diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 5106.txt | 9460 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 5106.zip | bin | 0 -> 175865 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
5 files changed, 9476 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5106.txt b/5106.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f55ee0b --- /dev/null +++ b/5106.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9460 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Canadian Brothers (Volume I), by John Richardson +#5 in our series by John Richardson + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Canadian Brothers (Volume I) + or The Prophecy Fulfilled + +Author: John Richardson + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5106] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 28, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANADIAN BROTHERS *** + + + + +This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan with help from +Charles Franks and Distributed Proofers. + + + + + +The Canadian Brothers; or, The Prophecy Fulfilled. +A tale of the late American war. + +By Major Richardson, + +Knight of the military order of Saint Ferdinand, +author of "Ecarte," "Wacousta," &c. &c. + +In Two Volumes. + + + +VOL. I. + + + + +INSCRIPTION. + +To His Excellency Major General Sir John Harvey, K.C.B.: +K.C.H. Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick who bore a +conspicuous part in the war of 1812, and who contributed +so essentially to the success of the British arms during +the campaigns of 1813 and 1814, and particularly at Stoney +Creek in Upper Canada, on the night of the 5th June 1813, +when, entrusted with the execution of his own daring +plan, he, at the head of sever hundred and twenty men of +the 8th and 49th Regiments, (The former the Author's +Corps,) surprised and completely routed at the point of +the bayonet, a division of the American army, (under +generals Winder and Chandler,) three thousand five hundred +strong, capturing their leaders, with many other inferior +prisoners, and several pieces of cannon; the Canadian +edition of this historical talk is inscribed, with +sentiments of high public and personal esteem, by his +faithful and obedient servant, + +The Author. + + + + +PREFACE. + +Windsor Castle, October 29, 1832. + +DEAR SIR,--I have received your letter of the 27th instant, +and beg to reply that there cannot be the least objection +to your sending a copy of your work, with the autograph +addition; and that if you will send it to me, I will +present it to His Majesty. + +I do not presume you wish to apply for permission to +dedicate the work to His Majesty, which is not usually +given for work of fiction. + +I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant, + +(Signed,) H. TAYLOR + +Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c. +H. P. 92nd Regt. + + + +BRIGHTON, December 18, 1832. + +DEAR Sir,--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter +of the 14th instant, and of the copy of your work, +WACOUSTA, for the King, which I have had the honor of +presenting to His Majesty, who received it very graciously. + +I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant, + +(Signed,) H. TAYLOR + +Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c. +H. P. 92nd Regt. + + + +WINDSOR CASTLE, August 7, 1833. + +DEAR SIR,--I have to acknowledge your letter of the 1st +instant, together with its enclosure, and beg to express +the deep gratification I have felt in the perusal of that +chapter of your new work which treats of the policy of +employing the Indians in any future war we may have with +the United States. Should you be desirous of dedicating +it to His Majesty I can foresee no difficulty. + +Permit me to avail myself of this opportunity of assuring +you of the deep interest with which your WACOUSTA has +been read by the whole Court. + +I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant, + +(Signed,) H. TAYLOR. + +Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c. &c. &c. +H. P. 92nd Regt. + + + +WINDSOR CASTLE, August 12, 1833. + +DEAR SIR,--I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter +of the 9th, and to acquaint you that His Majesty acquiesces +in your wish to be permitted to dedicate your new work +to him. + +I remain, Dear Sir, your faithful Servant, + +(Signed,) H. TAYLOR. + +Lieut. RICHARDSON, &c, &c. &c. +H. P. 92nd Regt. + + + +By the above letters, two material points are established. +The first is that, although works of fiction are not +usually dedicated to the Sovereign, an exception was made +in favour of the following tale, which is now for the +first time submitted to the public, and which, from its +historical character, was deemed of sufficient importance +not to be confounded with mere works of fiction. The +exception was grounded on a chapter of the book, which +the seeker after incident alone will dismiss hastily, +but over which the more serious reader may be induced to +pause. + +The second, and not least important, point disposed of, +is one which the manner in which the principal American +characters have been disposed of, renders in some degree +imperative. + +The Author has no hesitation in stating, that had it not +been for the very strong interest taken in their appearance, +by a portion of the American public in the first instance, +these volumes never would have been submitted to the +press of this country. Hence, to a corresponding feeling +might, under other circumstances, have been ascribed the +favorable light under which the American character has +been portrayed. From the dates of the above letters from +the principal Aid-de-Camp and Private Secretary to His +late Majesty, it will, however, be seen, that the work +was written in England, and therefore before there could +have existed the slightest inducement to any undue +partiality. + +That this is the case, the Author has reason to rejoice; +since in eschewing the ungenerous desire of most English +writers on America, to convey a debasing impression of +her people, and seeking, on the contrary, to do justice +to their character, as far as the limited field afforded +by a work, pre-eminently of fiction, will admit, no +interested motive can be ascribed to him. Should these +pages prove a means of dissipating the slightest portion +of that irritation which has--and naturally--been +engendered in every American heart, by the perverted and +prejudiced statements of disappointed tourists, whose +acerbity of stricture, not even a recollection of much +hospitality could repress; and of renewing that healthy +tone of feeling which it has been endeavoured to show +had existed during the earlier years of the present +century, the Author will indeed feel that he has not +written in vain. + +One observation in regard to the tale itself. There is +a necessary anachronism in the book, of too palpable a +nature not to be detected at a glance by the reader. It +will. however, be perceived, that such anachronism does +not in any way interfere with historical fact, while it +has at the same time facilitated the introduction of +events, which were necessary to the action of the story, +and which have been brought on the scene before that +which constitutes the anachronism, as indispensable +precursors to it. We will not here mar the reader's +interest in the story, by anticipating, but allow him to +discover and judge of the propriety of the transposition +himself. + +Tecumseh, moreover, is introduced somewhat earlier than +the strict record of facts will justify; but as his +presence does not interfere with the general accuracy of +the detail, we trust the matter of fact reader, who +cannot, at least, be both to make early acquaintance with +this interesting Chieftain, will not refuse us the exercise +of our privilege as a novelist, in disposing of characters, +in the manner most pleasing to the eye. + +We cannot conclude without apology for the imperfect +Scotch, which we have (to use a homely phrase,) put into +the mouth of one of our characters, our apology for which +is that we were unaware of the error, until the work had +been so far printed as not to admit of our remedying it. +We are consoled, however, by the reflection that we have +given the person in question so much of the national +character that he can well afford to lose something in +a minor particular. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +THE CANADIAN BROTHERS; + OR, +THE PROPHECY FULFILLED. + + + +CHAPTER I. + +At the northern extremity of the small town which bears +its name, situated at the head of Lake Erie, stands, or +rather stood--for the fortifications then existing were +subsequently destroyed--the small fortress of Amherstburg. + +It was the summer of 1812. Intelligence had been some +days received at that post, of the declaration of war by +the United States, the great aim and object of which was +the conquest, and incorporation with her own extensive +territories, of provinces on which she had long cast an +eye of political jealousy, and now assailed at a moment +when England (fighting the battles of the, even to this +moment, recreant and unredeemed Peninsula,) could ill +spare a solitary regiment to the rescue of her threatened, +and but indifferently defended transatlantic possessions. + +Few places in America, or in the world, could, at the +period embraced by our narrative, have offered more +delightful associations than that which we have selected +for an opening scene. Amherstburg was at that time one +of the loveliest spots that ever issued from the will of +a beneficent and gorgeous nature, and were the +world-disgusted wanderer to have selected a home in which +to lose all memory of artificial and conventional forms, +his choice would assuredly have fallen here. And +insensible, indeed, to the beautiful realities of the +sweet wild solitude that reigned around, must that man +have been, who could have gazed unmoved, from the lofty +banks of the Erie, on the placid lake beneath his feet, +mirroring the bright starred heavens on its unbroken +surface, or throwing into full and soft relief the snow +white sail, and dark hull of some stately war-ship, +becalmed in the offing, and only waiting the rising of +the capricious breeze, to waft her onward on her THEN +peaceful mission of dispatch. Lost indeed to all perception +of the natural must he have been, who could have listened, +without a feeling of voluptuous melancholy, to the +plaintive notes of the whip-poor-will, breaking on the +silence of night, and harmonising with the general +stillness of the scene. How often have we ourselves, in +joyous boyhood, lingered amid these beautiful haunts, +drinking in the fascinating song of this strange night-bird, +and revelling in a feeling we were too young to analyze, +yet cherished deeply--yea, frequently, even to this hour, +do we in our dreams revisit scenes no parallel to which +has met our view, even in the course of a life passed in +many climes; and on awaking, our first emotion is regret +that the illusion is no more. + +Such was Amherstburg, and its immediate vicinity, during +the early years of the present century, and up to the +period at which our story commences. Not, be it understood, +that even THEN the scenery itself had lost one particle +of its loveliness, or failed in aught to awaken and fix +the same tender interest. The same placidity of earth, +and sky, and lake remained, but the whip-poor-will, driven +from his customary abode by the noisy hum of warlike +preparation, was no longer heard, and the minds of the +inhabitants, hitherto disposed, by the quiet pursuits of +their uneventful lives, to feel pleasure in its song, +had eye nor ear for aught beyond what tended to the +preservation of their threatened homes. + +Let us, however, introduce the reader more immediately +to the scene. Close in his rear, as he stands on the +elevated bank of the magnificent river of Detroit, and +about a mile from its point of junction with Lake Erie, +is the fort of Amherstburg, its defences consisting +chiefly of stockade works, flanked, at its several angles, +by strong bastions, and covered by a demi lune of five +guns, so placed as to command every approach by water. +Distant about three hundred yards on his right is a large, +oblong square building, resembling in appearance the red +low roofed blockhouses peering above the outward defences +of the fort. Surrounding this, and extending to the skirt +of the thinned forest, the original boundary of which is +marked by an infinitude of dingy half blackened stumps, +are to be seen numerous huts or wigwams of the Indians, +from the fires before which arises a smoke that contributes, +with the slight haze of the atmosphere, to envelope the +tops of the tall trees in a veil of blue vapour, rendering +them almost invisible. Between these wigwams and the +extreme verge of the thickly wooded banks, which sweeping +in bold curvature for an extent of many miles, brings +into view the eastern extremity of Turkey Island, situated +midway between Amherstburg and Detroit, are to be seen, +containing the accumulated Indian dead of many years, +tumuli, rudely executed it is true, but picturesquely +decorated with such adornments as it is the custom of +these simple mannered people to bestow on the last +sanctuaries of their departed friends. Some three or four +miles, and across the water, (for here it is that the +river acquires her fullest majesty of expansion,) is to +be seen the American Island of Gros Isle, which, at the +period of which we write, bore few traces of cultivation +--scarcely a habitation being visible throughout its +extent--various necks of land, however, shoot out abruptly, +and independently of the channel running between it and +the American main shore, form small bays or harbours in +which boats may always find shelter and concealment. + +Thus far the view to the right of the spectator, whom we +assume to be facing the river. Immediately opposite to +the covering demi lune, and in front of the fort, appears, +at a distance of less than half a mile, a blockhouse and +battery, crowning the western extremity of the Island of +Bois Blanc, which, one mile in length and lashed at its +opposite extremity by the waters of Lake Erie, at this +precise point, receives into her capacious bosom the vast +tribute of the noble river connecting her with the higher +lakes. Between this island and the Canadian shore lies +the only navigable channel for ships of heavy tonnage, +for although the waters of the Detroit are of vast depth +every where above the island, they are near their point +of junction with the lake, and, in what is called the +American channel, so interrupted by shallows and sandbars, +that no craft larger than those of a description termed +"Durham boats" can effect the passage--on the other hand +the channel dividing the island from the Canadian shore +is at once deep and rapid, and capable of receiving +vessels of the largest size. The importance of such a +passage is obvious; but although a state of war necessarily +prevented aid from armed vessels to such forts of the +Americans as lay to the westward of the lake, it by no +means effectually cut off their supplies through the +medium of the Durham boats already alluded to. In order +to intercept those, a most vigilant watch was kept by +the light gun boats despatched into the lesser channel +for that purpose. + +A blockhouse and battery crowned also the eastern extremity +of the island, and both, provided with a flag staff for +the purpose of communication by signal with the fort, +were far from being wanting in picturesque effect. A +subaltern's command of infantry, and a bombardier's of +artillery, were the only troops stationed there, and +these were there rather to look out for, and report the +approach of whatever American boats might be seen stealing +along their own channel, than with any view to the serious +defence of a post already sufficiently commanded by the +adjacent fortress. In every other direction the island +was thickly wooded--not a house--not a hut arose to +diversify the wild beauty of the scene. Frequently, it +is true, along the margin of its sands might be seen a +succession of Indian wigwams, and the dusky and sinewy +forms of men gliding round their fires, as they danced +to the monotonous sound of the war dance; but these +migratory people, seldom continuing long in the same +spot, the island was again and again left to its solitude. + +Strongly contrasted with this, would the spectator, whom +we still suppose standing on the bank where we first +placed him, find the view on his left. There would he +behold a neat small town, composed entirely of wooden +houses variously and not inelegantly painted; and receding +gradually from the river's edge to the slowly disappearing +forest, on which its latest rude edifice reposed. Between +the town and the fort, was to be seen a dockyard of no +despicable dimensions, in which the hum of human voices +mingled with the sound of active labour--there too might +be seen, in the deep harbour of the narrow channel that +separated the town from the island we have just described, +some half-dozen gallant vessels bearing the colours of +England, breasting with their dark prows the rapid current +that strained their creaking cables in every strand, and +seemingly impatient of the curb that checked them from +gliding impetuously into the broad lake, which some few +hundred yards below, appeared to court them to her bosom. +But although in these might be heard the bustle of warlike +preparation, the chief attention would be observed to be +directed towards a large half finished vessel, on which +numerous workmen of all descriptions were busily employed, +evidently with a view of preparing for immediate service. + +Beyond the town again might be obtained a view of the +high and cultivated banks, sweeping in gentle curve until +they at length terminated in a low and sandy spot, called +from the name of its proprietor, Elliott's Point. This +stretched itself toward the eastern extremity of the +island, so as to leave the outlet to the lake barely wide +enough for a single vessel to pass at a time, and that +not without skilful pilotage and much caution. + +Assuming our reader to be now as fully familiar with the +scene as ourselves, let him next, in imagination, people +it, as on the occasion we have chosen for his introduction. +It was a warm, sunny, day in the early part of July. The +town itself was as quiet as if the glaive of war reposed +in its sheath, and the inhabitants pursued their wonted +avocations with the air of men who had nothing in common +with the active interest which evidently dominated the +more military portions of the scene. It was clear that +among these latter some cause for excitement existed, +fat, independently of the unceasing bustle within the +dock yard--a bustle which however had but one undivided +object-the completion and equipment of the large vessel +then on the stacks--the immediate neighbourhood of the +fort presented evidence of some more than ordinary +interest. The encampment of the Indians, on the verge +of the forest, had given forth the great body of their +warriors, and these clad in their gayest apparel, covered +with feathers and leggings of bright colours, decorated +with small tinkling bells that came not inharmoniously +on the ear, as they kept tone to the measured walk of +their proud wearers, were principally assembled around +and in front of the large building we have described as +being without, yet adjacent to, the fort. These warriors +might have been about a thousand in number, and amused +themselves variously--(the younger at least)--with +leaping--wrestling--ball playing-and the foot race--in +all which exercises they are unrivalled. The elders bore +no part in these amusements, but stood, or sat cross +legged, on the edge of the bank, smoking their pipes, +and expressing their approbation of the prowess or +dexterity of the victors in the games, by guttural, yet +rapidly uttered exclamations. Mingled with these were +some six or seven individuals, whose glittering costume +of scarlet announced them for officers of the garrison, +and elsewhere dispersed, some along the banks and crowding +the battery in front of the fort, or immediately around +the building, yet quite apart from their officers, were +a numerous body of the inferior soldiery. + +But although these distinct parties were assembled, to +all appearance, with a view, the one to perform in, the +other to witness, the active sports we have enumerated, +a close observer of the movements of all would hare +perceived there was something more important in +contemplation, to the enactment of which these exercises +were but a prelude. Both officers, and men, and even the +participators in the sports, turned their gaze frequently +up the Detroit, as if they expected some important +approach. The broad reach of the wide river, affording +an undisturbed view, as we have stated, for a distance +of some nine or ten miles, where commenced the near +extremity of Turkey Island, presented nothing, however, +as yet, to their gate, and repeatedly were the telescopes +of the officers raised only to fall in disappointment +from the eye. At length a number of small dark specks +were seen studding the tranquil bosom of the river, as +they emerged rapidly, one after the other, from the cover +of the island. The communication was made, by him who +first discovered them, to his companions. The elder +Indians who sat near the spot on which the officers stood, +were made acquainted with what even their own sharp sight +could not distinguish unaided by the glass. One sprang +to his feet, raised the telescope to his eye, and with +an exclamation of wonder at the strange properties of +the instrument, confirmed to his followers the truth of +the statement. The elders, principally chiefs, spoke in +various tongues to their respective warriors. The sports +were abandoned, and all crowded to the bank with anxiety +and interest depicted in their attitudes and demeanor. + +Meanwhile, the dark specks upon the water increased +momentarily in size. Presently they could be distinguished +for canoes, which, rapidly impelled, and aided in their +course by the swift current, were not long in developing +themselves to the naked eye. These canoes, about fifty +in number, were of bark, and of so light a description, +that a man of ordinary strength might, without undergoing +serious fatigue, carry one for miles. The warriors who +now propelled them, were naked in all save their leggings +and waist cloths, their bodies and faces begrimed with +paint: and as they drew neater, fifteen was observed to +be the complement of each. They sat by twos on the narrow +thwarts; and, with their faces to the prow, dipped their +paddles simultaneously into the stream, with a regularity +of movement not to be surpassed by the most experienced +boat's crew of Europe. In the stern of each sat a chief +guiding his bark, with the same unpretending but skilful +and efficient paddle, and behind him, drooping in the +breezeless air, and trailing in the silvery tide, was to +be seen a long pendant, bearing the red cross of England. + +It was a novel and beautiful sight to behold that imposing +fleet of canoes, apparently so frail in texture that the +dropping of a pebble between the skeleton ribs might be +deemed sufficient to perforate and sink them, yet withal +so ingeniously contrived as to bear safely not only the +warriors who formed their crews, hut also their arms of +all descriptions, and such light equipment of raiment +and necessaries as were indispensable to men who had to +voyage long and far in pursuit of the goal they were now +rapidly attaining. The Indians already encamped near the +fort, were warriors of nations long rendered familiar by +personal intercourse, not only with the inhabitants of +the district, but with the troops themselves; and these, +from frequent association with the whites, had lost much +of that fierceness which is so characteristic of the +North American Indian in his ruder state. Among these, +with the more intelligent Hurons, were the remnants of +those very tribes of Shawanees and Delawares whom we have +recorded to have borne, half a century ago, so prominent +a share in the confederacy against England, but who, +after the termination of that disastrous war, had so far +abandoned their wild hostility, as to have settled in +various points of contiguity to the forts to which they, +periodically, repaired to receive those presents which +a judicious policy so profusely bestowed. + +The reinforcement just arriving was composed principally +of warriors who had never yet pressed a soil wherein +civilization had extended her influence--men who had +never hitherto beheld the face of a white, unless it were +that of the Canadian trader, who, at stated periods, +penetrated fearlessly into their wilds for purposes of +traffic, and who to the bronzed cheek that exposure had +rendered nearly as swarthy as their own, united not only +the language but so wholly the dress--or rather the +undress of those he visited, that he might easily have +been confounded with one of their own dark blooded race. +So remote, indeed, were the regions in which some of +these warriors had been sought, that they were strangers +to the existence of more than one of their tribes, and +upon these they gazed with a surprise only inferior to +what they manifested, when, for the first time, they +marked the accoutrements of the British soldier, and +turned with secret, but unacknowledged awe and admiration +upon the frowning fort and stately shipping, bristling +with cannon, and vomiting forth sheets of flame as they +approached the shore. In these might have been studied +the natural dignity of man. Firm of step--proud of +mien--haughty yet penetrating of look, each leader offered +in his own person a model to the sculptor, which he might +vainly seek elsewhere. Free and unfettered in every limb, +they moved in the majesty of nature, and with an air of +dark reserve, passed, on landing, through the admiring +crowd. + +There was one of the number, however, and his canoe was +decorated with a richer and a larger flag, whose costume +was that of the more civilized Indians, and who in +nobleness of deportment, even surpassed those we have +last named. This was Tecumseh. He was not of the race +of either of the parties who now accompanied him, but of +one of the nations, many of whose warriors were assembled +on the bank awaiting his arrival. As the head chief of +the Indians, his authority was acknowledged by all, even +to the remotest of these wild but interesting people, +and the result of the exercise of his all-powerful +influence had been the gathering together of those +warriors, whom he had personally hastened to collect from +the extreme west, passing in his course, and with impunity, +the several American posts that lay in their way. In +order more fully to comprehend the motives and character +of this remarkable man, it may not be impertinent to +recur summarily to events that took place prior to the +declaration of war by the United States against England. + +It being a well established--and even by themselves +uncontradicted--fact, we can have no hesitation in stating +(what we trust no American will conceive to be stated in +illiberality of spirit, since such feeling we utterly +disclaim) that the government of the United States, bent +on the final acquisition of all the more proximate +possessions of the Indians, had for many consecutive +years, waged a war of extermination against these +unfortunate people, and more especially those residing +on the Wabash, to which the eye of interest or preference, +or both, had directed a jealous attention. For a series +of years the aggression had been prosecuted with fearful +issue to the Indians, when, at length, one of those daring +spirits, that appear like meteors, few and far between, +in the horizon of glory and intelligence, suddenly started +up in the person of Tecumseh, who, possessed of a genius, +as splendid in conception, as it was bold in execution, +long continued to baffle the plans and defeat the measures +of his most experienced enemies. Whether the warrior owed +his original influence, or rather the opportunity for +development of his extraordinary talents, both diplomatic +and warlike, to the fact of his being the brother of the +Prophet--a similar, and rather mean looking person, whom +a deep reading of the prejudices of his followers had +bound to him in an enthusiasm of superstitious credence +--whether, we repeat, Tecumseh owed his elevation to this +circumstance in part, or wholly to his own merit, it is +difficult to determine with certainty, but it is matter +of history, that plausible and powerful as the Prophet +had rendered himself, his more open and generous brother, +while despising in his heart the mummeries practised by +his wily relative, was not long in supplanting him in +the affections, as he rapidly superseded him in authority +and influence, over his people--All looked up to him as +the defender and saviour of their race, and so well did +he merit the confidence reposed in him, that it was not +long after his first appearance as a leader in the +war-path, that the Americans were made sensible, by +repeated defeat, of the formidable character of the chief +who had thrown himself into the breach of his nation's +tottering fortunes, resolved rather to perish on the spot +on which he stood, than to retire one foot from the home +of their forefathers. What self-ennobling actions the +warrior performed, and what talent he displayed during +that warfare, the page of American history must tell. +With the spirit to struggle against, and the subsequent +good fortune to worst the Americans in many conflicts, +these latter, although beaten, have not been wanting in +generosity to admire their formidable enemy while living, +neither have they failed to venerate his memory when +dead. If they have helped to bind the laurel around his +living brow, they have not been the less willing to weave +the cypress that encircles his memory. + +In almost every encounter with them, Tecumseh was more +or less successful; but, like the conqueror of other +days, he might have exclaimed, "another such victory and +I am lost." Weakened in a constant succession of +engagements, the Indians, and the Shawnees in particular, +now presented but a skeleton of their former selves, +while the Americans, on the contrary, with an +indefatigability that would have done credit to a better +cause, kept pouring in fresh forces to the frontier, +until, in the end, opposition to their purpose seemed +almost hopeless. It is doubtful, however, what would have +been the final result of a contest against a warrior of +such acknowledged ability and resource as Tecumseh, had +it not unfortunately happened that the Americans, taking +advantage of the performance of some of those mummeries +by which the Prophet still sought to uphold his fast +declining power, managed to surprise the Shawanee encampment +in the dead of night, when, favoured by circumstances, +they committed fearful havoc, nearly annihilating their +enemies. + +Finding every effort to preserve his situation on the +Wabash unavailing, Tecumseh, accompanied by the remnant +of his followers, fell back on the Ohio, Miami, and +Detroit, where his first object was to enter into a +treaty, offensive and defensive, with the formidable +nations of the Delawares, Hurons, etc. An alliance with +the English, then momentarily apprehending a rupture with +the United States, was, moreover renewed, and then with +the hope strong at his heart of combating his enemies +once more, with success, he had with exulting spirit and +bounding step, set out to win to the common interest, +the more distant tribes of the Sioux, Minouminies, +Winnebagoes, Kickapoos, etc., of whom he had secured the +services of the warriors just arrived. + +It was amidst the blaze of an united salvo from the demi +lune crowning the bank, and from the shipping, that the +noble chieftain, accompanied by the leaders of those wild +tribes, leaped lightly, yet proudly to the beach; and +having ascended the steep bank by a flight of rude steps +cut out of the earth, finally stood amid the party of +officers waiting to receive them. It would not a little +have surprised a Bond street exquisite of that day to +have witnessed the cordiality with which the dark hand +of the savage was successively pressed in the fairer +palms of the English officers, neither would his +astonishment have been abated, on remarking the proud +dignity of carriage maintained by the former, in this +exchange of courtesy, as though, while he joined heart +to hand wherever the latter fell, he seemed rather to +bestow than to receive a condescension. + +Had none of those officers ever previously beheld him, +the fame of his heroic deeds had gone sufficiently before +the warrior to have insured him their warmest greeting +and approbation, and none could mistake a form that, even +amid those who were a password for native majesty, stood +alone in its bearing: but Tecumseh was a stranger to few. +Since his defeat on the Wabash he had been much at +Amherstburg, where he had rendered himself conspicuous +by one or two animated and highly eloquent speeches, +having for their object the consolidation of a treaty, +in which the Indian interests were subsequently bound in +close union with those of England; and, up to the moment +of his recent expedition, had cultivated the most perfect +understanding with the English chiefs. + +It might, however, be seen that even while pleasure and +satisfaction at a reunion with those he in torn esteemed, +flashed from his dark and eager eye, there was still +lurking about his manner that secret jealousy of +distinction, which is so characteristic of the haughty +Indian. After the first warm salutations had passed, he +became sensible of the absence of the English chief; but +this was expressed rather by a certain outswelling of +his chest, and the searching glance of his restless eye, +than by any words that fell from his lips. Presently, +he whom he sought, and whose person had hitherto been +concealed by the battery on the hank, was seen advancing +towards him, accompanied by his personal staff. In a +moment the shade passed away from the brow of the warrior, +and warmly grasping and pressing, for the second time, +the hand of a youth--one of the group of junior officers +among whom he yet stood, and who had manifested even more +than his companions the unbounded pleasure he took in +the chieftain's re-appearance--he moved forward, with an +ardour of manner that was with difficulty restrained by +his sense of dignity, to give them the meeting. + +The first of the advancing party was a tall, martial +looking man, wearing the dress and insignia of a general +officer. His rather florid countenance was eminently +fine, if not handsome, offering, in its more Roman than +Grecian contour, a model of quiet, manly beauty; while +the eye, beaming with intelligence and candour, gave, in +the occasional flashes which it emitted, indication of +a mind of no common order. There was, notwithstanding, +a benevolence of expression about it that blended (in a +manner to excite attention) with a dignity of deportment, +as much the result of habitual self command, as of the +proud eminence of distinction on which he stood. The +sedative character of middle age, added to long acquired +military habits, had given a certain rigidity to his fine +form, that might have made him appear to a first observer +even older than he was, but the placidity of a countenance +beaming good will and affability, speedily removed the +impression, and, if the portly figure added to his years, +the unfurrowed countenance took from them in equal +proportion. + +At his side, hanging on his arm and habited in naval +uniform, appeared one who, from his familiarity of address +with the General, not less than by certain appropriate +badges of distinction, might be known as the commander +of the little fleet then lying in the harbour. Shorter +in person than his companion, his frame made up in activity +what it wanted in height, and there was that easy freedom +in his movements which so usually distinguishes the +carriage of the sailor, and which now offered a remarkable +contrast to that rigidity we have stated to have attached +(quite unaffectedly) to the military commander. His eyes, +of a much darker hue, sparkled with a livelier intelligence, +and although his complexion was also highly florid, if +was softened down by the general vivacity of expression +that pervaded his frank and smiling countenance. The +features, regular and still youthful, wore a bland and +pleasing character; while neither, in look, nor bearing, +nor word could there be traced any of that haughty reserve +usually ascribed to the "lords of the sea." There needed +no other herald to proclaim him for one who had already +seen honorable service, than the mutilated stump of what +had once been an arm: yet in this there was no boastful +display, as of one who deemed he had a right to tread +more proudly because he had chanced to suffer, where all +had been equally exposed, in the performance of a common +duty. The empty sleeve, unostentatiously fastened by a +loop from the wrist to a button of the lappel was suffered +to fall at his side, and by no one was the deficiency +less remarked than by himself. + +The greeting between Tecumseh and these officers, was +such as might be expected from warriors bound to each +other by mutual esteem. Each held the other in the highest +honor, but it was particularly remarked that while the +Indian Chieftain looked up to the General with the respect +he felt to be due to him, not merely as the dignified +representative of his "Great Father," but as one of a +heart and actions claiming his highest personal admiration, +his address to his companion, whom he now beheld for the +first time, was warmer, and more energetic; and as he +repeatedly glanced at the armless sleeve, he uttered one +of those quick ejaculatory exclamations, peculiar to his +race, and indicating, in this instance, the fullest extent +of approbation. The secret bond of sympathy which chained +his interest to the Commodore, might have owed its being +to another cause. In the countenance of the latter there +was much of that eagerness of expression, and in the eye +that vivacious fire, that flashed, even in repose, from +his own swarthier and more speaking features; and this +assimilation of character might have been the means of +producing that preference for, and devotedness to, the +cause of the naval commander, that subsequently developed +itself in the chieftain. In a word, the General seemed +to claim the admiration and the respect of the Indian-- +the Commodore, his admiration and friendship. + +The greeting between these generous leaders was brief. +When the first salutations had been interchanged, it was +intimated to Tecumseh, through the medium of an interpreter, +then in attendance on the General, that a war-council +had been ordered, for the purpose of taking into +consideration the best means of defeating the designs of +the Americans, who, with a view to offensive operations, +had, in the interval of the warrior's absence, pushed on +a considerable force to the frontier. The council, +however, had been delayed, in order that it might have +the benefit of his opinions, and of his experience in +the peculiar warfare which was about to be commenced. + +Tecumseh acknowledged his sense of the communication with +the bold frankness of the inartificial son of nature, +scorning to conceal his just self-estimate beneath a veil +of affected modesty. He knew his own worth, and while he +over-valued not one iota of that worth, so did he not +affect to disclaim a consciousness of the fact--that +within his swarthy chest and active brain there beat a +heart and lived a judgment, as prompt to conceive and +execute as those of the proudest he that ever swayed the +destinies of a warlike people. Replying to the +complimentary invitation of the General, he unhesitatingly +said he had done well to await his (Tecumseh's) arrival, +before he determined on his course of action, and that +he should now have the full benefit of his opinions and +advice. + +If the chief had been forcibly prepossessed in favour of +the naval commander, the latter had not been less +interested. Since his recent arrival, to assume the +direction of the fleet, Commodore Barclay had had +opportunities of seeing such of the chiefs as were then +assembled at Amherstburg; but great as had been his +admiration of several of these, he had been given to +understand they fell far short, in every moral and physical +advantage, of what their renowned leader would be found +to possess, when, on his return from the expedition in +which he was engaged, fitting opportunity should be had +of bringing them in personal proximity. This admission +was now made in the fullest sense, and as the warrior +moved away to give the greeting to the several chiefs, +and conduct them to the council hall, the gallant sailor +could not refrain from expressing, in the warmest terms +to General Brock, as they moved slowly forward with the +same intention, the enthusiastic admiration excited in +him by the person, the manner, and the bearing, of the +noble Tecumseh. + +Again the cannon from the battery and the shipping pealed +forth their thunder. It was the signal for the commencement +of the council, and the scene at that moment was one of +the most picturesque that can well be imagined. The sky +was cloudless, and the river, no longer ruffled by the +now motionless barks of the recently arrived Indians, +yet obeying the action of the tide, offered, as it glided +onward to the lake, the image of a flood of quick-silver; +while, in the distance, that lake itself, smooth as a +mirror, spread far and wide. Close under the bank yet +lingered the canoes, emptied only of their helmsmen (the +chiefs of the several tribes,) while, with strange tongues +and wilder gestures, the warriors of these, as they rested +on their paddles, greeted the loud report of the cannon-- +now watching with eager eye the flashes from the vessel's +sides, and now upturning their gaze, and following with +wild surprise, the deepening volumes of smoke that passed +immediately over their heads, from the guns of the battery, +hidden from their view by the elevated and overhanging +bank. Blended with each discharge arose the wild yell, +which they, in such a moment of novel excitement, felt +it impossible to control, and this, answered from the +Indians above and borne in echo almost to the American +shore, had in it something indescribably startling. On +the bank itself the effect was singularly picturesque. +Here were to be seen the bright uniforms of the British +officers, at the head of whom was the tall and martial +figure of General Brock, furthermore conspicuous from +the full and drooping feather that fell gracefully over +his military hat, mingled with the wilder and more fanciful +head dresses of the chiefs. Behind these again, and +sauntering at a pace that showed them to have no share +in the deliberative assembly, whither those we have just +named were now proceeding amid the roar of artillery, +yet mixed together in nearly as great dissimilarity of +garb, were to be seen numbers of the inferior warriors +and of the soldiery, while, in various directions, the +games recently abandoned by the adult Indians, were now +resumed by mere boys. The whole picture was one of strong +animation, contrasting as it did with the quiet of the +little post on the Island, where some twelve or fifteen +men, composing the strength of the detachment, were now +sitting or standing on the battery, crowned, as well as +the fort and shipping, and in compliment to the newly +arrived Indians, with the colours of England. + +Such was the scene, varied only as the numerous actors +in it varied their movements, when the event occurred, +with which we commence our next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Several hours had passed away in the interesting discussion +of their war plans, and the council was nearly concluded, +when suddenly the attention both of the officers and +chiefs was arrested by the report of a single cannon. +From the direction of the sound, it was evident the shot +had been fired from the battery placed on the southern +or lakeward extremity of the Island of Bois Blanc, and +as the circumstance was unusual enough to indicate the +existence of some approaching cause for excitement, +several of the younger of both, who, from their youth, +had been prevented from taking any active share in the +deliberations of the day, stole, successively and +unobservedly, through the large folding doors of the +building, which, owing to the great heat of the weather, +bad been left open. After traversing about fifty yards +of sward, intersecting the high road, which, running +parallel with the river, separated the council hall from +the elevated bank, the officers found, collected in groups +on the extreme verge of this latter and anxiously watching +certain movements in the battery opposite to them, most +of the troops and inferior Indians they had left loitering +there at the commencement of the council. Those movements +were hasty, and as of men preparing to repeat the shot, +the report of which had reached them from, the opposite +extremity of the Island. Presently the forms, hitherto +intermingled, became separate and stationary--an arm of +one was next extended--then was seen to rise a flash of +light, and then a volume of dense smoke, amid which the +loud report found its sullen way, bellowing like thunder +through some blackening cloud, while, from the peculiar +nature of the sound, it was recognized, by the experienced +in those matters, to have proceeded from a shotted gun. + +The war in Canada had its beginning in the manner thus +described. They were the first shots fired in that +struggle, and although at an object little calculated to +inspire ranch alarm, still, as the first indications of +an active hostility, they were proportionably exciting +to those whose lot it was thus to "break ground," for +operations on a larger scale. + +Although many an eager chief had found it difficult to +repress the strong feeling of mingled curiosity and +excitement, that half raised him from the floor on which +he sat, the first shot had been heard without the effect +of actually disturbing the assembly from its fair propriety; +but no sooner had the second report, accompanied as it +was by the wild yell of their followers without, reached +their ears, than, wholly losing sight of the dignity +attached to their position as councillors, they sprang +wildly up, and seizing the weapons that lay at their +side, rushed confusedly forth, leaving Tecumseh, and two +or three only of the more aged chiefs, behind them. The +debate thus interrupted, the council was adjourned, and +soon afterwards General Brock, accompanied by his staff, +and conversing, through his interpreter, with the Shawanee +chieftain as they walked, approached the groups still +crowded along the bank of the river. + +Meanwhile, after the discharge of the last gun, the +battery on the Island had been quitted by the officer in +command, who, descending to the beach, preceded by two +of his men, stepped into a light skiff that lay chained +to the gnarled root of a tree overhanging the current, +and close under the battery. A few sturdy strokes of the +oars soon brought the boat into the centre of the stream, +when the stout, broad built, figure, and carbuncled face +of an officer in the uniform of the ---- regiment, were +successively recognised, as he stood upright in the stem. + +"What the deuce brings Tom Raymond to us in such a hurry? +I thought the order of the General was that he should on +no account leave his post, unless summoned by signal," +observed one of the group of younger officers who had +first quitted the council hall, and who now waited with +interest for the landing of their companion. + +"What brings him here, can you ask?" replied one at the +side of the questioner, and with a solemnity of tone and +manner that caused the whole of the group to torn their +eyes upon him, as he mournfully shook his head. + +"Aye, WHAT brings him here?" repeated more than one voice, +while all closed inquiringly around for information. + +"Why, the thing is as clear as the carbuncles on his own +face--the boat to be sure. "And the truism was perpetrated +with the same provokingly ludicrous, yet evidently forced, +gravity of tone and manner. + +"Execrable, Middlemore--will you never give over that +vile habit of punning?" + +"Detestable," said another. + +"Ridiculous," repeated a third. + +"Pshaw, the worst you ever uttered, "exclaimed a fourth, +and each, as he thus expressed himself, turned away with +a movement of impatience. + +"That animal, Raymond, grows like a very porpoise," +remarked a young captain, who prided himself much on the +excessive smallness of his waist. "Methinks that, like +the ground hogs that abound on his Island, he must fatten +on hickory nuts. Only see how the man melts in the noon-day +sun. But as you say, Villiers, what can bring him here +without an order from the General? And then the gun last +fired. Ha! I have it. He has discovered a Yankee boat +stealing along through the other channel." + +"No doubt there is CRAFT of some description IN THE WIND," +pursued the incorrigible Middlemore, with the same affected +unconsciousness; "and that may account for poor Raymond +being BLOWN here." + +"Ha! severe, are you," returned Captain Molineux, the +Officer who had commented so freely upon the appearance +of the fat Lieutenant in the boat." But your pun, infamous +as it would be at the best, is utterly without point now, +for there has not been a breath of wind stirring during +the whole morning." + +"Pun, did you say?" exclaimed Middlemore, with well affected +surprise at the charge." My dear fellow, I meant no pun." + +Further remark was checked by an impatience to learn the +cause of Lieutenant Raymond's abrupt appearance, and the +officers approached the principal group. The former had +now reached the shore, and, shuffling up the bank as fast +as his own corpulency and the abruptness of the ascent +would permit, hastened to the General, who stood at some +little distance awaiting the expected communication of +the messenger. + +"Well, Mr. Raymond, what is it--what have you discovered +from your post?" demanded the General, who, with those +around him, found difficulty in repressing a smile at +the heated appearance of the fat subaltern, the loud +puffing of whose lungs had been audible before he himself +drew near enough to address the chief--"something important, +I should imagine, if we may judge from the haste with +which you appear to have travelled over the short distance +that separates us?" + +"Something very important, indeed, General," answered +the officer, touching his undress cap, and speaking +huskily from exertion; "there is a large bark, sir, filled +with men, stealing along shore in the American channel, +and I can see nothing of the gun boat that should be +stationed there. A shot was fired from the eastern battery, +in the hope of bringing her to, but, as the guns mounted +there are only carronades, the ball fell short, and the +suspicious looking boat crept still closer to the shore-- +I ordered a shot from my battery to be tried, but without +success, for, although within range, the boat hugs the +land so closely that it is impossible to distinguish her +hull with the naked eye." + +"The gun boat not to be seen, Mr. Raymond?" exclaimed +the General; "how is this, and who is the officer in +command of her?" + +"One," quickly rejoined the Commodore, to whom the last +query was addressed; "whom I had selected for that duty +for the very vigilance and desire for service attributed +to him by my predecessor--of course I have not been long +enough here, to have much personal knowledge of him +myself." + +"His name?" asked the General. + +"Lieutenant Grantham." + +"Grantham?" repeated the General, with a movement of +surprise; "It is indeed strange that HE should forego +such an opportunity." + +"Still more strange," remarked the Commodore, "that the +boat he commands should have disappeared altogether. Can +there be any question of his fidelity? the Granthams are +Canadians, I understand." + +The General smiled, while the young officer who had been +noticed so particularly by Tecumseh on his landing, +colored deeply. + +"If," said the former, "the mere circumstance of their +having received existence amid these wilds can make them +Canadians, they certainly are Canadians; but if the blood +of a proud race can make them Britons, such they are. Be +they which they may however, I would stake my life on +the fidelity of the Granthams--still, the cause of this +young officer's absence must be inquired into, and no +doubt it will be satisfactorily explained. Meanwhile, +let a second gunboat be detached in pursuit." + +The Commodore having given the necessary instructions to +a young midshipman, who attended him in the capacity of +an aid-de-camp, and the general having dismissed Lieutenant +Raymond back to his post on the island, these officers +detached themselves from the, crowd, and, while awaiting +the execution of the order, engaged in earnest conversation. + +"By Jove, the Commodore is quite right in his observation," +remarked the young and affected looking officer, who had +been to profuse in his witticisms on the corpulency of +Lieutenant Raymond; "the General may say what he will in +their favour, but this is the result of entrusting so +important a command to a Canadian." + +"What do you mean, sir?" hastily demanded one even younger +than himself--it was the youth already named, whose +uniform attested him to be a brother officer of the +speaker. He had been absent for a few minutes, and only +now rejoined his companions, in time to hear the remark +which had just been uttered. + +"What do you mean, Captain Molineux?" he continued, his +dark eye flashing indignation, and his downy cheek +crimsoning with warmth. "Why this remark before me, sir, +and wherefore this reflection on the Canadians?" + +"Why really, Mr. Grantham," somewhat sententiously drawled +the captain; "I do not altogether understand your right +to question in this tone--nor am I accountable for any +observations I may make. Let me tell you, moreover--" +this was said with the advising air of a superior in +rank--"that it will neither be wise not prudent in you, +having been received into a British regiment, to become +the Don Quixotte of your countrymen." + +"RECEIVED into a British regiment, sir! do you then +imagine that I, more than yourself, should feel this to +be a distinction," haughtily returned the indignant youth. +"But, gentlemen, your pardon," checking himself and +glancing at the rest of the group, who were silent +witnesses of the scene; "I confess I do feel the distinction +of being admitted into so gallant a corps--this in a way, +however, that must be common to us all. Again I ask, +Captain Molineux," turning to that officer, "the tendency +of the observation you have publicly made in regard to +my brother." + +"Your question, Mr. Grantham, might, with as much propriety, +be addressed to any other person in the full enjoyment +of his senses, whom you see here, since it is the general +topic of conversation; but, as you seem to require an +answer from me particularly, you shall have it. My remark +referred to the absence of the officer in charge of the +gun boat, from the station allotted to him, at a moment +when an ARMED vessel of the enemy is in sight. Is this +the fact, or is it not?" + +"By which remark," returned the other, "you would imply +that officer is either guilty of gross neglect or--" + +"I draw no inferences, Mr. Grantham, but, even if I did, +I should be more borne out by circumstances than you +imagine." + +"It is plain you would insinuate that my brother shuns +the enemy, Captain Molineux--You shall answer to me for +this insult, sir." + +"As you please, Mr. Grantham, but on one condition only." + +"Name it, sir, name it," said the younger officer quickly. + +"That it is satisfactorily proved your brother has NOT +shunned the enemy." + +Bitter feelings swelled the heart of the enthusiastic +Grantham, as, unconsciously