whittington towered above the crowd. The boy -saw him coming, and edging past a knot of blacks, -met him in a little open space, whose only occupants -were two or three women, and an Indian squatting -upon the ground. Leaning against a pine, and fixing -his gaze and, to all appearance, his attention upon the -central group where the overseer was just finishing -a circumstantial account of the chase, Landless said -quietly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were of the party that took him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That I was!" answered the boy gleefully. -"Losh! but it was fun!" His blue eyes danced with -impish delight; a noiseless laugh showed all his strong -white teeth. "We went straight to the spot where -you and Mistress Patricia saw him by the lightning. -There the dogs struck his trail and the fun -commenced. Over streams and fallen trees, and -chinquepin ridges; through bogs and myrtle thickets and -miles of grape vines—swounds! but it was hot work! -Just look at the scratches on my face and hands! -Joyce Whitbread would n't know me! The Court -spark, he wore a mask and saved his beauty. He's -a well-plucked one, though, took the lead and kept -it, and when it was over, treated us to usquebaugh -at Luckey Doughty's store. Well, we run the fox to -earth in a Chickahominy village. Lord! I 'm sorry -for the half king of the Chickahominies! He'll have -to answer to Governor and Council for letting red -fox burrow in his village. Found him squatted in a -sassafras patch. Snarled and fought and tried to bite -like the beast he is. Woodson and the Court spark -took him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know what will be done with him now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He 'll be taken on to the gaol at the court-house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is five miles from here," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, near to the village where we took him. He 'll -be kept there until they can try him. And they'll -make short work of him. He 'll be food for crows -directly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The throng pressed upon them, forcing them nearer -to the group beneath the dead tree. The overseer -had finished his account, and the master was clearing -his throat to speak. Landless found himself upon the -inner verge of the mass of spectators, directly opposite -the murderer, and confronted by him with a look so -dark, wild and malignant, that he could not doubt the -intention that lay behind those scowling eyes. Luiz -Sebastian, still with the murderer's arm in his grasp, -gave him a peculiar look which he could not translate. -In the background he saw Trail's sinister face peering -over the shoulder of an Indian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You dog!" said the planter, addressing himself -directly to Roach. "What have you to say for yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The murderer made an uncertain sound with his -dry lips, and his bloodshot eyes roamed around the -circle from one staring face to another, until they -returned to rest upon the watchful, amber-hued -countenance beside him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak!" said his master sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll say nothing," was the dogged reply, "until -I stands my trial. I demands a fair trial."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remember that this is your last chance to speak -to me, to speak to any one in authority before you are -tried. Of course you will hang for this. Have you -anything to say? Do you wish to speak to me in -private?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The murderer raised his head, and shaking the -tangled hair from about his face, cast at Landless, -standing ten paces beyond the planter, such a look of -deadly and blasting hatred, that for a moment the -blood ran cold in the young man's veins. He set his -teeth and braced himself to meet the blow at plans -and hopes and life that should follow such a look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To his astonishment the blow did not fall. Roach -changed the basilisk gaze with which he had regarded -him to a vacant stare.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've naught to say," he whined, "except that I -hopes your honor will see that I has a fair trial—no -d—d Tyburn or Newgate hocus-pocussing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master beckoned to the overseer. "Take him -away," he said. "Take two or three men and carry -him on to the gaol."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He turned on his heel and walked to where Sir -Charles Carew leaned against a tree, idly flicking the -mud from his boots with his riding cane. Landless -standing near and listening with strained ears heard -the master say in answer to the other's lifted brows:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing to be learnt in that quarter. If there 's -rebellion brewing, he knows nothing of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fresh horses were brought from the stables. "You, -Luiz Sebastian, Taylor, and Mathew," said the -overseer, swinging himself into the saddle. The men -designated mounted, and Roach, bound and scowling, -was hoisted to his former seat behind Luiz Sebastian. -The cavalcade started. As the horse that bore the -double load passed Landless, the murderer twisted -himself about in his seat, and, with a venomous look, -spat at him. Luiz Sebastian smiled evilly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shaven head and fleshless face of Win-Grace -Porringer protruded themselves over Landless's -shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What does it mean?" he muttered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God knows," answered the other. "Come to -the trysting place to-night. We must act, and act -quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That night ten men met in the deserted hut on the -marsh, having stolen with the caution of Indians from -their respective plantations. Five were men who had -fought at Edgehill and Naseby and Worcester, or had -followed Cromwell through the breach at Drogheda. -Four were victims of the Act of Uniformity; darker, -sterner, more determined if possible, than the veterans -of the New Model. The tenth man was Landless. -When, late at night, he and Porringer crept stealthily -back to the quarters, it was with the conviction that -this was the last time they should so steal through the -darkness. The date of the rising had been fixed for -the thirteenth of September; this night, by Landless's -advice, it was brought forward to the tenth—and it -was now the sixth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Groping his way past the slumbering forms of the -three other occupants of his cabin, Landless threw -himself down upon his pallet with a heavy sigh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Liberty!" he said beneath his breath. "Goddess, -whom I and mine have sought through long -years, whom once we thought we held, and waked to -find thee gone,—once I thought thee fairer than -aught beside; thought no price too great to pay for -thee. But now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He hid his face in his hands with a stifled groan, -When at length he fell into a troubled sleep, it was -to see again a storm-tossed boat, and a woman's face, -set like a star against the blackness of the night.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-library-of-the-surveyor-general"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE LIBRARY OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At a long, low table stood Mistress Betty Carrington, -her slender figure enveloped in an apron of blue -dowlas, her sleeves of fine holland rolled above her -elbows, and her white and rounded arms plunged deep -into a great bowl filled with the purple globes of the -wild grape. A row of children knelt on the brick -floor at her feet, busily stripping the fruit from the -stems, and negresses, hard by, strained with sinewy -hands the crimson juice from the pulpy mass into jars -of earthenware. To this group suddenly entered a -breathless urchin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ohé, mistis! de Gov'nor an' Massa Peyton comin' -up de road!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Betty suspended her operations with a little cry. -"The Governor!" she exclaimed in dismay. "And -my father is gone a-processioning;—and my gown is -not seemly;—and he cannot be kept waiting!" She -threw off her apron, dipped her hands into the water -the slaves poured for her, and was at the hall door in -time to courtesy to the Governor, as, followed by a -groom, and attended by Mr. Peyton, he rode up to -the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the agility of youth his Excellency sprung -from his horse, threw the reins to the groom, and -advanced to greet the lady. A richly laced riding-suit -became his still slight and elegant figure to a -marvel; his gilt-spurred, Spanish leather boots were -of the newest, most approved cut; his periwig was -fresh curled, and framed with distinction a handsome, -if somewhat withered, countenance. He doffed his -Spanish hat with a bow and flourish: Betty courtesied -profoundly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Welcome to Rosemead, your Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I greet you well, pretty Mistress Betty," said the -Governor, and took a governor's privilege. Mr. Peyton -looked as though he would have liked to follow -his Excellency's example, but was fain to content -himself with the lady's hand, resigned to the respectful -pressure of his lips with a charming blush and a -dropping of long-fringed eyelids.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is your father, sweetheart?" demanded -the Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! your Excellency, he is unfortunate. The -vestry hath appointed this day for the examination of -boundaries in this parish, and as his Majesty's -Surveyor-General he leads the procession. But will not -your Excellency await his return? He will be here -anon, and with him Colonel Verney."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then will I wait, pretty one; for I have weighty -matters to discuss both with him and with Dick -Verney."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Betty ushered them into the great room, cool, dark, -and fragrant of roses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If your Excellency will permit me to withdraw, I -will order some refreshment for you after your long -ride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor sank into an armchair, and smiled -graciously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Faith! a bit of pasty comes not amiss after a -morning canter. And prithee see to the sack thyself, -Mistress Betty. And a dish of pippins and cheese," -continued the Governor, meditatively, "and a rasher -of bacon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There was a fine comb taken from the hive this -morning. Will your Excellency choose a bit? And -there are dates, sent my father by the captain of the -Barbary vessel, and a quince tart—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will taste of it all," said his Excellency, -graciously, "and afterwards a pipe and a saucer of sweet -scented, and your company, my love. Mr. Peyton, the -lady may find the honeycomb too heavy for her -lifting. We will excuse you to her assistance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am your Excellency's most obedient servant," -quoth Mr. Peyton with due submission, and hastened -after his blushing mistress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor, left alone, strolled to the window -and looked out upon the Chesapeake, lying blue and -unruffled beneath the dazzling sunshine; to the -mantel-piece, and smelt of the roses in the blue china -bowl; to the spinet, and picked out "Here 's to Royal -Charles" with one finger;—and finally brought up -before a corner cupboard, found the key in the door, -turned it, and came upon the Surveyor-General's -library.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm, what has he here?" soliloquized his -Excellency. "'Purchas; His Pilgrimes,' of course; -'General History of Virginia, New England and the -Summer Isles,' well and good; 'Good News from -Virginia,' humph! that must have been before my -time; 'Public Good without Private Interest,' humph! -What's this? 'Areopagitica,' John Milton! John -Hypocrite and Parricide! A pretty author, and a -pretty cause he advocates,—I thank God there are -no schools and no printing presses in this colony, nor -are like to be,—and a courageous Surveyor-General -to keep by him such pestilent stuff in the present year -of grace. 'Abuses Stript and Whipt,' 'Anglia -Rediva,' 'Diary of Nehemiah Wallington,' 'Bastwick's -Litany!' Miles Carrington, Miles Carrington! -I have my eye on thee! Thou hadst need to -walk warily! 'Zion's Plea against Prelacy,' -damnation! 'Speech of Mr. Hampden,' death and hell! -'Eikonoklastes,' may the foul fiend fly away with my -soul!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the Governor closed the cupboard door with a -bang, and, with a very red and frowning face, went -back to his seat, and there sank into a reverie, which -lasted until the entrance of Mistress Betty and -Mr. Peyton, followed by two slaves bearing an ample -repast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later came home the Surveyor-General, -bringing with him Colonel Verney, Sir Charles Carew, -and Captain Laramore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Surveyor-General made stately apologies to his -Excellency for his unavoidable absence: his Excellency, -holding himself very erect, heard him out, and -then said coldly, "Major Carrington may rest at ease. -I was sufficiently amused."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Truly the county knows Mr. Peyton's powers of -entertainment," said the Surveyor-General with a bow -and smile for that young gentleman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Peyton had other occupation," said the Governor -dryly. "And I fear that his is too cavalier a -wit, and that his sonnets and madrigals savor too -much of loyalty to the Anointed of the Lord and to -His Church to have proved acceptable to the -worshipful company with whom I have been engaged. I -have to congratulate his Majesty's Surveyor-General -on the possession of such a library as, I dare swear, -is to be found in no other house in this, his Majesty's -</span><em class="italics">loyal</em><span> dominion of Virginia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington glanced towards the cupboard, and bit -his lip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am pleased," he said stiffly, "that your Excellency -hath found wherewithal to pass an idle hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is, indeed, a choice collection," said the -Governor, with a smooth tongue, but with an angry light -in his eyes. "May I ask by whom it was chosen; -who it was that so carefully culled nightshade and -poison oak?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">I</em><span> choose my own reading," said Carrington -haughtily. "And I see not why Sir William -Berkeley should concern himself—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This passes!" exclaimed the Governor, giving -rein to his fury and striking his hand against the -table. "It doth concern me much, Major Carrington, -both as a true man, and as the Governor of this -Colony, the representative of his blessed Majesty, -King Charles the Second, may all whose enemies, -private and open, be confounded! that a gentleman who -holds a high office in this Colony should have in his -possession—ay! and read, too, for 't is a well-thumbed -copy—that foul emanation from a fouler mind, that -malicious, outrageous, damnable, proscribed book, -called 'Eikonoklastes!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If Sir William Berkeley doubts my loyalty—" -began Carrington fiercely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Carrington, you are too popular a man!" -broke in the Governor as fiercely. "When, upon -that black day, ten years ago, the usurper's frigates -entered the Chesapeake, and taking us unprepared, -compelled (God forgive me!) my submission, who -but Miles Carrington welcomed and entertained the -four commissioners (commissioners from a Roundhead -Parliament to a King's Governor!)? Who but -Miles Carrington was hand in glove with the -shopkeeper Bennett and the renegade Matthews? -Oh! they used their power mildly, I deny it not! They -were gracious and long-suffering; they left to the -loyal gentlemen, their sometime friends, life and -lands; they contented themselves with banishing a -loyal Governor to his own manor-house, and not, as -they might have done, to the wilderness, to perish -amongst the savages. O, they were exemplary despots! -What, when a turn of Fortune's wheel brought them -up, could grateful, loyal gentlemen, could a -grateful King's Governor do, but follow the example set -them and be civil to the officers of the late -Commonwealth, and something more than civil to the -gentleman who so gracefully avowed that he had but -bowed to the times, and that the restored sovereign -had no more faithful subject than he? When his -Majesty was graciously pleased to continue that -gentleman (at the solicitation of his loyal kindred at -home) in the office of Surveyor-General to this colony, -sure, we all rejoiced. It is not with the past of Major -Carrington that I quarrel; it is with the present. In -his case, that which should speak loudest for his -recovered loyalty is wanting. Others there are who -have that witness. Let Mr. Digges ride abroad, and -from his cabin-door some prick-eared cur cried out, -'Renegade!' (Pardon me, the word is not mine.) -The Oliverian and schismatic servants spit at him. -Is it so with Major Carrington? By G—d, no! -These people uncover to him as though he were the -arch rebel himself. Speak of his Majesty's Surveyor-General -before an Oliverian, and the fellow pricks up -his ears like a charger that scents the battle. Nay, I -am told that in their conventicles the schismatics pray -for him, that he may be brought back into the fold, -and may become a second Moses, and lead them out -of Egypt! Even the Quakers have a good word for -him. Major Carrington asks me if I question his -loyalty. I answer that I know not, but I do know -that the discontented and mutinous of the land do -look upon him with too favorable a regard. And his -loyalty is of that tender age that it may well be -susceptible to the influence of the evil eye." The -Governor, who was now in a white heat of passion, stopped -for breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir William Berkeley, you shall answer to me for -this!" said the Surveyor-General, with white lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With all the pleasure in life," said the Governor, -clapping his hand to his rapier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington folded his arms. "Not now," he said, -with stern courtesy. "I believe your Excellency sleeps -at Verney Manor? I, too, am invited thither. -There, and it please you, we will adjust our little -difference. For the present, you are my guest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor choked down his passion, though with -difficulty. "Till to-night then—" he began, when -Colonel Verney interposed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither to-night, nor at any other time," he said -sturdily. "Gadzooks! have not his Majesty's servants -enough on hand without employing their time in -pinking one another? Here are the Chickahominies -restive, and those plaguy Ricahecrians amongst us, and -the Nansemond Independents prophesying the end of -the world, and the witches' trial coming on, and the -Quakers to be routed out, and on top of it all this -story that Ludlow brings of a redemptioner's -assertion that there is afoot an Oliverian plot. And his -Majesty's Governor, and his Majesty's Surveyor-General -with drawn rapiers! For shame, gentlemen! -Major Carrington, my good friend and neighbor, for -whose loyalty to our present gracious sovereign I -would answer for as I would for my own, forget the -hasty words which I am sure Sir William Berkeley -already regrets. Come, Sir William, acknowledge -that you were over-choleric."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll be d—d if I do!" cried the Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We meet to-night," said the Surveyor-General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel turned to Sir Charles Carew, who had -been a highly amused spectator of this little scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Charles," he said impressively, "report hath it -that you have figured in more affairs of honor than -any man of your age at court. You should be a nice -judge of such gear. Join me in assuring these -gentlemen that they may be reconciled, and their honor -receive not the least taint; and so avert a duel which -would be a scandal to the community, and a menace -to the state."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles glanced from the pacific Colonel to the -sternly collected Surveyor-General, and thence to the -fiery Governor, whose white, jeweled fingers twitched -with impatience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly, sir," he said lazily, "you are welcome -to my poor opinion, which is that, considering the -nature of the provocation, and the standing of the -parties, there is one way out of the affair with honor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly!" said the Colonel eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles locked his hands behind his head. -"There 's a very pretty piece of ground behind your -orchard, sir," he said, dreamily regarding the ceiling. -"I noticed it the other day, and sink me! if I did not -wish for Harry Bellasses with whom I have fought -three times. 'T is ever a word and a blow with -Harry! The light just at sunset is excellent, though -your twilight cometh over soon. May I venture to -suggest to your Excellency that your </span><em class="italics">riposte</em><span> is more -brilliant than safe? Major Carrington, your parade -is somewhat out of fashion. I could teach you the -newest French mode in five minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am obliged for your offer, sir," said the -Surveyor-General dryly. "The other has served my turn, -and must do so again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir Charles Carew will do me the honor to be my -second?" asked the Governor of that gentleman, who -answered with a low bow, and a "The honor is mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Laramore?" said the Surveyor-General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At your service, Major," cried the Captain, a dashing, -black-a-vised personage, with large gold rings in -his ears, a plume a yard long in his castor, and a -general Draweansir air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will Captain Laramore fight?" inquired Sir -Charles. "I have had the honor of changing the -date for sailing for several gentlemen of his profession."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so accomplished a swordsman as Sir Charles -Carew is allowed to be, hath yet a lesson to learn," -said the doughty captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that is—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pride shall have a fall—to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles smiled politely. "The ship that is -anchored off yonder point is yours, is it not? Would -you not like to take a last look at her? Or to leave -instructions for your lieutenant and successor? There -is time for you to gallop to the point and back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am I to have the honor of crossing swords with -you, Colonel Verney?" asked Mr. Peyton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, sir!" exclaimed the vexed Colonel. "You -are not! I wash my hands of this foolish fray. -William Berkeley, I have never scrupled to tell thee -when I thought thee in the wrong. I think so now. -Charles, thou art an impudent fellow! I have it in -my mind to wish that the Captain may give thee the -lesson he talks of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, sir," drawled the gentleman addressed. -"Mr. Peyton looks quite disconsolate. Sink me! if -it's not a shame to leave him out in the cold. If he -will wait his turn I will be happy to oblige him when -I have disposed of the Captain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will do no such thing!" retorted his kinsman. -"Mr. Peyton, take your hand off your sword! At -least there shall be two sane men at this meeting. I -suppose, gentlemen, you agree with me that this affair -cannot be kept too private? To that end you had best -ride with me to Verney Manor, and there have it out -on this plot of ground Charles talks of. It is at least -retired."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T is a most sweet spot," said Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good!" quoth the Governor. "And now that -this little matter is settled, I am once more, and for -the present, sir, simply your obliged guest and -servant," and he bowed to the Surveyor-General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington returned the bow. "We will drink to -our better acquaintance to-night. Pompey! the sack -and the aqua vitae. And, Pompey! a handful of mint."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The company fell to drinking, and then to tobacco. -The Governor, whose fits of passion were as short as -they were violent, arrived by rapid degrees at a pitch -of high good humor. The company listened gravely -for the fiftieth time to stories of the court of the -first James; of Buckingham's amours, of the beauty -of Henrietta Maria, of a visit to Paris, an interview -with Richelieu, a duel with a captain of Mousquetaires, -a kiss imprinted upon the fair hand of Anne -of Austria. The charmed stream of the old courtier's -reminiscences flowed on—he stopped for breath, and -Sir Charles took the word and proceeded to unfold -before their dazzled eyes a gorgeous phantasmagoria. -The King, the Duke, Sedley and Buckingham, -Mesdames Castlemaine, Stuart and Gwynne, Dryden and -Waller and Lely, the King's house, the Queen's chapel, -the Queen's duennas, the Tityre Tus, Paul's Walk, the -Russian Ambassador, astrologers, orange girls, balls, -masques, pageants, duels, the court of Louis le Grand, -the King's hunting parties, Madame d'Orleans, Olympe -di Mancini.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor listened with dilating nostrils and -sparkling eyes; Colonel Verney's vexed countenance -smoothed itself; Captain Laramore, sitting with -outstretched legs, and head hidden in clouds of tobacco -smoke, rumbled from out that obscurity laughter and -strange oaths. Even Mr. Peyton, after vainly trying -to fix his attention upon the construction of a sonnet -to his mistress's eyebrow, succumbed to the enchantment, -and sat with parted lips, drinking in wonders; -but the Surveyor-General, though he listened -courteously, listened with forced smiles and with an -attention which was hard to preserve from wandering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the midst of a brilliant account of the nuptials -of the Chevalier de Grammont came an interruption.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"De horses am fed an' brought roun', massa."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor started up. "Rat me, if good sack -and good stories make not a man forget all else -beside! Colonel Verney, I wish you, as lieutenant of -this shire, to ride with me to this Chickahominy -village where I have promised an audience to the half -king of the tribe. Plague on the unreasonable -vermin! Why can they not give way peaceably? If the -colony needs and takes their lands, it leaves them a -plenty elsewhere. Let them fall back towards the -South Sea. Sir Charles, I grieve for the necessity, -but we must leave the court and come back to the -wilderness. Gentlemen, will you ride with Verney -and me, or shall we part now to meet at sunset in his -orchard?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had best ride with your Excellency," said -Carrington gravely. "I like not the temper of the -Chickahominies, who ever mean most when they say -least. And these roving Ricahecrians, their guests, -are of a strange and fierce aspect. It is as well to go -in force."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Those vagrants from the Blue Mountains have -been here overlong," said the Governor. "I shall -send them packing! Well, gentlemen, since we are -to have the pleasure of your company, boot and saddle -is the word!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="wherein-the-peace-pipe-is-smoked"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">WHEREIN THE PEACE PIPE IS SMOKED</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The sun had some time passed the meridian when -the party saw through the widening glades of the -forest the gleam of a great river, and upon its bank -an Indian village of perhaps fifty wigwams, set in -fields of maize and tobacco, groves of mulberries, and -tangles of wild grape. The titanic laughter of -Laramore and the drinking catch which Sir Charles trolled -forth at the top of a high, sweet voice had announced -their approach long before they pushed their horses -into the open; and the population of the village was -come forth to meet them with song and dance and in -gala attire. The soft and musical voices of the young -women raised a kind of recitative wherein was lauded -to the skies the virtue, wisdom and power of the white -father who had come from the banks of the Powhatan -to those of the Pamunkey to visit his faithful -Chickahominies, bringing (beyond doubt) justice in his -hand. The deeper tones of the men chimed in, and -the mob of naked children, bringing up the rear of the -procession, added their shrill voices to the clamor, -which, upon the booming in of a drum and the furious -shaking of the conjurer's rattle, became deafening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chant came to an end, but the orchestra -persevered. Ten girls left the throng, formed themselves -into line, and advancing one after the other with a -slow and measured motion, laid at the feet of the -Governor (who had dismounted) platters of parched -maize, beans and chinquapins, with thin maize cakes. -They were succeeded by two stalwart youths bearing, -slung upon a pole between them, a large buck which -they deposited upon the ground before the white men. -There came a tremendous crash from the drum, and a -discordant scream from a long pipe made of a reed. -The crowd opened, and from out their midst stalked a -venerable Indian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My fathers are welcome," he said gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the half king?" demanded the Governor -sharply. "I have no time for these fooleries. -Make them stop that infernal racket, and lead us to -your chiefs at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian frowned at this cavalier reception of -the village civilities, but he waved his arm for the -music to cease, and proceeded to conduct the visitors -through a lane made by two rows of dusky bodies -and staring faces, to a large wigwam in the centre of -the village. Before this hut stood a mulberry tree -of enormous size, and seated upon billets of wood in -the shade of its spreading branches were the half king -of the tribe and the principal men of the village.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their faces and the upper portions of their bodies -were painted red—the color of peace. They wore -mantles of otter skins, and from their ears depended -strings of pearl and bits of copper. To the earring -of the half king were attached two small, green -snakes that twisted and writhed about his neck; his -body had been oiled and then plastered with small -feathers of a brilliant blue, and upon his head was -fastened a stuffed hawk with extended wings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To one side of this group stood a band of Indians, -two score or more in number, who differed in -appearance and attire from the Chickahominies. The iron -had entered the soul of the latter; they had the -bearing of a subject race. Not so with the former. They -were men of great size and strength, with keen, fierce -faces; their clothing was of the scantiest possible -description; ornaments they had, but of a peculiar -kind—necklaces and armlets of human bones, belts -in which long tufts of silk grass were interwoven with -a more sinister fibre. They leaned on great bows, -and each sternly motionless figure looked a bronze -Murder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chief of the Chickahominies raised his eyes -from the ground as the Governor and his party -entered the circle. "My white fathers are welcome," -he said. "Let them be seated," and looked at the -ground again. The "white fathers" took possession -of half a dozen billets, and waited in silence the next -move of the game. After a while, the half king lifted -from the log beside him a pipe with a stem a yard -long and a bowl in which an orange might have -rested. An Indian, rising, went to where a fire -burned beneath a tripod, and returning with a live -coal between his fingers, calmly and leisurely lighted -the pipe. The half king, still in dead silence, lifted -it to his lips, smoked for five minutes, and handed it -to the Indian, who bore it to the Governor. The -Governor drew two or three tremendous whiffs and -passed it on to Colonel Verney, who in his turn -transferred it to the Surveyor-General. When the -monster pipe had been smoked by each of the white men, -it went the round of the savages. An Indian summer -haze began to settle around the company. Through -it the patient gazing throng on the outskirts of the -circle became shadowy, impalpable; the face of the -half king, now hidden in shifting smoke wreaths, now -darkly visible, like that of an eastern idol before -whom incense is burned. There was no sound save -the wash of the waters below them, the sighing of the -wind, the drone of the cicadas in the trees. The -Indians sat like statues, but the white men were more -restive. The elders managed to restrain their -impatience, but Laramore began to whistle, and when -checked by a look from the Governor, turned to Sir -Charles with a comically disconsolate face and a shrug -of the shoulders. Whereupon the latter drew from his -pocket, dice and a handful of gold pieces. Laramore's -face brightened, and the two, screened from observation -by the Colonel's shoulders, which were of the -broadest, fell to playing noiselessly, cursing beneath -their breath. Mr. Peyton leaned his elbow on his -knee, and his chin upon his hand, and allowed the -dreamy beauty of the afternoon to overflow a poetic -soul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length, and when the patience of the whites was -well-nigh exhausted, the pipe came back to where the -half king sat with lowered eyes and impassive face. -He laid it down beside him and rose to his feet, -gathering his mantle around him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My white fathers are welcome," he said in a -sonorous voice. "Very welcome to the Chickahominies -is the face of the white father, who rules in the -place of the great white father across the sea. Their -corn feast is not yet, and yet my people rejoice. Our -hearts were glad when my father sent word that he -would this day visit his faithful Chickahominies. -Our ears are open: let my father speak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank Harquip and his people for their welcome," -said the Governor coldly. "I have ever found -them full of words. They profess loyalty to the great -white father beyond the seas, but they forget his good -laws and disobey his officers. I am weary of their -words."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me," said Harquip, with a sombre face, "are -they good laws which drive us from our hunting -grounds? Are they good laws which take from us -our maize fields? Does the great white father love -to hear our women cry for food? or is his heart -Indian and longs for the sound of the war whoop?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a threat," the Governor said sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian waved his hands. "Have we not -smoked the peace pipe?" he said coldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph!" said the Governor then, "I am not -come to listen to idle complaints. Your grievances as -to the land shall be laid before the next Assembly, and -it will pass judgment upon them—justly and -righteously, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ugh!" said the Indian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am here," continued the Governor, "to ask -certain questions of the Chickahominies, and to lay -certain commands upon them which they will do well -to obey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let my father speak," said the Indian calmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you shelter in your village the man with -the red hair? Word was sent to all the tribes, to the -Nansemonds, the Wyanokes, the Cheskiacks, the -Paspaheghs, the Pamunkeys, the Chickahominies, that he -should be delivered up if they found him among -them. Why did the Chickahominies hide him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the night time, the red fox came to the village -of the Chickahominies and burrowed there. The -eyes of my people were closed: they saw him not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! Why did you not carry your guns to the -Court House when the tribes were ordered to do so, a -fortnight ago, and leave them there, taking in exchange -roanoke and fire-water?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My fathers asked much," said the half king -gloomily. "My young men love their sticks-that-speak. -They love to see the deer go down before -them like maize before the hail storm. My fathers -asked much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many guns has your village?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five," was the prompt reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! To-morrow you will deliver ten guns to -the captain of the trainband at the court-house. When -do these men," pointing to the stranger band, "return -to their tribe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are our friends. They wait to dance the -corn dance with us. Then will they return to the -Blue Mountains, and will tell the Ricahecrians of the -great things they have seen, and of the wisdom and -power of my white fathers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When is your corn feast?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seven suns hence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must be gone to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of the half king darkened, and there was -a slight, instantly repressed movement among the -circle of braves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My father asks very much," said the half king -with emphasis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not more than I can, and will, enforce," said the -Governor sternly, and getting to his feet as he spoke. -"You, Harquip, shall be answerable to me and to the -Council for these men's departure to-morrow. If by -sunrise of the next morning their canoes are far up -the river, headed for the Blue Mountains, if by the -same hour the guns which you have retained in -defiance of the express decree of the Assembly, be given -up to those at the Court House, then will I overlook -your hiding the man with the red hair, and the -Assembly will listen to your complaints as to your -hunting grounds. Disobey, and my warriors shall -come, each with a stick-that-speaks in his hand. I -have spoken," and the Governor beckoned to the -servants who held the horses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The half king rose also. "My white father shall -be obeyed," he said with gloomy dignity. "He is -stronger than we. Otee has been angry with the real -men for many years. He is gone over to the palefaces -and helps their god against the real men. My -young men shall take their guns back to the palefaces -to-morrow, and shall bring back fire-water, and we will -drink, and forget that the days of Powhatan are past -and that Otee fights against us. Also when the -Pamunkey is red with to-morrow's sunset, my brothers -from the Blue Mountains shall turn their faces -homewards. My father is content?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am content," said the Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a thing which my brothers have to say to -my white fathers," continued the half king. "Will -they hear the great chief, Black Wolf?