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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5108.txt b/5108.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..61ab8a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/5108.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18345 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Canadian Brothers, 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 + or The Prophecy Fulfilled + +Author: John Richardson + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5108] +[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. + + + +VOLUME 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. + + + + + + +VOLUME II. + + + +THE CANADIAN BROTHERS; + OR, +THE PROPHECY FULFILLED. + +CHAPTER I. + +A few days after the adventure detailed in our last +chapter, the American party, consisting of Major and Miss +Montgomerie, and the daughters of the Governor, with +their attendants, embarked in the schooner, to the command +of which Gerald had been promoted. The destination of +the whole was the American port of Buffalo, situate at +the further extremity of the lake, nearly opposite to +the fort of Erie; and thither our hero, perfectly recovered +from the effect of his accident, received instructions +to repair without loss of time, land his charge, and +immediately rejoin the flotilla at Amherstburg. + +However pleasing the first, the latter part of the order +was by no means so strictly in consonance with the views +and feelings of the new commander, as might have been +expected from a young and enterprising spirit; but he +justified his absence of zeal to himself, in the fact +that there was no positive service to perform; no duty +in which he could have an opportunity of signalizing +himself, or rendering a benefit to his country. + +If, however, the limited period allotted for the execution +of his duty, was a source of much disappointment to +Gerald, such was not the effect produced by it on his +brother, to whom it gave promise of a speedy, termination +of an attachment, which he had all along regarded with +disapprobation, and a concern amounting almost to dread. +We have seen that Henry Grantham, on the occasion of his +brother's disaster at the pic-nic, had been wound up into +an enthusiasm of gratitude, which had nearly weaned him +from his original aversion; but this feeling had not +outlived the day on which the occurrence took place. Nay, +on the very next morning, he had had a long private +conversation with Gerald, in regard to Miss Montgomerie, +which, ending as it did, in a partial coolness, had tended +to make him dislike the person who had caused it still +more. It was, therefore, not without secret delight that +he overheard the order for the instant return of the +schooner, which, although conveyed by the Commodore in +the mildest manner, was yet so firm and decided as to +admit neither of doubt nor dispute. While the dangerous +American continued a resident at Detroit, there was every +reason to fear that the attachment of his infatuated +brother, fed by opportunity, would lead him to the +commission of some irrevocable act of imprudence; whereas, +on the contrary, when she had departed, there was every +probability that continued absence, added to the stirring +incidents of war, which might be expected shortly to +ensue, would prove effectual in restoring the tone of +Gerald's mind. There was, consequently, much to please +him in the order for departure. Miss Montgomerie once +landed within the American lines, and his brother returned +to his duty, the anxious soldier had no doubt that the +feelings of the latter would resume their wonted channel, +and that, in his desire to render himself worthy of glory, +to whom he had been originally devoted, he would forget, +at least after a season, all that was connected with +love. + +It was a beautiful autumnal morning, when the schooner +weighed anchor from Detroit. Several of the officers of +the garrison had accompanied the ladies on board, and +having made fast their sailing boat to the stem, loitered +on deck with the intention of descending the river a few +miles, and then beating up against the current. The whole +party were thus assembled, conversing together and watching +the movements of the sailors, when a boat, in which were +several armed men encircling a huge raw-boned individual, +habited in the fashion of an American backwoodsman, +approached the vessel. This was no other than the traitor +Desborough, who, it will be recollected, was detained +and confined in prison at the surrender of Detroit. He +had been put upon his trial for the murder of Major +Grantham, but had been acquitted through want of evidence +to convict, his own original admission being negatived +by a subsequent declaration that he had only made it +through a spirit of bravado and revenge. Still, as the +charges of desertion and treason had been substantiated +against him, he was, by order of the Commandant of +Amherstburg, destined for Fort Erie, in the schooner +conveying the American party to Buffalo, with a view to +his being sent on to the Lower Province, there to be +disposed of as the General Commanding in Chief should +deem fit. + +The mien of the settler, as he now stepped over the +vessel's side, partook of the mingled cunning and ferocity +by which he had formerly been distinguished. While +preparations were being made for his reception and security +below deck, he bent Ms sinister, yet bold, glance on each +of the little group in succession, as if he would have +read in their countenances the probable fate that awaited +himself. The last who fell under his scrutiny was Miss +Montgomerie, on whom his eye had scarcely rested, when +the insolent indifference of his manner seemed to give +place at once to a new feeling. There was intelligence +enough in the glance of both to show that an insensible +interest had been created, and yet neither gave the +slightest indication, by word, of what was passing in +the mind. + +"Well, Mister Jeremiah Desborough," said, Middlemore, +first breaking the silence, and, in the taunting mode of +address he usually adopted towards the settler, "I reckon +as how you'll shoot no wild ducks this season, on the +Sandusky river--not likely to be much troubled with your +small bores now." + +The Yankee gazed at him a moment in silence, evidently +ransacking his brain for something sufficiently insolent +to offer in return. At length, he drew his hat slouchingly +over one side of his head, folded his arms across his +chest, and squirting a torrent of tobacco juice from his +capacious jaws, exclaimed in his drawling voice: + +"I guess, Mister Officer, as how you're mighty cute upon +a fallen man--but tarnation seize me, if I don't expect +you'll find some one cuter still afore long. The sogers +all say," he continued with a low, cunning laugh, "as +how you're a bit of a wit, and fond of a play upon words +like. If so, I'll jist try you a little at your own game, +and tell you that I had a thousand to one rather be +troubled with my small bores than with such a confounded +great bore as you are; and now, you may pit that down as +something good, in your pun book when you please, and ax +me no more questions." + +Long and fitful was the laughter which burst from Villiers +and Molineux, at this bitter retort upon their companion, +which they vowed should be repeated at the mess table of +either garrison, whenever he again attempted one of his +execrables. + +Desborough took courage at the license conveyed by this +pleasantry, and pursued, winking familiarly to Captain +Molineux, while he, at the same time, nodded to Middlemore, + +"Mighty little time, I calculate, had he to think of +aggravatin', when I gripped him down at Hartley's pint, +that day. If it hadn't been for that old heathen scoundrel +Gattrie, my poor boy Phil, as the Injuns killed, and me, +I reckon, would have sent him and young Grantham to crack +their puns upon the fishes of the lake. How scared they +were, sure-LY." + +"Silence, fellow!" thundered Gerald Grantham, who now +came up from the hold, whither he had been to examine +the fastenings prepared for his prisoner. "How dare you +open your lips here?"--then pointing towards the steps +he had just quitted--"descend, sir!" + +Never did human countenance exhibit marks of greater rage +than Desborough's at that moment. His eyes seemed about +to start from their sockets--the large veins of his neck +and brow swelled almost to bursting, and while his lips +were compressed with violence, his nervous fingers played, +as with convulsive anxiety to clutch themselves around +the throat of the officer; every thing, in short, marked +the effort it cost him to restrain himself within such +bounds as his natural cunning and prudence dictated. +Still, he neither spoke nor moved. + +"Descend, sir, instantly!" repeated Gerald, "or, by +Heaven, I will have you thrown in without further ceremony +--descend this moment!" + +The settler advanced, placed one foot upon the ladder, +then turned his eye steadfastly upon the officer. Every +one present shuddered to behold its expression--it was +that of fierce, inextinguishable hatred. + +"By hell, you will pay me one day or t'other for this, +I reckon," he uttered, in a hoarse and fearful whisper-- +"every dog has his day--it will be Jeremiah Desborough's +turn next." + +"What! do you presume to threaten, villain?" vociferated +Gerald, now excited beyond all bounds: "here men, gag me +this fellow--tie him neck and heels, and throw him into +the hold, as you would a bag of ballast." + +Several men, with Sambo at their head, advanced for the +purpose of executing the command of their officer, when +the eldest daughter of the Governor, who had witnessed +the whole scene, suddenly approached the latter, and +interceded warmly for a repeal of the punishment. Miss +Montgomerie, also, who had been a silent observer, glanced +significantly towards the settler. What her look implied, +no one was quick enough to detect; but its effect on the +Yankee was evident--for, without uttering another syllable, +or waiting to be again directed, he moved slowly and +sullenly down the steps that led to his place of +confinement. + +Whatever the impressions produced upon the minds of the +several spectators by this incident, they were not +expressed. No comment was made, nor was further allusion +had to the settler. Other topics of conversation were +introduced, and it was not until the officers, having +bid them a final and cordial adieu, had again taken to +their boats, on their way back to Detroit, that the ladies +quitted the deck for the cabin which had been prepared +for them. + +The short voyage down the lake was performed without +incident. From the moment of the departure of the officers, +an air of dulness and abstraction, originating, in a +great degree, in the unpleasantness of separation-- +anticipated and past--pervaded the little party. Sensitive +and amiable as were the daughters of the American Governor, +it was not to be supposed that they parted without regret +from men in whose society they had recently passed so +many agreeable hours, and for two of whom they had +insensibly formed preferences. Not, however, that that +parting was to be considered final, for both Molineux +and Villiers had promised to avail themselves of the +first days of peace, to procure leave of absence, and +revisit them in their native country. The feeling of +disappointment acknowledged by the sisters, was much more +perceptible in Gerald Grantham and Miss Montgomerie, both +of whom became more thoughtful and abstracted, as the +period of separation drew nearer. + +It was about ten o'clock on the evening immediately +preceding that on which they expected to gain their +destination, that, as Gerald leaned ruminating over the +side of the schooner, then going at the slow rate of two +knots an hour, he fancied be heard voices, in a subdued +tone, ascending apparently from the quarter of the vessel +in which Desborough was confined. He listened attentively +for a few moments, but even the slight gurgling of the +water, as it was thrown from the prow, prevented further +recognition. Deeming it possible that the sounds might +not proceed from the place of confinement of the settler, +but from the cabin which it adjoined, and with which it +communicated, he was for a short time undecided whether +or not he should disturb the party already retired to +rest, by descending and passing into the room occupied +by his prisoner. Anxiety to satisfy himself that the +latter was secure determined him, and he had already +planted a foot on the companion-ladder, when his further +descent was arrested by Miss Montgomerie, who appeared +emerging from the opening, bonneted and cloaked, as with +a view of continuing on deck. + +"What! you, dearest Matilda?" he asked, delightedly--"I +thought you had long since retired to rest." + +"To rest, Gerald!--can you, then, imagine mine is a soul +to slumber, when I know that tomorrow we part--perhaps +for ever?" + +"No, by Heaven! not for ever," energetically returned +the sailor, seizing and carrying the white hand that +pressed his own, to his lips--"be but faithful to me, my +own Matilda--love me but with one half the ardor with +which my soul glows for you, and the moment duty can be +sacrificed to affection, you may expect again to see me." + +"Duty!" repeated the American, with something like reproach +in her tone--"must the happiness of her you profess so +ardently to love, be sacrificed to a mere cold sense of +duty? But you are right--you have YOUR duty to perform, +and I have MINE. Tomorrow we separate, and for ever." + +"No, Matilda--not for ever, unless, indeed, such be your +determination. YOU may find the task to forget an easy +one--_I_ never can. Hope--heart--life--happiness--all +are centered in you. Were it not that honour demands my +service to my country, I would fly with you tomorrow, +delighted to encounter every difficulty fortune might +oppose, if, by successfully combating these, I should +establish a deeper claim on your affection. Oh, Matilda!" +continued the impassioned youth, "never did I feel more +than at this moment, how devotedly I could be your slave +for ever." + +At the commencement of this conversation, Miss Montgomerie +had gently led her lover towards the outer gangway of +the vessel, over which they both now leaned. As Gerald +made the last passionate avowal of his tenderness, a ray +of triumphant expression, clearly visible in the light +of the setting moon, passed over the features of the +American. + +"Gerald," she implored earnestly--"oh, repeat me that +avowal. Again tell me that you will be the devoted of +your Matilda, in ALL things--Gerald, swear most solemnly +to me that you will--my every hope of happiness depends +upon it." + +How could he refuse, to such pleader, the repetition of +his spontaneous vow? Already were his lips opened to +swear, before high Heaven, that, in all things earthly, +he would obey her will, when he was interrupted by a well +known voice, hastily exclaiming: + +"Who a debbel dat dare?" + + Scarcely had these words been uttered, when they were +followed apparently by a blow, then a bound, and then +the falling of a human body upon the deck. Gently +disengaging his companion, who had clung to him with an +air of alarm, Gerald turned to discover the cause of the +interruption. To his surprise, he beheld Sambo, whose +post of duty was at the helm, lying extended on the deck, +while, at the same moment, a sudden plunge was heard, as +of a heavy body falling overboard. The first impulse of +the officer was to seize the helm, with a view to right +the vessel, already swerving from her course; the second, +to awaken the crew, who were buried in sleep on the +forecastle. These, with the habitual promptitude of their +nature, speedily obeyed his call, and a light being +brought, Gerald, confiding the helm to one of his best +men, proceeded to examine the condition of Sambo. + +It was evident that the aged negro had been stunned, but +whether seriously injured, it was impossible to decide. +No external wound was visible, and yet his breathing was +that of one who had received some severe bodily harm. In +a few minutes, however, he recovered his recollection, +and the words he uttered, as he gazed wildly around, and +addressed his master, were sufficient to explain the +whole affair: + +"Damn him debbel, Massa Geral, he get safe off, him +billain." + +"Ha, Desborough! it is then so? Quick, put the helm about +--two of the lightest and most active into my canoe, and +follow in pursuit. The fellow is making for the shore, +no doubt. Now then, my lads," as two of the crew sprang +into the canoe that had been instantly lowered, "fifty +dollars between you, recollect, if you bring him back." + +Although there needed no greater spur to exertion, than +a desire both to please their officer, and to acquit +themselves of a duty, the sum offered was not without +its due weight. In an instant, the canoe was seen scudding +along the surface of the water, towards the shore, and, +at intervals, as the anxious Gerald listened, he fancied +he could distinguish the exertions of the fugitive swimmer +from those made by the paddles of his pursuers. For a +time all was silent, when, at length, a deriding laugh +came over the surface of the lake, that too plainly told, +the settler had reached the shore, and was beyond all +chance of capture. In the bitterness of his disappointment, +and heedless of the pleasure his change of purpose had +procured him, Gerald could not help cursing his folly, +in having suffered himself to be diverted from his original +intention of descending to the prisoner's place of +confinement. Had this been done, all might have been +well. He had now no doubt that the voices had proceeded +from thence, and he was resolved, as soon as the absent +men came on board, to institute a strict inquiry into +the affair. + +No sooner, therefore, had the canoe returned, than all +hands were summoned and questioned, under a threat of +severe punishment, to whoever should be found prevaricating +as to the manner of the prisoner's escape. Each positively +denied having in any way violated the order which enjoined +that no communication should take place between the +prisoner and the crew, to whom indeed all access was +denied, with the exception of Sambo, entrusted with the +duty of carrying the former his meals. The denial of the +men was so straight forward and clear, that Gerald knew +not what to believe, and yet it was evident that the +sounds he had heard, proceeded from human voices. Determined +to satisfy himself, his first care was to descend between +the decks, preceded by his boatswain, with a lantern. At +the sternmost extremity of the little vessel there was +a small room, used for stores, but which, empty on this +trip, had been converted into a cell for Desborough. This +was usually entered from the cabin; but in order to avoid +inconvenience to the ladies, a door had been effected in +the bulk heads, the key of which was kept by Sambo. On +inspection, this door was found hermetically closed, so +that it became evident, if the key had not been purloined +from its keeper, the escape of Desborough must have been +accomplished through the cabin. Moreover, there was no +opening of any description to be found, through which a +knife might be passed to enable him to sever the bonds +which confined his feet. Close to the partition, were +swung the hammocks of two men, who had been somewhat +dilatory in obeying the summons on deck, and between whom +it was not impossible the conversation, which Gerald had +detected, had been carried on. On re-ascending, he again +questioned these men, but they most solemnly assured him +they had not spoken either together or to others, within +the last two hours, having fallen fast asleep on being +relieved from their watch. Search was now made in the +pockets of Sambo, whose injury had been found to be a +violent blow given on the back of the head, and whose +recovery from stupefaction was yet imperfect. The key +being found, all suspicion of participation was removed +from the crew, who could have only communicated from +their own quarter of the vessel, and they were accordingly +dismissed; one half, comprising the first watch, to their +hammocks, the remainder to their original station on the +forecastle. The next care of the young Commander was to +inspect the cabin, and institute a strict scrutiny as to +the manner in which the escape had been effected. The +door that opened into the prison, stood between the +companion ladder and the recess occupied by the daughters +of the Governor. To his surprise, Gerald found it locked, +and the key that usually remained in a niche near the +door, removed. On turning to search for it, he also +noticed, for the first time, that the lamp, suspended +from a beam in the centre of the cabin, had been +extinguished. Struck by these remarkable circumstances, +a suspicion, which he would have given much not to have +entertained, forced itself upon his mind. As a first +measure, and that there might be no doubt whatever on +the subject, he broke open the door. Of course it was +untenanted. Upon a small table lay the remains of the +settler's last meal, but neither knife nor fork, both +which articles had been interdicted, were to be found. +At the foot of the chair on which he had evidently been +seated for the purpose of freeing himself, lay the heavy +cords that had bound his ankles. These had been severed +in two places, and, as was discovered on close examination, +by the application of some sharp and delicate cutting +instrument. No where, however, was this visible. It was +evident to Gerald that assistance had been afforded from +some one within the cabin, and who that some one was, he +scarcely doubted. With this impression fully formed, he +re-entered from the prison, and standing near the curtained +berth occupied by the daughters of the Governor, questioned +as to whether they were aware that his prisoner Desborough +had escaped. Both expressed surprise in so natural a +manner, that Gerald knew not what to think; but when they +added that they had not heard the slightest noise--nor +had spoken themselves, nor heard others speak, professing +moreover ignorance that the lamp even had been extinguished, +he felt suspicion converted into certainty. + +It was impossible, he conceived, that a door, which stood +only two paces from the bed, could be locked and unlocked +without their hearing it--neither was it probable that +Desborough would have thought of thus needlessly securing +the place of his late detention. Such an idea might occur +to the aider, but not to the fugitive himself, to whom +every moment must be of the highest importance. Who then +could have assisted him? Not Major Montgomerie, for he +slept in the after part of the cabin--not Miss Montgomerie, +for she was upon deck--moreover, had not one of those, +he had so much reason to suspect, interceded for the +fellow only on the preceding day. + +Such was the reasoning of Gerald, as he passed rapidly +in review the several probabilities--but, although annoyed +beyond measure at the escape of the villain, and incapable +of believing other than that the daughters of the Governor +had connived at it, his was too gallant a nature to make +such a charge, even by implication, against them. He was +aware of the strong spirit of nationality existing every +where among citizens of the United States, and he had no +doubt, that in liberating their countryman, they had +acted under an erroneous impression of duty. Although +extremely angry, he made no comment whatever on the +subject, but contenting himself with wishing his charge +a less than usually cordial good night, left them to +their repose, and once more quitted the cabin. + +During the whole of this examination, Miss Montgomerie +had continued on deck. Gerald found her leaning over the +gangway, at which he had left her, gazing intently on +the water, through which the schooner was now gliding at +an increased rate. From the moment of his being compelled +to quit her side, to inquire into the cause of Sambo's +exclamation and rapidly succeeding fall, he had not had +an opportunity of again approaching her. Feeling that +some apology was due, he hastened to make one; but, vexed +and irritated as he was at the escape of the settler, +his disappointment imparted to his manner a degree of +restraint, and there was less of ardor in his address +than he had latterly been in the habit of exhibiting. +Miss Montgomerie remarked it, and sighed. + +"I have been reflecting," she said, "on the little +dependance that is to be placed upon the most flattering +illusions of human existence--and here are you come to +afford me a painful and veritable illustration of my +theory." + +"How, dearest Matilda! what mean you?" asked the officer, +again warmed into tenderness by the presence of the +fascinating being. + +"Can you ask, Gerald?" and her voice assumed a tone of +melancholy reproach--"recal but your manner--your language +--your devotedness of soul, not an hour since--compare +these with your present coldness, and then wonder that +I should have reason for regret." + +"Nay, Matilda, that coldness arose not from any change +in my feelings towards yourself--I was piqued, disappointed, +even angry, at the extraordinary escape of my prisoner, +and could not sufficiently play the hypocrite to disguise +my annoyance." + +"Yet, what had I to do with the man's escape, that his +offence should be visited upon me?" she demanded, quickly. + +"Can you not find some excuse for my vexation, knowing, +as you do that the wretch was a vile assassin--a man +whose hands have been imbrued in the blood of my own +father?" + +"Was he not acquitted of the charge?" + +"He was--but only from lack of evidence to convict; yet, +although acquitted by the law, not surer is fate than +that he is an assassin." + +"You hold assassins in great horror," remarked the +American, thoughtfully--"you are right--it is but natural." + +"In horror, said, you?--aye, in such loathing, that +language can supply no term to express it." + +"And yet, you once attempted an assassination yourself. +Nay, do not start, and look the image of astonishment. +Have you not told me that you fired into the hut, on the +night of your mysterious adventure? What right had you, +if we argue the question on its real merit, to attempt +the life of a being who had never injured you?" + +"What right, Matilda?--every right, human and divine. +I sought but to save a victim from the hands of a midnight +murderer. + +"And, to effect this, scrupled not to become a midnight +murderer yourself! + +"And is it thus you interpret my conduct, Matilda?"-- +the voice of Gerald spoke bitter reproach--"can you +compare the act of that man with mine, and hold me no +more blameless than him?" + +"Nay, I did not say I blamed you," she returned, gaily-- +"but the fact is, you had left me so long to ruminate +here alone, that I have fallen into a mood argumentative, +or philosophical--whichsoever you may be pleased to term +it--and I am willing to maintain my position, that you +might, by possibility, have been more guilty than the +culprit at whom you aimed, had your shot destroyed him." + +The light tone in which Matilda spoke dispelled the +seriousness which had begun to shadow the brow of the +young Commander--"And pray how do you make this good?" +he asked. + +"Suppose for instance, the slumberer you preserved had +been a being of crime, through whom the hopes, the +happiness, the peace of mind, and above all, the fair +fame of the other been cruelly and irrevocably blasted. +Let us imagine that he had destroyed some dear friend or +relative of him with whose vengeance you beheld him +threatened." + +"Could that be--." + +"Or," interrupted the American, in the same careless tone +"that he had betrayed a wife." + +"Such a man--" + +"Or, what is worse, infinitely worse, sought to put the +finishing stroke to his villainy, by affixing to the name +and conduct of his victim every ignominy and disgrace +which can attach to insulted humanity." + +"Matilda," eagerly exclaimed the youth, advancing close +to her, and gazing into her dark eyes; "you are drawing +a picture." + +"No Gerald," she replied calmly, "I am merely supposing +a case. Could you find no excuse for a man acting under +a sense of so much injury?--would you still call him an +assassin, if, with such provocation, he sought to destroy +the hated life of one who had thus injured him?" + +Gerald paused, apparently bewildered. + +"Tell me, dearest Gerald," and her fair and beautiful +hand caught and pressed his--"would you still bestow upon +one so injured the degrading epithet of assassin?" + +"Assassin!--most undoubtedly I would. But why this +question, Matilda?" + +The features of the American assumed a changed expression; +she dropped the hand she bad taken the instant before, +and said, disappointedly: + +"I find, then, my philosophy is totally at fault." + +"Wherein, Matilda?" anxiously asked Gerald. + +"In this, that I have not been able to make you a convert +to my opinions." + +"And these are--?" again questioned Gerald, his every +pulse throbbing with intense emotion. + +"Not to pronounce too harshly on the conduct of others, +seeing that we ourselves may stand in much need of lenity +of judgment. There might have existed motives for the +action of him whom you designate as an assassin, quite +as powerful as those which led to YOUR interference, and +quite as easily justified to himself." + +"But, dearest Matilda--" + +"Nay, I have done--I close at once my argument and my +philosophy. The humour is past, and I shall no longer +attempt to make the worse appear the better cause. I dare +say you thought me in earnest," she added, with slight +sarcasm, "but a philosophical disquisition between two +lovers on the eve of parting for ever, was too novel and +piquant a seduction to be resisted." + +That "parting for ever" was sufficient to drive all +philosophy utterly away from our hero. + +"For ever, did you say, Matilda?--no, not for ever; yet, +how coldly do you allude to a separation, which, although +I trust it will be only temporary, is to me a source of +the deepest vexation. You did not manifest this indifference +in the early part of our conversation this evening." + +"And if there be a change," emphatically yet tenderly +returned the beautiful American; "am _I_ the only one +changed. Is your manner NOW what it was THEN. Do you +already forget at WHAT a moment that conversation was +interrupted?" + +Gerald did not forget; and again, as they leaned over +the vessel's side, his arm was passed around the waist +of his companion. + +The hour, the scene, the very rippling of the water-- +all contributed to lend a character of excitement to the +feelings of the youth. Filled with tenderness and admiration +for the fascinating being who reposed thus confidingly +on his shoulder, he scarcely dared to move, lest in so +doing he should destroy the fabric of his happiness. + +"First watch there, hilloa! rouse up, and be d--d to you, +it's two o'clock." + +Both Gerald and Matilda, although long and silently +watching the progress of the vessel, had forgotten there +was any such being as a steersman to direct her. + +"Good Heaven, can it be so late?" whispered the American, +gliding from her lover; "if my uncle be awake, he will +certainly chide me for my imprudence. Good night, dear +Gerald," and drawing her cloak more closely around her +shoulders, she quickly crossed the deck, and descended +to the cabin. + +"What the devil's this?" said the relieving steersman, +as, rubbing his heavy eyes with one hand, he stooped and +raised with the other something from the deck against +which he had kicked, in his advance to take the helm; +"why, I'm blest if it arn't the apron off old Sally here. +Have you been fingering Sall's apron, Bill?" + +"Not I, faith," growled the party addressed, I've enough +to do to steer the craft without thinking o' meddling +with Sall's apron at this time o' night." + +"I should like to know who it is that has hexposed the +old gal to the night hair in this here manner," still +muttered the other, holding up the object in question to +his closer scrutiny; "it was only this morning I gave +her a pair of bran new apron strings, and helped to dress +her myself. If she doesn't hang fire after this, I'm a +Dutchman that's all." + +"What signifies jawing, Tom Fluke. I suppose she got +unkivered in the scurry after the Yankee; but bear a +hand, and kiver her, unless you wish a fellow to stay +here all night." + +Old Sal, our readers must know, was no other than the +long twenty-four pounder, formerly belonging to Gerald's +gun-boat, which, now removed to his new command, lay a +mid ships, and mounted on a pivot, constituted the whole +battery of the schooner. The apron was the leaden covering +protecting the touch-hole, which, having unaccountably +fallen off, had encountered the heavy foot of Tom Fluke, +in his advance along the deck. + +The apron was at length replaced. Tom Fluke took the +helm, and his companion departed, as he said, to have a +comfortable snooze. + +Gerald, who had been an amused listener of the preceding +dialogue, soon followed, first inquiring into the condition +of his faithful Sambo, who, on examination, was found to +have been stunned by the violence of the blow he had +received. This, Gerald doubted not, had been given with +the view of better facilitating Desborough's escape, by +throwing the schooner out of her course, and occasioning +a consequent confusion among the crew, which might have +the effect of distracting their attention, for a time, +from himself. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +The following evening, an armed schooner was lying at +anchor in the roadstead of Buffalo, at the southern +extremity of Lake Erie, and within a mile of the American +shore. It was past midnight--and although the lake was +calm and unbroken as the face of a mirror, a dense fog +had arisen which prevented objects at the head of the +vessel from being seen from the stern. Two men only were +visible upon the after deck; the one lay reclining upon +an arm chest, muffled up in a dread-nought pea jacket, +the other paced up and down hurriedly, and with an air +of deep pre-occupation. At intervals he would stop and +lean over the gang-way, apparently endeavouring to pierce +through the fog and catch a glimpse of the adjacent shore, +and, on these occasions, a profound sigh would burst from +his chest. Then again he would resume his rapid walk, +with the air of one who has resolved to conquer a weakness, +and substitute determination in its stead. Altogether +his manner was that of a man ill at ease from his own +thoughts. + +"Sambo," he at length exclaimed, addressing the man in +the pea jacket for the first time, "I shall retire to my +cabin, but fail not to call me an hour before day-break. +Our friends being all landed, there can be nothing further +to detain us here, we will therefore make the best of +our way back to Amherstburg in the morning," + +"Yes, Massa Geral," returned the negro, yawning and half +raising his brawny form from his rude couch with one +hand, while he rubbed his heavy eyes with the knuckles +of the other. + +"How is your head tonight?" inquired the officer in a +kind tone. + +"Berry well, Massa Geral--but berry sleepy." + +"Then sleep, Sambo; but do not fail to awaken me in time: +we shall weigh anchor the very first thing in the morning, +provided the fog does not continue. By the bye, you +superintended the landing of the baggage--was every thing +sent ashore?" + +"All, Massa Geral, I see him all pack in e wagon, for e +Bubbalo town--all, except dis here I find in Miss Mungummery +cabin under e pillow." + +As he spoke, the negro quitted his half recumbent position, +and drew from his breast a small clasped pocket book, on +a steel entablature adorning the cover of which, were +the initials of the young lady just named. + +"How is it Sambo, that you had not sooner spoken of this? +The pocket book contains papers that may be of importance; +and yet there is now no means of forwarding it, unless +I delay the schooner." + +"I only find him hab an hour ago, Massa Geral, when I go +to make e beds and put e cabin to rights," said the old +man, in a tone that showed he felt, and was pained by +the reproof of his young master. "Dis here too," producing +a small ivory handled penknife, "I find same time in e +Gubbanor's dater's bed." + +Gerald extended his hand to receive it. "A penknife in +the bed of the Governor's daughters!" he repeated with +surprise. Ruminating a moment he added to himself, "By +heaven, it must be so--it is then as I expected. Would +that I had had this proof of their participation before +they quitted the schooner. Very well, Sambo, no blame +can attach to you--go to sleep, my good fellow, but not +beyond the time I have given you." + +"Tankee, Massa Geral, "and drawing the collar of his pea +jacket close under his ears, the negro again extended +himself at his length upon the arm chest. + +The first idea of the young Commander on descending to +the cabin, was to examine the blade of the penknife. +Passing it over his finger, he perceived that the edge +had that particular bluntness which would have been +produced by cutting through a rope, and on closer +examination he found it full of numerous fine notches, +apparently the result of the resistance it had met with. +His next care was to examine the severed portions of the +rope itself, and in these he could observe, by the +reflection of the lamp, near which he held them minute +particles of steel, which left no doubt in his mind that +this had been the instrument by which the separation of +Desborough's bonds had been effected. We will not venture +to assert what were the actual feelings of the officer, +on making this discovery; but it may be supposed, that, +added to the great annoyance he felt at the escape of +the settler, his esteem for those who had so positively +denied all knowledge of, or participation in, the evasion +was sensibly diminished; and yet it was not without pain +that he came to a conclusion of the unworthiness of those +whom he had known from boyhood, and loved no less than +he had known. + +In the fulness of his indignation at their duplicity, he +now came to the resolution of staying the departure the +schooner, yet a few hours, that he might have an opportunity +of going ashore himself, presenting this undoubted evidence +of their guilt, and taxing them boldly with the purpose +to which it had been appropriated. Perhaps there was +another secret motive which induced this determination, +and that was, the opportunity it would afford him of +again seeing his beloved Matilda, and delivering her +pocket book with his own hand. + +This resolution taken, without deeming it necessary to +countermand his order to Sambo, he placed the knife in +a pocket in the breast of his uniform, where he had +already deposited the souvenir; and having retired to +his own cabin, was about to undress himself, when he +fancied he could distinguish, through one of the stern +windows of the schooner, sounds similar to those of +muffled oars. While he yet listened breathlessly to +satisfy himself whether he had not been deceived, a dark +form came hurriedly, yet noiselessly, down the steps of +the cabin. Gerald turned, and discovered Sambo, who now +perfectly awake, indicated by his manner, he was the +bearer of some alarming intelligence. His report confirmed +the suspicion already entertained by himself, and at that +moment he fancied he heard the same subdued sounds but +multiplied in several distinct points. A vague sense of +danger came over the mind of the officer, and although +his crew consisted of a mere handful of men, he at once +resolved to defend himself to the last, against whatever +force might be led to the attack. While Sambo hastened +to arouse the men, he girded his cutlass and pistols +around his loins, and taking down two huge blunderbusses +from a beam in the ceiling of the cabin, loaded them +heavily with musket balls. Thus armed he sprang once more +upon deck. + +The alarm was soon given, and the preparation became +general, but neither among the watch, who slumbered in +the forecastle, nor those who had turned into their +hammocks, was there the slightest indication of confusion. +These latter "tumbled up," with no other addition to the +shirts in which they had left their cots, then their +trousers, a light state of costume to which those who +were "boxed up" in their pea jackets and great coats on +the forecastle, soon reduced themselves also--not but +that the fog admitted of much warmer raiment, but that +their activity might be unimpeded--handkerchiefed heads +and tucked up sleeves, with the habiliments which we have +named, being the most approved fighting dress in the +navy. + +Meanwhile, although nothing could be distinguished through +the fog, the sounds which had originally attracted the +notice of the officer and his trusty servant, increased, +despite of the caution evidently used, to such a degree +as to be now audible to all on board. What most excited +the astonishment of the crew, and the suspicion of Gerald, +was the exactness of the course taken by the advancing +boats, in which not the slightest deviation was perceptible. +It was evident that they were guided by some one who had +well studied the distance and bearing of the schooner +from the shore, and as it was impossible to hope that +even the fog would afford them concealment from the +approaching enemy, all that was left them, was to make +the best defence they could. One other alternative +remained, it is true, and this was to cut their cable +and allow themselves to drop down silently out of the +course by which the boats were advancing, but as this +step involved the possibility of running ashore on the +American coast, when the same danger of captivity would +await them, Gerald, after an instant's consideration, +rejected the idea, prefering the worthier and more +chivalrous dependence on his own and crew's exertions. + +From the moment of the general arming, the long gun, +which we have already shown to constitute the sole defence +of the schooner, was brought nearer to the inshore +gang-way, and mounted on its elevated pivot, with its +formidable muzzle overtopping and projecting above the +low bulwarks, could in an instant be brought to bear on +whatever point it might be found advisable to vomit forth +its mass of wrath, consisting of grape, cannister, and +chain shot. On this gun indeed, the general expectation +much depended, for the crew, composed of sixteen men +only, exclusive of petty officers, could hope to make +hut a poor resistance, despite of all the resolution they +might bring into the contest, against a squadron of well +armed boats, unless some very considerable diminution in +the numbers and efforts of these latter should be made +by "old Sally," before they actually came to close +quarters. The weakness of the crew was in a great degree +attributable to the schooner having been employed as a +cartel; a fact which must moreover explain the want of +caution, on this occasion, on the part of Gerald, whose +reputation for vigilance, in all matters of duty, was +universally acknowledged. It had not occurred to him +that the instant he landed his prisoners his vessel ceased +to be a cartel, and therefore a fit subject for the +enterprize of his enemies, or the probability is, that +in the hour in which he had landed them he would again +have weighed anchor, and made the best of his way back +to Amherstburg. + +"Stand by your gun, men--steady," whispered the officer, +as the noise of many oars immediately abreast, and at a +distance of not more than twenty yards, announced that +the main effort of their enemies was about to be made in +that quarter. "Depress a little--there you have her--now +into them--fire." + +Fiz-z-z-z, and a small pyramid of light rose from the +breech of the gun, which sufficed, during the moment it +lasted, to discover three boats filled with armed men, +advancing immediately opposite, while two others could +be seen diverging, apparently one towards the quarter, +the other towards the bows of the devoted little vessel. +The crew bent their gaze eagerly over her side, to witness +the havoc they expected to ensue among their enemies. To +their surprise and mortification there was no report. +The advancing boats gave three deriding cheers. + +"D--n my eyes, if I didn't say she would miss fire, from +having her breech unkivered last night," shouted the man +who held the match, and who was no other than Tom Fluke. +"Quick, here, give us a picker." + +A picker was handed to him by one, who also held the +powder horn for priming. + +"Its no use," he pursued, throwing away the wire, and +springing to the deck. "She's a spike in the touch-hole, +and the devil himself wouldn't get it out now." + +"A spike!--what mean you?" eagerly demanded Gerald. + +"It's too true, Mr. Grantham," said the boatswain, who +had flown to examine the touch-hole, "there is a great +piece of steel in it, and for all the world like a woman's +bodkin, or some such sort of thing." + +"Ah! it all comes o' that wench that was here on deck +last night," muttered the helmsman, who had succeeded +Sambo on duty the preceding night. "I thought I see her +fiddlin' about the gun, when the chase was made after +the Yankee, although I didn't think to say nothing about +it, when you axed Tom Fluke about Sal's apron." + +Whatever conjecture might have arisen with others, there +was no time to think of, much less to discuss it--the +boats were already within a few yards of the vessel. + +"Steady, men--silence," commanded Gerald in a low tone: +"Since Sal has failed us, we must depend upon ourselves. +Down beneath the bulwarks, and move not one of you until +they begin to board--then let each man single his enemy +and fire; the cutlass must do the rest." + +The order was obeyed. Each moment brought the crisis of +action nearer: the rowers had discontinued their oars, +but the bows of the several boats could be heard obeying +the impetus already given them, and dividing the water +close to the vessel. + +"Now then, Sambo," whispered the officer. At that moment +a torch was raised high over the head of the negro and +his master. Its rays fell upon the first of the three +boats, the crews of which were seen standing up with arms +outstretched to grapple with the schooner. Another instant +and they would have touched. The negro dropped his light. + +Gerald pulled the trigger of his blunderbuss, aimed into +the very centre of the boat. Shrieks, curses and plashings, +as of bodies falling in the water succeeded; and in the +confusion occasioned by the murderous fire, the first +boat evidently fell off. + +"Again, Sambo," whispered the officer. A second time the +torch streamed suddenly in air, and the contents of the +yet undischarged blunderbuss spread confusion, dismay +and death, into the second boat. + +"Old Sal herself couldn't have done better: pity he hadn't +a hundred of them," growled Tom Fluke, who although +concealed behind the bulwarks, had availed himself of a +crevice near him, to watch the effect produced by the +formidable weapons. + +There was a momentary indecision among the enemy, after +the second destructive fire; it was but momentary. Again +they advanced, and closing with the vessel, evinced a +determination of purpose, that left little doubt as to +the result. A few sprang into the chains and rigging, +while others sought to enter by her bows, but the main +effort seemed to be made at her gangway, at which Gerald +had stationed himself with ten of his best men, the rest +being detached to make the best defence they could, +against those who sought to enter in the manner above +described. + +Notwithstanding the great disparity of numbers, the little +crew of the schooner had for some time a considerable +advantage over their enemies. At the first onset of these +latter, their pistols had been discharged, but in so +random a manner as to have done no injury--whereas the +assailed, scrupulously obeying the order of their Commander, +fired not a shot until they found themselves face to face +with an enemy; the consequence of which was, that every +pistol ball killed an American, or otherwise placed him +HORS DE COMBAT. Still, in despite of their loss, the +latter were more than adequate to the capture, unless a +miracle should interpose to prevent it, and exasperated +as they were by the fall of their comrades, their efforts +became at each moment more resolute and successful. A +deadly contest had been maintained in the gangway, from +which, however, Gerald was compelled to retire, although +bravely supported by his handful of followers. Step by +step he had retreated, until at length he found his back +against the main-mast, and his enemies pressing him on +every side. Five of his men lay dead in the space between +the gangway and the position he now occupied, and Sambo, +who had not quitted his side for an instant, was also +senseless at his feet, felled by a tremendous blow from +a cutlass upon the head. Hit force now consisted merely +of the five men remaining of his own party, and three of +those who had been detached, who, all that were left +alive, had been compelled to fall back upon their commander. +How long he would have continued the hopeless and desperate +struggle, in this manner is doubtful, had not a fresh +enemy appeared in his rear. These were the crews of two +other boats, who, having boarded without difficulty, now +came up to the assistance of their comrades. So completely +taken by surprise was Gerald in this quarter, that the +first intimation he had of his danger was, in the violent +seizure of his sword arm from behind, and a general rush +upon, and disarming of the remainder of his followers. +On turning to behold his enemy, he saw with concern the +triumphant face of Desborough. + +"Every dog has his day, I guess," huskily chuckled the +settler, as by the glare of several torches which had +been suddenly lighted, he was now seen casting looks of +savage vengeance, and holding his formidable knife +threateningly over the head of the officer whom he had +grappled. "I reckon as how I told you it would be Jeremiah +Desborough's turn next." + +"Silence fellow, loose your hold," shouted one whose +authoritative voice and manner, announced him for an +officer, apparently the leader of the boarding party. + +Awed by the tone in which he was addressed, the settler +quitted his grasp, and retired muttering into the crowd +behind him. + +"I regret much, sir," pursued the American Commander +seriously, and turning to Gerald, "that your obstinate +defence--should have been carried to the length it has. +We were given to understand, that ours would not be an +easy conquest--yet, little deemed it would have been +purchased with the lives of nearly half our force. Still, +even while we