touching the hilt of his +sword, he replied: "If your hope of avoidance rest on +this, sir, it will be found to hang upon a very thread +indeed." + +The attention of the group where this unpleasant scene +had occurred, and indeed of all parties, was now diverted +by the sudden appearance of the American boat, as, shooting +past the head of the Island, which had hitherto concealed +her from the view of the assembled crowds, her spars and +white sails became visible in the far distance. A slight +and favorable breeze, blowing off the shore which she +still closely hugged, had now apparently sprung up, and, +spreading all her canvass, she was evidently making every +effort to get beyond the reach of the battery, (whither +Lieutenant Raymond had returned) under whose range she +was unavoidably impelled by the very wind that favored +her advance. Owing to some temporary difficulty, the gun +boat, just ordered by the Commodore to follow in pursuit, +was longer than suited the emergency in getting under +way, and when she had succeeded in so doing, nearly half +an hour elapsed, before, owing to the utter absence of +wind (which was partial and wholly confined to the opposite +shore) as well as the rapidity of the current, she could +be brought by the aid of her long and cumbrous sweeps to +clear the head of the Island. The American, now discovered +to be full of troops, had by this time succeeded in +getting out of the range of a fire, which although well +directed had proved harmless, and, using every exertion +of oar and sail, bade fair, favored as she was by the +breeze which reached not the canvass of her enemy, to +effect her escape. + +Concern sat on every brow, and was variously expressed-- +loud yells marking the fierce disappointment of the +Indians, and undisguised murmurs that of the more +disciplined troops. Coupled with this feeling, among +the officers at least, naturally arose the recollection +of him to whose apparent neglect this escape of the enemy +was to be attributed, until at length the conduct of +Lieutenant Grantham was canvassed generally, and with a +freedom little inferior to that which, falling from the +lips of Captain Molineux, had so pained his sensitive +brother; with this difference, however, that, in this +instance they were the candidly expressed opinions of +men arraigning the conduct of one of their fellows +apparently guilty of a gross dereliction from duty, and +not, as in the former they had seemed to be, with any +ungenerous allusion to his fidelity. + +Warmly, and therefore audibly, commented on as was the +unaccountable absence of the officer, by individuals of +almost every rank, it was impossible that many of those +observations could escape the attention of the excited +Henry Grantham. Mortified beyond measure at the fact, +yet unable, as be had done before, to stand forth the +champion of his brother's honor, where all (with a very +few exceptions, among whom he had the consolation to find +the General) were united in opinion against him, his +situation was most painful. Not that he entertained the +remotest doubt of his brother bearing himself harmlessly +through the ordeal, but that his generous, yet haughty +spirit, could ill endure the thought of any human being +daring to cherish, much less to cast the slightest +aspersion on his blood. + +Finding it vain to oppose himself to the torrent of openly +expressed opinion, the mortified youth withdrew to a +distance, and, hastening among the rude tumuli we have +described, as being scattered about the edge of the bank, +stood watching, with folded arms and heaving chest, the +gradually receding bark of the enemy. Alternately, as he +thus gazed, his dark eye now flashed with the indignation +of wounded pride, now dilated with the exulting +consciousness of cooling triumph. The assurance was strong +within him, not only that his brother would soon make +his appearance before the assembled groups who had had +the cruelty to impugn his conduct, but that he would do +so under circumstances calculated to change their warm +censure into even more vehement applause. Fully impressed +with the integrity of his absent relative, the impetuous +and generous hearted youth paused not to reflect that +circumstances were such as to justify the belief--or at +least, the doubt--that had been expressed, even by the +most impartial of those who had condemned him. It seemed +to him that others ought to have known and judged him as +he himself did, and he took a secret delight in dwelling +on the self-reproach which (measuring the feelings of +others by the standard of his own,) he conceived would +attach to them, when it should be found how erroneous +had been the estimate formed of his character. + +While he thus gazed, with eyes intently bent upon the +river, and manifesting even a deeper interest as the +fleeing bark drew momentarily nearer to one particular +point in the distance, the young officer heard footsteps +approaching him. Hastily dashing away a tear which had +been called up by a variety of emotions, he tamed and +beheld the Chieftain Tecumseh, and with him one, who, in +the full uniform of the British Staff, united, in his +tall and portly figure, the martial bearing of the soldier +to the more polished graces of the habitual courtier. + +"Henry, my noble boy," exclaimed the latter, as he pressed +the hand of the youth, "you must not yield to these +feelings. I have marked your impatience at the observations +caused by Gerald's strange absence, but I have brought +you one who is too partial to you both, to join in the +condemnation. I have explained every thing to him, and +he it was who, remarking you to be alone and suspecting +the cause, first proposed coming to rouse you from your +reverie." + +Affectionately answering the grasp of his noble looking +uncle, (such was the consanguinity of the parties,) Henry +Grantham turned at the same time his eloquent eye upon +that of the chieftain, and, in a few brief but expressive +sentences, conveyed, in the language of the Warrior, +(with which the brothers were partially conversant), the +gratification he experienced in his unchanged confidence +in the absent officer. + +As he concluded, with a warmth of manner that delighted +him to whom he addressed himself, their hands met for +the third time that day. Tecumseh at length replied, by +pointing significantly to the canoes which still lay +floating on the river, unemptied of their warriors, +staling at the same time, that had not his confidence in +his young friend been unbounded, he would long since have +dispatched those canoes in pursuit; but he was unwilling +the officer should lose any of the credit that must attach +to the capture. "I know," he concluded, "where he is +lying like the red skin in ambush for his enemy. Be +patient, and we shall soon see him." + +Before Henry Grantham could find time to inquire if the +place of ambush was not the same to which his own hopes, +induced by his perfect knowledge of localities, had, +throughout, pointed as the spot most likely to conceal +the hitherto invisible gun boat, his attention, and that +of his immediate companion, was drawn to a scene that +carried a glow of exaltation to the bosoms of them all. + +The American boat, long since out of range of the battery, +and scudding with a speed that mocked the useless exertion +of those on board of the second gun boat, who could with +difficulty impel her through the powerful eddy, formed +by the Island, had been gradually edging from her own +shore into the centre of the stream. This movement, +however, had the effect of rendering her more +distinguishable to the eye, breasting, as she did, the +rapid stream, than while hugging the land, even when much +nearer, she had been confounded with the dark outline of +brushwood which connected the forest with the shore. She +had now arrived opposite a neck of land beyond which ran +a narrow, deep creek, the existence of which was known +only to few, and here it chanced that in the exultation +of escape, (for they were not slow to perceive the +difficulties opposed to the progress of their pursuer,) +they gave a cheer that was echoed back from either shore, +hoisting at the same moment the American colours. Scarcely, +however, had this cheer been uttered, when a second and +more animating, was heard from a different point, and +presently, dashing into the river, and apparently issuing +from the very heart of the wood, was to be seen the gun +boat which had been the subject of so much conversation, +every stitch of her white canvass bellying from the masts, +and her dark prow buried in a wreath of foam created by +her own speed. As she neared the American, a column of +smoke, followed a second or two later, by a dull report, +rose from her bows, enveloping her a moment from the +view, and when next visible she was rapidly gaining on +the chase. The yells of the Indians, and the hurrahs of +the soldiers gave an indescribable animation to the scene. + +This was, indeed, a moment of proud triumph to the heart +of Henry Grantham. He saw his brother not only freed from +every ungenerous imputation, but placed in a situation +to win to himself the first laurels that were to be +plucked in the approaching strife. The "Canadian" as he +imagined he had been superciliously termed, would be the +first to reap for Britain's sons the fruits of a war in +which those latter were not only the most prominent +actors, but also the most interested. Already in the +enthusiasm of his imagination, he pictured to himself +the honor and promotion, which bestowed upon his gallant +brother, would be reflected upon himself, and, in the +deep excitement of his feelings he could not avoid saying +aloud, heedless of the presence of his uncle: + +"Now, Captain Molineux, your own difficulty is removed--my +brother has revenged himself. With me you will have an +account to settle on my own score." + +"What do you mean, Henry?" seriously inquired Colonel +D'Egville; "surely you have not been imprudent enough to +engage in a quarrel with one of your brother officers." + +Henry briefly recounted the conversation which had taken +place between Captain Molineux and himself. + +"Far be it from my intention to check the nice sense of +honor which should be inherent in the breast of every +soldier," returned his uncle impressively, "but you are +too sensitive, Henry; Captain Molineux, who is, moreover, +a very young man, may not have expressed himself in the +most guarded manner, but he only repeated what I have +been compelled to hear myself--and from persons not only +older, but much higher in rank. Take my advice, therefore, +and let the matter rest where it is; Gerald, you see, has +given the most practical denial to any observations which +have been uttered of a nature derogatory to his honor." + +"True," quickly returned the youth, with a flushing cheek, +"Gerald is sufficiently avenged, but you forget the taunt +he uttered against Canadians." + +"And if he did utter such taunt, why acknowledge it as +such," calmly rejoined Colonel D'Egville, "are you ashamed +of the name? I too am a Canadian, but so far from +endeavoring to repudiate my country, I feel pride in +having received my being in a land where every thing +attests the sublimity and magnificence of nature. Look +around you, my nephew, and ask yourself what there in +the wild grandeur of these scenes to disown? But ha!" as +he cast his eyes upon the water; "I fear Gerald will lose +his prize after all--that cunning Yankee is giving him +the Indian double." + +During the foregoing short conversation, an important +change had been effected in the position of the adverse +boats. The shot fired, apparently with the view of +bringing the enemy to, had produced no favorable result; +but no sooner had the gun boat come abreast with the +chase, than the latter, suddenly clewing up her sails, +put her helm about, and plying every oar with an exertion +proportioned to the emergency, made rapidly for the coast +she had recently left. The intention of the crew was, +evidently to abandon the unarmed boat, and to seek safety +in the woods. Urged by the rapidity of her own course, +the gun boat had shot considerably ahead, and when at +length she also was put about, the breeze blew so +immediately in her teeth that it was found impossible to +regain the advantage which had been lost. Meanwhile, the +American continued her flight, making directly for the +land, with a rapidity that promised fair to baffle every +exertion on the part of her pursuer. The moment was one +of intense interest to the crowd of spectators who lined +the bank. At each instant it was expected the fire of +the gun boat would open upon the fugitives; but although +this was obviously the course to be adopted, it being +apparent a single shot was sufficient to sink her, not +a flash was visible--not a report was heard. Presently, +however, while the disappointment of the spectators from +the bank was rising into murmurs, a skiff filled with +men was seen to pull from the gun boat in the direction +taken by the chase, which was speedily hidden from view +by the point of land from which the latter had previously +been observed to issue. Behind this, her pursuer, also +disappeared, and after the lapse of a few minutes pistol +and musket shots were distinguished, although they came +but faintly on the ear. These gradually became more +frequent and less distinct, until suddenly there was a +profound pause--then three cheers were faintly heard--and +all again was still. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +A full half hour had succeeded to these sounds of conflict, +and yet nothing could be seen of the contending boats. +Doubt and anxiety now took place of the confidence that +had hitherto animated the bosoms of the spectators, and +even Henry Grantham--his heart throbbing painfully with +emotions induced by suspense--knew not what inference to +draw from the fact of his brother's protracted absence. +Could it be that the American, defended as she was by a +force of armed men, had succeeded, not only in defeating +the aim of her pursuer, but also in capturing her? Such +a result was not impossible. The enemy against whom they +had to contend yielded to none in bravery; and as the +small bark which had quitted the gun boat was not one +third of the size of that which they pursued, it followed +of necessity, that the assailants must be infinitely +weaker in numbers than the assailed. Still no signal of +alarm was made by the gun boat, which continued to lie +to, apparently in expectation of the return of the detached +portion of her crew. Grantham knew enough of his brother's +character to feel satisfied that he was in the absent +boat, and yet it was impossible to suppose that one so +imbued with the spirit of generous enterprise should hare +succumbed to his enemy, after a contest of so short +duration, as, from the number of shots heard, this had +appeared to be. That it was terminated, there could be +no doubt. The cheers, which had been followed by an +universal silence, had given evidence of this fact; yet +why, in that case, if his brother had been victorious, +was he not already on his return? Appearances, on the +other hand, seemed to induce an impression of his defeat. +The obvious course of the enemy, if successful, was to +abandon their craft, cut off from escape by the gun boat +without, and to make the best of their way through the +woods, to their place of destination--the American fort +of Detroit,--and, as neither party was visible, it was +to be feared this object had been accomplished. + +The minds of all were more or less influenced by these +doubts, bat that of Henry Grantham was especially disturbed. +From the first appearance of the gun boat, his spirits +had resumed their usual tone, for he had looked upon the +fleeing bark as the certain prize of his brother, whose +conquest was to afford the flattest denial to the +insinuation that had been breathed against him. Moreover, +his youthful pride bad exulted in the reflection that +the first halo of victory would play around the brow of +one for whom he could have made every personal sacrifice; +and now, to have those fair anticipations clouded at the +very moment when he was expecting their fullest +accomplishment, was almost unendurable. He felt, also, +that, although his resolution was thus made to stand +prominently forth, the prudence of his brother would +assuredly be called in question, for having given chase +with so inferior a force, when a single gun fired into +his enemy must have sunk her. In the impatience of his +feelings, the excited young soldier could not refrain +from adding his own censure of the imprudence, exclaiming +as he played hit foot nervously upon the ground: "Why +the devil did he not fire and sink her, instead of +following in that nutshell?" + +While he was yet giving utterance to his disappointment, +a hasty exclamation met his ear, from the chieftain at +his side, who, placing one hand on the shoulder of the +officer with a familiar and meaning grasp, pointed, with +the forefinger of the other, in the direction in which +the boats had disappeared. Before Grantham's eye could +follow, an exulting yell from the distant masses of +Indians announced an advantage that was soon made obvious +to all. The small dark boat of the pursuing party was +now seen issuing from behind the point, and pulling slowly +towards the gun boat. In due course of a minute or two +afterwards appeared the American, evidently following in +the wake of the former, and attached by a tow line to +her stem. The yell pealed forth by the Indians, when the +second boat came in view, was deafening in the extreme; +and every thing became commotion along the bank, while +the little fleet of canoes, which still lay resting on +the beach, put off one after the other to the scene of +action. + +Meanwhile, both objects had gained the side of the gun +boat, which, favored by a partial shifting of the wind, +now pursued her course down the river with expanded sails. +Attached to her stern, and following at quarter cable +distance, was to be seen her prize, from which the +prisoners had been removed, while above the American flag +was hoisted, in all the pride of a first conquest, the +Union-Jack of England. + +Informed of the success which had crowned the enterprise +of their officer, the crews of the several vessels in +the harbour swelled the crowd assembled on the bank near +the fort, to which point curiosity and a feeling of +interest had moreover brought many of the town's people, +so that the scene finally became one of great animation. + +The gun boat had now arrived opposite the fort, when the +small bark, which had recently been used in pursuit, was +again drawn up to the quarter. Into this, to the surprise +of all, was first lowered a female, hitherto unobserved; +next followed an officer in the blue uniform of the United +States regular army; then another individual, whose garb +announced him as being of the militia, and whose rank as +an officer was only distinguishable from the cockade +surmounting his round hat, and an ornamented dagger thrust +into a red morocco belt encircling his waist. After these +came the light and elegant form of one, habited in the +undress of a British naval officer, who, with one arm +supported by a black silk handkerchief, evidently taken +from his throat, and suspended from his neck, and with +the other grasping the tiller of the rudder, stood upright +in the boat, which, urged by six stout rowers, now flew +at his command towards the landing place, above which +lingered, surrounded by several officers of either service, +General Brock and Commodore Barclay. + +"Well, Commodore, what think you of your Lieutenant now!" +observed the former to his friend; "the young Canadian, +you must admit, has nobly redeemed my pledge. On the +score of his fidelity there could exist no doubt, and as +for his courage, you see," pointing to the young man's +arm," his conquest has not been bloodless to himself, at +least." + +"With all my soul do I disclaim the wrong I have done +him," was the emphatic and generous rejoinder." He is, +indeed, a spirited youth; and well worthy of the favorable +report which led me to entrust him with the command-- +moreover he has an easy grace of carriage which pleased +and interested me in his favor, when first I saw him. +Even now, observe how courteously he bends himself to +the ear of his female prisoner, as if to encourage her +with words of assurance, that she may sustain the presence +and yells of these clamorous beings." + +The boat had now reached the beach, but the difficulty +of effecting a passage, through the bands of wild Indians +that crowded, yelling, in every direction, to take a +nearer view of the prisoners, would, perhaps, have proved +insurmountable, had it not been for the interference of +one who alone possessed the secret of restraining their +lawlessness. Tecumseh had descended to the beach, eager +to be the first to congratulate his young friend. He +pressed the hand promptly extended to receive his, and +then, at a single word, made those give way whose presence +impeded the landing of the party. + +Pursuing their way up the rude steps by which Lieutenant +Raymond had previously descended, the little band of +prisoners soon stood in the presence of the group assembled +to receive them. On alighting from the boat, the youthful +captor had been seen to make the tender of his uninjured +arm to the lady, who, however, had rejected it, with a +movement, seemingly of indignant surprise, clinging in the +same moment to her more elderly companion. A titter among +the younger officers, at Gerald Grantham's expense, had +followed this somewhat rode rejection of his proffered aim. + +The young sailor was the first to gain the summit of the +bank. Respectfully touching his hat, and pointing to the +captives, who followed a few paces as in his rear: + +"General--Commodore," he observed, his cheek flashing +with a consciousness of the gratifying position in which +he stood, "I have the honor to present to you the first +fruits of our good fortune. We hare taken thirty soldiers +of the American regular regiment, now in garrison at +Detroit, besides the boat's crew. This gentleman," pointing +to the elder officer, "is the commander of the party, +and the lady I believe is--" + +"Certainly a non-combatant on this occasion," interrupted +the General, raising his plumed hat, and bowing to the +party alluded to; "Gentlemen," he pursued, addressing +the two officers," I am sorry we do not meet exactly on +the terms to which we hare so long been accustomed; but, +although the fortune of war has made you rather unwilling +guests in the present instance, the rites of hospitality +shall not be the less observed. But, Mr. Grantham, you +have forgotten to introduce these officers by name." + +"I plead guilty, General, but the truth is I have neglected +to make the inquiry myself." + +"Major Montgomerie, sir of the United States infantry," +interposed the elderly officer, completely set at his +ease by the affable and attentive manner of the British +leader. "This young lady is my niece." + +Again the general slightly, but courteously, bowed. "I +will not, Major Montgomerie, pay you the ill timed +compliment of expressing pleasure in seeing you on an +occasion like the present, since we must unquestionably +consider you a prisoner of war; but if the young lady +your niece, has any desire to continue her journey to +Detroit, I shall feel pleasure in forwarding her thither +under a flag of truce." + +"I thank you much, General, for this mark of your +attention," returned the American;" but I think I may +venture to answer for my niece, that she will prefer +remaining with me." + +"Not so, sir;" said a voice deep but femininely soft. +"General," she continued, throwing aside her veil, which +had hitherto concealed features pale even to wanness," +I have the strongest--the most urgent reasons--for the +prosecution of my journey, and gladly do I accept your +offer." + +The earnest manner of her address struck every hearer +with surprise, contrasting as it did, with the unchanging +coldness of her look; but the matter was a source of +serious concern to her uncle. He regarded her with an +air of astonishment, not unmixed with displeasure. + +"How is this, Matilda," he asked; "after having travelled +thus far into the heart of this disturbed district would +you now leave me?" + +"Major Montgomerie," she pursued, somewhat impatiently, +"we are in the presence of strangers, to whom this +discussion must be uninteresting--My mind is fully made +up, and I avail myself of the British General's offer." + +"Certainly, certainly," observed that officer, somewhat +disconcerted by the scene; "and I can do it the more +readily, as it is my intention to send an instant summons +to the garrison of Detroit. Miss Montgomerie will, however, +do well to consider before she decides. If the summons +be not obeyed, another week will see our columns marching +to the assault, and she must be prepared for all the +horrors of such an extremity, aided, as I am compelled +to be, (and he glanced at the groups of Indians who were +standing around, but at some distance, looking silently +yet eagerly at the prisoners,) by these wild and +ungovernable warriors. Should she, on the contrary, decide +on remaining here with her uncle, she will be perfectly +safe." + +"General," emphatically returned Miss Montgomerie, "were +I certain that the columns to which you allude would not +be repulsed whenever they may venture upon that assault, +and were I as certain of perishing beneath the tomahawk +and scalping knife of these savages"--and she looked +fearlessly towards them--"still would my determination +remain the same." + +As she concluded a hectic spot rose to either cheek, +lingered there a moment, and then left it colorless as +before. + +"Be it so, Miss Montgomerie, my word is pledged, and you +shall go--Grantham, I had intended sending one of my +personal staff with the summons, but, on reflection, you +shall be the bearer. As the captor of the lady, to you +should be awarded the charge of delivering her over to +her friends." + +"Friends!" involuntarily repeated the fair American, her +cheek becoming even paler than before, and her lips +compressed in a way to indicate some deep and painful +emotion. Again she dropped her veil. + +No other notice was taken of the interruption than what +the surprised manner of Major Montgomerie manifested, +and the General proceeded: + +"I would ask you, Major Montgomerie, to become my guest, +while you remain with us, but fear that, as a bachelor, +I have but indifferent accomodation to offer to your +niece." + +"If Miss Montgomerie will accept it," said Colonel +D'Egville, interposing, "I shall be most happy to afford +her the accomodation of a home until she finally departs +for the opposite coast. If the attention of a family of +daughters," he continued, more immediately addressing +himself to the young lady, "can render your temporary +sojourn among us less tedious, you have but to command +them." + +So friendly an offer could not well be refused. Miss +Montgomerie inclined her head in acquiescence, and Colonel +D'Egville drew her arm within his own. + +"It were unkind," remarked the General good humouredly, +"to separate Major Montgomerie altogether from his niece. +Either the young lady must partake of our rude fare, or +we shall consider ourselves included in your dinner party." + +"You could not confer on me a greater pleasure, General-- +and indeed I was about to solicit it. Commodore Barclay, +may I hope that so short and unceremonious an invitation +will be excused by the circumstances? Good--I shall expect +you. But there is yet another to be included among our +guests. Gerald, you will not fail to conduct this +gentleman, whose name I have not yet had the pleasure of +hearing"--and he looked at the latter, as if he expected +him to announce himself. + +"I fear sir," observed the young officer pointedly, "that +your dinner party would be little honored by such an +addition. Although he wears the uniform of an American +officer, this person is wholly unworthy of a seat at your +table." + +"Every eye was turned with an expression of deep +astonishment on the speaker, and thence upon the form of +the hitherto scarcely noticed militia officer; who, with +his head sunk sullenly upon his chest, and an eye now +and then raised stealthily to surrounding objects, made +no attempt to refute, or even to express surprise at, +the singular accusation of his captor. + +"This is strong language to apply to a captive enemy, +and that enemy, apparently, an officer," gravely remarked +the General: "yet I cannot believe Mr. Grantham to be +wholly without grounds for his assertion." + +Before Grantham could reply, a voice in the crowd exclaimed, +as if the utterer had been thrown off his guard, "what, +Phil!" + +On the mention of this name, the American looked suddenly +up from the earth on which bit gaze had been rivetted, +and cast a rapid glance around him. + +"Nay, nay, my young friend, do not, as I see you are, +feel hurt at my observation," resumed the General extending +his hand to Gerald Grantham; "I confess I did at one +moment imagine that you had been rash in your assertion, +but from what has this instant occurred, it is evident +your prisoner is known to others as well as to yourself-- +No doubt we shall have every thing explained in due season. +By the bye, of what nature is your wound? Slight I should +say, from the indifference with which you treat it. + +"Slight, General--far slighter," he continued, coloring, +"than the wound that was sought to be affixed to my fair +name in absence." + +All looked at the speaker, and at each other with surprise, +for, as yet, there could have been no communication to +him of the doubts which had been entertained. + +"Who is it of you all, gentlemen," pursued the young man, +with the same composedness of voice and manner, and +turning particularly to the officers of the ---- Regiment, +who were grouped around their Chief; "Who is it, I ask, +on whom has devolved the enviable duty of reporting me +as capable of violating my faith as a subject, and my +honor as an officer?" + +There was no reply, although the same looks of surprise +were interchanged; but, as he continued to glance his +eye around the circle, it encountered, either by accident +or design, that of Captain Molineux, on whose rather +confused countenance the gaze of Henry Grantham was at +that moment bent with an expression of much meaning. + +"No one answers," continued the youth; "then the sting +has been harmless. But I crave your pardon, General--I +am claiming an exemption from censure which may not be +conceded by all. Commodore, how shall I dispose of my +prisoners?" + +"Not so, Mr. Grantham; you have sufficiently established +your right to repose, and I have already issued the +necessary instructions. Yet, while you have nobly acquitted +yourself of YOUR duty, let me also perform mine. Gentlemen," +he continued, addressing the large circle of officers, +"I was the first to comment on Mr. Grantham's supposed +neglect of duty, and to cast a doubt on his fidelity. +That I was wrong I admit, but right I trust will be my +reparation, and whatever momentary pain he may experience +in knowing that he has been thus unjustly judged, it will +I am sure be more than compensated for, when he hears +that by General Brock himself his defence was undertaken, +even to the pledging of his own honor--Mr. Grantham," +concluded the gallant officer, "how you have obtained +your knowledge of the conversation that passed here, +during your absence, is a mystery I will not now pause +to inquire into, but I would fain apologize for the wrong +I have done. Have I your pardon?" + +At the commencement of this address, the visible heaving +of his full chest, the curling of his proud lip, and the +burning flush of his dark cheek, betrayed the mortification +Gerald felt, in having been placed in a position to be +judged thus unjustly; but, as the Commodore proceeded, +this feeling gradually passed away, and when the warm +defence of his conduct, by the General, was alluded to, +closed as the information was with a request for pardon, +his temporary annoyance was banished, and he experienced +only the generous triumph of one who is conscious of +having won his way, through calumny and slander, to the +well merited approbation of all right minded men. + +"Come, come," interposed the General, more touched than +he was willing to appear by the expressive manner in +which the only hand of the Commodore now grasped that of +his Lieutenant, and perceiving that the latter was about +to reply; "We will defer all further explanation until +a later period. But, before we depart, this person must +be disposed of--Major Montgomerie, excuse my asking if +you will be personally responsible for your fellow +prisoner?" + +"Certainly not," returned the Major quickly, and with +something like alarm at the required responsibility; +"that is to say, he does not belong to the United States +regular service, and I know nothing of him. Indeed, I +never saw him before last night, when he joined me with +a verbal message from Detroit." + +Hitherto the individual spoken of had preserved an unbroken +silence, keeping, as we have already shown, his gaze +rivetted on the ground, except at intervals when he seemed +to look around,--with an eye of suspicion, as if to +measure the distance that separated him from the groups +of Indians in the background. The disclaimer of the Major +had, however, the effect of restoring to him the use of +his tongue. Casting his uncertain eye on the gentlemanly +person of the latter he exclaimed, in a tone of insufferable +vulgarity; + +"I'll tell you what it is, Mister Major--you may think +yourself a devilish fine feller, but I guess as how an +officer of the Michigan Militia is just as good and as +spry as any blue coat in the United States rig'lars; so +there's that (snapping his fingers) for pretendin' not +to know me." + +An ill suppressed titter pervaded the group of British +officers--the General alone preserving his serieux. + +"May I ask your name?" he demanded. + +"I guess, Giniril, it's Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi; +Ensign in the United States Michigan Militia," was answered +with a volubility strongly in contrast with the preceding +silence of the speaker. + +"Then, Mr. Arnoldi, as an officer in the American Militia, +you shall enjoy your liberty on parole. I need not, I +presume, sir, point out to you the breach of private +honor and national faith consequent on any violation of +that parole." + +"I guess not, Giniril, for, I take it, the word of a +Michigan Militia officer is as good as that of any United +States rig'lar, as ever stepped in shoe leather." + +Another very pardonable disposition, on the part of the +younger officers to indulge in mirth, was interrupted by +the General, desiring a young aid-de-camp to procure the +necessary billet and accomodation for Ensign Arnoldi. + +These two individuals having moved away in search of the +required lodging, the General, with his staff and prisoner +guests, withdrew towards the fort. Their departure was +the signal for the breaking up of the groups; and all +dispersed to their several homes, and in pursuit of their +various duties. The recently arrived Indians were +distributed throughout the encampment, already occupied +as we have described, and the prisoners taken in the +morning were provided with suitable accommodation. + +As Colonel D'Egville was about to enter the gate of the +fort, with his fair charge leaning on his arm, Gerald +Grantham approached the party, with the intention of +addressing the General in regard to the prisoner Arnoldi; +but finding him engaged in close conversation with Major +Montgomerie, he lingered, as if awaiting a fitting +opportunity to open the subject. + +While he yet loitered the eye of Miss Montgomerie met +his. What it expressed we will not venture to describe, +but its effect upon the young officer was profound. The +moment before, discouraged by her apparent reserve, he +had stood coldly by, but now startled into animation, he +bent upon her an earnest and corresponding look; then +with a wild tumult at his heart, which he neither sought +to stifle nor to analyze, and wholly forgetting what had +brought him to the spot, he turned and joined his brother, +who, at a short distance, stood awaiting his return. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +At the garrison mess table that evening the occurrences +of the day naturally formed a chief topic of conversation; +and a variety of conjectures, more or less probable, +regarding the American lady, were hazarded by the officers, +to some of whom she had become an object of curiosity, +as she had to others of interest. This conversation, +necessarily 'parenthesed' with much extraneous matter, +in the nature of rapid demands for solids and liquids, +during the interesting period devoted to the process of +mastication, finally assumed a more regular character +when the cloth had been removed, and the attendants +retired. + +"If a am at all a joodge of pheesogs, and a flatter meself +a am," said a raw-boned Scotch Captain of Grenadiers, +measuring six feet two in his stockings, "yon geerl has +a bit of the deevil in her ee, therefor, me lads, tak +heed that nane o' ye lose yer heerts to her." + +"Why not, Cranstoun?" asked a young officer. + +"Becoose, Veelliers, she seems to have art enoof, and, +to gi' the witch her due, beauty enoof to make a mon play +the rule, an' she tak it into her heed. + +"By George, you are right, Cranstoun," said a remarkably +bow-legged, shoulder-of-mutton-fisted, Ensign, whose +sharp face, glowing as a harvest moon, made one feel +absolutely hot in his presence--a sensation that was by +no means diminished by his nasal tone and confident +manner; "I have no fancy for your pale faced people who, +even while their eyes are flashing anger upon all around, +show you a cheek as cold and as pale as a turnip--they're +alway so cursed deep. Don't you think so Granville, old +fellow? + +"Too deep for you I dare say, Mr. Langley," observed the +officer last named, (a Captain of Light Infantry) with +a slight degree of sarcasm, for he liked not the vulgar +familiarity of the recently-joined Ensign's address; +"however, be that as it may, I will wager a score of +flour barrels, or even pork barrels, if you prefer them, +that you cannot show me a finer girl. Were I a marrying +man," he continued addressing his companions generally, +"I do not know a woman I would sooner choose to share my +barrack room with me." + +"Bravo! bravo! propose to her Granville propose! propose!" +shouted two or three young and joyous voices, amid the +loud clapping of hands; "but what do you mean by offering +Langley so singular a bet?" + +"Ask himself," replied Captain Granville drily, "he knows +the value of these things, if you do not. Besides we live +in a country where most dealings are in produce. But," +he continued, adverting to the first remark, and without +seeming to notice the flush upon the red face of Ensign +Langley, which momentarily increased until it finally +assumed a purple hue--"What the devil should I do with +a wife. Nay, even if I felt so inclined, I saw her give +Gerald Grantham a look that would carry disappointment +to the hopes of any other man--What say you, Henry," +addressing his subaltern. "How would you like her for +a sister-in-law?" + +"Not at all," was the grave reply. + +"Apropos," continued Captain Granville, who filled the +president's chair--"we ought to have toasted your brother's +gallant exploit--Gentlemen, fill your glasses--all full?-- +Then I will give you the health of Lieutenant Grantham +of the squadron." + +The toast was responded to by all but Captain Molineux-- +His glass had been filled and raised, but its contents +remained untasted. + +The omission was too marked not to be noticed by more +than one of the party, Henry Grantham, whose eye had been +fixed upon Captain Molineux at the time, of course detected +the slight--He sat for some minutes conversing with an +unusual and evidently forced animation, then, excusing +his early departure under the plea of an engagement with +his brother, rose and quitted the mess room. + +"What ha' ye doon wi' the oogly loot ye took chairge of, +De Courcy?" inquired Captain Cranstoun, interrupting the +short and meaning pause which had succeeded to Grantham's +departure. + +"Why, I calculate Captain," returned the lively aid-de- +camp, imitating the nasal drawl and language which had +called up so much mirth, even in presence of the General-- +"I calculate as how I have introduced Ensign Paul, Emilius, +Theophilus, Arnoldi, of the United States Michigan Militia, +into pretty considerable snug quarters--I have billeted +him at the inn, in which he had scarcely set foot, when +his first demand was for a glass of "gin sling," wherewith +to moisten his partick'lar damn'd hot, baked clay." + +"What a vulgar and uncouth animal," observed St. Clair, +a Captain of Engineers--"I am not at all surprised at +Major Montgomerie's disinclination to acknowledge him as +a personal acquaintance." + +"It is to be hoped," said De Courcy, "we shall not +encounter many such during the approaching struggle, for, +since we have been driven into this war, it will be a +satisfaction to find ourselves opposed to an enemy rather +more chivalrous than this specimen seems to promise." + +"Nay, nay, De Courcy," remarked Captain Granville, "you +must not judge of the American officers of the line by +the standard of their backwoodsmen; as, for example, +Major Montgomerie and the person just alluded to. Last +winter," he continued, "there was a continued interchange +of hospitality between the two posts, and, had you been +here to participate in them, you would have admitted +that, among the officers of Detroit, there were many very +superior men indeed." + +"Pleasant ball that last they gave," said Lieutenant +Villiers with a malicious laugh, and fixing his eyes on +the Captain of Grenadiers. + +"The deevil tak' the ball," impatiently retorted Cranstoun, +who did not seem to relish the allusion; "doont talk +aboot it noo, mon." + +"What was it, Villiers? do pray tell us. Something good, +I am sure from Cranstoun's manner," eagerly asked the +aid-de-camp, his curiosity excited by the general titter +that followed the remark. + +"Shall I tell him, Cranstoun?" asked Villiers in the same +bantering tone. + +"Hoot mon, doon't bother me," petulantly returned the +other, as thrusting his long legs under the table, and +turning his back upon the questioner he joined, or affected +to join, in a conversation that was passing, in a low +tone, at his end of the room. + +"I must premise," began Villiers, addressing himself to +the attentively listening De Courcy, "that such is the +mania for dancing in this country, scarcely any obstacle +is sufficient to deter a Canadian lady, particularly a +French Canadian, from indulging in her favorite amusement. +It is, therefore, by no means unusual to see women drawn +in sleighs over drifting masses of ice, with chasms +occasionally occurring of from fifteen to twenty feet; +and that at a moment when, driven by wind and current, +the huge fragments are impelled over each other with a +roar that can only be likened to continuous thunder, +forming, in various directions, lofty peaks from which +the sun's rays are reflected in a thousand fantastic +shades and shapes. On these occasions the sleighs, or +carioles, are drawn, not as otherwise customary, by the +fast trotting little horses of the country, but by expert +natives whose mode of transport is as follows: A strong +rope is fastened to the extremity of the shafts, and into +this the French Canadian, buried to the chin in his +blanket coat, and provided with a long pole terminating +in an iron hook, harnesses himself, by first drawing the +loop of the cord over the back of his neck, and then +passing it under his arms--In this manner does he traverse +the floating ice, stepping from mass to mass with a +rapidity that affords no time for the detached fragment +to sink under the weight with which it is temporarily +laden--As the iron-shod runners obey the slightest +impulsion, the draught is light; and the only fatigue +encountered is in the act of bringing the detached bodies +together. Wherever an opening intervenes, the Canadian +throws forward his pole, and, securing the pointed hook +in some projection of the floating ice, drags it towards +that on the extreme verge of which he stands. In like +manner he passes on to the next, when the same operation +remains to be performed, until the passage is finally +effected. Sometimes it happens that a chasm of more than +ordinary extent occurs, in which case the pole is +unavailable, and then his only alternative is to wait +patiently until some distant mass, moving in a direction +to fill up the interstice, arrives within his reach. In +the meanwhile the ice on which he stands sinks slowly +and gradually, until sometimes it quite disappears beneath +the surface of the water." + +"And the women, all this time?" demanded De Courcy, with +something of the nervousness, which might be attributed +to such a situation. + +"Sit as quietly and as unconcernedly, wrapped in their +furs, as if they were merely taking their customary drive +on terra firma," continued Villiers, "nay, I am persuaded +that if they ever entertain an anxiety on those occasions, +it is either least the absence of one of these formidable +masses should compel them to abandon an enterprize, the +bare idea of entering upon which would give an European +woman an attack of nerves, or that the delayed aid should +be a means of depriving them of one half minute of their +anticipated pleasure." + +"Why," interrupted Middlemore, despite of a dozen ohs +and ahs--"why, I say, is Villiers like a man of domestic +habits? Do you give it up? Because he is fond of dwelling +on his own premises." + +"Middlemore, when will you renounce that vile habit of +punning?" said De Courcy with an earnestness of adjuration +that excited a general laugh at his end of the table-- +"Come, Villiers, never mind his nonsense, for your +premises, although a little long, are not without deep +interest--but what has all this to do with our good +friend above?" + +"You shall hear. After a succession of balls last winter, +to which the ladies on either shore were invariably +invited, the concluding one was given by the officers in +garrison at Detroit. This was at the very close of the +season, and it chanced that, on the preceding night, the +river had broken up, so that the roar and fracas of +crashing ice, might have been likened, during forty eight +hours afterwards, to some terrible disorganization of +nature. Nothing daunted, however, by the circumstance, +many of the Canadian ladies made the usual preparations, +and amongst others the Miss D'Egvilles." + +Here Villiers paused a moment, and with a significant +"hem," sought to arouse the attention of the Grenadier; +but Cranstoun, insensible to the appeal, and perhaps +unwilling to listen to a story that occasioned so much +mirth whenever it was repeated continued with his back +immovably turned towards the speaker. + +"All very well," pursued Villiers:--"but we know the +adage--'none so deaf as those who will not hear'--I have +said," again turning to De Courcy, while those who were +near, listened not without interest to the story, familiar +even as it was to them all, "that the Miss D'Egvilles +were of the party--At that time our friend was doing the +amiable to the lively Julia, although we never could +persuade him to confess his penchant; and, on this +occasion, he had attached himself to their immediate +sleigh. Provided, like the Canadians, with poles terminated +by an iron hook at one end and a spike at the other, we +made our way after their fashion, but in quicker time +than they possibly could, harnessed as they were in the +sledges. With the aid of these poles, we cleared, with +facility, chasms of from ten to twelve feet, and, alighting +on our moccasined feet, seldom incurred much risk of +losing our hold--Our ball dresses were taken in charge +by the ladies, so that our chief care was the safe passage +of our own persons. We all arrived without accident, and +passed a delightful evening, the American officers exerting +themselves to give the coup d'eclat to the last ball of +the season." + +"Yes," interrupted the incorrigible Middlemore, as he +cracked a hickory nut, "and the balls reserved for us +this season will also carry with them the coup de grass." + +"The night," pursued Villiers, no one noticing the +interruption save by an impatient 'pish,' "gave every +indication of a speedy break up. The ice yet floated +along in disjoined masses, but with even greater rapidity +than on the preceding day. Two alternatives remained-- +either to attempt the crossing before further obstacle +should be interposed, or to remain in Detroit until the +river had been so far cleared of the ice as to admit of +a passage in canoes. With our leaping poles, we were not +so much at a loss, but the fear entertained was principally +for the safety of the sleighs. Nothing dismayed, however, +by the dangerous appearance of the river, the ladies, +after due deliberation, courageously resolved on returning +without delay, and we accordingly set out on our somewhat +hazardous expedition. + +"Notwithstanding it was, as I have already remarked, the +close of winter, the cold was intense, and we were warmly +clad. I do not know if you have ever seen Cranstoun's +huge bear skin coat, (an affirmative nod was given by De +Courcy,) well: in this formidable covering had he encased +himself, so that when he quitted the town, surmounted as +his head was moreover with a fur cap, he presented more +of the appearance of a dancing bear than of a human +creature. In this guise he attached himself to the sleigh +of the D'Egvilles, which, in crossing, happened to be +the farthest down the river, of the group." + +"What a domn'd loong time ye are teelling that stoopid +stoory Veelliers," at length noticed Cranstoun, wheeling +round and regarding the narrator with a look of ill +assumed indifference, "a coold a toold it mysel in half +the time." + +"I am afraid you would not tell it so faithfully" replied +Lieutenant Villiers, amid the loud laugh which was now +raised at Cranstoun's expense. "You see it is so good a +thing I like to make the most of it." + +Here Cranstoun again turned his back upon the party, and +Villiers pursued, + +"The main body of the expedition had got nearly half way +across the river, when suddenly our ears were assailed +by moanings, resembling those of some wild beast, mingled +with incessant and ungovernable laughter. Checking our +course, and turning to behold the cause, we observed, +about a hundred yards below us, the sledge of the +D'Egvilles, from which the almost convulsive laughter +proceeded, and at a considerable distance beyond this +again, an object the true character of which we were some +time in discovering. + +"It appeared, on subsequent explanation, that Cranstoun, +who had been whispering soft nothings in the ear of Julia +D'Egville, (here the Captain was observed to prick his +ear without materially altering his position) hem! +Cranstoun, I say, it appeared had also taken it into his +head to give her a specimen of his agility, by an attempt +to clear a space between two masses of ice of somewhat +too great a breadth for a heavy grenadier, buttoned up +to the chin in a ponderous bear skin coat. He succeeded +in gaining the opposite piece of ice, but had no sooner +reached it, than he fell, entangled in such a manner in +his covering that he found it impossible to extricate +himself. To add to his disaster, the force of his fall +broke off, from the main body, the section of ice on +which he rested. Borne down by the current, in spite of +his vain struggles to free himself, he was unable even +to call for aid, his fingers moreover being so benumbed +with cold that he found it impossible to unbutton the +straps which confined his month. In this emergency he +could only utter the strange and unintelligible moan +which had reached our ears, and which, mingled with the +bursts of laughter from Julia D'Egville, formed a most +incongruous melange. + +"The best of the adventure remains, however, to be told. +Numbers of the peasantry from either shore, provided with +poles, guns, and ropes, were now to be seen rushing +towards the half congealed Cranstoun, fully imagining--nay +exclaiming--that it was a wild bear, which, in an attempt +to cross the river, had had its retreat cut off, and was +now, from insensibility, rendered harmless. Disputes even +arose in the distance as to whom the prize should belong, +each pursuer claiming to have seen it first. Nay, more +than one gun had been levelled with a view of terminating +all doubt by lodging a bullet in the carcase, when, +fortunately for the subject in dispute, this proposal +was overruled by the majority, who were more anxious to +capture than to slay the supposed bear. Meanwhile the +Canadian, harnessed to the sleigh of the D'Egvilles, +roared out with all his lungs for the two parties to +hasten to the assistance of the drowning British officer. +In the confusion produced by their own voices, however, +they did not appear to hear or understand him; yet all +pursued the aim they had in view. Cranstoun's body was +so doubled up that it was impossible for any one, who +had not witnessed the accident, to imagine it any thing +in nature but a bear; and this impression, the strange +moaning he continued to make, tended to confirm. + +"The party of Canadians, favored by the nature of their +floating ice-bridges, were the first to come up to him. +A desperate effort of his cramped muscles had enabled +Cranstoun to extend one of his legs, at the moment when +they were about to throw a noose round his neck, and this +was the first intimation the astonished peasantry had of +their supposed prize being a human being, instead of the +fat bear they bad expected. Poor Cranstoun was of course +liberated from his 'durance vile,' but so chilled from +long immersion, that he could not stand without assistance, +and it was not until one of their companions had approached +with a sleigh that he could be removed. He kept his bed +three days, as much I believe from vexation as illness, +and has never worn his unlucky bear skin since; neither +has he forgiven Julia D'Egville the laugh she enjoyed at +his expense. Cranstoun," he concluded, "you may turn +now, the story is told." + +But Cranstoun, apparently heedless of the laugh that +followed this--as indeed it did every--narration of the +anecdote, was not to be shaken from his equanimity. He +continued silent and unmoved, as if he had not heard a +word of the conclusion. + +"Poor Cranstoun," exclaimed the joyous De Courcy, in a +strain of provoking banter, "what an unfortunate leap +that was of yours; and how delighted you must have felt +when you again stepped on terra firma." + +"I don't wonder at his leap being unfortunate," observed +Middlemore, all eyes fixed upon him in expectation of +what was to follow, "for Julia D'Egville can affirm that, +while paying his court to her, he had not chosen a leap +year." + +While all were as usual abusing the far strained pun, a +note was brought in by the head waiter and handed to the +punster. The officer read it attentively, and then, with +an air of seriousness which in him was remarkable, tossed +it across the table to Captain Molineux, who, since the +departure of Henry Grantham, had been sitting with his +arms folded, apparently buried in profound thought, and +taking no part either in the conversation or the laughter +which accompanied it. A faint smile passed over his +features, as, after having read, he returned, it with an +assentient nod to Middlemore. Shortly afterwards, availing +himself of the opportunity afforded by the introduction +of some fresh topic of conversation, he quitted his seat, +and whispering something in the ear of Villiers, left +the mess room. Soon after, the latter officer disappeared +from the table, and in a few moments his example was +followed by Middlemore. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The dinner party at Colonel D'Egville's was composed in +a manner to inspire an English exclusive with irrepressible +honor. At the suggestion of General Brock, Tecumseh had +been invited, and, with him, three other celebrated Indian +chiefs, whom we beg to introduce to our readers under +their familiar names--Split-log--Round-head--and Walk- +in-the-water--all of the formidable nation of the Hurons. +In his capacity of superintendant of Indian affairs, +Colonel D'Egville had been much in the habit of entertaining +the superior chiefs, who, with a tact peculiar to men of +their sedate and serious character, if they displayed +few of the graces of European polish, at least gave no +manifestation of an innate vulgarity. As it may not be +uninteresting to the reader to have a slight sketch of +the warriors, we will attempt the portraiture. + +The chief Split-log, who indeed should rather have been +named Split-ear, as we shall presently show, was afflicted +with an aldermanic rotundity of person, by no means common +among his race, and was one, who from his love of ease +and naturally indolent disposition, seemed more fitted +to take his seat in the council than to lead his warriors +to battle. Yet was he not, in reality, the inactive +character be appeared, and more than once, subsequently, +he was engaged in expeditions of a predatory nature, +carrying off the customary spoils. We cannot import a +better idea of the head of the warrior, than by stating, +that we never recal that of the gigantic Memnon, in the +British Museum, without being forcibly reminded of +Split-log's. The Indian, however, was notorious for a +peculiarity which the Egyptian had not. So enormous a +head, seeming to require a corresponding portion of the +several organs, nature had, in her great bounty, provided +him with a nose, which, if it equalled not that of +Smellfungus in length, might, in height and breadth, have +laughed it utterly to scorn. Neither, was it a single, +but a double nose--two excrescences, equalling in bulk +a moderate sized lemon, and of the spongy nature of a +mushroom, bulging out, and lending an expression of owlish +wisdom to his otherwise heavy features. As on that of +the Memnon, not a vestige of a hair was to be seen on +the head of Split-log. His lips were, moreover, of the +same unsightly thickness, while the elephantine ear had +been slit in such a manner, that the pliant cartilage, +yielding to the weight of several ounces of lead which +had for years adorned it, now lay stretched, and coquetting +with the brawny shoulder on which it reposed. Such was +the Huron, or Wyandot Chief, whose cognomen of Split-log +had, in all probability, been derived from his facility +in "suiting the action to the word;" for, in addition to +his gigantic nose, he possessed a fist, which in size +and strength might have disputed the palm with Maximilian +himself: although his practice had chiefly been confined +to knocking down his drunken wives, instead of oxen. + +The second Chief, Round-head, who, by the way, was the +principal in reputation after Tecumseh, we find the more +difficulty in describing from the fact of his having had +few or none of those peculiarities which we have, happily +for our powers of description, been enabled to seize hold +of in Split-log. His name we believe to have been derived +from that indispensable portion of his frame. His eye +was quick, even penetrating, and his stem brow denoted +intelligence and decision of character. His straight, +coal black, hair, cut square over the forehead, fell long +and thickly over his face and shoulders. This, surmounted +by a round slouched hat, ornamented with an eagle's +feather, which he ordinarily wore and had not even now +dispensed with, added to a blue capote or hunting frock, +produced a tout ensemble, which cannot be more happily +rendered than by a comparison with one of his puritanical +sly-eyed namesakes of the English Revolution. + +Whether our third hero, Walk-in-the-water, derived his +name from any aquatic achievement which could possibly +give a claim to its adoption, we have no means of +ascertaining; but certain it is that in his features he +bore a striking resemblance to the portraits of Oliver +Cromwell. The same small, keen, searching eye--the same +iron inflexibility of feature, together with the long +black hair escaping from beneath the slouched hat, (for +Walk-in-the-water, as well as Round-head, was characterized +by an unconscious imitation of the Roundheads of the +revolution)--all contributed to render the resemblance +as perfect, as perfection of resemblance can be obtained +where the physical, and not the moral, man, forms the +ground of contrast. + +Far above these in nobleness of person, as well as in +brilliancy of intellect, was the graceful Tecumseh. Unlike +his companions, whose dress was exceedingly plain, he +wore his jerkin or hunting coat, of the most beautifully +soft and pliant deer skin, on which were visible a variety +of tasteful devices exquisitely embroidered with the +stained quills of the porcupine. A shirt of dazzling +whiteness was carefully drawn over his expansive chest, +and in his equally white shawl-turban was placed an +ostrich feather, the prized gift of the lady of the +mansion. On all occasions of festivity, and latterly in +the field, he was wont thus to decorate himself; and +never did the noble warrior appear to greater advantage +than when habited in this costume. The contrast it offered +to his swarthy cheek and mobile features, animated as +they were by the frequent flashing of his eagle eye, +seldom failed to excite admiration in the bosoms of all +who saw him. + +The half hour that elapsed between the arrival of the +several guests and the announcement of dinner, was passed +under the influence of feelings almost as various in kind +as the party itself. Messieurs Split-log, Round-head, +and Walk-in-the-water, fascinated by the eagles on the +buttons of Major Montgomerie's uniform, appeared to regard +that officer, as if they saw no just cause or impediment +why certain weapons dangling at their sides should not +be made to perform, and that without delay, an incision +in the cranium of their proprietor. True, there was a +difficulty. The veteran Major was partially bald, and +wanted the top knot or scalping tuft, which to a true +warrior was indispensable; not that we mean to insinuate +that either of these chiefs would so far have forgotten +the position in which that gentleman stood, as to have +been tempted into any practical demonstration of their +hostility: but there was a restlessness about the eye +of each that, much like the instinct of the cat, which +regards with natural avidity the bird that is suffered +to go at large within his reach, without daring openly +to attack it, betrayed the internal effort it cost them +to lose sight of the enemy in the prisoner and friend of +their superintendent. The Major, on the other hand, +although satisfied he was under the roof of hospitality, +did not at first appear altogether at his ease, but, +while he conversed with the English officers, turned ever +and anon an eye of distrust on the movements of his +swarthy fellow guests. On the arrival of Tecumseh, who, +detained until a late hour by the arrangements he had +been making for the encampment and supplies of his new +force, was the last to make his appearance, the Major's +doubts passed entirely away. It was impossible to be in +the presence of this chieftain, and fail, even without +any other index to his soul than what the candour of his +expression afforded, to entertain all the security that +man may repose on man. He had in him, it is true, too +much of the sincerity of nature to make any thing like +a friendly advance to one of a people to whom he owed +all the misfortunes of his race, and for whom he had +avowed an inextinguishable hostility of heart and purpose; +but, unless when this night with strict propriety be +exercised, the spirit of his vengeance extended not; and +not only would he have scorned to harm a fallen foe, but +his arm would have been the first uplifted in his defence. + +Notwithstanding the glance of intelligence which Captain +Granville had remarked, and which we had previously stated +to have been directed by Miss Montgomerie to her captor +a few hours before, there was nothing in her manner daring +dinner to convey the semblance of a prepossession. True, +that in the tumultuous glow of gratified vanity and +dawning love, Gerald Grantham had executed a toilet into +which, with a view to the improvement of the advantage +he imagined himself to have gained, all the justifiable +coquetry of personal embellishment had been thrown; but +neither the handsome blue uniform with its glittering +epaulette, nor the beautiful hair on which more than +usual pains had been bestowed, nor the sparkling of his +dark eye, nor the expression of a cheek, rendered doubly +animated by excitement, nor the interestingly displayed +arm en echarpe--none of these attractions, we repeat, +seemed to claim even a partial notice from her they were +intended to captivate. Cold, colourless, passionless, +Miss Montgomerie met him with the calmness of an absolute +stranger; and when, with the recollection of the +indescribable look she had bestowed upon him glowing at +his heart, Gerald again sought in her eyes some trace of +the expression that had stirred every vein into transport, +he found there indifference the most complete. How great +his mortification was we will not venture to describe, +but the arch and occasional raillery of his lively cousin, +Julia D'Egville, seemed to denote most plainly that the +conqueror and the conquered had exchanged positions. + +Nor was this surprising; Miss Montgomerie's travelling +habit had been discarded for the more decorative ornaments +of a dinner toilet, in which, however, the most marked +simplicity was preserved. A plain white muslin dress gave +full developement to a person, which was of a perfection +that no dress could have disguised. It was the bust of +a Venus, united to a form, to create which would have +taxed the imaginative powers of a Praxiteles--a form so +faultlessly moulded that every movement presented some +new and unpremeditated grace. What added to the surpassing +richness of her beauty was her hair, which, black, glossy, +and of eastern luxuriance, and seemingly disdaining the +girlishness of curls, reposed in broad Grecian bands, +across a brow, the intellectual expression of which they +contributed to form. Yet, never did woman exhibit in her +person and face, more opposite extremes of beauty. If +the one was strikingly characteristic of warmth, the +other was no less indicative of coldness. Fair, even to +paleness, were her cheek and forehead, which wore an +appearance of almost marble immobility, save when, in +moments of oft recurring abstraction, a slight but marked +contraction of the brow betrayed the existence of a +feeling, indefinable indeed by the observer, but certainly +unallied to softness. Still was she beautiful--coldly, +classically, beautiful--eminently calculated to inspire +passion, but seemingly incapable of feeling it. + +The coldness of Miss Montgomerie's manner was no less +remarkable. Her whole demeanour was one of abstraction. +It seemed as if heedless, not only of ceremony, but of +courtesy, her thoughts and feelings were far from the +board of whose hospitality she was partaking. Indeed, +the very few remarks she made during dinner referred to +the period of departure of the boat, in which she was to +be conveyed to Detroit, and on this subject she displayed +an earnestness, which, even Grantham thought, might have +been suppressed in the presence of his uncle's family. +Perhaps he felt piqued at her readiness to leave him. + +Under these circumstances, the dinner was not, as might +be expected, particularly gay. There was an 'embarras' +among all, which even the circulating wine did not wholly +remove. Major Montgomerie was nearly as silent as his +niece. Mrs. D'Egville, although evincing all the kindness +of her really benevolent nature--a task in which she was +assisted by her amiable daughters, still felt that the +reserve of her guest insensibly produced a corresponding +effect upon herself, while Colonel D'Egville, gay, +polished, and attentive, as he usually was, could not +wholly overcome an apprehension that the introduction of +the Indian Chiefs had given offence to both uncle and +niece. Still, it was impossible to have acted otherwise. +Independently of his strong personal attachment to +Tecumseh, considerations involving the safety of the +Province, threatened as it was, strongly demanded that +the leading Chiefs should be treated with the respect +due to their station; and moreover, while General Brock, +and Commodore Barclay were present, there could be no +ground for an impression that slight was intended. Both +these officers saw the difficulty under which their host +laboured, and sought by every gentlemanly attention, to +remove whatever unpleasantness might lurk in the feelings +of his American guests. + +The dessert brought with it but little addition to the +animation of the party, and it was a relief to all, when, +after a toast proposed by the General, to the "Ladies of +America," Mrs. D'Egville made the usual signal for +withdrawing. + +As soon as they had departed, followed a moment or two +afterwards by Tecumseh and Gerald Grantham, Messieurs +Split-log, Round-head, and Walk-in-the-Water, deliberately +taking their pipe-bowl tomahawks from their belts, +proceeded to fill them with kinni-kinnick, a mixture of +Virginia tobacco, and odoriferous herbs, than which no +perfume can be more fragrant. Amid the clouds of smoke +puffed from these at the lower end of the table, where +had been placed a supply of whiskey, their favorite +liquor--did Colonel D'Egville and his more civilized +guests quaff their claret; more gratified than annoyed +by the savoury atmosphere wreathing around them, while, +taking advantage of the early departure of the abstemious +Tecumseh, they discussed the merits of that Chief, and +the policy of employing the Indians as allies, as will +be seen in the following chapter:-- + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +"What a truly noble looking being," observed Major +Montgomerie, as he followed with his eye the receding +form of the athletic but graceful Tecumseh. "Do you know, +Colonel D'Egville, I could almost forgive your nephew +his success of this morning, in consideration of the +pleasure he has procured me in this meeting." + +Colonel D'Egville looked the gratification he felt at +the avowal. "I am delighted, Major Montgomerie, to hear +you say so. My only fear was that, in making those +Chieftains my guests, at the same moment with yourself +and niece, I might have unconsciously appeared to slight, +where slight was certainly not intended. You must be +aware, however, of the rank held by them among their +respective nations, and of their consequent claim upon +the attention of one to whom the Indian interests have +been delegated." + +"My dear sir," interrupted the Major, eager to disclaim, +"I trust you have not mistaken me so far, as to have +imputed a reserve of speech and manner during dinner, to +which I cannot but plead guilty, to a fastidiousness +which, situated as I am, (and he bowed to the General, +and Commodore,) would have been wholly misplaced. My +distraction, pardonable perhaps under all the +circumstances, was produced entirely by a recurrence to +certain inconveniences which I felt might arise to me +from my imprisonment. The captive bird," he pursued, +while a smile for the first time animated his very fine +countenance, "will pine within its cage, however gilded +the wires which compose it. In every sense, my +experience of to-day only leads me to the expression of +a hope, that all whom the chances of war may throw into +a similar position, may meet with a similar reception." + +"Since," observed the General, "your private affairs are +of the importance you express, Major Montgomerie, you +shall depart with your niece. Perhaps I am rather exceeding +my powers in this respect, but, however this may be, I +shall take the responsibility on myself. You will hold +yourself pledged, of course, to take no part against us +in the forthcoming struggle, until you have been regularly +exchanged for whatever officer of your own rank, may +happen to fall into the hands of your countrymen. I shall +dispatch an express to the Commander-in-Chief, to intimate +this fact, requesting at the same time, that your name +may be put down in the first list for exchange." + +Major Montgomerie warmly thanked the General for his kind +offer, of which he said he should be glad to avail himself, +as he did not like the idea of his niece proceeding +without him to Detroit, where she was an entire stranger. +This, he admitted, determined as she had appeared to be, +was one of the unpleasant subjects of his reflection +during dinner. + +With a view of turning the conversation, and anxious +moreover, to obtain every information on the subject, +the General now inquired in what estimation Tecumseh was +generally held in the United States. + +"Among the more intelligent classes of our citizens, in +the highest possible," was the reply; "but by those who +are not so capable of judging, and who only see, in the +indomitable courage and elevated talents of the patriot +hero, the stubborn inflexibility of the mere savage, he +is looked upon far less flatteringly. By all, however, +is he admitted to be formidable without parallel, in the +history of Indian warfare. His deeds are familiar to all, +and his name is much such a bugbear to American childhood, +as Marlborough's was in France, and Napoleon's is in +England. It is a source of much regret to our Government +never to have been enabled to conciliate this extraordinary +man." + +"What more feasible," remarked the General, but with a +tone and manner that could not possibly give offence; +"had not the difficulty been of its own creation? Treaty +after treaty, you most admit, Major, had been made and +violated under various pretexts, while the real motive +--the aggrandizement of territories already embracing a +vast portion of their early possessions--was carefully +sought to be concealed from these unfortunate people. +How was it to be expected then that a man, whom the +necessities of his country had raised up to itself in +the twofold character of statesman and warrior--one gifted +with a power of analyzing motives which has never been +surpassed in savage life--how, I ask, was it to be expected +that he, with all these injuries of aggression staring +him in the face, should have been won over by a show of +conciliation, which long experience, independently of +his matured judgment, must have assured him was only held +forth to hoodwink, until fitting opportunity should be +found for again throwing off the mask." + +"To the charge of violating treaties," returned Major +Montgomerie, who took the opposite argument in perfectly +good part, "I fear, General, our Government must to a +certain extent plead guilty--much, however, remains to +be said in excuse. In the first place, it must be borne +in mind that the territory of the United States, unlike +the kingdoms of Europe, has no fixed or settled boundary +whereby to determine its own relative bearing. True it +is, that we have the Canadas on one portion of our +frontier, but this being a fixed line of demarcation, +there can exist no question as to a mutual knowledge of +the territorial claims of both countries. Unlike that of +the old world, however, our population is rapidly +progressing, and where are we to find an outlet for tax +surplus of that population unless, unwilling as we are +to come into collision with our mere civilised neighbours, +we can push them forward into the interior. In almost +all the contracts entered into by our Government with +the Indians, large sums have been given for the lands +ceded by the latter. This was at once, of course, a tacit +and mutual revocation of any antecedent arrangements, +and if instances have occurred wherein the sacredness of +treaty has been violated, it has only been where the +Indians have refused to part with their lands for the +proffered consideration and when those lands have been +absolutely indispensable to our agricultural purposes. +Then indeed has it been found necessary to resort to +force. That this principle of "might being the better +right," may be condemned in limine it is true, but how +otherwise, with a superabundant population, can we +possibly act?" + +"A superabundance of territory, I grant you, but surely +not of population," remarked the Commodore; "were the +citizens of the United States condensed into the space +allotted to Europeans, you might safely dispense with +half the Union at this moment." + +"And what advantages should we then derive from the +possession of nearly a whole continent to ourselves?" + +"Every advantage that may be reaped consistently with +common justice. What would be thought in Europe, if, for +instance to illustrate a point, and assuming these two +countries to be in a state of profound peace, Spain, on +the principle of might, should push her surplus population +into Portugal, compelling the latter kingdom to retire +back on herself, and crowd her own subjects into the few +provinces that might yet be left to them." + +"I cannot admit the justice of your remark, Commodore," +returned Major Montgomerie, gradually warming into +animation; "Both are civilized powers, holding the same +rank and filling nearly the same scale among the nations +of Europe. Moreover, there does not exist the same +difference in the natural man. The uneducated negro is, +from infancy and long custom, doomed to slavery, wherefore +should the copper coloured Indian be more free? But my +argument points not at their subjection. I would merely +show that, incapable of benefitting by the advantages of +the soil they inherit, they should learn to yield it with +a good grace to those who can. Their wants are few, and +interminable woods yet remain to them, in which their +hunting pursuits may be indulged without a fear of +interruption." + +"That it will be long," observed the General, "before, +in so vast a continent, they will be without a final +resting place, I readily admit; but the hardship consists +in this--that they are driven from particular positions +to which their early associations lend a preference. What +was it that stirred into a flame, the fierce hostility +of Tecumseh but the determination evinced by your Government +to wrest, from the hands of his tribe, their last remaining +favorite haunts on the Wabash?" + +"This cannot be denied, but it was utterly impossible we +could forego the possession of countries bordering so +immediately on our settlements. Had we pushed our +colonization further, leaving the tribes of the Wabash +in intermediate occupation, we ran the risk of having +oar settlers cut off in detail, at the slightest assumed +provocation. Nay, pretexts would have been sought for +the purpose, and the result of this would have been the +very war into which we were unavoidably led. The only +difference was, that, instead of taking up arms to avenge +our slaughtered kinsmen, we anticipated the period that +must sooner or later have arrived, by ridding ourselves +of the presence of those from whose hostility we had +every thing to apprehend." + +"The expediency of these measures," said the General, +"no one, Major, can of course doubt; the only question +at issue is their justice, and in making this remark it +must be obvious there is no particular allusion to the +United States, further than that country serves to +illustrate a general principle. I am merely arguing +against the right of a strong power to wrest from a weaker +what may be essential to its own interest, without +reference to the comfort, or wishes, or convenience of +the latter." + +"In such light assuredly do I take it," observed Major +Montgomerie, bowing his sense of the disclaimer. "But to +prove to you, General, that we are only following in the +course pursued by every other people of the world, let +us, without going back to the days of barbarism, when +the several kingdoms of Europe were overrun by the +strongest, and when your own country in particular became +in turn the prey of Saxons, Danes, Normans, &c. merely +glance our eyes upon those provinces which have been +subjugated by more civilized Europe. Look at South America +for instance, and then say what we have done that has +not been far exceeded by the Spaniards, in that portion +of the hemisphere--and yet, with this vast difference in +the balance, that there the European drove before him +and mercilessly destroyed an unoffending race, while we, +on the contrary, have had fierce hostility and treachery +every where opposed to our progress. The Spaniards, +moreover, offered no equivalent for the country subdued; +now we have ever done so, and only where that equivalent +has been rejected, have we found ourselves compelled to +resort to force. Look again at the islands of the West +Indies, the chief of which are conquests by England. +Where are the people to whom Providence had originally +assigned those countries, until the European, in his +thirst for aggrandizement, on that very principle of +might which you condemn, tore them violently away. Gone, +extirpated, until scarce a vestige of their existence +remains, even as it must he, in the course of time, with +the Indians of these wilds--perhaps not in this century +or the next, but soon or late assuredly. These two +people--the South Americans and Caribs--I particularly +instance, for the very reason that they offer the most +striking parallel with the immediate subject under +discussion. But shall I go further than this, gentlemen, +and maintain that we, the United States, are only following +in the course originally pointed out to us by England." + +"I should be glad to hear your argument," said the +Commodore, drawing his chair closer to the table. + +"And I," added the General, "consider the position too +novel not to feel interested in the manner in which it +will be maintained." + +"I will not exactly say," observed Colonel D'Egville, +smiling one of his blandest smiles, and few men understood +the winning art better than himself, "that Major Montgomerie +has the happy talent of making the worse appear the better +cause; but, certainly I never remember to have heard that +cause more ably advocated." + +"More subtly perhaps you would say, Colonel; but seriously, +I speak from conviction alone. It is true, as a citizen +of the United States, and therefore one interested in +the fair fame of its public acts, that conviction may +partake in some degree of partial influences; still it +is sincere. But to my argument. What I would maintain +is, as I have before stated, that in all we hare done, +we have only followed the example of England. For instance, +when the colonization of the Eastern and Southern States +of the Union took place, that is to say when our common +ancestors first settled in this country, how was their +object effected? Why, by driving from their possessions +near the sea, in order to make room for themselves, those +very nations whom we are accused of a desire to exterminate, +as if out of a mere spirit of wantonness. Did either +Dutch or English then hesitate as to what course THEY +should pursue, or suffer any qualms of conscience to +interfere with their Colonial plans? No; as a measure of +policy--as a means of security--they sought to conciliate +the Indians, but not the less determined were they to +attain their end. Who, then, among Englishmen, would have +thought of blaming their fellow countrymen, when the +object in view was the aggrandizement of the national +power, and the furtherance of individual interests? While +the Colonists continued tributary to England they could +do no wrong; they inclined no censure. Each succeding +year saw them, with a spirit of enterprize that was THEN +deemed worthy of commendation, pushing their advantages, +and extending their possessions to the utter exclusion, +and at the expense of the original possessors of the +soil. For this they incurred no blame: but mark the +change. No sooner had the war of the revolution terminated +in our emancipation from the leading strings of childhood; +no sooner had we taken rank among the acknowledged nations +of the world; no sooner had we, in a word, started into +existence as an original people, than the course we had +undeviatingly pursued in infancy, and from which we did +not dream of swerving in manhood, became a subject for +unqualified censure. What had been considered laudable +enterprize in the English Colonist, became unpardonable +ambition in the American Republican, and acts affecting +the national prosperity, that carried with them the +approbation of society and good government during our +nonage, were stigmatized as odious and grasping, the +moment we had attained our majority." + +"Most ably and eloquently argued, Major," interrupted +the General, "and I fear with rather more truth than we +Englishmen are quite willing to acknowledge: still, it +must be admitted, that what in the first instance was a +necessity, partook no longer of that character at a later +period. In order to colonize the country originally, it +was necessary to select such portions as were, by their +proximity to the sea, indispensable to the perfection of +the plan. If the English Colonists drove the Indians into +the interior, it was only for a period. They had still +vast tracts to traverse, which have since, figuratively +speaking, been reduced to a mere span: and their very +sense of the difference of the motive--that is to say, +of the difference between him who merely seeks whereon +to erect his dwelling, and him who is anxious to usurp +to himself the possession of almost illimitable territory +--cannot be better expressed than by the different degrees +of enmity manifested against the two several people. When +did the fierceness of Indian hatred blaze forth against +the English Colonists, who were limited in their views, +as it has since against the subjects of the United States, +who, since the revolution, have more than tripled their +territorial acquisitions." + +"Nay, General," replied the American, his lip partially +curling with a smile, indicating consciousness of triumphant +argument; "I shall defeat you on your own ground, and +that by going back to a period anterior to the revolution +--to the very period you describe as being characterized +by less intense hostility to your own Government." + +"What, for instance, have we seen in modern times to +equal the famous Indian league which, under the direction +of the celebrated Pontiac, a Chieftain only surpassed by +Tecumseh, consigned so many of the European posts to +destruction, along this very line of district, about the +middle of the last century. It has been held up as a +reproach to us, that we have principally subjected +ourselves to the rancorous enmity of the Indians, in +consequence of having wrested from them their favorite +and beautiful hunting grounds, (Kentucky in particular,) +to which their early associations had linked them. But +to this I answer, that in Pontiac's time, this country +was still their own, as well as Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, +&c. and yet the war of fierce extermination was not the +less waged against the English; not because these latter +had appropriated their principal haunts, but because they +had driven them from their original possessions, near +the sea. The hatred of the Indians has ever been the same +towards those who first secured a footing on their +continent, and, although we are a distinct people in the +eyes of the civilized world, still we are the same in +those of the natives, who see in us, not the emancipated +American, but merely the descendant of the original +Colonist. That their hostility has progressed in proportion +with our extension of territory, I cannot altogether +admit, for although our infant settlements have in a +great degree suffered from occasional irruptions of the +savages, when men, women and children, have alike been +devoted to the murderous tomahawk, in no way have our +fortresses been systematically assailed, as during the +time of Pontiac." + +"For this," interrupted the General, "there are two +obvious reasons. In the first instance, your fortresses +are less isolated than ours were at that period, and, +secondly, no such intelligent being as the Chieftain you +have named, had started up among the Indian nations until +now. What Tecumseh may not effect in course of time, +should he not perish in the straggle for his country's +liberty, ought to be a matter of serious consideration +with your Government." + +"Of his great talent, and dauntless determination, they +are fully aware," replied the Major, "but, as I have +already said, nothing short, not merely of giving up all +claim to future advantages, but of restoring the country +wrested from him on the Wabash, can ever win him from +his hostility; and this is a sacrifice the Government +will never consent to make." + +At this point of the argument, Messieurs Split-log, +Round-head, and Walk-in-the-Water, having finished their +kinni-kinnick, and imbibed a due quantum of whiskey: +possibly, moreover, not much entertained by the conversation +that was carried on in a language neither of them understood +but imperfectly, rose to take their leave. They successively +shook hands with the British leaders, then advancing last +to Major Montgomerie, with a guttural "ugh," so accentuated +as to express good will and satisfaction, tendered their +dark palms to that officer also, muttering as they did +so something about "good Chemocomon." They then with +becoming dignity withdrew, followed by Colonel D'Egville, +who had risen to conduct them to the door. + +The conversation, thus temporarily interrupted, was +resumed on that officer's return. + +"Admitting the truth of your position, Major Montgomerie," +remarked the Commodore, "that the Government of the United +States is justified, both by expediency and example, in +the course it has pursued, it will not at least be denied, +that Tecumseh is, on the very same principle, borne out +in the hatred and spirit of hostility, evinced by him +towards the oppressors of his country." + +"Granted," returned the Major, "but this point has no +reference to my argument, which tends to maintain, that +in all we have done, we have been justified by necessity +and example." + +"The fact is, however, that this condition of things is +one unavoidably growing out of the clashing of adverse +interests--the Indians being anxious to check, we to +extend our dominion and power as a people; and the causes +existing now, were in being nearly a century ago, and +will, in all probability, continue until all vestige of +Indian existence shall have passed utterly away. When +the French were in the occupancy of the Canadas, having +nothing to gain from them, they cultivated the alliance +and friendship of the several nations, and by fostering, +their fierce hostility against the English Colonists, +rendered them subservient to their views. To-day the +English stand precisely where the French did. Having +little to expect from the Indians, but assistance in a +case of need, they behold, and have for years beheld, +with any thing but indifference, the struggle continued +by the United States, which was commenced by themselves. +I hope I shall not be understood as expressing my own +opinion, when I add, that, in the United States, the same +covert influence is attributed to the Commanders of the +British fortresses that was imputed to the French. Indeed, +it is a general belief, among the lower classes +particularly, that, in all the wars undertaken against +the American out-posts and settlements, the Indians have +been instigated to the outrage by liberal distributions +of money, and presents from the British Government." + +"It will hardly be necessary to deny the justice of such +an imputation to Major Montgomerie," remarked the General, +with a smile; "especially after having disavowed the +opinion as his own. The charge is too absurd for serious +contradiction--yet, we are not altogether ignorant that +such an impression has gone abroad." + +"Few of the more enlightened of our citizens give into +the belief" said the Major; "still it will give me especial +pleasure to have it in my power to contradict the assertion +from the lips of General Brock himself." + +"That we have entered into a treaty of alliance with the +Indians," observed Colonel D'Egville, "is most certainly +true; but it is an alliance wholly defensive. I must +further observe that in whatever light the policy of the +Government of the United States, in its relations with +the Indians, may be privately viewed, we are, under all +circumstances, the last people in the world who should +condemn it as injurious to our public interests, since +it has been productive of results affecting the very +existence of these provinces. Had the American Government +studied conciliation, rather than extension of territory, +it is difficult to say to what side the great body of +the Indians would, in the impending struggle, have leaned. +The possibility of some such event as the present had +not only been foreseen, but anticipated. It has long been +obvious to us that the spirit of acquisition manifested +by the United States, would not confine itself to its +customary channels; but on the contrary, that, not +contented with the appropriation of the hunting grounds +of the Indians, it would finally extend its views to +Canada. Such a crisis has long been provided against. +Presents, to a large amount, have certainly been distributed +among the Indians, and not only this, but every courtesy, +consistent at once with our dignity and our interest, +has been shown to them. You have seen, for instance," +continued he with a smile, "my three friends, who have +just left the room; they are not exactly the happiest +specimens of Indian grace, but they have great weight in +the council, and are the leading men in the alliance to +which you hare alluded, although not wholly for the same +purpose. In the wars of Pontiac--and these are still +fresh in the recollection of certain members of my own +family--the English Commanders, with one or two exceptions, +brought those disasters upon themselves. Forgetting that +the Indians were a proud people, whom to neglect was to +stir into hatred, they treated them, with indifference, +if not with contempt; and dearly did they pay the penalty +of their fault. As we all know, they, with one only +exception, were destroyed. In their fall expired the +hostility they themselves had provoked, and time had +wholly obliterated the sense of injustice from the minds +of the several nations. Were we then with these fearful +examples, yet fresh in our recollection, to fall into a +similar error? No; a course of conciliation was adopted, +and has been pursued for years; and now do we reap the +fruit of what, after all, is but an act of the most +justifiable policy. In my capacity of superintendant of +Indian affairs, Major Montgomerie, even more than at a +Canadian brought up among them, I have had opportunities +of studying the characters of the heads of the several +nations. The most bitter enmity animates the bosoms of +all against the Government and people of the United +States, from whom, according to their own showing, they +have to record injury upon injury; whereas from us they +have received but benefits. I repeat, this is at once +politic and just. What could Canada have hoped to accomplish +in the approaching struggle, had the conduct of the +American Government been such as to have neutralized the +interest we had excited in, and for ourselves? She must +have succumbed; and my firm impression is, that, at +whatever epoch of her existence the United States may +extend the hand of conquest over these provinces, with +the Indian tribes that are now leagued with us crowding +to her own standard, not all the armies England may choose +to send to their defence will be able to prevent it." + +"Filling the situation you now occupy, Colonel, there +can be no doubt you are in every way enabled to arrive +at a full knowledge of Indian feelings and Indian interests; +and we have but too much reason to fear that the strong +hatred to the United States, you describe as existing on +the part of their several leaders, has had a tendency to +unite them more cordially to the British cause. But your +course of observation suggests to another question. Why +is it that, with the knowledge possessed by the British +Government of the cruel nature of Indian warfare, it can +consent to enlist them as allies? To prevent their taking +up arms against the Canadas may be well, but in my opinion +(and it is one very generally entertained through the +United States,) the influence of the British authorities +should have been confined to neutralizing their services." + +"Nay, Major Montgomerie," observed the General, "it would +indeed be exacting too much to require that we should +offer ourselves unresisting victims to the ambitious +designs (forgive the expression) of your Government; and +what but self immolation would it be to abstain from the +only means by which we can hope to save these threatened +Provinces? Colonel D'Egville has just said that, with +the Indians opposed to us, Canada would fall. I go farther, +and aver that, without the aid of the Indians, circumstanced +as England now is, Canada must be lost to us. It is a +painful alternative I admit, for that a war, which is +not carried on with the conventional courtesies of +civilized belligerent nations, is little suited to our +taste, you will do us the justice to believe; but by whom +have we been forced into the dilemma? Had we been guilty +of rousing the Indian spirit against you, with a view to +selfish advantage; or had we in any may connived at the +destruction of your settlements, from either dread or +jealousy of your too close proximity, then should we have +deserved all the odium of such conduct. But this we +unequivocally deny. Had we even, presuming on the assistance +to be derived from them, been the first to engage the +Indians in this war, and sent them forth to lay waste +your possessions, we might have submitted to well merited +censure; but what is our real position? Without any fair +pretext, and simply in furtherance of its ambitious views, +the Government of the United States declares war against +England, and, with, an eagerness that sufficiently +discloses its true object, marches its rapidly organized +armies as rapidly to our weakly defended frontier. It is +scarcely a week since an express reached this post, +bringing the announcement that hostilities had been +declared and as a proof that these must have been long +in contemplation, even the very day previous to its +arrival, a numerous army marched past on their way to +Detroit. The sound of their drums was the first intimation +we had of their approach, and our surprise was only +equalled by our utter ignorance of the motive, until the +arrival of the express at once explained the enigma. +[Footnote: Fact.] In such a case, I maintain, we stand +justified before God and man in availing ourselves of +every means of defence." + +"I cannot acknowledge," replied the American, "that the +war undertaken by our Government, is without sufficient +pretext, or in a mere spirit of conquest. You forget that +an insult was offered to our national flag." + +"You of course allude," said the Commodore, "to the affair +of the Little Belt, but I cannot help participating in +the opinion expressed by General Brock. The right of +search, on the part of our vessels, has been too universally +admitted for the American Government to have resisted it +to the extent they have, had they not in this circumstance +found, or fancied they found, a pretext favorable to +their ulterior and more important views. My own firm +impression is, that had England not all her troops engaged +at this moment in the Peninsula, this war never would +have been declared. The opportunity, however, has been +found too tempting, while there are only some half dozen +regular Regiments distributed throughout both provinces; +but the result will prove how far well or ill affected +the Canadians are to the British Crown. Now is the season +arrived to test their allegiance." + +"I know not how far the United States Government may have +taken in their calculation a chance of disaffection," +remarked the General with a smile; "but I think I know +the Canadians, and may venture to assert they will remain +staunch. Every where do they appear to manifest the utmost +enthusiasm." +[Footnote: This certainly was the feeling in 1812.] + +"I am only delighted, General, that they have thus an +opportunity of being put to the proof," remarked Colonel +D'Egville. "If they should be found wanting, then do I +much mistake my countrymen. To return, however, to the +subject of the employment of the Indians, which you, +Major Montgomerie, appear to condemn. I would ask you, +if you are aware of the great exertions made by your +Government, to induce them to take an active part in this +very war. If not, I can acquaint you that several of the +chiefs, now here, have been strongly urged to declare +against us; and, not very long since, an important council +was held among the several tribes, wherein some few, who +had been won over by large bribes, had the temerity to +discuss the propriety of deserting the British cause, in +consideration of advantages which were promised them by +the United States. These of course were overruled by the +majority, who expressed the utmost indignation at the +proposal, but the attempt to secure their active services +was not the less made. We certainly have every reason to +congratulate ourselves on its failure." + +"This certainly partakes of the argumentum ad hominem," +said the Major, good humouredly; "I do confess, I am +aware, that since the idea of war against England was +first entertained, great efforts have been made to attach +the Indians to our interests; and in all probability had +any other man than Tecumseh presided over their destinies, +our Government would have been successful. I however, +for one, am no advocate for their employment on either +side, for it must be admitted they are a terrible and a +cruel enemy, sparing neither age nor sex." + +"Again, Major," returned the General, "do we shield +ourselves under our former plea--that, as an assailed +party, we have a right to avail ourselves of whatever +means of defence are within our reach. One of two +things--either we must retain the Indians, who are bound +to us in one common interest, or we must, by discarding +them, quietly surrender the Canadas to your armies. Few +will be Quixotic enough to hesitate as to which of the +alternatives we should adopt. If the people of the United +States condemn us for employing the Indians, they are +wrong. They should rather censure their own Government, +either for declaring a war which subjects its inhabitants +to these evils, or for having so long pursued a course +of aggression towards the former, as to have precluded +the means of securing their neutrality. But there is +another powerful consideration which should have its due +weight, I will not say in justifying our conduct, (that +needs no justification,) but in quieting your apprehensions. +As I have before remarked, had we been the first to enter +on this war, sending forth into your settlements a ruthless +enemy to lay waste and massacre wherever they passed, no +time could have washed away the recollection of the +atrocity; but we take our stand on high ground. We war +not on your possessions; we merely await you on the +defensive, and it must be borne in mind that, if these +very people whose employment you deprecate are not let +loose upon the Canadas in a career of unchecked spoliation, +it is only because your Government has failed in the +attempt to blind them to a sense of their numerous wrongs." + +"No reasoning can be more candid, General," returned +Major Montgomerie; "and far be it from me wholly to deny +the justice of your observation. My own private impressions +tend less to impugn your policy than to deplore the +necessity for the services of such an ally: for, however, +it may be sought on the part of the British Government, +(and I certainly do differ from the majority of my +countrymen in this instance, by believing it WILL impose +every possible check to unnecessary cruelty,) however, +I repeat, it may be sought to confine the Indians to +defensive operations, their predatory habits will but +too often lead them to the outskirts of our defenceless +settlements, and then who shall restrain them from imbruing +their hands in the blood of the young and the adult--the +resisting and the helpless." + +"If we should be accused of neglecting the means of +preventing unnecessary cruelty," observed Colonel D'Egville, +"the people of the United States will do us infinite +wrong. This very circumstance has been foreseen and +provided against. Without the power to prevent the Indians +from entering upon these expeditions, we have at least +done all that experience and a thorough knowledge of +their character admits, to restrain their vengeance, by +the promise of head money. It has been made generally +known to them that every prisoner that is brought in and +delivered up, shall entitle the captor to a certain sum. +This promise, I have no doubt, will have the effect, not +only of saving the lives of those who are attacked in +their settlements, but also of checking any disposition +to unnecessary outrage in the hour of conflict." + +"The idea is one certainly reflecting credit on the +humanity of the British authorities," returned Major +Montgomerie; "but I confess I doubt its efficacy. We all +know the nature of an Indian too well to hope that in +the career of his vengeance, or the full flush of victory, +he will waive his war trophy in consideration of a few +dollars. The scalp he may bring, but seldom a living head +with it." + +"It is, I fear, the horrid estimation in which the scalp +is held, that too frequently whets the blades of these +people," observed the Commodore. "Were it not considered +a trophy, more lives would be spared; but an Indian, from +all I can understand, takes greater pride in exhibiting +the scalp of a slain enemy, than a knight of ancient +times did in displaying in his helmet, the glove that +had been bestowed on him as a mark of favor by his +lady-love." + +"After all," said the General, "necessary as it is to +discourage it by every possible mark of our disapprobation, +I do not (entre nous) see, in the mere act of scalping, +half the horrors usually attached to the practice. The +motive must be considered. It is not the mere desire to +inflict wanton torture, that influences the warrior, but +an anxiety to possess himself of that which gives +indisputable evidence of his courage and success in war. +The prejudice of Europeans is strong against the custom +however, and we look upon it in a light very different, +I am sure, from that in which it is viewed by the Indians +themselves. The burnings of prisoners, which were practised +many years ago, no longer continue; and the infliction +of the torture has passed away, so that, after all, Indian +cruelty does not exceed that which is practised even at +this day in Europe, and by a nation bearing high rank +among the Catholic powers of Europe. I have numerous +letters, recently received from officers of my acquaintance +now serving in Spain, all of which agree in stating that +the mutilations perpetrated by the Guerilla bands, on +the bodies of such of the unfortunate French detachments +as they succeed in overpowering, far exceed any thing +imputed to the Indians of America; and, as several of +these letters an from individuals who joined the Peninsular +Array from this country, in which they had passed many +years, the statement may be relied on as coming from men +who have had men than hearsay knowledge of both parties." + +"Whatever the abhorrence in which scalping may be held +by the people of the northern and eastern states," observed +Colonel D'Egville, "it is notorious that the example of +the Indians is followed by those of the western. The +backwoodsman of the new States, and the Kentuckians +particularly, almost invariably scalp the Indians they +have slain in battle. Am I not right, Major Montgomerie?" + +"Perfectly, Colonel--but then the Kentuckians," he added +smiling, "are you know in some degree a separate race. +They are scarcely looked upon as appertaining to the +great American family. Half horse, half alligator, as +they are pleased to term themselves, their roving mode +of life and wild pursuits, are little removed from those +of the native Indian, who scarcely inspires more curiosity +among the civilized portion of the Union, than a genuine +Kentuckian." + +"Yet, if we may credit the accounts of our Indian spies," +remarked the General, "the army to which I have alluded, +as having marched forward to Detroit, is composed chiefly +of those backwoodsmen." + +"In which case," observed the Commodore, "it will only +be savage pitted against savage after all, therefore, +the exchange of a few scalps can prove but an indifferent +source of national umbrage. Not, however, be it understood, +that I advocate the practice." + +Here a tall, fine looking black, wearing the livery of +Colonel D'Egville, entering to announce that coffee was +waiting for them in an adjoining room--the party rose +and retired to the ladies. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Our readers doubtless bear in mind the spot called +Elliott's Point, at the western extremity of Lake Erie, +to which we have already introduced him. At a considerable +distance beyond that again, (its intermediate shores +washed by the silver waves of the Erie,) stretches a +second, called also, from the name of its proprietor, +Hartley's Point. Between these two necks, are three or +four farms; one of which and adjoining Hartley's, was, +at the period of which we treat, occupied by an individual +of whom, unfortunately for the interests of Canada, too +many of the species had been suffered to take root within +her soil. For many years previous to the war, adventurers +from the United States, chiefly men of desperate fortunes, +and even more desperate characters, had, through a mistaken +policy, been suffered to occupy the more valuable portion +of the country. Upper Canada, in particular, was infested +by these people, all of whom, even while taking the +customary oath of allegiance to the crown, brought with +them, and openly professed, all the partialities of +American citizens. By the Canadians and their descendants, +French and English, they were evidently looked upon with +an eye of distrust, for, independently of the fact of +their having been suffered to appropriate, during pleasure, +many valuable tracts of land, they had experienced no +inconsiderable partiality on the part of the Government. +Those who believe in the possibility of attaching a +renegade to the soil of his adoption and converting him +into a serviceable defender of that soil in a moment of +need, commit a great error in politics. The shrewd +Canadians knew them better. They complained with bitterness, +that at the first appearance of a war, they would hold +their oaths of fealty as naught, or that if they did +remain, it would only be with a view to embarrass the +province with their presence, and secretly to serve the +cause of their native country. The event proved that they +knew their men. Scarcely had the American declaration +of war gone forth, when numbers of these people, availing +themselves of their near contiguity, abandoned their +homes, and embarking in boats all their disposable +property, easily succeeded, under cover of the night, in +gaining the opposite coast. Not satisfied however with +their double treason, they, in the true spirit of the +dog in the manger, seemed resolved others should not +enjoy that which was no longer available to themselves, +and the dawn that succeeded the night of their departure, +more than once broke on scenes of spoliation of their +several possessions, which it required one to know these +desperate people well, to credit as being the work of +their own hands. Melancholy as it was, however, to +reflect that the spirit of conciliation had been thus +repaid, the country had reason to rejoice in their flight; +for, having thus declared themselves, there was nothing +now, beyond their open hostility, to apprehend. Not so +with the few who remained. Alike distrusted with those +who had taken a more decided part, it was impossible to +bring any charge home to them, on which to found a plea +for compelling them to quit the country, in imitation of +the example of their fellows. They had taken the oaths +of allegiance to England--and, although ninety-nine had +deliberately violated these, there was no legal cause +for driving forth the hundredth, who still kept the "word +of promise to the ear," however he might break it to the +hope. Not that, on this account, the hundredth was held +to be one whit more honourable or loyal. It was felt and +known, as though it had been written in characters of +fire upon his brow, that if he did not follow in the +steps of his predecessors, it was because his interests, +not his inclination, induced his pursuing an apparently +opposite course. It is true, those who remained were few +in number; but scattered, as they were, over various +isolated parts of the country, this only rendered them +greater objects of suspicion. If the enemy became apprised +of any of our movements, for the successful termination +of which it was necessary they should be kept in ignorance, +it was at once taken for granted their information had +been derived from the traitors Canada had so long nourished +in her bosom; and as several of them were in the practice +of absenting themselves for days in their boats, under +the plea of duck-shooting, or some other equally plausible +pretence, nothing was more easy of accomplishment. Under +these circumstances of doubt, the general secession of +the Yankees, as they were termed, which had first been +regarded as a calamity, was now looked upon as a blessing; +and if regret eventually lingered in the minds even of +those who had been most forward to promote their +introduction into the country, it arose, not because the +many had departed, but because the few remained. That +they were traitors, all believed; but, although narrowly +watched, in no one instance could their treason be traced, +much less established. In the course of time however they +committed themselves in some one way or other, and then +of necessity their only resource was to flee, as their +companions had fled before them, until ultimately few of +their number were left. If Canada has reason to feel +happy in the late war, inasmuch as that war offered a +means of proving her devoted attachment to the Mother +Country, she has no less reason to rejoice in it, as +having been the indirect means of purging her unrepublican +soil of a set of hollow hearted persons, who occupied +the place and enjoyed all the advantages of loyal men. +Should she, failing to profit by the experience of the +past, again tolerate the introduction of citizens of the +United States into her flourishing provinces, when there +are so many deserving families anxious to emigrate to +her from the Mother Country; then will she merit all the +evils which can attach, in a state of warfare, to a people +diametrically opposed in their interests, their principles, +their habits, and their attachments. + +An individual of this description had his residence near +Hartley's Point. Unlike those however whose dwellings +rose at a distance, few and far between, hemmed in by +the fruits of prosperous agriculture, he appeared to have +paid But little attention to the cultivation of a soil, +which in every part was of exceeding fertility. A rude +log hut, situated in a clearing of the forest, the +imperfect work of lazy labour, was his only habitation, +and here he had for years resided without its being known +how he contrived to procure the necessary means of +subsistence; yet, in defiance of the apparent absence of +all resources, it was subject of general remark, that he +not only never wanted money, but had been enabled to +bestow something like an education on a son, who had, at +the epoch opened by our narrative, been absent from him +upwards of five years. From his frequent voyages, and +the direction his canoe was seen to take, it was inferred +by his immediate neighbours, that he dealt in contraband, +procuring various articles on the American coast, which, +he subsequently disposed of in the small town of +Amherstburgh (one of the principal English posts) among +certain subjects domiciliated there, who were suspected +of no very scrupulous desire to benefit the revenue of +the country they called their own. So well and so wisely, +however, did he cover his operations, that he had always +contrived to elude detection--and, although suspicion +attached to his conduct, in no instance had he openly +committed himself. The man himself, tall, stout and of +a forbidding look, was of a fearless and resolute character, +and if he resorted to cunning, it was because cunning +alone could serve his purpose in a country, the laws of +which were not openly to be defied. + +For a series of years after his arrival, he had contrived +to evade taking the customary oaths of allegiance; but +this, eventually awakening the suspicions of the magistracy, +brought him more immediately under their surveillance, +when, year after year, he was compelled to a renewal of +the oath, for the imposition of which, it was thought, +he owed more than one of those magistrates a grudge. On +the breaking out of the war, he still remained in +undisturbed possession of his rude dwelling, watched as +well as circumstances would permit, it is true, but not +so narrowly as to be traced in his various nocturnal +excursions by water. Nothing could be conceived more +uncouth in manner and appearance than this man--nothing +more villainous than the expression of his eye. No one +knew from what particular point of the United States he +had come, and whether Yankee or Kentuckian, it would have +puzzled one of that race of beings, so proverbial for +acumen--a Philadelphia lawyer--to have determined; for +so completely did he unite the boasting language of the +latter with the wary caution and sly cunning of the +former, that he appeared a compound of both. The general +opinion, however, seemed rather, to incline in favor of +the presumption that he was less Kentuckian than Yankee. + +The day following that of the capture of the American +detachment was just beginning to dawn, as two individuals +appeared on the skirt of the rude clearing in which the +hut of the man we have just described, had been erected. +The persons of both these, wrapt in blue military cloaks, +reposed upon the dark foliage in a manner to enable them +to observe, without being themselves seen, all that passed +within the clearing, from the log hut to the sand of the +lake shore. There had been an indication by one of these +of a design to step forth from his concealment into the +clearing, and advance boldly toward the house; but this +had been checked by his companion, who, laying his hand +upon his shoulder, arrested the movement, pointing out +at the same time, the leisurely but cautious advance of +two men from the hut towards the shore, on which lay a +canoe half drawn up on the sands. Each, on issuing from +the hut, had deposited a rifle against the rude exterior +of the dwelling, the better to enable them to convey a +light mast, sail, paddles, several blankets, and a common +corn-bag, apparently containing provisions, with which +they proceeded towards the canoe. + +"So," said the taller of the first party, in a whisper, +"there is that d----d rascal Desborough setting out on +one of his contraband excursions. He seems to have a long +absence in view, if we may judge from the contents of +his provision sack." + +"Hist," rejoined his companion, "there is more here than +meets the eye. In the first instance, remove the pistols +from the case, and be prepared to afford me assistance, +should I require it." + +"What the devil are you going to do, and what do you +mean?" asked the first speaker, following however the +hint that had been given him, and removing a pair of +duelling pistols from their mahogany case. + +While he was in the act of doing this, his companion had, +without replying, quitted his side, and cautiously and +noiselessly advanced to the hut. In the course of a few +minutes he again appeared at the point whence he had +started, grasping in either hand the rifles so recently +deposited there. + +"Well, what is the meaning of this feat? you do not +intend, Yankee fashion, to exchange a long shot with poor +Molineux, I hope--if so, my dear fellow, I cry off, for +upon my honor, I cannot engage in any thing that is not +strictly orthodox." + +He, thus addressed, could scarcely restrain a laugh at +the serious tone in which his companion expressed himself, +as if he verily believed he had that object in view. + +"Would you not like," he asked, "to be in some degree +instrumental in banishing wholly from the country, a man +whom we all suspect of treason, but are compelled to +tolerate from inability to prove his guilt--this same +notorious Desborough?" + +"Now that you no longer speak and act in parables, I can +understand you. Of course I should, but what proof of +his treason are we to discover in the mere fact of his +departing on what he may choose to call a hunting excursion? +even admitting he is speculating in the contraband, THAT +cannot banish him; and if it could, we could never descend +to become informers." + +"Nothing of the kind is required of us--his treason will +soon unfold itself, and that in a manner to demand, as +an imperative duty, that we secure the traitor. For this +have I removed the rifles which may, in a moment of +desperation, be turned at backwoodsman's odds against +our pistols. Let us steal gently towards the beach, and +then you shall satisfy yourself; but I had nearly +forgotten--suppose the other party should arrive?", + +"Then they must in their turn wait for us. They have +already exceeded their time ten minutes." + +"Look," exclaimed his companion, as he slightly grasped +the shoulder on which his hand had rested, "he is returning +for the rifles." + +Only one of the two men now retrod his steps from the +beach towards the hut, but with a more hurried action +than before. As he passed where the friends still +lingered, he gave a start of surprise, apparently produced +by the absence of the rifles. A moment's reflection +seeming to satisfy him it was possible his memory had +failed him, and that they had been left within the +building, he hurried forward to assure himself. After +a few moments of apparently ineffectual search, he again +made his appearance, making the circuit of the hut to +discover his lost weapons, but in vain; when, in the +fierceness of his anger, he cried aloud, with a bitterness +that gave earnest of sincerity. + +"By Gosh, I wish I had the curst British rascal who played +me this trick, on t'other shore--if I wouldn't tuck my +knife into his b----y gizzard, then is my name not Jeremiah +Desborough. What the h--l's to be done now?" + +Taking advantage of his entrance into the hut, the two +individuals, first described, had stolen cautiously under +cover of the forest, until they arrived at its termination, +within about twenty yards of the shore, where however +there was no outward or visible sign of the individual +who had been Desborough's companion. In the bows of the +canoe were piled the blankets, and in the centre was +deposited the provision bag that had formed a portion of +their mutual load. The mast had not been hoisted, but +lay extended along the hull, its sail loosened and +partially covering the before mentioned article of +freightage. The bow half of the canoe pressed the beach, +the other lay sunk in the water, apparently in the manner +in which it had first approached the land. + +Still uttering curses, but in a more subdued tone, against +"the fellor who had stolen his small bores," the angry +Desborough retraced his steps to the canoe. More than +once he looked back to see if he could discover any traces +of the purloiner, until at length his countenance seemed +to assume an expression of deeper cause for concern, than +even the loss of his weapons. + +"Ha, I expect some d----d spy has been on the look out-- +if so, I must cut and run I calculate purty soon." + +This apprehension was expressed as he arrived opposite +the point where the forest terminated. A slight rustling +among the underwood reduced that apprehension to certainty. +He grasped the handle of his huge knife that was thrust +into the girdle around his loins, and rivetting his gaze +on the point whence the sound had proceeded, retreated +in that attitude. Another and more distinct crush of +underwood, and he stood still with surprise, on finding +himself face to face with two officers of the garrison. + +"We have alarmed you, Desborough," said the younger, as +they both advanced leisurely to the beach. "Do you +apprehend danger from our presence?" + +A keen searching glance flashed from the ferocious eye +of the Yankee. It was but momentary. Quitting his firm +grasp of the knife, he suffered his limbs to relax their +tension, and aiming at carelessness, observed, with a +smile, that was tenfold more hideous from its being +forced: + +"Well now, I guess, who would have expected to see two +officers so fur away from the fort at this early hour of +the mornin'." + +"Ah," said the taller of the two, availing himself of +the first opening to a pun which had been afforded, "we +are merely out on a SHOOTING excursion." + +Desborough gazed doubtingly on the speaker--"Strange sort +of a dress that for shootin' I guess--them cloaks most +be a great tanglement in the bushes." + +"They serve to keep our ARMS warm," continued Middlemore, +perpetrating another of his execrables. + +"To keep your arms warm! well sure-LY, if that arn't +droll. It may be some use to keep the primins dry, I +reckon; but I can't see the good of keepin' the fowlin' +pieces warm. Have you met any game yet, officers. I expect +as how I can pint you out a purty spry place for pattridges +and sich like." + +"Thank you, my good fellow; but we have appointed to meet +our GAME here." + +The dry manner in which this was observed had a visible +effect on the settler. He glanced an eye of suspicion +around, to see if others than the two officers were in +view, and it was not without effort that he assumed an +air of unconcern, as he replied: + +"Well I expect I have been many a long year a hunter, as +well as other things, and yet, dang me if I ever calculated +the game would come to me. It always costs me a purty +good chase in the woods." + +"How the fellow beats about the bush, to find what game +we are driving at," observed Middlemore, in an under +tone, to his companion. + +"Let the Yankee alone for that," returned he, whom our +readers have doubtless recognized for Henry Grantham; "I +will match his cunning against your punning any day." + +"The truth is, he is FISHING to discover our motive for +being here, and to find out if we are in any way connected +with the disappearance of his rifles." + +During this conversation APART, the Yankee had carelessly +approached his canoe, and was affecting to make some +alteration in the disposition of the sail. The officers, +the younger especially, keeping a sharp look out upon +his movements, followed at some little distance, until +they, at length, stood on the extreme verge of the sands. +Their near approach seemed to render Desborough impatient: + +"I expect, officers," he said, with a hastiness that, at +any other moment, would have called down immediate reproof, +if not chastisement, "you will only be losin' time here +for nothin'--About a mile beyond Hartley's there'll be +plenty of pattridges at this hour, and I am jist goin' +to start myself for a little shootin' in the Sandusky +river." + +"Then, I presume," said Grantham, with a smile, "you are +well provided with silver bullets, Desborough--for, in +the hurry of departure, you seem likely to forget the +only medium through which leaden ones can be made available: +not a rifle or a shot-gun do I see." + +The Yankee fixed his eye for a moment, with a penetrating +expression, on the youth, as if he would have sought a +meaning deeper than the words implied. His reading seemed +to satisfy him that all was right. + +"What," he observed, with a leer, half cunning half +insolent, "if I have hid my rifle near the Sandusky swamp, +the last time I hunted there." + +"In that case," observed the laughing Middlemore, to whom +the opportunity was irresistible, "you are going out on +a WILD GOOSE CHASE, indeed. Your prospects of a good +hunt, as you call it, cannot be said to be SURE AS A GUN, +for in regard to the latter, you may depend some one has +discovered and RIFLED it before this." + +"You seem to have laid in a store of provisions for this +trip, Desborough," remarked Henry Grantham; "how long do +you purpose being absent?" + +"I guess three or four days," was the sullen reply. + +"Three or four days! why your bag contains," and the +officer partly raised a corner of the sail, "provisions +for a week, or, at least, for TWO for half that period." + +The manner in which the TWO was emphasised did not escape +the attention of the settler. He was visibly disconcerted, +nor was he at all reassured when the younger officer +proceeded: + +"By the bye, Desborough, we saw you leave the hut with +a companion--what has become of him?" + +The Yankee, who had now recovered his self-possession, +met the question without the slightest show of hesitation: + +"I expect you mean, young man," he said, with insufferable +insolence, "a help as I had from Hartley's farm, to assist +gittin' down the things. He took home along shore when +I went back to the hut for the small bores." + +"Oh ho, sir! the rifles ate not then concealed near the +Sandusky swamp, I find." + +For once, the wily settler felt his cunning had over-reached +itself. In the first fury of his subdued rage, he muttered +something amounting to a desire that he could produce +them at that moment, as he would well know where to lodge +the bullets--but, recovering himself, he said aloud: + +"The rale fact is, I've a long gun hid, as I said, near +the swamp, but my small bore I always carry with me--only +think, jist as I and Hartley's help left the hut, I pit +my rifle against the outside wall, not being able to +carry it down with the other things, and when I went back +a minute or two ater, drot me if some tarnation rascal +hadn't stole it." + +"And if you had the British rascal on t'other shore, you +wouldn't be long in tucking a knife into his gizzard, +would you?" asked Middlemore, in a nearly verbatim +repetition of the horrid oath originally uttered by +Desborough, "I see nothing to warrant our interfering +with him," he continued in an under tone to his companion. + +Not a little surprised to hear his words repeated, the +Yankee lost somewhat of his confidence as he replied, +"well now sure-LY, you officers didn't think nothin' o' +that--I expect I was in a mighty rage to find my small +bore gone, and I did curse a little hearty, to be sure." + +"The small bore multiplied in your absence," observed +Grantham; "when I looked at the hut there were two." + +"Then maybe you can tell who was the particular d----d +rascal that stole them," said the settler eagerly. + +Middlemore laughed heartily at his companion, who observed: + +"The particular d----d rascal who removed, not stole them +thence, stands before you." + +Again the Yankee looked disconcerted. After a moment's +hesitation, he continued, with a forced grin, that gave +an atrocious expression to his whole countenance: + +"Well now, you officers are playing a purty considerable +spry trick--it's a good lark, I calculate--but you know, +as the saying is, enough's as good as a feast. Do tell +me, Mr. Grantham," and his discordant voice became more +offensive in its effort at a tone of entreaty, "do tell +me where you've hid my small bore--you little think," he +concluded, with an emphasis then unnoticed by the officers, +but subsequently remembered to have been perfectly +ferocious, "what reason I have to vally it." + +"We never descend to larks of the kind," coolly observed +Grantham; "but as you say you value your rifle, it shall +be restored to you on one condition." + +"And what may that be?" asked the settler, somewhat +startled at the serious manner of the officer. + +"That you show us what your canoe is freighted with. +Here in the bows I mean." + +"Why," rejoined the Yankee quickly, but as if without +design, intercepting the officers' nearer approach, "that +bag, I calculate, contains my provisions, and these here +blankets that you see, peepin' like from under the sail, +are what I makes my bed of while out huntin'." + +"And are you quite certain there is nothing under those +blankets?--nay do not protest--you cannot answer for what +may have occurred while your back was turned, on your +way to the hut for the rifle." + +"By hell," exclaimed the settler, blusteringly, "were +any man to tell me, Jeremiah Desborough, there was any +thin' beside them blankets in the canoe, I would lick +him into a jelly, even though he could whip his own weight +in wild cats." + +"So is it? Now then, Jeremiah Desborough, although I have +never yet tried to whip my own weight in wild cats, I +tell you there is something more than those blankets; +and what is more, I insist upon seeing what that something +is." + +The settler stood confounded. His eye rolled rapidly from +one to the other of the officers at the boldness and +determination of this language. Singly, he could hare +crushed Henry Grantham in his gripe, even as one of the +bears of the forest, near the outskirt of which they +stood; but there were two, and while attacking the one, +he was sure of being assailed by the other; nay, what +was worse, the neighborhood might be alarmed. Moreover, +although they had kept their cloaks carefully wrapped +around their persons, there could be little doubt that +both officers were armed, not, as they had originally +given him to understand, with fowling pieces, but with +(at the present close quarters at least) far more efficient +weapons--pistols. He was relieved from his embarrassment +by Middlemore exclaiming: + +"Nay, do not press the poor devil, Grantham; I dare say +the story of his hunting is all a hum, and that the fact +is, he is merely going to earn an honest penny in one of +his free commercial speculations--a little contraband," +pointing with his finger to the bows, "is it not +Desborough?" + +"Why now, officer," said the Yankee, rapidly assuming a +dogged air, as if ashamed of the discovery that had been +so acutely made, "I expect you won't hurt a poor fellor +for doin' a little in this way. Drot me, these are hard +times, and this here war jist beginnin', quite pits one +to one's shifts." + +"This might do, Desborough, were your present freight an +arrival instead of a departure, but we all know that +contraband is imported, not exported." + +"Mighty cute you are, I guess," replied the settler, +warily, with something like the savage grin of the wild +cat, to which he had so recently alluded; "but I expect +it would be none so strange to have packed up a few dried +hog skins to stow away the goods I am goin' for." + +"I should like to try the effect of a bullet among the +skins," said Grantham, leisurely drawing forth and cocking +a pistol, after having whispered something in the ear of +his companion. + +"Nay, officer," said Desborough, now for the first time +manifesting serious alarm--"you sure-LY don't mean to +bore a hole through them innocent skins?" + +"True," said Middlemore, imitating, "if he fires, the +hole will be something more than SKIN deep I reckon--these +pistols, to my knowledge, send a bullet through a two +inch plank at twenty paces." + +As Middlemore thus expressed himself, both he and Grantham +saw, or fancied they saw, the blankets slightly agitated. + +"Good place for HIDE that," said the former, addressing +his pun to the Yankee, on whom however it was totally +lost, "show us those said skins, my good fellow, and if +we find they are not filled with any thing it would be +treason in a professed British subject to export thus +clandestinely, we promise that you shall depart without +further hindrance." + +"Indeed, officer," muttered the settler, sullenly and +doggedly, "I shan't do no sich thing. Yon don't belong +to the custom-house I reckon, and so I wish you a good +day, for I have a considerable long course to run, and +must be movin'." Then, seizing the paddles that were +lying on the sand, he prepared to shove the canoe from +the beach. + +"Not at least before I have sent a bullet, to ascertain +the true quality of your skins," said Grantham, levelling +his pistol. + +"Sure-LY," said Desborough, as he turned and drew himself +to the full height of his bony and muscular figure, while +his eye measured the officer from head to foot, with a +look of concentrated but suppressed fury, "you wouldn't +dare to do this--you wouldn't dare to fire into my canoe-- +besides, consider," he said, in a tone somewhat deprecating, +"your bullet may go through her, and you would hardly do +a fellor the injury to make him lose the chance of a good +cargo." + +"Then why provoke such a disaster, by refusing to show +us what is beneath those blankets?" + +"Because it's my pleasure to do so," fiercely retorted +the other, "and I won't show them to no man." + +"Then is it my pleasure to fire," said Grantham. "The +injury be on your own head, Desborough--one--two--." + +At that moment the sail was violently agitated--something +struggling for freedom, cast the blankets on one side, +and presently the figure of a man stood upright in the +bows of the canoe, and gazed around him with an air of +stupid astonishment. + +"What," exclaimed Middlemore, retreating back a pace or +two, in unfeigned surprise; "has that pistol started up, +like the ghost in Hamlet, Ensign Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, +Arnoldi, of the United States Michigan Militia--a prisoner +on his parole of honor? and yet attempting a clandestine +departure from the country--how is this?" + +"Not this merely," exclaimed Grantham, "but a traitor to +his country, and a deserter from our service. This fellow," +he pursued, in answer to an inquiring look of his companion, +"is a scoundrel, who deserted three years since from the +regiment you relieved--I recognized him yesterday on his +landing, as my brother Gerald, who proposed making his +report to the General this morning, had done before. Let +us secure both, Middlemore, for, thank Heaven we have +been enabled to detect the traitor at last, in that which +will excuse his final expulsion from the soil, even if +no worse befall him. I have only tampered with him thus +long to render his conviction more complete." + +"Secure me! secure Jeremiah Desborough?" exclaimed the +settler, with rage manifest in the clenching of his teeth +and the tension of every muscle of his iron frame, "and +that for jist tryin' to save a countryman--well, we'll +see who'll have the best of it." + +Before Grantham could anticipate the movement, the active +and powerful Desborough had closed with him in a manner +to prevent his making use of his pistol, had he even so +desired. In the next instant it was wrested from him, +and thrown far from the spot on which he struggled with +his adversary, but at fearful odds, against himself. +Henry Grantham, although well and actively made, was of +slight proportion, and yet in boyhood. Desborough, on +the contrary, was in the full force of a vigorous manhood. +A struggle, hand to hand, between two combatants so +disproportioned, could not, consequently, be long doubtful +as to its issue. No sooner had the formidable Yankee +closed with his enemy, than, pressing the knuckles of +his iron hand which met round the body of the officer, +with violence against his spine, he threw him backwards +with force upon the sands. Grasping his victim with one +hand as he lay upon him, he seemed, as Grantham afterwards +declared, to be groping for his knife with the other. +The settler was evidently anxious to despatch one enemy, +in order that he might fly to the assistance of his son, +for it was he whom Middlemore, with a powerful effort, +had dragged from the canoe to the beach. While his right +hand was still groping for the knife--an object which +the powerful resistance of the yet unsubdued, though +prostrate, officer rendered somewhat difficult of attainment +--the report of a pistol was heard, fired evidently by +one of the other combatants. Immediately the settler +looked up to see who was the triumphant party. Neither +had fallen, and Middlemore, if any thing, had the advantage +of his enemy; but to his infinite dismay, Desborough +beheld a horseman, evidently attracted by the report of +the pistol, urging his course with the rapidity of +lightning, along the firm sands, and advancing with cries +and vehement gesticulations to the rescue. + +Springing with the quickness of thought from his victim, +the settler was in the next moment at the side of +Middlemore. Seizing him from behind by the arm within +his nervous grasp, he pressed the latter with such +prodigious force as to cause him to relinquish, by a +convulsive movement, the firm hold he had hitherto kept +of his adversary. + +"In, boy, to the canoe for your life," he exclaimed +hurriedly, as following up his advantage, he spun the +officer round, and sent him tottering to the spot were +Grantham lay, still stupified and half throttled. The +next instant saw him heaving the canoe from the shore, +with all the exertion called for by his desperate situation. +And all this was done so rapidly, in so much less time +than it will take our readers to trace it, that before +the horseman, so opportunely arriving, had reached the +spot, the canoe, with its inmates, had pushed from the +shore. + +Without pausing to consider the rashness and apparent +impracticability of his undertaking, the strange horseman, +checking his rein, and burying the rowels of his spurs +deep into the flanks of his steed, sent him bounding and +plunging into the lake, in pursuit of the fugitives. + +He himself evinced every symptom of one in a state of +intoxication. Brandishing a stout cudgel over his head, +and pealing forth shouts of defiance, he rolled from side +to side on his spirited charger, like some labouring bark +careening to the violence of the winds, but ever, like +that bark, regaining an equilibrium that was never +thoroughly lost. Shallow as the lake was at this point +for a considerable distance, it was long before the noble +animal lost its footing, and thus had its rider been +enabled to arrive within a few paces of the canoe, at +the very moment when the increasing depth of the water, +in compelling the horse to the less expeditions process +of swimming, gave a proportionate advantage to the pursued. +No sooner, however, did the Centaur-like rider find that +he was losing ground, than, again darting his spurs into +the flanks of his charger, he made every effort to reach +the canoe, Maddened by the pain, the snorting beast half +rose upon the calm element, like some monster of the +deep, and, making two or three desperate plunges with +his fore feet, succeeded in reaching the stern. Then +commenced a short but extraordinary conflict. Bearing up +his horse as he swam, with the bridle in his teeth, the +bold rider threw his left hand upon the stern of the +vessel, and brandishing his cudgel in the right, seemed +to provoke both parties to the combat. Desborough, who +had risen from the stern at his approach, stood upright +in the centre, his companion still paddling at the bows; +and between these two a singular contest now ensued. +Armed with the formidable knife which he had about his +person, the settler made the most desperate and infuriated +efforts to reach his assailant; but in so masterly a +manner did his adversary use his simple weapon, that +every attempt was foiled, and more than once did the hard +iron-wood descend upon his shoulders, in a manner to be +heard from the shore. Once or twice the settler stooped +to evade some falling blow, and, rushing forward, sought +to sever the hand which still retained its hold of the +stern; but, with an activity remarkable in so old a man +as his assailant, for he was upwards of sixty years of +age, the hand was removed--and the settler, defeated in +his object, was amply repaid for his attempt, by a severe +collision of his bones with the cudgel. At length, +apparently enjoined by his companion, the younger removed +his paddle, and, standing up also in the canoe, aimed a +blow with its knobbed handle at the head of the horse, +at a moment when his rider was fully engaged with +Desborough. The quick-sighted old man saw the action, +and, as the paddle descended, an upward stroke from his +own heavy weapon sent it flying in fragments in the air, +while a rapid and returning blow fell upon the head of +the paddler, and prostrated him at length in the canoe. +The opportunity afforded by this diversion, momentary as +it was, was not lost upon Desborough. The horseman, who, +in his impatience to avenge the injury offered to the +animal, which seemed to form a part of himself, had +utterly forgotten the peril of his hand; and before he +could return from the double blow that had been so +skilfully wielded, to his first enemy, the knife of the +latter had penetrated his hand, which, thus rendered +powerless now relinquished its grasp. Desborough, whose +object--desperate character as he usually was--seemed +now rather to fly than to fight, availed himself of this +advantage to hasten to the bows of the canoe, where, +striding across the body of his insensible companion, +he, with a few vigorous strokes of the remaining paddle, +urged the lagging bark rapidly a-head. In no way intimidated +by his disaster, the courageous old man, again brandishing +his cudgel, and vociferating taunts of defiance, would +have continued the pursuit, but panting as he was, not +only with the exertion he had made, but under the weight +of his impatient rider, in an element in which he was +supported merely by his own buoyancy, the strength and +spirit of the animal began now perceptibly to fail him, +and he turned, despite of every effort to prevent him, +towards the shore. It was fortunate for the former that +there were no arms in the canoe, or neither he nor the +horse would, in all probability, have returned alive; +such was the opinion, at least, pronounced by those who +were witnesses of the strange scene, and who remarked +the infuriated but impotent gestures of Desborough, as +the old man, having once more gotten his steed into depth, +slowly pursued his course towards the shore, but with +the same wild brandishing of his enormous cudgel, and +the same rocking from side to side, until his body was +often at right angles with that of his jaded but sure-footed +beast. As he is, however, a character meriting rather +more than the casual notice we have bestowed, we shall +take the opportunity while he is hastening to the +discomfited officers on the beach, more particularly to +describe him. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Nearly midway between Elliott's and Hartley's points, +both of which are remarkable for the low and sandy nature +of the soil, the land, rising gradually towards the +centre, assumes a more healthy and arable aspect; and, +on its highest elevation, stood a snug, well cultivated, +property, called, at the period of which we write, +Gattrie's farm. From this height, crowned on its extreme +summit by a neat and commodious farm-house, the far +reaching sands, forming the points above named, are +distinctly visible. Immediately in the rear, and commencing +beyond the orchard which surrounded the house, stretched +forestward, and to a considerable distance, a tract of +rich and cultivated soil, separated into strips by zig-zag +enclosures, and offering to the eye of the traveller, in +appropriate season, the several species of American +produce, such as Indian corn, buck wheat, &c. with here +and there a few patches of indifferent tobacco. Thus +far of the property, a more minute description of which +is unimportant. The proprietors of this neat little place +were a father and son, to the latter of whom was consigned, +for reasons which will appear presently, the sole management +of the farm. Of him we will merely say, that, at the +period of which we treat, he was a fine, strapping, dark +curly-haired, white-teethed, red-lipped, broad-shouldered, +and altogether comely and gentle tempered youth, of about +twenty, who had, although unconsciously, monopolized the +affections of almost every well favoured maiden of his +class, for miles around him--advantages of nature, from +which had resulted a union with one of the prettiest of +the fair competitors for connubial happiness. + +The father we may not dismiss so hastily. He was--but, +before attempting the portraiture of his character, we +will, to the best of our ability, sketch his person. + +Let the reader fancy an old man of about sixty, possessed +of that comfortable amplitude of person which is the +result rather of a mind at peace with itself, and +undisturbed by worldly care, than of any marked indulgence +in indolent habits. Let him next invest this comfortable +person in a sort of Oxford gray, coarse capote, or frock, +of capacious size, tied closely round the waist with one +of those parti-colored worsted sashes, we have, on a +former occasion described as peculiar to the bourgeois +settlers of the country. Next, suffering his eye to +descend on and admire the rotund and fleshy thigh, let +it drop gradually to the stout and muscular legs, which +he must invest in a pair of closely fitting leathern +trowsers, the wide-seamed edges of which are slit into +innumerable small strips, much after the fashion of the +American Indian. When he has completed the survey of the +lower extremities, to which he must not fail to subjoin +a foot of proportionate dimensions, tightly moccasined, +and, moreover, furnished with a pair of old English +hunting spurs, the reader must then examine the head with +which this heavy piece of animated machinery is surmounted. +From beneath a coarse felt hat, garnished with an inch-wide +band or ribbon, let him imagine he sees the yet vigorous +grey hair, descending over a forehead not altogether +wanting in a certain dignity of expression, and terminating +in a beetling brow, silvered also with the frost of years, +and shadowing a sharp, grey, intelligent eye, the vivacity +of whose expression denotes its possessor to be far in +advance, in spirit, even of his still active and powerful +frame. With these must be connected a snub nose--a double +chin, adorned with grisly honors, which are borne, like +the fleece of the lamb, only occasionally to the shears +of the shearer--and a small, and not unhandsome, mouth, +at certain periods pursed into an expression of irresistible +humour, but more frequently expressing a sense of lofty +independence. The grisly neck, little more or less bared, +as the season may demand--a kerchief loosely tied around +the collar of a checked shirt--and a knotted cudgel in +his hand,--and we think our sketch of Sampson Gattrie is +complete. + +Nor must the reader picture to himself this combination +of animal properties, either standing, or lying, or +walking, or sitting; but in a measure glued, Centaur-like, +to the back of a noble stallion, vigorous, active, and +of a dark chesnut color, with silver mane and tail. In +the course of many years that Sampson had resided in the +neighbourhood, no one could remember to have seen him +stand, or lie, or walk, or sit, while away from his home, +unless absolutely compelled. Both horse and rider seemed +as though they could not exist while separated, and yet +Silvertail (thus was the stallion named) was not more +remarkable in sleekness of coat, soundness of carcase, +and fleetness of pace, than his rider was in the +characteristics of corpulency and joviality. + +Sampson Gattrie had passed the greater part of his younger +days in America. He had borne arms in the revolution, +and was one of those faithful loyalists, who, preferring +rather to abandon a soil which, after all, was one of +adoption, than the flag under which they had been nurtured, +had, at the termination of that contest, passed over into +Canada. Having served in one of those irregular corps, +several of which had been employed with the Indians, +during the revolutionary contest, he had acquired much +of the language of these latter, and to this knowledge +was indebted for the situation of interpreter which he +had for years enjoyed. Unhappily for himself, however, +the salary attached to the office was sufficient to keep +him in independence, and, to the idleness consequent on +this, (for the duties of an interpreter were only +occasional,) might have been attributed the rapid growth +of a vice--an addiction to liquor--which unchecked +indulgence had now ripened into positive disease. + +Great was the terror that Sampson was wont to excite in +the good people of Amherstburg. With Silvertail at his +speed, he would gallop into the town, brandishing his +cudgel, and reeling from side to side, exhibiting at one +moment the joyous character of a Silenus, at another, as +we have already shown--that of an inebriated Centaur. +Occasionally he would make his appearance, holding his +sides convulsed with laughter, as he reeled and tottered +in every direction, but without ever losing his equilibrium. +At other times he would utter a loud shout, and, brandishing +his cudgel, dart at full speed along the streets, as if +he purposed singly to carry the town by (what Middlemore +often facetiously called) a coup de main. At these moments +were to be seen mothers rushing into the street to look +for, and hurry away, their loitering offspring, while +even adults were glad to hasten their movements, in order +to escape collision with the formidable Sampson; not that +either apprehended the slightest act of personal violence +from the old man, for he was harmless of evil as a child, +but because they feared the polished hoofs of Silvertail, +which shone amid the clouds of dust they raised as he +passed, like rings of burnished silver. Even the very +Indians, with whom the streets were at this period +habitually crowded, were glad to hug the sides of the +houses, while Sampson passed; and they who, on other +occasions, would have deemed it in the highest degree +derogatory to their dignity to have stepped aside at the +approach of danger, or to have relaxed a muscle of their +stern countenances, would then open a passage with a +rapidity which in them was remarkable, and burst into +loud laughter as they fled from side to side to make way +for Sampson. Sometimes, on these occasions, the latter +would suddenly check Silvertail, while in full career, +and, in a voice that could be beard from almost every +quarter of the little town, harangue them for half an +hour together in their own language, and with an air of +authority that was ludicrous to those who witnessed +it--and must have been witnessed to be conceived. +Occasionally a guttural "ugh" would be responded in mock +approval of the speech, but more frequently a laugh, on +the part of the more youthful of his red auditors, was +the only notice taken. His lecture concluded, Sampson +would again brandish his cudgel, and vociferate another +shout; then betaking himself to the nearest store, he +would urge Silvertail upon the footway, and with a tap +of his rude cudgel against the door, summon whoever was +within, to appear with a glass of his favorite beverage. +And this would he repeat, until he had drained what he +called his stirrup cup, at every shop in the place where +the poisonous liquor was vended. + +Were such a character to make his appearance in the Mother +Country, endangering, to all perception, the lives of +the Sovereign's liege subjects, he would, if in London, +be hunted to death like a wild beast, by at least one +half of the Metropolitan police; and, if in a provincial +town, would be beset by a posse of constables. No one, +however--not even the solitary constable of Amherstburg, +ever ventured to interfere with Sampson Gattrie, who was +in some degree a privileged character. Nay, strange as +it may appear, notwithstanding his confirmed habit of +inebriety, the old man stood high in the neighborhood, +not only with simple but with gentle, for there were +seasons when he evinced himself "a rational being," and +there was a dignity of manner about him, which, added to +his then quietude of demeanour, insensibly interested in +his favor, those even who were most forward to condemn +the vice to which he was invariably addicted. Not, be it +understood, that in naming seasons of rationality, we +mean seasons of positive abstemiousness; nor can this +well be, seeing that Sampson never passed a day of strict +sobriety during the last twenty years of his life. But, +it might be said, that his three divisions of day--morning, +noon and night--were characterized by three corresponding +divisions of drunkenness--namely, drunk, drunker, and +most drunk. It was, therefore, in the first stage of this +graduated scale, that Sampson appeared in his most amiable +and winning, because his least uproarious, mood. His +libations commenced at early morn, and his inebriety +became progressive to the close of the day. To one who +could ride home at night, as he invariably did, after +some twelve hours of hard and continued drinking, without +rolling from his horse, it would not be difficult to +enact the sober man in its earlier stages. As his +intoxication was relative to himself, so was his sobriety +in regard to others--and although, at mid-day, he might +have swallowed sufficient to have caused another man to +bite the dust, he looked and spoke, and acted, as if he +had been a model of temperance. If he passed a lady in +the street, or saw her at her window, Sampson Gattrie's +hat was instantly removed from his venerable head, and +his body inclined forward over his saddle-bow, with all +the easy grace of a well-born gentleman, and one accustomed +from infancy to pay deference to woman; nay, this at an +hour when he had imbibed enough of his favorite liquor +to have rendered most men insensible even to their +presence. These habits of courtesy, extended moreover to +the officers of the Garrison, and such others among the +civilians as Sampson felt to be worthy of his notice. +His tones of salutation, at these moments, were soft, +his manner respectful, even graceful; and while there +was nothing of the abashedness of the inferior, there +was also no offensive familiarity, in the occasional +conversations held by him with the different individuals, +or groups, who surrounded and accosted him. + +Such was Sampson Gattrie, in the first stage of his +inebriety, no outward sign of which was visible. In the +second, his perception became more obscured, his voice +less distinct, his tones less gentle and insinuating, +and occasionally the cudgel would rise in rapid flourish, +while now and then a load halloo would burst from lungs, +which the oceans of whiskey they had imbibed had not yet, +apparently, much affected. These were infallible indices +of the more feverish stage, of which the gallopings of +Silvertail--the vociferations of his master--the increased +flourishing of the cudgel--the supposed danger of +children--and the consequent alarm of mothers, together +with the harangues to the Indian auditory, were the almost +daily results. + +There was one individual, however, in the town of +Amherstburgh, of whom, despite his natural wilfulness of +character, Sampson Gattrie stood much in awe, and that +to such degree, that if he chanced to encounter him in +his mad progress, his presence had the effect of immediately +quieting him. This gentleman was the father of the +Granthams, who, although then filling a civil situation, +had formerly been a field officer in the corps in which +Sampson had served; and who had carried with him into +private life, those qualities of stern excellence for +which he had been remarkable as a soldier--qualities +which had won to him the respect and affection, not only +of the little community over which, in the capacity of +its chief magistrate, he had presided, but also of the +inhabitants of the country generally for many miles +around. Temperate to an extreme himself, Major Grantham +held the vice of drunkenness in deserved abhorrence, and +so far from sharing the general toleration extended to +the old man, whose originality (harmless as he ever was +in his intoxication) often proved a motive for +encouragement; he never failed, on encountering him, to +bestow his censure in a manner that had an immediate and +obvious effect on the culprit. If Sampson, from one end +of the street, beheld Major Grantham approaching at the +other, he was wont to turn abruptly away; but if perchance +the magistrate came so unexpectedly upon him as to preclude +the possibility of retreat, he appeared as one suddenly +sobered, and would rein in his horse, fully prepared for +the stern lecture which he was well aware would ensue. + +It afforded no slight amusement to the townspeople, and +particularly the young urchins, who usually looked up to +Sampson with awe, to be witnesses of one of those +rencontres. In a moment the shouting--galloping--rampaging +cudgel-wielder was to be seen changed, as if by some +magic power, into a being of almost child-like obedience, +while he listened attentively and deferentially to the +lecture of Major Grantham, whom he both feared and loved. +On these occasions, he would hang his head upon his +chest--confess his error--and promise solemnly to amend +his course of life, although it must be needless to add +that never was that promise heeded. Not unfrequently, +after these lectures, when Major Grantham had left him, +Sampson would turn his horse, and, with his arms still +folded across his chest, suffer Silvertail to pursue his +homeward course, while he himself, silent and thoughtful, +and looking like a culprit taken in the fact, sat steadily +in his saddle, without however venturing to turn his eye +either to the right or to the left, as he passed through +the crowd, who, with faces strongly expressive of mirth, +marked their sense of the change which had been produced +in the old interpreter. Those who had seen him thus, for +the first time, might have supposed that a reformation +in one so apparently touched would have ensued; but long +experience had taught that, although a twinge of conscience, +or more probably fear of, and respect for, the magistrate, +might induce a momentary humiliation, all traces of cause +and effect would have vanished with the coming dawn. + +To the sterling public virtues he boasted, Sampson Gattrie +united that of loyalty in no common degree. A more staunch +adherent to the British Crown existed nowhere in the +sovereign's dominions; and, such was his devotedness to +"King George," that, albeit he could not in all probability +have made the sacrifice of his love for whiskey, he would +willingly have suffered his left arm to be severed from +his body, had such proof of his attachment to the throne +been required. Proportioned to his love for every thing +British, arose, as a natural consequence, his dislike +for every thing anti-British; and especially for those, +who, under the guise of allegiance, had conducted themselves +in away to become objects of suspicion to the authorities. +A near neighbour of Desborough, he had watched him as +narrowly as his long indulged habits of intoxication +would permit, and he had been the means of conveying to +Major Grantham much of the information which had induced +that uncompromising magistrate to seek the expulsion of +the dangerous settler--an object which, however, had been +defeated by the perjury of the unprincipled individual, +in taking the customary oaths of allegiance. Since the +death of Major Grantham, for whom, notwithstanding his +numerous lectures, he had ever entertained that reverential +esteem which is ever the result of the ascendancy of the +powerful and virtuous mind over the weak, and not absolutely +vicious; and for whose sons he felt almost a father's +affection, old Gattrie had but indifferently troubled +himself about Desborough, who was fully aware of what he +had previously done to detect and expose him, and +consequently repaid with usury--an hostility of feeling +which, however, had never been brought to any practical +issue. + +As a matter of course, Sampson was of the number of +anxious persons collected on the bank of the river, on +the morning of the capture of the American gun boat; but, +as he was only then emerging from his first stage of +intoxication, (which we have already shown to be tantamount +to perfect sobriety in any other person) there had been +no time for a display of those uproarious qualities which +characterized the last, and which, once let loose, scarcely +even the presence of the General could have restrained. +With an acuteness, however, which is often to be remarked +in habitual drunkards at moments when their intellect is +unclouded by the confusedness to which they are more +commonly subject, the hawk's eye of the old man had +detected several particulars which had escaped the general +attention, and of which he had, at a later period of the +day, retained sufficient recollection, to connect with +an accidental yet important discovery. + +At the moment when the prisoners were landed, he had +remarked Desborough, who had uttered the hasty exclamation +already recorded, stealing cautiously through the +surrounding crowd, and apparently endeavouring to arrest +the attention of the younger of the American officers. +An occasional pressing of the spur into the flank of +Silvertail, enabled him to turn as the settler turned, +and thus to keep him constantly in view; until, at length, +as the latter approached the group of which General Brock +and Commodore Barclay formed the centre, he observed him +distinctly to make a sign of intelligence to the Militia +Officer, whose eye he at length attracted, and who now +bestowed upon him a glance of hasty and furtive recognition. +Curiosity induced Sampson to move Silvertail a little +more in advance, in order to be enabled to obtain a better +view of the prisoners; but the latter, turning away his +head at the moment, although apparently without design, +baffled his penetration. Still he had a confused and +indistinct idea that the person was not wholly unknown +to him. + +When the prisoners had been disposed of, and the crowd +dispersed, Sampson continued to linger near the council +house, exchanging greetings with the newly arrived Chiefs, +and drinking from whatever whiskey bottle was offered to +him, until he at length gave rapid indication of arriving +at his third or grand climacteric. Then were to be heard +the loud shoutings of his voice, and the clattering of +Silvertail's hoofs, as horse and rider flew like lightning +past the fort into the town, where a more than usual +quantity of the favorite liquid was quaffed at the several +stores, in commemoration, as he said, of the victory of +his noble boy, Gerald Grantham, and to the success of +the British arms generally throughout the war. + +Among the faults of Sampson Gattrie, was certainly not +that of neglecting the noble animal to whom long habit +had deeply attached him. Silvertail was equally a favorite +with the son, who had more than once ridden him in the +occasional races that took place upon the hard sands of +the lake shore, and in which he had borne every thing +away. As Sampson was ever conscious and collected about +this hour, care was duly taken by him that his horse +should be fed, without the trouble to himself of +dismounting. Even as Gattrie sat in his saddle, Silvertail +was in the daily practice of munching his corn out of a +small trough that stood in the yard of the inn where he +usually stopped, while his rider conversed with whoever +chanced to be near him--the head of his cudgel resting +on his ample thigh, and a glass of his favorite whiskey +in his other and unoccupied hand. + +Now it chanced, that on this particular day, Sampson had +neglected to pay his customary visit to the inn, an +omission which was owing rather to the hurry and excitement +occasioned by the stirring events of the morning, than +to any wilful neglect of his steed. Nor was it until some +hours after dark that, seized with a sudden fit of +caressing Silvertail, whose glossy neck he patted, until +the tears of warm affection started to his eyes, he +bethought him of the omission of which he had been guilty. +Scarcely was the thought conceived, before Silvertail +was again at full career, and on his way to the inn. The +gate stood open, and, as Sampson entered, he saw two +individuals retire, as if to escape observation, within +a shed adjoining the stable. Drunk as he was, a vague +consciousness of the truth, connected as it was with his +earlier observation, flashed across the old man's mind, +and when, in answer to his loud hallooing, a factotum, +on whom devolved all the numerous offices of the inn, +from waiter down to ostler, made his appearance, Sampson +added to his loudly expressed demand for Silvertail's +corn, a whispered injunction to return with a light. +During the absence of the man he commenced trolling a +verse of "Old King Cole," a favorite ballad with him, +and with the indifference of one who believes himself to +be alone. Presently the light appeared, and, as the bearer +approached, its rays fell on the forms of two men, retired +into the furthest extremity of the shed and crouching to +the earth as if in concealment, whom Sampson recognized +at a glance. He however took no notice of the circumstance +to the ostler, or even gave the slightest indication, by +look or movement, of what he had seen. + +When the man had watered Silvertail, and put his corn in +the trough, he returned to the house, and Sampson, with +his arms folded across his chest, as his horse crunched +his food, listened attentively to catch whatever +conversation might ensue between the loiterers. Not a +word however was uttered, and soon after he saw them +emerge from their concealment--step cautiously behind +him--cross the yard towards the gate by which he had +entered--and then disappear altogether. During this +movement the old man had kept himself perfectly still, +so that there could be no suspicion that he had, in any +way, observed them. Nay, he even spoke once or twice +coaxingly to Silvertail, as if conscious only of the +presence of that animal, and in short conducted himself +in a manner well worthy of the cunning of a drunken man. +The reflections to which this incident gave rise, had +the effect of calling up a desperate fit of loyalty, +which he only awaited the termination of Silvertail's +hasty meal to put into immediate activity. Another shout +to the ostler, a second glass swallowed, the reckoning +paid, Silvertail bitted, and away went Sampson once more +at his speed, through the now deserted town, the road +out of which to his own place, skirted partly the banks +of the river, and partly those of the lake. + +After galloping about a mile, the old man found the feet +of Silvertail burying themselves momentarily deeper in +the sands which form the road near Elliott's Point. +Unwilling to distress him more than was necessary, he +pulled him up to a walk, and, throwing the reins upon +his neck, folded his arms as usual, rolling from side to +side at every moment, and audibly musing, in the thick +husky voice that was common to him in inebriety. + +"Yes, by Jove, I am as true and loyal a subject as any +in the service of King George, God bless him, (here he +bowed his head involuntarily and with respect) and though, +as that poor dear old Grantham used to say, I do drink +a little, (hiccup) still there's no great harm in that. +It keeps a man alive. I am the boy, at all events, to +scent a rogue. That was Desborough and his son I saw just +now, and the rascals, he! he! he! the rascals thought, +I suppose, I was too drunk, (hiccup) too drunk to twig +them. We shall tell them another tale before the night +is over. D--n such skulking scoundrels, I say. Whoa! +Silvertail, whoa! what do yea see there, my boy, eh?" + +Silvertail only replied by the sharp pricking of his +ears, and a side movement, which seemed to indicate a +desire to keep as much aloof as possible from a cluster +of walnut trees which, interspersed with wild grape-vines, +may be seen to this hour, resting in gloomy relief on +the white deep sands that extend considerably in that +direction. + +"Never mind, my boy, we shall be at home presently," +pursued Sampson, patting the neck of his unquiet companion. +"But no, I had forgotten; we must give chase to these +(hiccup) to these rascals. Now there's that son Bill of +mine fast asleep, I suppose, in the arms of his little +wife. They do nothing but lie in bed, while their poor +old father is obliged to be up at all hours, devising +plans for the good of the King's service, God bless him! +But I shall soon (hiccup)!