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor pulled out a great watch, glanced at -it, and sighed resignedly. "Gentlemen, have patience -a moment longer. Harquip, I will listen to the -Ricahecrian until the shadow of that tree reaches the -fire. What says he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The half king spoke to the strangers in their own -tongue—their ranks broke, and an Indian stalked -forward to the centre of the circle. His tall, powerful, -nearly nude figure was thickly tatooed with -representations of birds and beasts; he wore an armlet of -a dull, yellow metal ("Gold! by the Eternal!" -ejaculated the Governor to Colonel Verney); over his -naked, deeply scarred breast hung three strings of -hideous mementoes of torture stakes; the belt that -held tomahawk and scalping knife was fringed with -human hair; beside his streaming scalplock was stuck -the dried hand of an enemy. The face beneath was -cunning, relentless, formidable. He spoke in his own -language, and the half king translated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Black Wolf is a great chief. In his village in -the Blue Mountains are fifty wigwams—the largest is -his. There are a hundred braves—he leads the war -parties. The Monacans run like deer, the hearts of -the Tuscaroras become soft, they hide behind their -squaws! Black Wolf is a great chief. Seven moons -of cohonks have passed since the Ricahecrians -sharpened their hatchets and came down from the -mountains to where the waters of Powhatan fall over many -rocks. There they met the palefaces. The One above -all was angry with his Ricahecrians. They saw for the -first time the guns of the palefaces. They thought -they were gods who spat fire at them and slew them -with thunder. Their hearts became soft, and they fled -before the strange gods. Some the palefaces slew, and -some they took prisoner. Black Wolf saw his brother, -the great chief Grey Wolf, fall. The Ricahecrians -went back to the Blue Mountains, and their women -raised the death chant for those whom they left -stretched out on the bank of the great river.... -Seven times had the maize ripened, when Black Wolf -led a war party against a tribe that dwelt on the -banks of the Pamunkey where a fallen pine might -span it. The waters ran red with blood. When -there were no more Monacans to kill, when the fires -had burnt low, Black Wolf looked down the waters of -the Pamunkey. He had heard that it ran into a great -water that was salt, whose further bank a man could -not see. He had heard that the palefaces rode in -canoes that had wings, great and white. He thought -he would like to know if these things were true, or if -they were but tales of the singing birds. To find out, -Black Wolf and his young men dipped their oars -into the water of the Pamunkey, and rowed towards -the moonrise. In the morning they met twenty men -of the Pamunkeys in three canoes. The Pamunkeys -lie deep in the slime of the river; the eels eat them; -their scalps shall hang before the wigwams of Black -Wolf and his young men. In the afternoon, they -drove their canoes into the reeds and went into the -forest to find meat. Black Wolf's arrow brought -down a buck and they feasted. Afterwards they -caught a hunter who saw only the deer he was -chasing. They tied him to a tree and made merry -with him. When he was dead, they drew their boats -from out the reeds, and rowed on down the broadening -river. The next day, at the time of the full -sun-power, they came to this village. Many years before -the palefaces came, the Chickahominies were a great -nation, reaching to the foot of the Blue Mountains, -and then were they and the Ricahecrians friends and -allies. When Black Wolf showed them the totem of -his tribe upon his breast, they welcomed him and his -young men. That was ten suns ago. Black Wolf -and his young men have seen many things. When -they go back to the Blue Mountains, the Ricahecrians -will think they listen to singing birds. They will tell -of the great salt water, of the boats with wings, of the -palefaces, of their fields of maize and tobacco, of the -black men who serve them, of their temples, werowanees -and women. They will tell of the great white -father who rules, of his power, his wisdom, his open -hand—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought it would come at last," quoth the -Governor. "What does he want, Harquip?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Ricahecrian starts for his wigwam in the -Blue Mountains to-morrow as my father commands. -He says: 'Shall I not return to my people with a -gift from the great white father in my hand?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor laughed. "Let one of your young -men go to the court-house. I will give him an order -for beads, for a piece of red cloth, and yes, rat -me! he shall have a mirror! I hope he is satisfied!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The half king's eyes gleamed covetously. "My -father gives large gifts. He has indeed an open hand. -But the Ricahecrian desires another thing. He says: -'Seven years ago, at the falls of the Powhatan, -Black Wolf saw his brother fall before the -stick-that-speaks of the palefaces. Grey Wolf was a great -chief. The village in the Blue Mountains mourned -very much. Nicotee, his squaw, went wailing into -the land of shadows. His son hath seen but seven -moons of corn, but he dreams of the day when he -shall sharpen the hatchet against the slayers of his -father.... The Chickahominies have told Black -Wolf that his brother was wounded and not slain by -the palefaces. They brought him captive to their -great board wigwams. There they tied him not to the -torture stake; they knew that a Ricahecrian laughs -at the pine splinters. They tortured his spirit. They -made him a woman. The great chief of the -Ricahecrians no longer throws the tomahawk—the guns -of the palefaces are about him. He dances the corn -dance no more—his back is bowed with burdens. -His arrow brings not down the fleeing deer, he tracks -not the bear to his den—he toils like a squaw in the -fields of the palefaces. Black Wolf says to the white -father: 'Give back the Sagamore to the Ricahecrians, -to his son, to the village by the falling stream in -the Blue Mountains. Then will the Ricahecrians be -friends with the palefaces forever. To-morrow Black -Wolf and his young men row towards the sunset; let -the captive chief be in their midst. This is the gift -which Black Wolf asks of his white fathers. He has -spoken.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the midst of a dead silence the half king took -his seat and studied the ground. The Chickahominies, -squatted round the circle, stirred not a finger, and -the outer row of spectators, motionless against a -background of interlacing branches patched with vivid blue, -seemed a procession in tapestry. The Ricahecrians -and their formidable chief maintained a stony gloom. -Whatever interest they felt in the fate of their captive -chief was carefully concealed. The sun, now hanging, -broad and red, low in the heavens might have been -the Gorgon's head and the whole village staring at it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor began to laugh. Sir Charles chimed -in musically and Laramore followed suit. The -Surveyor-General frowned, but the Colonel, after one or -two attempts at sobriety of demeanor, succumbed, and -the trio became a quartette. The glades of the forest -rang to the jovial sound—it was as though there -were enchantment in the golden afternoon, or in the -ring of dark and frowning countenances before them, -for they laughed as though they would never stop. -Even the servants at the horses' heads were infected, -and laughed at they knew not what.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Surveyor-General lost patience. "I think the -Jamestown weed groweth in these woods," he said -dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor pulled himself together. "Faith! I -believe you are right!" he said airily. "But rat me! if -the impudence of the varlets be not the most amusing -thing since the Quaker's plea for toleration!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The amusement seems to be on our side," said the -Surveyor-General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor cast a careless glance in the direction -indicated by the other. "Pshaw! a fit of the sulks! -They will get over it. Is this precious captive the -giant whom I have seen at Rosemead, Major Carrington?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, your Excellency. My man is a Susquehannock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe I may lay claim to the fellow, Sir William," -said the Colonel, wiping his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he the Indian who was whipt the other day?" -asked Sir Charles, taking snuff.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For stealing fire-water—yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor began to laugh again. "Of course -you will release the rascal, Colonel? The Blue -Mountains threaten war if you do not. Fling yourself into -the breach, and so prevent a 'scandal to the -community and a menace to the State,' to quote your -words of this morning. Consistency is a jewel, Dick -the Peacemaker. Wherefore let the savage go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll be d—d if I do!" cried the Colonel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor, shaking with laughter, got to his -feet. At a signal his groom brought up his horse -and held the stirrup for him to mount. His Excellency -swung himself into the saddle and gathered the -reins into his gauntleted hands; the remainder of the -company, too, got to horse. The Governor's steed, a -fiery, coal black Arabian, danced with impatience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Selim scents a fray!" cried his Excellency. -"Come on, gentlemen! 'Twill be sunset before we -reach that sweet piece of earth behind Verney's -orchard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The half king rose from his scat, took three -measured strides, and stood side by side with the -Ricahecrian chief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My white father will give to the Ricahecrian the -gift he asks?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gust of passion took the Governor. "No!" he -thundered, turning in his saddle. "The Ricahecrian -may go to the devil and the Blue Mountains alone!" He -struck spurs into his horse's sides. "Gentlemen, -we waste time!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Arabian dashed down one of the winding -glades of the forest; the remainder of the party -spurred their horses into the mad gallop known as -the "planter's pace," and in an instant the whole -cavalcade had whirled out of sight. A burst of -laughter, made elfin by distance, came back to the village -on the banks of the Pamunkey, then all was quiet -again. The gold-laced, audacious company had -vanished like a troop of powerful enchanters, leaving -behind them a sullen throng of native genii, kept down -by a Solomon's Seal which is </span><em class="italics">not</em><span> always unbreakable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something stirred in the midst of the great mulberry -tree, a tree so vast and leafy that it, might have -hidden many things. A man swung himself down -with a lithe grace from limb to limb, and finally -dropped into the circle of Indians who stood or sat in -a sombre stillness which might mean much or little. -Only on the outskirts the crowd of women, children -and youths, had commenced a low, monotonous, -undefined noise which had in it something sinister, -ominous. It was like the sound, dull and heavy, of the -ground swell that precedes the storm. The man who -dropped from the tree was Luiz Sebastian, and his -appearance seemed in no degree to surprise the -Indians. There followed a short and sententious -conversation between the mulatto, the half king and the -Ricahecrian chief. Beside the half king lay the still -smoking peace pipe. When the colloquy was ended, -he raised it. At a signal an Indian brought water in -a gourd, and into it the half king plunged the glowing -bowl. The fire went out in a cloud of hissing steam. -The sound of the ground swell became louder and -more threatening.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-duel"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE DUEL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The trees of the orchard stood out black against a -crimson sky. "Faith! it is a color we shall see more -of presently," said Laramore, divesting himself of his -doublet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His antagonist, passing a laced handkerchief along -a gleaming blade, smiled politely. "A pretty tint. -Wine, the lips of women, Captain Laramore's -blood—Lard! 't is a color I adore!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gentlemen!" cried Colonel Verney. "Once more -I beg of you to forego this foolish quarrel. William -Berkeley, for the first time in your life, be -reasonable!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor turned sharply, his chest, beneath -his shirt of finest holland, swelling, each closely -cropped hair upon his head, bared for action, stiff -with injured dignity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Colonel Richard Verney forgets himself," he -began angrily; then, "Confound you, Dick! keep your -hands out of this. I don't want to fight you too! I -say not that this gentleman is disloyal, but I do say, -and I will maintain it with the last drop of my blood, -that he strives to draw to himself a party in the State, -with what intent he best knows. If he choose to -pocket that assertion and withdraw, I am content."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On guard, sir," said Carrington, raising his sword.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel shrugged his shoulders, and returned -to his post beside Mr. Peyton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, gentlemen, since you will not be ruled. -Are you ready?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rapiers clashed together, and the game began.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor fenced brilliantly, if a trifle wildly; -his antagonist with a cool steadiness of manner and an -iron wrist. Laramore fought with bull-like ferocity, -striving to beat down his opponent's guard, making -mad lunges, stamping, and keeping up a continuous -rumble of oaths. Sir Charles, always smiling, and -with an air as if his thoughts were anywhere but at -that particular spot, put aside his thrusts with the -ease with which the toreador avoids the bull.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Peyton was moved to reluctant admiration. -"When I was in London, sir," he said in an excited -whisper to the Colonel, "I did see Mathews fight with -Westwicke, and thought I had seen fencing indeed, -but your cousin—ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Laramore's sword described a curve in the air, and -lodged in the boughs of an apple-tree, while its owner -staggered forward and fell heavily to the ground. At -the same instant Carrington wounded the Governor -in the wrist. Colonel Verney struck up the weapons. -"By the Lord, gentlemen! you shall go no further! -Jack Laramore's down, run through the shoulder! -Major Carrington, you have drawn blood—it is -enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If Sir William Berkeley is content," began -Carrington, bowing to his antagonist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rat me! I 've no choice," said the Governor -ruefully. "You've disabled my sword arm, and the -gout has the other."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall be happy to wait until the wound shall -have healed," said the Surveyor-General, with another -bow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no," said his Excellency, with a laugh. "We 'll -cry quits. And rat me! if now that we have had it -out, I do not love thee better, Miles Carrington, than -ever I did before. In the morning when thou goest -home, burn thy library, burn Milton and Bastwick, -and Withers, and the rest of the rogues, forswear -such rascally company forever, and rat me! if I will -not maintain that thou art the honestest, as well as the -longest-headed, man in the colony. There 's my hand -on it, and to-night we 'll have a rouse such as would -make old Noll turn in his grave if he had one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington took the proffered hand courteously, if -coldly. "I thank your Excellency for your advice. -Your Excellency should have your wound attended to -at once. You are losing a deal of blood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tut, a trifle!" said the Governor, airily, winding -a handkerchief about the bleeding member.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there ever a chirugeon upon the place?" asked -Sir Charles in his most dulcet tones. "If not, I fear -that Captain Laramore will very shortly make his last -voyage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Egad! that will never do!" cried the Colonel, -dropping upon his knees beside the wounded man. -"A bad thrust! Charles, thou art the very devil!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I ride for the doctor?" cried Mr. Peyton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. Anthony Nash is at the house. Run, lad, -and fetch him. He is surgeon as well as divine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Peyton disappeared; and presently there stood -in the midst of the group gathered about the unconscious -captain, a man clad in a clerical dress and of a -very dignified and scholarly demeanor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha, gentlemen!" he said gravely, looking with -bright, dark eyes from one to the other. "This is a -sorry business. Shirts, drawn rapiers, trampled turf, -Sir William bleeding, Captain Laramore senseless -upon the ground! His Excellency the Governor; -Major Carrington, the Surveyor-General; Colonel -Verney, the lieutenant of the shire;—scandalous, -gentlemen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Anthony Nash who would give his chance of -a mitre to have been one of us," cried the Governor. -"Ha! Anthony! dost remember the fight behind -Paul's, three to one,—and the baggage that brought -it about?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The divine, on his knees beside Laramore, looked up -with a twinkle in his eye from his work of tying laced -handkerchiefs into bandages. "That was in the dark -ages, your Excellency. My memory goeth not back -so far. Ha! that is better! He is coming to -himself. It is not so bad after all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Laramore groaned, opened his eyes, and struggled -into a sitting posture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blast me! but I am properly spitted. Sir Charles -Carew, my compliments to you. You are a man after -my own heart. Ha, your Excellency! I find myself -in good company. Dr. Anthony Nash, I shall have -you out! You have torn the handkerchief Mistress -Lettice Verney gave me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Doctor laughed. "You must be got to the -house at once, and to bed, where Mistress Lettice, -who is as skillful in healing as in making wounds, -shall help me to properly dress this one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Laramore staggered to his feet. "Give me an -arm, Doctor; and Peyton, clap my periwig upon my -head, will you? and fetch me my sword from where I -see it, adorning yonder bough. Sir Charles Carew, -I am your humble servant. Damme! it's no disgrace -to be worsted by the best sword at Whitehall." And -the gallant captain, supported by the clergyman -and Mr. Peyton, reeled off the ground; the remainder -of the party waiting only to assume doublets and wigs -before following him to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two hours later Sir Charles Carew rose from the -supper-table, and leaving the gentlemen at wine, -passed into the great room, and came softly up to -Patricia, sitting at the spinet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My heart was not there," he said, answering her -smile and lifted brows. "I am come in search of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She laughed, fingering the keys. "Did you leave -it on the field of honor? Fie, sir, for shame! -Doctor Nash says that Captain Laramore will not use his -arm for a fortnight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What—" said Sir Charles, dropping his voice and -leaning over her—"what if I had been the wounded -one?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would have made your gruel with great pleasure, -cousin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She laughed again, and looked at him half tenderly, -half mockingly. There were silver candlesticks upon -the spinet and the light from the tall wax tapers fell -with a white radiance over the slender figure in -brocade and lace, the gleaming shoulders, the beautiful -face, and the shining hair. Her eyes were brilliant, -her mouth all elusive, mocking, exquisite curves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He raised a wandering lock of gold to his lips. -"The King hath written, commanding me home to -England," he said abruptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, my father told me. He says the King loves -you much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles left her side, twice walked the length -of the room, and came back to her. "Am I to go as -I came—alone?" he asked, standing before her with -folded arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you so desire, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you go with me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He caught her in his arms; but she cried out and -freed herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, not yet!" she said breathlessly. "Listen -to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She moved backwards a step or two, and stood -facing him, her hand at her bosom, a color in her cheek, -her eyes like stars. "I do not know that I love you, -Sir Charles Carew. At times I have thought that I -did; at times, not. There is an unrest here," touching -her heart, "which has come to me lately. I do not -know—it may be the beginning of love. Last night -my father had much talk with me. It is his dearest -wish that you and I should wed. He has been my -very good father always. If you will take me as I -am, not loving you yet, but with a heart free to learn, -why—" Her voice broke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles flung himself at her feet, and, taking -possession of her hands, covered them with kisses. A -voice passed the window, singing through the night:—</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Martinmas wind, when wilt thou blow,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And shake the green leaves from the tree;</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>O gentle death, when wilt thou come?</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>For of my life I am weary."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Margery again?" said Sir Charles, rising.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Patricia, with a troubled voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The voice began the stanza again:—</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Martinmas wind, when wilt thou blow,</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>And shake the green leaves from the tree?"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What is the matter?" cried Sir Charles in alarm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia stared at him with wide, unseeing eyes. -"Martinmas wind," she said in a low, clear, even -voice. "Martinmas wind! The leaves drift in -clouds, yellow and red, red like blood. Look at the -river flowing in the sunshine! And the tall gray -crags! Ah!" and she put her hands before her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" cried her suitor. "What is the -matter? You are ill!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She dropped her hands. "I am well now," she -said tremulously. "I do not know what it was. I -had a vision—" she broke into wild laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am fey, I think," she cried. "Let me go to my -room; I am better there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He held the door open, and she passed him quickly -with lowered eyes. He watched her run up the stairs, -and then threw himself into a chair and stared -thoughtfully at the floor.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-tobacco-house-again"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE TOBACCO HOUSE AGAIN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The master of Verney Manor and his guests slept -late, for the carouse of the night before had been -deep and prolonged. The master's daughter rose with -the sun, and went down into the garden, and thence -through the wicket into the mulberry grove, where -she found Margery sitting on the ground, tieing -goldenrod to her staff. "Come and walk with me, -Margery," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery rose with alacrity. "Where shall we -go?" she asked in a whisper. "To the forest? There -were eyes in the forest last night, not the great, still, -solemn eyes that stare at Margery every night, but -eyes that glowed like coals, and moved from bush to -bush. Margery was afraid, and she left the forest, -and sat by the water side all night, listening to what -it had to say. A star shot, and Margery knew that a -soul was on its way to Paradise, where she would fain -go if only she could find the way.... There are -purple flowers growing by the creek between the cedar -wood and the marsh. Let us go gather them, and -trim Margery's staff very bravely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I care not where we go," said her mistress. -"There as well as elsewhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, then," said Margery, and took the lead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When they had entered the strip of cedars which -lay between the wide fields and the point of land on -which stood the third tobacco house, Patricia stopped -beneath a great tree. "We will go no further, -Margery," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery objected. "The purple flowers grow by -the water side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you go and gather them then," said Patricia -wearily. "I will wait for you here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery glided away, and her mistress sat down -upon the dark-red earth at the foot of the tree. There -was a cold and sombre stillness in the wood. The air -smelt chill and dank, and the light came through the -low, closely woven roof of foliage, as though it were -filtered through crape, but at the end of the vista of -trees shone a glory of sea and sky and gold-green -marsh. Patricia gazed with dreamy eyes. "It is all -fair," she said. "What was it that Dr. Nash read? -'My lines are fallen in pleasant places.' Riches and -honor, and, they say, beauty, and many to love -me.—O Lord God! I wish for happiness!" She laid her -cheek against the cool earth, and the splendor before -her wavered into a mist of rose and azure. "Why -should I weep," she said, "that my lines are laid in -pleasant places?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery with her arms filled with flowers appeared -at her side. "Here are the purple flowers," she said. -"Here is farewell-summer for me and a passion-flower -for you." She threw the blooms upon the ground, -and sitting down at her mistress's feet, began to weave -them into garlands. Presently she took up the -passion-flower. "This grew beside the tobacco house, -close to the wall. Margery saw it, and ran to pluck -it. The door of the tobacco house was closed, but -above the passion-flower was a great crack between -the logs." She began to laugh. "Margery heard a -strange thing, while she was plucking the passion-flower. -Shall she tell it to you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you like, Margery," said Patricia indifferently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery leaned forward, and laid a cold, thin hand -upon her mistress' arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There were seven men in the tobacco house. One -said, 'When the Malignants are put down, what -then?' and another answered, 'Surely we will -possess their lands and their houses, their silver and their -gold, for is it not written, "The Lord hath given them -a spoil unto their servants."' Then the first said, -'Shall we not kill the Malignant, Verney?' Margery -heard no more. She came away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia rose to her feet, pale, with brilliant eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You heard no more?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Margery, show me the place where you listened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery took up her staff, and led the way to the -outskirts of the wood. "There," she said, pointing -with her staff. "There, where the elder grows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia laid her hand on the mad woman's shoulder. -"Listen to me, Margery," she said in a low, -distinct voice. "Listen very carefully. Go quickly -to the great house, and to my father, or to Woodson, -or to Sir Charles Carew give the message I am about -to give you. Do you understand, Margery?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Margery nodding emphatically, Patricia gave the -message, and watched her flit away through the gloom -of the cedars into the sunlight beyond; then turned -and went swiftly and noiselessly across the strip of -field to the tall, dark, windowless tobacco house. As -she neared it, there came to her a low and undistinguishable -murmur of voices which rose into distinctness -as she entered the clump of alders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within the tobacco house were assembled the -Muggletonian, the man branded upon the forehead, the -youth with the hectic cheek (who acted as Secretary -to the Surveyor-General), two newly purchased -servants of Colonel Verney, Trail and Godfrey Landless. -In the uncertain light which streamed from above -through rents in the roof and crevices between the -upper logs the interior of the tobacco house looked -mysterious, sinister, threatening. Here and there -tobacco still hung from the poles which crossed from -wall to wall, and in the partial light the long, dusky -masses looked wonderfully like other hanging things. -The great casks beneath had the appearance of shadowy -scaffolds, and the men, sitting or standing against -them, looked larger than life. All was dusk, -subdued, save where a stray sunbeam, sifting through a -crack in the opposite wall, lit the ghastly face and -shaven crown of the Muggletonian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, leaning against a cask, addressed a man -of a grave and resolute bearing—one of the newly -acquired servants of Verney Manor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Havisham, you are a wise and a brave man. -I will gladly listen to any counsel you may have to -give anent this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Havisham shook his head. "I have nothing to say. -The spirit of the father lives in the son. Skillful in -planning, bold in action was Warham Landless!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am but the tool of Robert Godwyn," said Landless. -"You approve, then, of our arrangements?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Entirely. It is a daring enterprise, but if it -succeeds—" he drew a long breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if it fails," said Landless, "there is freedom yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other nodded. "Yes, death hath few terrors for us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is death?" cried the hectic youth. "A -short, dim passage from darkness into light; the -antechamber of the white court of God; the curtain that -we lift; the veil that we tear—and SEE! My soul -longeth for death, yea, even fainteth for the courts of -God! But He will not call His servants until His -work is done. Wherefore let us haste to rise up and -slay, to work the Lord's work, and go from hence!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea!" cried the Muggletonian. "I fear not -death! I fear not the Throne and the Judgment seat. -The Two Witnesses will speak for me! But Death is -not upon us; he passeth by the weak, and seizeth -upon the strong. The Malignants shall die, for the -word of the Lord has gone out against them. 'Thy -foot shall be dipped in the blood of thy enemies, and -the tongue of thy dogs into the same! They shall -fall by the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes; -as smoke is drawn away so shall they vanish, as wax -melteth before the fire so shall they perish! He that -sitteth in the heavens shall have them in derision. -And the righteous shall rejoice in His vengeance!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen," drawled Trail through his nose. "Verily, -we will fatten on the good things of the land, we will -spend our days in ease and pleasantness! The Malignants -shall work for us. They shall toil in our tobacco -fields, their women shall be our handmaidens, we will -drink their wines, and wear their rich clothing, and -our pockets shall be filled with their gold and silver—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence!" cried Landless fiercely. "Once more -I tell you, mad dreamers that you are, that there shall -be no such devil's work! Major Havisham, there are -not among us many of this ilk. Two thirds of our -number are men of the stamp of Robert Godwyn and -yourself. These men rave."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I heed them not," said Havisham with a slighting -gesture of the hand; then, "Let us recapitulate. -Upon this appointed day we whom they call Oliverians, -and the great majority of the redemptioners, are -to rise throughout the colony. We—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are to do no damage to property nor offer any -unnecessary violence to masters and overseers," said -Landless firmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are simply to arm ourselves, seize horses or -boats, and resort to this appointed place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Calling upon the slaves to follow us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which they will do. Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And when all are assembled, to oppose any force -sent against us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if we conquer, then—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the Republic,—Commonwealth,—anything -you choose—at any rate, freedom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a desperate plan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are desperate men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," Havisham said thoughtfully: "it is the -best chance for that escape of which we all dream, and -which two of our number, I see, have attempted in -vain. I had set to-morrow night for my own attempt. -This promises better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said Porringer, "the stars in their courses -fight against the refugee! Four times have I tried, to -be retaken, and handled, as you see. Twice has this -man tried and failed. And the murderer of Robert -Godwyn failed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That remains to be seen," said Trail. "Roach -has broken gaol."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian exclaimed, and Landless turned -upon the forger. "How do you know?" he asked -sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I heard," was the smooth reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sorry for it," said Landless grimly, and -stood with a sternly thoughtful countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a silence in the tobacco house broken by -Havisham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now—for time passes and the overseer may -come and find us not at our tasks—tell me the day -upon which we are to rise, and the place to which all -are to resort."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both are close at hand," said Landless slowly. -"The day is—" he broke off and leaned forward, -staring through the dusk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" cried Havisham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My eyes met other eyes. There, behind that great -crack between the logs!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian rushed to the door, flung it open, -and vanished; the branded man followed. The -remaining occupants of the tobacco house started to -their feet, and Havisham picked from the floor a pole -and broke from it a stout cudgel. Godfrey Landless -strode forward into the broad shaft of sunshine that -entered through the opened door and met the -eavesdropper face to face, as, with either arm in the rude -grasp of the fanatics, she crossed the threshold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The conspirators, recognizing the lady of the manor, -were stricken dumb. In the three minutes of dead -silence which ensued they saw their plans defeated, -their hopes ruined, their cause vanquished, their lives -lost. The graceful figure with white scorn in the -beautiful face was death come upon them. The -shadow fell heavy and cold upon their souls, the very -air seemed to darken and grow chill around them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The figure of the woman in their midst gathered up -the sunshine, became ethereal, transplendent, a -triumphant white and gold Spirit of Evil.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless was the first to speak. "Unhand her!" -he said in a suppressed voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men obeyed, but the Muggletonian placed himself -between his prisoner and the door. She saw the -movement and said scornfully, "You need not fear; -I shall not run away." Upon her bare, white arms, -where they had been clasped too rudely, were fast -darkening marks. She glanced from them to the -scarred face of the Muggletonian. "</span><em class="italics">They</em><span> will wear -out," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam," said Landless hoarsely, "how long -were you in that place?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She flashed upon him a look that was like a blow. -"Liar! be silent!" she said, then turned to the row -of faces that frowned upon her from out the shadow. -"To you others I address myself. Traitors, rebellious -servants, base plotters! I hold your lives in my -hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And your own?" said Trail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cursed daughter of the mother of evil!" cried -the Muggletonian, a baleful light burning in his eyes. -"Scarlet woman, whose vain apparel, whose -uncovered hair and bared bosom, whose light songs and -laughter have long been an offense and a stumbling-block -to the righteous—thy cup of iniquity is full, -thy life is forfeit, thy hour is come!" He drew a -knife from his bosom and with an unearthly cry -flourished it above his head, then rushed upon her, to be -met by Landless, who hurled himself upon the would-be -murderer with a force that sent them both staggering -against the wall. A struggle ensued, which ended -in Landless securing the knife. With it in his hand -he sprang to the side of the girl, who stood unflinching, -a pride that was superb in her still white face -and steadfast eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who touches her dies," he said between his teeth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Havisham came to his aid. "Men, are you mad? -You cannot murder a defenseless woman! Moreover -such a deed would prove our utter ruin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If her body were found, yes!" cried the hectic -youth. "But the water is near, and who is to know -that the devil sent her hither?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is her death or ours," cried the branded man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian tossed his arms into the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The cause! the cause! Cursed be he that putteth -his hand to the plough and finisheth not the -furrow! Ride on! Ride on! though it were over the -bodies of a thousand painted Jezebels such as this!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time presses!" cried the branded man. "Woodson -may come!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They closed in upon the three who stood at bay. -In their dark faces were a passion and an -exaltation—they saw in the woman fallen into their hands, a -sacrifice bound to the altar. Trail alone looked -uneasy and held back, muttering between his teeth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless stepped in front of Patricia and faced -them with a still and deadly eye, and with the hand -that held the knife drawn back against his breast, -Knowing them, he saw no use in any appeal; also he -saw that it was indeed her life or theirs. On the one -hand, the downfall of all their hopes, the death or -perpetual enslavement of many, and for himself surely -the gibbet and the rope; on the other—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He made a gesture of command. "Thou shalt do -no murder!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not murder; it is sacrifice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There must be another way!" cried Havisham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Find it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Havisham turned to the prisoner. "Madam, will -you swear to be silent concerning what you have -heard?