deplore our loss, have we hearts to estimate +the valour of our foe. I cannot give you freedom, since +the gift is not at my disposal; but at least I may spare +you the pain of surrendering a blade you have so nobly +wielded. Retain your sword, sir." + +Gerald's was not a nature to remain untouched by such an +act of chivalrous courtesy, and he expressed in brief, +but pointed terms, his sense of the compliment. + +A dozen of the boarders, under the command of a midshipman, +now received orders to remain, and bring the prize into +Buffalo as soon as day light would permit, and with these +were left the killed and wounded of both parties, the +latter receiving such attention as the rude experience +of their comrades enabled them to afford. Five minutes +afterwards Gerald, who had exchanged his trusty cutlass, +for the sword he had been so flatteringly permitted to +retain, found himself in the leading boat of the little +return squadron, and seated at the side of his generous +captor. It may be easily imagined what his mortification +was at this unexpected reverse, and how bitterly he +regretted not having weighed anchor the moment his +prisoners had been landed. Regret however, was now +unavailing, and dismissing this consideration for a while, +he reverted to the strange circumstance of the spiking +of his gun, and the mocking cheers, which had burst from +the lips of his enemies, on the attempt to discharge it. +This reflection drew from him a remark to his companion. + +"I think you said," he observed, "that you had been +informed, the conquest of the schooner would not be an +easy one. Would it be seeking too much to know who was +your informant?" + +The American officer shook his head. I fear I am not at +liberty exactly to name--but thus much I may venture to +state, that the person who has so rightly estimated your +gallantry, is one not wholly unknown to you. + +"This is ambiguous. One question more, were you prepared +to expect the failure of the schooner's principal means +of defence--her long gun?" + +"If you recollect the cheer that burst from my fellows, +at the moment when the harmless flash was seen ascending, +you will require no further elucidation on that head," +replied the American evasively. + +This was sufficient for Gerald. He folded his arms, sank +his head upon his chest, and continued to muse deeply. +Soon afterwards the boat touched the beach, where many +of the citizens were assembled to hear tidings of the +enterprize, and congratulate the captors. Thence he was +conducted to the neat little inn, which was the only +place of public accommodation the small town, or rather +village of Buffalo, at that period afforded. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +At the termination of the memorable war of the revolution +--that war which, on the one hand, severed, and for +ever, the ties that bound the Colonies in interest and +affection with the parent land, and, on the other, seemed +as by way of indemnification, to have rivetted the Canadas +in closer love to their adopted Mother--hundreds of +families who had remained staunch in their allegiance, +quitted the republican soil, to which they had been +unwillingly transferred, and hastened to close on one +side of the vast chain of waters, that separated the +descendants of France from the descendants of England, +the evening of an existence, whose morning and noon had +been passed on the other. Among the number of these was +Major Grantham, who, at the close of the revolution, had +espoused a daughter, (the only remaining child,) of +Frederick and Madeline De Haldimar, whose many vicissitudes +of suffering, prior to their marriage, have been fully +detailed in Wacousta. When, at that period, the different +garrisons on the frontier were given up to the American +troops, the several British regiments crossed over into +Canada, and, after a short term of service in that country, +were successively relieved by fresh corps from England. +One of the earliest recalled of these, was the regiment +of Colonel Frederick De Haldimar. Local interests, however, +attaching his son-in-law to Upper Canada, the latter had, +on the reduction of his corps, (a provincial regiment, +well known throughout the war of the revolution, for its +strength, activity, and good service,) finally fixed +himself at Amherstburgh. In the neighbourhood of this +post he had acquired extensive possessions, and, almost +from the first formation of the settlement, exchanged +the duties of a military, for those of a scarcely less +active magisterial, life. Austere in manner, severe in +his administration of justice, Major Grantham might have +been considered a harsh man, had not these qualities been +tempered by his well known benevolence to the poor, and +his staunch, yet, unostentatious, support of the deserving +and the well intentioned. And, as his life was a continuous +illustration of the principles he inculcated, no one +could be unjust enough to ascribe to intolerance or +oppression, the rigour with which he exacted obedience, +to those laws which he so well obeyed himself. It was +remarked, moreover, that, while his general bearing to +those who sought to place themselves in the scale of +arrogant superiority, was proud and unconciliating, his +demeanour to his inferiors, was ever that of one sensible +that condescension may soothe and gratify the humble +spirit, without its exercise at all detracting from the +independence of him who offers it. But we cannot better +sum up his general excellence, and the high estimation +in which he was held in the town of his adoption, than +by stating that, at the period of his demise, there was +not to be seen one tearless eye among the congregated +poor, who with religious respect, flocked to tender the +last duties of humanity to the remains of their benefactor +and friend. + +In the domestic relations of life, Major Grantham was no +less exemplary, although perhaps his rigid notions of +right, had obtained for him more of the respect than of +the love of those who came within their influence, and +yet no mean portion of both. Tenderly attached to his +wife, whom he had lost when Gerald was yet in his twelfth +year, he had not ceased to deplore her loss; and this +perhaps had contributed to nourish a reservedness of +disposition, which, without at all aiming at, or purposing, +such effect, insensibly tended to the production of a +corresponding reserve on the part of his children, that +increased with their years. Indeed, on their mother, all +the tenderness of their young hearts had been, lavished, +and, when they suddenly saw themselves deprived of her +who loved, and had been loved by them, with doting +fondness, they felt as if a void had been left in their +affections, which, the less tender evidences of paternal +love, were but insufficient wholly to supply. Still, +(although not to the same extent,) did they love their +father also; and what was wanted in intensity of feeling, +was more than made up by the deep, the exalted respect, +they entertained for his principles and conduct. It was +with pride they beheld him, not merely the deservedly +idolized of the low, but the respected of the high--the +example of one class, and the revered of another; one +whose high position in the social scale, had been attained, +less by his striking exterior advantages, than the inward +worth that governed every action of his life, and whose +moral character, as completely sans tache as his fulfilment +of the social duties was proverbially sans reproche, +could not fail, in a certain degree, to reflect the +respect it commanded upon themselves. + +As we have before observed, however, all the fervor of +their affection had been centered in their mother, and +that was indeed a melancholy night in which the youths +had been summoned to watch the passing away of her gentle +spirit for ever from their love. Isabella De Haldimar +had, from her earliest infancy, been remarkable for her +quiet and contemplative character; and, bred amid scenes +that brought at every retrospect, recollections of some +acted horror, it is not surprising that the bias given +by nature, should have been developed and strengthened +by the events that had surrounded her. Not dissimilar in +disposition, as she was not unlike in form, to her mother, +she was by that mother carefully endowed with those +gentler attributes of goodness, which, taking root within +a soil so eminently disposed to their reception, could +not fail to render her in after life a model of excellence, +both as a mother and a wife. Notwithstanding, however, +this moulding of her pliant, and well directed mind, +there was about her a melancholy, which while it gave +promise of the devoted affection of the mother, offered +but little prospect of cheerfulness, in an union with +one, who, reserved himself, could not be expected to +temper that melancholy, by the introduction of a gaiety +that was not natural to him. And yet it was for this very +melancholy, tender and fascinating in her, that Major +Grantham had sought the hand of Isabella De Haldimar; +and it was for the very austerity and reserve of his +general manner, more than from the manly beauty of his +tall dark person, that he too, had become the object of +her secret choice, long before he had proposed for her. +Keenly alive to the happiness of her daughter, Mrs. De +Haldimar had feared that such union was ill assorted, +for, as she called to mind the manner and character of +her unfortunate uncle, it seemed to her there were points +of resemblance between him and the proposed husband of +her child, which augured ill for the future quiet of +Isabella; but, when she consulted her on the subject, +and found that every feeling of her heart, that was not +claimed by her fond and indulgent parents, was given to +Major Grantham, she no longer hesitated, and the marriage +took place. Contrary to the expectation, and much to +the delight of Mrs. De Haldimar, the first year of the +union proved one of complete and unalloyed happiness, +and she saw with pleasure, that if Major Grantham did +not descend to those little empressemens which mark the +doting lover, he was never deficient in those manlier, +and more respectful attentions, that by a woman of the +mild and reflecting disposition of Isabella, were so +likely to be appreciated. More than the first year, +however, it was not permitted Mrs. De Haldimar to witness +her daughter's happiness. Her husband's regiment having +been ordered home; but, in the past, she had a sufficient +guarantee for the future, and, when she parted from +Isabella, it was under the full conviction, that she had +confided her to a man in every way sensible of her worth, +and desirous of making her happy. + +So far the event justified her expectation. The austerity +which Major Grantham carried with him into public life, +was, if not wholly laid aside, at least considerably +softened, in the presence of his wife, and when, later, +the births of two sons crowned their union, there was +nothing left her to desire, which it was in the power of +circumstances to bestow. But Mrs. De Haldimar had not +taken into account the effect likely to be produced by +a separation from herself--the final severing, as it +were, of every tie of blood. Of the four children who +had composed the family of Colonel Frederick De Haldimar, +the two oldest, (officers in his own corps,) had perished +in the war; the fourth, a daughter, had died young, of +a decline; and the loss of the former especially, who +had grown up with her from childhood to youth, was deeply +felt by the sensitive Isabella. With the dreadful scenes +perpetrated at Detroit--scenes in which their family +had been the principal sufferers--the boys had been +familiarized by the old soldiers of their father's +regiment, who often took them to the several points most +worthy of remark, from the incidents connected with them; +and, pointing out the spots on which their uncle Charles +and their aunt Clara had fallen victims to the terrible +hatred of Wacousta, for their grandfather, detailed the +horrors of those days with a rude fidelity of coloring, +that brought dismay and indignation to the hearts of +their wondering and youthful auditors. On these occasions, +Isabella became the depository of all that they had +gleaned. To her they confided, under the same pledge of +secrecy which had been exacted from themselves, every +circumstance of horror connected with those days; nor +were they satisfied until they had shewn her those scenes +with which so many dreadful recollections were associated. +On one naturally of a melancholy temperament, these oft +recurring visits could not fail to produce a deep effect; +and insensibly that gloom of disposition, which might +have yielded to the influence of years and circumstances, +was more and more confirmed by the darkness of the imagery +on which it reposed. Had she been permitted to disclose +to her kind mother all that she had heard and known on +the subject, the reciprocation of their sympathies might +have relieved her heart, and partially dissipated the +phantasms that her knowledge of those events had conjured +up; but this her brothers had positively prohibited, +alleging, as powerful reasons, not merely that the men +who had confided in their promise, would be severely +taken to task by their father, but also that it could +only tend to grieve their mother unnecessarily, and to +re-open wounds that were nearly closed. + +Thus was the melancholy of Isabella fed by the very +silence in which she was compelled to indulge. Often was +her pillow wetted with tears, as she passed in review +the several fearful incidents connected with the tale in +which her brothers had so deeply interested her, and she +would have given worlds at those moments, had they been +hers to bestow, to recal to life and animation, the +beloved but unfortunate uncle and aunt, to whose fate, +her brothers assured her, even their veteran friends +never alluded without sorrow. Often, too, did she dwell +on the share her own fond mother had borne in those +transactions, and the anguish which must have pierced +her heart, when first apprized of the loss of her, whom, +she had even THEN loved with all a mother's love. Nay, +more than once, while gazing on the face of the former, +her inmost soul given up to the recollection of all she +had endured, first at Michilimackinac, and afterwards +at Detroit, had she unconsciously suffered the tears to +course down her cheeks without an effort to restrain +them. Ignorant of the cause, Mrs. De Haldimar only ascribed +this emotion to the natural melancholy of her daughter's +character, and then she would gently chide her, and seek, +by a variety of means, to divert her thoughts into some +lively channel; but she had little success in the attempt +to eradicate reflections already rooted in so congenial +a soil. + +Her sister died very young, and she scarcely felt her +loss; but, when, subsequently, the vicissitudes of a +military life had deprived her for ever of her beloved +brothers, her melancholy increased. It was, however, the +silent, tearless melancholy, that knows not the paroxysm +of outrageous grief. The quiet resignation of her character +formed an obstacle to the inroads of all vivacious sorrow; +yet was her health not the less effectually undermined +by the slow action of her innate feeling, unfortunately +too much fostered by outward influences. By her marriage +and the birth of her sons, whom she loved with all a +mother's fondness, her mental malady had been materially +diminished, and indeed, in a great degree superseded, +but, unhappily previous to these events, it had seriously +affected her constitution, and produced a morbid +susceptibility of mind and person, that exposed her to +be overwhelmed by the occurrence of any of those afflictions +which, otherwise, she might, with ordinary fortitude, +have endured. When, therefore, intelligence from England +announced that her parents had both perished in a hurricane +on their route to the West Indies, whither the regiment +of Colonel De Haldimar had been ordered, the shock was +too great for her, mentally and personally enfeebled as +she had been, to sustain, and she sank gradually under +this final infliction of Providence. + +Major Grantham beheld with dismay the effect of this blow +upon his beloved wife. Fell consumption had now marked +her for his own, and so rapid was the progress of the +disease acting on a temperament already too much +pre-disposed to its influence, that, in despite of all +human preventives, the sensitive Isabella, before six +months had elapsed, was summoned to a better world. + +And never did human being meet the summons with more +perfect resignation to the Divine will. The death-bed +scene between that tender mother and her sorrowing family, +was one which might have edified even the most pious. +Gerald, as we have already said, was in his twelfth year +at the period of this afflicting event--his brother Henry, +one year younger; both were summoned from