--Whoa Silvertail! whoa I say. +D--n you, you brute, do you mean to throw me?" + +The restlessness of Silvertail, despite of his rider's +caresses had been visibly increasing as they approached +the dark cluster of walnuts. Arrived opposite to this, +his ears and tail erect, he had evinced even more than +restlessness--alarm: and something, that did not meet +the eye of his rider, caused him to take a sideward spring +of several feet. It was this action that, nearly unseating +Sampson, had drawn from him the impatient exclamation +just recorded. + +At length the thicket was passed, and Silvertail, recovered +from his alarm, moved forward once more on the bound, in +obedience to the well known whistle of his master. + +"Good speed have they made," again mused Sampson, as he +approached his home; "if indeed, as I suspect, it be them +who are hiding in yonder thicket. Silvertail could not +have been more than ten minutes finishing his (hiccup) +his corn, and the sands had but little time to warm +beneath his hoofs when he did start. These Yankees are +swift footed fellows, as I have had good (hiccup) good +experience, in the old war, when I could run a little +myself after the best of them. But here we are at last. +Whoa, Silvertail, whoa! and now to turn out Bill from +his little wife. Bill, I say, hilloa! hilloa! Bill, +hilloa!" + +Long habit, which had taught the old man's truly excellent +and exemplary son the utter hopelessness of his disease, +had also familiarized him with these nightly interruptions +to his slumbers. A light was speedily seen to flash across +the chamber in which he slept, and presently the principal +door of the lower building was unbarred, and unmurmuring, +and uncomplaining, the half dressed young man stood in +the presence of his father. Placing the light on the +threshold, he prepared to assist him as usual to dismount, +but Sampson, contrary to custom, rejected for a time +every offer of the kind. His rapid gallop through the +night air, added to the more than ordinary quantity of +whiskey he had that day swallowed, was now producing its +effect, and, while every feature of his countenance +manifested the extreme of animal stupidity, his apprehension +wandered and his voice became almost inarticulate. Without +the power to acquaint his son with the purpose he had in +view, and of which he himself now entertained but a very +indistinct recollection, he yet strove, impelled as he +was by his confusedness of intention to retain his seat, +but was eventually unhorsed and handed over to the care +of his pretty daughter in law, whose office it was to +dispose of him for the night, while her husband rubbed +down, fed, and otherwise attended to Silvertail. + +A few hours of sound sleep restored Sampson to his voice +and his recollection, when his desire to follow the two +individuals he had seen in the yard of the inn the +preceding night, and whom he felt persuaded he must have +passed on the road, was more than ever powerfully revived. +And yet, was it not highly probable that the favorable +opportunity had been lost, and that, taking advantage of +the night, they were already departed from the country, +if such (and he doubted it not) was their intention. +"What a cursed fool," he muttered to himself, "to let a +thimbleful of liquor upset me on such an occasion; but, +at all events, here goes for another trial. With the +impatient, over-indulged Sampson, to determine on a course +of action, was to carry it into effect." + +"Hilloa! Bill, I say Bill my boy," he shouted from the +chamber next to that in which his son slept. "Hilloa! +Bill, come here directly." + +Bill answered not, but sounds were heard in his room as +of one stepping out of bed, and presently the noise of +flint and steel announced that a light was being struck. +In a few minutes, the rather jaded-looking youth appeared +at the bedside of his parent. + +"Bill, my dear boy," said Sampson, in a more subdued +voice, "did you see any body pass last night after I came +home? Try and recollect yourself; did you see two men on +the road?" + +"I did, father; just as I had locked the stable door, +and was coming in for the night, I saw two men passing +down the road. But why do you ask!" + +"Did you speak to them--could you recognize them," asked +Sampson, without stating his motive for the question. + +"I wished them good night, and one of them gruffly bade +me good night too; but I could not make out who they +were, though one did for a moment strike me to be +Desborough, and both were tallish sort of men." + +"You're a lad of penetration, Bill; now saddle me Silvertail +as fast as you can." + +"Saddle Silvertail! surely father, you are not going out +yet: it's not day-light." + +"Saddle me Silvertail, Bill," repeated the old man with +the air of one whose mandate was not to be questioned. +"But where the devil are you going, sir," he added +impatiently. + +"Why to saddle Silvertail, to be sure," said the youth, +who was just closing the door for that purpose. + +"What, and leave me a miserable old man to get up without +a light. Oh fie, Bill. I thought you loved your poor old +father better than to neglect him so--there, that will +do: now send in Lucy to dress me." + +The light was kindled, Bill went in and spoke to his +wife, then descended to the stable. A gentle tap at the +door of the old interpreter, and Lucy entered in her +pretty night dress, and, half asleep, half awake, but +without a shadow of discontent in her look, proceeded to +assist him in drawing on his stockings, &c. Sampson's +toilet was soon completed, and Silvertail being announced +as "all ready," he, without communicating a word of his +purpose, issued forth from his home, just as the day was +beginning to dawn. + +Although the reflective powers of Gattrie had been in +some measure restored by sleep, it is by no means to be +assumed he was yet thoroughly sober. Uncertain in regard +to the movements of those who had so strongly excited +his loyal hostility, (and, mayhap, at the moment his +curiosity,) it occurred to him that if Desborough had +not already baffled his pursuit, a knowledge of the +movements and intentions of that individual, might be +better obtained from an observation of what was passing +on the beach in front of his hut. The object of this +reconnoissance was, therefore, only to see if the canoe +of the settler was still on the shore, and with this +object he suffered Silvertail to take the road along the +sands, while he himself, with his arms folded and his +head sunk on his chest, fell into a reverie with which +was connected the manner and the means of securing the +disloyal Desborough, should it happen that he had not +yet departed. The accidental discharge of Middlemore's +pistol, at the very moment when Silvertail had doubled +a point that kept the scene of contention from his view, +caused him to raise his eyes, and then the whole truth +flashed suddenly upon him. We have already seen how +gallantly he advanced to them, and how madly, and, in a +manner peculiarly his own, he sought to arrest the traitor +Desborough in his flight. + +"Sorry I couldn't force the scoundrel back, gentlemen," +said Sampson, as he now approached the discomfited +officers. "Not much hurt, I hope," pointing with his +own maimed and bleeding hand to the leg of Middlemore, +which that officer, seated on the sand, was preparing to +bind with a silk handkerchief. "Ah, a mere flesh wound. +I see. Henry, Henry Grantham, my poor dear boy, what +still alive after the desperate clutching of that fellow +at your throat? But now that we have routed the enemy-- +must be off--drenched to the skin. No liquor on the +stomach to keep out the cold. and if I once get an ague +fit, its all over with poor old Sampson. Must gallop +home, and, while his little wife wraps a bandage round +my hand, shall send down Bill with a litter. Good morning, +Mr. Middlemore, good bye Henry, my boy." And then, +without giving time to either to reply, the old man +applied his spurs once more to the flanks of Silvertail, +who, with drooping mane and tail, resembled a half drowned +rat; and again hallooing defiance to Desborough, who lay +to at a distance, apparently watching the movements of +his enemies, he retraced his way along the sands at full +gallop, and was speedily out of sight. + +Scarcely had Gattrie disappeared, when two other +individuals, evidently officers, and cloaked precisely +like the party he had just quitted, issued from the wood +near the hut upon the clearing, and thence upon the +sands--their countenances naturally expressing all the +surprise that might he supposed to arise from the picture +now offered to their view. + +"What in the name of Heaven is the meaning of all this?" +asked one of the new comers, as both now rapidly advanced +to the spot where Middlemore was yet employed in coolly +binding up his leg, while Henry Grantham, who had just +risen, was gasping with almost ludicrous efforts to regain +his respiration. + +"You must ask the meaning of our friend here," answered +Middlemore, with the low chuckling good-natured laugh +that was habitual to him, while he proceeded with his +bandaging. "All I know is, that I came out as a second, +and here have I been made a first--a principal, which, +by the way, is contrary to all my principle." + +"Do be serious for once, Middlemore. How did you get +wounded, and who are those scoundrels who have just +quitted you? anxiously inquired Captain Molineux, for it +was he, and Lieutenant Villiers, who, (the party already +stated to have been expected,) had at length arrived. + +"Two desperate fellows in their way, I can assure you," +replied Middlemore, more amused than annoyed at the +adventure. "Ensign Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi, +is, I calculate, a pretty considerable strong active sort +of fellow; and, to judge by Henry Grantham's half strangled +look, his companion lacks not the same qualities. Why, +in the name of all that is precious would you persist in +poking your nose into the rascal's skins, Grantham? The +ruffians had nearly made dried skins of ours." + +"Ha! is that the scoundrel who calls himself Arnoldi," +asked Captain Molineux? "I have heard," and he glanced +at Henry Grantham as he spoke, "a long story of his +villainy from his captor within this very hour." + +"Which is your apology, I suppose," said Middlemore, "for +having so far exceeded your apPOINTment, gentlemen." + +"It certainly is," said Lieutenant Villiers, "but the +fault was not ours. We chanced to fall in with Gerald +Grantham, and on our way here, and that he detained us, +should be a matter of congratulation to us all." + +"Congratulation!" exclaimed Middlemore, dropping his +bandage, and lifting his eyes with an expression of +indescribable humour, "Am I then to think it matter of +congratulation that, as an innocent second, I should have +had a cursed piece of lead stuck in my flesh to spoil my +next winter's dancing. And Grantham is to think it matter +of congratulation that, instead of putting a bullet +through you, Molineux, (as I intend he shall when I hare +finished dressing this confounded leg, if his nerves are +not too much shaken,) he should have felt the gripe of +that monster Desborough around his throat, until his eyes +seem ready to start from their sockets, and all this +because you did not choose to be in time. Upon my word, +I do not know that it is quite meet that we should meet +you. What say you, Grantham?" + +"I hope," said Captain Molineux with a smile, "your +principal will think as you do, for should he decline +the meeting, nothing will afford more satisfaction to +myself." + +Both Grantham and Middlemore looked their utter surprise +at the language thus used by Captain Molineux, but neither +of them spoke. + +"If an apology the most ample for my observation of +yesterday," continued that officer, "an apology founded +on my perfect conviction of error, (that conviction +produced by certain recent explanations with your brother,) +can satisfy you, Mr. Grantham, most sincerely do I make +it. If, however, you hold me to my pledge, here am I of +course to redeem it. I may as well observe to you in the +presence of our friends, (and Villiers can corroborate +my statement,) that my original intention on leaving your +brother, was to receive your fire and then tender my +apology, but, under the circumstances in which both you +and Middlemore are placed at this moment, the idea would +be altogether absurd. Again I tender my apology, which +it will be a satisfaction to me to repeat this day at +the mess table, where I yesterday refused to drink your +brother's health. All I can add is that when you have +heard the motives for my conduct, and learnt to what +extent I have been deceived, you will readily admit that +I acted not altogether from caprice." + +"Your apology I accept, Captain Molineux," said Grantham, +coming forward and unhesitatingly offering his hand. +"If you have seen my brother, I am satisfied. Let there +be no further question on the subject." + +"So then I am to be the only bulleted man on this occasion," +interrupted Middlemore, with ludicrous pathos--"the only +poor devil who is to be made to remember Hartley's point +for ever. But no matter. I am not the first instance of +a second being shot, through the awkward bungling of his +principal, and certainly Grantham you were in every sense +the principal in this affair, for had you taken my advice +you would have let the fellows go to the devil their own +way." + +"What! knowing, as I did, that the traitor Desborough +had concealed in his canoe a prisoner on parole--nay, +worse, a deserter from our service--with a view of +conveying him out of the country?" + +"How did you know it?" + +"Because I at once recognized him, through the disguise +in which he left the hut, for what he was. That discovery +made, there remained but one course to pursue." + +"Ah! and COURSE work you made of it, with a vengeance," +said Middlemore, "first started him up like a fox from +his cover, got the mark of his teeth, and then suffered +him to escape." + +"Is there no chance of following--no means of overtaking +them?" said Captain Molineux--"No, by Heaven," as he +glanced his eye from right to left, "not a single canoe +to be seen any where along the shore." + +"Following!" echoed Middlemore; "faith the scoundrels +would desire nothing better: if two of us had such +indifferent play with them on terra firma, you may rely +upon it that double the number would have no better chance +in one of these rickety canoes. See there how the rascals +lie to within half musket shot, apparently hailing us." + +Middlemore was right. Desborough had risen in the stern +of the canoe, and now, stretched to his full height, +called leisurely, through his closed hands, on the name +of Henry Grantham. When he observed the attention of that +officer had, in common with that of his companions, been +arrested, he proceeded at the full extent of his lungs. + +"I reckon, young man, as how I shall pay you out for +this, and drot my skin, if I once twists my fingers round +your neck again, if any thing on this side hell shall +make me quit it, afore you squeaks your last squeak. +You've druv me from my home, and I'll have your curst +blood for it yet. I'll sarve you, as I sarved your old +father--You got my small bore, I expect, and if its any +good to you to know that one of its nineties to the pound, +sent the old rascal to the devil--why then you have it +from Jeremiah Desborough's own lips, and be d----d to +you." + +And, with this horrible admission, the settler again +seated himself in the stem of his canoe, and making good +use of his paddle soon scudded away until his little +vessel appeared but as a speck on the lake. + +Henry Grantham was petrified with astonishment and dismay +at a declaration, the full elucidation of which we must, +reserve for a future opportunity. The daring confession +rang in his ears long after the voice had ceased, and it +was not until a light vehicle had been brought for +Middlemore from Sampson's farm, that he could be induced +to quit the shore, where he still lingered, as if in +expectation of the return of the avowed MURDERER OF HIS +FATHER. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +At the especial invitation of Captain Molineux, Gerald +Grantham dined at the garrison mess, on the evening of +the day when the circumstances, detailed in our last +chapter, took place. During dinner the extraordinary +adventure of the morning formed the chief topic of +conversation, for it had become one of general interest, +not only throughout the military circles, but in the town +of Amherstburg itself, in which the father of the Granthams +had been held in an esteem amounting almost to veneration. +Horrible as had been the announcement made by the dejected +and discomfited settler to him who now, for the first +time, learnt that his parent had fallen a victim to +ruffian vindictiveness, too many years had elapsed since +that event, to produce more than the ordinary emotion +which might be supposed to be awakened by a knowledge +rather of the manner than the fact of his death. Whatever +therefore might have been the pain inflicted on the hearts +of the brothers, by this cruel re-opening of a partially +closed wound, there was no other evidence of suffering +than the suddenly compressed lip and glistening eye, +whenever allusion was made to the villain with whom each +felt he had a fearful account to settle. Much indeed of +the interest of the hour was derived from the animated +account, given by Gerald, of the circumstances which had +led to his lying in ambuscade for the American on the +preceding day; and as his narrative embraces not only +the reasons for Captain Molineux's strange conduct, but +other hitherto unexplained facts, we cannot do better +than follow him in his detail. + +"I think it must have been about half past eleven o'clock, +on the night preceding the capture," commenced Gerald, +"that, as my gun boat was at anchor close under the +American shore, at rather more than half a mile below +the farther extremity of Bois Blanc, my faithful old +Sambo silently approached me, while I lay wrapped in my +watch cloak on deck, calculating the chances of falling +in with some spirited bark of the enemy which would afford +me an opportunity of proving the mettle of my crew. + +"'Massa Geral,' he said in a mysterious whisper, for old +age and long services in my family have given him privileges +which I have neither the power nor the inclination to +check--'Massa Geral,' pulling me by the collar--'I dam +ib he no go sleep when him ought to hab all him eyes +about him--him pretty fellow to keep watch when Yankee +pass him in e channel.' + +"'A Yankee pass me in the channel!'" I would have exclaimed +aloud, starting to my feet with surprise, but Sambo, with +ready thought, put his hand upon my mouth, in time to +prevent more than the first word from being uttered. + +"'Hush! dam him, Massa Geral, ib you make a noise you no +catch him.' + +"'What do you mean then--what have you seen?'" I asked +in the same low whisper, the policy of which his action +had enjoined on me. + +"'Lookee dare, Massa Geral, lookee dare?' + +"Following the direction in which he pointed, I now saw, +but very indistinctly, a canoe in which was a solitary +individual stealing across the lake to the impulsion of +an apparently muffled paddle; for her course, +notwithstanding the stillness of the night, was utterly +noiseless. The moon, which is in her first quarter, had +long since disappeared, yet the heavens, although not +particularly bright, ware sufficiently dotted with stars +to enable me, with the aid of a night telescope, to +discover that the figure, which guided the cautiously +moving bark, had nothing Indian in its outline. The crew +of the gun boat (the watch only excepted) had long since +turned in; and even the latter lay reposing on the +forecastle, the sentinels only keeping the ordinary look +out. So closely moreover did we lay in shore, that but +for the caution of the paddler, it might have been assumed +she was too nearly identified with the dark forest against +which her hull and spars reposed, to be visible. Curious +to ascertain her object, I watched the canoe in silence, +as, whether accidentally or with design, I know not, she +made the half circuit of the gun boat and then bore away +in a direct line for the Canadian shore. A suspicion of +the truth now flashed across my mind, and I resolved +without delay to satisfy myself. My first care was to +hasten to the forecastle, and enjoin on the sentinels, +who I feared might see and hail the stranger, the strictest +silence. Then desiring Sambo to prepare the light boat +which, I dare say, most of you have remarked to form a +part of my Lilliputian command, I proceeded to arm myself +with cutlass and pistols. Thus equipped I sprang lightly +in, and having again caught sight of the chase, on which +I had moreover directed one of the sentinels to keep a +steady eye as long as she was in sight, desired Sambo to +steer as noiselessly as possible in pursuit. For some +time we kept the stranger in view, but whether, owing to +his superior paddling or lighter weight, we eventually +lost sight of him. The suspicion which had at first +induced my following, however, served also as a clue to +the direction I should take. I was aware that the scoundrel +Desborough was an object of distrust--I knew that the +strictness of my father, during his magistracy, in +compelling him to choose between taking the oaths of +allegiance, and quitting the country, had inspired him +with deep hatred to himself and disaffection to the +Government; and I felt that if the spirit of his vengeance +had not earlier developed itself, it was solely because +the opportunity and the power had hitherto been wanting; +but that now, when hostilities between his natural and +adopted countries had been declared, there would be ample +room for the exercise of his treason. It was the strong +assurance I felt that he was the solitary voyager on the +face of the waters, which induced me to pursue him, for +I had a presentiment that, could I but track him in his +course, I should discover some proof of his guilt, which +would suffice to rid us for ever of the presence of so +dangerous a subject. The adventure was moreover one that +pleased me, although perhaps I was not strictly justified +in fitting my gun boat, especially as in the urgency of +the moment, I had not even thought of leaving orders with +my boatswain, in the event of any thing unexpected +occurring during my absence. The sentinels alone were +aware of my departure. + +"The course we pursued was in the direction of Hartley's +point, and so correct had been the steering and paddling +of the keen-sighted negro, that when we made the beach, +we found ourselves immediately opposite to Desborough's +hut. + +"'How is this, Sambo?' I asked in a low tone, as our +canoe grated on the sand within a few paces of several +others that lay where I expected to find but one--'are +all these Desborough's?" + +"'No, Massa Geral--'less him teal him toders, Desborough +only got one--dis a public landin' place.' + +"'Can you tell which is his?' I inquired. + +"'To be sure--dis a one,' and he pointed to one nearly +twice the dimensions of its fellows. + +"'Has it been lately used, Sambo--can you tell?" + +"'I soon find out, Massa Geral.' + +"His device was the most simple and natural in the world, +and yet I confess it was one which I never should have +dreamt of. Stooping on the sands, he passed his hand +under the bottom of the canoe, and then whispered. + +"'Him not touch a water to-night Massa Geral--him dry as +a chip.' + +"Here I was at fault. I began to apprehend that I had +been baffled in my pursuit, and deceived in my supposition. +I knew that Desborough had had for years, one large canoe +only in his possession, and it was evident that this had +not been used during the night. I was about to order +Sambo to shove off again, when it suddenly occurred to +me that, instead of returning from a visit, the suspected +settler might have received a visiter, and I accordingly +desired my fides achates to submit the remainder of the +canoes to the same inspection. + +"After having passed his hand ineffectually over several, +he at length announced, as he stooped over one which I +recognized, from a peculiar elevation of the bow and +stern, to be the same we had passed. + +"'Dis a one all drippin' wet, Massa Geral. May I nebber +see a Hebben ib he not a same we follow.' + +"A low tapping against the door of the hut, which although +evidently intended to be subdued, was now, in the silence +of night, distinctly audible; while our whispers, on the +contrary, mingled as they were with the crisping sound +of the waves rippling on the sands were, at that distance, +undistinguishable. It was evident that I had erred in +my original conjecture. Had it been Desborough himself, +living alone as he did, he would not have knocked for +admission where there was no one to afford it, but would +have quietly let himself in. It could then be no other +than a visiter--perhaps a spy from the enemy--and the +same to whom we had given chase. + +"From the moment that the tapping commenced, Sambo and +I stood motionless on the shore, and without trusting +our voices again, even to a whisper. In a little time we +heard the door open, and the low voice of Desborough in +conversation with another. Presently the door was shut, +and soon afterwards, through an imperfectly closed shutter +on the only floor of the hut, we could perceive a streak +of light reflected on the clearing in front, as if from +a candle or lamp, that was stationary, + +"'I tink him dam rascal dat man, Massa Geral;' at length +ventured my companion. "I 'member long time ago,' and he +sighed, "'when Sambo no bigger nor dat paddle, one berry +much like him. But, Massa Geral,' Missis always tell me +nebber talk o' dat.' + +"'A villain he is, I believe, Sambo, but let us advance +cautiously and discover what he is about.' + +"We now stole along the skirt of the forest, until we +managed to approach the window, through which the light +was still thrown in one long, fixed, but solitary ray. +It was however impossible to see who were within, for +although the voices of men were distinguishable, their +forms were so placed as not to be visible through the +partial opening. + +"The conversation had evidently been some moments commenced. +The first words I heard uttered, were by Desborough. + +"'A Commissary boat, and filled with bags of goold eagles, +and a fiftieth part ourn, if we get her clean slick +through to Detroit. Well, drot me, if that aint worth +the trial. Why didn't they try it by land, boy?' + +"'I reckon, father, that cock wouldn't fight. The Injuns +are outlyin' every where to cut off our mails, and the +ready is too much wanted to be thrown away. No, no: the +river work's the safest I take it, for there they little +expect it to come.' + +"The voice of the last speaker, excited in me a strong +desire to see the face of Desborough's visiter. Unable, +where I stood, to catch the slightest view of either, I +fancied that I might be more successful in rear of the +hut. I therefore moved forward, followed by Sambo, but +not so cautiously as to prevent my feet from crushing a +fragment of decayed wood, that lay in my path. + +"A bustle within, and the sudden opening of the door +announced that the noise had been overheard. I held up +my finger impressively to Sambo, and we both remained +motionless. + +"'Who the hell's there?' shouted Desborough, and the +voice rang like the blast of a speaking trumpet along +the skirt of the forest. + +"'Some raccoon looking out for Hartley's chickens, I +expect,' said his companion, after a short pause. 'There's +nothin' human I reckon, to be seen movin' at this hour +of the night.' + +"'Who the hell's there?' repeated Desborough--still no +answer. + +"Again the door was closed, and under cover of the slight +noise made by the settler in doing this, and resuming +his seat, Sambo and I accomplished the circuit of the +hut. Here we had an unobstructed view of the persons of +both. A small store room or pantry communicated with that +in which they were sitting at a table, on which was a +large flagon, we knew to contain whiskey, and a couple +of japanned drinking cups, from which, ever and anon, +they "wetted their whistles," as they termed it, and +whetted their discourse. As they sat each with his back +to the inner wall, or more correctly, the logs of the +hut, and facing the door communicating with the store +room left wide open, and in a direct line with the back +window at which we had taken our stand, we could distinctly +trace every movement of their features, while, thrown +into the shade by the gloom with which we were enveloped +we ran no risk of detection ourselves. It is almost +unnecessary to observe, after what has occurred this +morning, that the companion of Desborough was no other +than the soi-disant Ensign Paul, Emelius, Theophilus, +Arnoldi; or, more properly, the scoundrel son of a yet +more scoundrel father. He wore the dress in which you +yesterday beheld him, but beneath a Canadian blanket +coat, which, when I first saw him in the hut, was buttoned +up to the chin, so closely as to conceal every thing +American about the dress. + +"'Well now I reckon we must lay our heads to do this +job;' said the son as he tossed off a portion of the +liquid he had poured into his can. 'There's only that +one gun boat I expect in t'other channel.' + +"'Only one Phil, do you know who commands it?' + +"'One of them curst Granthams, to be sure. I say, old +boy,' and his eye lighted up significantly, as he pointed +to the opposite wall, 'I see you've got the small bore +still.' + +"A knowing wink marked the father's sense of the allusion. +'The devil's in it,' he rejoined, 'if we can't come over +that smooth faced chap, some how or other. Did you see +any thin' of him as you come along?' + +"'I reckon I did. Pretty chick he is to employ for a look +out--why I paddled two or three times round his gun boat, +as it lay 'gin the shore, without so much as a single +livin' soul being on deck to see me.' + +"It is proverbial," continued Grantham, "that listeners +never hear any good of themselves. I paid the common +penalty. But if I continued calm, my companion did not. +Partly incensed at what had related to me--but more +infuriated at the declaration made by the son, that he +had paddled several times round the gun boat, without a +soul being on deck to see him, he drew near to me, his +white teeth displaying themselves in the gloom, as he +whispered, but in a tone that betrayed extreme irritation. + +"'What a dam Yankee liar rascal, Massa Geral. He nebber +go round: I see him come a down a ribber long afore he +see a boat at all.' + +"'Hush Sambo--hush not a word,' I returned in the same +low whisper. "The villains are at some treason, and if +we stir, we shall lose all chance of discovering it." + +"'Me no peak Massa Geral; but dam him lyin' teef,' he +continued to mutter, 'I wish I had him board a gun boat.' + +"'A dozen fellors well armed, might take the d----d +British craft,' observed Desborough. 'How many men may +there be aboard the Commissary.' + +"'About forty, I reckon, under some d----d old rig'lar +Major. I've got a letter for him here to desire him to +come on, if so be as we gets the craft out of the way.' + +"'Drot me if I know a better way than to jump slick aboard +her,' returned Desborough musingly; 'forty genuine +Kaintucks ought to swallow her up, crew and all.' + +"'I guess they would,' returned his companion, 'but they +are not Kaintucks, but only rig'lars; and then agin if +they are discovered one spry cannon shot might sink her; +and if the eagles go to the bottom, we shall lose our +fiftieth. You don't reckon that." + +"'What the hell's to be done then,' exclaimed Desborough, +resorting to his favorite oath when in doubt. + +"'My plan's already cut and dried by a wiser head nor +yours nor mine, as you shall larn; but first let a fellor +wet his whistle.' Here they both drained off another +portion of the poison that stood before them. + +"Not to tire you," pursued Grantham, "with a repetition +of the oaths and vulgar and interjectional chucklings +that passed between the well assorted pair, during the +disclosure of the younger, I will briefly state that it +was one of the most stupid that could have been conceived, +and reflected but little credit on the stratagetic powers +of whoever originated it. + +"The younger scoundrel, who since his desertion from our +service, claims to be a naturalized citizen of the United +States (his name of Desborough being changed for that of +Arnoldi, and his rank of full private for that of Ensign +of Militia,) had been selected from his knowledge of the +Canadian shore, and his connexion with the disaffected +settler, as a proper person to entrust with a stratagem, +having for its object the safe convoy of a boat, filled +with specie, of which the American garrison it appears +stands much in need. The renegade had been instructed to +see his father, to whom he was to promise, a fiftieth of +the value of the freight, provided he should by any means +contrive to draw the gun boat from her station. The most +plausible plan suggested, was that he should intimate to +me, that a prize of value was lying between Turkey Island +and our own shore, which it required but my sudden +appearance to ensure, without even striking a blow. Here +a number of armed boats were to be stationed in concealment, +in order to take me at a disadvantage, and even if I +avoided being captured, the great aim would be accomplished +--namely, that of getting me out of the way, until the +important boat should have cleared the channel, running +between Bois Blanc and the American shore, and secreted +herself in one of the several deep creeks which empty +themselves into the river. Here she was to have remained +until I had returned to my station, when her passage +upward might be pursued, if not without observation, at +least without risk. As Desborough was known to be suspected +by us, it was further suggested that he should appear to +have been influenced in the information conveyed to me, +not by any motives of patriotism, which would have been +in the highest degree misplaced, but by the mere principle +of self interest. He was to require of me a pledge that, +out of the proceeds of the proposed capture, a twentieth +share should be his, or, if I would not undertake to +guarantee this from the Government or my own authority, +that I should promise my own eventual share should be +divided with him. This stratagem successful, the younger +Desborough was to repair to the boat which had been lying +concealed for the last day or two, a few miles below me, +with an order for her to make the best of her way during +the night if possible. If failing on the other hand, she +was to return to the port whence she had sailed, until +a more fitting opportunity should present itself. + +"This," continued Grantham, after a slight pause, during +which the bottle was again circulated, "was delightful +intelligence. Distrustful as I was of Desborough, I could +not have been deceived by this device, even had I not +thus fortunately become acquainted with the whole of the +design: but now that I knew my man, and could see my +way, I at once resolved to appear the dupe they purposed +to make me. Specie too, for the payment of the garrison! +This was no contemptible prize with which to commence my +career. Besides the boat was well manned, and although +without cannon, still in point of military equipment +quite able to cope with my crew, which did not exceed +thirty men. + +"With your knowledge of Desborough's character it will +not surprise you to learn, although I confess I boiled +with indignation at the moment to hear, that the object +of the scoundrels was, with a view to the gratification +of their own private vengeance, not merely to raise a +doubt of my fidelity, but to prefer against me a direct +charge of treason. Thus in their vulgar language they +argued. If misled by their representations, I quitted my +station on the channel, and fell into the ambuscade +prepared for me near Turkey Island, I raised a suspicion +of the cause of my absence, which might be confirmed by +an anonymous communication; and if, on the other hand, +I escaped that ambuscade, the suspicion would be even +stronger, as care would be taken to announce to the +English garrison, the fact of my having been bribed to +leave the channel free for the passage of a boat, filled +with money and necessaries for Detroit. My return to my +post immediately afterwards, would confirm the assertion; +and so perfectly had they, in their wise conceit, arranged +their plans, that a paper was prepared by the son and +handed to his father, for the purpose of being dropped +in the way of one of the officers; the purport of which +was an accusation against me, of holding a secret +understanding with the enemy, in proof whereof it was +stated that at an important moment, I should be found +absent from my post--I think I am correct, Captain +Molineux." + +"'Perfectly,' returned that officer--'such indeed were +the contents of the paper which I picked up in my rounds +about day light yesterday morning, and which I have only +again to express my regret that I should have allowed to +make on me even a momentary impression. Indeed, Grantham, +I am sure you will do me the justice to believe, that +until we actually saw the American boat passing, while +you were no where to be seen, I never for one moment +doubted its being, what it has proved to be--the falsest +and most atrocious of calumnies." + +"Your after doubt was but natural," replied the sailor, +"although I confess I could not help wincing under the +thought of its being entertained. I knew that, on my +return, I should be enabled to explain every thing, but +yet felt nettled that even my short absence should, as +I knew it must, give rise to any strictures on my conduct. +It was that soreness of feeling which induced my impatient +allusion to the subject, even after my good fortune of +yesterday, for I at once detected that the slanderous +paper had been received and commented on; and from the +peculiar glance, I saw Henry direct to you, I was at no +loss to discover into whose hands it had fallen. But to +resume. + +"Their plan of action being finally settled, the traitors +began to give indication of separating--the one to hasten +and announce to the American boat the removal of all +impediment to her passage upwards--the other to my gun +boat, in order to play off the falsehood devised for the +success of their stratagem. + +"'Here's damnation to the curst race of Granthams,' said +the son, as raising his tall and lanky body, he lifted +the rude goblet to his lips. + +"'Amen,' responded the father, rising also and drinking +to the pledge, 'and what's more, here's to the goold +eagles that'll repay us for our job. And now Phil, let's +be movin'.' + +"The heavy tread of their feet within the hut as they +moved to and fro, to collect the several articles belonging +to the equipment of Desborough's canoe, promising fair +to cover the sound of our footsteps, I now whispered to +Sambo, and we hastily made good our retreat to the point +where we had left our skiff. In a few minutes, we were +again on the lake, paddling swiftly but cautiously towards +my gun boat. I had instructed the sentinels not to hail +me on my return, therefore when I gained the deck, it +was without challenge or observation of any kind, which +could denote to those from whom I had so recently parted, +that any one had been absent, + +"Again I had thrown myself upon the deck, and was ruminating +on the singular events of the evening, associating the +rich prize, which I now already looked upon as my own, +with the rascality of those who, imagining me to be their +dupe, were so soon to become mine; and moreover meditating +such measures as I fancied most likely to secure a result +so opposite to that which they anticipated, when the loud +quick sharp hail of the sentinels announced that a craft +of some kind was approaching. + +"'Want to see the officer,' shouted a voice which I knew +to be Desborough's. "Somethin' very partick'lar to tell +him, I guess." + +"Permission having been granted, the canoe came rapidly +up to the side, and in the next minute, the tall heavy +form of the settler stood distinctly defined against the +lake, as he stepped on the gun-wale of the boat. + +"It must be needless here to repeat the information of +which he was the bearer," pursued Grantham. Its purport +was, in every sense, what I had so recently overheard in +the hut. + +"'And how am I to know that this tale of yours is correct,' +I demanded when he had concluded, yet in a tone that +seemed to admit, I was as much his dupe as he could +reasonably desire. 'You are aware Desborough, that your +character for loyalty does not stand very high, and this +may prove but a trick to get me out of the way. What good +motive can you give for my believing you.' + +"'The best I calculate as can be,' he unhesitatingly +answered, 'and that is my own interest. I don't make no +boast of my loyalty, as you say, to be sure, Mr. Grantham, +but I've an eye like a hawk for the rhino, and I han't +giv' you this piece of news without expectin' a promise +that I shall git a purty considerable sum in eagles, if +so be as you succeeds in wallopin' the prize.' + +"'Walloping--what do you call walloping, man?' + +"'What do I call wallopin'? why licking her slick and +clean out, and gettin' hold of the dust to be sure.' + +"I could have knocked the scoundrel to the deck, for the +familiarity of the grin which accompanied this reply, +and as for Sambo, I had more than once to look him +peremptorily into patience. + +"I knew from what had passed between father and son, +that, until the former had communicated with, and impressed +a conviction of the accuracy of his report, upon me, +nothing was to be attempted by the boat, the capture of +which was now, for a variety of reasons, an object of +weighty consideration. Whatever violence I did to myself +therefore, in abstaining from a castigation of the traitor, +I felt that I could not hope for success, unless, by +appearing implicitly to believe all he had stated, I thus +set suspicion at rest. + +"'A more satisfactory motive for your information you +could not have given me Desborough,' I at length replied, +with a sarcasm which was however lost upon him, 'and I +certainly do you the justice to believe that to the self +interest you have avowed, we shall be indebted for the +capture of the prize in question. She lies, you say, +between Turkey Island and our own shores.' + +"'I guess as how she does,' replied the settler, with an +eagerness that betrayed his conviction that the bait had +taken; 'but Mr. Grantham,'--and I could detect a lurking +sneer, 'I expect at least that when you have lick'd the +prize you will make my loyalty stand a little higher than +it seems to be at this moment, for I guess, puttin' the +dollars out of the question, it's a right loyal act I am +guilty of now.' + +"'You may rely upon it, Desborough, you shall have all +the credit you deserve for your conduct on the occasion-- +that it shall be faithfully reported on my return, you +may take for granted.' Here I summoned all hands up to +weigh anchor and make sail for Turkey Island. 'Now then, +Desborough, unless you wish to be a sharer in our +enterprize, the sooner you leave us the better, for we +shall be off immediately.' + +"'In obedience to my order, all hands were speedily upon +deck, and busied in earnest preparation. In pleasing +assurance that I was as completely his dupe as could be +desired, the villain had now the audacity to demand from +me a written promise that, in consideration of the +information given, five hundred dollars should be paid +to him on the disposal of the prize. This demand (aware +as he was--or rather as he purposed--that I was to play +the part of the captured instead of that of the captor), +was intended to lull me into even greater reliance on +his veracity. I had difficulty in restraining my +indignation, for I felt that the fellow was laughing at +me in his sleeve; however the reflection that, in less +than twenty-four hours, the tables would be turned upon +him, operated as a check upon my feelings, and I said +with a hurried voice and air: + +"'Impossible, Desborough, I have no time now to give the +paper, for as you perceive we are getting under way--I +however, repeat to you my promise, that if your claims +are not attended to elsewhere, you shall have my share +of the profits, if I take this prize within the next +eight and forty hours within the boundary of Turkey +Island--Will that content you?' + +"'I expect as how it must,' returned the secretly delighted, +yet seemingly disappointed settler, as he now prepared +to recross the gun-wale into his canoe; 'but I guess, +Mr. Grantham, you might at least advance a fellor a little +money out of hand, on the strength of the prize. Jist +say twenty dollars.' + +"'No, Desborough, not one. 