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian laughed wildly. "Who trusts -a woman's oath!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall have no need," said the lady of the -manor calmly. She paused and her eyes went to the -door in an intent and listening gaze, then came back -to the faces about her with a strange light in their -depths. "Rebel servants," she said in a clear, low -voice, "I defy you! And you, false slave, stand from -before me. I need not your hateful aid." In the -moment of ominous silence that followed, she swayed -towards the door, her hand at her throat, her soul in -her eyes. Suddenly she cried out, "My father! -Charles! help!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From without came an answering cry, followed by a -rush of men through the door, and in an instant the -room was filled with struggling forms as the two -parties threw themselves upon each other. The -newcomers were half a dozen blacks, the two overseers and -Sir Charles Carew. The overseers had pistols and Sir -Charles his sword. With it he met the rush of the -youth with the hectic cheek, who came towards him in -long, hound-like leaps, brandishing a piece of wood -above his head, and drove the blade deep into the -chest of the fanatic. The wretched man staggered -and fell, then rose to his knees. Flinging his arms -above his head, he turned his worn face towards the -flood of sunshine pouring in through the door, and -cried in a loud voice, "I see!" A stream of blood -gushed from his lips, his arms dropped, and without a -groan he fell back, dead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, wrestling with the slave Regulus, at -length succeeded in hurling the powerful figure to the -ground, where it lay stunned, and turned to find -himself confronted by Woodson's pistol and the point of -Sir Charles's rapier. A glance showed him the -remaining conspirators, overpowered, and in the act -of being bound with the ropes that had lain, coiled -for use in packing, in the corners of the tobacco -house. The hectic youth lay, a ghastly spectacle, in -a pool of blood across the doorway. At his feet was -the branded man, a bullet through his brain, and -near him the groaning figure of Havisham's mortally -wounded companion. The woman who had brought -all this to pass stood unharmed, white, with tragic, -exultant eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles, serene and debonair, lowered his point. -"Your hand is played," he said with a fine smile. -Landless's stern, despairing gaze passed him and went -on to the overseer. "I surrender to you," he said -briefly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woodson chuckled grimly and stuck his pistol in -his belt. He was in high good humor, visions of -reward and thanks from the Assembly dancing before -his eyes. "I 've had my eye on you for some time, -young man," he said almost genially. "I 've -suspected that you were up to something, but Lord! to -think that a woman's wit should have trapped you at -last! Haines, bring that rope over here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles went over to Patricia and offered her -his arm. "Dearest and bravest of women!" he said -in a caressing whisper. "Come with me from this -place, which must be dreadful to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She did not answer him at once, but stood looking -past him at the picture of laughing water and waving -forest framed in the doorway.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought I should never see the sunshine again," -she said dreamily. "Did Margery give </span><em class="italics">you</em><span> the message?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, she met me under the mulberries. I would -not wait to rouse your father, but calling the overseers -and the blacks from the fields, came at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I owe you my life," she said. "You and—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her eyes left the summer outside and came back to -the shadowy forms within the tobacco house. "I will -go with you directly, cousin," she said quietly, "but -first I wish to speak to that man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shot a swift glance at her face, but drew back -with a bow, and she walked with a steady step up to -Landless. "Fall back a little," she said with an -imperious wave of her hand to the men about him. -They obeyed her. Landless, left standing before her, -his arms bound to his sides, raised his head and looked -her in the face. She met his eyes. "You lied to -me," she said in a low, even voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Once, madam, and to save others," he said proudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not once, but twice. Do you think that now I -believe that tale you told me that night, that fairy -tale of persecuted innocence? When I think that I -ever believed it I hate myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nevertheless, it is true, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is false! Yesterday I thought of you as a -gallant gentleman, greatly wronged ... and I pitied -you. To-day I am wiser."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He held her eyes with his own for a moment, then -let them go. "Some day you will know," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She turned from him and held out her hands to Sir -Charles. He hurried to her and she clung to him. -"Take me away," she said in a whisper. "Take me home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He put his arm about her. "You are faint," he -said tenderly. "Come! the air will revive you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Supporting her on his arm, he guided her from the -house. As they passed the body stretched across the -threshold, the skirt of her robe touched the blood in -which it was lying. She saw it and shuddered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blood is upon me!" she said. "It is an omen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A good one, then," said her companion coolly, -"for it is the blood of a fanatic traitor. Think not -of it." He turned at the threshold and cast a careless -glance back into the tobacco house. "Woodson, get -rid of this carrion, and bring these men quietly to the -great house, where your master will deal with them."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-question"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE QUESTION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"We know all but two things, but those are the -most important of all," said the Governor, tapping his -jeweled fingers against the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is much to be regretted," said the Surveyor-General, -"that the presence of the young lady was -so soon discovered. Otherwise—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Otherwise we might have had further information -on more than one subject," said the Governor dryly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must make the best of what we have," continued -Carrington calmly. "After all, it is enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor rose and began to pace the floor, his -head thoughtfully bent, his unwounded hand tugging -at the curls of his periwig. "It is not enough," he -said at length, pausing before the great table around -which the company were seated. "Thanks to the -gallant daughter of the gallant Verneys,"—a bow and -smile to Patricia, sitting enthroned in the great chair -in their midst,—"we know much, but it is not enough. -These rogues have set a day upon which to rise; they -have appointed a place to which they are to resort. -That day may be to-morrow, that place any point in -any one of a dozen counties."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I apprehend that the cockatrice was to be hatched -near by," said Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the likeliest thing," answered the Governor, -"seeing that their ringleader belongs to this -plantation. But we do not know. And there may not be -time to reach the planters, to give them warning, to -arrest these d—d traitors, scattered as they are from -the James to Rappahannock, and from Henricus to -the Chesapeake. It might be best to assemble the -trainbands at this cursed spot if it can be found, and -to await their coming in force. But to know neither -time nor place—to start a hue and cry and have the -storm burst before it reaches ten plantations—to -guard one point and see fire rise at another a dozen -leagues away—impossible! Gentlemen, we must -come at the heart of this matter!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is most advisable," said Colonel Verney -gravely. "Examine the prisoners again," suggested -Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of them is no wiser than we. You are -certain as to this, Mistress Patricia?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, your Excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! one does not know; three are dead, -there remain, then, that shaven and branded runaway -and the two convicts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will learn naught from the runaway, your -Excellency!" called out the overseer from where he -stood at a respectful distance from the company. -"He 's one of them crazy fanatics that wild horses -could n't draw truth from. No Indian torture stake -could make him speak if he did n't want to,—nor -keep him from it if he did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know that kind," said the Governor, with a -short laugh, "and we will not waste time upon him, -but will try if the convict—he who seems to have -been their leader—be not more amenable. Bring -him in, Woodson."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the overseer had gone, a silence fell upon -the company gathered in the master's room. The -Governor paced to and fro, perplexity in his face; the -Colonel knit his grizzled brows and studied the floor; -Dr. Anthony Nash brought the writing materials -displayed upon the table, closer to him, and held a quill -ready poised for dipping into the ink horn, while the -Surveyor-General with a carefully composed countenance -toyed with a pink which he took from the bowl -of flowers before him. Sir Charles leaned back in -his seat and looked at Patricia who, seated between -him and her father, stared before her with hard, -bright eyes. Her lips were like a scarlet flower -against the absolute pallor of her face; her hair was -a crown of pale gold. In the great chair, her white -arms resting upon the dark wood, her feet upon a -carved footstool, she looked a queen, and the knot of -brilliantly dressed gentlemen her attendant council.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door opened and the two overseers appeared -with Landless, who advanced and stood, silent and -collected, before the ring of hostile faces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is your name, sirrah?" said the Governor, -throwing himself into his chair and frowning heavily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Godfrey Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am told that you are son to one Warham Landless, -a so-called colonel in the rebel army and hand -in glove with the usurper himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am the son of Colonel Warham Landless of the -forces of the Commonwealth, and friend to his -Highness the Lord Protector."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! And did you fight in these same forces -yourself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At Worcester, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! the son of a traitor and rebel—traitor -and rebel yourself—and convict to boot! A pretty -record! On what day was this rising to occur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No answer. The Governor repeated the question. -"On what day was this precious mine to be sprung? -And to what place were you to resort?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless remaining silent, the Governor's face -began to flush and the veins in his forehead to swell. -"Have you lost your tongue?" he said fiercely. "If -so, we will find a way to recover it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not answer those questions," said Landless firmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is your one chance for life," said the Governor -sternly. "Answer me truly, and you may escape the -gallows. Refuse, and you hang, so surely as I sit here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not answer them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sink me if I ever knew a Roundhead so careless -of his own interests," drawled Sir Charles. The -Governor whispered to the master of the plantation, -then turned again to the prisoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I give you one more chance," he said harshly. -"When is this day? Where is this place?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will see about that," said his Excellency with -compressed lips. "Verney, send your daughter from -the room. Woodson, you understand this gear, -having been in the Indies. This man is to tell us all -that he knows of this business. Call in a trustworthy -slave or two to help you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia uttered a low cry, and the Surveyor-General -crushed the flower between his fingers and turned -upon the Governor. "Your Excellency! I protest! -This that you would do is not lawful! Surely such -harsh measures are not needed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Governor's fury exploded. "Not needful!" -he exclaimed in a high voice. "Not needful, when -upon these questions hang the fortunes of the Colony! when -if we fail, to-morrow may usher in a blacker -forty-four! And not lawful! I am the law in this -State, Major Carrington; I am the King's representative, -and this is my prerogative! and I say that by -fair means or foul this information must be gained. -This is no time to prate of humanity. We are to -show humanity to ourselves; we are to stamp out this -lit fuse. Or does Major Carrington wish it to burn on?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Carrington coldly. "I spoke hastily. -You are right, of course, and I will interfere no -further."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later Patricia stood before the hall window -looking out upon the dazzling water and the green -velvet of the marshes with wide, unseeing eyes. Her -hands were clenched at her sides and upon each cheek -burned a crimson spot. Beside her crouched Betty -Carrington who, upon the first rumor of trouble at -Verney Manor, had ridden over from Rosemead. -Their strained ears caught no sound from the room -opposite other than the occasional sound of the -Governor's voice, raised in interrogation. There came -no answering voice. Patricia stood motionless, with -eyes that never wandered from the rich scene without, -and with lips pressed together, but Betty hid her face -in the other's skirts and shivered. The door of the -master's room opened and both started violently. The -overseer strode down the hall and had laid his hand -upon the latch of the door leading to the offices, when -his mistress called him to her. "Do they know? -Has the man told?" she asked with an effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woodson shook his head. "He 's as dumb as an -oyster. Might as well try to get anything from an -Indian. They 're going to try t' other—Trail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He left the hall, but was back in five minutes' time -with the forger. They entered the master's room, -and Patricia, seized by a sudden impulse, followed -them, leaving Betty trembling in the window scat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Unnoted by all but one of the company, she slipt to -a seat in the shadow of her father's burly shoulders. -He was leaning forward, talking to the Governor, who -sat very erect, his features fixed in an expression of -dogged determination. The Surveyor-General sat well -behind the table, and upon the polished wood before -him lay a little heap of torn petals and broken stems. -At the far end of the room and leaning heavily against -the wall was the prisoner whose examination was just -finished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles had seen the entrance of the lady of -the manor, and he now rose from his seat and came -to her. "Not a syllable," he whispered in answer to -the question in her eyes. "Roundhead obstinacy! -But I think that this fellow will prove more malleable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His prediction was verified. Ten minutes later the -Governor rose to his feet triumphant. "So!" he -said, drawing a long breath. "We are, I think, -gentlemen, at the very core at last. The time, day after -to-morrow; the place, Poplar Spring in this county. -And now to work! Those of these d—d Oliverians -whom we can reach must be arrested at once. Swift -messengers must be sent to all plantations far and -near. The trainbands must be called out. Time -presses, gentlemen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And these men?" said the Colonel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Must go to Jamestown gaol, where the one shall -hang as surely as my name is William Berkeley. For -the other—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your Excellency has promised me my life," said -Trail cringingly, but with an inscrutable something -that was not fear in his sinister green eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An escort must be gotten together," said the -Colonel, "and the day is far advanced. I advise -keeping them here until the morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See that you keep them straitly then," said the -Governor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Trust me for that, your Excellency," said the -overseer grimly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then to work, gentlemen," cried the Governor, -"for there is much to do and but little time to do -it in. Major Carrington, you with Mr. Peyton will -ride with me to Jamestown. Colonel Verney, you will -know what measures to take for the safety of your -shire. Woodson, have the horses brought around at -once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Council broke up in haste and confusion, and -its members, talking eagerly, streamed into the hall. -Carrington was the last in line, and he paused before -Landless. The under overseer and the slave Regulus -were at a little distance replacing the cords about -Trail's arms. The Surveyor-General cast a quick -glance towards the door, saw that the last retreating -figure was that of Mr. Peyton, and approached his -lips close to Landless's ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a brave man," he said in a low and -troubled voice. "From my soul I honor you! I -would have saved you, would save you now if I could. -But I am cruelly placed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no hope for this life—and no fear," said -Landless calmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Carrington paused irresolute, and a flush rose to his -face. "I would like to hear you say that you do not -blame me," he said at last with an effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not blame you," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Woodson appeared in the doorway. "The -Governor is waiting, Major Carrington."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I can do ought to help you, I will," said -Carrington hastily, and left the room. A moment later -came the jingling of reins and the sound of rapid -hoofs quickening into the planter's pace as the -Governor and the Surveyor-General whirled away.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-message"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A MESSAGE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In an unused attic room of the great house lay -Godfrey Landless, cords about his ankles, and his -arms bound to his sides by cords and by a thick rope, -one end of which was fastened to a beam on the wall. -He was alone, for the Muggletonian, Havisham and -Trail were confined in the overseer's house. -Opposite him was a small window framing a square of sky. -He had watched light clouds drift across it, and the -sun pass slowly and majestically down it, and the -sunset turn the clouds into floating blood-red plumes. -He had been there since noon. Thick walls kept from -him all sound in the house below—it might have -been a house of the dead. Through the closed -window came the low, incessant hum of the summer -world without, but no unusual noise. He had heard -the sunset horn, and the song of the slaves coming -from the fields, and as dusk began to fall, the cry of -a whip-poor-will.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the door had closed upon the retreating -figures of the men who brought him there, he had -thrown himself upon the floor where he lay, faint -from physical anguish, in a stupor of misery, -conscious only of a sick longing for death. This mood -had passed and he was himself again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he lay with his eyes following the fiery, shifting -feathers of cloud, he remembered that the gaol at -Jamestown faced the south, and he thought, "This -is the last sunset I shall ever see." He had the strong -abiding faith of his time and party, and he looked -beyond the clouds with an awe and a light in his eyes. -Verses learnt at his mother's knee came back to him; -he said them over to himself, and the tender, solemn, -beneficent words fell like balm upon his troubled -heart. He thought of his mother who had died young, -and then of scenes and occurrences of his childhood. -All earthly hope was past, there could be no more -struggling; in a little while he would be dead. -Dying, his mind reverted, not to the sordid misery from -which death would set him free, but to the long past, -to the child at the mother's knee, to the boy who had -climbed down great cliffs in search of a smuggler's -cave. The unearthly light that rests upon that time -so far behind us shone strong for him—he saw every -twig in the rooks' nests in the lofty elms, every ivy -leaf about a ruined oriel, black against a gold sky; -the cool, dark smell of the box alleys filled his -nostrils: the sound of the sea came to him; he heard his -mother singing on the terrace. He bowed his face -with a sudden rain of tender, not sorrowful, tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something crashed in at the window, splintering -the coarse glass and falling upon the floor at a little -distance from him. It was a large pebble, to which -was tied a piece of paper. He started up and made -for it, to be brought up within two feet of it by the -tug of the rope which bound him to the wall. He -thought a moment, then lay down upon the floor and -found that he could touch the end of the string that -tied the paper to the pebble. He took it between his -teeth and slowly drew it towards him, then, rising to -his knees, he strained with all his might at the cords -that bound his arms. They were tightly drawn, but -when at length he desisted, panting, he had so -loosened them that he could move one hand a very -little way. With it and with his teeth he disengaged -the paper from the pebble and spread it upon his -knee. There was just light enough to read the -sprawling schoolboy hand with which it was covered. -It ran thus:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know as this will ever reach you. I am -doing all I can. Luiz Sebastian has not let me get at -arm's length from him since I overheard him and the -Turk, and a sailor from Captain Laramore's ship and -</span><em class="italics">Roach</em><span> at the hut on the marsh, two hours ago. They -would have killed me there, but I ran, and he did not -catch me until I was almost to the quarters. He -will kill me though in a little while, I know; he has a -knife and he is sitting on the door-step, and the Turk -is with him, and I can not pass them. He held his -hand over my mouth and the knife to my heart when -Woodson went the rounds, and I could n't make no -sound—Lord have mercy upon me! I write this -with my blood, on a leaf from your Bible, while he -sits there whispering to the Turk. He goes to his -own cabin directly and he will take me with him and -kill me there, I know he will. He goes to the stables -first and I must go with him. If we pass close -enough, and if I can do it without his seeing me I -will throw this in at the window of the room where -I know you are, if not—the Lord help us -all! ... Landless, for God's sake! before moonrise to-night -the Chickahominies and the Ricahecrians from the -Blue Mountains will come down on the plantation. -With them are leagued Luiz Sebastian, the Turk, -Trail, Roach, and most of the slaves.... When all -is over, the Indians will take the scalps and Grey -Wolf and will make for the Blue Mountains; Luiz -Sebastian and the others will seize the boats and put -off for the ship at the Point. Her crew will give her -up and they will all turn pirate together. The women -go with them if they can keep them from the Indians; -the men are all to be killed.... I have told you all -I heard. For God's sake, save them if you can,—and -remember poor Dick Whittington."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dropping the paper, Landless strained with all his -might, first at the cords which bound his arms, and -then at the rope which fastened him to the wall. -Again and again he put forth the strength of -despair—his muscles cracked, great beads stood upon his -forehead—but the ropes held. As well as he could -with his shackled feet he stamped upon the floor; he -called aloud, but there came no answering voice or -sound from below. He was at the end of the house -over unused chambers, and the walls and flooring -were very thick. He clenched his teeth and began -again the battle with the cords which held him. All -in vain. He shouted until he was hoarse—it was -crying aloud in a desert. With a groan he leaned -against the wall, gathering strength for another effort. -It was dark now and the moon rose at eleven.... -There was a piece of glass upon the floor, one of -the splinters from the shattered window. He -remembered noticing it—a long narrow piece like the blade -of a knife. Sinking to his knees he felt for it, and -after a long time found it. He now had a knife, but -he could not move the hand that held it six inches -from his side. Stooping, he took the splinter between -his teeth, and making the rope taut, drew the sharp -edge of the glass across it. Again and again he drew -it across, and at length he perceived that a strand -was severed. With a thrill of joy he settled to the -slow, laborious and painful task. Time passed, a -long, long time, and yet the rope was but half severed. -As he worked he counted the moments with feverish -dread, his heart throbbed one passionate prayer: -"Lord, let me save her!" Now and then he glanced -at the blackness of the night outside with a terrible -fear—though he knew it could not be yet—that he -should see it waver into moonlight. Another interval -of toil, and he stood erect, gathered his forces, made -one supreme effort—and was free! There was not -time for the cords about his arms, but he must get -rid of those which fettered his ankles. An endless -task it seemed, but hand and friendly splinter -accomplished it at last: and he sprang to the door. It was -locked. He dashed himself against it, once, twice, -thrice, and it crashed outwards, precipitating him -into a large, bare room. He crossed this, managed -to open its unlocked door with his free hand, -descended a winding stair and came into the upper -hall. It was in darkness, but up the wide staircase -streamed the perfumed light of many myrtle candles, -and with it laughter, and the sound of a man's voice -singing to a lute.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-road-to-paradise"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE ROAD TO PARADISE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The family and guests of Verney Manor were -assembled in the great room. The day had been one of -confusion, haste and anxiety; but it was past, and the -stillness and forced inaction of the night was upon -them. With the readiness of those to whom danger is -no novelty they seized the hour and made the most of -it. Sufficient unto the morrow was the evil thereof.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel, weary from hard riding, but well -satisfied with his afternoon's work, had sunk into a great -chair and challenged Dr. Anthony Nash to a game of -chess. "Everything is in train," he told them, "and -all quiet upon the plantations in this shire at least. I -believe the danger past. God be thanked!" Upon -a settle piled with cushions lay Captain Laramore, -with a bandaged shoulder, a long pipe between his -teeth, and at his elbow a tankard of sack and an -elderly Hebe in the person of Mistress Lettice Verney. -Patricia, sumptuously clad and beautiful as a dream, -sat in the great window with Betty and Sir Charles. -Her eyes shone with a feverish brilliancy, her white -hands were never still, she laughed and jested with -her lover, touching this or that with light wit. Once -or twice she broke into song, rich, passionate, -throbbing through the night. The gentle Betty looked at -her in wonder, but Sir Charles was enchanted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Steps sounded on the stairs and in the hall. "Who -is that?" cried the master, taking his hand from his -rook.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The overseer, probably," said Dr. Nash. "Check -to your king."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A loud scream from Mistress Lettice. The master -leaped to his feet, knocking over the chess-table and -sending the pieces rattling into corners. Sir Charles, -drawing his rapier, sprang to his side, the wounded -Captain started up from amidst his pillows and the -divine snatched a brass andiron from the fireplace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Framed in the doorway, looking larger than life -against the blackness of the space behind him, stood -the arch plotter, the Roundhead, the convict, the -rebellious servant whom the Governor had sworn to -hang. Blood dropped from his face, cut by the glass -with which he had severed the rope, to meet the blood -upon his arms and chest, lacerated by his savage -straining at his bonds. For a moment he stood, -blinded by the light, then advanced into the room. -His master seized him. "Still bound!" he cried -with an oath. "He is alone then! How did you get -here? What are you doing here'? Speak, scoundrel!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I bring you this paper, sir," said Landless -hoarsely. "Will you take it from me. I cannot raise -my hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel snatched the paper, glanced at it, read -it with a face from which all the ruddy color had fled, -and held it out to Sir Charles with a shaking hand. -"Read it," he gasped. "Read it aloud," and sank -into his chair breathing heavily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles read. "Damnation!" he cried, crushing -the paper in his hand. Laramore started up -with a roar of "My ship!" and then broke into a -torrent of oaths. Mistress Lettice's screams filled -the room until her brother roughly silenced her by -clapping his hand over her mouth. "By the Lord -Harry, Lettice, I will throw you out to them if you -do not hush! Gentlemen, in God's name, what are -we to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Barricade door and window and hold the house -against them," said the baronet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Send for help to Rosemead and to Fitzhugh and -Ludwell!" cried the divine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five men and three women to hold this house -against a hundred Indians and negroes! And no -help could come for hours and it is now nearly ten! -Moreover, the messenger would have to pass through -the savages lying in the woods,—he would never -reach Rosemead with his scalp on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be your messenger," said Nash rising, "and -as every moment is more precious than rubies, I had -best start at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You, Anthony! God forbid!" cried the Colonel. -"You would go to certain death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would stay to certain death, would I not?" -retorted the other. "But my mare, Pixie, and I can -shew clean heels to the red villains, were they as thick -as chinquepins. Give me the stable-key, Verney. I -know the way to the jade's stall, and she will follow -her master through fire and water without a whinny. -I don't want a light. Not a soul on the place must -know that I have left Verney Manor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anthony, Anthony, I am loth to see you go, old -friend!" cried the Colonel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tut, tut, as well leave my scalp in the woods as -in Dick Verney's parlor! but I shall do neither. -Hold the house as long as you can, and look for -Carrington, and Fitzhugh, and Ludwell, and myself with -a hundred men at our heels before the dawn. Until -then </span><em class="italics">vale</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was gone. "And now the doors and windows," -said Sir Charles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The windows, save those in this room, are secured -as they always are at night. The shutters are heavy -and strongly barred, and we have but to draw the -chains across the doors. They will find it hard work -to fire the house, for the logs are wet from this -morning's shower. There is ammunition enough, and the -shutters are loopholed. If we were in force, we might -hold out, but, my God! what can we do? Even with -the overseers whom we must manage to call to us, if -we can do so without arousing suspicion, we are not -enough to defend one face of the house.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are there no honest servants?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I tell the true men from the knaves? -To rouse the quarters would be to show that we know, -and to ourselves spring the mine which is to destroy -us. And if we brought men into the house, who are -leagued with the fiends outside, then would their -work be done for them. There are a very few whom -I know to be faithful, but how to secure them without -giving the alarm—my God! how helpless we are!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps I can help you, Colonel Verney," said -Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the midst of a dead silence the eyes of each -occupant of the room,—the master, the courtier, the -wounded captain, the women, trembling in each -other's arms,—were turned upon the speaker who -stood before them, haggard, torn and bleeding, but -with a quiet power in his dark face and steadfast eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You?" said the master sternly. "What can you do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will tell you," said Landless, "but I must be -freed from these bonds first."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another pause, and then Sir Charles, responding to -a nod from his kinsman, walked over to Landless, and -with his rapier cut the ropes which bound him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now speak!" said the Colonel.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The quarters lay, to all appearance, wrapt in the -profoundest slumber—no movement in the low-browed -cabins, or in the lane or square; no sound other than -the croak of the frogs in the marshes, the wail of the -whip-poor-wills, and the sighing of the night wind in -the pines. All was dark save in the east, where the -low stars were beginning to pale. Below them glowed -a dull red spark, shining dimly across a long expanse -of black marsh and water, and coming from Captain -Laramore's ship, anchored off the Point.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One moment it seemed the only light in the wide -landscape of darkness; the next the flame of a torch, -streaming sidewise in the wind, cast an orange glare -upon the dead tree in the centre of the square and -upon the windowless fronts of the cabins surrounding -it. The torch was in the hand of the overseer, who -went the rounds, striking upon each door, and -summoning the inmates of the cabin to the square. "The -master wants a word with you," was all the answer -he vouchsafed to startled, sullen, or suspicious -inquiries. In five minutes the square was thronged. -White and black, servant and slave, rustic, convict, -Jew, Turk, Indian, mulatto, quadroon, coal black, -untamed African—the motley crowd pressed and jostled -towards that end of the square at which stood the -master, his kinsman, the overseer, and Godfrey -Landless. Behind them on the steps of the overseer's -house were the Muggletonian, Havisham, and Trail. -They had been unbound. In the Muggletonian's -scarred face was stolid indifference, but Trail looked -furtively about until he spied Luiz Sebastian, when -he signaled "What is it?" with his eyes. The -mulatto shook his head, and continued to shoulder his -way through the press until he stood in the front row, -face to face with the party from the great house. On -one side of him was the Turk, on the other an Indian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master stepped a pace or two in front of his -companions, and held up his hand for silence. When -the excited muttering had sunk into a breathless hush, -he beckoned to Landless, and the young man stepped -to his side. There were many streaming lights by -now, and men saw each other, now clearly, now darkly, -as the fitful glare rose and fell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, my man," said the master in a loud, slow -voice, "you will point out to me, as you have agreed -to do, every man concerned in the plot discovered this -morning. And you whom he designates, I command -you, in the name of the King, to surrender peaceably. -Your hope of pardon depends upon your doing so. -Now, Landless!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"John Havisham," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Taken redhanded," quoth the master. "Place him -here, Woodson, in front of us. When all are in line, -I shall have a word to say to them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Havisham advanced with quiet dignity, passing -Landless as if unaware of his presence. "I surrender," -he said, raising his voice, "because I have no -choice. And I advise those of our number here -present to do the same. Our plans known, our friends -taken, betrayed and deserted by the man in whom we -trusted most, whom we called our leader, we have, -indeed, no choice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Win-Grace Porringer," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Muggletonian threw up his arms. "Iscariot!" -he cried wildly. "Woe, woe to him by whom offenses -come! Well for thee, son of Warham Landless, hadst -thou never been born! By the power given to the -Two Witnesses and to their followers I curse thee! -Thou shalt be anathema maranatha! Famine, thirst, -and a violent death be thy portion in this life, and -in the world to come mayest thou burn forever, -howling! Amen and amen!" With a wild laugh he -stalked to the side of Havisham, leaving Trail -standing alone upon the doorstep. The eyes of the forger -met the eyes of Luiz Sebastian in another puzzled -inquiry, but the latter shook his head with a frown. -Not doubting that his name would be the next called, -Trail had already taken a step forward, but Landless's -eyes passed him over, and rested upon the face of a -man standing near Luiz Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"John Robert!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man, a Baptist preacher suffering under the -Act of Uniformity, turned a gentle, reproachful face -upon him, and stepping from the crowd, joined -himself to Havisham and the Muggletonian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"James Holt!" said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A rustic, standing behind Luiz Sebastian, uttered a -dreadful imprecation. "You may hang me and welcome, -your Honor," he cried as he took his place, "if -you 'll just let me see this d—d Judas hung first!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Luiz Sebastian fixed his great eyes upon Landless. -"If he calls my name," said the wicked brain behind -the blandly smiling face, "shall I, or shall I not—? -It is many minutes to moonrise yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Landless did not call him. He passed him by -as he had passed Trail, and named another rustic at -some little distance from the mulatto, then a Fifth -Monarchy man, then a veteran of Cromwell's, then -the plantation miller and the carpenter, then two more -Oliverians, then more peasants. Each man, as his -name was called, stepped forward into the lengthening -line that faced the master and his party, standing with -pistols leveled and cocked; and each man bestowed -upon Godfrey Landless a curse, or a look that was -bitterer than a curse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humfrey Elder!" called Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old butler shot from out the crowd, as though -impelled from a catapult. "Your Honor!" he -screamed, "the man as says </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> plot against a Verney, -lies! I that fought with your Honor at Naseby! I -that you brought from home with you when Mistress -Patricia was a baby, and that has poured your wine -from that day to this! I plot with these rapscallions -and Roundheads! Your Honor, he lies in his -throat!