school on the +morning of her death--both knew that their fond mother +was ill--but so far were they from imagining the scene +about to be offered to their young observation, that when +they reached home it was with the joyous feeling of boys, +exulting in a momentary liberation from scholastic +restraint, and eagerly turning into holiday, that which +they little deemed would so soon become a day of mourning. +How rapidly was the deceitful illusion dispelled, when, +on entering the sick chamber of their adored parent, they +beheld what every surrounding circumstance told them was +not the mere bed of sickness, but the bed of death. +Propped on pillows that supported her feeble head--her +beautiful black hair streaming across her pallid, placid +brow, and her countenance wearing a holy and religious +calm, Mrs. Grantham presented an image of resignation, +so perfect, so superhuman, that the disposition to a +violent ebullition of grief, which at first manifested +itself in the youths, gave place to a certain mysterious +awe, that chained them almost spell-bound at the foot of +her bed. A strict observer of the ordinances of her +religion, she had had every preparation made for her +reception of the sacrament, the administering of which +was only deferred until the arrival of her children. +This duty being now performed, with the imposing solemnity +befitting the occasion, the venerable clergyman, who had +known and loved her from her infancy, imprinted a last +kiss upon her brow, and left the apartment deeply affected. +Then, indeed, for the first time, was a loose given to +the grief that pervaded every bosom, even to the lowest +of the domestics, who had been summoned to receive her +parting blessing. Close to the bed-side, each pressing +one of her emaciated hands to his lips, knelt her +heart-broken sons, weeping bitterly, while, from the +chest of a tall negro, apparently an old and attached +servant, burst forth at intervals convulsive sobs. Even +the austere Major Grantham, seated at some little distance +from the bed, contemplating the serene features of his +dying wife, could not restrain the tears that forced +themselves forth, and trickled through his fingers, as +he half sought to conceal his emotion from his servants. +In the midst of the profound sorrow which environed her, +Mrs. Grantham alone was unappalled by her approaching +end: she spoke calmly and collectedly, gently chiding +some and encouraging others; giving advice, and conveying +orders, as if she was merely about to undertake a short +customary journey instead of that long, and untravelled +one, whence there is neither communication nor return. +To her unhappy sons she gave it in tender injunction to +recompense their father by their love for the loss he +was about to sustain in herself; and to her servants she +enjoined to be at once dutiful to their master and +affectionate to her children. Having made her peace with +God, and disposed, of herself, her consideration, was +now exclusively for others--and, during the hour which +intervened between the departure of the clergyman and +her death, the whole tenor of her thoughts was directed +to the alleviation of the sorrow which she felt would +succeed the flight of her spirit from earth. As she grew +fainter, she motioned to her husband to come near her--He +did so, and, with a smile of rapt serenity that bespoke +the conviction strong at her heart, she said in a low +tone, as she clasped his warm hand within her own, already +stiffening with the chill of death: "Grieve not, I entreat +you, for recollect that, although we part, it is not for +ever. Oh, no! my father, my mother, my brothers, and you +my husband, and beloved children, we shall all meet +again." Exhausted with the energy she had thrown into +these last words, she sank back upon the pillow, from +which she had partially raised her head. After a short +pause, she glanced her eye on a portrait that hung on +the opposite wall. It represented an officer habited in +the full uniform of her father's regiment. She next +looked at the negro, who, amid his unchecked sorrow, had +been an attentive observer of her every action, and +pointed expressively first to her kneeling children, and +then to the portrait. The black seemed to understand her +meaning; for he made a sign of acquiescence. She then +extended her hand to him, which he kissed, and bedewed +with his tears, and retreated sobbing to his position +near the foot of the bed. Two minutes afterwards, Mrs. +Grantham had breathed her last, but so insensibly that, +although every eye was fixed upon her, no one could tell +the precise moment at which she had ceased to exist. + +We will pass over the deep grief which preyed upon the +hearts of the unfortunate brothers, for weeks after they +had been compelled to acknowledge the stern truth that +they were indeed motherless. Those who have, at that +tender age, known what it is to lose an affectionate +mother, and under circumstances at all similar to those +just described, will be at no loss to comprehend the +utter desolation of their bruised spirits: to those who +have not sustained this most grievous of human afflictions, +it would be a waste of time to detail what cannot possibly +be understood, save through the soul-withering ordeal of +alike experience. + +If, in early youth, however, the impressions of sorrow +are more lively, so is the return to hope more rapid. +Time, and the elasticity of spirit common to their years, +gradually dissipated the cloud of melancholy that had +rested on the hearts of the Canadian Brothers; and, +although they never ceased to lament their mother with +that tenderness and respect which her many virtues, and +love for them especially, demanded, still did their +thoughts gradually take the bias to which a variety of +outward and important circumstances afterwards directed +them. It was soon after this event, that the first seeds +of disunion began to spring up between England and the +United States, the inevitable results of which, it was +anticipated, would be the involving of Canada in the +struggle; and, notwithstanding the explosion did not take +place for several years afterwards, preparations were +made on either shore, to an extent that kept the spirit +of enterprise constantly on the alert. + +Inheriting the martial spirit of their family, the +inclinations of the young Granthams led them to the +service; and, as their father could have no reasonable +objection to oppose to a choice which promised hot merely +to secure his sons in an eligible profession, but to +render them in some degree of benefit to their country, +he consented to their views. Gerald's preference leading +him to the navy, he was placed on that establishment as +a midshipman; while Henry, several years later, obtained, +through the influence of their father's old friend General +Brock, an Ensigncy in the ---- Regiment then quartered +at Amherstburg. + +Meanwhile, Major Grantham, whose reserve appeared to have +increased since the death of his wife, seemed to seek, +in the active discharge of his magisterial duties, a +relief from the recollection of the loss he had sustained; +and it was about this period that, in consequence of many +of the American settlers in Canada, having, in anticipation +of a rupture between the two countries, secretly withdrawn +themselves to the opposite shore, his exaction of the +duties of British subjects from those who remained, became +more vigorous than ever. + +We have already shewn Desborough to have been the most +unruly and disorderly of the worthless set; and as no +opportunity was omitted of compelling him to renew his +oath of allegiance, (while his general conduct was strictly +watched,) the hatred of the man for the stern magistrate +was daily matured, until at length it grew into an +inextinguishable desire for revenge. + +The chief, and almost only recreation, in which Major +Grantham indulged, was that of fowling. An excellent shot +himself, he had been in some degree the instructor of +his sons; and, although, owing to the wooded nature of +the country, the facilities afforded to the enjoyment of +his favorite pursuit in the orthodox manner of a true +English sportsman, were few, still, as game was every +where abundant, he had continued to turn to account the +advantages that were actually offered. Both Gerald and +Henry had been his earlier companions in the sport, but, +of late years and especially since the death of their +mother, he had been in the habit of going out alone. + +It was one morning in that season of the year when the +migratory pigeons pursue their course towards what are +termed the "burnt woods," on which they feed, and in such +numbers as to cover the surface of the heavens, as with +a dense and darkening cloud, that Major Grantham sallied +forth at early dawn, with his favorite dog and gun, and, +as was his custom, towards Hartley's point. Disdaining, +as unworthy of his skill, the myriads of pigeons that +every where presented themselves, he passed from the +skirt of the forest towards an extensive swamp, in the +rear of Hartley's, which, abounding in golden plover and +snipe, usually afforded him a plentiful supply. On this +occasion he was singularly successful, and, having bagged +as many birds as he could conveniently carry, was in the +act of ramming down his last charge, when the report of +a shot came unexpectedly from the forest. In the next +instant he was sensible he was wounded, and, placing his +hand to his back, felt it wet with blood. As there was +at the moment several large wild ducks within a few yards +of the spot where he stood, and between himself and the +person who had fired, he at once concluded that he had +been the victim of an accident, and, feeling the necessity +of assistance, he called loudly on the unseen sportsman, +to come forward to his aid; but, although his demand was +several times repeated, no answer was returned, and no +one appeared. With some difficulty he contrived, after +disembarrassing himself of his game-bag, to reach the +farm at Hartley's, where every assistance was afforded +him, and, a waggon having been procured, he was conducted +to his home, when, on examination, the wound was pronounced +to be mortal. + +On the third day from this event, Major Grantham breathed +his last, bequeathing the guardianship of his sons to +Colonel D'Egville, who had married his sister. At this +epoch, Gerald was absent with his vessel on a cruise, +but Henry received his parting blessing upon both, +accompanied by a solemn injunction, that they should +never be guilty of any act which could sully the memory, +either of their mother or himself. This Henry promised, +in the same of both, most religiously to observe; and, +when Gerald returned, and to his utter dismay beheld the +lifeless form of the parent, whom he had quitted only a +few days before in all the vigour of health, he not only +renewed the pledge given by his brother, but with the +vivacity of character habitual to him, called down the +vengeance of Heaven upon his head, should he ever be +found to swerve from those principles of virtue and honor, +which had been so sedulously inculcated on him. + +Meanwhile, there was nothing to throw even the faintest +light on the actual cause of Major Grantham's death. On +the first probing and dressing of the wound, the murderous +lead had been extracted, and, as it was discovered to be +a rifle ball it was taken for granted that some Indian, +engaged in the chase, had, in the eagerness of pursuit, +missed an intermediate object at which he had taken aim, +and lodged the ball accidentally in the body of the +unfortunate gentleman; and that, terrified at the discovery +of the mischief he had done, and perhaps apprehending +punishment, he had hastily fled from the spot, to avoid +detection. This opinion, unanimously entertained by the +townspeople, was shared by the brothers, who knowing the +unbounded love and respect of all for their parent, dreamt +not for one moment that his death could have been the +result of premeditation. It was left for Desborough to +avow, at a later period, that he had been the murderer; +and with what startling effect on him, to whom the +admission was exultingly made, we have already seen. + +When Desborough was subsequently tried, there was no +other evidence by which to establish his guilt, than the +admission alluded to, and this he declared, in his defence, +he had only made with a view to annoy Mr. Grantham, to +whom he owed a grudge for persecuting him so closely on +the occasion of his flight with his son; and, although, +on reference to the period, it was found that Major +Grantham had received the wound which occasioned his +death two days after Desborough had been ordered, on pain +of instant expulsion from the country, to renew his oaths, +and perform service with the militia of the district, +still, as this fact admitted only of a presumptive +interpretation the charge could not be sufficiently +brought home to him, and he was, however reluctantly, +acquitted. The rifles which, it will be remembered, were +seized by Henry Grantham on the occasion of his detection +of the settler in an act of treason, were still in his +possession, and, as they were of a remarkably small +calibre, the conviction would have taken place, had the +ball which killed Major Grantham been forthcoming, and +found to fit either of the bores. Unfortunately, however, +it so happened that it had not been preserved, so that +an essential link in the chain of circumstances had been +irrecoverably lost. When the question was mooted by the +court, before whom he was tried, the countenance of the +settler was discovered to fall, and there was a restlessness +about him, totally at variance with the almost insolent +calm he had preserved throughout; but when it appeared +that, from the impression previously entertained of the +manner of the death, it had not been thought necessary +to preserve the ball, he again resumed his confidence, +and listened to the remainder of the proceedings unmoved. + +We have seen him subsequently escaping from the confinement +to which he had been subjected, with a view to trial for +another offence, and, later still, unshackled and exultingly +brandishing his knife over the head of one of the objects +of his bitterest hatred, on the deck of the very vessel +in which he had so recently been a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Autumn had passed away, and winter, the stern invigorating +winter of Canada, had already covered the earth with +enduring snows, and the waters with bridges of seemingly +eternal ice, and yet no effort had been made by the +Americans to repossess themselves of the country they +had so recently lost. The several garrisons of Detroit +and Amherstburgh, reposing under the laurels they had so +easily won, made holiday of their conquest; and, secure +in the distance that separated them from the more populous +districts of the Union, seemed to have taken it for +granted that they had played their final part in the +active operations of the war, and would be suffered to +remain in undisturbed possession. But the storm was +already brewing in the far distance which, advancing +progressively like the waves of the coming tempest, was +destined first to shake them in their security, and +finally to overwhelm them in its vortex. With the natural +enterprize of their character, the Americans had no sooner +ascertained the fall of Detroit, than means, slow but +certain, were taken for the recovery of a post, with +which, their national glory was in no slight degree +identified. The country whence they drew their resources +for the occasion, were the new states of Ohio and Kentucky, +and one who had previously travelled through those immense +tracts of forests, where the dwelling of the backwoodsman +is met with at long intervals, would have marvelled at +the zeal and promptitude with which these adventurous +people, abandoning their homes, and disregarding their +personal interests, flocked to the several rallying +points. Armed and accoutred at their own expence, with +the unerring rifle that provided them with game, and the +faithful hatchet that had brought down the dark forest +into ready subjection, their claim upon the public was +for the mere sustenance they required on service. It is +true that this partial independence of the Government +whom they served rather in the character of volunteers, +than of conscripts, was in a great measure fatal to their +discipline; but in the peculiar warfare of the country, +absence of discipline was rather an advantage than a +demerit, since when checked, or thrown into confusion, +they looked not for a remedy in the resumption of order, +but in the exercise each of his own individual exertions, +facilitated as he was by his general knowledge of +localities, and his confidence in his own personal +resources. + +But, although new armies were speedily organized--if +organized, may be termed those who brought with them into +the contest much courage and