'When the Turkey Island prize +is mine, then if the Government refuse to confirm your +claims, we will share equally; but, as I said before, I +must first capture her, before I consent to part with a +shilling.' + +"'Well then, I guess I must wait,' and the scoundrel +confidently believing that he had gulled me to his heart's +content, stepped heavily into his canoe, which he directed +along the lake shore, while we with filling sails, glided +up the channel and speedily lost him from our view.' + +"A perfect adventure upon my word," interrupted De Courcy. + +"What a bold and deliberate scoundrel," added Captain +Granville. "I confess, Grantham, I cannot but admire the +coolness and self-possession you evinced on this occasion. +Had I been there in your stead, I should have tied the +rascal up, given him a dozen or two on the spot, and then +tumbled him head foremost into the lake." + +"Oh yes, but then you have such a short way of doing +things, Captain Granville," remarked Ensign Langley, in +a tone rather less marked by confidence than that of the +preceding day, and, on this occasion, not omitting to +prefix the rank of him whom he addressed, and his +acquaintance with whom had been slight. + +"I admit, Mr. Langley, I have a very short and unceremonious +way of treating vulgar people, who are my antipathy," +returned Captain Granville, in his usual dry manner. + +"Had Geerald doon this he would ha' maired his feenal +treomph over the veellain," observed Cranstoun. "Na, na, +Granville, our friend here has acted like a prudent mon, +as well as a gaillant officer. Geerald, the boottle stands +with you." + +"To say nothing of his desire to secure the prize money," +gaily remarked the young sailor, as he helped himself to +wine. + +"Eh, true, the preeze mooney, and a very neecessary +consederetion too, Geerald; and one that may weel joostify +your prudence in the affair. I did na' theenk o' that at +fairst." + +"But come, Grantham," interrupted Captain Granville, "you +have not informed us of what happened after the departure +of the settler." + +"The remainder is soon told," continued Gerald. "On +parting from Desborough I continued my course directly +up the channel, with a view of gaining a point, where +unseen myself, I could observe the movements of the +American boat, which from all I had heard, I fully expected +would attempt the passage in the course of the following +day. My perfect knowledge of the country suggested to +me, as the safest and most secure hiding place, the creek +whence you saw me issue at a moment when it was supposed +the American had altogether escaped. The chief object of +the enemy was evidently to get me out of the channel. +That free, it was of minor importance whether I fell into +the ambuscade or not, so that the important boat could +effect the passage unobserved, or at least in safety. If +my gun boat should be seen returning unharmed from Turkey +Island, the American was to run into the first creek +along the shore, which she had orders to hug until I had +passed and not until I had again resumed my station in +the channel, was she to renew her course upwards to +Detroit which post it was assumed she would then gain +without difficulty." + +"It was scarcely yet day," continued Grantham, "when I +reached and ran into the creek of which I have just +spoken, and which, owing to the narrowness of the stream +and consequent difficulty of waring, I was obliged to +enter stem foremost. That no time might be lost in getting +her out at the proper moment, I, instead of dropping her +anchor, made the gun boat fast to a tree; and, desiring +the men, with the exception of the watch, to take their +rest as usual, lay quietly awaiting the advance of the +enemy." + +The gun fired from the lower battery on the island, was +the first intimation we had of the approach of the prize +which I had given my gallant fellows to understand was +in reserve for us; and presently afterwards Sambo, whom +I had dispatched on the look out, appeared on the bank, +stating that a large boat, which had been fired at +ineffectually, was making the greatest exertions to clear +the channel. A second shot discharged from a nearer point, +soon after announced that the boat had gained the head +of the Island, and might therefore be shortly expected, +in the impatience of my curiosity I sprang to the shore, +took the telescope out of the hands of Sambo, and hastened +to climb the tree from which he had so recently descended. +I now distinctly saw the boat, as, availing herself of +the rising and partial breeze, she steered more into the +centre of the stream; and I thought I could observe marks +of confusion and impatience among the groups in front of +the fort, whom I had justly imagined to have been assembled +there to witness the arrival of the canoes, we had seen +descending the river, long before the first gun was fired. + +"The opportunity of achieving a daring enterprize, in +the presence of those assembled groups," pursued Grantham +with a slight blush, "was, I thought, one so little likely +to occur again, that I felt I could not do better than +turn it to the best account; and with this view my original +intention had been to man my small boat with the picked +men of my crew, and attempt the American by boarding. +Two circumstances, however, induced me to change my plan. +The first was that the enemy, no longer hugging the shore, +had every chance of throwing me out by the sudden and +unexpected use of her canvass, and the second (here Gerald +slightly colored, while more than one emphatic hem! passed +round the table,) that I had, with my telescope, discerned +there was a lady in the boat. Under these circumstances, +I repeat, I altered my mode of attack, and proposed rather +to sink my laurels than to lose my prize. ("Hem! your +prizes I suppose you mean," interrupted De Courcy,) "and +adopted what I thought would be a surer expedient--that +of firing over her. This demonstration, I imagined might +have the effect of bringing her to, and causing her to +surrender without effusion of blood. You were ail witnesses +however of the unexpected manner in which, owing to the +sadden falling off of the wind, I was compelled to have +recourse to the boat at last." + +"But the chase, and the firing after you doubled the +point?" inquired Captain Granville. "We saw nothing of +this." + +"The American, plying his oars with vigour, gave us +exercise enough," answered the young sailor, "and had +made considerable way up the creek, before we came up +with him. An attempt was then made to escape us by running +ashore, and abandoning the boat, but it was too late. +Our bow was almost touching his stern, and in the +desperation of the moment, the American troops discharged +their muskets, but with so uncertain an aim, in consequence +of their being closely crowded upon each other, that only +three of my men were wounded by their fire. Before they +could load again we were enabled to grapple with them +hand to hand. A few of my men had discharged their pistols, +in answer to the American volley, before I had time to +interfere to prevent them; but the majority, having +reserved theirs, we had now immeasurably the advantage. +Removing the bayonets from their muskets, which at such +close quarters were useless, they continued their contest +a short time with these, but the cutlass soon overpowered +them, and they surrendered." + +"And the Major, Grantham; did he behave well on the +occasion?" + +"Gallantly. It was the Major that cut down the only man +I had dangerously wounded in the affair, and he would +have struck another fatally, had I not disarmed him. +While in the act of doing so, I was treacherously shot +(in the arm only, fortunately,) by the younger scoundrel +Desborough, who in turn I saved from Sambo's vengeance, +in order that he might receive a more fitting punishment. +And now, gentlemen, you have the whole history." + +"Yes, as far as regards the men portion," said De Courcy, +with a malicious smile; "but what became of the lady all +this time, my conquering hero? Did you find her playing +a very active part in the skirmish?" + +"Active, no;" replied Gerald, slightly coloring, as he +remarked all eyes directed to him at this demand, "but +passively courageous she was to a degree I could not have +supposed possible in woman. She sat calm and collected +amid the din of conflict, as if she had been accustomed +to the thing all her life, nor once moved from the seat +which she occupied in the stern, except to make an effort +to prevent me from disarming her uncle. I confess that +her coolness astonished me, while it excited my warmest +admiration. + +"A hope it may be noothing beyoond admeeration," observed +the Captain of Grenadiers, "a tell ye as a freend, Geerald, +a do not like this accoont ye gi' of her coonduct. A +wooman who could show no ageetation in sooch a scene, +must have either a domn'd coold, or a domn'd block hairt, +and there's but leetle claim to admeeration there." + +"Upon my word, Captain Cranstoun," and the handsome +features of Gerald crimsoned with a feeling not unmixed +with serious displeasure, "I do not quite understand +you--you appear to assume something between Miss Montgomerie +and myself, that should not be imputed to either--and +certainly, not thus publicly." + +"Hoot toot mon, there's no use in making a secret of the +maitter," returned the positive grenadier. "The soobject +was discoosed after dinner yeesterday, and there was +noobody preesent who didn't agree that if you had won +her hairt you had geevin your own in exchange." + +"God forbid," said Henry Grantham with unusual gravity +of manner, while he looked affectionately on the changing +and far from satisfied countenance of his conscious +brother, "for I repeat, with Captain Cranstoun, I like +her not. Why, I know not; still I like her not, and I +shall be glad, Gerald, when you have consigned her to +the place of her destination." + +"Pooh! pooh! nonsense;" interrupted Captain Granville, +"Never mind, Gerald," he pursued good humouredly "she is +a splendid girl, and one that you need not be ashamed to +own as a conquest. By heaven, she has a bust and hips to +warm the bosom of an anchorite, and depend upon it, all +that Cranstoun has said arises only from pique that he +is not the object preferred. These black eyes of hers +have set his ice blood on the boil, and he would willingly +exchange places with you, at I honestly confess I should." + +Vexed as Gerald certainly felt at the familiar tone the +conversation was now assuming in regard to Miss Montgomerie, +and although satisfied that mere pleasantry was intended, +it was not without a sensation of relief he found it +interrupted by the entrance of the several non-commissioned +officers with their order books. Soon after the party +broke up. + + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Before noon on the following day, the boat that was to +convey Major Montgomerie and his niece to the American +shore, pulled up to the landing place in front of the +fort. The weather, as on the preceding day, was fine, +and the river exhibited the same placidity of surface. +Numerous bodies of Indians were collected on the banks, +pointing to, and remarking on the singularity of the +white flag which hung drooping at the stern of the boat. +Presently the prisoners were seen advancing to the bank, +accompanied by General Brock, Commodore Barclay, and the +principal officers of the garrison. Major Montgomerie +appeared pleased at the prospect of the liberty that +awaited him, while the countenance of his niece, on the +contrary, presented an expression of deep thought, although +it was afterwards remarked by Granville and Villiers-- +both close observers of her demeanour that as her eye +occasionally glanced in the direction of Detroit, it +lighted up with an animation strongly in contrast with +the general calm and abstractedness of her manner. All +being now ready, Gerald Grantham, who had received his +final instructions from the General, offered his arm to +Miss Montgomerie, who, to all outward appearance, took +it mechanically and unconsciously, although, in the +animated look which the young sailor turned upon her in +the next instant, there was evidence the contact had +thrilled electrically to his heart. After exchanging a +cordial pressure of the hand with his gallant entertainers, +and reiterating to the General his thanks for the especial +favor conferred upon him, the venerable Major followed +them to the boat. His departure was the signal for much +commotion among the Indians. Hitherto they had had no +idea of what was in contemplation; but when they saw them +enter and take their seats in the boat, they raised one +of those terrific shouts which have so often struck terror +and dismay, and brandishing their weapons seemed ready +to testify their disapprobation by something more than +words. It was however momentary--a commanding voice made +itself heard, even amid the din of their loud yell, and, +when silence had been obtained, a few animated sentences, +uttered in a tone of deep authority, caused the tumult +at once to subside. The voice was that of Tecumseh, and +there were few among his race who, brave and indomitable +as they were, could find courage to thwart his will. +Meanwhile the boat, impelled by eight active seamen, +urged its way through the silvery current, and in less +than an hour from its departure had disappeared. + +Two hours had elapsed--the General and superior officers +had retired; and the Indians, few by few had repaired to +their several encampments, except a party of young +warriors, who, wrapped in their blankets and mantles, +lay indolently extended on the grass, smoking their pipes, +or producing wild sounds from their melancholy flutes. +Not far from these, sat, with their legs overhanging the +edge of the steep bank, a group of the junior officers +of the garrison, who, with that indifference which +characterized their years, were occupied in casting +pebbles into the river, and watching the bubbles that +arose to the surface. Among the number was Henry Grantham, +and, at a short distance from him, sat the old but athletic +negro, Sambo, who, not having been required to accompany +Gerald, to whom he was especially attached, had continued +to linger on the bank long after his anxious eye had lost +sight of the boat in which the latter had departed. While +thus engaged, a new direction was given to the interest +of all parties, by a peculiar cry, which reached them +from a distance over the water, apparently from beyond +the near extremity of the Island of Bois Blanc. To the +officers the sound was unintelligible, for it was the +first of the kind they had ever heard, but the young +Indians appeared fully to understand its import. Starting +from their lethargy, they sprang abruptly to their feet, +and giving a sharp answering yell, stamped upon the green +turf, and snuffed the hot air, with distended nostrils, +like so many wild horses let loose upon the desert. Nor +was the excitement confined to these, for, all along the +line of encampment, the same wild notes were echoed, and +forms came bounding again to the front, until the bank +was once more peopled with savages. + +"What was the meaning of that cry, Sambo, and whence came +it?" asked Henry Grantham, who, as well as his companions, +had strained their eyes in every direction, but in vain, +to discover its cause. + +"Dat a calp cry, Massa Henry--see he dere a canoe not +bigger nor a hick'ry nut," and he pointed with his finger +to what in fact had the appearance of being little larger; +"I wish," he pursued with bitterness, "dey bring him calp +of dem billians Desborough--Dam him lying tief to hell." + +"Bravo!" exclaimed De Courcy, who, in common with his +companions, recollecting Gerald's story of the preceding +day, was at no loss to understand why the latter epithet +had been so emphatically bestowed; "I see (winking to +Henry Grantham) you have not yet forgiven his paddling +round the gun boat the other night, while you and the +rest of the crew were asleep, eh, Sambo? + +"So help me hebben, Obbicer, he no sail around a gun +boat, he dam a Yankee. He come along a lake like a dam +tief in e night and I tell a Massa Geral--and Massa Geral +and me chase him all ober e water--I not a sleep Massa +Courcy;" pursued the old man with pique; "I nebber +sleep,--Massa Geral, nebber sleep." + +"The devil ye don't" observed De Courcy quaintly, "then +the Lord deliver ME from gun boat service, I say." + +"Amen" responded Villiers. + +"Why," asked Middlemore, "do Gerald Grantham and old +Frumpy here remind one of a certain Irish festival? Do +you give it up? Because they are AWAKE--" + +The abuse heaped on the pre-eminently vile attempt was +unmeasured--Sambo conceived it a personal affront to +himself, and he said, with an air of mortification and +wounded dignity, not unmixed with anger! + +"Sambo poor black nigger--obbicer berry white man, but +him heart all ob a color. He no Frumpy--Massa Geral no +like an Irish bestibal. I wonder he no tick up for a +broder, Massa Henry." His agitation here was extreme. + +"Nonsense Sambo--don't you see we are only jesting with +you," said the youth, in the kindest tone, for he perceived +that the faithful creature was striving hard to check +the rising tear--"there is not an officer here who does +not respect you for your long attachment to my family, +and none would willingly give you pain--neither should +you suppose they would say anything offensive in regard +to my brother Gerald." + +Pacified by this assurance, which was moreover, corroborated +by several of his companions, really annoyed at having +pained the old man, Sambo sank once more into respectful +silence, still however continuing to occupy the same +spot. During this colloquy the cry had been several +times repeated, and as often replied to from the shore; +and now a canoe was distinctly visible, urging its way +to the beach. The warriors it contained were a scouting +party, six in number--four paddling the light bark, and +one at the helm, while the sixth who appeared, to be the +leader, stood upright in the bow, waving from the long +pole to which it was attached a human scalp. A few minutes +and the whole had landed, and were encircled on the bank +by their eager and inquiring comrades. Their story was +soon told. They had encountered two Americans at some +distance on the opposite shore, who were evidently making +the best of their way through the forest to Detroit. They +called upon them to deliver themselves up, but the only +answer was an attempt at flight. The Indians fired, and +one fell dead, pierced by many balls. The other, however, +who happened to be considerably in advance, threw all +his energy into his muscular frame, and being untouched +by the discharge that had slain his companion, succeeded +in gaining a dense underwood, through which he finally +effected his escape. The scouts continued their pursuit +for upwards of an hour, but finding it fruitless, returned +to the place where they had left their canoe, having +first secured the scalp and spoils of the fallen man." + +"Dam him, debbel," exclaimed Sambo, who as well as the +officers, had approached the party detailing their exploit, +and had fixed his dark eye on the dangling trophy. "May +I nebber see a hebben ib he not a calp of a younger +Desborough. I know him lying tief by he hair--he all +yaller like a sogers breast plate--curse him rascal (and +his white and even teeth, were exhibited in the grin that +accompanied the remark,) he nebber no more say he sail +round Massa Geral gun boat, and Massa Geral and Sambo +sleep." + +"By Jove he is right," said De Courcy. "I recollect +remarking the colour of the fellow's hair yesterday when +on calling for a glass of "gin sling," at the inn to +which I had conducted him, he threw his slouched hat +unceremoniously on the table, and rubbed the fingers of +both hands through his carrotty locks, until they actually +appeared to stand like those of the Gorgon perfectly on +end." + +"And were there other proof wanting," said Villiers, "we +have it here in the spoil his slayers are exhibiting to +their companions. There are the identical powder horn, +bullet pouch, and waist belt, which he wore when he landed +on this very spot." + +"And I," said Middlemore, "will swear by the crooked buck +horn handle of that huge knife, or dagger; for in our +struggle on the sands yesterday morning, his blanket coat +came open, and discovered the weapon on which I kept a +sharp eye, during the whole time. Had he but managed to +plant that monster (and he affected to shudder,) under +my middle ribs, then would it hare been ail over with +poor Middlemore." + +"There cannot be a doubt," remarked Henry Grantham. +"With Sambo and De Courcy, I well recollect the hair, +and I also particularly noticed the handle of his dagger, +which, as you perceive, has a remarkable twist in it." + +All doubt was put to rest by Sambo, who, having spoken +with its possessor for a moment, now returned, bearing +the knife, at the extremity of the handle of which, was +engraved on a silver shield the letters P. E. T. A. Ens. +M. M. + +"Paul, Emilius, Theophilus, Arnoldi, Ensign Michigan +Militia," pursued Grantham reading. "This then is +conclusive, and we have to congratulate ourselves that +one at least of two of the vilest scoundrels this country +ever harboured, has at length met the fate he merited." + +"Fate him merit, Massa Henry," muttered the aged and +privileged negro, with something like anger in his tones, +as he returned the knife to the Indian; "he dam 'serter +from a king! No, no, he nebber deserb a die like dis. He +ought to hab a rope roun him neck and die him lying teef +like a dog." + +"I guess however our friend Jeremiah has got clean slick +off," said Villiers, imitating the tone and language of +that individual, "and he, I take it, is by far the more +formidable of the two. I expect that, before he dies, he +will give one of us a long shot yet, in revenge for the +fall of young hopeful." + +"Traitorous and revengeful scoundrel," aspirated Henry +Grantham, as the recollection of the manner of his father's +death came over his mind. "It is, at least, some consolation +to think his villainy has in part met its reward. I +confess I think in the death of young Desborough, less +even because a dangerous enemy has been removed, than +because in his fall the heart of the father will be racked +in its only assailable point. I trust I am not naturally +cruel, yet do I hope the image of his slain partner in +infamy may ever after revisit his memory, and remind him +of his crime." + +An exclamation from the Indians now drew the attention +of the officers to a boat that came in sight, in the +direction in which that of Gerald Grantham had long since +disappeared, and as she drew nearer, a white flag, floating +in the stem became gradually distinguishable. Expressions +of surprise passed among the officers, by whom various +motives were assigned as the cause of the return of the +flag of truce, for that it was their own boat no one +doubted, especially, as, on approaching sufficiently +near, the blue uniform of the officer who steered the +boat was visible to the naked eye. On a yet nearer +approach, however, it was perceived that the individual +in question wore not the uniform of the British Navy, +but that of an officer of the American line, the same +precisely, indeed, as that of Major Montgomerie. It was +further remarked that there was no lady in the boat, and +that, independently of the crew, there was besides the +officer already named, merely one individual, dressed in +the non-commissioned uniform, who seemed to serve as his +orderly. Full evidence being now had that this was a +flag sent from the American Fort, which had, in all +probability, missed Gerald by descending one channel of +the river formed by Turkey Island, while the latter had +ascended by the other, the aid-de-camp, De Courcy hastened +to acquaint General Brock with the circumstance, and to +receive his orders. By the time the American reached the +landing place, the youth had returned, accompanying a +superior officer of the staff. Both descended the flight +of steps leading to the river, when, having saluted the +officer, after a moment or two of conversation, they +proceeded to blindfold him. This precaution having been +taken, the American was then handed over the gun-wale of +the boat, and assisted up the flight of steps by the two +British officers on whose arms he leaned. As they passed +through the crowd, on their way to the Fort, the ears of +the stranger were assailed by loud yells from the bands +of Indians, who, with looks of intense curiosity and +interest, gazed on the passing, and to them in some degree +inexplicable, scene. Startling as was the fierce cry, +the officer pursued his course without moving a muscle +of his fine and manly form, beyond what was necessary to +the action in which he was engaged. It was a position +which demanded all his collectedness and courage, and he +seemed as though he had previously made up his mind not +to be deficient in either. Perhaps it was well that he +had been temporarily deprived of sight, for could he have +remarked the numerous tomahawks that were raised towards +him, in pantomimic representation of what they would have +done had they been permitted, the view would in no way +have assisted his self-possession. The entrance to the +fort once gained by the little party, the clamour began +to subside, and the Indians, by whom they had been +followed, returned to the bank of the river to satisfy +their curiosity with a view of those who had been left +in the boat, to which, as a security against all possible +outrage, a sergeant's command had meanwhile been despatched. + +It was in the drawing room of Colonel D'Egville, that +the General, surrounded by his chief officers, awaited +the arrival of the flag of truce. Into this the American +Colonel, for such was his rank, after traversing the area +of the fort that lay between, was now ushered, and, the +bandage being removed, his eye encountered several to +whom he was personally known, and with these such +salutations as became the occasion were exchanged. + +"The flag you bear, sir," commenced the General, after +a few moments of pause succeeding these greetings, "relates +I presume, to the prisoners so recently fallen into our +hands." + +"By no means, General," returned the American, "this is +the first intimation I have had of such fact--my mission +is of a wholly different nature. I am deputed by the +officer commanding the forces of the United States, to +summon the garrison of Amherstburg, with all its naval +dependencies, to surrender within ten days from this +period." + +The General smiled. "A similar purpose seems to have +actuated us both," he observed. "A shorter limit have I +prescribed to the officer by whom I have, this very day, +sent a flag to General Hull; I have caused it to be +intimated, that, failing to comply with my summons, he +may on the ensuing Sabbath expect to see the standard of +England floating over the walls of his citadel. This, +Colonel, you may moreover repeat as my answer to your +mission." + +The American bowed. "Such then, General, is your final +determination?" + +"Not more certain is it that the next Sabbath will dawn, +than that the force I have the honor to command will +attempt the assault upon that day." + +"What, within three days? You would seem to hold us +cheaply, General," said the American piquedly, "that you +do not even leave us in doubt as to the moment of your +intended attack." + +"And if I would, it were useless," was the reply, "since +what I do attempt shall be attempted openly. In the broad +face of day will I lead my troops to the trenches. By +this time, however, your chief must know my determination-- +where, may I ask, did you pass my flag?" + +"I met with none, General, and yet my boat kept as nearly +in the middle of the stream as possible." + +"Then must ye have passed each other on the opposite +sides of Turkey Island. The officer in charge was moreover +accompanied by two of the prisoners to whom I have alluded +--one a field officer in your own regiment." + +"May I ask who?" interrupted the American quickly, and +slightly coloring. + +"Major Montgomerie." + +"So I suspected. Was the other officer of my regiment?" + +"The other," said the General, "bears no commission, and +is simply a volunteer in the expedition--one in short, +whose earnest wish to reach Detroit, was the principal +motive for my offering the Major his liberty on parole." + +"And may I ask the name of this individual, so unimportant +in rank, and yet so filled with ardor in the cause, as to +be thus anxious to gain the theatre of war?" + +"One probably not unknown to you, Colonel, as the niece +of your brother officer--Miss Montgomerie." + +"Miss Montgomerie here!" faltered the American, rising +and paling as he spoke, while he mechanically placed on +the table a glass of wine he had the instant before raised +to his lips--"surely it cannot be." + +There was much to excite interest, not only in the changed +tone but in the altered features of the American, as he +thus involuntarily gave expression to his surprise. The +younger officers winked at each other, and smiled their +conviction of une affaire de coeur--while the seniors +were no less ready to infer that they now had arrived at +the true secret of the impatience of Miss Montgomerie to +reach the place of her destination. To the penetrating +eye of the General, however, there was an expression of +pain on the countenance of the officer, which accorded +ill with the feeling one might be supposed to entertain, +who had been unexpectedly brought nearer to an object of +attachment, and he kindly sought to relieve his evident +embarrassment by remarking: + +"I can readily comprehend your surprise, Colonel. One +would scarcely have supposed that a female could have +had courage to brave the dangers attendant on an expedition +of this kind, in an open boat--but Miss Montgomerie, I +confess, appears to me to be one whom no danger could +daunt, and whose resoluteness of purpose, once directed, +no secondary agency could divert from its original aim." + +Before the officer, having partially regained his composure, +could reply, Colonel D'Egville, who had absented himself +during the latter part of the conversation, returned and +addressing the former in terms that proved their +acquaintance to have been of previous date, invited him +to partake of some refreshment, which had been prepared +for him in an adjoining apartment. This the American at +first faintly declined, on the plea of delay having been +prohibited by his chief; but, on the General jocosely +remarking that, sharing their hospitality on the present +occasion would be no barrier to breaking a lance a week +hence, he assented; and, following Colonel D'Egville, +passed through a short corridor into a smaller apartment +where a copious but hurried refreshment had been prepared. + +The entry of the officer was greeted by the presence of +three ladies--Mrs. D'Egville and her daughters--all of +whom received him with the frank cordiality that bespoke +intimacy, while, on the countenance of one of the latter, +might be detected evidences of an interest that had its +foundation in something more than the mere esteem which +dictated the conduct of her mother and sister. If Julia +D'Egville was in reality the laughing, light hearted, +creature represented in the mess room conversation of +the officers of the garrison, it would have been difficult +for a stranger to have recognized her in the somewhat +serious girl who now added her greetings to theirs, but +in a manner slightly tinctured with embarrassment. + +The American, who seemed not to notice it, directed his +conversation, as he partook of the refreshment, principally +to Mrs. D'Egville, to whom he spoke of various ladies at +Detroit, friends of both, who were deep deplorers of the +war and the non-communication which it occasioned; alluded +to the many delightful parties that had taken place, yet +were now interrupted; and to the many warm friendships +which had been formed, yet might by this event be severed +for ever. He concluded by presenting a note front a very +intimate friend of the family, to which, he said, he had +been requested to take back a written answer. + +A feeling of deep gratification pervaded the benevolent +countenance of Mrs D'Egville, as, on perusal, she found +that it contained the offer of an asylum for herself and +daughters in case Amherstburg should be carried by storm, +as, considering the American great superiority of force, +was thought likely, in the event of the British General +refusing to surrender. + +"Excellent, kind hearted friend!" she exclaimed when she +had finished--"this indeed does merit an answer. Need of +assistance, however, there is none, since my noble friend, +the General, has pledged himself to anticipate any attempt +to make our soil the theatre of war--still, does it give +me pleasure to be enabled to reciprocate her offer, by +promising, in my turn, an asylum against all chances of +outrage on the part of the wild Indians, attached to our +cause"--and she left the room. + +No sooner did the American find himself alone with the +sisters, for Colonel D'Egville had previously retired to +the General, than discarding all reserve, and throwing +himself on his knees at the feet of her who sat next him, +he exclaimed, in accents of the most touching pathos: + +"Julia, dearest Julia! for this alone am I here. I +volunteered to be the bearer of the summons to the British +General, in the hope that some kind chance would give +you to my view, and now that fortune, propitious beyond +my utmost expectations, affords me the happiness of +speaking to you whom I had feared never to behold more, +oh, tell me that, whatever be the result of this unhappy +war, you will not forget me. For me, I shall ever cherish +you in my heart's core." + +The glow which mantled over the cheek of the agitated +girl, plainly told that this passionate appeal was made +to no unwilling ear. Still she spoke not. + +"Dearest Julia, answer me--the moments of my stay are +few, and at each instant we are liable to interruption. +In one word, therefore, may I hope? In less than a week, +many who have long been friends will meet as enemies. +Let me then at least have the consolation to know from +your lips, that whatever be the event, that dearest of +all gifts--your regard--is unchangeably mine." + +"I do promise, Ernest," faltered the trembling girl. +"My heart is yours and yours forever--but do not +unnecessarily expose yourself," and her head sank +confidingly on the shoulder of her lover. + +"Thank you, dearest," and the encircling arm of the +impassioned officer drew her form closer to his beating +heart. Gertrude, you are witness of her vow, and before +you, under more auspicious circumstances, will I claim +its fulfilment. Oh Julia, Julia, this indeed does +recompense me for many a long hour of anxiety and doubt." + +"And hers too have been hours of anxiety and doubt," said +the gentle Gertrude. "Ever since the war has been spoken +of as certain, Julia has been no longer the gay girl she +was. Her dejection has been subject of remark with all, +and such is her dislike to any allusion to the past, that +she never even rallies Captain Cranstoun on his bear-skin +adventure of last winter on the ice." + +"Ah," interrupted the American, "never shall I forget +the evening that preceded that adventure. It was then, +dearest Julia, that I ventured to express the feeling +with which you had inspired me. It was then I had first +the delight of hearing from your lips that I need not +entirely despair. I often, often, think of that night." + +"Of course you have not yet received my note, Ernest. +Perhaps you will deem it inconsiderate in me to have +written, but I could not resist the desire to afford you +what I conceived would be a gratification, by communicating +intelligence of ourselves." + +"Note! what note! and by whom conveyed?" + +"Have you not heard," enquired Gertrude, warming into +animation, "that the General has sent a flag this morning +to Detroit, and, under its protection, two prisoners +captured by my gallant cousin, who is the officer that +conducts them." + +"And to that cousin you have confided the letter?" +interrupted the Colonel, somewhat eagerly. + +"No, not my cousin," said Julia, "but to one I conceived +better suited to the trust. You must know that my father, +with his usual hospitality, insisted on Major Montgomerie +and his niece, the parties in question, taking up their +abode with us during the short time they remained." + +"And to Miss Montgomerie you gave your letter," hurriedly +exclaimed the Colonel, starting to his feet, and exhibiting +a countenance of extreme paleness." + +"Good heaven, Ernest! what is the matter? Surely you do +not think me guilty of imprudence in this affair. I was +anxious to write to you,--I imagined you would be glad +to hear from me, and thought that the niece of one of +your officers would be the most suitable medium of +communication. I therefore confessed to her my secret, +and requested her to take charge the letter." + +"Oh, Julia, you have been indeed imprudent. But what said +she--how looked she when you confided to her our secret?" + +"She made no other remark than to ask how long our +attachment had existed, adding that she had once known +something of you herself; and her look and voice were +calm, and her cheek underwent no variation from the +settled paleness observable there since her arrival." + +"And in what manner did she receive her trust?" again +eagerly demanded the Colonel. + +"With a solemn assurance that it should be delivered to +you with her own hand--then, and then only, did a faint +smile animate her still but beautiful features. Yet why +all these questions, Ernest? Or can it really be? Tell +me," and the voice of the young girl became imperative, +"has Miss Montgomerie any claim upon your hand--she +admitted to have known you?" + +"On my honor, none;" impressively returned the Colonel. + +"Oh, what a weight you have removed from my heart, Ernest, +but wherefore your alarm, and wherein consists my +imprudence?" + +"In this only, dearest Julia, that I had much rather +another than she had been admitted into your confidence. +But as you have acted for the best, I cannot blame you. +Still I doubt not," and the tones of the American were +low and desponding, "that, as she has promised, she will +find means to deliver your note into my own hands--the +seal is--?" + +"A fancy one--Andromache disarming Hector." + +"Rise, for Heaven's sake rise," interrupted Gertrude; +"here comes mamma." + +One fond pressure of her graceful form, and the Colonel +had resumed his seat. In the next moment Mrs. D'Egville +entered, by one door, and immediately afterwards her +husband by another. The former handed her note, and during +the remarks which accompanied its delivery, gave the +little party (for Gertrude was scarcely less agitated +than her sister) time to recover from their embarassment. +Some casual conversation then ensued, when the American, +despite of Mrs. D'Egville's declaration that he could +not have touched a single thing during her absence, +expressed his anxiety to depart. The same testimonies +of friendly greeting, which had marked his entrance, were +exchanged, and preceded by his kind host. The Colonel +once more gained the apartment where the General still +lingered, awaiting his reappearance. + +Nothing remaining to be added to the answer already given +to the summons, the American, after exchanging salutations +with such of the English Officers as were personally +known to him, again submitted himself to the operation +of blindfolding; after which he was reconducted to the +beach, where his boat's crew, who had in their turn been +supplied with refreshments, were ready to receive him. +As on his arrival, the loud yellings of the Indians +accompanied his departure but as these had been found to +be harmless, they were even less heeded than before. +Within two hours, despite of the strong current, the boat +had disappeared altogether from the view. + +Late in that day, the barge of Gerald Grantham returned +from Detroit. Ushered into the presence of the General, +the young sailor communicated the delivery of his charge +into the hands of the American Chief, who had returned +his personal acknowledgments for the courtesy. His answer +to the summons, however, was that having a force fully +adequate to the purpose, he was prepared to defend the +fort to the last extremity, and waiving his own original +plan of attack, would await the British General on the +defensive, when to the God of Battles should be left the +decision of the contest. To a question on the subject, +the young officer added that he had seen nothing of the +American flag of truce, either in going or returning. + +That night orders were issued to the heads of the different +departments, immediately to prepare materiel for a short +siege; and, an assault at the termination of the third +day. By both troops and Indians, this intelligence was +received with pleasure; for all, sanguine as they were +under such a leader, looked confidently to the speedy +conquest of a post which was one of the highest importance +on that frontier. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Conformably with the orders of the British General, the +siege of the American fortress was commenced on the day +following that of the mutual exchange of flags. The +elevated ground above the village of Sandwich, immediately +opposite to the enemy's fort, was chosen for the erection +of three batteries, from which a well sustained and well +directed fire was kept up for several successive days, +yet without effecting any practicable breach in their +defences. One of these batteries, manned principally by +sailors, was under the direction of Gerald Grantham, +whose look out duty had been in a great degree rendered +unnecessary, by the advance of the English flotilla up +the river, and who had consequently been appointed to +this more active service. + +During the whole of Saturday, the 15th of August, the +British guns had continued to play upon the fort, vomiting +shot and shell as from an exhaustless and angry volcano-- +and several of the latter falling short, the town which +was of wood had been more than once set on fire. As, +however, it was by no means the intention of the General +to do injury to the inhabitants, no obstacle was opposed +to the attempts of the enemy to get it under, and the +flames were as often and as speedily extinguished. An +advanced hour of night at length put an end to the firing, +and the artillery men and seamen, extended on their great +coats and pea jackets, in their several embrasures, +snatched from fatigue that repose which their unceasing +exertions of the many previous hours had rendered at once +a luxury and a want. + +The battery commanded by Gerald Grantham, was the central +and most prominent of the three, and it had been remarked +by all--and especially by the troops stationed in the +rear in support of the guns--that his firing during the +day, had been the most efficient, many of his shot going +point blank into the hostile fortress, and (as could be +distinctly seen with the telescope) occasioning evident +confusion. + +The several officers commanding batteries were now met +in that of the young sailor, and habited in a garb +befitting the rude duty at which they had presided, were +earnestly engaged in discussing the contents of their +haversacks, moistened by occasional drafts of rum and +water from their wooden canteens, and seasoned with +frequent reference to the events of the past day, and +anticipations of what the morrow would bring forth. A +lantern so closed as to prevent all possibility of contact +with the powder that lay strewed about, was placed in +the centre of the circle, and the dim reflexion from this +upon the unwashed hands and faces of the party, begrimed +as they were with powder and perspiration, contributed +to give an air of wildness to the whole scene, that found +its origin in the peculiar circumstances of the moment. +Nor was the picture at all lessened in ferocity of effect, +by the figure of Sambo in the back ground, who, dividing +his time between the performances of such offices as his +young master demanded, in the coarse of the frugal meal +of the party, and a most assiduous application of his +own white and shining teeth to a huge piece of venison +ham, might, without effort, have called up the image of +some lawless, yet obedient slave, attending on and sharing +in the orgies of a company of buccaneers. + +At length the meal was ended, and each was preparing to +depart, with a view to snatch an hour or two of rest in +his own battery, when the pricked ear and forward thrown +head of the old negro, accompanied by a quick, "Husha, +Massa Geral," stilled them all into attitudes of expectancy. +Presently the sound of muffled oars was heard, and then +the harsh grating as of a boat's keel upon the sands. + +In the next minute the officers were at their posts; but +before they could succeed in awakening their jaded men, +who seemed to sleep the sleep of death, the sentinel at +the first battery had received, in answer to his hurried +challenge, the proper countersign, and, as on closer +inspection it was found that there was only one boat, he +knew it must be their own, and the alarm which had seized +them for the security of their trust passed away. + +They were not long kept in suspense. One individual alone +had ascended from the beach, and now stood among them, +habited in a dread-nought jacket and trousers and round +hat. His salutation to each was cordial, and he expressed +in warm terms the approbation he felt at the indefatigable +and efficient manner in which the duty assigned to each +had been conducted. + +"Well, gentlemen," continued the Commodore, (for it was +he), "you have done famously today--and in most masterly +style did you silence those batteries, which the enemy, +to divert your fire from the fort, had erected on the +opposite bank. Much has been done, but more remains. +Tomorrow you must work double tides. At daylight you must +re-open with showers of shot and shell, for it is, during +the confusion caused by your fire, that the General +intends crossing his troops and advancing to the assault. +But this is not all--we have some suspicion the enemy +may attempt your batteries this very night, with a view +of either spiking the guns, if they cannot maintain the +position; or of turning them, if they can, on our advancing +columns. Now all the troops destined for the assault, +are assembled ready to effect their landing at day-break, +and none can be spared unless the emergency be palpable. +What I seek is a volunteer to watch the movements of the +enemy during the remainder of the night--one (and he +looked at Grantham) whose knowledge of the country will +enable him to approach the opposite coast unseen, and +whose expedition will enable us to have due warning of +any hostile attempt." + +"I shall be most happy, sir, to undertake the task, if +you consider me worthy of it," said Grantham, "but--" + +"But what?" interrupted the Commodore hastily. + +"My only difficulty, sir, is the means. Had I my light +canoe here, with Sambo for my helmsman, I would seek +their secret even on their own shores." + +"Bravo, my gallant fellow," returned the Commodore, again +cordially shaking the hand of his Lieutenant. "This I +expected of you, and have come prepared. I have had the +precaution to bring your canoe and paddles with me--you +will find them below in my boat." + +"Then is every difficulty at an end," exclaimed the young +sailor joyously. "And our dress, sir?" + +"No disguise whatever, in case of accidents--we must not +have you run the risk of being hanged for a spy." + +Gerald Grantham having secured his cutlass and pistols, +now descended with the Commodore to the beach, whither +Sambo (similarly armed) had already preceded him. Under +the active and vigorous hands of the latter, the canoe +had already been removed from the boat, and now rested +on the sands ready to be shoved off. The final instructions +of the Commodore to his officer, as to the manner of +communicating intelligence of any movement on the part +of the Americans, having been given, the latter glided +noiselessly from the shore into the stream, while the +boat, resuming the direction by which it had approached, +was impelled down the river with as little noise as +possible, and hugging the shore for greater secrecy, was +soon lost both to the eye and to the ear. + +It was with a caution rendered necessary by the presence +of the vessels in the harbour, that Gerald Grantham and +his faithful companion, having gained the middle of the +river, now sought to approach nearer to the shore. The +night, although not absolutely gloomy, was yet sufficiently +obscure to aid their enterprize; and notwithstanding they +could distinctly hear the tread of the American sentinels, +as they paced the deck of their flotilla, such was the +stillness of Sambo's practised paddle, that the little +canoe glided past them unheard, and, stealing along the +shore, was enabled to gain the farther extremity of the +town, where however, despite of the most scrupulous +inspection, not the slightest evidence of a collective +movement was to be observed. Recollecting that most of +the American boats used for the transport of their Army +from the Canadian shore, (which they had occupied for +some time,) were drawn up on the beach at the opposite +end of the town, and deeming that if any attempt on the +batteries was in contemplation, the troops ordered for +that duty would naturally embark at a point whence, +crossing the river considerably above the object of their +expedition, they might drift down with the current, and +effect a landing without noise, he determined to direct +his course between the merchantmen and vessels of war, +and pursue his way to the opposite end of the town. The +enterprise, it is true, was bold, and not by any means, +without hazard; but Grantham's was a spirit that delighted +in excitement, and moreover he trusted much to the skill +of his pilot, the darkness of the night, and the seeming +repose of the enemy. Even if seen, it was by no means +certain he should be taken, for his light skiff could +worm its way where another dared not follow, and as for +any shot that might be sent in pursuit of them, its aim +would, in the obscurity of the night, be extremely +uncertain. + +Devoted as the old negro was to Gerald's will, it was +but to acquaint him with his intention to ensure a +compliance; although, in this case, it must be admitted +a reluctant one. Cautiously and silently, therefore, +they moved between the line of vessels, keeping as close +as they could to the merchantmen, in which there was +apparently no guard, so that under the shadow of the +hulls of these they might escape all observation from +the more watchful vessels of war without. They had +cleared all but one, when the head of the canoe suddenly +came foul of the hawser of the latter, and was by the +checked motion brought round, with her broadside completely +under her stern, in the cabin windows of which, much to +the annoyance of our adventurer, a light was plainly +visible. Rising as gently as he could to clear the bow +of the light skiff, he found his head on a level with +the windows, and as his eye naturally fell on all within, +his attention was arrested sufficiently to cause a sign +from him to Sambo to remain still. The cabin was spacious, +and filled every where with female forms, who were lying +in various attitudes of repose, while the whole character +of the arrangements were such as to induce his belief, +that the vessel had been appropriated to the reception +of the families of the principal inhabitants of the place, +and this with a view of their being more secure from +outrage from the Indians on the ensuing day. In the +midst of the profound repose in which, forgetful of the +dangers of the morrow, all appeared to be wrapped, there +was one striking exception. At a small table in the centre +of the cabin, sat a figure enveloped in a long and ample +dark cloak, and covered with a slouched hat. There was +nothing to indicate sex in the figure, which might have +been taken either for a woman, or for a youth. It was +clear, however, that it wanted in its contour the +proportions of manhood. At the moment when Gerald's +attention was first arrested, the figure was occupied in +reading a letter, which she afterwards sealed with black. +The heart of the sailor beat violently, he knew not +wherefore, but before he could explain his feelings even +to himself, he saw the figure deposit the letter, and +remove, apparently from the bosom of its dress, a miniature +on which it gazed intently for upwards of a minute. The +back being turned towards the windows he could trace no +expression on the countenance, but in the manner there +was none of that emotion, which usually accompanies the +contemplation of the features of a beloved object. +Depositing the picture in the folds of its cloak, the +figure rose, and with a caution indicating desire not to +disturb those who slumbered around, moved through the +straggling forms that lay at its feet, and ascending the +stairs, finally disappeared from the cabin. + +Somewhat startled, the young officer hesitated as to what +course he should pursue, for it was evident that if the +figure, whoever it might prove, should come to the stem +of the vessel, he and his companion must be discovered. +For a moment he continued motionless, but with ear and +eye keenly on the alert. At length he fancied he heard +footsteps, as of one treading the loose plank that led +from the vessel's side to the wharf. He pushed the canoe +lightly along, so as to enable him to get clear of her +stem, when glancing his eye in that direction, he saw +the figure, still in the same dress, quit the plank it +had been traversing, and move rapidly along the wharf +towards the centre of the town. + +Ruminating on the singularity of what he had observed, +our adventurer now pursued his course up the river; but +still without discovering any evidence of hostile +preparation. On the contrary, a deep silence appeared to +pervade every part of the town, the repose of which was +the more remarkable, as it was generally known, that the +attack on the fort was to be made on the following day. +Arrived opposite the point where the town terminated, +Grantham could distinctly count some twenty or thirty +large boats drawn up on the beach, while in the fields +beyond, the drowsy guard evidently stationed there for +their protection, and visible by the dying embers of +their watch-fire, denoted any thing but the activity +which should have governed an enterprize of the nature +apprehended. Satisfied that the information conveyed to +his superiors was incorrect, the young officer dismissed +from his mind all further anxiety on the subject; yet, +impelled by recollections well befitting the hour and +the circumstances, he could not avoid lingering near a +spot, which, tradition had invested with much to excite +the imagination and feeling. It was familiar to his +memory, (for he had frequently heard it in boyhood,) that +some dreadful tragedy had, in former days, been perpetrated +near this bridge; and he had reason to believe that some +of the actors in it, were those whose blood flowed in +his own young veins. The extreme pain it seemed to give +his parents, however, whenever allusion was made to the +subject, had ever repressed inquiry, and all his knowledge +of these events, was confined to what he had been enabled +to glean from the aged Canadians. That Sambo, who was a +very old servant of the family, had more than hear-say +acquaintance with the circumstances, he was almost certain; +for he had frequently remarked, when after having had +his imagination excited by the oft told tale, he felt +desirous of visiting the spot, the negro obedient in all +things else, ever found some excuse to avoid accompanying +him, nor, within his own recollection, had he once +approached the scene. Certain vague allusions, of late +date, by the old man, had moreover, confirmed him in his +impression, and he now called forcibly to mind an +observation made by his faithful attendant on the night +of their pursuit of the younger Desborough, which, +evidently referred to that period. Even on the present +occasion, he had been struck by the urgency with which +he contended for a return to their own shore, without +pursuing their course to the extreme end of the town; +nor was his unwillingness to approach the bridge overcome, +until Gerald told him it was the positive order of the +Commodore, that they should embrace the whole of the +American lines in their inspection, and even THEN, it +was with a relaxed vigour of arm, that he obeyed the +instruction to proceed. + +Determined to sound him, as to his knowledge of the fact, +Grantham stole gently from the bow to the stern of the +canoe, and he was about to question him, when the other, +grasping his arm with an expressive touch, pointed to a +dark object moving across the road. Gerald turned his +head, and beheld the same figure that had so recently +quitted the cabin of the merchantman. Following its +movements, he saw it noiselessly enter into the grounds +of a cottage, opposite an old tannery, where it totally +disappeared. + +A new direction was now given to the curiosity of the +sailor. Expressing in a whisper to Sambo, his determination +to follow, he desired him to make for the shore, near +the tannery, beneath the shadow of which he might be +secure, while he himself advanced, and traced the movements +of the mysterious wanderer. + +"Oh Massa Geral," urged the old man in the same whisper--his +teeth chattering with fear--"for Hebben' sake e no go +ashore. All dis a place berry bad, and dat no a livin' +ting what e see yonder. Do Massa Geral take poor nigger +word, and not so dere affer e ghost." + +"Nay, Sambo, it is no ghost, but flesh and blood, for I +saw it in the brig we were foul of just now, however be +under no alarm. Armed as, I am, I have nothing to fear +from one individual, and if I am seen and pursued in my +turn, it is but to spring in again, and before any one +can put off in chase we shall have nearly reached the +opposite shore--You shall remain in the canoe it--you +please, but I most certainly will see where that figure +went." + +"Berry well, Massa Geral," and the old man spoke piquedly, +although partly re-assured by the assurance that it was +no ghost. "If e no take e poor nigger wice e do as e +like; but I no top in e canoe while e go and have him +troat cut, or carry off by a debbil--I dam if e go--I go +too." + +This energetic rejoinder being conclusive, and in no wise +opposed by his master, the old man made for the shore as +desired. Both having disembarked, a cautious examination +was first made of the premises, which tending to satisfy +them that all within slumbered, the canoe was secreted +under the shadow of the cottage, the adventurers crossed +the road in the direction taken by the figure--Sambo +following close in the rear of his master, and looking +occasionally behind him, not with the air of one who +fears a mortal enemy, but of one rather who shrinks from +collision with a spirit of another world. + +The front grounds of the cottage were separated from the +high road by a fence of open pallisades, in the centre +of which was a small gate of the same description. It +was evidently through this latter that the figure had +disappeared, and as its entrance had been effected without +effort. Gerald came to the conclusion, on finding the +latter yield to his touch, that this was the abode of +the midnight wanderer. Perhaps some young American +officer, whom intrigue or frolic had led forth in disguise +on an excursion from which he was now returned. His +curiosity was therefore on the point of yielding to the +prudence which dictated an immediate relinquishment of +the adventure, when he felt his right arm suddenly seized +in the convulsed and trembling grasp of his attendant. +Turning to ascertain the cause, he beheld as distinctly +as the gloom of the night would permit, the features of +the old man worked into an expression of horror, while +trembling in every joint, he pointed to the mound of +earth at the far extremity of the garden, which was known +to contain the ashes of those from whom his imagination +had been so suddenly diverted by the reappearance of the +figure. This, owing to the position in which he stood, +had hitherto escaped the notice of the officer, whose +surprise may be imagined, when, looking in the direction +pointed out to him, he beheld the same muffled figure, +reposing its head apparently in an attitude of profound +sorrow, against one of the white tomb stones that rose +perpendicularly from the graves. + +That Sambo feared nothing which emanated not from the +world of spirits, Grantham well knew. It therefore became +his first care to dismiss from the mind of the poor fellow +the superstitious alarm that had taken possession of +every faculty. From their proximity to the party, this +could only be done by energetic signs, the progress of +which was however interrupted by their mutual attention +being diverted by a change in the position of the figure, +which, throwing itself at its length upon the grave, for +a moment or two sobbed audibly Presently afterwards it +rose abruptly, and wrapping its disguise more closely +around it, quitted the mound and disappeared in the rear +of the house. + +The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of its +materiality, had, more than all the signs of his master, +contributed to allay the agitation of the old negro. When +therefore Gerald, urged by his irrepressible curiosity, +in a whisper declared his intention to penetrate to the +rear of the house, he was enabled to answer. + +"For Gorramity's sake, Massa Geral, nebber go dare. Dis +a place all berry bad for e family. Poor Sambo hair white +now but when he black like a quirrel he see all a dis a +people kill--" (and he pointed to the mound) "oh, berry +much blood spill here, Massa Geral. It make a poor nigger +heart sick to link of it." + +Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man. "Sambo," he +whispered, in the same low, but in a determined tone, "I +have long thought you acquainted with the history of this +place, although you have eluded my desire for information +on the subject. After the admission you have now made, +however, I expect you will tell me all and every thing +connected with it. Not now--for I am resolved to see who +that singular being is, who apparently, like myself, +feels an interest in these mouldering bones. As you +perceive it is no ghost, but flesh and blood like ourselves, +stay here if you will, until I return; but something more +must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot." + +Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched +gate before him. It opened without noise, and quitting +the pathway he moved along the green sward in the direction +in which the figure had disappeared. Love for his master, +even more than the superstitious awe he felt on being +left alone, in that memorable spot, at so late an hour, +put an end to the indecision of the old man. Entering +and cautiously closing the gate, he followed in the +footsteps of his master, and both in the next minute were +opposite to the mound where the figure had first been +observed. + +As he was about to quit the grass, and enter upon the +gravelled walk that led to the rear of the cottage, he +fancied he distinguished a sound within, similar to that +of a door cautiously opening. Pausing again to listen, +he saw a light strongly reflected from an upper window, +upon what had the appearance of a court yard in the rear, +and in that light the dark shadow of a human form. This +he at once recognized, from its peculiar costume to be +the mysterious person who had so strongly excited his +curiosity. For a moment or two all was obscurity, when +again, but from a more distant window, the same light +and figure were again reflected. Presently the figure +disappeared, but the light still remained. Impelled by +an uncontrollable desire to behold the features, and +ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange +wanderer, the young sailor cast his eye rapidly in search +of the means of raising himself to a level with the +window, when, much to his satisfaction, he remarked +immediately beneath, a large water butt which was fully +adequate to the purpose, and near this a rude wooden +stool which would enable him to gain a footing on its +edge, without exertion, or noise. It is true there was +every reason to believe that what he had seen was, an +officer belonging to the guard stationed in the adjoining +held, who had his temporary residence in this building, +and was now, after the prosecution of some love adventure +returning home; but Gerald could not reconcile this with +the strong emotion he had manifested near the tomb, and +the startling secrecy with which, even when he had entered, +he moved along his own apartments. These contradictions +were stimulants to the gratification of his own curiosity, +or interest, or whatever it might be; and although he +could not conceal from himself that he incurred no +inconsiderable risk from observation, by the party itself, +the desire to see into the interior of the apartment and +learn something further, rose paramount to all consideration +for his personal safety. His first care now was to +disencumber himself of his shoes and cutlass, which he +gave in charge to Sambo, with directions to the latter +to remain stationary on the sward, keeping a good look-out +to guard against surprise. As by this arrangement his +master would be kept in tolerable proximity, the old +negro, whose repugnance to be left alone in that melancholy +spot was invincible, offered no longer an objection, and +Gerald, bracing more tightly round his loins, the belt +which contained his pistols, proceeded cautiously to +secure the stool, by the aid of which he speedily found +his feet resting on the edge of the water butt, and his +face level with the window. This, owing to the activity +of his professional habits, he had been enabled to +accomplish without perceptible noise. + +The scene that met the fixed gaze of the adventurous +officer, was one to startle and excite in no ordinary +degree. The room into which he looked was square, with +deep recesses on the side where he lingered, formed by +the projection of a chimney in which, however, owing to +the sultry season of the year, no traces of recent fire +were visible. In the space between the chimney and wall, +forming the innermost recess, was placed a rude uncurtained +bed, and on this lay extended, and delineated beneath +the covering, a human form, the upper extremities of +which was hidden from view by the projecting chimney. +The whole attitude of repose of this latter indicated +the unconciousness of profound slumber. On a small table +near the foot, were placed several books and papers, and +an extinguished candle. Leaning over the bed and holding +a small lamp which had evidently been brought and lighted +since its entrance, stood the mysterious figure on whom +the interest of Gerald had been so strongly excited. It +seemed to be gazing intently on the features of the +sleeper, and more than once, by the convulsed movements +of its form, betrayed intense agitation. Once it made a +motion as if to awaken the person on whom it gazed, but +suddenly changing its purpose, drew from its dress a +letter which Gerald recognized to be that so recently +prepared in the cabin of the brig. Presently both letter +and lamp were deposited on the bed, and in one upraised +hand of the figure gleamed the blade of a knife or dagger, +while the left grasped and shook, with an evident view +to arouse, the sleeper. An exclamation of horror, +accompanied by a violent struggle of its limbs, proclaimed +reviving consciousness in the latter. A low wild laugh +burst in scorn from the lips of the figure, and the +strongly nerved arm was already descending to strike its +assassin blow, when suddenly the pistol, which Gerald +had almost unconsciously cocked and raised to the window, +was discharged with a loud explosion. The awakened +slumberer was now seen to spring from the bed to the +floor, and in the action the lamp was overturned and +extinguished; but all struggle appeared to have ceased. + +Bewildered beyond measure in his reflection, yet secure +in the conviction that he had by this desperate step +saved the life of a human being from the dagger of the +assassin, the only object of Gerald now was to secure +himself from the consequences. Springing from his position +he was soon at the side of the startled Sambo, who had +witnessed his last act with inconceivable dismay. Already +were the guard in the adjoining field, alarmed by the +report of the pistol, hurrying toward the house, when +they reached the little gate, and some even appeared to +be making for their boats on the beach. With these motives +to exertion, neither Gerald nor the old negro were likely +to be deficient in activity. Bending low as they crossed +the road, they managed unperceived to reach that part of +the tannery where their canoe had been secreted, and +Sambo having hastily launched it, they made directly for +the opposite shore, unharmed by some fifteen or twenty +shots that were fired at them by the guard, and drifting +down with the current, reached, about an hour before +dawn, the battery from which they had started. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +At day-break on the rooming of Sunday, the 16th of August, +the fire from the batteries was resumed, and with a fury +that must have satisfied the Americans, even had they +been ignorant of the purpose, it was intended to cover +some ulterior plan of operation on the part of the British +General. Their own object appeared rather to make +preparation of defence against the threatened assault, +than to return a cannonade, which, having attained its +true range, excessively annoyed and occasioned them much +loss. Meanwhile every precaution had been taken to secure +the safe transport of the army. The flotilla, considerably +superior at the outset of the war, to that of the Americans, +had worked up the river during the night, and anchored +in the middle lay with their broadsides ready to open +upon any force that might appear to oppose the landing +of the troops, while numerous scows, for the transport +of a light brigade of horse artillery, and all the boats +and batteaux that could be collected, added to those of +the fleet, lay covering the sands, ready to receive their +destined burdens. At length the embarkation was completed, +and the signal having been given, the several divisions +of boats moved off in the order prescribed to them. Never +did a more picturesque scene present itself to the human +eye, than during the half hour occupied in the transit +of this little army. The sun was just rising gloriously +and unclouded, as the first division of boats pushed from +the shore, and every object within the British and American +line of operation, tended to the production of an effect, +that was little in unison with the anticipated issue of +the whole. Not a breeze ruffled the fair face of the +placid Detroit, through which the heavily laden boats +now made their slow, but certain way, and a spectator +who, in utter ignorance of events, might hare been suddenly +placed on the Canadian hank, would have been led to +imagine, that a fete, not a battle, was intended. +Immediately above the village of Sandwich, and in full +view of the American Fort, lay the English flotilla at +anchor, their white sails half clewed up, their masts +decked with gay pendants, and their taffrails with, +ensigns that lay drooping over their sterns into the +water, as if too indolent to bear up against the coming +sultriness of the day. Below these, glittering in bright +scarlet, that glowed not unpleasingly on the silvery +stream, the sun's rays dancing on their polished muskets +and accoutrements, glided like gay actors in an approaching +pageant, the columns destined for the assault, while +further down, and distributed far and wide over the +expanse of water, were to be seen a multitude of canoes, +filled with Indian warriors, whose war costume could not, +in the distance, be distinguished from that of the dance; +the whole contributing, with the air of quietude on both +shores, and absence of all opposition on the American +especially, to inspire feelings of joyousness and pleasure, +rather than the melancholy consequent on a knowledge of +the final destination of the whole. Nor would the incessant +thunder of the cannon in the distance, have in any way +diminished this impression; for as the volumes of smoke, +vomited from the opposing batteries, met and wreathed +themselves together in the centre of the stream, leaving +at intervals the gay colours of England and America, +brightly displayed to the view, the impression, to a +spectator, would have been that of one who witnesses the +exchange of military honors between two brave and friendly +powers, preparing the one to confer, the other to receive +all the becoming courtesies of a chivalrous hospitality. +If any thing were wanting to complete the illusion, the +sound of the early mass bell, summoning to the worship +of that God whom no pageantry of man may dispossess of +homage, would amply crown and heighten the effect of the +whole, while the chaunting of the hymn of adoration, +would appear a part of the worship of the Deity, and of +the pageantry itself. + +Vying, each with the other, who should first gain the +land, the exertions of the several rowers increased, as +the distance to be traversed diminished, so that many +arrived simultaneously at the beach. Forming in close +column of sections as they landed, the regular troops +occupied the road, their right flank resting on the river, +while a strong body of Indians under Round-head, Split-log, +and Walk-in-the-Water, scouring the open country beyond, +completely guarded their left from surprise. Among the +first to reach the shore, was the gallant General, the +planner of the enterprise, who, with his personal staff, +crossed the river in the barge of the Commodore, steered +by that officer himself. During the short period that +the columns were delayed for the landing of the artillery, +necessarily slower in their movements, a short conference +among the leaders, to whom were added Tecumseh and Colonel +D'Egville, as to their final operations, took place. +Never did the noble Indian appear to greater advantage +than on this occasion. A neat hunting dress, of smoked +deer skin, handsomely ornamented, covered his fine and +athletic person, while the swarthiness of his cheek and +dazzling lustre of his eye, were admirably set off, not +only by the snow white linen which hung loose and open +about his throat, but by a full turban, in which waved +a splendid white Ostrich feather, the much prized gift, +as we have already observed, of Mrs. D'Egville. Firmly +seated, on his long tailed gray charger, which he managed +with a dexterity uncommon to his race, his warrior and +commanding air, might have called up the image of a +Tamerlane, or a Genghis Khan, were it not known, that to +the more savage qualities of these, he united others that +would lend lustre to the most civilized Potentates. There +was, however, that ardor of expression in his eye which +rumor had ascribed to him, whenever an appeal to arms +against the deadly foe of his country was about to be +made, that could not fail to endear him to the soldier +hearts of time who stood around, and to inspire them with +a veneration and esteem, not even surpassed by what they +entertained for their own immediate leader, who in his +turn, animated by the inspiriting scene, and confident +in his own powers, presented an appearance so anticipatory +of coining success, that the least sanguine could not +fail to be encouraged by it. + +It had been arranged that on the landing of the troops, +the flotilla should again weigh anchor, and approach as +near as possible to the American Fort, with a view, in +conjunction with the batteries, to a cross-fire that +would cover the approach of the assaulting columns. The +Indians, meanwhile, were to disperse themselves throughout +the skirt of the forest, and, headed by the Chiefs already +named, to advance under whatever they might find in the +shape of hedges, clumps of trees, or fields, sufficiently +near to maintain a heavy fire from their rifles on such +force as might appear on the ramparts to oppose the +assault--a task in which they were to be assisted by the +brigade of light guns charged with shrapnell and grape. +Tecumseh himself, accompanied by Colonel D'Egville, was +with the majority of his warriors, to gain the rear of +the town, there to act at circumstances might require. +To this, as an inferior post, the Chieftain had at first +strongly objected, but when it was represented to him +that the enemy, with a view to turn the English flank on +the forest side, would probably detach in that direction +a strong force, which he would have the exclusive merit +of encountering, he finally assented; urged to it, as he +was, moreover, by the consideration that his pretence +would be effectual in repressing any attempt at massacre, +or outrage, of the helpless inhabitants, by his wild and +excited bands. + +The guns being at length disembarked and limbered, every +thing was now in readiness for the advance. The horses +of the General and his staff, had crossed in the scows +appropriated to the artillery, and his favorite charger, +being now brought up by his groom, the former mounted +with an activity and vigour, not surpassed even by the +youngest of his aides-de-camp, while his fine and martial +form, towered above those around him, in a manner to +excite admiration in all who beheld him. Giving his brief +instructions to his second in command, he now grasped +and shook the hand of his dark brother in aims, who, +patting spurs to his horse, dashed off with Colonel +D'Egville into the open country on the left, in the +direction taken by his warriors, while the General and +his staff, boldly, and without escort, pursued their way +along the high road at a brisk trot. The Commodore in +his torn, sprang once more into his barge, which, impelled +by stout hearts, and willing hands, was soon seen to gain +the side of the principal vessel of the little squadron, +which, rapidly getting under weigh, had already loosened +its sails to catch the light, yet favorable breeze, now +beginning to curl the surface of the river. + +The little army composing this adventurous expedition, +consisted of about five hundred men of the regular troops, +forming the garrison of Amherstburgh, to which had been +added about three hundred well organized militia, from +the central district--volunteers on the occasion, and +habited in a manner to give them the appearance of troops +of the line--in all, however, there were not more than +eight hundred men, exclusive of Indians; yet, these were +advancing, confident of success, against a fortress +defended with five and thirty pieces of cannon, and +garrisoned by upwards of two thousand men. A stronger +illustration of what the directing powers of a master +mind may accomplish, over those under its control, was +probably never afforded more than on this occasion. One +would have imagined, from the reckless laugh and ready +repartee, which marked the early part of the march, that +they expected to possess themselves of the Fort merely +by the will of their General, and without suffering any +of those contingencies which are the unfailing results +of such enterprizes. In short, it seemed as if they +thought that whatever be directed, they could perform, +no matter what the difficulty; and such was their exuberance +of spirits, that it was not without effort, that their +officers, making all due allowance for the occasion, +could keep them within those bounds required by discipline, +and by the occasion. + +During all this time, the cannon from our batteries, but +faintly answered by the Americans, had continued to +thunder without intermission, and as the columns drew +nearer, each succeeding discharge came upon the ear with +increased and more exciting loudness. Hitherto the view +had been obstructed by the numerous farm houses and other +buildings, that skirted the windings of the road, but +when at length the column emerged into more open ground, +the whole scene burst splendidly and imposingly upon the +sight. Within half a mile, and to the left, rose the +American ramparts, surmounted by the national flag, +suspended from a staff planted on the identical spot +which had been the scene of the fearful exploit of Wacousta +in former days. Bristling with cannon, they seemed now +to threaten with extermination those who should have the +temerity to approach them, and the men, awed into silence, +regarded them with a certain air of respects. Close under +the town were anchored the American vessels of war, which, +however, having taken no part in returning the bombardment, +had been left unmolested across the river, and in full +view of all, was to be seen the high ground where the +batteries had been erected and, visible at such intervals +as the continuous clouds of smoke and flashes of fire +would permit, the Union Jack of England floating above +the whole; while in the river and immediately opposite +to the point the columns had now reached, the English +flotilla, which had kept pace with their movements, were +already taking up a position to commence their raking +fire. What more than all, however, attracted the general +attention, was the appearance of two or three heavy guns, +crowning the ascent of the sloping road by which they +had advanced, and now, at the distance of not quite half +a mile, defending the entrance to the town. If the British +force had felt surprise at the non-resistance to their +landing, that surprise was increased to astonishment on +finding that not one of these guns, which might hare +raked the entire column, destroying numbers in the choked +up road, opened upon them: Had the Americans done as they +might, many a British soldier would have there found his +grave; but Providence had decreed that a day so fair and +beautiful, commencing in the homage of human hearts to +the source of all good, should not be sullied by the +further shedding of human blood. + +It was on reaching this point of the road, that the little +army, obedient to the command of the General, who from +a farm house on the left, was then examining the American +defences, filed off past the house into a large field, +preparatory to forming into column to attack. Scarcely, +however, had the General descended to the field to make +his dispositions, when it was observed that the batteries +had suddenly discontinued their fire, and on looking to +ascertain the cause, a white flag was seen waving on the +eminence where the heavy guns just alluded to had been +placed. While all were yielding to their surprise at this +unexpected circumstance, De Courcy, who by the direction +of his General, had remained reconnoitring with his +telescopes at the top of the house, announced that an +officer, bearing a smaller white flag, was then descending +the road, with an evident view to a parley. + +"Ah! is it even so?" exclaimed the General, with vivacity, +as if to himself. "Quick, my horse! I must go to meet +him. He has seen that we have stout hearts--but he must +not perceive the weakness of our numbers. Captain Stanley-- +De Courcy--mount--St. Julian (turning to his second in +command) finish what I have begun--let the columns be +got ready in the order I have directed. We may have need +of them yet." + +So saying he once more sprang into his saddle, and +accompanied by his young aides-de-camp, galloped past the +line of admiring troops, who involuntarily cheered him as +he passed; and quitting the field hastened to leach the +flag, before the bearer could approach sufficiently near +to make any correct observation respecting his force. + +Nearly twenty minutes of anxious suspense had succeeded +the departure of the officer, when De Courcy again made +his appearance at full speed. + +"Hurrah! hurrah !" he shouted, as he approached a large +group of his more immediate companions, who were canvassing +the probable termination of this pacific demonstration +on the part of the enemy--"the Fort is our own," (then +turning to the second in command,) "Colonel St. Julian, +it is the General's desire that the men pile their arms +on the ground they occupy, and refresh themselves with +whatever their haver sacks contain." + +"How is this, De Courcy." "Surely the Americans do not +capitulate"--"Is it to be child's play after all." "Dom +it mon who would ha' thoat it poossible? "were among the +various remarks made to the young aid-de-camp, on his +return from the delivery of the last order. + +"Heaven only knows how, Granville," said the vivacious +officer, in reply to the first querist; "but certainly +it is something very like it, for the General, accompanied +by Stanley, has entered the town under the flag. However +before we discuss the subject further, I vote that we +enter the farm house and discuss wherewith to satisfy +our own appetites--I saw a devilish pretty girl just +now--one who seemed to have no sort of objection to a +handsome scarlet uniform whatever her predilection for +a blue with red facings may formerly have been. She looked +so good naturedly on Stanley and myself, that we should +have ogled her into a breakfast ere this, had not the +General sworn he would not break his fast until he had +planted the colours of England on yon fortress, or failed +in the attempt. Of course we, as young heroes, could not +think of eating after that. But come along-Nay Cranstoun, +do not look as if you were afraid to budge an inch without +an order in writing--I have it in suggestion from Colonel +St. Julian, that we go in and do the best we can. + +"Hoot De Courcy, yer' speerits are so floostersome one +would be inclined to theenk ye were not at all soorry to +see the white cloot flying on yonder hill--" + +"Bravo Cranstoun," said Villiers somewhat maliciously; +"hard hit there De Courcy, eh!" + +"Not so HARD HIT either as he might have been had he +ventured into yonder trenches," said Middlemore. + +"If Cranstoun means that I prefer entering the place with +a whole head rather than a BARE skin, I honestly confess +that such is my peculiar taste," answered De Courcy, +significantly smiling. + +"Nay, nay De Courcy, you are too severe on poor Cranstoun," +said Captain Granville with provoking sympathy--"that +unfortunate bear skin affair should not be revived again, +and so immediately in the theatre near which it occurred. + +"Particularly when we consider from what DIFFICULT-TIE +he was released" said Middlemore, who even under the +cannon's mouth could not have forborne his inveterate +habit. + +"It is the sight of the old place that has stirred up +his bile," remarked Captain Molineux. "Usually good +tempered as he is, he would not have taken offence at De +Courcy's unmeaning remark at any other moment." + +"A very nice adventure that--I frequently think of it," +said Villiers, adding his mite to the persiflage all +appeared determined to bestow upon the touchy grenadier. + +"Yes, quite AN ICE adventure," chimed in Middlemore, with +the low chuckling laugh that betrayed his consciousness +of having something not wholly intolerable. + +But Cranstoun, now that his ludicrous disaster had been +brought up, was not to be shaken from the imperturbability +he ever adopted when it became a topic of conversation +among his companions. Drawing his lengthy legs after him +with slow and solemn precision, he continued to whistle +a Scotch air, in utter seeming abstraction from all +around, and in his attempt to appear independent and +perfectly at his ease, nearly ran down the pretty girl +alluded to by De Courcy, who stood in the door way +curtseying graciously, and welcoming each of the British +officers, as they passed into the house. + +"Bread, eggs, milk, fruit, cider, and whatever the remains +of yesterday's meal afforded, were successively brought +forward by the dark eyed daughter of the farmer, who, as +De Courcy had remarked, seemed by no means indisposed +towards the gay looking invaders of her home. There was +a recklessness about the carriage of most of these, and +even a foppery about some, that was likely to be any +thing but displeasing to a young girl, who, French Canadian +by birth, although living under the Government of the +United States, possessed all the natural vivacity of +character peculiar to the original stock. Notwithstanding +the pertinacity with which her aged father lingered in +the room, the handsome and elegant De Courcy contrived +more than once to address her in an under tone, and elicit +a blush that greatly heightened the brilliant expression +of her large black eyes, and Villiers subsequently declared +that he had remarked the air of joyousness and triumph +that pervaded her features on the young aid-de-camp +promising to return to the farm as soon as the place had +been entered, and leisure afforded him. + +"But the particulars of the flag, De Courcy," said Captain +Granville, as he devoured a hard boiled turkey egg, which +in quantity fully made up for what it wanted in quality. +"When you have finished flirting with that unfortunate +girl, come and seat yourself quietly, and tell us what +passed between the General and the--officer who bore it. +Why, I thought you had a devil of an appetite just now?" + +"Ah, true," returned the young man, taking his seat at +the rude naked table which bore their meal. "I had quite +forgotten my appetite-mais ca viendra en mangent, n'est-ce +pas?" and he looked at the young girl. + +"Plait-il, monsieur?" + +"Tais toi ma fille--ce n'est pas a toi qu'on parle," +gruffly remarked her father. + +"The old boy is becoming savage at your attentions," +remarked Villiers, "you will get the girl into a scrape." + +"Bah," ejaculated De Courcy, "Well but of the General. +Who think you was the bearer of the flag. No other than +that fine looking fellow, Colonel--what's his name, who +came to us the other day." + +"Indeed, singular enough--what said the General to him, +on meeting?" asked Henry Grantham. + +"'Well, Colonel,' said he smiling, 'you see I have kept +my word. This is the day on which I promised that we +should meet again.' + +"What answer did he make?" demanded Villiers. + +"'True, General, and most happily have you chosen. But +one day sooner and we should have dared your utmost in +our strong-hold: Today,' and he spoke in a tone of deep +mortification, 'we have not resolution left to make a +show even in vindication of our honor. In a word, I am +here to conduct you to those who will offer terms derogatory +at once to our national character, and insulting to our +personal courage.' + +"The General," pursued De Courcy, "respecting the +humiliated manner of the American, again bowed, but said +nothing--After a moment of pause, the latter stated that +the Governor and Commander of the fortress were waiting +to receive and confer with him as to the terms of +capitulation. Whether the General had calculated upon +this want of nerve in his antagonist, I know not, but on +the communication of the intelligence I remarked a slight +curl upon his lip, that seemed to express the triumph of +one whose ruse had taken. This might or might not be, +however, for as you are all aware, I pretend to very +little observation except (and he turned his eye upon +the daughter of their host,) where there is a pretty girl +in the case. All I know is, that, attended by Stanley, +he has accompanied the flag into the town, and that, +having no immediate occasion for my valuable services, +he sent me back to give to Colonel St. Julian the order +you have heard. + +"How vary extraordinary, to soorrender the ceetadel +without firing a shoat," said Cranstoun, who ever ready +to fight as to eat, seemed rather disappointed at the +issue, if one might judge from the lengthened visage with +which he listened to these tidings. + +"Singular enough," added Captain Granville. "Did the +Colonel hint at any cause for this sudden change of +purpose, De Courcy." + +"Oh, by the way, yes, I had forgotten. He stated with a +sneer of contempt, that he believed the nerves of the +Governor had been shaken by the reports conveyed to him +of the destructive nature of the fire from the batteries, +the centre of which especially had so completely got the +range that every shot from it came into the fortress with +fearful effect. One point blank in particular, had entered +the gate which was open, and killed and wounded four +officers of rank, who were seated at breakfast in one of +their barrack rooms, while a second had carried off no +less than three surgeons." + +"Well done, Gerald," exclaimed Captain Granville, delighted +at the reflection, that he had been so mainly instrumental +in determining the surrender of the Fort." + +"Cleverly done, indeed," said Villiers, "that is pinking +off the pill-boxes with a vengeance--an Indian rifle +could not do better." + +"It is by breeking the heeds of her coontrymen, A suppoose, +he hopes to gain the feevor of his meestriss," drawled +out Cranstoun. "A do na theenk she is joost the one to +forgeeve that." + +The deep roll of the drum summoning to fall in, drew them +eagerly to their respective divisions. Captain Stanley, +the senior aid-de-camp was just returned with an order +for the Several columns to advance and take up their +ground close under the ramparts of the Fort. + +It was an interesting and a novel sight, to see the +comparatively insignificant British columns, flanked by +the half dozen light guns which constituted their whole +artillery, advance across the field, and occupy the plain +or common surrounding the Fort, while the Americans on +the ramparts appeared to regard with indignation and +surprise, the mere handful of men to whom they were about +to be surrendered. Such a phenomenon in modern warfare +as that of a weak besieging force bearding a stronger in +their hold, might well excite astonishment; and to an +army, thrice as numerous as its captors, occupying a +fortress well provided with cannon, as in this instance, +must have been especially galling. More than one of the +officers, as he looked down from his loftier and more +advantageous position, showed by the scowl that lingered +on his brow, how willingly he would have applied the +match to the nearest gun whose proximity to his enemies +promised annihilation to their ranks. But the white flag +still waved in the distance, affording perfect security +to those who had confided in their honor, and although +liberty and prosperity, and glory were the sacrifice, +that honor might not be tarnished. + +At length the terms of capitulation being finally adjusted, +De Courcy, who, with his brother aid-de-camp, had long +since rejoined the General, came up with instructions +for a guard to enter and take possession preparatory to +the Americans marching out. Detachments from the flank +companies, under the command of Captain Granville, with +whom were Middlemore and Henry Grantham, were selected +for the duty, and these now moved forward, with drums +beating and colours flying, towards the drawbridge then +lowering to admit them. + +The area of the fort in no way enlarged, and but slightly +changed in appearance, since certain of our readers first +made acquaintance with it, was filled with troops, and +otherwise exhibited all the confusion incident to +preparations for an immediate evacuation. These +preparations, however were made with a savageness of mien +by the irregulars, and a sullen silence by all, that +attested how little their inclination had been consulted +in the decision of their Chief. Many an oath was muttered, +and many a fierce glance was cast by the half civilized +back-woodsmen, upon the little detachment as it pursued +its way, not without difficulty, through the dense masses +that seemed rather to oppose than aid their advance to +the occupancy of the several posts assigned them. + +One voice, deepest and most bitter in its half suppressed +execration, came familiarly on the ear of Henry Grantham, +who brought up the rear of the detachment. He turned +quickly in search of the speaker, but, although he felt +persuaded it was Desborough who had spoken, coupling his +own name even with his curses, the ruffian was no where +to be seen. Satisfied that he must be within the Fort, +and determined if possible, to secure the murderer who +had, moreover, the double crime of treason and desertion, +to be added to his list of offences, the young officer +moved to the head of the detachment when halted, and +communicated what he heard to Captain Granville. Entering +at once into the views of his subaltern, and anxious to +make an example of the traitor, yet unwilling to act +wholly on his own responsibility, Captain Granville +dispatched an orderly to Colonel St. Julian to receive +his instructions. The man soon returned with a message +to say that Desborough was by all means to be detained, +and secured, until the General, who was still absent, +should determine on his final-disposal. + +Meanwhile the sentinels at the several posts having been +relieved, and every thing ready for their departure, the +American army, leaving their arms piled in the area, +commenced their evacuation of the Fort, the artillery +and troops of the line taking the lead. Scarcely had +these defiled across the draw-bridge into the road that +conducted to a large esplanade in front, to which their +baggage had previously been transported, when--amid a +roar of artillery from the opposite batteries, the +flotilla, and ramparts themselves--the flag of America +was lowered, and that of England raised in its stead. In +the enthusiasm of the moment, the men on the rampart +employed on duty gave three cheers, which were answered +by the columns without, who only waited until the last +of the Garrison should have crossed the drawbridge, before +they entered themselves. Watchfully alive to the order +that had been received, Captain Granville and Henry +Grantham lingered near the gate, regarding, yet with an +air of carelessness, every countenance among the irregular +troops as they issued forth. Hitherto their search had +been ineffectual, and to their great surprise, although +the last: few files of the prisoners were now in the act +of passing them, there was not the slightest trace of +Desborough. It was well known that the fort had no other +outlet, and any man attempting to escape over the ramparts, +must have been seen and taken either by the troops or by +the Indians, who in the far distance completely surrounded +them. Captain Granville intimated the possibility of +Henry Grantham having been deceived in the voice, but +the latter as pertinaciously declared he could not be +mistaken, for, independently of his former knowledge of +the man, his tones had so peculiarly struck him on the +day when he made boastful confession of his father's +murder, that no time could efface them from his memory. +This short discussion terminated just as the last few +files were passing. Immediately in the rear of these were +the litters, on which were borne such of the wounded as +could be removed from the hospital without danger. These +were some thirty in number, and it seemed to both officers +as somewhat singular, that the faces of all were, in +defiance of the heat of the day, covered with the sheets +that had been spread over each litter. For a moment the +suspicion occurred Jo Grantham, that Desborough might be +of the number; but when he reflected on the impossibility +that any of the wounded men could be the same whose voice +had sounded so recently in the full vigour of health in +his ear, he abandoned the idea. Most of the wounded, as +they passed, indicated by low and feeble moaning, the +inconvenience they experienced from the motion to which +they were subjected, and more or less expressed by the +contortions of their limbs, the extent of their sufferings. +An exception to this very natural conduct was remarked +by Grantham, in the person of one occupying nearly a +central position in the line, who was carried with +difficulty by the litter-men. He lay perfectly at his +length, and without any exhibition whatever of that +impatient movement which escaped his companions. On the +watchful eye of Grantham, this conduct was not lost. He +had felt a strong inclination from the first, to uncover +the faces of the wounded men in succession, and had only +been restrained from so doing by the presence of the +American medical officer who accompanied them, whom he +feared to offend by an interference with his charge. +Struck as he was however by the remarkable conduct of +the individual alluded to, and the apparently much greater +effort with which he was carried, he could not resist +the temptation which urged him to know more. + +"Stay," he exclaimed to the bearers of the litter, as +they were in the act of passing. The men stopped. "This +man, if not dead, is evidently either dying or fainting +--give him air." + +While speaking he had advanced a step or two, and now +extending his right hand endeavoured gently to pull down +the sheet from the head of the invalid, but the attempt +was vain. Two strong and nervous arms were suddenly +raised and entwined in the linen, in a manner to resist +all his efforts. + +Grantham glanced an expressive look at Captain Granville. +The latter nodded his head in a manner to show he was +understood, then desiring the litter-men to step out of +the line and deposit their burden, he said to the medical +officer with the sarcasm that so often tinged his address. + +"I believe, sir, your charge embraces only the wounded +of the garrison. This dead man can only be an incumbrance +to you, and it shall be my care that his body is properly +disposed of." + +The officer coloured and looked confused. "Really, sir, +you must be mistaken." + +But Captain Granville cut short his remonstrance, by an +order to the file of men in his rear, who each seizing +on the covering of the litter, dragged it forcibly off, +discovering in the act the robust and healthy form of +Desborough. + +"You may passion, continued the officer to the remainder +of the party. This fellow, at once a murderer and a +traitor, is my prisoner." + +"I know him only as an American, sir," was the reply. +"He has taken the oaths of allegiance within the last +week, and as such is an acknowledged subject of the +American States." + +"I have no time to enter into explanation, neither am I +competent to discuss this question, sir. For what I have +done, I have the instructions of my superior. If you have +complaint to make it most be to your own Chief. To mine +alone am I responsible. Let the scoundrel be well secured," +he pursued, as the last of the litters at length defiled, +and addressing the men to whom Desborough had been given +in charge. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Middlemore, who had all this time been +absent on the duties connected with his guard, and now +approached the scene of this little action for the first +time; "what! do I see my friend Jeremiah Desborough-the +prince of traitors, and the most vigorous of +wrestlers--verily my poor bones ache at the sight of you. +How came you to be caught in this trap, my old boy, better +have been out duck-shooting with the small bores I reckon?" + +But Desborough was in no humour to endure this mirth. +Finding himself discovered, he had risen heavily from +the litter to his feet, and now moved doggedly towards +the guard house, where the men had orders to confine him. +His look still wore the character of ferocity, which +years had stamped there, but with this was mixed an +expression that denoted more of the cowering villain, +whom a sudden reverse of fortune may intimidate, than +the dauntless adventurer to whom enterprizes of hazard +are at once a stimulus and a necessity. In short, he was +entirely crest fallen. + +"Come and see the effect of Gerald's excellent fire," +said Middlemore, when Desborough had disappeared within +the guard room. "No wonder the American General was +frightened into SIR-RENDER, hem! I will show you the room +pointed out to toe by the subaltern whom I relieved, as +that in which the four field officers and three surgeons +were killed." + +Preceded by their companion, Captain Granville and Grantham +entered the piazza, leading to the officers' rooms, +several of which were completely pierced with twenty-four +pound shot, known at once as coming from the centre +battery, which alone mounted guns of that calibre. After +surveying the interior a few moments, they passed into +a small passage communicating with the room in question. +On opening the door, all were painfully struck by the +sight which presented itself. Numerous shot holes were +visible every where throughout, while the walls at the +inner extremity of the apartment, were completely bespotted +with blood and brains, scarcely yet dry any where, and +in several places dripping to the floor. At one corner +of the room and on a mattress. lay the form of a wounded +man, whom the blue uniform and silver epaulettes, that +filled a chair near the head, attested for an American +officer of rank. At the foot of the bed, dressed in black, +her long hair floating wildly over her shoulders, and +with a hand embracing one of those of the sufferer, sat +a female, apparently wholly absorbed in the contemplation +of the scene before her. The noise made by the officers +on entering had not caused the slightest change in her +position, nor was it until she heard the foot-fall of +Captain Granville, as he advanced for the purpose of +offering his services, that she turned to behold who were +the intruders. The sight of the British uniform appeared +to startle her, for she immediately sprang to her feet, +as if alarmed at their presence. It was impossible they +could mistake those features, and that face. It was Miss +Montgomerie. He who lay at her feet, was her venerable +uncle. He was one of the field officers who had fallen +a victim to Gerald's fire, and the same ball which had +destroyed his companions, had carried away his thigh, +near the hip bone. The surgeons had given him over, and +he had requested to be permitted to die where he lay. +His wish had been attended to, but in the bustle of +evacuation, it had been forgotten to acquaint the officers +commanding the British guard that he was there. The last +agonies of death had not yet passed away, but there seemed +little probability that he could survive another hour. + +Perceiving the desperate situation of the respectable +officer, Captain Granville staid not to question on a +subject that spoke so plainly for itself. Hastening back +into the piazza with his subalterns, he reached the area +just as the remaining troops, intended for the occupation +of the Fort, were crossing the drawbridge, headed by +Colonel St. Julian. To this officer he communicated the +situation of the sufferer, when an order was given for +the instant attendance of the head of the medical staff. +After a careful examination, and dressing of the wound, +the latter pronounced the case not altogether desperate. +A great deal of blood had been lost, and extreme weakness +had been the consequence, but still the Surgeon was not +without hope that his life might yet be preserved, +although, of course, he would be a cripple for the +remainder of his days. + +It might have been assumed, that the hope yet held out +of preservation of life on any terms, would have been +hailed with some manifestation of grateful emotion, on +the part of Miss Montgomerie; but it was remarked and +commented on, by those who were present, that this +unexpectedly favorable report, so far from being received +with gratitude and delight, seemed to cast a deeper gloom +over the spirit of this extraordinary girl. The contrast +was inexplicable. She had tended him at the moment when +he was supposed to be dying, with all the anxious solicitude +of a fond child, and now that there was a prospect of +his recovery, there was a sadness in her manner, that +told too plainly the discomfort of her heart." + +"In veerity an unaccoontable geerl," said Cranstoun, as +he sipped his wine that day after dinner in the mess room +at Detroit. "A always seed she was the cheeld of the +deevil." + +"Child of the devil in soul, if you will," observed +Granville, "but a true woman--a beautiful, a superb woman +in person at least, did she appear this morning, when we +first entered that room--did she not Henry?" + +"Beautiful indeed," was the reply--"yet, I confess, she +more awed than pleased me. I could not avoid, even amid +that melancholy scene, comparing her to a beautiful +casket, which, on opening is found to contain not a gem +of price, but a subtle poison, contact with which is +fatal; or to a fair looking fruit which, when divided, +proves to be rotten at the core." + +"Allegorical, by all that is good, bad, and indifferent." +exclaimed Villiers. "How devilish severe you are Henry, +upon the pale Venus. It is hardly fair in you thus to +rate Gerald's intended." + +"Gerald's intended! God forbid." + +This was uttered with an energy that startled his +companions. Perceiving that the subject gave him pain, +they discontinued allusion to the lady in question, +further than to inquire how she was to be disposed of, +and whether she was to remain in attendance on her uncle. + +In answer, they were informed, that as the Major could +not be removed, orders had been given by the General, +for every due care to be taken of him where he now lay, +while Miss Montgomerie, yielding to solicitation, had +been induced to retire into the family of the American +General in the town, there to remain until it should be +found convenient to have the whole party conveyed to the +next American post on the frontier. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +It is impossible to review the whole tenor of General +Brock's conduct, on the occasion more immediately before +our notice, and fail to be struck by the energy and +decision of character which must have prompted so bold +an enterprise. To understand fully the importance of the +operation it will be necessary to take a partial survey +of the position of affairs anterior to this period. When +the announcement of the American declaration of war first +reached the Michigan frontier, the garrisons of Amherstburg +and Detroit were nearly equal in strength, neither of +them exceeding five hundred men; but the scale was soon +made to preponderate immeasurably in favor of the latter, +by the sudden arrival of a force of upwards of two thousand +men. General Hull, who was in command of that army +immediately crossed over into Canada, occupying the +village of Sandwich as his head quarters, and pouring +his wild Kentuckians over the face of the country which +they speedily laid under contribution. Instead, however, +of marching without delay upon Amherstburg, as ill defended +as it was weakly garrisoned, he contented himself with +pushing forward skirmishers, who amused themselves during +the day, against an advanced post of regulars, militia +and Indians, stationed for the defence of an important +pass, and retired invariably on the approach of night. +This pass, the Canard bridge--and the key to Amherstburg +--was, at this period, the theatre of several hot and +exciting affairs. In this manner passed the whole of the +month of July. + +Meanwhile, intelligence having been conveyed to General +Brock, then in command of the centre division of the +army, of the danger with which Amherstburg was threatened. +He immediately embarked what remained of the Regiment +occupying that post, with from one hundred and fifty to +two hundred choice Militia, in boats he had caused to be +collected for the purpose, and, coasting along the lake, +made such despatch that he arrived at Amherstburg only +a few days after General Hull, in his turn apprized of +the advance of this reinforcement, had recrossed the +river, and with the majority of his force, taken refuge +within the fortifications of Detroit. Thus was that +portion of Upper Canada, which by Proclamation of the +American General, had already been incorporated with, +and become a portion of the United States, restored to +its original possessors. + +Not a moment did the English Commander lose, in following +up the advantage resulting from this mark of timidity in +his opponent. As soon as he had arrived and ascertained +the true state of affairs, he issued orders for the march +of the whole force to Sandwich, and, having explained in +a council with the Indian Chiefs, the main features of +his plan of attack, proceeded to carry it into instant +execution. His arrival at Amherstburg was about the 13th +of August, so that until the morning of his meditated +attack scarcely three days were occupied in preparations, +including the march to Sandwich, a distance of eighteen +miles. + +It is difficult to imagine that the English General could, +in any way have anticipated so easy a conquest. He had +no reason to undervalue the resolution of the enemy, and +yet he appears to have been fully sanguine of the success +of his undertaking. Possibly he counted much on his own +decision and judgment, which, added to the confidence +reposed in him by all ranks and branches of the expedition, +he might have felt fully adequate to the overthrow of +the mere difficulty arising from superiority of numbers. +Whatever his motive, or however founded his expectations +of success, the service he performed was eminent, since +he not merely relieved Amherstburgh, the key of Upper +Canada, from all immediate danger, but at a single blow +annihilated the American power throughout that extensive +frontier. That this bold measure, powerfully contrasted +as it was with his own previous vacillation of purpose, +had greatly tended to intimidate the American General, +and to render him distrustful of his own resources, there +can be little doubt. The destructive fire from the well +served breaching batteries, was moreover instanced as an +influencing cause of the capitulation. + +In justice to many American officers of rank, and to the +Garrison generally, it must be admitted that the decision +of their leader, if credence might be given to their +looks and language, was any thing but satisfactory to +them, and it must be confessed that it most have been +mortifying in the extreme to have yielded without a blow +a fortress so well provided with the means of defence. +What the result would have been, had the British columns +mounted to the assault, it is impossible to say. That +they would have done their duty is beyond all question, +but there is no reason to believe the Americans, under +a suitable commander, would have failed in theirs. +Superiority of numbers and position was on the one side: +a daring Chief, an ardent desire of distinction, and the +impossibility of retreat without humiliation, on the +other. + +In alluding thus to the capitulation of Detroit, we beg +not to be understood as either reflecting on the American +character, or unduly exalting our own. Question of personal +bravery there was none, since no appeal was made to arms; +but the absence of sanguinary event left in high relief +the daring of the British Commander, whose promptitude +and genius alone secured to him so important yet bloodless +a conquest. Had he evinced the slightest indecision, or +lost a moment in preparing for action, the American +General, already intimidated by the mere report of his +approach (as was evinced by his hasty abandonment of the +Canadian shore) would have had time to rally, and believing +him to be not more enterprizing than his predecessor, +would have recovered from his panic and assumed an +attitude, at once, more worthy of his trust, commensurate +with his means of defence, and in keeping with his former +reputation. The quick apprehension of his opponent, +immediately caught the weakness, while his ready action +grappled intuitively with the advantage it presented. +The batteries, as our narrative has shown, were opened +without delay--the flotilla worked up the river within +sight of the fortress--and the troops and Indians effected +their landing in full view of the enemy. In fact, every +thing was conducted in a manner to show a determination +of the most active and undoubted description. With what +result has been seen. + +It was in the evening of the day of surrender, that the +little English squadron, freighted with the prisoners +taken in Detroit, dropped slowly past Amherstburg, into +Lake Erie. By an article in the capitulation, it had +been stipulated, that the irregular troops should be +suffered to return to their homes, under the condition +that they should not again serve during the war, while +those of the line were to be conducted to the Lower +Province, there to remain until duly exchanged. The +appearance as captives of those who had, only a few days +before, been comfortably established on the Sandwich +shore, and had caused the country to feel already some +of the horrors of invasion, naturally enough drew forth +most of the inhabitants to witness the sight; and as the +Sunday stroll of the little population of Amherstburg +led in the direction of Elliott's point, where the lake +began, the banks were soon alive with men, women and +children, clad in holiday apparel, moving quickly, to +keep up with the gliding vessels, and apparently, although +not offensively, exulting in the triumph of that flag +beneath which the dense masses of their enemies were now +departing from their rescued territory. + +Among those whom the passing barks had drawn in unusual +numbers to the river's side, were the daughters of Colonel +D'Egville, whose almost daily practice it was to take +the air in that direction, where there was so much of +the sublime beauty of American scenery to arrest the +attention. Something more however than that vague +curiosity, which actuated the mass, seemed to have drawn +the sisters to the bank, and one who had watched them +narrowly, most have observed, that their interest was +not divided among the many barks that glided onward to +the lake, but was almost exclusively attracted by one, +which now lay to, with her light bows breasting the +current like a swan, and apparently waiting either for +a boat which had been dispatched to the shore, or with +an intention to send one. This vessel was filled in every +part with troops, wearing the blue uniform of the American +regular army, while those in advance were freighted with +the irregulars and backwoodsmen. + +"Is not this, Julia, the vessel to which the Commodore +promised to promote Gerald, in reward of his gallant +conduct last week?" asked the timid Gertrude, with a +sigh, as they stood stationary for a few moments, watching +the issue of the manoeuvre just alluded to. + +"It is, Gertrude," was the answer of one whose fixed eye +and abstracted thought, betokened an interest in the same +vessel, of a nature wholly different from that of her +questioner. + +"How very odd, then, he does not come on shore to us. +I am sure he must see us, and it would not take him two +minutes to let us know he is unhurt, and to shake hands +with us. It is very unkind of him I think." + +Struck by the peculiar tone in which the last sentence +had been uttered, Julia D'Egville turned her eyes full +upon those of her sister. The latter, could not stand +the inquiring gaze, but sought the ground, while a +conscious blush confirmed the suspicion. + +"Dearest Gertrude," she said, as she drew the clasped +arm of her sister more fondly within her own; "I see how +it is; but does he love you in return. Has he ever told +you so, or hinted it. Tell me my dear girl." + +"Never," faltered the sensitive Gertrude, and she hung +her head, to conceal the tear that trembled in her eye. + +Her sister sighed deeply, and pressed the arm she held +more closely within her own. "My own own sister, for +worlds I would not pain you; but if you would be happy, +you must not yield to this preference for our cousin. +Did you not remark how completely he seemed captivated +by Miss Montgomerie? Depend upon it, his affections are +centered in her." + +Gertrude made no reply, but tears trickled down her +cheeks, as they both slowly resumed their walk along the +beach. Presently the splash of oars was heard, and turning +quickly to discover the cause, Julia saw a boat leave +the vessel, at which they had just been looking, and pull +immediately towards them. In the stern stood an officer +in American uniform, whom the eyes of Love were not slow +to distinguish, even in the growing dusk of evening. + +"It is Ernest," exclaimed the excited girl, forgetting +for a moment her sister in herself. "I thought he would +not have departed without seeking to see me." + +A few strokes of the oars were sufficient to bring the +boat to the shore. The American stepped out, and leaving +the boat to follow the direction of the vessel, now +drifting fast with the current towards the outlet, which +the remainder of the flotilla had already passed, pursued +his course along the sands in earnest conversation with +the sisters, or rather with one of them, for poor Gertrude, +after the first salutation, seemed to have lost all +inclination to speak. + +"Fate, dearest Julia," said the officer despondingly, +"has decreed our interview earlier than I had expected. +However, under all circumstances, I may esteem myself +happy, to have seen you at all. I am indebted for this +favor to the officer commanding yonder vessel, in which +our regiment is embarked, for the satisfaction, melancholy +as it is, of being enabled to bid you a temporary farewell." + +"Then are we both indebted to one of my own family for +the happiness; for that it is a happiness, Ernest, I can +answer from the depression of my spirits just now, when +I feared you were about to depart without seeing me at +all. The officer in command of your vessel is, or ought +to be, a cousin of our own." + +"Indeed!