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fall into line, Humfrey," said his master quietly; -"I will hear you out later, but now, obey me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The watchful eyes of Luiz Sebastian were growing -very watchful indeed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Regulus!" cried Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Under cover of a burst of protestation from -Regulus, the Turk whispered to the mulatto, "By -Allah! this is the slave you would not approach! You said -he would die for his master."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not of them," returned the other. "St. Jago! if -I understand it! But what can it matter? -The moon will rise in less than an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dick Whittington!" cried Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a moment's silence, broken by the -mulatto, who had stepped out of line, and now stood -facing the party from the great house. "I grieve to -say, señors," he said in his silkiest tone, "that the -poor Dick was but now taken with the fever, and lies -in a stupor within his cabin. To-morrow, perhaps, he -will be better, and will answer when you call."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is your cabin, just beyond you there, is it -not?" demanded Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," with a quick glance. "And what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless raised his voice to a shout. "Dick Whittington!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mother of God! what do you mean?" exclaimed -the mulatto. "Your voice cannot reach him, deaf -and dumb from the fever, lying in his cabin at the far -end of the lane."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dick Whittington!" again loudly called Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A cry arose from the crowd behind the mulatto and -between him and his cabin. The next instant there -broke through them the figure, bound and gagged, of -young Dick Whittington. As he rushed past the -mulatto, the latter, with a snarl of fury, grappled with -him, but animated with, the strength of despair, the -boy, bound as he was, broke from him and rushed to -Landless, at whose feet he dropped in a dead faint. -Upon the crowd fell a silence so intense that nature -herself seemed to have ceased to breathe. Luiz -Sebastian, darting glances here, there, and everywhere, -from eyes in which doubt was fast growing into -certainty, came upon something which told its own tale. -The women's cabins were at some distance from the -square, and nearer to the great house, and from the -one to the other was passing a hurried line of women -and children with the under overseer at their head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the sight vanished the last remnant of doubt -from the mind of the mulatto.... Landless saw that -he saw; saw the intention with which he slipped out -of range of the pistols; saw the wicked light in his -face; saw him beckon to the Indian and point to the -forest; saw the glistening and rolling eyeballs and -the working lips of the throng of slaves who had by -imperceptible degrees separated from the whites, and -were now massing together at one side of the square; -saw the Turk with a knife in his hand; saw Trail -edging away from the group before the overseer's -cabin—and sprang forward, his powerful figure -instinct with determination, the set calm of the face with -which he had met Havisham's quiet disdain and the -imprecations of the other conspirators, broken up into -fire and passion, high and resolved. Blood was upon -it still, and upon his arms and half naked breast; his -eyes burned; and as he threw up his arm in a gesture -of command, he looked the very genius of war, and -he seized and held every eye and ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Men!" he cried, addressing himself to the line he -had called into being. "Havisham, Arnold, Allen, -Braxton! we fought in the same cause once, fought -for God and the Commonwealth! To-night we will -fight again, and together; fight for our lives and for -the honor of women! Comrades, I am no traitor! I -have not sold you! You have cursed me without -cause. Listen! Colonel Verney, will you repeat the -oath you swore to me an hour ago?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master stepped to his side. "I swear," he -cried, in his loud, manly voice, "by the faith of a -Christian, by the honor of a gentleman, that not one of -you whose names have been given by this man, shall -in any way suffer by having been privy to this plot. -I will so work with the Governor and Council that -your bodies shall not be touched, nor your time of -service increased. Bygones shall be bygones between -us. This applies to all save this man, the head and -front of the conspiracy. Him I cannot save. He -must pay the penalty, but he shall be the scapegoat for -the rest of you. You have my promise, the promise -of a man who never breaks his word for good or evil."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the woods yonder are Indians," cried Landless. -"They wait but for moonrise, for the appointed hour, -to fall upon the plantation. You called me traitor! -It is Luiz Sebastian and Trail who are the traitors, -the betrayers! They are leagued with the Indians -and with the slaves. Look at them, and see that I -speak truth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The look was sufficient. The dusky mass of slaves -had swayed forward with one low, deep, bestial growl. -Crouched for the spring, they were yet held in leash -by the menace of the pistols, leveled upon them and -gleaming in the torchlight, and by the restraining -gesture and voice of Luiz Sebastian. In the crowd of -servants, now quite separated from the slaves, was noise -and confusion, and behind the Turk, standing midway -between the parties, was forming a phalanx of villainous -white faces—the dissolute, the convict, the refuse -of the plantation,—and at his side, suddenly as -though sprung from the earth, appeared the evil face -and red hair of the murderer of Robert Godwyn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silence of the Oliverians, stricken dumb by this -new turn of affairs, was broken by Havisham's crying -to Landless,—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are we to do, friend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make for the house and defend it and our lives," -answered Landless, "but first I call upon all true men -among you yonder to leave those murderers and join -yourselves to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the name of the King!" cried the Colonel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the name of God!" said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some seven or eight broke from the opposite throng -and with lowered heads ran to them across the open -space. Landless stooped, and lifting the senseless -figure at his feet swung it over his shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are ready, Colonel Verney. Steady, men! -Follow me!" He turned to the great house, rising -vast and dark, two hundred yards away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A gigantic, coal black Ashantee chief broke from -the throng opposite and, uttering his war cry, bounded -across the space between them. Another instant and -he would have been upon them, and close after him a -yelling pack of hell hounds—the overseer's pistol -cracked, and the black giant fell dead. A yell arose -from the crowd, but they stood irresolute. For -firearms, so strictly kept from servants and slaves, so -pre-eminently pertaining to the dominant class, they had -a superstitious dread. Four pistols meant four lives -picked from the foremost to advance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let them go," cried the mulatto, with a taunting -laugh. "Let them go! Let them go cage themselves -in wooden walls where we will take them all together—rats -in a trap. We will wait for the Chickahominies -who have guns, señors, and for the Ricahecrians -whose scalping knives are very bright. Until moonrise, -señors from the great house, and you others who -go with them! Mother of God! look well upon it, -for it is the last you will ever see!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fifteen minutes later saw the house of Verney -Manor garrisoned by some thirty desperate men. -They had entered to find a scene of confusion—the -hall and lower rooms filled with frightened women -and crying children. Patricia with white cheeks and -brilliant eyes had come forward to meet her father, -carrying a three days' child in her arms. Beyond -her was Betty, bending her sweet, pale face over the -mother, caught up from her pallet and carried to the -house in the arms of the under overseer. Mistress -Lettice was alternately wailing that they were all -undone and murdered, and wringing her hands over -the obstinacy of Captain Laramore who, rapier in -left hand, would stand guard at the door, instead of -keeping quiet as the Doctor had said he must. The -master's stern command for silence reduced the -clamor of women and children to an undertone of lamentation. -"We must to work at once," he said, "and apportion -our forces. There are about thirty men, are there not, -Woodson? I shall take the front with ten: Charles, -thou shalt have one side, Woodson the other, and -Haines the back. Laramore, thou must let us fight -for thee, man, though I know thou findest it a bitter -pill. Do you marshal the men, Woodson, and divide -them into four parties, one for each face, and tell the -women to leave off their whimpering and prepare to -load the muskets. Haines, have the arms taken down -from the racks and distribute them. Men and women, -one and all, you are to remember that you are fighting -for your lives and for more than your lives. You -know what you have to expect if you are taken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles, followed by Landless, the Muggletonian -and some three or four others, entered the -great room, which, with the master's room, occupied -that side of the house allotted to the baronet. The -wax candles still burned upon the spinet, and upon -the high mantel, and in the middle of the floor lay the -overturned chess table. Three of the four windows -were closely shuttered, but the fourth was open, and -before it stood a graceful figure, looking out into the -darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles strode hurriedly over to it. "Cousin! this -is madness! You know not to what danger you -may be exposing yourself. Come away!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am watching for the moonrise," she said -dreamily. "It is very near now. Look at the white -glow above the water, and how pale the stars are! -How beautiful it is, and how cool the wind upon your -forehead! Listen! that was the cry of a jay, -surely! and yet why should we hear it at night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the cry of a jay, sure enough," said the overseer, -pausing in his hurried passage through the room, -"but it was made by Indian lips."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come away, for God's sake!" cried the baronet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look! there is the moon!" she answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Above the level of marsh and water appeared a thin -line of silver. It thickened, rounded, became a -glorious orb. The marshes blanched from black to -gray, and across the water, from the dim land to the -great silver globe, stretched a long, bright, shimmering -path.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A knot of women appeared in the doorway, laden -with powder-flasks and platters filled with bullets. -One, with only a stick wound with faded flowers in -her hand, left them and glided to the open window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Margery!" said Patricia softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mad woman, pressing in front of her mistress, -looked out into the night and saw the white shining -road cutting through the darkness and stretching -endlessly away. She threw up her arms with a cry of -rapture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The road to Paradise! the road to Paradise!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An arrow whistled through the window and struck -into her bosom—into her heart—the staff dropped -from her hand, and she swayed forward and fell at -her mistress's feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The night, so placid, still and beautiful, was rent -and in an instant made hideous by a sound so long, -loud, and dreadful, that it might have been the shriek -of a legion of exultant fiends. It rose to the stars, -sunk to the earth and rose again, unearthly, menacing, -curdling the blood and turning the heart to stone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The war-whoop," said Woodson. "Close the -window, quick."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="night"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">NIGHT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>That terrible cadence preluded pandemonium, the -hush of horror that followed it being broken by one -deep and awful roar of voices as the insurgents, red, -white, and black, joined forces and swept down upon -the devoted house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will try the front first," quoth the master -from his loophole. "Steady, men, until I give the -word! Now, let them have it with a wannion!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The muskets cracked and a louder yell arose from -without.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two," said the master composedly, receiving a -fresh musket from his daughter's hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will try to dash in the door, your Honor!" -cried the overseer from his post of observation. -"They have the trunk of a pine with them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let them come," said his master grimly. "They -will find a warm welcome."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A double line of savages raised the great trunk -from the ground and advanced with it at a run, yelling -as they came. They had reached the steps leading up -into the porch when from the loopholed door and -window within there poured a deadly fire. Three -fell, but the battering-ram came on and struck against -the door with tremendous force. The door held, and -but twelve of the twenty who had entered the porch -returned to their fellows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They won't try that again," said the master with -a short laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are dividing," cried the overseer. "They -will surround the house. Every man to his post!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Around the corner of the house to the moonlit -sward beneath the great room windows swept a tide of -Indians and negroes with Luiz Sebastian and the two -Ricahecrian brothers at their head. A few of the -Indians had guns; the slaves were armed with axes, -scythes, knives—the plunder of the tool house—or -with jagged pieces of old iron, or with oars taken from -the boats and broken into dreadful clubs. They -came on with a din that was terrific, the savages from -the eastern hemisphere howling like the beasts within -their native forests, those from the western uttering at -intervals their sterner, more appalling cry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within the great room Sir Charles, languidly -graceful as ever, stood beside the small square opening -in the door that led down into the garden, and fired -again and again into the mob without. He fought -with an air as became the fine gentleman of the -period, but underneath the elaborate carelessness of -demeanor was a cool precision of action. The hand -that so nonchalantly brushed away the grains of -powder from his white ruffles, was steady enough at the -trigger; the eye that turned from the red death -without to cast languishing glances at his mistress where -she stood directing the women, was quick to note the -minutest change in savage tactics. He jested as he -fought—once he drew a tremulous wail of laughter -from Mistress Lettice's lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A bullet sung through the aperture and grazed his -arm. "The first blood," he said, with a laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's a man killed in the master's room and -two in the hall!" cried young Whittington, from his -post at the far window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Margery," said Patricia, coming forward -with the kerchief from her neck in her hand. "Let -me bind up your wound, cousin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He held out his arm with a smile and a few low, -caressing words, and she wound the lawn that was not -whiter than her face about it; then moved back to -where the women worked, loading and passing the -muskets to the men who kept up an incessant fire -upon the assailants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The whole house filled with smoke through which -the figures of the besieged loomed large and indistinct, -and the noise—the crack of the muskets, the loud -commands and oaths, the scream of a frightened -woman or child, the groans of the wounded, of whom -there were now many—became deafening. The -attack was now general, and the men on each face had -their hands full. Without was horrible clamor, oaths, -shots, yells, crashing blows against door and window; -within was noise and confusion, and fear, stern and -controlled, but blanching the lip of the men and -showing in the agony of the women's eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles, turning for a fresh musket, after a -highly successful shot as the yell outside had testified, -found Patricia at his elbow. "There are very few -bullets left, cousin, and this is all the powder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The baronet drew in his breath. "Peste! we are -unfortunate! One of you men go beg, borrow, or -steal from the others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless left his loophole in charge of the Muggletonian -and went swiftly into the hall, where he found -the master, his wig off, his shirt torn, his face and -hands blackened with powder, now firing with his own -hand, now shouting encouragement to the panting men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Powder and shot!" he cried. "God help us! are -you out? Not a grain or a bullet can we spare, -for if we keep them not from the great door we are -dead men!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless went to the overseer. "Two more rounds -and </span><em class="italics">we</em><span> are out," said Woodson coolly, firing as he -spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no sign that they have had enough," -said Landless, as the clamor outside redoubled, and a -man fell heavily back from his loophole with a bullet -through his brain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enough! Damn them, no!" said the overseer. -"When they've had our lives they will have had -enough—not before! They're paying dearly for -their fun though."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless went back to the great room with empty hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are all in like case," he said, in answer to -Sir Charles's lifted eyebrows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other shrugged his shoulders. "What will be, -will be. If we could have saved our fire—but we -had to keep them from the door! Get to your post, -and we will hold them back as long as may be. Then -a short passage to eternal nothingness!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A short passage!" muttered the Muggletonian at -Landless's ear. "Well for those who find that at the -hands of the uncircumcised heathen. Eternal nothingness! -The fool hath said in his heart There is no God—and -he is being dashed headlong upon the judgment -bar of the God who saith, I will repay. Cursed -be the Atheist! May he find the passage, fiery though -it be, as nothing to the flames of the avenging God; -may he go to his appointed place where the worm -dieth not and the fire is not quenched; may—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The trunk of a tree was dashed against the door -with a force that shook the room. "Dey 're comin'!" -shouted Regulus, who stood behind Sir Charles, and -raised the axe with which he was armed above his -head. Another crash and the wood splintered. -Through the ragged opening was thrust a red hand—the -axe, wielded by Regulus's powerful arms, flashed -downwards, and the hand, severed at the wrist, fell -with a dull thud upon the floor. A yell from without, -and another blow, widening the opening. Landless -fired his last bullet into the crowd, and clubbing his -musket sprang to the door, in front of which were -now massed all the defenders of that side of the house. -Sir Charles threw down his useless musket, and drew -his sword. "Cousin," he said over his shoulder to -Patricia, standing white and erect in the midst of the -cowering women, "you had best betake yourselves to -the hall, and that quickly. This will be no ladies' -bower presently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come," said Patricia to the women, and led the way -towards the door leading into the hall. As she passed -Sir Charles she put out her hand, and he caught it, -sunk to his knee, and pressed his lips upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to my father," she said steadily, "and -I shall pray him as he loves me to pass his sword -through my heart when they break into the hall. So -it is farewell, cousin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She drew her hand away and moved towards the -door, passing Landless so closely that her rich skirts -brushed him, but without a change in the white calm -of her face. The terrified women had pressed before -her into the hall, only Betty Carrington keeping by -her side. Her foot was upon the threshold, when with -loud screams they surged back into the great room. -A thundering crash in the hall was followed by a -babel of oaths, screams, triumphant yells. The voice -of the master made itself heard above all the hubbub, -"Charles, Woodson, Haines, they are upon us! Defend -the women to the last, as you are men, all of you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The splintered plank between them in the great -room and the murderers without was dashed inwards. -An Indian, naked, horribly painted, brandishing a -tomahawk, sprang through the opening, and Sir -Charles ran him through with his sword. A second -followed, and Landless dashed his brains out with the -butt of his musket. A third, and the Muggletonian -struck at him through the wildly flaring light and the -drifting smoke wreaths, and missed his aim. The knife -of the savage gleamed high in air, then, descending, -stuck quivering in the breast of the fanatic. He sunk -to his knees, flung up his skeleton arms, and raised his -scarred face, into which a light that was not of earth -had come, then cried in a loud voice, "Turn ye, turn -ye to the Stronghold, ye prisoners of Hope!" His eyes -closed and he fell forward upon his face, his blood -making the ground slippery about the feet of the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless closed with the Indian, finally slew him, -and turned to behold a stream, impetuous, not to be -withstood, of Indians and negroes pouring through -the doorway. From the hall came the clash of -weapons and a most terrific din, and presently there -burst into the great room the Colonel, Laramore, -Woodson, and Haines, followed by some fifteen -men—making, with the five in the great room, all that -were left of the defenders of Verney Manor.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="morning"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">MORNING</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The women crouched in a far corner of the room -behind a barricade of chairs and tables; the men -stood between them and the thirsters for blood, and -fought coolly, desperately, with such effect that, -fearful as were the odds, a glimmering of hope came to -them. The ammunition on both sides was exhausted, -and it had become a hand to hand struggle in which -the advantage of position and weapons was with the -assailed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damme, but we will beat them yet!" cried Laramore, -panting, and leaning heavily upon his rapier. -"They 're drawing off; we 've tired them out!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They 'll never tire while that hellhound of an -Indian whoops them on, and that yellow devil, Luiz -Sebastian, backs him up," said the overseer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are gathering for a rush," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The assailants had fallen back to the opposite wall, -leaving a space, cumbered with the dead and slippery -with blood, between them and the defenders of the -house. In this space now appeared the lithe figure, -and the watchful, large-eyed, amber countenance of -Luiz Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ohè!" he cried, "slaves, all of you! Ashantees, -Popoes, Angolans, Fidas, Malimbe, Ambrice! you -who are all black! think of the jungle and the -village; think of the wives and the children! think -of the slaver and the slave ship! You from the -Indies, you who are like me, Luiz Sebastian, think -of the blood which is the white man's blood and yet -the blood of a slave—and hate the white man as -I, Luiz Sebastian, hate him! Kill them and take -the women!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The swollen figure and dreadful face of Roach -appeared at his side. "Ay!" cried the murderer, with -a tremendous oath. "Kill them! Smash them, -batter them, hear them scream! In the old man's -pocket is the key of his money chest. It is filled with -bright yellow gold. Kill him and get the money, and -away to turn pirate and get more!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It grows late!" cried Trail. "We must up sail, -and away before the dawn!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gigantic, horribly painted form of the Ricahecrian -chief stalked into the open space and commenced -a harangue in his own tongue. It was short, but effective.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God!" said the Colonel, under his breath, and -grasped his blood-stained sword more closely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With one shrill and horrible cry Indians, negroes, -mulattoes, and villainous whites were upon them, -breaking their line, forcing them apart into knots of -two and three away from the frail barrier, behind -which cowered the screaming women, striking with -knife and tomahawk, axe and club. Two of the Colonel's -men fell, one under the knife of the seven-year-captive -Ricahecrian, the other beaten down by the -jagged and knotted club with which Roach, foaming -at the mouth, and swearing horribly, struck madly to -left and right. The Ricahecrian, drawing the knife -from the heart of his victim, rushed on to where -Landless and Sir Charles still maintained, by dint of -desperate fighting, their position before the women, but -Luiz Sebastian with Roach and half a dozen negroes -swept between him and his prey. He swerved aside, -and, bounding into the midst of the women, seized the -one who chanced to be in his path,—a young and -beautiful girl, newly come over from Plymouth, and -a favorite with the ladies of Verney Manor. The -despairing scream which the poor child uttered rang -out above all the tumult. Landless turned, saw, and -darted to her aid—but too late. With one hand the -savage gathered up the loosened hair, with the other -he passed the scalping knife around the young -head—when Landless reached them, she who so short time -before had been so fair to see, lay a shocking spectacle, -writhing in her death agony. With white lips -and burning eyes Landless swung his gun above his -head, and brought it down upon the shaven crown of -Grey Wolf. It cracked like an egg shell, and the -Indian dropped across the body of his victim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, springing back to the post he had quitted, -found Sir Charles in desperate case, but as coolly -composed as ever, and with the air of the Court still -about him despite his bared head and torn and blood-stained -clothing, treating those who came against him -to an exhibition of swordsmanship such as the New -World had probably rarely witnessed. Landless, -striking down a cutpurse from Tyburn, saw him run -the Turk through, and saw behind him the nightmare -visage and the raised club of Roach. He uttered a -warning cry, but the club descended, and the -handsome, careless face fell backwards, and the slender -debonair figure swayed and fell. Landless caught -him, saw that he was but stunned, and letting him -drop to the floor at his feet, wrenched the sword from -his hand, and stood over him, facing Roach with a -stern smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The murderer raised his club again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We've met at last!" he cried with a taunting -laugh. "Do you remember the tobacco house, and -what I said? I says: 'Every dog has its day, and -I 'll have mine.' It 's my day now!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I said," rejoined Landless, "'I let you go -now, but one day I will kill you.' And </span><em class="italics">that</em><span> day has -come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With an oath Roach brought down the club. Landless -swerved, and the blow fell harmlessly; before the -arm could be again raised, he caught it, held it with a -grasp of steel, and shortened his sword. The -miscreant saw his death, and screamed for mercy. -"Remember Robert Godwyn!" said Landless, and drove -the blade home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sword was a more effective weapon than the -gun, and with it he kept the enemy at bay, while he -glanced despairingly around. There were as many -dead as living within the room by this. The floor was -piled with the slain; they made traps for the living -who in the wild surging to and fro stumbled over -them, and fell, and were slain before they could rise. -Three fourths of the dead belonged to the insurgents, -but the attacked had suffered severely. Of the thirty -men with whom the defense had commenced there -now remained but twelve, and of that number several -were wounded. The Colonel was bleeding from a cut -on the head, the under overseer had a ball through his -arm, Sir Charles still lay without movement at -Landless's feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forced, together with almost all of his party, by -the mad rush of the assailants to the farther end of -the room, the master had seen with agony the women -left well-nigh defenseless. Followed by Woodson, -Havisham, Regulus, and young Whittington, he had -all but cut his way back to them, when a fresh influx -from the hall of slaves and whites who had been -engaged in plundering the house, drove them apart -again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The newcomers came fresh to the work, maddened, -moreover, by the master's wines. They advanced -upon the Colonel and his party with drunken shouts, -some brandishing rude weapons, others silver salvers -and tankards, the spoil of the plate chest. The voice -of Luiz Sebastian rang through the room. "Quick -work of them, friends; I smell the morning!" With -a laugh and a scrap of Spanish song upon his lips he -came at Landless with a knife, but a turn of the white -man's wrist sent the weapon hurling through the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Curse you!" cried the mulatto, springing out of -reach of the deadly point, and holding his arm from -which the blood was flowing. "Mother of God! but -I will have you yet!" and bounded towards his weapon. -Landless, steadily watchful, and pointing that fatal -sword this way or that against all comers, cleared for -himself and the still senseless man at his feet a circle -into which few cared to intrude, for the fame of that -blade had gone through the room. "Leave him until -we have dealt with the others," said the mulatto -between his teeth. "Then will we give him reason to -wish that he had never been born."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A touch upon his arm, and Landless turned to find -Patricia standing beside him. "Go back," he cried. -"Go back!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are murdering them all over there," she said -steadily. "My father is dead. I saw him fall."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, madam. He did but stumble over the -dead. See, Woodson fights them back from him. -For God's sake, get back behind the barricade!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She shook her head. "He is dead. They will all -be dead directly, my cousin and all. My father -cannot help me, and he who lies here cannot help me. I -will not be taken alive by these devils, and I have no -knife. Will you kill me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quick!" she said in the same low, steady tones. -"They are coming; they will beat us down in a -moment. Kill me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For answer Landless raised his voice until it rang -high above the uproar, and arrested the attention of -the combatants on both sides. "Fight with a will, -men," he cried, "for help is at hand! Do you not -bear the hoofs of the horses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By God! you are right!" cried the Colonel, -suddenly struggling to his feet. "Hold out, men! -Anthony Nash reached Rosemead, and has brought us -aid!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The dog priest!" the mulatto cried fiercely to -Trail. "Was he here? Then they have sent for -help, and Mother of God! it is here!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And coming at the planter's pace," answered -Trail. "They will be upon us before we reach the -boats."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mulatto glanced at the friend with whom he -had fled the Indies with a sinister smile. "Ay," he -muttered to himself. "They will be upon us indeed, -before we reach the boats, wherefore Luiz Sebastian -goes not to turn pirate this time. He throws in his -lot with the Ricahecrians whose canoes are close at -hand in the inlet that winds into the Pamunkey. -They are very swift, and in the Blue Mountains there -is safety. But one thing first."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He gave a shrill and peculiar whistle which brought -to him half a dozen Indians. He pointed to the body -of Grey Wolf and then to Landless. A yell burst -from the lips of the savages, and they rushed upon -the latter. He met them, ran his sword through the -heart of the first, of the second: Sir Charles moaned, -stirred, and struggled to his knees. A third raised -his knife; it would have descended, but Landless -darted between the savage and the half-dazed, utterly -helpless man at whom the blow was aimed, struck up -the arm, and plunged his sword into the dark breast. -A broken oar, snatched from the floor by the mulatto, -descended upon his head, and with a woman's scream -sounding in his ear, he fell heavily to the floor, and -lay as one dead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he came to himself, it was to find the great -room still crowded with men, and filled with noise and -confusion, but the thronging figures and the excited -voices were those of friends—of servants from the -neighboring plantations, of small planters and tenants -of Colonels Ludwell and Fitzhugh, the Surveyor-General, -and Dr. Anthony Nash. He saw the master, -panting, bleeding, but exultant, seize Dr. Nash's hands -in his own. He saw Sir Charles smile and extend his -box of richly scented snuff to Colonel Ludwell, and -the women leaving their corner of refuge with -hysterical laughter and tears; saw Betty Carrington in her -father's arms, and Mistress Lettice being helped across -a heap of dead by Captain Laramore. Indians, negroes, -mulatto, scoundrel whites, were gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They got off clear—the d—d villains," said Dick -Whittington, appearing beside him, "just before the -horses came up. But Woodson has gone after the -slaves and the convicts with a party of Carrington's -men. He 'll catch them, I 'm thinking, and they 'll -come to a pirate's end—that 's all the pirating they 'll -get. The Indians will get clean away; they 're most -to the Pamunkey by now, I reckon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless staggered to his feet, and put his hand to -his head, which was bleeding. "The women are all -safe?" he demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All but poor Annis," said the boy. "When I -saw the poor maid fall, I thanked the Lord that Joyce -Whitbread was safe in her mother's cottage at -Banbury. But none of the others were hurt. There is -Mistress Lettice and Mistress Betty Carrington—I -do not see Mistress Patricia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master of Verney Manor, pouring forth a rapid -account of the late affair to the gentlemen who crowded -around him, was brought to a dead stop by the appearance -of a man who had burst through the throng, and -now stood before him, half naked, bleeding, with white, -drawn face and wild eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it? Speak!" cried the master, terror of -he knew not what growing in his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your daughter, Colonel Verney!" cried Landless. -"She is not here. The Ricahecrians have carried -her off."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a sound between a groan and a scream the -Colonel staggered, and would have fallen had not -Carrington caught him. "Gone! Impossible!" -cried Sir Charles vehemently, all his studied -insouciance thrown to the winds. "She was with the women -behind the barrier that we made. She is here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began to call her by name, loudly, appealingly, -but there came no answering voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She will not answer," said Landless hoarsely. -"She is not here. She was with the women until just -before the last. She saw her father fall, and thought -him dead, and you dead, too, Sir Charles Carew, and -she came to me, and prayed me to kill her. Then we -heard the sound of the horses, and six -Indians—Ricahecrians—with Luiz Sebastian, came against -me. She stood at my side while I killed three. Then -I was struck down, and I heard her scream as I fell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master freed himself from Carrington's -supporting arm, and raised from his hands a face that -had suddenly become that of an old man. But the -voice was steady with which he said quietly,—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let them search the room thoroughly, for the -child may be laying in a faint beneath these dead, -though my soul doth tell me that it is as this man -says, and that she is gone. But we will after them at -once, and, please God, we will have her back, safe and -sound. They have but an hour's start."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," muttered young Whittington to Havisham. -"Only an hour. But the Chickahominies build the -swiftest canoes in this corner of the world, and I have -heard that the canoes of the Ricahecrians are to the -canoes of the Chickahominies as swallows are to -cranes."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="bread-cast-upon-the-waters"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">BREAD CAST UPON THE WATERS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Great trees, drooping from the banks of the -Pamunkey, shadowed into inky blackness the water -below them; but between the lines of darkness slept -a charmed sheet, glassy, fiery red from the sunken -sun. Three boats moved silently and swiftly up the -crimson stream, until, rounding a low point, they -came upon an Indian village, nestling amidst vines -and mulberries, and girt with a green ribbon of -late maize, when they swung round from the middle -stream and made for the bank. They were rowed -by stalwart servants, and in the foremost sat the -master of Verney Manor and Sir Charles Carew. In -the second boat was the Surveyor-General and -Dr. Anthony Nash, and in the third the overseer, and -among the rowers of this last was Godfrey Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As they neared the bank their occupants saw that -the usual sleepy evening stillness was not upon the -village above them. A shrill sound of wailing from -women and children rose and fell through the gathering -dusk, and in the open space round which the bark -wigwams were built, dark figures moved to and fro -in a kind of measured dance, slow and solemn, and -marked at intervals by dismal cries. As the boats -touched the shore and the white men sprang out, a -boy, stationed as scarecrow upon the usual scaffold in -the midst of the maize fields, raised a shrill whoop of -warning which brought the lamentation of the women -and the dance of the men to a dead stop. The latter -rushed down to the river side, brandishing their -weapons, and yelling; but there seemed little strength in -the arms that flourished the tomahawk; the voices -sounded cracked and shrill, and the weak fury and -noise died away when a nearer approach showed the -newcomers to be white. A very aged man, with a -face all wrinkles and a chest all scars, stepped from -out the throng which was now augmented by the -women and children.