devotedness, yet, little +discipline, the Americans, in this instance, proceeded +with a caution that proved their respect for the British +garrison, strongly supported as it was by a numerous +force of Indians. Within two months after the capitulation +of Detroit, a considerable army, Ohioans and Kentuckians, +with some regular Infantry, had been pushed forward as +with a view to feel their way; but these having been +checked by the sudden appearance of a detachment from +Amherstburgh, had limited their advance to the Miami +River, on the banks of which, and on the ruins of one of +the old English forts of Pontiac's days, they had +constructed new fortifications, and otherwise strongly +entrenched themselves. It was a mistake, however, to +imagine that the enemy would be content with establishing +himself here. The new fort merely served as a nucleus +for the concentration of such resources of men and warlike +equipment, as were necessary to the subjection, firstly +of Detroit, and afterwards of Amherstburgh. Deprived of +the means of transport, the shallow bed of the Miami +aiding them but little, it was a matter of no mean +difficulty with the Americans to convey through several +hundred miles of forest, the heavy guns they required +for battering, and as it was only at intervals this could +be effected; the most patient endurance and unrelaxing +perseverance being necessary to the end. From the inactivity +of this force, or rather the confinement of its operations +to objects of defence, the English garrison had calculated +on undisturbed security, at least throughout the winter, +if not for a longer period; but although it was not until +this latter season was far advanced, that the enemy broke +up from his entrenchments on the Miami, and pushed himself +forward for the attainment of his final view, the error +of imputing inactivity to him was discovered at a moment +when it was least expected. + +It was during a public ball given at Amherstburgh on the +18th of January 1813, that the first intelligence was +brought of the advance of a strong American force, whose +object it was supposed was to push rapidly on to Detroit, +leaving Amherstburgh behind to be disposed of later. The +officer who brought this intelligence was the fat Lieutenant +Raymond, who commanding an outpost at the distance of +some leagues had been surprised, and after a resistance +very creditable under the circumstances, driven in by +the American advanced guard with a loss of nearly half +his command. + +Thus, "parva componere magnis," was the same consternation +produced in the ball-room at Amherstburg, that, at a +later period, occurred in a similar place of amusement +at Brussels, and although not followed by the same +momentous public results, producing the same host of +flattering fears and anxieties in the bosoms of the female +votaries of Terpsichore. We believe, however, that there +existed some dissimilarity in the several modes of +communication--the Duke of Wellington receiving his with +some appearance of regard, on the part of the communicator, +for the nerves of the ladies, while to Colonel St. Julian, +commanding at Amherstburg, and engaged at the moment at +the whist table, the news was imparted in stentorian +tones, which were audible to every one in the adjoining +ball-room. + +But even if his voice had not been heard, the appearance +of Lieutenant Raymond would have justified the apprehension +of any reasonable person, for, in the importance of the +moment, he had not deemed it necessary to make any change +in the dress in which he had been surprised and driven +back. Let the reader figure to himself a remarkably fat, +ruddy faced man, of middle age, dressed in a pair of +tightly fitting dread-nought trowsers, and a shell jacket, +that had once been scarlet, but now, from use and exposure, +rather resembled the colour of brickdust; boots from +which all polish had been taken by the grease employed +to render them snow-proof; a brace of pistols thrust into +the black waist belt that encircled his huge circumference, +and from which depended a sword, whose steel scabbard +shewed the rust of the rudest bivouac. Let him, moreover, +figure to himself that ruddy carbuncled face, and nearly +as ruddy brow, suffused with perspiration, although in +a desperately cold winter's night, and the unwashed hands, +and mouth, and lips black from the frequent biting of +the ends of cartridges, while ever and anon the puffed +cheeks, in the effort to procure air and relieve the +panting chest, recal the idea of a Bacchus, after one of +his most lengthened orgies--let him figure all this, and +if he will add short, curling, wiry, damp hair, surmounting +a head as round as a turnip, a snubby, red, retrousse +nose, and light gray eyes; he will have a tolerable idea +of the startling figure that thus abruptly made its +appearance in the person of Lieutenant Raymond, first +among the dancers, and bustlingly thence into the adjoining +card room. + +At the moment of his entrance, every eye had been turned +upon this strange apparition, while an almost instinctive +sense of the cause of his presence pervaded every breast. +Indeed it was impossible to behold him arrayed in the +bivouac garb in which we have described him, contrasted +as it was with the elegant ball dresses of his brother +officers, and not attribute his presence to some +extraordinary motive; and as almost every one in the room +was aware of his having been absent on detachment, his +mission had been half divined even before he had opened +his lips to Colonel St. Julian, for whom, on entering, +he had hurriedly inquired. + +But when the latter officer was seen soon afterwards to +rise from and leave the card table, and, after communicating +hurriedly with the several heads of Departments, quit +altogether the scene of festivity, there could be no +longer a doubt; and, as in all cases of the sort, the +danger was magnified, as it flew from lip to lip, even +as the tiny snow ball becometh a mountain by the accession +it receives in its rolling course. Suddenly the dance +was discontinued, and indeed in time, for the lingers of +the non-combatant musicians, sharing in the general +nervousness, had already given notice, by numerous +falsettos, of their inability to proceed much longer. +Bonnets, cloaks, muffs, tippets, shawls, snow shoes, and +all the paraphernalia of female winter equipment peculiar +to the country, were brought unceremoniously in, and +thrown en masse upon the deserted benches of the ball +room. Then was there a scramble among the fair dancers, +who, having secured their respective property, quitted +the house, not however, without a secret fear on the part +of many, that the first object they should encounter, on +sallying forth, would be a corps of American sharp-shooters. +To the confusion within was added, the clamour without, +arising from swearing drivers, neighing horses, jingling +bells, and jostling sledges. Finally the only remaining +ladies of the party were the D'Egvilles, whose sledge +had not yet arrived, and with these lingered Captain +Molineux, Middlemore, and Henry Grantham, all of whom, +having obtained leave of absence for the occasion, had +accompanied them from Detroit. The two former, who had +just terminated one of the old fashioned cotillons, then +peculiar to the Canadas, stood leaning over the chairs +of their partners, indulging in no very charitable comments +on the unfortunate Raymond, to whose "ugly" presence at +that unseasonable hour they ascribed a host of most +important momentary evils; as, for example, the early +breaking up of the pleasantest ball of the season, the +loss of an excellent anticipated supper that had been +prepared for a later hour, and, although last not least, +the necessity it imposed upon them of an immediate return, +that bitter cold night, to Detroit. Near the blazing wood +fire, at their side, stood Henry Grantham, and Captain +St. Clair of the Engineers. The former with his thoughts +evidently far away from the passing scene, the latter +joining in the criticisms on Raymond. + +"I always said," observed Molineux, shrugging his shoulders, +"that he resembled one of the ground hogs of his old +command of Bois Blanc, more than any thing human; and +hang me if he does not tonight look like a hog in armour." + +"There certainly is something of the ARMAdilla about +him," said Middlemore; "if we may judge from the formidable +weapons he brought into the room." + +"And, notwithstanding his alert retreat, few officers +can have made such HEAD against, and shewn such FACE to +the enemy," added St. Clair. + +"True," retorted Middlemore, "there were certainly some +extraordinary FEATURES in the affair." + +"If," remarked Molineux, "he faced the enemy, I am certain +he must have kept the boldest at bay; but if he shewed +them his back, as from his heated appearance I strongly +suspect that he did, he must have afforded the Yankee +riflemen as much fun as if they had been in pursuit of +a fat old raccoon." + +"Shall I ask him that he may answer for himself?" inquired +Henry Grantham, whose attention had been aroused by the +ironical remarks of his companions. + +"By no means," replied Middlemore, "we have ANSER enough +in his mere look." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" roared Molineux and St. Clair in concert. + +"Nay, nay," interposed Julia D'Egville, who had listened +impatiently to the comments passed upon the unfortunate +and unconscious officer, "this keen exercise of your +powers on poor Mr. Raymond is hardly fair. Recollect +(turning to Middlemore,) it is not given to all to possess +the refinement of wit, nor, (addressing St. Clair) the +advantages of personal attraction, therefore is it more +incumbent on those, to whom such gifts are given, to be +merciful unto the wanting in both." This was uttered with +marked expression. + +"Brava, my most excellent and spirited partner," whispered +Molineux, secretly delighted that the lash of the reprover +had not immediately embraced him in its circuit. + +"Thank you, my good, kind hearted, considerate cousin," +looked Henry Grantham. + +"Oh, the devil," muttered Middlemore to St. Clair, "we +shall have her next exclaiming, in the words of Monk +Lewis' Bleeding Nun, + + 'Raymond, Raymond, I am thine + 'Raymond, Raymond, them art mine.'" + +St. Clair shrugged his shoulders, bit his lip, threw up +his large blue eyes, shewed his white teeth, slightly +reddened, and looked altogether exceedingly at a loss +whether to feel complimented or reproved. + +"But here comes Mr. Raymond, to fight his own battles," +continued Miss D'Egville with vivacity. + +"Hush," whispered Molineux. + +"Honor among thieves," added Middlemore, in the same low +tone. + +"Egad," said Raymond, wiping the yet lingering dews from +his red forehead, as he advanced from the card room where +he had been detained, talking over his adventure with +one or two of the anxious townspeople; "I have, within +the last twenty four hours, had so much running and +fighting for my country, that strength is scarcely left +me to fight my own battles. But what is it, Miss D'Egville?" +as he saluted Julia and her sister, "what battle am I to +fight now--some fresh quizzing of these wags, I suppose-- +ah, Middlemore, how do you do; Molineux, St. Clair, Henry +Grantham, how do you all do?" + +"Ah, Raymond, my dear fellow, how do you do?" greeted +Captain Molineux, with the air of one who really rejoices +in the reappearance of a long absent friend. + +"Raymond, I am delighted to see you," exclaimed St. +Clair. + +"Your bivouac has done you good," joined Middlemore, +following the example of the others, and extending his +hand, "I never saw you looking to greater advantage." + +"Pretty well, pretty well thank you," returned the good +humoured, but not too acute subaltern, as he passed his +hand over his Falstaffian stomach; "only a little fatigued +with the last six hours, retreating. Egad! I began to +think I never should get away, the fellows pursued us so +hotly." + +"And hotly you fled, it would appear," returned Middlemore. + +"I dare be sworn, there was not a six foot Kentuckian of +the whole American army active enough to come within a +mile of him," added Molineux. + +"And yet, considering the speed he made, he seems to have +lost but little of his flesh," said St. Clair. + +"Of course," chuckled Middlemore, "these long fellows +come from Troy county in Ohio." + +"Egad, I don't know; why do you ask?" + +"Because you know it is not for the men of TROY to reduce +the men of GREASE--hence your escape." + +"Are the enemy then so near, Mr. Raymond?" inquired Julia +D'Egville, anxious to turn the conversation. + +"I should think not very far, Miss D'Egville, since, as +you see they have not given me time to change my dress." + +At that moment the noise of horses' bells were heard +without; and they were soon distinguished to be those of +Colonel D'Egville's berlin. + +A few moments afterwards, that officer entered the room +now wholly deserted save by the little coterie near the +fire place. Like Lieutenant Raymond's, his dress was more +suited to the bivouac than the ball room, and his +countenance otherwise bore traces of fatigue. + +His daughters flew to meet him. The officers also grouped +around, desirous to hear what tidings he brought of the +enemy, to corroborate the statement of Raymond. To the +great mortification of the latter, it was now found that +he and his little detachment had had all the running to +themselves, and that while they fancied the whole of the +American army to be close at their heels, the latter had +been so kept in check by the force of Indians, under +Colonel D'Egville in person, as to be compelled to retire +upon the point whence the original attack had been made. +They had not followed the broken English outpost more +than a mile, and yet, so convinced of close pursuit had +been the latter, that for the space of six leagues they +had scarce relaxed in their retreat. The information now +brought by Colonel D'Egville, was that the Americans had +not advanced a single foot beyond the outpost in question, +but on the contrary had commenced constructing a stockade, +and throwing up entrenchments. He added, moreover, that +he had just dispatched an express to Sandwich, to General +Proctor, (who had, since the departure of General Brock, +succeeded to the command of the district,) communicating +the intelligence, and suggesting the propriety of an +attack before they could advance farther, and favor any +movement on the part of the inhabitants of Detroit. As +this counter-movement on our part would require every +man that could be spared from the latter fortress, Colonel +D'Egville seemed to think that before the officers could +reach it, its garrison would be already on the way to +join the expedition, which would doubtless be ordered to +move from Amherstburg; and as the same impression appeared +to exist in the mind of Colonel St. Julian, whom he had +only just parted from to proceed in search of his daughters, +the latter had taken it upon himself to determine that +they should remain where they were until the answer, +communicating the final decision of General Proctor, +should arrive. + +If the young officers were delighted at the idea of +escaping the horror of an eighteen miles drive, on one +of the bitterest nights of the season, supperless, and +at the moment of issuing from a comfortable hall room, +their annoyance at (what they termed) the pusillanimity +of Raymond, who had come thus unnecessarily in, to the +utter annihilation of their evening's amusement, was in +equal proportion. For this, on their way home, they +revenged themselves by every sort of persiflage their +humour could adapt to the occasion, until in the end, +they completely succeeded in destroying the good humor +of Raymond, who eventually quitted them under feelings +of mortified pride, which excited all the generous sympathy +of the younger Grantham, while it created in his breast +a sentiment of almost wrath against his inconsiderate +companions. Even these latter were at length sensible +that they had gone too far, and, as their better feelings +returned, they sought to assure the offended object of +their pleasantry that what they had uttered was merely +in jest; but finding he received these disclaimers in +moody silence, they renewed their attack, nor discontinued +it until they separated for their mutual quarters for +the night. + +Poor Raymond was, it will be perceived, one of those +unfortunates termed "butts," which are to be met with in +almost all societies, and but too often in a regiment. +Conscious of his great corpulence, and its disadvantages +to him as a soldier, he not only made every allowance +for the sallies of his lively and more favored brother +officers, but often good-naturedly joined in the laugh +against himself--all the badinage uttered against his +personal appearance, he had, on this occasion, borne with +the most perfect temper; but when, presuming on his +forbearance, they proceeded to reflect