--then is he doubly entitled to my regard. But, +Julia, let the brief time that is given us, be devoted +to the arrangement of plans for the future. I will not +for a moment doubt your faith, after what occurred at +our last interview; but shall I be certain of finding +you here, when later we return to wash away the stain +this day's proceedings have thrown upon our national +honor. Forgive me, if I appear to mix up political +feelings, with private grief, but it cannot be denied, +(and he smiled faintly through the mortification evidently +called up by the recollection,) that to have one's honor +attainted, and to lose one's mistress in the same day, +are heavier taxes on human patience, than it can be +expected a soldier should quietly bear." + +"And when I am yours at a later period, I suppose you +will expect me to be as interested in the national honor, +as you are," replied Julia, anxious to rally him on a +subject she felt, could not but be painful to a man of +high feelings, as she fully believed the Colonel to be. +How are we to reconcile such clashing interests? How am +I so far to overcome my natural love for the country +which gave me birth, as to rejoice in its subjugation by +yours; and yet, that seems to be the eventual object at +which you hint. Your plan, if I understand right, is to +return here with an overwhelming army; overrun the +province, and make me your property by fight of conquest, +while all connected with me, by blood, or friendship, +are to be borne into captivity. If we marry, sir, we must +draw lots which of us shall adopt a new country." + +"Nay dearest Julia, this pleasantry is unseasonable. I +certainly do intend, provided I am exchanged in time to +return here with the army, which I doubt not will be +instantly dispatched to restore our blighted fame, and +then I shall claim you as my own. Will you then hesitate +to become mine? Even as the daughter forsakes the home +of her father without regret, to pass her days with him +who is to her father, mother, all the charities of life, +in short--so should she forsake her native land, adopting +in preference that to which her husband is attached by +every tie of honor, and of duty. However, let us hope +that ere long, the folly of this war will be seen, and +that the result of such perception, will be a peace +founded on such permanent basis, that each shall be bound, +by an equal tie of regard, to the home of the other." + +"Let us hope so," eagerly replied Julia. "But what has +become of our friend, Miss Montgomerie, in all the +confusion of this day. Or am I right in supposing that +she and her uncle, are of the number of those embarked +in my cousin's vessel?" + +The name of the interesting American, coupled as it was, +with that of one infinitely more dear to her caused +Gertrude for the first time, to look up in the face of +the officer, in expectation of his reply. She was struck +by the sadden paleness that came over his features again, +as en the former occasion, when allusion was made to her +at his recent visit to Amherstburgh. He saw that his +emotion was remarked, and fought to bide it under an +appearance of unconcern, as he replied: + +"Neither Miss Montgomerie nor her uncle are embarked. +The latter, I regret to say, has been one of the few +victims who have fallen." + +"What! dead--that excellent kind old man--dead, demanded +the listen, nearly in the same breath?" + +"No; not dead--but I fear with little hope of life. He +was desperately wounded soon after day-break this morning, +and when I saw hi half an hour afterwards, he had been +given over by the surgeons." + +"Poor old Major," sighed Gertrude; "I felt when he was +here the other day, that I could bare loved him almost +as my owe father. How broken-hearted Miss Montgomerie +must be at his loss." + +A sneer of bitterness passed over the fine features of +the American, as he replied with emphasis: + +"Nay, dear Gertrude, year sympathies there are but ill +bestowed. Miss Montgomerie's heart will scarcely sustain +the injury you seem to apprehend." + +"What mean you Ernest?" demanded Julia, with eagerness. +"How is it that you judge thus harshly of her character. +How, in short, do you pretend to enter into her most +secret feelings, and yet deny all but a general knowledge +of her? What can you possibly knew of her heart?" + +"I merely draw my inferences from surmise," replied the +Colonel, after a few moments of pause. "The fact it, I +have the vanity to imagine myself a correct reader of +character, and my reading of Miss Montgomery's has not +been the happiest." + +Julia's look betrayed incredulity. "There is evidently +some mystery in all this," she rejoined; "but I will not +seek to discover more than you choose at present to +impart. Later I may hope to possess more of your confidence. +One question more, however, and I have done. Have you +seen her since your return to Detroit, and did she give +you my letter?" + +The Colonel made no answer, but produced from his pocket +a note, which Julia at once recognized as her own. + +"Then," said Gertrude, "there was not so much danger +after all, in intrusting it. You seemed to be in a sad +way, when you first heard that it had been given to her." + +"I would have pledged myself on its safe deliverance," +added her sister, "for the promise was too solemnly given, +to be broken." + +"And solemnly has it been kept, "gravely returned the +American. "But hark, already are they hailing the boat, +and we must part." + +The time occupied in conversation, had brought them down +to the extreme point, where the river terminated, and +the lake commenced. Beyond this lay a sand bar, which it +was necessary to clear, before the increasing dusk of +the evening rendered it hazardous. All the other vessels +had already passed it, and were spreading their white +sails before the breeze, which here, unbroken by the +island, impelled them rapidly onward. A few strokes of +the oar, and the boat once more touched the beach. Low +and fervent adieus were exchanged, and the American, +resuming his station in the stern, was soon seen to ascend +the deck, he had so recently quitted. For a short time, +the sisters continued to watch the movements of the +vessel, as she in turn having passed, spread all her +canvass to the wind, until the fast fading twilight +warning them to depart, they retraced their steps along +the sands to the town. Both were silent and pensive; and +while all around them found subject for rejoicing in the +public events of the day, they retired at an early hour +to indulge at leisure in the several painful retrospections +which related more particularly to themselves. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +If the few weeks preceding the fall of Detroit, had been +characterized by much bustle and excitement, those which +immediately succeeded, were no less remarkable for their +utter inactivity and repose. With the surrender of the +fortress vanished every vestige of hostility in that +remote territory, enabling the sinews of watchfulness to +undergo a relaxation, nor longer requiring the sacrifice +of private interests to the public good. Scarcely had +the American prisoners been despatched to their several +destinations, when General Brock, whose activity and +decision, were subject of universal remark, quitted his +new conquest and again hastened to resume the command on +the Niagara frontier, which he had only left to accomplish +what had been so happily achieved. The Indians, too, +finding their services no longer in immediate demand, +dispersed over the country, or gave themselves up to the +amusement of the chase, ready however to come forward +whenever they should be re-summoned to the conflict; +while the Canadians, who had cheerfully abandoned their +homes to assist in the operations of the war, returned +once more to the cultivation of that soil they had so +recently looked upon as wrested from them for ever. +Throughout the whole line of Detroit, on either shore, +the utmost quietude prevailed; and although many of the +inhabitants of the conquered town, looked with an eye of +national jealousy on the English flag that waved in +security above the Fort, they submitted uncomplainingly +to the change, indulging only in secret, yet without +bitterness, in the hope of a not far distant reaction of +fortune, when their own National Stars should once more +be in the ascendant. + +The garrison left at Detroit consisted merely of two +companies-those of Captains Granville and Molineux, which +included among their officers, Middlemore, Villiers and +Henry Grantham. After the first excitement produced in +the minds of the townspeople, by their change of rulers, +had passed away, these young men desirous of society, +sought to renew their intimacy with such of the more +respectable families as they had been in the habit of +associating with prior to hostilities; but although in +most instances they were successful, their reception was +so different from what it had formerly been, (a change +originating not so much in design perhaps as resulting +from a certain irrepressible sense of humiliation, which +gave an air of gene to all their words and actions,) that +they were glad to withdraw themselves altogether within +the rude resources of their own walls. It happened however +about this period that Colonel D'Egville had received a +command to transfer the head of his department from +Amherstburg to Detroit, and, with a view to his own +residence on the spot, the large and commodious mansion +of the late Governor was selected for the abode of his +family. With the daughters of that officer, the D'Egvilles +had long been intimate, and as the former were to continue +under the same roof until their final departure from +Detroit, it was with a mutual satisfaction the friends +found themselves thus closely reunited--Added to this +party were Major Montgomery, (already fast recovering +from the effect of his wound,) and his niece, both of +whom only awaited the entire restoration of the former, +to embark immediately for the nearest American port. + +At Colonel D'Egville's, it will therefore be supposed +the officers passed nearly all their leisure hours; +Molineux and Villiers flirting with the fair American +sisters, until they had nearly been held fast by the +chains with which they dallied, and Middlemore uttering +his execrable puns with a coolness of premeditation that +excited the laughter of the fair part of his auditors, +while his companions, on the contrary, expressed their +unmitigated abhorrence in a variety of ways. As for the +somewhat staid Captain Granville, he sought to carry his +homage to the feet of Miss Montgomerie, but the severe +and repellant manner in which she received all his +advances, and the look which almost petrified where it +fell, not only awed him effectually into distance, but +drew down upon him the sarcastic felicitations of his +watchful brother officers. There was one, however, on +whose attentions her disapprobation fell not, and Henry +Grantham, who played the part of an anxious observer, +remarked with pain that HE had been fascinated by her +beauty, in a manner which showed her conquest to be +complete. + +The cousins of Gerald Grantham had been in error in +supposing him to be the officer in command of the vessel +on board which the lover of Julia had embarked. His +transfer from the gun boat had taken place, but in +consideration of the fatigue he had undergone during the +three successive days in which he had been employed at +the batteries, the Commodore had directed another officer +to take command of the vessel in question, and charge +himself with the custody of the prisoners on board. +Finding himself at liberty, until the return of the +flotilla from this duty, the first care of Gerald was to +establish himself in lodgings at Detroit, whence he daily +sallied forth to the apartments in the Governor's house, +occupied by the unfortunate Major Montgomerie, in whose +situation he felt an interest so much the more deep and +lively as he knew his confinement to have been in some +degree the work of his own hands. All that attention and +kindness could effect was experienced by the respectable +Major, who, in return found himself growing more and more +attached to his youthful and generous captor. These +constant visits to the uncle naturally brought our hero +more immediately into the society of the niece, but +although he had never been able to banish from his memory +the recollection of one look which she had bestowed upon +him on a former occasion, in almost every interview of +the sort now, she preserved the same cold reserve and +distance which was peculiar to her. + +A week had elapsed in this manner, when it chanced that +as they both sat one evening, about dusk, near the couch +of the invalid, the latter, after complaining of extreme +weakness and unusual suffering, expressed his anxiety at +the possibility of his niece being left alone and +unprotected in a strange country. + +It was with a beating pulse and a glowing cheek that +Gerald looked up to observe the effect of this observation +on his companion. He was surprised, nay, hurt, to remark +that an expression of almost contemptuous loathing sat +upon her pale but beautiful countenance. He closed his +eyes for a moment in bitterness of disappointment--and +when they again opened and fell upon that countenance, +he scarcely could believe the evidence of his senses. +Every feature had undergone a change. With her face half +turned away, as if to avoid the observation of her uncle, +she now exhibited a cheek flushed with the expression of +passionate excitement, while from her eye beamed that +same unfathomable expression which bad carried intoxication +once before to the inmost soul of the youth. Almost wild +with his feelings, it was with difficulty he restrained +the impulse that would have urged him to her feet; but +even while he hesitated, her countenance had again +undergone a change, and she sat cold and reserved and +colorless as before. + +That look sealed, that night, the destiny of Gerald +Grantham. The coldness of the general demeanour of Matilda, +was forgotten in the ardor of character which had escaped +from beneath the evident and habitual disguise; and the +enthusiastic sailor could think of nothing but the witchery +of that look. To his surprise and joy, the following day, +and ever afterwards, he found that the manner of the +American, although reserved as usual with others, had +undergone a complete change towards himself. Whenever he +appeared alone a smile was his welcome, and if others +were present she always contrived to indemnify him for +a coldness he now knew to be assumed, by conveying +unobserved one of those seductive glances the power of +which she seemed so fully to understand. + +Such was the state of things when the D'Egvilles arrived. +Exposed to the observations of more than one anxious +friend, it was not likely that a youth of Gerald's open +nature, could be long in concealing his prepossession; +and as Matilda, although usually guarded in her general +manner, was observed sometimes to fix her eyes upon him +with the expression of one immersed in deep and speculative +thought, the suspicion acquired a character of greater +certainty. + +To Harry Grantham, who doated upon his brother, this +attachment was a source of infinite disquiet, for, from +the very commencement, Miss Montgomerie had unfavorably +impressed him; why he knew not, yet impelled by a feeling +he was unable to analyze, he deeply lamented that they +had ever become acquainted, infatuated as Gerald appeared +by her attractions. There was another, too, who saw with +regret the attachment of Gerald to his fair prisoner. It +was Gertrude D'Egville, but her uncomplaining voice spoke +not, even to her beloved sister, of the anguish she +endured--she loved her cousin, but he knew it not--and +although she felt that she was fast consuming with the +disappointment that preyed upon her peace, she had obtained +of her sister the promise that the secret should never +reach the ear of its object. + +In this manner passed the months of August and September. +October had just commenced, and with it, that beautiful +but brief season which is well known in Canada as the +Indian summer. Anxious to set out on his return to that +home to which his mutilation must confine him for the +future, Major Montgomerie, now sufficiently recovered to +admit of his travelling by water, expressed a desire to +avail himself of the loveliness of the weather, and embark +forthwith on his return. + +By the officers whom the hospitality of Colonel D'Egville +almost daily assembled beneath his roof, this announcement +was received with dismay, and especially by Molineux, +and Villiers who had so suffered themselves to be fascinated +by the amiable daughters of General Hull, as to have +found it necessary to hold a consultation (decided however +in the negative.) whether they should, or should not +tempt them to remain, by making an offer of their hands. +It was also observed that these young ladies, who at +first, had been ail anxiety to rejoin their parent, +evinced no particular satisfaction in the intimation of +speedy departure thus given to them. Miss Montgomerie on +the contrary, whose anxiety throughout, to quit Detroit, +had been no less remarkable than her former impatience +to reach it, manifested a pleasure that amounted almost +to exultation: and yet it was observed that by a strange +apparent contradiction, her preference for Gerald from +that moment became more and more divested of disguise. + +There are few spots in the world, perhaps, that unite so +many inducements to the formation of those sociable little +reunions which come under the denomination of pic-nics, +as the small islands adorning most of the American rivers. +Owing to the difficulty of procuring summer carriages, +and in some decree to the rudeness of the soil, in the +Upper Province especially, boats are in much more general +use; and excursions on the water, are as common to that +class "whose only toil is pleasure." as cockney trips to +Richmond, or to any other of the thousand and one places +of resort, which have sprung into existence, within twenty +miles of the Metropolis of England. Not confined, however, +to picking daisies for their doxies, as these said cockneys +do, or carving their vulgar names on every magnificent +tree, that spreads its gorgeous arms to afford them the +temporary shelter of a home, the men severally devote +themselves, for a period of the day, to manlier exercises. +The woods, abounding with game, and the rivers with fish +of the most delicate flavor--the address of the hunter +and the fisher, is equally called into action; since upon +their exertions, primarily depend the party for the fish +and fowl portion of their rural dinner. Guns and rods +are, therefore, as indispensable part of the freightage, +as the dried venison and bear hams, huge turkies, pasties, +&c. which together with wines, spirits, and cider ad +libitum, form the mass of alimentary matter; not to forget +the some half dozen old novels, constituting the several +libraries of the females of the party, and collected +together for general amusement on these occasions. Bands, +it is true, they possess not, but they have the music of +their own, and boatmen's voices, and the rippling of the +current over the pebbly shallow, or the impetuous dashing +of some distant waterfall--while on every side the eye +is arrested by images of grandeur, which dispose the +heart to benevolence, towards man, and the soul to +adoration towards the Creator. Here is to be heard, +neither the impertinent coxcombry, of the European self +styled exclusive, nor the unmeaning twaddle of the daughter +of false fashion, spoiled by the example of the said +exclusive, and almost become a dowager in silliness, +before she has attained the first years of womanhood. No +lack-a-daisical voice, the sex of which it is difficult +to distinguish, is attempted to be raised in depreciation +of the party to which it had been esteemed too great an +happiness to be invited, the evening before; nor is the +bride of last week heard boastingly to deplore, the +enormous sums lost within the last week, at the private +gaming table of her dear friend, the Duchess of this, or +the Countess of that. One half of the party address not +the other in doled accents of fashionable friendship, in +one key, and abuse them piteously in another. No sarcastic +allusion seeks to stamp with ridicule, the amusement in +which the utterer is embarked, as if a sense of shame +attached to the idea of being amused, by that which +affords amusement to his associates; nor is the manner +of the actors, that, of people suffering an infliction +rather than participating in a pleasure. The sneer of +contempt--the laugh of derision--is no where to be heard; +neither is the pallid brow, and sunken cheek, the fruit +of late hours and forced excitement to be seen. Content +is in each heart, the flow of health upon each face. All +appear eager to be happy, pleased with each other, and +at ease with themselves. Not that theirs is the enjoyment +of the mere holiday mind, which grasps with undiscerning +avidity, at whatever offers to its gratification, but +that of those, on whom education, acting on innate good +breeding, has imposed a due sense of the courtesies of +life, and on whom fashion has not superseded the kindlier +emotions of nature. These at least WERE traits of +simplicity, peculiar to Upper Canada, at an early period +of its settlement. What they are now, we pretend not to +determine. + +Several of these pic-nics had taken place among the party +at Detroit, confined, with one or two exceptions, to the +officers of the garrison, and the family of Colonel +D'Egville, with their American inmates; and it was proposed +by the former, that a final one should be given a few +days prior to the embarkation in Gerald Grantham's new +command, which lay waiting in the river for the purpose. +The Major remaining as hitherto at home, under the +guardianship of the benevolent Mrs. D'Egville, whose +habits of retirement disinclined her to out door amusement. + +Hitherto their excursions had been principally directed +to some of the smaller islands, which abound in the river +nearer Amherstburgh, and where game being found in greater +abundance, the skill of the officers had more immediate +opportunity for display; but in this excursion, at the +casual suggestion of Miss Montgomerie, Hog Island was +selected, as the scene of their day's amusement. Thither, +therefore the boat which contained the party now proceeded, +the ladies costumed in a manner to thread the mazes of +the wood, and the gentlemen in equally appropriate gear, +as sportsmen, their guns and fishing rods, being by no +means omitted in the catalogue of orders entrusted to +their servants. In the stern of the boat, the trustworthy +coxswain on this occasion--sat old Sambo, whose skill in +the conduct of a helm, was acknowledged to be little +inferior to his dexterity in the use of a paddle, and +whose authoritative voice, as he issued his commands in +broken English to the boatmen, added in no small degree, +to the exhilaration of the party, + +To reach Hog Island, it was necessary to pass by the +tannery and cottage already described, which, latter, it +will be remembered, had been the scene of a singular +adventure to our hero, and his servant on the night of +their reconnoitring the coast, in obedience to the order +of the Commodore. By the extraordinary and almost romantic +incidents of that night, the imagination of Gerald had +been deeply impressed, and on retiring to his rude couch +within the battery he had fully made up his mind to +explore further into the mysterious affair, with as little +delay as possible after the expected fall of the American +fortress. In the hurry, confusion, and excitement, of +that event however, his original intention was forgotten; +or, rather so far delayed, that it was not until the +third or fourth day of his establishment in the town, +that it occurred to him to institute inquiry. He had +accordingly repaired thither, but finding the house +carefully shut up, and totally uninhabited, had contented +himself with questioning the tanner and his family, in +regard to its late inmates, reserving to a future +opportunity the attempt to make himself personally +acquainted with all that it contained. From this man he +learnt, that, the house had once been the property of an +aged Canadian, at whose death (supposed to have been +occasioned by violence,) it had passed into the hands of +an American, who led a roving and adventurous life, being +frequently away for months together, and then returning +with a canoe, but never continuing for more than a night +or two. That latterly it had been wholly deserted by its +owner, in consequence of which it had been taken possession +of, and used as quarters by the officers of the American +guard, stationed at this part of the town, for the +protection of the boats, and as a check upon the incursions +of the Indians. In all this statement, there was every +appearance of truth, but in no part of it did Gerald find +wherewith to elucidate what he himself had witnessed. He +described the costume, and questioned of the mysterious +figure, but the only reply he obtained from the independent +tanner, when he admitted to him that he had been so near +a visitor on that occasion, and had seen what he described, +was an expressed regret that he had not been "wide awake +when any Brittainer ventured to set foot upon his grounds, +otherwise, tarnation seize him with all due respect, if +he wouldn't a stuck an ounce o' lead in the region of +his bread-basket, as quickly as he would tan a hide," a +patriotic sentiment in which it may be supposed our hero +in no way coincided. With the tanners assurance, however, +that no living thing was there at this moment, Gerald +was fain to content himself for the present, fully +resolving to return at another time with Sambo, and effect +a forcible entrance into a place, with which were connected +such striking recollections. He had, however, been too +much interested and occupied elsewhere, to find time to +devote to the purpose. + + + + +CHAPTER. XV. + +As the boat, which contained the party, pulled by six of +the best oars-men among the soldiers of the Garrison, +and steered, as we have shown, by the dexterous Sambo, +now glided past the spot, the recollections of the +tradition connected with the bridge drew from several of +the party expressions of sympathy and feigned terror, as +their several humours dictated. Remarking that Miss +Montgomerie's attention appeared to be deeply excited by +what she heard, while she gazed earnestly upon the dwelling +in the back ground, Gerald Grantham thought to interest +her yet more, and amuse and startle the rest of the party, +by detailing his extraordinary, and hitherto unrevealed +adventure, on a recent occasion. To this strange tale, +as may naturally be supposed, some of his companions +listened with an air of almost incredulity, nor indeed +would they rest satisfied until Sambo, who kept his eyes +turned steadily away from the shore, and to whom appeal +was frequently made by his master, confirmed his statement +in every particular; and with such marks of revived horror +in his looks, as convinced them, Gerald was not playing +upon their facility of belief. The more incredulous his +brother officers, the more animated had become the sailor +in his description, and, on arriving at that part of his +narrative which detailed the reappearance and reflection +of the mysterious figure in the tipper room, upon the +court below, every one became insensibly fixed in mute +attention. From the moment of his commencing, Miss +Montgomerie had withdrawn her gaze from the land, and +fixing it upon her lover, manifested all the interest he +could desire. Her feelings were evidently touched by what +she heard, for she grew paler as Gerald proceeded, while +her breathing was suspended, as if fearful to lose a +single syllable he uttered. At each more exciting crisis +of the narrative, she betrayed a corresponding intensity +of attention, until at length, when the officer described +his mounting on the water butt, and obtaining a full view +of all within the room, she looked as still and rigid as +if she had been metamorphosed into a statue. This eagerness +of attention, shared as it was, although not to the same +extent perhaps, by the rest of Gerald's auditory, was +only remarkable in Miss Montgomerie, in as much as she +was one of too much mental preoccupation to feel or betray +interest in any thing, and it might have been the risk +encountered by her lover, and the share he had borne in +the mysterious occurrence, that now caused her to lapse +from her wonted inaccessibility to impressions of the +sort. As the climax of the narrative approached, her +interest became deeper, and her absorption more profound. +An involuntary shudder passed over her form, and a slight +contraction of the nerves of her face was perceptible, +when Gerald described to his attentive and shocked +auditory, the raising of the arm of the assassin; and +her emotion at length assumed such a character of +nervousness, that when he exultingly told of the rapid +discharge of his own pistol, as having been the only +means of averting the fate of the doomed, she could not +refrain from rising suddenly in the boat, and putting +her hand to her side, with the shrinking movement of one +who had been suddenly wounded. + +While in the act of rising she had drawn the cloak with +which, like the other ladies, she was provided more +closely over her shoulders--Sambo seemed to have caught +some new idea from this action, for furtively touching +Henry Grantham, who sat immediately before him, and on +the right of Miss Montgomerie, he leaned forward and +whispered a few sentences in his ear. + +Meanwhile Miss Montgomerie was not a little rallied on +the extreme susceptibility which had led her as it were +to identify herself with the scene. Gerald remarked that +on recovering her presence of mind, she at first looked +as if she fancied herself the subject of sarcasm, and +would have resented the liberty; but finding there was +nothing pointed in the manner of those who addressed her, +finished by joining, yet with some appearance of constraint, +in the laugh against herself. + +"I confess," she said coloring, "that the strange incident +which Mr. Grantham has related, and which he has so well +described, has caused me to be guilty of a ridiculous +emotion. I am not usually startled into the expression +of strong feeling, but there was so much to excite and +surprise in his catastrophe that I could not avoid in +some measure identifying myself with the scene." + +"Nay, Miss Montgomerie," remarked Julia D'Egville, "there +can be no reason why such emotion should either be +disavowed or termed ridiculous. For my part, I own that +cannot sufficiently express my horror of the wretch who +could thus deliberately attempt the life of another. How +lucky was it Gerald that you arrived at that critical +moment; but have you no idea--not the slightest--of the +person of the assassin or of his intended victim?" + +"Not the slightest--the disguise of the person was too +effectual to be penetrated, and the face I had not once +an opportunity of beholding." + +"Yet," observed Miss Montgomerie, "from your previous +description of the figure, it is by no means a matter of +certainty that it was not a woman you pursued, instead +of a man--or, was there any thing to betray the vacillation +of purpose which would naturally attend one of our sex +in an enterprize of the kind." + +"What! a woman engage in so unnatural a deed," remarked +Henry Grantham--"surely Miss Montgomerie," for he always +spoke rather AT, than TO her "cannot seek to maintain a +supposition so opposed to all probability--neither will +she be so unjust towards herself as to admit the existence +of such monstrous guilt in the heart of another of her +sex." + +"Impossible," said Gerald. "Whatever might have been my +impression when I first saw the figure in the merchantman +--that is to say, if I had then a doubt in regard to the +sex, it was entirely removed, when later I beheld the +unfaltering energy with which it entered upon its murderous +purpose. The hand of woman never could have been armed +with such fierce and unflinching determination as was +that hand." + +"The emergency of the occasion, it would seem, did not +much interfere with your study of character," again +observed Miss Montgomerie, with a faint smile--"but you +say you fired--was it--with intent to kill the killer?" + +"I scarcely know with what intent myself; but if I can +rightly understand my own impulse, it was more with a +view to divert him from his deadly object, than to slay +--and this impression acquires strength from the fact of +my having missed him--I am almost sorry now that I did." + +"Perhaps," said Miss Montgomerie, "you might have slain +one worthier than him you sought to save. As one of your +oldest poets sings--'whatever it is right.--" + +"What!" exclaimed the younger Grantham with emphasis "Can +Miss Montgomerie then form any idea of the persons who +figured in that scene?" + +Most of the party looked at the questioner with surprise. +Gerald frowned, and, for the first time in his life, +entertained a feeling of anger against his brother. In +no way moved or piqued by the demand, Miss Montgomerie +calmly replied. + +"I can see no just reason for such inference, Mr. Grantham; +I merely stated a case of possibility, without anything +which can refer to the merit of either of the parties." + +Henry Grantham felt that he was rebuked--but although he +could not avoid something like an apologetical explanation +of his remark, he was not the more favorably disposed +towards her who had forced it from him. In this feeling +he was confirmed by the annoyance he felt at having been +visited by the anger of the brother to whom he was so +attached. Arrived at Hog Island, and equipped with their +guns and fishing rods, the gentlemen dispersed in quest +of game, some threading the mazes of the wood in pursuit +of the various birds that frequent the vicinity, the +others seeking these points of the island where the dense +foliage affords a shade to the numerous delicately +flavoured fish, which, luxuriating in the still deep +water, seek relief from the heat of summer. To these +latter sportsmen, the ladies of the party principally +attached themselves, quitting them only at intervals to +collect pebbles on the sands, or to saunter about the +wood, in search of the wild flowers or fruits that abounded +along its skirt, while the servants busied themselves in +erecting the marquee and making preparation for dinner. + +Among those who went in pursuit of game were the Granthams, +who, like most Canadians, were not only excellent shots, +but much given to a sport in which they had had considerable +practice in early boyhood. For a short time they had +continued with their, companions, but as the wood became +thicker, and their object consequently more attainable +by dispersion, they took a course parallel with the point +at which the fishers had assembled, while their companions +continued to move in an opposite direction. There was an +unusual reserve in the manner of the brothers as they +now wound through the intricacies of the wood. Each +appeared to feel that the other had given him cause for +displeasure and each--unwilling to introduce the subject +most at his heart--availed himself with avidity rather +of the several opportunities which the starting of the +game afforded for conversation of a general nature. They +had gone on in this manner for some time, and having been +tolerably successful in their sport were meditating their +return to the party on the beach, when the ear of Gerald +was arrested by the drumming of a partridge at a short +distance. Glancing his quick eye in the direction whence +the sound came, he beheld a remarkably fine bird, which +while continuing to beat its wings violently against the +fallen tree on which it was perched, had its neck +outstretched and its gaze intently fixed on some object +below. Tempted by the size and beauty of the bird Gerald +fired and it fell to the earth. He advanced, stooped, +and was in the act of picking it up, when a sharp and +well known rattle was heard to issue from beneath the +log. The warning was sufficient to save him had he +consented even for an instant to forego his prize, but +accustomed to meet with these reptiles on almost every +excursion of the kind, and never having sustained any +injury from them, he persevered in disengaging the +partridge from some briers with which, in falling, it +had got entangled. Before he could again raise himself +an enormous rattlesnake had darted upon him, and stung +with rage perhaps at being deprived of its victim, had +severely bitten him above the left wrist. The instantaneous +pang that darted throughout the whole limb caused Gerald +to utter an exclamation, and dropping the bird, he sank +almost fainting on the log whence his enemy had attacked +him. + +The cry of agony reached, Henry Grantham, as he was +carelessly awaiting his brother's return, and at once +forgetting their temporary estrangement, and full of +eager love and apprehension--he flew to ascertain the +nature of the injury. To his surprise and horror he +remarked that, although not a minute had elapsed since +the fangs of the reptile had penetrated into the flesh, +the arm was already considerably inflamed and exhibiting +then a dark and discolored hue. That a remedy was at +hand he knew, but what it was, and how to be applied he +was not aware, the Indians alone being in possession of +the secret. Deeming that Sambo might have some knowledge +of the kind, he now made the woods echo with the sound +of his name, in a manner that could not fail to startle +and alarm the whole of the scattered party. Soon afterwards +the rustling, of forms was heard in various directions, +as they forced themselves through the underwood, and the +first who came in sight was Miss Montgomerie, preceded +by the old negro. The lamentation of the latter was +intense and when on approaching his young master, he +discovered the true nature of his accident and confessed +his ignorance of all remedy, he burst into tears, and +throwing himself upon the earth tore his gray woollen +hair away, regardless of all entreaty on the part of +Gerald to moderate his grief. Miss Montgomerie now came +forward, and never did sounds of melody fall so harmoniously +on the ear, as did her voice on that of the younger +Grantham as she pledged herself to the cure, on their +instant return to the spot where the marquee had been +erected. With this promise she again disappeared, and +several others of the party having now joined them, +Gerald, duly supported, once more slowly retraced his +way to the same point. + +"Damn him pattridge" muttered Sambo, who lingered a moment +or two in the rear to harness himself with the apparatus +of which his master had disencumbered his person. "Damn +him pattridge" and he kicked the lifeless bird indignantly +with his foot "you all e cause e dis; what e hell e do +here?" + +This tirade however against the partridge did not by any +means prevent the utterer from eventually consigning it +to its proper destination in the game bag as the noblest +specimen of the day's sport, and thus burthened he issued +from the wood, nearly at the same moment with the wounded +Gerald and his friends. + +The consternation of all parties on witnessing the disaster +of the sailor, whose arm had already been swollen to a +fearful size, while the wound itself began to assume an +appearance of mortification, was strongly contrasted with +the calm silence of Miss Montgomerie, who was busily +employed in stirring certain herbs which she was boiling +over the fire that had been kindled in the distance for +the preparation of the dinner. The sleeve of the sufferer's +shooting jacket had been ripped to the shoulder by his +brother and as he now sat on a pile of cloaks within the +marquee, the rapid discoloration of the white skin, could +be distinctly traced, marking as it did the progress of +the deadly poison towards the vital portion of the system. +In this trying emergency all eyes were turned with anxiety +on the slightest movement of her who had undertaken the +cure, and none more eagerly than those of Henry Grantham +and Gertrude D'Egville, the latter of whom, gentle even +as she was, could not but acknowledge pang of regret that +to another, and that other a favored rival--should be +the task of alleviating the anguish and preserving the +life of the only man she had ever loved. + +At length Miss Montgomerie came forward; and never was +beneficent angel more hailed than did Henry Grantham hail +her, whom scarcely an hour since he had looked upon with +aversion, when with a countenance of unwonted paleness +but confident of success, she advanced towards the opening +of the marquee, to which interest in the sufferer had +drawn even the domestics. All made way for her approach. +Kneeling at the side of Gerald, and depositing the vessel +in which she had mixed her preparation, she took the +wounded arm in her own fair hands with the view, it was +supposed, of holding it while another applied the remedy. +Scarcely however had she secured it in a firm grasp when, +to the surprise and consternation of all around, she +applied her own lips to the wound and continued them +then; in despite of the efforts of Gerald to withdraw +his arm, nor was it until there was already a visible +reduction in the size, and change in the color of the +limb that she removed them. This done she arose and +retired to the skirt of the wood whence she again returned +in less than a minute. Even in the short time that had +elapsed, the arm of the sufferer had experienced an almost +miraculous change. The inflammation had greatly subsided, +while the discoloration had retired to the immediate +vicinity of the wound, which in its turn however had +assumed a more virulent appearance. From this it was +evident that the suction had been the means of recalling, +to the neighbourhood of the injury, such portions of the +poison as had expanded, concentrating all in one mass +immediately beneath its surface, and thereby affording +fuller exposure to the action of the final remedy. This +consisting of certain herbs of a dark colour, and spread +at her direction by the trembling hands of Gertrude, on +her white handkerchief--Miss Montgomerie now proceeded +to apply, covering a considerable portion around the +orifice of the two small wounds, inflicted by the fangs +of the serpent, with the dense mass of the vegetable +preparation. The relief produced by this was effectual, +and in less than an hour, so completely had the poison +been extracted, and the strength of the arm restored, +that Gerald was enabled not merely to resume his shooting +jacket, but to partake, although sparingly, of the meal +which followed. + +It may be presumed that the bold action of Miss Montgomerie +passed not without the applause it so highly merited, +yet even while applauding, there were some of the party, +and particularly Henry Grantham, who regarded it with +feelings not wholly untinctured with the unpleasant. Her +countenance and figure, as she stood in the midst of the +forest, preparing the embrocation, so well harmonizing +with the scene and occupation; the avidity with which +she sucked the open wound of the sufferer, and the fearless +manner in which she imbibed that which was considered +death to others; all this, combined with a general +demeanour in which predominated a reserve deeply shaded +with mystery, threw over the actor and the action, an +air of the preternatural, occasioning more of surprise +and awe than prepossession. Such, especially, as we have +said, was the impression momentarily, produced on Henry +Grantham; but when he beheld his brother's eye and cheek +once more beaming with returning strength and health, he +saw in her but the generous preserver of that brother's +life to whom his own boundless debt of gratitude was due. +It was at this moment that, in the course of conversation +on the subject, Captain Molineux inquired of Miss +Montgomerie, what antidote she possessed against the +influence of the poison. Every eye was turned upon her +as she vaguely answered, a smile of peculiar meaning +playing over her lips, that "Captain Molineux must be +satisfied with knowing she bore a charmed life." Then +again it was that the young soldier's feelings underwent +another reaction, and as he caught the words and look +which accompanied them, he scarcely could persuade himself +she was not the almost vampire and sorceress that his +excited imagination had represented. + +Not the least deeply interested in the events of the +morning, was the old negro. During their meal, at the +service of which he assisted, his eyes scarcely quitted +her whom be appeared to regard with a mingled feeling of +awe and adoration; nay, such was his abstraction that, +in attempting to place a dish of game on the rude table +at which the party sat, he lodged the whole of the contents +in the lap of Middlemore, a gaucherie that drew from the +latter an exclamation of horror, followed however the +instant afterwards by Sambo's apology. + +"I beg a pardon Massa Middlemore," he exclaimed, "I let +him fall e gravey in e lap." + +"Then will you by some means contrive to lap it up," +returned the officer quaintly. + +Sambo applied his napkin, and the dinner proceeded without +other occurrence. Owing to an apprehension that the night +air might tend to renew the inflammation of the wounded +arm, the boat was early in readiness for the return of +the party, whose day of pleasure had been in some manner +tamed into a day of mourning, so that long before sun +set, they had again reached their respective homes at +Detroit. + + +END OF VOLUME I. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Canadian Brothers (Volume I) +by John Richardson + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANADIAN BROTHERS *** + +This file should be named 5106.txt or 5106.zip + +This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan with help from +Charles Franks and Distributed Proofers. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we usually do not +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance +of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing. +Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections, +even years after the official publication date. + +Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. + +Most people start at our Web sites at: +https://gutenberg.org or +http://promo.net/pg + +These Web sites include award-winning information about Project +Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new +eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!). + + +Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement +can get to them as follows, and just download by date. This is +also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the +indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an +announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter. + +http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03 or +ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03 + +Or /etext02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90 + +Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want, +as it appears in our Newsletters. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours +to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. Our +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If the value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text +files per month: 1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+ +We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002 +If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total +will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks! +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users. + +Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated): + +eBooks Year Month + + 1 1971 July + 10 1991 January + 100 1994 January + 1000 1997 August + 1500 1998 October + 2000 1999 December + 2500 2000 December + 3000 2001 November + 4000 2001 October/November + 6000 2002 December* + 9000 2003 November* +10000 2004 January* + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created +to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people +and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, +Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, +Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, +Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New +Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, +Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South +Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West +Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. + +We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones +that have responded. + +As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list +will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states. +Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state. + +In answer to various questions we have received on this: + +We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally +request donations in all 50 states. If your state is not listed and +you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have, +just ask. + +While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are +not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting +donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to +donate. + +International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about +how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made +deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are +ways. + +Donations by check or money order may be sent to: + +Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +PMB 113 +1739 University Ave. +Oxford, MS 38655-4109 + +Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment +method other than by check or money order. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by +the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN +[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154. Donations are +tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. As fund-raising +requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be +made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +You can get up to date donation information online at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/donation.html + + +*** + +If you can't reach Project Gutenberg, +you can always email directly to: + +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message. + +We would prefer to send you information by email. + + +**The Legal Small Print** + + +(Three Pages) + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks, +is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart +through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project"). +Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook +under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market +any commercial products without permission. + +To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may +receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims +all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation, +and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated +with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including +legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the +following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this eBook, +[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook, +or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + eBook or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word + processing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the eBook (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the + gross profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation" + the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were + legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent + periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to + let us know your plans and to work out the details. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of +public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form. + +The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time, +public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses. +Money should be paid to the: +"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or +software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at: +hart@pobox.com + +[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only +when distributed free of all fees. Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by +Michael S. Hart. Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be +used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be +they hardware or software or any other related product without +express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/5106.zip b/5106.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4213f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/5106.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dea8672 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #5106 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5106) |