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My white fathers are far from the salt water. -Seldom do the Pamunkeys see their faces coming up -the narrowing stream or through the forest. They are -welcome. Let my fathers tarry and my women shall -bring them chinquepin cakes and tuckahoe, pohickory -and succotash, and my young men—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused, and a low wailing murmur like the -sound of the wind in the forest rose from the women.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are your young men, your braves?" demanded -the Surveyor-General. "Here are only the -very old and the very young—they who have not -seen a Huskanawing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian pointed to the crimson flood below. -"There are my young men; there are my braves. -Among them were a werowance and a sagamore. -They two have strings of pearl thicker than the -stem of the grape vine; they are painted with -puccoon, and the feathers of the bluebird and the -redbird are upon them. They have hills of hatchets and -of arrow heads, sharp and clean, and very much -tobacco, and they sing and dance in the great wigwam -of Okee, in the home of Kiwassa, in the land beyond -the setting sun. But the rest—they lie deep in the -slime of the river; it is red with their blood: their -wives wail for them; their village is left desolate.... -When the time of the full sun power was past -the smoking of three pipes, came up the Pamunkey, -swift as the swallow that skims its waters, the -Ricahecrian dogs who, passing down towards the salt -water twelve suns ago, slew the young men of a -village that lieth below us. My young men went out -against them, but a cloud came up and Kiwassa hid -his face behind it. They came not back, their boats -were sunk, the Ricahecrians laughed and went their -way, swift as swallows."'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask him," said the Colonel huskily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Had they a captive with them—a woman, a -paleface woman?" demanded Carrington.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With hair like the sunshine and a white robe. -And a man, the color of the falling sycamore leaf, -one of those who work in the fields of the white -fathers. The arms of the woman were bound, but -his were not—he fought with the Ricahecrian dogs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Luiz Sebastian!" said the overseer with a -muttered oath. "I thought as much when we found that -he was not with the drunken scoundrels whom we -took before they reached the Point. And we had -better have killed him than all the rest put together, -for he is the devil incarnate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us get on!" Sir Charles cried impatiently. -"We waste time when every moment is precious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel, who had been speaking to the -Surveyor-General, came over to him. All the jovial life -and fire was gone from his face, his eyes were haggard -and bloodshot, he stooped like an old man, but the -voice with which he spoke was steady and -authoritative as ever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," he said. "We must on at once, but not all -of us. Richard Verney must not forget the danger -of the state, in the danger of his child, nor let his -private quarrel take precedence. I had hoped when -we left the Manor at dawn to have been up with the -villains ere now, but it was not to be. This will be -a long chase and a stern one, and how it will end -God only knows. We go into a wilderness from -which we may never return. Behind us in the -settlement is turmoil and danger, a conspiracy to be put -down, the Chickahominies to be subdued, the strong -hand needed everywhere. Every man should be at -his post, and Richard Verney, Lieutenant of his shire, -and Colonel of the trainbands, is many leagues from -the danger which threatens the colony, and with his -face to the west. He must on, but Major Carrington -must go back to do his duty to the King, and -Anthony Nash must not desert his flock. And you, -Woodson, I send back to the Manor to do what you -can to repair the havoc there, and to protect -Mistress Lattice. My kinsman will go on with me; is -it not so, Charles?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly, sir," said the baronet quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'd a sight rather go with your Honor," growled -the overseer, "but I 'll do my best both by the -plantation and by Mistress Lettice, and I look for your -Honor and Mistress Patricia back in no time at all. -We are to take the small boat, I reckon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, with four men to row you. We will press -a boat and a crew from the next Pamunkey village. -Pick out your men, and let us be gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Humph! There 's one that I reckon had best go -back with us. Does your Honor know that you've -got with you the head of all this d—d Oliverian -business, the man that Trail swore was their -general—that they all obeyed as though he were Oliver -himself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No! How came he here?" cried the master, -staring at Landless, who stood at some distance from -them with folded arms and compressed lips, gazing -steadily up the glowing reaches of the river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Found him in the boat when I stepped into it -myself. I did n't say anything then, for we were in -a mortal hurry and he 's a good rower. But I reckon -your Honor will send him back with me? He 'll give -you the slip the first chance he gets."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course he must go back," the master said -peremptorily. "He should never have been brought -thus far. A dozen or so of these Oliverians must -swing as an example to the rest, and he, their leader, -and a felon to boot, at their head. The service he -did us last night can not help him—be fought for -his own life. The Governor has sworn to hang him, -and I am accountable for his safe delivery at -Jamestown. Bind him and take him back with you, and -send him at once to Jamestown under a strong -escort." He turned from the overseer to the two -gentlemen who were to go down the river. "Carrington, -Anthony Nash, old friends, farewell—it may be -forever. Anthony, pray that I may find my child safe -and spotless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They embraced, and he wrung their hands, and, -stepping hastily into the boat, sank down and covered -his face with his cloak. The Surveyor-General stood -with a pale and troubled face, and Dr. Anthony Nash -prayed aloud. The rowers took their places and the -boat shot out into the middle stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, seeing the second boat filling, and -supposing that the third would receive its load in a -moment, stepped towards it. As he passed the overseer, -standing a little to one side with two servants belonging -to Colonel Fitzhugh, a tenant of Colonel Verney, -and an Indian from Rosemead, Woodson put forth an -arm and stopped him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, my man," he said with a grim smile but -with a watchful eye, and nodding to the men to close -in around them. "Your way's down, not up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you mean?" cried Landless, recoiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean that the Doctor and the Major and I and -these men go back to the settlements to look after -things there, and that you are going to renew your -acquaintance with Jamestown gaol."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a moment Landless stood, turned to stone, -within the other's grasp, then with a cry he broke -from him and rushed to the water's edge. The boat -containing the master had turned her head up stream -and was beyond call; in the second boat the men -held the oars poised while Sir Charles, with one foot -upon the gunwale, gave a gravely courteous farewell -to the Surveyor-General and the divine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sir Charles Carew!" cried Landless. "I pray -you to take me with you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without moving, Sir Charles looked at him coldly, -a peculiar smile just curling his lip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I remember a day," he said, "when you said that -I might wait until doomsday and not hear favor asked -of me by you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are not generous," Landless said slowly, -"but I ask the favor. I ask it on my knees. Let -me go with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles stepped into the boat and took the seat -reserved for him. "I regret," he said politely, "that -it comports not with my duty as a gentleman and an -officer of the King to assist you in your very natural -endeavors to escape the gibbet. Push off, men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boat shot from the shore and up the darkening -stream, hastening to overtake its consort. Sir Charles -raised his Spanish hat and fluttered a lace -handkerchief. "To a happier meeting, gentlemen!" The -Surveyor-General and the divine returned the salute, -and stood in silence watching the canoe with its -brawny rowers and the slender, elegant figure in the -stern. It caught up with the Colonel's boat and the -two grow smaller and smaller, until they become -mere black dots and the dusk swallowed them up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless watched them too with a face set like a -stone. The overseer, backed by two of the servants, -approached him with caution, but there was no -need,—he submitted to be bound without a word, or -struggle, or change in the expression of his face. He -turned mechanically towards the boat, but the -overseer plucked him back. "Not yet," he said. "We -are all dead beat, and we have not the need to hurry -that have those who are gone on. The Major 's -commander now, and he says sleep here a few hours. I 'll -fasten you so that you can't get away, I promise ye! -Fegs! it's a pity that a man who can fight as you -fought last night should have to die a dog's death -after all! But you 've only yourself to thank for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The red glow died from the river like the scarlet -from cooling iron, and it lay dark and silent, dimly -reflecting a myriad of stars. The sloping bank, the -maize fields, tobacco patch and mulberry grove, the -plateau upon which were ranged the wigwams of the -Indians, the dark and endless forest—all the wide, -sombre earth—had their stars also—myriads on -myriads of fire-flies, restlessly sparkling lanterns -swung by legions of fairies. There was no wind; -the cataracts of wild grape descending from the tops -of the tallest trees stirred not a leaf: the pines were -soundless. But the whip-poor-wills wailed on, and -once a catamount screamed, and the deer, coming to -a lick close by, made a trampling over the fern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, tightly bound to a great bay tree with -thongs of deerskin, watched the night grow old with -hard, despairing eyes. The stars paled and the moon -rose softly above the tree-tops, silvering the world -beneath. By her light he saw the little glade of which -the tree to which he was bound marked the centre, and -the recumbent forms of those who were to return to -the settlements stretched on Indian mats laid upon the -short grass. Worn out with the toil of the day and -the storm and stress of the night before, they -slumbered heavily. The watcher in their midst thought, -"If I could sleep!" and resolutely closed his eyes, -but the vision of a flying canoe and a brightness of -golden hair, which had vexed him, passing up the -reaches of the river over and over and over again, -was with him still, and he opened them and raised -them to the stars, thinking, "She may be above them now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>How still it was! no air, no breath, no sound—the -thongs, that, wound many times around his body, -bound him to the tree, fell at his feet, a figure slipped -from behind the trunk, laid a hand, in which was a -knife that gleamed in the mooonlight, upon his arm, -and whispering, "Follow," glided over the grass, past -the sleepers and into the forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Swiftly but cautiously Landless went after it. The -overseer lay within ten feet of him; he passed him, -passed the unconscious servants, crossed a strip of -moonlight, entered the shadow of a locust, and all but -stumbled over a man lying asleep beneath it. He -recoiled, and a twig snapped beneath his foot. The -sleeper stirred, turned upon his side, and opened his -eyes. The moon, now high in the heavens, shone so -brightly that there was soft light even beneath the -heavy branches of the trees, and by this light his -Majesty's Surveyor-General and his Majesty's -rebellious, convicted, and condemned servant -recognized each other. For one long minute they stared -each at the other, then, without a word or sign to -denote that he was aware that aught stood between -him and the moonlight, Carrington lay down again, -pillowed his head upon his arm and closed his eyes. -Landless was passing on with a light and steady step -and the ghost of a smile upon his lips when the -apparently slumbering figure put forth an arm and laid -something long and dark across his pathway. He -glanced quickly around, but the Surveyor-General lay -motionless, with closed eyes. Stooping, he took up -the object, which proved to be a richly inlaid musket -with flask and pouch. He paused again, but no sign -coming from the quietly breathing form on the grass -he lightly and silently left it and the tiny encampment -and entered the forest, where he found a dark figure -leaning against a tree, waiting for him. Without a -word it moved forward into the dense shadow of the -forest, and in the same silence he followed it. They -were now in thick woods, moving beneath interlocking -branches and a vast canopy of wild grape that, -stretching from the summit of one lofty tree to that -of another, formed a green and undulating roof upon -which beat the moonbeams that could not penetrate -the close darkness of the world below. They came to -a small and sluggish stream, flowing without noise -between the towering trees, and stepping into the water, -walked up it for a long while with giant blacknesses -on either hand and above them the moon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this time the figure had stalked along before -Landless without speaking or turning its head, but -now, the trees thinning, and they coming upon a field -of wild flax that lay fair and white beneath the moon, -it quitted the lazy stream, and turning upon Landless -as he too stepped upon the bank, showed him the bronze -countenance and the gigantic form of the Susquehannock -to whom he had once done a kindness, and with -whom he had fought on such a night as this, in such -a moonlight space.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka, I thought it had been you," said -Landless quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the never failing "Ugh!" the Indian took -Landless's hand and with it touched his own dark -shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I too am grateful, and with far more reason," -said Landless smiling. "I will be yet more so if -you will bring me out upon the bank of the river at -some distance above yonder encampment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will my brother do then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go up the river."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After the canoes in which sit the palefaces from -whom my brother flees?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After the canoe which those canoes pursue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If my brother wishes to take the warpath against -the Algonquin dogs," said the Indian quietly, "he -must not follow the Pamunkey, but the Powhatan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They passed this village yesterday, going up the -Pamunkey!" cried Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A false trail. Let my brother come a little -further and I will show him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stepped in front of the white man, and moving -rapidly across the field of flax, dived into the forest -again. Following the stream in its windings they -came to where it debouched into a wide and muddy -creek, which, in its turn, flowed into an expanse of -water that lay like molten silver beyond the fringe of -trees.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Pamunkey!" exclaimed Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian nodded and led the way to a thicket of -dwarf willow and alder that grew upon the very brink -of the creek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"While the palefaces slept, Monakatocka was -busy. Look!" he said, parting the bushes and -pointing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within the thicket, drawn up upon the sloping -mud, were two large canoes, quite empty save for a -débris of broken oars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless gasped. "How do you know them to be -the same?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian stooped and pointed to dark stains. -"Blood. They had wounded among them. And -this." He put something into the other's hand. -Landless looked at it, then thrust it into his bosom. -"You are right. It is a ribbon which the lady wore. -But why have they left their boats, and where are -they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian pointed to the side of the larger -canoe. "The hatchets of the Pamunkeys were sharp. -They fought like real men. This canoe could go no -further. See, it is wet within—they had to ply the -gourd very fast to keep afloat so far. One canoe -would not hold them all, so they hid both here. They -knew the palefaces would follow up the river, so they -cared not to stay upon its banks; the Pamunkeys, -too, are their enemies. They have gone through the -forest towards the Powhatan. My brother cannot -see their trail, for the eyes of the palefaces are -clouded, but Monakatocka sees it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless turned upon him. "Will Monakatocka -go with me against the Ricahecrians?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka has dreamt of the village on the -pleasant river where he was born. The arm of the -white men cannot reach him here, in these woods, far -from their wigwams and warriors and guns; it cannot -pluck him back to be beaten. He toils no more in -their fields. He is a real man again, a warrior of the -long house, a chief of the Conestogas. Let my white -brother go with him, across the great rivers, through -the forest, until they come to the Susquehanna and -the village of the Conestogas. There will the -maidens and the young men welcome Monakatocka with -song and dance, and my brother shall be welcome -also and shall become a great chief and shall take -the warpath against the Algonquin and against the -paleface at the side of Monakatocka. In the Blue -Mountains is Death. Let us go to the pleasant river, -to the hunting grounds of the Conestogas."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless shook his head. "My thanks and good -wishes go with you, friend, but my path lies towards -the Blue Mountains. Farewell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He put out his hand, but the Indian did not touch -it. Instead, he stooped and examined the ground -about him with attention, then, beckoning the other -to follow, he moved rapidly and silently along the -border of the creek. Landless overtook him and -laid his hand upon his arm, "This is my path, but -yours lies across the river, to the north."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If my brother will not go with me, I will go with -my brother," said the Conestoga.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-bridge-of-rock"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE BRIDGE OF ROCK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>For twenty days they had followed the Ricahecrians. -At times the trail lay before them so plain -that even Landless's unaccustomed eyes could read -it; at times he saw nothing but untrodden ways—no -sign to show that man had been in that wilderness -since the beginning of the world—but the -Susquehannock saw and went steadily onward; at times they -lost it altogether, to find it hours, days afterwards.... -It had led them westward, then south to the banks of -the Powhatan, then westward again. At first they -had to avoid an occasional clearing with the cabin -of a pioneer rising from it, or some frontier post, -or the village of one of the Powhatan tribes, but -that time had long past. The world of the white -man was far behind them, so far that it might have -been another planet for all it threatened them; the -Indian villages were few and far between and -inhabited by tribes whose tongue the Susquehannock -did not know. For the most part they gave these -villages a wide berth, but sometimes in the quiet of -the evening they entered one, and were met by the -eldest man and conducted to the stranger's lodging -where slim brown maidens came to them with platters -of maize cakes and nuts and broiled fish, and the -warriors and old men gathered around, marveling -at the color of the one and conversing with the -other in stately gesture. Sometimes, crouched in a -tangle of vines or behind the giant bole of some fallen -tree they watched a war party file past, noiseless, like -shadows, disappearing in the blue haze that filled the -distant aisles of the forest. Once a band of five -attacked them, coming upon them in their sleep. Three -they killed and the others fled. They dipped into the -next stream that crossed their path and swam up it a -long distance, then emerged and went their way, -tolerably confident that they had covered their trail. -Sometimes they struggled for hours through coverts -of wild grape, thick with fruit: sometimes they -walked for miles down endless colonnades of pine -trees, where the needle-strewn ground was like ice -for slipperiness, and the blue sky gleamed faintly -through the far away tree tops. The wind in the -pines rose and fell in long, measured cadences. It -made the only sound there, for the birds forgot to -sing and the insect world kept silence in those vast -and sombre cathedrals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the afternoon of the twentieth day they came to -a halt upon the bank of a small stream that fell -purling over a long, smooth slide of limestone into the -river. Mountains had loomed into existence in the -last few days. In the distance they made a vast blue -rampart which seemed to prop the western skies. -When the sun sank behind them it was as though -a mighty warrior had entered his fortress. Nearer -at hand they fell into lofty hills, over which the forest -undulated in unbroken green. In front the river -made a sudden turn and was lost to sight, disappearing -through a frowning gateway of gray cliffs as -completely as though it had plunged into the bowels of -the earth.... Landless sat down on the bank of the -stream above the fall and, chin in hand, gazed at the -mountain-piled horizon. The Indian, leaning against -a great sycamore whose branches trailed in the water, -watched him attentively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My brother is tired," he said at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless shook his head. The Susquehannock -paused, still with his eyes upon the other's face, and -then went on, "We have searched and have found -nothing. There have been five suns since the great -rains blotted out the trail. My brother has done -very much. Let him say so and we will go back to -the falls of the far west and thence to the northward, -to the pleasant river, to Monakatocka's people, to the -graves of his fathers. And my brother will be -welcome to the Conestogas, and he shall be made one of -them, and become a great warrior, and both he and -Monakatocka will forget the evil days when they -were slaves—until they meet a paleface from the -great water. My brother has but to speak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If these hills in front of us," said Landless with -gloomy emphasis, "were higher than the Alps, I would -climb them. If behind them there were another range, -and then another, and another, if we looked upon the -nearest wave of an ocean of mountains, I would climb -them all. If they are before us, sooner or later I -shall find them. But not to know that they are -before us! To know that they may be to the north of -us, may be to the south of us! that we may even have -passed them! it is maddening!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have not passed them," said his companion -slowly, "for—" he stopped abruptly, broke off a bough -from a sumach bush beside him, and falling on his -knees, leaned far out over the stream. There were -many tiny cascades in the brook with little eddies -below them where sticks and leaves circled gaily -around before they were drawn on to the next -miniature fall, and into one of these eddies the Indian -plunged the bough. The next moment he drew it -carefully towards him, something white clinging to -one of its twigs. It proved to be a fragment of -lace—not more than an inch or two—and it might have -been torn from a woman's kerchief. Landless's hand -closed over it convulsively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It came down the stream!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other nodded. "Monakatocka saw it slip over -that fall. It has not been in the water long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then—my God!—they are close at hand! They -are up this stream!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian nodded again with a look of satisfaction -upon his bronze features. Landless raised his -eyes to the cloudless blue, and his lips moved. Then, -without a word he turned his face up the mountain -stream, and the Indian followed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For an hour they crept warily onward, following -the stream in its capricious wanderings. A broken -trailer of grapevine, a pine cone that had been crushed -under foot, the print of a moccasin on a bit of muddy -ground told them that they had indeed recovered the -long lost trail. They moved silently, sometimes -creeping on hands and knees through the long grass where -the bank was barren of bushes, sometimes gliding -swiftly through a friendly covert of alder or sumach. -The hills closed in upon them, and became more -precipitous. The stream made another bend, and they were -in a ravine where the water flowed over a rocky bed -between banks too steep to afford them secure -foothold. The Susquehannock swung himself down into -the shallow water, and motioned to his companion -to do likewise. "Monakatocka smells fire," he whispered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A moment later they rounded an overhanging, fern-clad -rock, and came full upon that at which Landless -stared with a sharp intake of his breath, and which -even his impassive guide greeted with a long-drawn -"Ugh!" of amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Towards them brawled the impetuous stream -through a wonderful gorge. The precipitous hillsides, -clothed with a stately growth of oak and chestnut, -changed suddenly into a sheer and awful mass of -rock. On either side of the stream towered up the -mighty walls until, two hundred feet above the water, -they swept together, spanning the chasm with a -majestic arch. Great trees crowned it; trailers of grape -and clematis made the span one emerald; below, -through the vast opening, shone the evening sky with -little, rosy clouds floating across it. A bird, flashing -downwards from the far-off trees, showed black against -the carnation of the heavens.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian uttered another "Ugh!" then stole -forward a pace or two, stood still, and waited for the -other to come up. "My brother sees," he said simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From a covert of arbor-vitæ they looked directly -up the creek and through the archway. Beneath it, -and for a few yards on the hither side, the water -flowed in a narrower channel, leaving a little strip -of boulder-strewn shore. With a leap of his heart -Landless saw, rising from this shore, the blue smoke -of a newly kindled fire, and squatting about it, or -flitting from place to place, a dozen or more dark -figures. At a little distance from the fire, close against -the wall of rock, had been hastily constructed a rude -shed or arbor. As he gazed at this frail shelter, he -saw the flutter of a white gown pass the opening which -served as door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Night soon," said Monakatocka at his ear. "Then -will my brother see one Iroquois cheat all these -Algonquin dogs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They drew further back into the dense shade of the -overhanging boughs. A large flat boulder afforded -them a secure resting-place, and drawing their feet -from the stream, the two curled themselves up side by -side upon its friendly surface. The Indian took some -slices of venison from his wallet, and they made a -slender meal, then set themselves patiently to await -the night and the time for action. The tiny -encampment was hidden from them by the thick boughs, but -through the screen of delicate, aromatic leaves they -could see the bridge of rock. Around them was the -stir and murmur of the summer afternoon—the wind -in the trees, the whir of insects, the song of birds, the -babble of the water—but far above, where the great -arch cut the sky, the world seemed asleep. The trees -dreamed, resting against the crimson and gold of the -heavens. The Indian's appreciation of the wonders of -nature was limited—with a grunted, "All safe: wake -before moonrise," he turned upon his side, and was -asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His Anglo-Saxon neighbor watched the pensive -beauty of the evening with a softened heart. The -glory behind the tremendous rock faded, giving place -to tender tints of pearl and amethyst. Above the -distant tree tops swam the evening star. In the half -light the shadowy forest on either hand blended with -the great bridge carved by some mysterious force from -the everlasting hills. Together they made a mountain -of darkness pierced by a titanic gateway through -which one looked into heavenly spaces. The chant of -the wind swelled louder. It was like the moan of -distant breakers. The night fell, and the stars came -out one by one until the blue vault was thickly studded. -Up and down the sides of the ravine flickered millions -of fireflies. Their restless glimmer wearied the eyes. -Landless raised his to the one star, large, calm and -beautiful, and prayed, then thought of all that star -shone upon that night—most of the white town of -his boyhood, lying fair and still like a dream town, -above a measureless, slumberous sea. A great calm -was upon him. Toil and danger were past; passionate -hope and settled despair were past. That he would -do what he had come this journey to do, he now had -no doubt,—would not have doubted had there been -encamped between him and the frail shed built against -the rock all the Indians this side of the South Sea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stars that shone through the great archway -slowly paled, the stream became dull silver, and down -the towering darkness on either hand fell a soft and -tremulous light like a veil of white gauze. Landless -put out his hand to waken the sleeping Indian, and -touched bare rock. A moment later the branches -before him parted. He had heard no sound, but there, -within three feet of him, were the high features and -the bold eyes of the Susquehannock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka has been to the great rock," he said -in a guttural whisper. "The Algonquin dogs sleep -sound, for they do not know that a Conestoga is on -their trail. They have camped beneath the rock three -days, and they will move on the morrow. They have -built a shed for the maiden against the rock. About -it lie the Ricahecrians, the moccasins of one touching -the scalp lock of another. They keep no watch, hut -they have scattered dried twigs over all the ground. -Tread on them, and the god of the Algonquins will -make them speak very loud. But a Conestoga is -cunning. Monakatocka has found a way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then let us go," said Landless, rising.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As they crept from out their leafy covert, the moon -appeared over the tree-tops far above them, flooding -the glen with light, and making a restless shimmer of -diamonds of the rushing brook. The two men moved -warily up the stream, setting their feet with care upon -the slippery stones. Once Landless stumbled, but -caught at a huge boulder, and saved himself from -falling, sending, however, a stone splashing down into -the water. They drew themselves up within the -shadow of the rock, and listened with straining ears, -but there came no answering sound save the cry of a -whip-poor-will, and they went on their way. When -they were within a hundred feet of the encampment, -the Indian left the stream, crossed the strip of earth -between it and the cliff, and pointed to a broken and -uneven line that ran at a height of some five feet -from the ground along the face of the cliff. Landless -looked and saw a very narrow ledge, a mere projection -here and there of jagged and broken rock, a pathway -perilous and difficult as might well be imagined. -So narrow and insignificant it looked, such a mere -seam along the vast wall, that a white man passing -through the ravine might never have noticed it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is our path," said the Susquehannock. "It -leads above the heads of these dogs and their -crackling twigs, straight to where lies the maiden."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word Landless caught at the stem of a -cedar projecting from a fissure in the rock, and swung -himself up to the cleft. The Indian followed, and -with silence and caution they commenced their -dangerous journey. Landless was no novice at such work. -When a boy, he had often rounded the face of frowning -white cliffs with the sea breaking in thunder a -hundred feet below. Then a bird's nest had been the -prize of high daring, death the penalty of dizziness or -a misstep. Now, although not two yards below him -was the solid earth, a misstep would send him -crashing down to a more fearful doom—but the prize! -A light was in his eyes as he crept nearer and nearer -to the shed built against the rock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They passed the smouldering embers of a large fire, -and came full upon the circle of sleeping Indians. -They lay in the moonlight like fallen statues, their -bronze limbs motionless, their high, stern features -impassive as death. From their belts came the glint of -tomahawk and scalping knife, and beside each warrior -lay his bow and quiver of arrows. Only one man had -a gun. It lay in the hollow of his arm, its barrel -making a gleaming line against his dark skin. The -skin was not so dark as was that of the other -recumbent figures, and the face, flung back and pillowed on -the arm, was not the face of an Indian. It was Luiz -Sebastian. He lay somewhat nearer to the shed than -did the Ricahecrians, and directly in front of the -doorway; as Landless paused above him, he turned and -laughed in his sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Slowly and cautiously Landless swung himself down -from the ledge, his moccasined feet touching ground -that was clear of pebbles and beyond the line of twigs. -He glanced back to see the gigantic figure of the -Susquehannock, standing upright against the rock, knife -in hand, and watchful eyes roving from one to the -other of the sleeping warriors, then stepped lightly -across the body of the mulatto, and entered the hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within it the darkness was gross. Pausing a -moment to accustom his eyes to the blackness, there came -to him from without the hoot of an owl. It was the -signal agreed upon between him and his companion, -and he wheeled to face the danger it announced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lithe, yellow figure that had lain in front of -the doorway had waked. As Landless gazed, it rose -to its knees, then with a quick, cat-like grace to its -feet, stretched itself, cast a listening look around the -sleeping circle, and laid its gun softly down, then -with a noiseless step and a smile upon its evil face, it, -too entered the hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless waited until the mulatto was well across -the threshold, and then sprang upon him, dragging -him to the ground, where he held him with his knee -against his chest. He writhed and struggled, but the -white man was the stronger, and held him down: he -tried to cry out, but the other's hands were at his -throat choking the life from him. Putting all his -strength into one hand, Landless felt with the other -for his knife. The movement brought his face -forward into the shaft of moonlight that trembled through -the opening. "You!" said the eyes of the mulatto, -and his clutching hands tore at the hand about his -throat. The hand pressed closer, and with the other -Landless struck the knife into the yellow bosom. -When the writhing form was quite still, he rose from -his knees, and looked down upon the evil face flung -back to meet the moonlight. The struggle had lasted -but a minute, and had been without sound—not a -sleeping savage had stirred. But he now heard -frightened breathing within the hut. By this his eyes were -accustomed to the darkness, and he made out something -white niched into the corner opposite. As he -advanced towards it, it started away, and would have -brushed past him, but he seized it. "Madam!" he -whispered. "Do not scream. It is I, Godfrey Landless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the darkness he felt the rigor of terror leave the -form which he held. It swayed against him, and the -head fell back across his arm. He raised the fainting -figure, and stepping across the body of the mulatto -issued from the shed, to find Monakatocka standing -beside the entrance, knife in hand, and watchfully -regardful of the sleeping Ricahecrians.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-backward-track"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE BACKWARD TRACK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Landless turned to the pathway by which they -had come, but the Indian shook his head, and pointing -to the stream which, making a sudden turn, brawled -along at their very feet, stepped noiselessly down into -the water, first, however, possessing himself of Luiz -Sebastian's gun, which lay upon the ground beside the -hut. Landless, following him in silence, would have -turned his face towards the river, but again the -Susquehannock shook his head and began to make his -way slowly and warily up stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other knew how to obey. Holding with one -arm the unconscious form of the woman he had come -so many leagues to seek, and with the other steadying -himself by boulder and projecting cliff, he followed -his companion past the sleeping Ricahecrians, out of -the shadow of the great arch, into the splendor of the -moonlight beyond. It was not until they had gone a -long distance, past vast, scarred cliffs, through close, -dark, scented tunnels formed by the overarching -boughs of great arbor-vitæs, up smooth slides where -the water came down upon them in long, unbroken, -glassy green slopes, that Landless said, in a low voice: -"Why do we go up this stream instead of back to -the river? It is their road we are traveling."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The faint, reluctant smile of the Indian crossed the -Susquehannock's face. "The white man is very wise -except when he is in the woods. Then he is as if -every brook ran fire-water and he had drunk of them -all. A pappoose could trick him. When these -Algonquin dogs wake and find the fawn fled and the -yellow slave killed, they will cast about for our trail, -and they will find that we came up from the river. -Then, when they find no backward track, but only -that we entered the water there, before the maiden's -hut, they will think that we have gone down the -stream, back to the river. They will go down to the -river themselves, but when they have reached it they -will not know what to do. They will think, 'They -who come after the Ricahecrians into the Blue -Mountains must be many, with great hearts and with -guns.' They will think, 'They came in boats, and one of their -braves and one Iroquois, stealing up this stream, came -upon the Ricahecrians when Kiwassa had closed their -eyes and their ears, and stole away the fawn that the -Ricahecrians had taken, and killed the man who fled -with them from the palefaces.' And it will take a -long time for them to find that there were no boats -and that but two real men have followed them into -the Blue Mountains, for I covered our trail where this -stream runs into the river very carefully. After a -while they will find it, and after another while they -will find that the chief of the Conestogas and his -white brother and the maiden have gone up the -stream, and they will come after us. But that will -not be until after the full sun power, and by then -we must be far from here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good," said Landless briefly. "Monakatocka -has the wisdom of the woods."