on the hurried, +and, under all circumstances, justifiable manner of his +retreat, after having sustained an unequal conflict +against an overpowering enemy for upwards of two hours, +his honest heart was wounded to the core; and, although +he uttered not one word, the unkindness sank deeply into +his memory. + +The following dawn broke in, decked with all the sad and +sober gray, peculiar to a Canadian sky in the depth of +winter, and, with the first rising of the almost rayless +sun, commenced numerous warlike preparations that gave +promise to the inhabitants of some approaching crisis. +The event justified their expectation, the suggestion of +Colonel D'Egville had been adopted, and the same express, +which carried to General Proctor the information of the +advance of the enemy, and, the expulsion of Lieutenant +Raymond from his post, was pushed on to Detroit, with an +order for every man who could be spared from that fortress, +to be marched, without a moment's delay, to Amherstburg. +At noon the detachment had arrived, and, the General +making his appearance soon after, the expedition, composed +of the strength of the two garrisons, with a few light +guns, and a considerable body of Indians, under the Chief +Roundhead, were pushed rapidly across the lake, and the +same night occupied the only road by which the enemy +could advance. + +It was a picturesque sight, to those who lingered on the +banks of the Detroit, to watch the movement of that mass +of guns, ammunition cars, sledges, &c. preceding the +regular march of the troops, as the whole crossed the +firm yet rumbling ice, at the head of the now deserted +Island of Bois-Blanc. Nor was this at all lessened in +effect by the wild and irregular movements of the Indians, +who advancing by twos and threes, but more often singly, +and bounding nimbly, yet tortuously, along the vast white +field with which the outline of their swarthy forms +contrasted, called up, at the outset, the idea of a legion +of devils. + +But there was more than the mere indulgence of curiosity +in the contemplation of this scene, so highly characteristic +of the country. On the result of the efforts of those +now scarcely discernable atoms, depended the fate, not +merely of the town and garrison of Amherstburgh, but of +the whole adjoining country. If successful, then would +the repose of the anxious inhabitants once more be secured, +and the horrors of invasion again averted from their +soil; but if on the contrary, they should be defeated, +then must every hope be extinguished, and the so recently +conquered completely change sides with their conquerors. +Such were the thoughts that filled the breasts of many +of the townspeople of Amherstburg, and considering that +in the present instance they had much to lose, nothing +to gain, they may fairly enough be pardoned for having +entertained some little nervousness as to the result. + +It was during one of the coldest mornings of January, +that this little army bivouacked on the banks of a small +rivulet, distant, little more than a league from the +position which had been taken up by the Americans. So +unexpected and rapid had been the advance of the expedition, +that not the slightest suspicion appeared to have been +entertained by the Americans even of its departure; and +from information, brought at a late hour by the Indian +scouts, who had been dispatched at nightfall to observe +their motions, it was gathered that, so far from +apprehending or being prepared for an attack, all was +quiet in their camp, in which the customary night fires +were then burning. Thus favored by the false security of +their enemies, the British force, after partaking of +their rude, but substantial meal, and preparing their +arms, laid themselves down to rest in their accoutrements +and greatcoats; their heads reclining on whatever elevation, +however small, presented itself, and their feet half +buried in the embers of the fires they had with difficulty +kindled on the frozen ground, from which the snow had +been removed--all, sanguine of success, and all, more or +less endeavouring to snatch, even amid the nipping frost +to which their upper persons were exposed, a few hours +of sleep prior to the final advance, which was to take +place an hour before dawn. + +In the midst of the general desolateness of aspect which +encompassed all, there were few privations, endured by +the men, that were not equally shared by their officers. +A solitary and deserted log hut, was the only thing in +the shape of a human habitation to be seen within the +bivouac, and this had been secured as the head quarters +of the General and his staff--all besides had no other +canopy than the clear starry heavens, or, here and there, +the leafless and unsheltering branches of some forest +tree, and yet, around one large and blazing fire, which +continued to be fed at intervals by masses of half decayed +wood, that, divested of their snow, lay simmering and +dying before it, was frequently to be heard the joyous +yet suppressed laugh, and piquant sally, as of men whose +spirits no temporary hardship or concern for the eventful +future could effectually depress. These issued from the +immediate bivouac of the officers, who, seated squatted +around their fire after the manner of the Indians, instead +of courting a sleep which the intense cold rendered as +difficult of attainment, as unrefreshing when attained, +rather sought solace in humorous conversation, while the +animal warmth was kept alive by frequent puffings from +that campaigners' first resource the cigar, seasoned by +short and occasional libations from the well filled +canteen. Most of them wore over their regimentals, the +grey great coat then peculiar to the service, and had +made these in the highest possible degree available by +fur trimmings on the cuffs and collar, which latter was +tightly buttoned round the chin, while their heads were +protected by furred caps, made like those of the men, of +the raccoon skin. To this uniformity of costume, there +was, as far as regarded the outward clothing, one exception +in the person of Captain Cranstoun, who had wisely inducted +himself in the bear skin coat so frequently quizzed by +his companions, and in which he now sat as undisturbed +by the cold, so sensibly felt by his associates, as +unmoved by the criticisms they passed on its grotesque +appearance, and unprovoked by the recurrence to the +history of his former ludicrous adventure. Finding that +Cranstoun was inaccessible, they again, with the waywardness +of their years and humour, adverted to the retreat of +Raymond, to whom Molineux, Middlemore, and St. Clair +--the latter a volunteer in the expedition--attributed +the unpardonable fact of the breaking up of a most +delightful party, and the deprivation of a capital supper. +Such was the conversation--such were the serious complaints +of men, who, before another sun should rise, might see +cause to upbraid themselves, and bitterly, for the levity +in which they were so inconsiderately indulging. + +During the whole of the march, Raymond had evinced a +seriousness of demeanor by no means common to him, and, +although he had made one of the party in the general +bivouac, he had scarcely opened his lips, except to reply +to the most direct questions. The renewed attack, at +first, drew from him no comment, although it was evident +he felt greatly pained; but when he had finished smoking +his cigar, he raised himself, not without difficulty, +from the ground, (a circumstance, which, by the way, +provoked a fresh burst of humour from the young men,) +and began, with a seriousness of manner, that, being +unusual, not a little surprised them: "Gentlemen, you +have long been pleased to select me as your butt." + +"Of course," hastily interrupted Molineux, hazarding his +pun, "we naturally select you for what you most resemble." + +"Captain Molineux--gentlemen!" resumed Raymond with +greater emphasis. + +"He is getting warm on the subject," observed Middlemore. +"Have a care Molineux, that the butt does not CHURN until +in the end it becomes the BUTTER." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" vociferated St. Clair, "good, excellent, +the best you ever made, Middlemore." + +"Gentlemen," persevered Raymond, in a tone, and with a +gesture, of impatience, "this trifling will be deeply +regretted by you all tomorrow; I repeat," he pursued, +when he found he had at length succeeded in procuring +silence, "you have long been pleased to select me as your +butt, and while this was confined to my personal appearance, +painful as I have sometimes found your humour, I could +still endure it; but when I perceive those whom I have +looked upon as friends and brothers, casting imputations +upon my courage, I may be excused for feeling offended. +You have succeeded in wounding my heart, and some of you +will regret the hour when you did so. Another perhaps, +would adopt a different course, but I am not disposed to +return evil for evil. I wish to believe, that in all your +taunts upon this subject, you have merely indulged your +bantering humour--but not the less have you pained an +honest heart. Tomorrow will prove that you have grievously +wronged me, and I am mistaken, if you will not deeply +regret it." + +"Noonsense, noonsense, Raymoond, ma deer fallow; do na' +heed the queeps of the hair-breened deevils. Ye see a +neever tak any nootice o' them, but joost leet them ha' +their way." + +But Raymond stayed not--he hurried away across the snow +towards a distant fire, which lighted the ruder bivouac +of the adjutant and quarter master, and was there seen +to seat himself, with the air of one who has composed +himself for the night. + +"What a silly fellow, to take the thing so seriously," +said Molineux, half vexed at himself, half moved by the +reproachful tone of Raymond's address. + +"For God's sake, Grantham, call him back. Tell him we +are ready to make any--every atonement for our offence," +urged St. Clair. + +"And I will promise never to utter another pun at his +expense as long as I live," added Middlemore. + +But before Henry Grantham, who had been a pained and +silent witness of the scene, and who had already risen +with a view to follow the wounded Raymond, could take a +single step on his mission of peace, the low roll of the +drum, summoning to fall in, warned them that the hour of +action had already arrived, and each, quitting his fire, +hastened to the more immediate and pressing duties of +assembling his men, and carefully examining into the +state of their appointments. + +In ten minutes from the beating of the reveille-- +considerably shorn of its wonted proportions, as the +occasion demanded--the bivouac had been abandoned, and +the little army again upon their march. What remained to +be traversed of the space that separated them from the +enemy, was an alternation of plain and open forest, but +so completely in juxtaposition, that the head of the +column had time to clear one wood and enter a second +before its rear could disengage itself from the first. +The effect of this, by the dim and peculiar light reflected +from the snow across which they moved, was picturesque +in the extreme, nor was the interest diminished by the +utter silence that had pervaded every part of the little +army, the measured tramp of whose march, mingled with +the hollow and unavoidable rumbling of the light guns, +being the only sounds to be heard amid that mass of living +matter. The Indians, with the exception of a party of +scouts, had been the last to quit their rude encampment, +and as they now, in their eagerness to get to the front, +glided stealthily by in the deep snows on either side of +the more beaten track by which the troops advanced, and +so utterly without sound in their foot-fall, that they +might rather have been compared to spirits of the wilds, +than to human beings. + +The regiment having been told off into divisions, it so +happened that Raymond and Henry Grantham, although +belonging to different companies, now found themselves +near each other. The latter had been most anxious to +approach his really good hearted companion, with a view +to soothe his wounded feelings, and to convey, in the +fullest and most convincing terms, the utter disclaimer +of his inconsiderate brother officers, to reflect seriously +on his conduct in the recent retreat--or, indeed, to +intend their observations for any thing beyond a mere +pleasantry. As, however, the strictest order had been +commanded to be observed in the march, and Raymond and +he happened to be at opposite extremities of the division, +this had been for some time impracticable. A temporary +halt having occurred, just as the head of the column +came, within sight of the enemy's fires, Grantham quitted +his station on the flank, and hastened to the head of +his division, where he found Raymond with his arms folded +across his chest, and apparently absorbed in deep thought. +He tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and inquired in +a tone of much kindness the subject of his musing. + +Touched by the manner in which he was addressed, Raymond +dropped his arms, and grasping the hand of the youth, +observed in his usual voice; "Ah, is it you Henry--Egad, +my dear boy, I was just thinking of you--and how very +kind you have always been; never quizzing me as those +thoughtless fellows have done--and certainly never +insinuating any thing against my courage--that was too +bad Henry, too bad, I could have forgiven anything but +that." + +"Nay, nay, Raymond," answered his companion, soothingly; +"believe me, neither Molineux, nor Middlemore, nor St. +Clair, meant anything beyond a jest. I can assure you +they did not, for when you quitted us they asked me to +go in search of you, but the assembly then commencing to +beat, I was compelled to hasten to my company, nor have +I had an opportunity of seeing you until now." + +"Very well, Henry, I forgive them, for it is not in my +nature to keep anger long; but tell them that they should +not wantonly wound the feelings of an unoffending comrade. +As I told them, they may regret their unkindness to me +before another sun has set. If so, I wish them no other +punishment." + +"What mean you, my dear Raymond?" + +"Egad! I scarcely know myself, but something tells me +very forcibly my hour is come." + +"Nonsense, this is but the effect of the depression, +produced by fatigue and over excitement, added to the +recent annoyance of your feelings." + +"Whatever it proceed from, I had made up my mind to it +before we set out. Henry, my kind good Henry, I have +neither friend nor relative on earth--no one to inherit +the little property I possess. In the event of my falling, +you will find the key of my desk in the breast pocket of +my coat. A paper in that desk appoints you my executor. +Will you accept the trust?" + +"Most sacredly, Raymond, will I fulfil every instruction +it contains; should I myself survive; but I cannot, will +not, bring myself to anticipate your fall." + +"Move on, move on," passed quickly in a whisper from +front to rear of the column." + +"God bless you, Henry" exclaimed Raymond, again pressing +the hand of the youth--"remember the key." + +"We shall talk of that to night," was the light reply. +"Meanwhile, dear Raymond, God bless you," and again +Grantham fell back to his place in the rear of the +division. + +Five minutes later, and the troops were silently drawn +up in front of the enemy. A long line of fires marked +the extent of the encampment, from which, even then, the +"all's well" of the sentinels could be occasionally heard. +Except these, all profoundly slept, nor was there anything +to indicate they had the slightest suspicion of an enemy +being within twenty miles of them--not a picket had been +thrown out, not an outpost established. It was evident +the Americans were yet young in the art of self defence. + +"What glorious bayonet work we shall have presently," +whispered Villiers to Cranstoun, as they were brought +together by their stations at the adjacent extremities +of their respective division. "Only mark how the fellows +sleep." + +"The deevil a beet," responded Cranstoun, "a joost noo +heerd Coolonel St Julian propoose and even enseest upoon +it. But the Geeneral seems to theenk that coold steel +and a coold froosty morning do not asseemelate togeether." + +"What! does he not mean to attack them with the bayonet, +when two minutes would suffice to bring us into the very +heart of the encampment, and that before they could well +have time to arm themselves?" + +"Hoot mon" coolly pursued the Grenadier, with something +very like satire in his expression. "Would ye ha' the +Geeneral so uncheevalrous as to poonce upoon a set of +poor unarmed and unprepared creeturs. Depeend upon it he +would na sleep coomfortably on his peelow, after having +put coold steel into the geezzard of each of yon sleeping +loons." + +"The devil take his consideration," muttered Villiers; +"but you are right, for see, there go the guns to the +front--hark there is a