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka is a great chief," was the sententious -reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you think they will follow us when they find -how greatly we have the start of them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will be upon our track, sun after sun, keen-eyed -as the hawk, tireless as the wild horses, hungry -as the wolf, until we reach the tribes that are friendly -to the palefaces. And that will be many suns from -now. I told my brother that we followed Death into -the Blue Mountains. Now Death is upon our trail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They came to a rivulet that emptied itself into the -larger stream, and the Susquehannock led the way -up its bed. Presently they reached a gently sloping -mass of bare stone, a low hill running some distance -back from the margin of the stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good," grunted the Susquehannock. "The moccasin -will make no mark here that the sun will not -wipe out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They clambered out upon the rock and stood -looking down the ravine through which they had come. -"My brother is tired," said the Indian. "Monakatocka -will carry the maiden."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not tired," Landless answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian looked at the face, thrown back upon -the other's shoulder. "She is fair, and whiter than -the flowers the maidens pluck from the bosom of the -pleasant river."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is coming to herself," said Landless, and laid -her gently down upon the rock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently she opened her eyes quietly upon him as -he knelt beside her. "You came," she said dreamily. -"I dreamt that you would. Where are my father -and my cousin?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seeking you still, madam, I doubt not, though I -have not seen them since the day after you were -taken. They went up the Pamunkey and so missed -you. Thanks to this Susquehannock, I am more -fortunate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She lay and looked at him calmly, no surprise, but -only a great peace in her face. "The mulatto," she -said, "I feared him more than all the rest. When I -saw him enter the hut I prayed for death. Did you -kill him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I trust so," said Landless, "but I am not certain, -I was in too great haste to make sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not care," she said. "You will not let him -hurt me—if he lives—nor let the Indians take me -again?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, madam," Landless said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She smiled like a child and closed her eyes. In the -moonlight which blanched her streaming robe and her -loosened hair that, falling to her knees, wrapped her -in a mantle of spun gold, she looked a wraith, a -creature woven of the mist of the stream below, a Lorelei -sleeping upon her rock. Landless, still upon his knee -beside her, watched her with a beating heart, while -the Susquehannock, leaning upon his gun, bent his -darkly impassive looks upon them both. At length -the latter said, "We must be far from here before -the dogs behind us awake, and the Gold Hair cannot -travel swiftly. Let us be going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She opened her eyes and he helped her to her feet. -"We must hasten on," he said gently. "They will -follow us and we must put as many leagues as possible -between us before they find our trail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not think of that!" she said, with dilating -eyes. "I thought it was all past—the terror—the -horror! Let us go, let us hasten! I am quite -strong; I have learned how to walk through the -woods. Come!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian glided before them and led the way -over the friendly rocks. They left them and found -themselves upon a carpet of pine needles, and then in -a dell where the fern grew rankly and the rich black -earth gave like a sponge beneath their feet. Here -the Indian made Landless carry Patricia, and -himself came last, walking backwards in the footprints of -the other, and pausing after each step to do all that -Indian cunning could suggest to cover their trail. -They came to more rocky ledges and walked along -them for a long distance, then found and went up a -wide and shallow stream. Slowly the pale light of -dawn diffused itself through the forest. In the -branches overhead myriads of birds began to flutter -and chirp, the squirrels commenced their ceaseless -chattering, and through the white mist, at bends of -the stream, they saw deer coming from the fern of the -forest to drink. A great hill rose before them, bare -of trees, covered only with a coarse growth of grass -and short blue thistles in which already buzzed a -world of bees; they climbed it and from the summit -watched a ball of fire rise into the cloudless blue. -The morning wind, blowing over that illimitable -forest, fanned their brows, and a tide of woodland -sound and incense swept up to them from the world -below. Around them were the Blue Mountains—gigantic -masses, cloudy peaks, vast ramparts rising -from a sea of mist—mysterious fastnesses, scarcely -believed in and never seen by the settlers of the level -land—a magic country in which they placed much -gold and the wandering colonists of Roanoke, the -South Sea, and long-gowned Eastern peoples.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, the mountains!" said Patricia. "The dreadful, -frowning mountains! When will we be quit of -them? When, will we reach the level land and the -blue water?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Before many days, I trust," said Landless. "See, -our faces are set to the east—-towards home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stood in silence for a moment, her face lifted, -the color slowly coming back to her cheeks and the -light to her eyes, then said suddenly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did my father send you after me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then how are you here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at her with a smile. "I broke -gaol—and came."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A shadow crossed her face, but it was gone in a -moment. "I am very grateful," she said. "You -have saved me from worse than death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is I that am thankful," he answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They descended the hill in silence and found the -Susquehannock, who had preceded them, squatted -before a fire which he had kindled upon a flat rock -beside one of the innumerable streamlets that wound -here and there over the land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The dogs yonder will need Iroquois eyes to spy -out this trail," he said with grim satisfaction, as they -came up to him. "Let my brother and the Gold -Hair rest by the fire, and Monakatocka will go into -the forest and get them something to eat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was gone, his gigantic figure looking larger -than life as he moved through the mist which still -filled the hollow between the hills, and Landless and -Patricia sat themselves down beside the fire. Landless -piled upon it the dead wood with which the ground -was strewn, and the flames leaped and crackled, -sending up thin blue smoke against the hillside and -reddening the bosom of the placid stream. When he -had finished his task and taken his seat, there fell a -silence and constraint upon the man and woman, -brought through so many strange and wayward paths, -through lives so widely differing, to this companionship -in the heart of a waste and savage world. They -sat opposite each other in the ruddy light of the fire, -and each, looking into the dark or glowing hollows, -saw there the same thing—the tobacco house and -what had there passed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish to believe in you," said Patricia at last, -lifting appealing eyes to the opposite face. "But -how can I? You lied to me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless raised his head proudly. "Madam, will -you listen to me—to my defense if you will? You -are a Royalist: I am a Commonwealth man. Can -you not see, that as ten years ago, in the estimation -of you and yours, it was all that was just and heroic -for a Cavalier to plot the downfall of the Government -which then was, both here and at home, so they of -the Commonwealth saw no disgrace in laboring for -their cause, a cause as real and as high and as holy -to them, madam, as was that of the Stuart and the -Church to the Cavalier.... And will not the slave -fight for his liberty? Is it of choice, do you think, -that men lie rotting in prison, in the noisome holds of -ships, are bought and sold like oxen, are chained to -the oar, to the tobacco field, are herded with the refuse -of the earth, are obedient to the finger, to the whip? -We—they who are known as Oliverians, and they -who are felons, and I who am, if you choose, of both -parties, were haled here with ropes. What allegiance -did we owe to them who had cast us out, or to them -who bought us as they buy dumb beasts? As God -lives, none! We were no longer regarded as men, -we were chattels, animals, slaves, caged, and chained. -And as the caged beast will break his bars if he can, -so we strove to break ours. You have been a captive, -madam. Is not freedom sweet to you? We also -longed for it. We staked our lives upon the -throw—and lost. That dream is over,—let it -go! ... There is honor among rebels, madam, as among -thieves. That morning after the storm, I had the -choice of lying to you or of becoming a traitor indeed.... -But as to what I had before asked you to believe, -that was the truth, is the truth. I know that -in your eyes I am still the rebel to the King, well -deserving the doom which awaits me, but if, after what -I say to you, by the faith of a gentleman, before the -God who is above the stillness of these hills, you still -believe me criminal in aught else, you wrong me much, -you wrong yourself!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He ceased abruptly, and rising, began to heap -more wood upon the fire. The figure of the Indian, -with something dark upon its shoulder, emerged from -the spectral forest, and came towards them through -the mist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monakatocka has found our breakfast," said -Landless, forcing himself to speak with indifference, -and without looking at his companion. "I am glad -of it, for you must be faint from hunger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am very thirsty," she said in a low voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you will come to the water's edge, that at least -can be quickly remedied."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She rose from the rock upon which she had been -seated and followed him down to the brink of the -little stream. "I would I had a cup of gold," he -said, "and here is not even a great leaf. Will you -drink from my hands, madam?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she said; then deliberately, after a pause, -"for I well believe them to be clean hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her own hand touched his as she spoke, and he put -it to his lips in silence. Kneeling upon the turf by -the stream, he raised the water in his hands and she -stooped and drank from them, and then they went -back to the fire and sat beside it without speaking -until the arrival of Monakatocka, laden with a wild -turkey. An hour later the Susquehannock carefully -extinguished the fire, raked all the embers and ashes -into the stream, hid beneath great rocks the débris -of their morning meal, obliterated all moccasin prints, -and having made the little hollow between the hills to -all appearance precisely as it was a few hours before, -when the foot of man had probably never entered it, -stepped into the stream and announced that they -were ready to pursue their journey. Before midday, -the stream winding to the south, they left it, and -plunging into the dark heart of the forest pushed -rapidly on with their faces to the east.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-hut-in-the-clearing"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE HUT IN THE CLEARING</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Five days later saw the wayfarers some thirty -leagues to the eastward of the hollow in the hills. -They had traveled swiftly, sleeping but a few hours -of each night and in the daytime pausing for rest -only when Landless, quietly watchful, saw the -weariness growing in the eyes of the woman beside -him, or noted her lagging footsteps. They had left -the higher mountains behind them, but still moved -through what seemed an uninhabited territory. No -Indian village crowned the hills above the streams; -they encountered no roving bauds; no solitary hunter -met them; nowhere was there sign of human life. If -their enemies were upon their track, they knew it -not—perfect peace, perfect solitude seemed to encompass -them. Still the Indian was vigilant; covering -their trail with unimaginable ingenuity, taking -advantage of every running stream, every stony hillside, -building a fire only in some hidden hollow or fold of -the hills, using his bow and arrow to bring down the -deer or wild fowl which furnished them food—he -stalked behind them, or sat bolt upright against the -tree or rock beneath which they had made their -resting place, tireless, watchful, the breathing image of -caution. If he slept, it was a sleep from which the -sound of a falling acorn, the sleepy stir of a partridge -in the fern was sufficient to awaken him. Sometimes -they rested by fires, for they heard the wolves through -the darkness; upon the nights when this was necessary -the Susquehannock sat with his gun across his -knees, piercing the darkness in every direction with -keen and restless eyes. Nothing worse than the -wolves—cowardly as yet, for though drawing swiftly -nearer, winter and famine were still distant—threatened -them; no sound other than the forest sounds -disturbed them; through the scant undergrowth or -over the moss and partridge berry brushed nothing -more appalling than bear or badger. But the Indian -watched on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Day after day Landless and Patricia walked side by -side through the reddening forest. His hands -steadied her over crags or down ravines, or broke a way -for her through vast beds of sassafras or mile-long -tangles of wild grape, and when their way lay along -the bed of streams he carried her. She had no need -to complain of fatigue, for he saw when she was weary, -and called a halt. At their rustic meals he waited -upon her with grave courtesy, and when they halted -for the night he made her couch of fallen leaves and -wove for it a screen of branches. They spoke but -little and only of the needs of the hour. She bore -herself towards him kindly and gently, thanking him -with voice and smile for all that he did for her, and -there was no mistrust in her eyes; but he saw, or -fancied he saw, a shadow in their depths, and -thinking, "She does not forget, and neither must I," he -set a watch upon himself, and bounds, across which -he was not to step.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon the afternoon of the sixth day they were -passing through a deep and narrow ravine—a mere -crack between two precipitous, heavily wooded -mountains—when the Indian stopped short in his tracks -and uttered a warning "Ugh!" then bent forward in -a listening attitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" asked Landless in a low voice. "I -hear nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a sound," said the other in the same tone. -"I do not know what yet, for it is far off. But it is -in front of us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we go on?" demanded Landless, and the -Indian nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was late afternoon, and the hills which closed in -behind them as the gorge writhed to left and right -hid the sun. Great trees, too, pine and chestnut, -walnut and oak, leaned towards each other from the -opposing banks, and together with the overhanging -rocks, mantled with fern, made a twilight of the pass -beneath. Here and there the silver stem of a birch -stood up tall and straight, and looked a ghostly -sentinel. "Do you hear it still?" demanded Landless -when they had gone some distance in dead silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And still in front of us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, what can it be?" cried Patricia, turning her -white face upon Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A cold wind, blowing from open spaces beyond, -rushed up the ravine. "I hear a very faint sound," -said Landless, "like the tapping of a woodpecker in -the heart of the forest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the sound of the axe of the white man," said -the Indian. "Some one is cutting down a tree."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There can be no ranger or pioneer within many -leagues of us!" exclaimed Landless. "No white -man hath ever come so far. It must be an Indian!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Susquehannock shook his head. "Why should -an Indian cut down a tree? We kill them and let -them stand until they are bare and white like the -bones of a man when the wolves have finished with -him, and they fall of themselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If my father still searches for me," said Patricia -in a low voice, "may it not be his party that we hear? -There may be a stream there. They may make -canoes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With all my heart I pray that it be so, madam," -said Landless. "But we will soon know. See, -Monakatocka has gone on ahead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She did not answer, and they walked on through -the gloom of the defile. Presently their path became -rough and broken, blocked with large stones and -heavily shadowed by cedars projecting from the rocks -above and draped with vines. He held out his hands -and she took them, and he helped her across the rough -places. He felt her hands tremble in his, and he -thought it was with the ecstasy of the hope which -inspired her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it is indeed so," she said once in a voice so low -that he had to bend to catch the words, "if it is -indeed my father, then this is the last time you will -help me thus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," he answered steadily. "The last time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They passed the rocks and came to where the ravine -widened. The sound that had perplexed them was -now plainly audible; there was no mistaking the -quick, ringing strokes of the axe. They rounded a -jutting cliff and abruptly emerged from the chill -darkness of the gorge upon a noble landscape of hill and -valley, autumn woods and flowing water, all bathed -in the golden light of the sinking sun and inestimably -bright and precious of aspect after the gloom through -which they had been traveling. But it was not the -beauty of the scene which drew an exclamation from -them both. At a little distance rose a knoll, covered -with short grass and fading golden-rod, and with its -base laved by a crystal stream of some width, and -upon the knoll, shaded by a couple of magnificent -maples, and covered with the pale and feathery bloom -of the wild clematis, stood a small, rude hut. Smoke -rose from its crazy chimney, and upon the strip of -greensward before the door rolled a little, half-naked -child—a white child. As the travelers stared in -amazement, a woman's voice rang out, freshly and -sweetly, in an English ballad. The trees had been -cleared away from around the knoll, and in their place -rose the yellowing stalks of Indian corn. The little -mound, feathered with the gold of the golden-rod and -girt with the gold of the maize, rose like a fairy isle -from the limitless sea of forest, and the apparition of -a troop of veritable elves would have astonished the -wanderers less than did the tiny cabin, the romping -child, and the clear song of the woman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Indian glided to their side from behind the -trunk of an oak. "Ugh," he said with emphasis. -"He is mad and so he has his scalp still." As he -spoke he pointed to where, at a little distance, a man, -with his back turned to the forest, was busily felling -a tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He dares much," said Landless. "We did not -think to see the face of a white man—pioneer, ranger, -trapper or trader—for many a league yet. He has -built his house in the jaws of the wolf."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia gazed at the hut with wistful eyes. "There -is a woman there," she said, and Landless heard her -voice tremble for the first time in their long, toilsome -and painful journey. "There is no need to pass them -by, is there? It looks very fair and peaceful. May -we not rest here for this one night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said Landless gently, reading, as he read all -her fancies and desires, her longing for the -companionship of a woman, though for so short a time. The -Indian, too, nodded assent. "Good! but Monakatocka -will watch to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They moved through the checkered light and shade -towards the man who worked at the foot of the knoll. -They were quite near him when the woman, whose -voice they had heard, came to the door of the cabin, -shaded her eyes with her hand, looked towards the -ravine, and saw the three figures emerging from it. -With a loud cry she snatched up the child at her feet -and rushed down the knoll towards the man, who at -the sound of her voice dropped his axe, caught up a -musket which leaned against a stump beside him, and -wheeling, presented the gun at the newcomers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me your kerchief, madam," said Landless, -and advanced with the white lawn in his hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Halt!" cried the man with the gun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are friends," called Landless. "This lady -and I are from the Settlements. This Indian is not -Algonquin, but Iroquois—a Susquehannock, as you -may tell by his size. You need have no fear. We -are quite alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man slowly lowered his gun. "What, in the -name of all the fiends, do you here?" he said, wiping -away with the back of his hand the cold sweat that -had sprung to his forehead. He was a tall man with -a sinewy frame and a dare-devil face, tanned to -well-nigh the hue of the Indian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I might ask the same question of you," said -Landless, coming up to him with a smile. "This -lady was captured and carried off by a band of roving -Ricahecrians who bore her into the Blue Mountains. -We ask your hospitality for to-night. The lady is -very weary, and she has not seen the face of a woman -for many weeks. Your good wife will entreat her -kindly, I know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman, who now stood beside the man, smiled, -but doubtfully; the man's face too was clouded, and -there was an uneasy light in his eyes. Landless, -looking steadily at him, saw upon his forehead a mark -which served to explain his evident perturbation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You need not fear me," he said quietly. "'T is -none of our business how you come to be here in this -wilderness, so far from what has been counted the -furthest outpost."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man, feeling his gaze upon him, raised his -hand with an involuntary motion to his forehead, then -dropped it, awkwardly enough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see," said Landless. "I understand. I have -been—I am—a servant. A runaway, too, if you like. -I have been in trouble. I would not betray you if I -could: that I cannot, goes without saying. Now, will -you shelter us for this night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said the man, his face clearing. "As you -say, you could n't do us harm if you would, seeing -that masters, and d—d overseers, and bloodhounds -are at the world's end for us. We are beyond their -reach. Bring up the lady. Joan, here, will see to her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later the woman and Patricia sat side by -side upon the doorstep in the long mountain twilight. -At their feet the little child crowed and clapped its -hands, and plucked at the golden-rod growing about -the door. Below them, beside the placid stream, the -owner of the hut and Godfrey Landless paced slowly -up and down, now disappearing into the shadow of the -trees, now dimly seen in the open spaces, while the -Indian lay at full length beneath the maples, with his -eye upon the blackness of the ravine down which they -had come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is fair to look upon, and peaceful," Patricia -said dreamily, "but Danger lives in these dreadful -mountains. Why did you come here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We came because we loved," the woman said simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But why into the very land of the savages, so far -from safety, so far from the Settlements?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman turned her eyes upon the beautiful face -beside her and studied it in silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will tell you," she said at last, "for I believe -you are as good as you are beautiful, and you are -as beautiful as an angel. And, though I can see -that you are a lady, yet you are woman too, as I am, -and you have suffered much, as I have, and have -loved too, I think, as I have loved."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have never loved," said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman smiled, and shook her head. "There -is a look in the eyes that only comes with that. I -know it." She gathered the child to her, and beating -its little hand against her bosom, began her story:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is four years since I signed to come to the -Plantations, to become the servant of an up-river -planter—and to better myself. It was a hard life, -my lady, a hard life—you cannot guess how hard.... -One day a neighboring planter sent a message to my -master, and I (for I served in the house) took it from -the messenger. The messenger was one that I had -known in the village at home, in England. He had -left home to make his fortune, and I had not heard -of him for a long time. They used to call me his -sweetheart. When I saw him I cried out, and he -caught my hands in his.... After that we met -whenever we could, on Sundays, on Instruction days, -whenever chance offered. He had tried to run away -twice before we met, but he never tried afterwards. -His master was a hard man—mine was worse ... After -a while we began to meet in secret—at night ... You -are a lady—that is different—you cannot -understand; but I loved him, loved him as well as -any lady in the land could love; better, maybe -... There came a night when I was followed, and taken, -and he with me." She broke off to smell at the -scentless spear of golden-rod which the child held up, and -to say, "Yes, my darling, pretty, pretty, pretty," then -went on with her eyes following the figures walking -up and down beside the stream. "The next night -found us in the sheriff's hands, in the gaol at the -courthouse. Oh that blank, dreadful, heavy night! -I felt the lash already—I did not mind that—but I -saw the platform and the post, and the gaping crowd -beneath. I thought of him, and my heart was sick; -I thought of my mother, and my tears fell like rain.... -There was a noise at the window, and I stood -upon my stool to see what it was. It was he! He -had a knife and he worked and wrenched at the bars -until he had wrenched them away, then dragged me -through the window and we stood together beneath -the stars—free! Another moment and we were down -at the water side and into a boat which was fastened -there. We loosed it and rowed with all our speed up -the river. He had killed the gaoler and gotten away, -bringing with him a musket and an axe. All that -night we rowed, and when morning broke we were -well-nigh past the settlements, for we had been far -up river to begin with. That day we hid in the reeds, -but when night came we sped up the stream. We -came to the falls of the far west and left our boat -there. For many days we walked through the woods, -hurrying on, day after day, for when we lay down at -night, I saw in my dreams the flash of the torches -and heard the baying of the hounds. After a long -while we came to an Indian village not many leagues -from here, and there we found the mercies of the -savage kinder than the mercies of the white man. They -may have thought us mad—I do not know—but -they did not harm us. There we dwelt for a time, -in the stranger's wigwam, and there the child was -born." She pressed the little hand which she held, -and which she had never ceased to beat against her -bosom, to her lips. "He would have stayed in the -village, but in sleep I still heard the bloodhounds, and -we left the friendly Indians and pressed on. We -came upon this knoll on just such an evening as -this—the light in the west, and the stream very still, -with a large white star shining down upon it. We -lay down beside it, and that night I slept without a -dream.... We have been here ever since, and here -we shall stay until we die."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is fair now," said Patricia, "but in a little -while it will be winter and very cold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bitterly cold," said the woman. "The snow lies -long in these hills, and the wind howls down the -ravine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the wolves are bold in winter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very bold. This scar upon my arm is from the -teeth of one which I fought here, on the very -threshold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Indians threaten always, summer or winter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, sooner or later they will come against us. -We shall die that way at last. But what does it -matter—so that we die together?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lady of the manor turned her pure, pale face -upon the other with wonder, and yet with -comprehension, written upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are happy!" she said, almost in a whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I am happy," the woman answered, a light -that was not from the faintly crimson west upon her -face.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="attack"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">ATTACK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>About midnight, Landless, lying upon the dirt -floor of the lean-to attached to the one room of the -cabin, felt a hand upon his shoulder and opened his -eyes upon a shadowy figure, blocking up the starlight -that came faintly in at the open door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hist!" said the figure. "Ricahecrians!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sprang to his feet. "My God! You are sure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming out of the ravine. You will -hear the whoop directly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The owner of the hut, stirred by the Susquehannock's -foot, started up. Such an alarm being about -the least surprising thing that could happen, he kept -his wits, and after the first intake of the breath and -exclamation of, "Indians!" he went about his -preparations coolly enough. Rushing into the cabin -where Landless had already waked the women, he -groped for his tinder box, and with a steady hand -struck a light and fired a pine knot which he stuck -into a block of wood pierced to receive it; then -jerked from the wall his musket and powder horn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You both have guns," he said coolly. "Good! -We 'll die fighting." The woman had flown to the -door, had seen that the heavy wooden bars were -drawn across it, and now stood beside him with a -resolute face, and an axe in her hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A moment of silence, and then the quiet night was -cleft by the war whoop—dreadful sound, forerunner -of death and torture, concentrating in its savage -cadence all ideas of terror! A moment more, and -there came the sound of many moccasined feet and -the hurling of many bodies against the door. The -door held, and the man put the muzzle of his gun -in one of the cracks between the logs and fired. -The explosion was followed by a yell. Shot and -cry preluded pandemonium. Without were demoniacal -cries, quick crashing blows against the door, -stealthy feet, clambering forms; within were smoke -and the noise of the muskets, the crying of the child, -and a red and flickering light which now brought -out each detail of the rude interior, now plunged all -into shadow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are making it hot for them," cried the owner -of the hut, reloading his musket. "There 's some -shall go to hell before we do. Joan, my girl—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An arrow, whistling through a crack, pierced his -brain and he fell to the ground with a crash. The -shriek that the woman set up was answered from -without by a triumphant yell, and then one voice -was heard speaking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the mulatto!" cried Patricia, clasping her -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," answered Landless grimly. "I thought I -had done for that devil, but it seems not. May I -have better luck this time!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ugh!" said the Indian, and pointed to the roof, -which was low and thatched with dried grass and -moss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see," said Landless. "The cabin is on fire. -We must leave it in five minutes, come what may."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will never leave it alive," the Indian said -calmly. "The dogs have us fast. The Chief of the -Conestogas will die in a strange land; his bones will -be a plaything for the wolves of the mountains; his -scalp will hang before the wigwam of an Algonquin -dog. He will never see the village and the pleasant -river, never will he smoke the peace pipe, he and his -braves, with the Wyandots and the Lenni Lenape, -sitting beneath the mulberries in front of the lodge. -He will never see the cornfeast. He will never dance -the war dance again, nor will he lead the war party. -The sagamore dies, and who will tell his tribe? He -falls like a leaf in the forest, like a pebble that is -cast into the water. The leaf is not seen: the stream -closes above the pebble—it is gone!" His voice -rose into a chant, stern and mournful, and his vast -form appeared to expand, to become taller. He threw -down his gun and drew his long, bright knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are upon us!" cried Landless, and thrust -Patricia behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rude door, constructed of the trunks of -saplings, bound together with withes, crashed inwards, -coming to the floor with a tremendous noise, and a -dozen savages precipitated themselves into the cabin. -Landless fired, bringing one to his knee; then clubbed -his musket and swung it over his shoulder. Between -him and the Susquehannock, standing beside him -with bent body and knife drawn back against his -breast, and the invaders, was a space some few feet -in width, and in this space something dreadful now -happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On one side lay the body of the man with the -woman crouched above it, on the other a pile of -skins upon which lay the little child. It had sobbed -itself into exhaustion and quiet, but terrified afresh -by the savage forms pouring through the doorway, -the increased and awful clamor, the flames which had -now seized upon the walls, and the choking smoke -which filled the hut, it now scrambled from the pallet, -and with a weak cry started across the space towards -its mother. It crossed the path of the Ricahecrian -chief—he glanced downwards, saw the tiny tottering -figure with its outstretched arms, caught it up, and -holding it by its feet, dashed its head against the -ground. The cry which the child uttered as he -raised it reached the until then deaf ears of the -mother. She started up with a shriek that rang -high above the yelling of the savages, and darted -forward, only to receive at her very feet the mangled -form of the baby she had sung to sleep but a few -hours before. She caught it to her breast and with -another dreadful cry rushed upon the savage. He -met her, seized her free arm, raised it, and plunged -his knife into her bosom. Still clasping the child to -her bosom, she fell without a groan, while the Indian -bounded on towards the three who yet remained alive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Susquehannock met him. "A chief for a -chief," he said with a cold smile, and the two locked -together in a deadly embrace. When the Ricahecrian -was dead, the Susquehannock turned to find -Landless—one Indian dead before him, another writhing -away like a wounded snake—confronting across -the body at his feet the graceful figure and the -amber-hued, evil, smiling face of Luiz Sebastian. So -strong were the flames by now, and so dense and -stifling the smoke, that of the score or more who had -broken into the cabin but few remained within its -walls, which were fast becoming those of a furnace, -the majority retreating to the fresh air outside, -whence they whooped on to their devil's work the -bolder spirits within.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These now bore down </span><em class="italics">en masse</em><span> upon the devoted -three. One threw his tomahawk; it whistled within -half an inch of Landless's head, and stuck into the -wall behind him. Another struck at him with his -knife, but he beat him down with his musket, and -turned again to the mulatto, who, knife in hand, -watched his chance to run in upon him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look to the yellow slave, my brother," cried the -Susquehannock, "I will care for these dogs," and -hurled his gigantic form upon them. One went down -before his knife; he broke the back of another, bending -him like a reed across his knee; a third fell, cleft -to the brain by his tomahawk—there was a fresh -influx from without, and he was borne down and knives -thrust into him. Struggling to his feet, with one -last superhuman exertion of his vast strength, he -shook them off as a stag shakes off the dogs, and -stretching out his arm, cried to Landless, dimly seen -through the ever thickening smoke;—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My brother, farewell! I said we should find -Death in the Blue Mountains.... The Iroquois -laughs at the Algonquin dogs, laughs at -Death—dies laughing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He broke into wild, unearthly, choking laughter, his -figure swaying to and fro like a pine in a storm. The -laughter, an indescribable and most dreadful sound, -became low, choked, a mere rattle in the throat, died -into silence, and the laugher crashed to the ground -like a pine for which the storm has been too much.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless drew a breath that was like a moan, but -kept his eyes upon the yellow menace before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Ricahecrians are my good friends," said Luiz -Sebastian. "They promise me a wigwam in their -village in the Blue Mountains. I shall lead to it a -bride, and she shall be no Indian girl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless struck at him over the dead body between -them, but the mulatto, springing back, avoided -the blow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is my hour," he said, still with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A portion of the roof fell in, making a barrier of -flame between them. A volume of smoke arose, and -through it Landless and Patricia dimly saw Indians -and mulatto making for the doorway, driven forth by -the intolerable heat and the imminent danger of the -burning walls and the remainder of the roof caving in -upon them. Beyond Landless was the square opening -leading into the tiny shed in which he had been -sleeping when this midnight visitation came upon them. -Raising Patricia in his arms, he made for it, and they -presently found themselves in temporary security. It -was but for a moment, he knew, for the flames were -already taking hold upon the shed, but as he set his -burden down he whispered encouraging words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know," she answered. "We are in God's hands. -I would rather die than to come into that man's power. -But the door to the shed is open and the way seems -clear. Could we not escape even now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alas! madam, the flames make it as light as day -around the cabin. They would certainly see us. And -yet if we stay, we burn. When the fire reaches this -straw above our heads we will try it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would rather stay here," said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Behind them the flames roared and crackled, the -cabin burning like a torch, and with the flames rose -and fell the triumphant cries of the savages, who, -unaware of the existence of the tiny shed, so covered -with the vines that draped the cabin that it seemed -one with it, congregated in front of the gap in the -wall where had been the door, and waited for their -still living victims to emerge from it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look!" breathed Patricia, grasping Landless's arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They stood facing the open door of the shed, and -gazing through it down the lit slope of the knoll. -Into the light, out of the darkness at the foot of the -hill, now glided a man, naked save for the loin cloth, -and painted with horrible devices; in the figure, -noiseless and bent forward, savage cunning; in the -eyes, the lust for blood. In his footsteps came his -double, then a third, in all points exactly similar, -then a fourth, a fifth—a long line, creeping as -silently as shadows—a nightmare procession—up -through the lurid light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless drew Patricia further into the shadow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait," he said. "They may prove our deliverance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stealthy line reached the summit of the knoll, -then broadened into a disc, and swept past the frail -shelter in which stood the fugitives. A moment, and -the war whoop rang out, to be answered by a burst of -yells from the Ricahecrians, and then by prolonged -and awful clamor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now is our time," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hand in hand they ran from the shed that was now -in a light flame, and down the slope up which had -come the band of unconscious Samaritans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The stream!" said Landless. "There is a small -raft upon it if they have not destroyed it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They made for the water, found the raft hidden in -a clump of reeds and uninjured, and stepped upon it. -In ten minutes' time from the appearance of the new -factor in the sum they were moving steadily, if slowly, -down a stream so wide that in Europe it would have -been called a river. The glare from the burning cabin -faded, the flaming mass itself shrunk until it looked a -burning bush, then dwindled to a star. The noise of -the struggle upon the mount was with them longer, -but at length it, too, died away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which will conquer?" said Patricia at last, from -where she crouched at the feet of Landless, who stood -erect, poling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Ricahecrians were the stronger," he answered. -"But they may be so handled that they will not come -at us again. That must be our hope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There followed a long silence, broken by Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The baby," she said in a quivering voice, "the -poor, pretty, innocent little thing!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is well with it," said Landless. "It is spared -all toil and suffering. It is better as it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man and woman went together," said Patricia, -still with the sob in her voice. "They would -have chosen it so, I think. But the poor Indian—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was my friend," said Landless slowly, "and I -brought him death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is I that brought him death!" cried Patricia, -tossing up her arms. "I that shall bring you death!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her voice rose into a cry that echoed drearily from -the hills about them, and she beat her hands against -the raft with a sudden passion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would bring me no unwelcome gift," said -Landless steadily, "provided only that the time when -I could serve you with my life were past."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She did not answer, and they floated on in silence -down the little river, between banks lined with dwarf -willows and sighing reeds. With the dawn they came -to rapids through which they could not pilot their -frail craft. Leaving the water, they turned their -faces towards the rising sun, and pursued their -journey through the forest that seemed to stretch to the -end of the world.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-fall-of-the-leaf"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE FALL OF THE LEAF</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Days passed, and the forest put on a beauty, -austere, yet fantastic, bizarre. Above it hung a pale -blue sky; within it, a perpetual, pale blue haze, through -which blazed the scarlet and gold of the trees—great -bonfires which did not warm, flaming pyres which -were never consumed. Morning and evening a shroud -of chill, white mist fell upon them, or they would have -mocked the sunrise and the sunset. Along the -summit of low hills ran a comb of fire—the scarlet of -the sumach, leaf and berry; underfoot were crimson -vines like trails and splashes of blood; into the streams -from which the wanderers stooped to drink, fell the -gold of the sycamore. From the hills they looked -down upon a red and yellow world, a gorgeous -bourgeoning and blossoming that put the spring to shame, -a sea of splendor with here and there a dark-green isle -of cedar or of pine. Day after day saw the same calm -blue sky, the same blue haze, the same slow drifting -of crimson and gold to earth. The winds did not -blow, and the murmur of the forest was hushed. All -sound seemed muffled and remote. The deer passed -noiseless down the long aisles, the beaver and the otter -slipped noiseless into the stream, the bear rolled its -shambling bulk away from human neighborhood like -a shapeless shadow. At times vast flocks of wild -pigeons darkened the air, but they passed like a cloud. -The singing birds were gone. Only at night did sound -awake, for then the wolves howled, and the infrequent -scream of the panther chilled the blood, and the -fires which the wanderers must needs build roared -and crackled through the darkness. In the daytime -beauty, vast and melancholy; in the night, shadows -and mysteries, the voice of wild beasts and the -stillness of the stars; at all times an enemy, they knew -not how far away or how near at hand, behind them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through this world which seemed more a phantasm -than a reality, Landless and Patricia fared, and were -happy. All passion, all fear, all mistrust and anger -slept in that enchanted calm. They never spoke of -the past, they had well-nigh ceased to think of it. -When they knelt upon the turf beside some crystal -brook, and drank of the water which seemed red wine -or molten gold according to the nature of the trees -above it, it might have been the water of Lethe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the illimitable forest, too, in the monotony of -sunshine and shade, of glade and dell, of crystal -streams and tiny valleys, each the counterpart of the -other, in dense woods and grassy savannahs; in the -yesterday so like to-day, and the to-day so like -to-morrow, there was no hint of the future. It was -enchanted ground, where to-morrow must always be like -to-day. They kept their faces to the east, and they -walked each day as many leagues as her strength -would permit, and Landless, imitating as best he -could the dead Susquehannock, took all precautions -to cover their trail; but that done all was done, and -they put care behind them. Landless, walking in a -dream, knew that it was a dream, and said to himself, -"I must awaken, but not yet. I will dream and be -happy yet a little while." But Patricia dreamt and -knew it not. She kept her wonted state, or, rather, -with a quiet insistence he kept it for her. He never -addressed her save as "Madam," and he cared for her -comfort, and in all things bore himself towards her -with the formal courtesy he would have shown a -queen. He said to himself, "Godfrey Landless, -Godfrey Landless, thou mayst forget much, perhaps, for a -little while; but not this! If thou dost, thou art no -honorable man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Master of himself, he walked beside her, cared for -her, tended her, guarded her, served her as if he had -been a knight-errant out of a romance, and she a -distressed princess. And she rewarded him with a -delicate kindliness, and a perfectly trustful, childlike -dependence upon his strength, wisdom, and resource. -All her bearing towards him was marked by an -inexpressible charm, half-playful, wholly gracious and -womanly. The lady of the manor was gone, and in -her place moved the Patricia Verney of the enchanted -forest—a very different creature.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus they fared through the dying summer, and -were happy in the present of soft sunshine, tender -haze, fantastic beauty. Sometimes they walked in -silence, too truly companions to feel the need of words; -at other times they talked, and the hours flew past, -for they both had wit, intelligence, quick fancy, high -imagination. Sometimes their laughter rang through -the glades of the forest, and set the squirrels in the -oaks to chattering; sometimes in the melancholy grace -of the evening when the purple twilight sank through -the trees, and the large stars came out one by one, -they spoke of grave things, of the mysteries of life -and death, of the soul and its hereafter. She had -early noticed that he never lay down at night without -having first silently prayed. There had been a time -when she would have laughed at this as Puritan -hypocrisy, but now, one dark night, when the noises of the -forest were loud about them, and the wind rushed -through the trees, she came close to him and knelt -beside him. Thenceforward each night, before they -lay down beside their fire, and when from out the -darkness came all weird and mournful sounds, when -the owl hooted, and the catamount screamed, and the -long howl of the wolf was answered by its fellow, he -stood with bared head, and in a few short, simple -words commended them both to God. "I will both -lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only -makest me to dwell in safety."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There came a day when they sat down to rest upon -the dark, smooth ground in a belt of pines, and looked -between rows of stately columns to where, in the -distance, the arcade was closed by a broken and confused -glory of crimson oak and yellow maple. Landless told -her that it was like gazing at a rose window down the -long nave of a cathedral.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have never seen a cathedral," she said; "I have -dreamed of them, though, of your Milton's 'dim -religious light,' and of the rolling music."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have seen many," he answered. "But none of -them are to me what the abbey at Westminster is. If -you should ever see it—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something in her face stopped him: there was a -silence, and then he said quietly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you shall see it, is perhaps better, madam?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she answered, gazing before her with wide -fixed eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not finish his sentence, and neither spoke -again until they had left the pines and were forcing -their way through the tall grass and reeds of a wide -savannah. They came to a small, clear stream, dotted -with wild fowl and mirroring the pale blue sky, and -he lifted her in his arms as was his wont and bore -her through the shallow water. As he set her gently -down upon the other side, she said in a low voice, "I -thought you knew. Had it not been for that night, -that night which sets us here, you and I,—I should -be now in London, at Whitehall, at some masque or -pageant perhaps. I should be all clad in brocade and -jewels, not like this—" She touched her ragged -gown as she spoke, then burst into strange laughter. -"But God disposes! And you—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should be in a place which is never mentioned -at Court, madam," said Landless grimly. "The -grave, to wit. Unless indeed his Excellency proposed -hanging me in chains."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She cried out as though she had been struck. -"Don't!" she said passionately. "Don't speak to -me so! I will not bear it!" and ran past him into the -woods beyond the savannah.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he came up with her he found her lying on a -mossy bank with her face hidden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam," he said, kneeling beside her, "forgive me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She lifted a colorless face from her hands. "How -far are we from the Settlements?" she demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know, madam. Some twenty leagues, -probably, from the frontier posts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How far from the friendly tribes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Something less than that distance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then when we reach them, sir," she said imperiously, -"you are to leave me with them at one of the -villages above the falls."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To leave you there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. You will tell them that I am the daughter -of one of the paleface chiefs, of one whom the great -white chief calls 'brother,' and then they will not -dare to harm me or to detain me. They will send -me down the river to the nearest post, and the men -there will bring me on to Jamestown, and so home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And why may not I bring you on to Jamestown—and -so home?" demanded Landless with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because—because—you know that you are lost -if you return to the Settlements."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And nevertheless I shall return," he said with -another smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She struck her hands together. "You will be mad—mad! -If you had not been their leader!—but as -it is, there is no hope. Leave me with the friendly -Indians, then go yourself to the northward. Make -for New Amsterdam. God will carry you through -the Indians as he has done so far. I will pray to -him that he do so. Ah, promise me that you will go!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless took her hand and kissed it. "Were you -in absolute safety, madam," he said gently, "and if it -were not for one other thing, I would go, because you -wish it, and because I would save you any pang, -however slight, that you might feel for the fate of one -who was, who is, your servant—your slave. I would -go from you, and because it else might grieve you, I -would strive to keep my life through the forest, -through the winter—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, the winter!" she cried. "I had forgotten -that winter will come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But to do that which you propose," he continued, -"to leave you to the mercy of fierce and treacherous -Indians, but half subdued, friends to the whites only -because they must—it is out of the question. To -leave you at a frontier post among rude trappers and -traders, or at some half savage pioneer's, is equally -impossible. What tale would you have to tell -Colonel Verney? 'The Ricahecrians carried me -into the Blue Mountains. There your servant -Landless found me and brought me a long distance -towards my home. But at the last, to save his own -neck, forfeit to the State, he left me, still in the -wilderness and in danger, and went his way.' My -honor, madam, is my own, and I choose not to so stain -it. Again: I must be the witness to your story. -You have wandered for many weeks in a wilderness, -far beyond the ken of your friends. To your world, -madam, I am a rebel, traitor and convict, a wretch -capable of any baseness, of any crime. If I go back -with you, throwing myself into the power of Governor -and Council, at least I shall be credited with having -so borne myself towards my master's daughter as to -fear nothing from their hands on that score. The -idle and censorious cannot choose but believe when -you say, 'I am come scatheless through weeks of -daily and hourly companionship with this man. -Rebel, and traitor, and gaol-bird, though he be, he -never injured me in word, thought, or deed.' ... For -all these reasons, madam, we must be companions -still."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had covered her face while he was speaking, -and she kept it hidden when he had finished. The -slowly lengthening shadows of the trees had barred -the little glade with black when he spoke again. It -was only to ask in his usual voice if she were rested -and ready to continue their journey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She raised her head and looked at him with -swimming eyes, then held out two trembling hands. He -took them, helped her to her feet, and before releasing -them, bent and touched them with his lips. Then -side by side and in silence they traveled on through -the halcyon calm of the world around them.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-accident"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">AN ACCIDENT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was early morning, and the mist lay heavy upon -the forest and on the bosom of the James. Landless -and Patricia raked together the dying embers of their -fire and heaped fresh wood upon them. The flames -leaped up, warming their chilled bodies and filling -the hollow that had been their camping place with a -cheerful light, in which the moisture that clothed tree -bole and fallen log and withered fern glistened like -diamonds. Their breakfast of deer meat and broiled -fish, nuts and a few late clusters of grape, with -coldest water from a spring hard by, was eaten amidst -laughter and pleasant talk. When they had lingered -through it and when Landless had carefully extinguished -their fire and had seen to the priming of his -gun, they addressed themselves to their journey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A bowshot away was the river, and Patricia willed -that they walk along its banks that they might see -the white mist lift, and the silver flash of fish rising -from the water, and the swoop of the kingfisher. -Landless agreeing, they went down to the river, and -standing upon a rocky spit of ground which ran far -out into the stream, they looked down the misty -expanse, then turned involuntarily and looked up. At -that moment the fog lifted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" cried Patricia, and shrunk back, cowering -almost to the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless seized her in his arms and ran with her -across the shingle and up the bank. Plunging into -the woods he made for the little stream which flowed -past their camping place, and entering the water, -walked rapidly up it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did they see us?" Patricia asked in a low, -strained voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am afraid so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They turned their boats towards the land. They -are in the forest by now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And there is no doubt that they are the same. I -saw the scarlet handkerchief upon the head of the -mulatto."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, they are the same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They were such a little way from us. Oh, they -may be upon us at any moment!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are in great danger," he answered gravely, -"but it is not so imminent as that. They were nearly -a mile above us, and they have to land, to hide their -boats and to find our trail, all of which will take -time. We may count on having an hour's start of -them, and we will do all in our power to increase it -by breaking our trail as we are doing now. Then we -cannot be many leagues from the falls, and the post -below them, or we may stumble at any moment upon -some Monacan village which will not need our urging -to fly out against the Ricahecrians. Please God, we -will win through them yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Somewhat comforted, she lay within his arms without -speaking until they left the stream, when he set -her down, and giving her his hand, ran with her -over the fallen leaves down the long aisles of the -forest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Red gold showers fell upon them; fiery vines -clutched at their feet, or, swinging from the trees, -struck at their faces with vicious tendrils; the pines -made the ground beneath like ice; rotting logs covered -with gorgeous fungi barred their way; dark and -poisonous swamps appeared before them, and had to be -skirted—the forest leagued itself with its children -and did them yeoman service.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two aliens hastened breathlessly on. The sun -climbed above the tree tops and looked down upon -them through the half denuded branches. Midday -came, and the short bright afternoon, and still they -went fast through the woods, and still they heard no -other sound than the rustle and sough of the leaves -and the beating of their own hearts. They came to -rising ground, and mounting it, found themselves -upon a chinquepin ridge, and before them an abrupt -descent of rain-washed, boulder-strewn earth. It was -so nearly a precipice that Patricia shrunk back with -an exclamation of dismay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go first," said Landless. "Give me your -hands. So!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half way down, the earth began to slip. Patricia, -looking up and over her shoulder, uttered a cry. A -great boulder, imbedded in the earth directly above -them, was dislodging itself, was falling! At her cry -Landless raised his eyes, saw the threatening mass, -caught her around the waist, and with one supreme -effort swung her out of the path of the avalanche -which descended the next moment, bearing him with -it to the ground beneath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was recalled to consciousness by the dash of -water against his face, and opened his eyes to behold -Patricia bending over him, very white, with tragic -eyes, and lips pressed closely together. She had run -to the river, flowing through the sunshine a hundred -yards away, for water, which she had brought back -in his cap, and she had taken the kerchief from her -neck, wet it, and laid it upon his forehead. Her -hands were torn and bleeding, he saw them and -uttered an exclamation. "It is nothing," she said; -"I had to move the rock." Scarcely fully conscious -as yet, his eyes glanced from her to the great rock -which lay upon one side, and upon which there were -bloodstains. "I have had a bad fall," he said -unsteadily, but with an attempt to speak lightly because -of the trouble in her eyes, "but it is over. -Come! we must hurry on. We have no time to lose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he spoke he strove to rise, but with the effort -came a pang of anguish, and he sank back, faint and -sick, upon the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! you cannot!" cried Patricia with a great sob -in her voice. "It is your foot. The rock fell upon it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a moment of lying with closed eyes, he sat up -and with his knife began to cut away the moccasin -from the wounded limb. Presently he looked up. -"Yes, it is badly crushed. There is no doing -anything with it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For many moments they gazed at each other in a -despairing silence, broken by Patricia's low, "What -are we to do now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must go on," answered Landless. "It is -death to stay here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Holding by the bank against which he had leaned, -he dragged himself up and stood for an instant with -eyes dark with pain; then, setting his lips, took a step -forward. The bronze of his face paled, and beads of -anguish stood upon his brow, but he took another -step. Patricia, the tears running down her cheeks, -came to him and put his arm around her shoulder. -"I will be your crutch," she said, striving to smile. -"I will carry the gun, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before them was a steeply sloping, grass-grown -ascent rising to a broken line of cliffs, scarred and -gray, crowned with cedars and hung here and there -with crimson creepers, and with a chance medley of -huge gray boulders scattered about their base. Up -this ascent they labored, so slowly that the crags -seemed like the mountain in the Arabian tale, ever -receding as they advanced. Twice Landless staggered -and fell to his knee, but when, after what seemed an -eternity of pain and distress, they reached the summit -and Patricia would have had him rest, he shook his -head and motioned with his hand towards the narrow, -boulder-strewn plateau at the foot of the crags.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With her accustomed unquestioning obedience she -turned towards the rocks, and after another interval -of painful toil they found themselves in a sort of rocky -chamber, a natural blockhouse, of which the sheer -cliff formed one wall and boulders of varying height -and shape the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Above them gleamed the blue sky; through the gaps -between the rocks they looked down upon the shining -river and the parti-colored woods, and behind them -towered the cliffs. A strong wind was blowing and it -sent red leaves from the vines that draped the rock -whirling down upon them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The tall gray crags," said Patricia in a strange -voice, "and the Martinmas wind. The river flowing -in the sunshine too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sank upon the rocky floor. "I can go no -further," he said. "God help me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think another man could have come so -far," she answered. "What are we to do now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must go on without me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She cried out angrily, "What do you mean? I -don't understand you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen," he said earnestly, dragging himself closer -to her. "We can be but a very few leagues from the -falls, still fewer from the Indian villages above them. -Reach one of those villages and you are safe from -these devils at least. We have kept the start of -them. They may not reach this spot for several -hours, and when they come, I will keep them here, -God helping me, for more hours than one. This place -is a natural fortress, and they have no guns. They will -not take me until my ammunition is exhausted, and -you know there is store of bullets and powder. They -will think that you are with me, hidden behind the -rocks—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I shall be with you!" she cried vehemently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no. You must go through this pass in the -cliff to the right of us, and thence down the river with -all your speed. Please God, to-morrow will find you -in safety. It is the only way. To stay here is to fall -into their hands. And you must not delay. You -must go at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you—" she said in a whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What does it matter if I lose my life to-day -instead of a few weeks hence? I grieve for this," -with a glance at his foot, "because it keeps me from -being with you, from guarding you into perfect safety. -Otherwise it does not matter. You lose time, madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stood with heaving bosom and foot tapping the -ground, an expression that he could not read in her -wonderful eyes. "I am not going," she said at last.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-boat-that-was-not"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE BOAT THAT WAS NOT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"You will not go!" cried Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I will not!" she answered passionately. -"Why should you think such a thing of me? See! we -have been together, you and I, for long weeks! -You have been my faithful guide, my faithful -protector. Over and over again you have saved my life. -And now, now when you are the helpless one, when it -is through me that you lie there helpless, when it is -through me that you are in this dreadful forest at all, -you tell me to go! to leave you to the fate I have -brought upon you! to save myself! I will not save -myself! But the other day it was dishonor in you to -leave me below the falls—almost in safety. Mine -the dishonor if I do what you bid me do!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madam, madam, it is not with women as with men!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I care not for women! I care for myself. -Never, never, will I leave, helpless and wounded, the -man who dies for me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon my knees I implore you!" Landless cried -in desperation. "You cannot save me, you cannot -help me. It is you that would make the bitterness of -my fate. Let me die believing that you have escaped -these fiends, and then, do what they will to me, I shall -die happy, blessing with my last breath the generous -woman who lets me give—how proudly and gladly -she will never know—my worthless life in exchange -for hers, so young, bright, innocent. Go, go, before -it is too late!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He dragged himself a foot nearer, and grasping the -hem of her dress, pressed it to his lips. "Good-bye," -he said with a faint smile. "Keep behind the rocks -for some distance, then follow the river. Think kindly -of me. Good-bye."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is too late," she said. "I can see the river -through this crack between the rocks. One of those -two canoes has just passed, going down the river. In -it were seven Ricahecrians and the mulatto. I saw -him quite plainly, for they row close to the bank with -their faces turned to the woods. They will land at -some point below this and search for our trail. When -they do not find it, they will know that we are -between them and the rest of the band, and they will -come upon us from behind. If I go now, it will be to -meet them. Shall I go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no," groaned Landless. "It is too late. -God help you! I cannot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The large tears gathered in her eyes and fell over her -white cheeks. "Oh, why," she said plaintively, "why -did He let you hurt yourself just now?" She turned -her face to the rock against which she was standing, -and hiding it in her arm, broke into a low sobbing. It -went to the heart of the man at her feet to hear her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently the weeping ceased. She drew a long -tremulous sigh, and dashed the tears from her eyes. -Her hands went up to her disheveled hair in a little -involuntary, feminine gesture, and she looked at him -with a wan smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not mean to be so cowardly," she said -simply. "I will be brave now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are the bravest woman in the world," he answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Below them waved the painted forest flaunting -triumphant banners of crimson and gold. A strong -south wind was blowing, and it brought to them a -sound as of the whispering of many voices. The -shining river, too, murmured to its reeds and pebbles, -and in the air was the dull whirr of wings as the vast -flocks of wild fowl rose like dark smoke from the -water, or, skimming along its surface, broke it into -myriad diamond sprays. Around the horizon towered -heaped-up masses of cloud—Ossa piled on -Pelion—fantastic Jack-and-the-Beanstalk castles, built high -above the world, with rampart and turret and bastion -of pearl and coral. Above rose the sky intensely -blue and calm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All the wealth, the warmth and loveliness of the -world they were about to leave flowed over the souls -of the doomed pair. In their hearts they each said -farewell to it forever. Patricia stood with uplifted -face and clear eyes, looking deep into the azure -heaven. "I am trying to think," she said, "that -death is not so bitter after all. To-day is -beautiful—but ours will be a fairer morrow! After to-day we -will never be tired, or fear, or be in danger any more. -I am not afraid to die; but ah! if it could only come -to us now, swiftly, silently, out of the blue yonder; if -we could go without the blood—the horror—" she -broke off shuddering. Her eyes closed and she rested -her head against the rock. Landless watched the -beautiful, pale face, the quivering eyelids, the coral -underlip drawn between the pearly teeth, in a passion -of pity and despair. Horrid visions of torture flashed -through his brain; he saw the delicate limbs writhing, -heard the agonized screams.... If he killed the -mulatto, it might come to that; if the mulatto lived, -he knew that she would kill herself. He had given -her the knife that had been Monakatocka's, and she -had it now, hidden in her bosom.... The glory of -the autumn day darkened and went out, the bitter -waters of affliction surged over him, an immeasurable -sea; it seemed to him that until then he had never -suffered. A cold sweat broke out upon him, and with -an inarticulate cry of rage and despair he struck at -his wounded foot as at a deadly foe. The girl cried -out at the sound of the blow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, don't, don't! What are you doing? You -have loosened the bandage, and it is bleeding afresh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Despite his effort to prevent her she readjusted the -kerchief which she had wound about the torn and -crushed foot, very carefully and tenderly. "It must -hurt you very much," she said pityingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took the little ministering hands in his and -kissed them. "Oh, madam, madam!" he groaned. -"God knows I would shed every drop of my blood a -thousand times to save you. Death to me is nothing, -nor life so fair that I should care to keep it. The -grave is a less dreadful prison than those on earth, -and I think to find in God a more merciful Judge. -But you—so young and beautiful, with friends, -love—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stopped him with a gesture full of dignity and -sweetness. "That life is gone forever,—it is -thousands of miles and ages on ages away. It is a world -more distant than the stars, and we are nearer to -Heaven than to it.... It is strange to think how -we have drifted, you and I, to this rock. A year ago -we had never seen each other's faces, had never heard -each other's names, and yet you were coming to this -rock from prison and over seas, and I was coming to -meet you.... And it is our death place, and we will -die together, and to-morrow maybe the little birds -will cover us with leaves as they did the children in -the story. They were brother and sister.... When -our time comes I will not be afraid, for I will be with -you ... my brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless covered his face with his hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shadows grew longer and the cloud castles began -to flush rosily, though the sun still rode above the -tree tops. A purple light filled the aisles of the forest, -through which a herd of deer, making for some -accustomed lick, passed like a phantom troop. They -vanished, and from out the stillness of the glades came -the sudden, startled barking of a fox. A shadow -darted across a sunlit alley from gloom to gloom, -paused on the outskirts of the wood below the crags -while one might count ten, then turned and flitted -back into the darkness from whence it came. They -beneath the crags did not see it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly Landless raised his head. Upon his face -was the look of one who has come through much doubt -and anguish of spirit to an immutable resolve. He -looked to the priming of his gun and laid it upon -the rock beside him, together with his powderhorn -and pouch of bullets. Raising himself to his knees -he gazed long and intently into the forest below. -There was no sign of danger. On the checkered -ground beneath two mighty oaks squirrels were playing -together like frolicsome kittens, and through the -clear air came the tapping of a woodpecker. The -forest was silent as to the shadow that had flitted -through it. It can keep a secret very well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless sank back against the rock. He had lost -much blood, and that and the pain of his mangled -foot turned him faint and sick for minutes at a time. -He clenched his teeth and forced back the deadly -faintness, then turned to the woman who stood -beside him, her hands clasped before her, her eyes -following the declining sun, her lips sometimes set in -mournful curves, sometimes murmuring broken and -inaudible words of prayer. He called her twice -before she answered, turning to him with eyes of feverish -splendor which saw and yet saw not. "What is it?" -she asked dreamily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come back to earth, madam," he said. "There -is that that I wish to say to you. Listen to me kindly -and pitifully, as to a dying man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am listening," she answered. "What is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is this, madam: I love you. For God's sake -don't turn away! Oh, I know that I should have -been strong to the end, that I should not vex you -thus! It is the coward's part I play, perhaps, but I -must speak! I cannot die without. I love you, -I love you, I love you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His voice rose into a cry; in it rang long -repressed passion, hopeless adoration, fierce joy in -having broken the bonds of silence. He spoke rapidly, -thickly, with a stammering tongue, now throwing out -his hands in passionate appeal, now crushing between -his fingers the dried moss and twigs with which the -ground was strewn. "I loved you the day I first saw -you. I have loved you ever since. I love you now. -My God! how I love you! Die for you? I would -die for you ten thousand times! I would live for -you! Oh, the day I first saw you! I was in hell and -I looked at you as lost Dives might have looked at -the angel on the other side of the gulf.... I never -thought to tell you this. I know that never, never, -never.... But this is the day of our death. In a -few hours we shall be gone. Do not leave the world -in anger with me. Say that you pity, understand, -forgive.... Speak to me, madam!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun sank lower and the shadows lengthened -and deepened, and still Patricia stood silent with -uplifted and averted face, and fingers tightly locked -together. With a moan of mortal weakness Landless -dragged himself nearer until he touched with his -forehead the low pedestal of rock upon which she stood. -"I understand," he said quietly. "After all, there is -nothing to be said, is there? Try to forget -my—madness. Think of it, if you will, as the raving of -one at death's door. Let it be as it was between us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Patricia turned—her beautiful face transfigured. -Roses bloomed in her cheeks, her eyes were fathomless -wells of splendor, an exquisite smile played about -her lips; with her nimbus of golden hair she looked a -rapt mediæval saint. Her slender figure swayed -towards Landless, and when she spoke her voice was like -the tone of a violin, soft, rich, caressing, tremulous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There was no boat," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No boat!" he cried. "What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The canoe going down the river. I told you that -it held seven Indians and the mulatto. I lied to you. -There were no Indians, no mulatto, no canoe. The -shadows of the clouds have been upon the river, and -the wild fowl, and once a fish-hawk plunged. I have -seen nothing else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless gazed at her with staring eyeballs. "You -have thrown away your life," he said at last in a voice -that did not seem his own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I have thrown away my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But why—why—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rich color surged over her face and neck. She -swayed towards him with the grace of a wind-bowed -lily, her breath fanning his forehead, and her hand -touching his, softly, flutteringly, like a young bird.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you not guess why?" she said with an enchanting smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All the anguish of a little while back, all the terror -of the fate that hung over her, all the white calm of -despair was gone. The horror that moved nearer and -nearer, moment by moment, through the painted forest, -was forgotten. She looked at him shyly from under -her long lashes and with another wonderful blush.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless gazed at her, comprehension slowly dawning -in his eyes. For five minutes there was a silence -as of the dead beneath the crags. Then with a great -cry he caught her hands in his and drew her towards -him. "Is it?" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," she answered with laughter trembling on -her lips. "Death hath enfranchised us, you and I. -Give me my betrothal kiss, my only love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For them one moment of Paradise, of bliss ineffable -and supreme. The next, the crags behind them rang -to the sound of the war whoop.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-last-fight"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE LAST FIGHT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Out from the forest rushed the remnant of that -band which had smoked the peace pipe with the -Governor one sunny afternoon on the banks of the -Pamunkey. Tall and large of limb, painted with all -fantastic and ghastly devices, and decorated with -hideous mementoes of nameless deeds; with the lust -of blood written large in every fierce lineament and -dark and rolling eye; with raised hands grasping -knife and tomahawk, and lips uttering cries that -seemed not of earth—a more appalling vision could -not have issued from out the beautiful, treacherous -forest, a more crashing discord have come into the -music of the golden evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the two in their rocky fortress beneath the -crags the apparition had no terrors. All the pain, -the anguish, the hopelessness of the world was -passing from them—the cry that swelled through the -forest was its knell. They smiled to hear it, and with -raised faces looked beyond the many-tinted evening -skies into clear spaces where Love was all. The -intoxication of the moment when hidden and despairing -love became love triumphant and acknowledged abode -with them. In the very grasp of death ineffable bliss -possessed them. Their countenances changed; the -lines of care and pain, the marks of tears, were all -gone, and the beauty of the happy soul shone out. -For that brief space of time transcendent youth and -loveliness was theirs. About them, as about the sun -now sinking behind the low hills, there breathed a -glory, a dying splendor as bright as it was fleeting. -They felt, too, a lightness and gaiety of spirit—they -had drunk of the nectar of the gods, and no leaden -weight of care, no heavy sorrow, could ever touch -them, ever drag them down again to the sad earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are beautiful," said Landless, gazing at her, -even in the act of raising his gun to his shoulder; -"as beautiful as you were the day I first saw you. -I hear the drone of the bees in the vines at Verney -Manor. I smell the roses. I look up and see the -Rose of the World. My eyes were dazzled then, are -dazzled now, my Rose of the World."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That day I wore brocade and lace, and there were -pearls around my throat," she said with a laugh of -pure delight. "There was rouge upon my cheeks, -too, sir, and my eyes were darkened. To-day I go a -beggar maid, in rags, burnt by the sun—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The nut-brown maid," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," she answered, "the nut-brown maid—'For -in my mind of all mankind'—you may e'en finish it -yourself, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Ricahecrians had paused at the foot of the -ascent to hold a council. It was soon over. With -another burst of cries they rushed up the steep and -upon the rocks, behind which were hidden their -victims. Landless, kneeling to one side of the gap -between the boulders by which he and Patricia had -entered, fired, and the foremost of the savages threw -up his arms, uttered a dreadful cry, and fell across the -path of his fellows. For one moment the rush was -checked, the next on they came, yelling furiously -and brandishing their weapons. Landless fired and -missed, fired again and pierced the thigh of a gigantic -warrior, bringing him crashing to the ground. The -line wavered, paused, then turning, swept to one side -and so passed out of sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have found this pass too formidable," said -Landless. "They will try now to force an entrance -from the side. Do you watch the front, my queen, -while I face them, coming over the rocks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I looked only at the mulatto," she said. "The -others are shadows to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His time is come," said Landless. "Do not fear -him, sweetheart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear not," she answered. "I have the perfect -love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Along the top of a tall boulder to their right -appeared a dark red line—the arm of a savage, with -clutching fingers. Above it, very slowly and -cautiously, there rose first an eagle's feather, then -coarse black scalp lock, then a high forehead and -fierce eyes. The echo of Landless's shot reverberated -through the cliffs, and when the smoke cleared only -the bare gray boulder faced him. But from behind it -came a derisive yell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wilt think me a poor marksman, my dear," -he said, smiling, as he reloaded his musket. "I have -missed again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is because you are wounded," she said. "I -would I had thy wounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had a wounded heart, but you have healed it," -he said, and looked at her with shining eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun sank and the long twilight of the hills set -in. The evening star was brightening through the -pale amethyst of the sky when Landless said quietly: -"The last charge," and emptied it into an arm which -for one incautious moment had waved above the rocks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the end, then," said Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is the end. We have beaten them back -for the moment, but presently they will find that all -we could do we have done, and then—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She left her post beside the gap in the front, and -came and knelt beside him, and he took her in his -arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not Death before us, but Life," she said in a -low voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is God and Love, naught else," he answered. -"But the river between will be bitter for you to cross, -sweetheart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We cross it together," she said, "and so—" She -raised her head that he might see her radiant smile, -and their lips met.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hark!" she said directly with her hand on his. -"What is that sound?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook his head. "The wind has risen, and the -forest rustles and sighs. There is nothing more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is far off," she answered, "but it is like the dip -of oars. Ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Over against them, framed in the narrow opening -between the rocks, his lithe, half-nude figure dark -against the crimson west, and with a smile upon his -evil lips and in his evil eyes, stood Luiz Sebastian. -In the dead silence that succeeded he looked with -a smiling countenance from the musket, now useless -and thrown aside, to his enemy, wounded and unarmed -save for a knife, and to the woman in that enemy's -arms; then, without turning, he said a few words in -an Indian tongue. From the dusky mass behind him -came one short, wild cry of savage triumph, followed -by another dead silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still holding Patricia in one arm, Landless rose -from his knee, and stood confronting him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are met again, Señor Landless," said Luiz -Sebastian smoothly. Receiving no answer, he spoke -again with a tigerish expansion of his thick lips. -"You have had an accident, I see. Mother of God! that -foot must pain you! But you will forget it -presently in the pleasure of the pine splinters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will forget it in the pleasure of this," said -Landless, releasing Patricia, and springing upon the -mulatto with a suddenness and violence that sent them -both staggering through the opening between the -rocks, out upon the narrow plateau and into the ring -of Ricahecrians. Luiz Sebastian was strong, with the -easy masked strength of the panther, but Landless -had the strength of despair. The mulatto, thrown -heavily to the ground, and pinned there by his -adversary's knee, saw the gleam of the lifted knife, and -would have seen nothing more in this life, but that a -woman's cry rang out and saved him. Landless -heard, turned, saw Patricia dragged from the shelter of -the rocks, leaped to his feet, leaving his work undone, -and rushed upon the knot of savages with whom she -was struggling. A moment saw him beside her with -the Indian who had held her dead at his feet. Behind -them was the great boulder which had formed the -front wall of their chamber of defense. He put his -arm around her, and drew her back with him until -they stood against this rock, then faced the advancing -savages with uplifted knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So determined was his attitude, so terribly had -they proved his power, so certain it was that before -he should be taken one at least of their number would -taste that knife, that the Ricahecrians paused, swaying -to and fro, yelling, working themselves into a fury -that should send them on like maddened brutes, blind -and deaf to all things but their lust for blood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hear a sound of footsteps over the leaves," said -Patricia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The wind rustles in them, or the deer pass," -answered Landless. "Oh, my life! are you content?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She answered with a low, clear laugh. "I hold -happiness fast," she said. "It cannot escape us now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming," he said. "The last kiss, heart -of my heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their lips met, and their eyes with a smile in them -met, and then he put her gently behind him, and -turned to again face Luiz Sebastian.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With his eyes fixed upon the yellow face, he had -raised his hand to strike at the yellow breast, spotted -and barred with the black of the war paint, when an -Indian, gliding between, struck up his arm, and sent -the knife tinkling down upon the rocks. With a yell -of triumph the savage snatched up the weapon, and -brandished it, showing it to his fellows, who, seeing -their work accomplished, and the two whom they had -tracked so far actually in their hands, made the forest -ring with their exultant shouts. A few closed in -around the devoted pair, directing at them fiendish -cries and no less fiendish laughter, and menacing them -with knife and tomahawk, but the majority streamed -down the steep and into the forest at its base.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They go to gather wood," said the still smiling -Luiz Sebastian. "By and by we are to have a bonfire. -Señor Landless has often carried wood, I think, -in those old times when he was a slave, and when the -pretty mistress behind him there treated him as -such—unless she gave him favors in secret. But, Mother -of God! now that she has made him master, we must -carry the wood for him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless, standing with folded arms, looked at him -with quiet scorn. "It is the nature of the viper to -use his venom," he said calmly. "Such a thing -cannot anger me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At the same time it is as well to crush the viper," -said a voice at his elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker, who was Sir Charles Carew, had come -from behind the boulders which ran in a straggling -line down the hillside toward the river. He had his -drawn sword in his hand, and as he spoke, he ran the -mulatto through the body. The wretch, his oath of -rage and astonishment still upon his lips, fell to the -ground without a groan, writhed there a moment or -two, and then lay still forever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the forest below rose a loud confusion of -shouts and cries, followed by a volley of musketry. -At the sound the half dozen savages upon the plateau -turned and plunged down the hillside, to be met before -they reached the bottom by the upward rush of a -portion of the rescuing party. For a short while the -twilight glades, low hills and frowning crags rang to the -sound of a miniature battle, to the quick crack of -muskets, the clear shouts of the whites, and the whoops -of the savages. But by degrees these latter became -fainter, further between, died away—a short ten -minutes, and there were no warriors left to return to the -village in the Blue Mountains. Fierce shedders of -blood, they were paid in their own coin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the hill-top Sir Charles shot his rapier into its -scabbard, and strode over to Patricia, standing white -and still against the rock. "I was in time," he said. -"Thank God!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She made no motion to meet his extended hands, -but stood looking past him at Landless. Her face -was like marble, her eyes one dumb question. Landless -met their gaze, and in his own she read despair, -renunciation, strong resolve—and a long farewell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are come in time, Sir Charles Carew," he -said. "A little more, and we should have been -beyond your reach. You will find the lady safe and -well, though shaken, as you see, by this last alarm. -She will speak for me, I trust, will tell you that I -have used her with all respect, that I have done for -her all that I could do.... Madam, all danger is -past. Will you not collect yourself and speak to your -kinsman and savior?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He spoke with a certain calm stateliness of voice -and manner, as of one who has passed beyond all -emotion, whether of hope or fear, and in his eyes -which he kept fixed upon her there was a command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak to me, my cousin; tell me that I am welcome," -said Sir Charles, flinging himself upon his knee -before her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a strong shudder she looked away from the -still, white, and sternly composed face opposite to the -darkening river and the evening star shining calmly -down upon a waste world.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length she spoke. "I was all but beyond this -world, cousin, so pardon me if I seem to come back -to it somewhat tardily. You have my thanks, of -course—my dear thanks—for saving my life—my -life which is so precious to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She gave him her hand with a strange smile, and -he pressed his lips upon it. "Your father is below, -dearest cousin. Shall we descend to meet him? As -to this—gentleman," turning with a smile that was -like a frown to Landless, "I regret that circumstances -combine to prevent our rewarding him as the guardian -(a trusty one, I am sure) of so precious a jewel should -be rewarded. But Colonel Verney will do—I will -do—all that is possible. In the mean time I observe -with regret that he is wounded. If he will allow me, -I will send him my valet, who is below, and is the -best barber surgeon in the three kingdoms. Come, -dearest madam."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He bowed low and ceremoniously to Landless, who -returned the salute with grave courtesy, and gave his -hand to Patricia. For one moment she looked at -Landless with wide, dark eyes, then, her spirit -obedient to his spirit, she turned and went from him -without one word or backward look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The color had quite faded from the west, and the -stars were thickening when Landless became conscious -that the overseer was standing beside him. "You are -the hardest one to hold that ever I saw," said that -worthy grimly, and yet with a certain appreciation of -the qualities that made the man at his feet hard to -hold showing in his tone, "but I fancy we 've got you -at last. You 've gone and put yourself in bilboes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless smiled. "This time you may keep me. -I shall not interfere. But tell me how you come here. -You were sent back to the Plantations."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," said the other, "and there was the devil to -pay, I can tell you, when I had to report you missing to -Sir William. But Major Carrington stood my friend, -and I got off with a tongue-drubbing. Well, after -about three weeks or so, during which time the dogs -and the searchers brought back most all of the run -away niggers, and Mistress Lettice had hysterics every -day, back comes the Colonel and Sir Charles with ten -of the twenty men who had rowed them up the -Pamunkey. The rest had fallen in a brush with the -Monacans. They had n't come up with the Ricahecrians, -had n't seen hair nor hide of them, had but one report -from the Indian villages along the river, and that was -that no Ricahecrians had passed that way. So after -a while they were forced to believe that they were -upon a false scent, and back they comes post haste to -the Plantations to get more men, and go up the -Rappahannock. Well, they went up the Rappahannock, -and found nothing to their purpose, so back they came -again to try the James and the country above the -Falls. This time they found the Settlements, which -had been before like an overturned hive, pretty quiet, -the ringleaders of your precious plot having all been -strung up, and the rest made as mild as sheep with -branding and whipping and doubling of times. So, -the tobacco being in and the plantation quiet, things -were left to Haines, and I came along with the -Colonel. Major Carrington, too, who they say is in the -Governor's black books, though Lord knows he was -active enough in stamping out this insurrection, asked -to be allowed to join in the search for his old friend's -daughter, and so he's down in the woods yonder. And -Mr. Cary is there, and Mr. Peyton (Mistress Betty -Carrington made </span><em class="italics">him</em><span> come) and Mr. Jaclyn Carter. -Fegs! half the young gentry in the colony pressed their -services on the Colonel. It got to be the fashion to -volunteer to run their heads into the wolf's mouth for -Mistress Patricia. But Sir Charles choked most of -them off. 'Gentlemen,' he says, says he, 'despite -the saying that there cannot be too much of a good -thing, I beg to remind you that the disastrous fortunes -of those who first struggled with the forest and the -Indians in this western paradise are attributed to the -fact that they were two thirds gentlemen. Wherefore -let us shun the rock upon which they split'—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many of my fellow conspirators were put to -death?" interrupted Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the principal ones—them that Trail -denounced as leaders. The rest we pardoned after -giving them a lesson they won't soon forget. We let -bygones be bygones with the redemptioners and -slaves—all but those devils who got away that night at -Verney Manor, and with Trail at their head, made for -Captain Laramore's ship which was going to turn -pirate. Well, they got to the boats, and one lot got -off safe to the ship which hoisted the black flag, -and sailed away to the Indies, and is sailing there, -murdering and ruining, to this day, I reckon. But -the other boat was over full, and the steersman was -drunken, and she capsized before she got to the -middle of the channel. Some were drowned, and those -that got ashore we hung next morning. But Trail -was in the first boat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When do you—do we—start down the river?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At midnight. And it's the Colonel's orders that -until then you stay here among the rocks and not -show yourself to the men below. He 'll see you -before we start. In the mean time I 'll keep you -company." And the overseer took out his pipe and -tobacco pouch, filled the former, lighted it, and -leaning back against the rock fell to smoking in contented -silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless too sat in silence, with his head thrown -back against the rock and his face uplifted to the -growing splendor of the skies. The night wind, -blowing mournfully around the bare hill and the broken -crag, struck upon his brow with a hint of winter in -its touch. With it came the tide of forest sounds—the -sough of the leaves, the dull creaking of branch -against branch, the wash of the water in the reeds, -the whirr of wings, the cries of night birds—all the -low and stealthy notes of the earth chant which had -become to him as old and tenderly familiar as the -lullabies of his childhood. Below him, at the foot of -the hill, a square of dark and stately pines was -irradiated by a great fire which burnt redly, casting -flickering shadows far across the smooth brown earth, and -around which sat or moved many figures. Laughter -and jest, oaths and scraps of song floated up to the -lonely watcher upon the hilltop. He heeded them -not—he was above that world—and no sound came -from that other and smaller fire blazing at some -distance from the first—and the tree trunks between -were so many and so thick that he could see naught -but the light.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="vale"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER XXXVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">VALE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The overseer knocked the ashes from his pipe -and stuck it in his belt. "The master," he said -curtly, getting to his feet as three cloaked figures, -followed by a negro bearing a torch, came up the -hillside and into the waste of stones beneath the crags. -Advancing to meet them, he took the torch from -Regulus's hand and fired a mass of dead and leafless vine -depending from the cliff. In the bright light which -sprang up, filling the rocky chamber and burnishing -the face of the crags into the semblance of a cataract -of fire, the parties to the interview gazed at one -another in silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Verney was the first to speak. "I am -sorry to see that you are wounded," he said gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you, sir,—it is nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel walked the length of the plateau twice, -then came back to his prisoner's side. "My daughter -has told me all," he said somewhat huskily. "That -you and the Susquehannock sought for her and found -her; that you fought for her bravely more than once; -that after the Indian was slain you guided and -protected her through the forest; that you have in all -things borne yourself towards her faithfully and -reverently, not injuring her by word, thought or deed. -My daughter is very dear to me—dearer than life. -I am not ungrateful. I thank you very heartily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mistress Patricia Verney is dear to me also," said -Sir Charles, coming forward to stand beside his -kinsman. "I too thank the man who restores her to her -friends—to her lover."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I would to God," said the third figure, -advancing, "that we could save the brave man to -whom so much is owed. If I were Governor of Virginia—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You could do naught, Carrington," broke in the -Colonel impatiently. "The man is convict—outside -the pale! A convict, and the head of an Oliverian -plot! Scarce the King himself could pardon him! -And if he did, how long d' ye think the walls of the -gaol at Jamestown would keep him from the rabble—and -the nearest tree? No, no, William Berkeley -does but his duty. And yet—and yet—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began to pace the rocks again, frowning heavily, -and pulling at the curls of his periwig. "You are a -brave man," he said at last, stopping before Landless -and speaking with energy, "and from my soul I wish -I could save you. I would gladly overlook all that is -over and done with, would gladly free you, aid you, -help you, so far as might be, to retrieve your past—but -I cannot. My hands are tied; it is impossible—you -must see for yourself that it is impossible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None can see that so clearly as myself, Colonel -Verney," Landless said steadily. "I thank you for -the will none the less."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To take you back with me," the other continued, -beginning to stride up and down again, "is to take -you back, bound, to certain death. And there is but -one alternative—to leave you here in the wilderness. -Your presence here is known only to those upon whose -discretion I can depend. They would hold their -tongues, and none need ever be the wiser. But the -Settlements will be barred to you forever, and -hundreds of leagues stretch between this spot and the -Dutch or the New Englanders. Moreover, your -description hath been sent to the authorities of each -colony. And you are wounded, and winter is at hand. -It may be but a choice of deaths! I would to God -there were some other way—but there is none! You -must choose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the dead silence that ensued the Colonel moved -back to the side of the Surveyor-General, and the two -stood, thoughtfully regardant of the prisoner. The -light from the partially consumed vines beginning -to wane, the overseer motioned to Regulus to collect -and apply his torch to a quantity of the fagots with -which the ground was strewn. The negro obeyed, and -stood behind the light flame and curling smoke which -he had evoked, like the genie of an Arabian tale. -Sir Charles, left standing in the centre of the rocky -chamber, hesitated a moment, then walked with his -usual languid grace over to where Landless leaned -against a boulder, his eyes, shaded by his hand, fixed -upon the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whichever you choose—Scylla or Charybdis—" -said Sir Charles in his most dulcet tones, "this is -probably the last time you and I will ever speak -together. There have been passages between us in the -past, which, in the light of after event, I cannot but -regret. You have just rendered me an inestimable -service. I have learnt, too, that you saved my life -the night of the storming of the Manor House. I -beg to apologize to you, sir, for any offense I may -have given you by word or deed." And he held out -his hand with his most courtly smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It becomes a dying man to be in charity with the -world he leaves," said Landless, somewhat coldly, -but with a smile too, "and so I do that which I never -thought to do," and he touched the other's fingers -with his own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles looked at him curiously. "You make -a good enemy," he said lightly. "Had it not been -predestined that we were to hate each other, I could -find it in my heart to desire you for a friend. You -remain in the forest, I dare swear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," answered Landless, with his eyes upon the -light in the glade below. "I choose the easier fate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The easier for all concerned," said the other with -a peculiar intonation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Landless glanced at him keenly, but the courtier -face and the inscrutable smile told nothing. "The -easier for myself, whom alone it concerneth," said -Landless sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dragging himself up by the rock behind him, he -turned to the two elder men. "I have decided, -Colonel Verney," he said slowly, "I will stay here, an it -please you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall have all that we can leave you," said -the Colonel eagerly and with some emotion. -"Ammunition in plenty, food, blankets, an axe—it's -little enough I can do, God knows, but I do that little -most willingly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Again I thank you," said Landless wearily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles caught the inflection. "You stand in -need of rest," he said courteously, "and, this -matter settled, our farther intrusion upon you is as -unnecessary as it must be unwelcome. Had we not best -descend, gentlemen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay," said the Colonel. "We have done all we -could." Then, to Landless, "With the moonrise we -drop down the river—from out your sight forever. -I have told you frankly there is no hope for you -amongst your kind in the world to which we return. -I believe there to be none. But have you thought of -what we must needs leave you to? Humanly speaking, -it is death, and death alone, in the winter forest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have thought," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From my soul I wish that some miracle may occur -to save you yet!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An ill wish!" said the other, smiling, "with but -little chance, however, of its fulfillment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear not," said the Colonel with something like -a groan, "but I wish it, nevertheless. Here is my -hand, and with it my heartfelt thanks for your service -to my daughter. And I wish you to believe that I -deeply deplore your fate, and that I would have saved -you if I could."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe it," Landless said simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Colonel took and wrung his hand, then turned -sharply away, and beckoning the overseer to follow, -strode out of the circle of rocks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles raised his feathered hat. "We have -been foes," he said, "but the strife is over—and -when all is said, we are both Englishmen. I trust we -bear each other no ill will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I bear none," said Landless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sir Charles, his eyes still fixed upon the pale quiet -of the other's face, passed out of the opening between -the rocks, and his place was taken by the Surveyor-General.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would have saved you if I could," he said in a -low and troubled voice. "I bow to a brave man and -a gallant gentleman," and he too was gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the glade below, the movement, the laughter and -the song sank gradually into silence as the gentlemen -adventurers, the rangers, Indian guides, and servants -composing the rescuing party threw themselves down, -one by one, beside the blazing fires for a short rest -before moonrise and the long pull down the river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among the crags, high above the twinkling watch-fires -and the wash of the dark river, there was the -stillness of the stars, of the white frost and the bare -cliffs. In the northern heavens played a soft light, -and now and then a star shot. The man who marked -its trail across the studded skies thought of himself as -of one as far withdrawn as it from the world of lower -lights in the forest at his feet. Already he felt a -prescience of the loneliness of the morrow, and the -morrow, and the morrow, of the slow drift of the days -in the waning forest, the hopeless nights, the terror of -that great solitude—and felt, too, a feverish desire to -hasten that approach, to embrace that which was to be -henceforth bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. -He wished for the clash of oars in the dark stream -below and for the rise of the moon which was to shine -coldly down upon him, companionless, immerged in -that vast fortress from which he might never hope to -emerge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sound of cautious footsteps among the rocks -brought his sick and wandering fancy back to the -present. Raising himself upon his elbow and peering -intently into the darkness, he made out two figures, -one tall and large, the other much slighter, advancing -towards him. Presently the larger figure stopped -short, and, seating itself upon a flat rock at the brink -of the hill, turned its face towards the fires in the -woods below. The other came on lightly and -hurriedly—another moment, and rising to his knees, -he clasped her in his arms and laid his head upon her -bosom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never thought to see you again," he said at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I made Regulus bring me," she answered. "The -others do not know—they think me asleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She spoke in a low, even, monotonous voice, and -the hand which she laid upon his forehead was like -marble. "My heart is dead, I think," she said. "I -wish my body were so too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew her closer to him and covered her face and -hands with kisses. "My love, my lady," he said. -"My white rose, my woodland dove!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She clung to him, trembling. "Down there I -was going mad," she whispered. "But now—now—I -feel as though I could weep." He felt her tears -upon his face, but in a moment she was calm again. -"Do you remember the bird we found the other day, -all numbed with cold?" she said. "It had been gay -and free and light of heart, but it had not strength to -flutter when I took it in my hands and tried to warm -it—and could not. I am like that bird. The world -is very gray and cold, and my heart—it will never -be warm again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God comfort you," he said brokenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have told me that at moonrise we leave this -place—and you. They say that it is all they can do -for you—to leave you here. All!—Oh, my God!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have done what they could," he said gravely. -"I recognize that. And I wish you to do so too, -sweetheart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked at him wildly. "I have been silent," -she said, pressing her clasped hands against her bosom. -"I have not told them. I have obeyed what I read -in your eyes. But was it well? Oh, my dear, let me -speak!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took her hands from her breast and laid them -against his own. "No," he said with a smile, "I -love you too well for that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the woods across the river came the crying of -wolves, then a silence as of the grave; then a whisper -arose in the long dry grass and the leafless vines, -and a cold breeze lifted the hair from their foreheads. -The whisper grew into a murmur, prolonged and -deep, a sound as of a distant cataract, or of the dash -of surf upon a far away shore—the voice of the wind -in the world of trees. A star shot, leaving a stream -of white fire to fade out of the dark blue sky. From -the forest came again the cry of the wolves. In the -camp below there seemed some stir, and the figure -seated on the rock turned its head towards them and -lifted a warning hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must go," said Landless. "It was madness -for you to venture here. See, the light is growing -in the east."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a low, desolate moaning sound she wrung the -hands he released and raised her face to his. He -kissed her upon the brow, the eyes and the mouth. -"Good-by, my life, my love, my heart," he said. -"We were happy for an hour. Good-by!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be brave," she answered. "I will live my -life out. I will pray to God. And, Godfrey, I will -be ever true to you. I shall never see you again, -my dear, never hear of you more, never know till my -latest day whether you are of this world still, or -whether you have waited for me a long time, up there -beyond those lights. If it—if death—should come -soon, wait for me—beyond—in perfect trust, my -dear, for I will come to you—I will come to you -as I am, Godfrey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He bowed his face upon her hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The breeze freshened, and the sound of the surf -became the sound of breakers. In the east the pale -light strengthened. The figure below them stood up -and beckoned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The moon is coming," said Patricia. "Once -before I watched for it—in terror, with pride and -anger in my heart. Then, when I thought of you, I -hated you. It is strange to think of that now. Kiss -me good-by."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I too will be strong," he said. "I will await the -pleasure of the Lord. Until His good time, my -bride!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rising to his feet he held her in his arms, then -kissed her upon the lips and put her gently from -him. For a moment she stood like a statue, then -with a lifted face and hands clasped at her bosom, she -turned, and slowly, but without a backward look, left -the circle of rocks. Through the opening he saw the -slave come up to her, and saw her motion to him to -fall behind—another moment, and both dark figures -had sunk below the brow of the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stronger and stronger blew the wind, louder and -louder swelled the voice of the forest. Below, the -wash of the river in its reeds, the dull groaning of -branch grating against branch, the fall of leaf and -acorn, the loud sighing of the pines, the cry of the -owl, the panther and the wolf—above, the vast dome -of the heavens and the fading stars. An effulgence -in the oast: a silver crest, like the white rim of a -giant wave, upon the eastern hills; a pale splendor -mounting slowly and calmly upward—a dead -world,—all her passion, all her pain, all toil and strife over -and done with,—shining down upon a sadder earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From beneath the shadowy banks there shot out -into the middle of the broad moonlit stream a long -canoe, followed by a second and a third, and turning, -went swiftly down that long, bright, shimmering, -rippling path.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the last and smallest of the three boats a man -rose from his seat in the stern, and with his eyes upon -the line of moon-whitened cliffs above him, raised his -plumed hat with a courteous gesture, then bent and -spoke to a cloaked and hooded figure sitting, still and -silent, between him and a burlier form. This canoe -was rowed by negroes, and as they rowed they sang. -The wild chant—half dirge, half frenzy—that they -raised was suited to that waste which they were -leaving.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The black lines upon the silver flood became mere -dots, and the wailing notes came up the stream faintly -and more faintly still. For a while the echoes rolled -among the folded hills and the tall gray crags, but at -length they died away forever.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE OLD DOMINION</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48258"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48258</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. -Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this -license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and -trademark. 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