shot; the sentinels have discovered +us at last; and now the sluggards are starting from before +their fires, and hastening to snatch their arms. + +"True enoof, Veelliers, and pleenty o' brooken heeds they +will gi' us soon, in retoorn for sparing their goots. +There oopen too those stooped leetle three poonders. Tha +might joost as weel be used for brass warming pons, to tak +the cheel off the damp beeds some of us will be pressing +preesently." + +Whist, whist, whist, flew three balls successively between +their heads. "Ha, here they begin to talk to us in earnest, +and now to our duty." + +The next moment all was roar, and bustle, and confusion, +and death. + +We will not stop to inquire why the British General, +Proctor, lost an advantage which had made itself apparent +to the meanest soldier of his army, by opening a +desultory and aimless fire of his light guns upon an +enemy to whom he thus afforded every possible opportunity +for preparation and defence; when, like Colonel, (now Sir +John) Harvey, not long subsequently at Stoney Creek, he +might have annihilated that enemy with the bayonet, and +with little comparative loss to himself. We will merely +observe that having failed to do so, nothing but the +determination and courage of his troops brought him +through the difficulties he himself had created, and to +the final attainment of the general order, complimenting +him on the highly judicious arrangements he had made on +the occasion; although, (as Cranstoun had predicted) not +before a damp bed had been pressed for the last time by +more than one of those who had so gallantly followed--or, +more strictly, preceded him. + +The sun was in the meridian; all sounds of combat had +ceased, and such of the American Army as had survived +the total defeat, were to be seen disarmed and guarded, +wending their way sullenly in the direction by which the +victors had advanced in the morning. From the field, in +which the troops had commenced the action, numerous +sledges were seen departing, laden with the dead--the +wounded having previously been sent off. One of these +sledges remained stationary at some distance within the +line, where the ravages of death were marked by pools of +blood upon the snow, and at this point were grouped +several individuals, assembled round a body which was +about to be conveyed away. + +"By Heavens, I would give the world never to have said +an unkind word to him," observed one, whose arm, suspended +from a sling, attested he had not come scatheless out of +the action. It was St. Clair, whose great ambition it +had always been to have his name borne among the list of +wounded--provided there were no broken bones in the +question. + +"As brave as he was honest hearted," added a second, "you +say Grantham, that he forgave us all our nonsense." + +"He did, Molineux. He declared he could not bear resentment +against you long. But still, I fear, he could not so +easily forget. He observed to me, jestingly, just before +deploying into line, that he felt his time was come, but +there can be no doubt, from what we all witnessed, that +he was determined from the outset to court his death." + +Captain Molineux turned away, apparently much affected +--Middlemore spoke not, but it was evident he also was +deeply pained. Each seemed to feel that he had been in +some degree accessory to the catastrophe, but the past +could not be recalled. The body, covered with blood, +exuding from several wounds, was now placed with that of +Ensign Langley, (who had also fallen, and lay at a little +distance beyond), on the sledge which was drawn off to +join several others just departed, and the lingering +officers hastened to overtake their several companies. + +When the action was at the hottest, one of the small guns +in front (all of which had been fearfully exposed), was +left without a single artilleryman. Availing themselves +of this circumstance, the enemy, who were unprovided with +artillery of any description, made a movement as if to +possess themselves of, and turn it against the attacking +force, then closing rapidly to dispute the possession of +the breast work which covered their riflemen. Colonel +St. Julian, who had continued to ride along the line with +as much coolness as if he had been assisting at a field +day, and who was literally covered with wounds, having +received no less than five balls, in various parts of +his body, seeing this movement, called out for volunteers +to rescue the gun from its perilous situation. Scarcely +had the words passed his lips when an individual moved +forward from the line, in the direction indicated.--It +was Lieutenant Raymond--Exposed to the fire, both of +friends and foes, the unfortunate officer advanced calmly +and unconcernedly, in the presence of the whole line, +and before the Americans, (kept in check by a hot and +incessant musketry), could succeed in even crossing their +defences, had seized the gun by the drag rope, and +withdrawn it under cover of the English fire. But this +gallant act of self-devotedness was not without its +terrible price. Pierced by many balls, which the American +rifleman had immediately directed at him, he fell dying +within ten feet of the British line, brandishing his +sword and faintly shouting a "huzza," that was answered +by his companions with the fierce spirit of men stung to +new exertion, and determined to avenge his fall. + +Thus perished the fat, the plain, the carbuncled, but +really gallant-hearted Raymond--whose intrinsic worth +was never estimated until he had ceased to exist. His +fall, and all connected therewith, forms a sort of episode +in our story, yet is it one not altogether without its +moral. A private monument, on which was inscribed all +that may soothe and flatter after death, was erected to +his memory by those very officers whose persiflage, +attacking in this instance even his honor as a soldier, +had driven him to seek the fate he found. Of this there +could he no question--for, brave as he unquestionably +was, Raymond would not have acted as if courting death +throughout, had he not fully made up his mind either to +gain great distinction or to die under the eyes of those +who had, he conceived, so greatly injured him. It is but +justice to add that, for three days from his death-- +Middlemore did not utter a single pun--neither did St. +Clair, or Molineux, indulge in a satirical observation. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +The spring of 1813 had passed nearly away, yet without +producing any renewed effort on the part of the Americans. +From information obtained from the Indian scouts, it +however appeared that, far from being discouraged by +their recent disaster, they had moved forward a third +Army to the Miami, where they had strongly entrenched +themselves, until hitting opportunity should be found to +renew their attempt to recover the lost district. It was +also ascertained that, with a perseverance and industry +peculiar to themselves, they had been occupied throughout +the rigorous winter, in preparing a fleet of sufficient +force to compete with that of the British; and that, +abandoning the plan hitherto pursued by his predecessors, +the American leader of this third army of invasion, +purposed transporting his troops across the lake, instead +of running the risk of being harrassed and cut up in an +advance by land. To effect this, it was of course necessary +to have the command of the lake, and there were all the +sinews of exertion called into full exercise, to obtain +the desired ascendancy. + +To defeat this intention, became now the chief object of +the British General. With the close of winter had ceased +the hunting pursuits of the warriors, so that each day +brought with it a considerable accession to the strength +of this wild people, vast numbers of whom had betaken +themselves to their hunting grounds, shortly after the +capture of Detroit. The chiefs of these several nations +were now summoned to a Council, in the course of which +it was decided that a formidable expedition, accompanied +by a heavy train of battering artillery, should embark +in batteaux, with a view to the reduction of the American +post established on the Miami;--a nucleus, around which +was fast gathering a spirit of activity that threatened +danger, if not annihilation, to the English influence in +the North Western districts. In the event of the +accomplishment of this design, Detroit and Amherstburg +would necessarily be released from all apprehension, +since, even admitting the Americans could acquire a +superiority of naval force on the lake, such superiority +could only be essentially injurious to us, as a means of +affording transport to, and covering the operations of +an invading army. If, however, that already on the Miami +could be defeated, and their fortress razed, it was not +probable that a fourth could be equipped and pushed +forward, with a view to offensive operations, in sufficient +time to accomplish any thing decisive before the winter +should set in. Tecumseh, who had just returned from +collecting new bodies of warriors, warmly approved the +project, and undertook to bring two thousand men into +the field, as his quota of the expedition, the departure +of which was decided for the seventh day from the Council. + +Meanwhile, no exertions were wanting to place the little +fleet in a state of efficiency. During the winter, the +vessel described in our opening chapter of this tale, as +that on the completion of which numerous workmen were +intently engaged, had, after the fall of Detroit, and +the consequent capture of whatever barks the Americans +possessed, been utterly neglected; but now that it was +known the enemy were secretly and rapidly preparing an +overpowering force at the opposite extremity of the lake, +the toils of the preceding summer were renewed, and every +where, throughout the dock-yard, the same stirring industry +was perceptible. By all were these movements regarded +with an interest proportioned to the important consequences +at stake, but by none more than by Commodore Barclay +himself, whose watchful eye marked the progress, and +whose experience and judgment directed the organization +of the whole. The difficulties he had to contend with +were great, for not only were the artificers, employed +in the construction of the ship, men of limited knowledge +in their art, but even those who manned her, when completed, +were without the nautical experience and practice +indispensable to success; yet these disadvantages was he +prepared to overlook in the cheerfulness and ardor with +which each lent himself to exertion, and sought to supply +deficiency with zeal. The feelings of the gallant officer +in this position--on the one hand, sensible that to him +was confided the task of upholding the supremacy of his +country's flag, and on the other, compelled to confess +the inadequacy of the means placed at his disposal for +this object--may be easily understood. That his men were +brave he knew, but mere bravery would not suffice in a +contest where the skill of the seamen, not less than +brute courage, must be called into requisition. He had +reason to know that his enemy would not merely bring +stout hearts into the conflict, but active hands--men +whose lives had been passed on the restless waters of +ocean, and whose training had been perfected in the battle +and the tempest, while nine tenths of his own crews had +never planted foot beyond the limit of the lake on which +the merits and resources of both would be so shortly +tested. But "aut agere aut mori," was his motto, and of +the appropriateness of this his actions have formed the +most striking illustration. + +The day on which the Council relative to the proposed +expedition to the Miami was held, was characterized by +one of those sudden outbursts of elemental war, so common +to the Canadas in early summer--and, which, in awful +grandeur of desolation, are frequently scarcely interior +to the hurricanes of the tropics. The morning had been +oppressively sultry, and there was that general and heavy +lethargy of nature that usually precedes a violent +reaction. About noon, a small dark speck was visible in +the hitherto cloudless horizon, and this presently grew +in size until the whole western sky was one dense mass +of threatening black, which eventually spread itself over +the entire surface of the heavens, leaving not a hand's +breadth any where visible. Presently, amid the sultry +stillness that prevailed, there came a slight breeze over +the face of the waters, and then, as if some vast battering +train had suddenly opened its hundred mouths of terror, +vomiting forth showers of grape and other missiles, came +astounding thunder-claps, and forked lightnings, and +rain, and hail, and whistling wind--all in such terrible +union, yet such fearful disorder, that man, the last to +take warning, or feel awed by the anger of the common +parent, Nature, bent his head in lowliness and silence +to her voice, and awaited tremblingly the passing away +of her wrath. + +Henry Grantham, whose turn of duty had again brought him +to Amherstburg, was in the mess-room of the garrison when +the storm was at the fiercest. Notwithstanding the +excitement of the Council scene, at which he had been +present, he had experienced an unusual depression throughout +the day, originating partly in the languid state of the +atmosphere, but infinitely more in the anxiety under +which he labored in regard to his brother, of whom no +other intelligence had been received, since his departure +with his prisoners for Buffalo, than what vague rumour, +coupled with the fact of the continued absence of the +schooner, afforded. That the vessel had been captured by +the enemy there could be no doubt; but, knowing as he +did, the gallant spirit of Gerald, there was reason to +imagine that he had not yielded to his enemies, before +every means of resistance had been exhausted: and, if +so, what might not have been the effect of his obstinacy +(if such a term could be applied to unshaken intrepidity,) +on men exasperated by opposition, and eager for revenge. +In the outset he had admitted his gentle cousin Gertrude +to his confidence, as one most suited, by her docility, +to soothe without appearing to remark on his alarm, but +when, little suspecting the true motive of her agitation, +he saw her evince an emotion surpassing his own, and +admitting and giving way to fears beyond any he would +openly avow, he grew impatient and disappointed, and +preferring rather to hear the tocsin of alarm sounded +from his own heart than from the lips of another, he +suddenly, and much to the surprise of the affectionate +girl, discontinued all allusion to the subject. But +Henry's anxiety was not the less poignant from being +confined within his own breast, and although it gratified +him to find that flattering mention was frequently made +of his brother at the mess-table, coupled with regret +for his absence, it was reserved for his hours of privacy +and abstraction to dwell upon the fears which daily became +more harrassing and perplexing. + +On the present occasion, even while his brother officers +had thought nor ear but for the terrible tempest that +raged without, and at one moment threatened to bury them +beneath the trembling roof, the mind of Henry was full +of his absent brother, whom, more than ever, he now seemed +to regret, from the association of the howling tempest +with the wild element on which he had last beheld him; +and so complete at length had become the ascendancy of +his melancholy, that when the storm had been in some +degree stilled, and the rain abated, he look an early +leave of his companions, with a view to indulge in privacy +the gloomy feelings by which be felt himself oppressed. + +In passing through the gate of the Fort, on his way into +the town, his attention was arrested by several groups +of persons, consisting of soldiers, Indians, and +inhabitants, who, notwithstanding the inclemency of the +hour, were gathered on the high bank in front of the +demi-lune battery, eagerly bending their gaze upon the +riser. Half curious to know what could have attracted +them in such weather from shelter, Henry advanced and +mingled in the crowd, which gave way at his approach. +Although the fury of the tempest had spent itself, there +was still wind enough to render it a matter of necessary +precaution that the bystanders should secure a firm +footing on the bank, while the water, violently agitated +and covered with foam, resembled rather a pigmy sea than +an inland river--so unusual and so vast were its waves. +The current, moreover, increased in strength by the sudden +swelling of the waters, dashed furiously down, giving +its direction to the leaping billows that rode impatiently +upon its surface; and at the point of intersection by +the island of Bois Blanc, formed so violent an eddy within +twenty feet of the land, as to produce the effect of a +whirlpool, while again, between the island and the Canadian +shore, the current, always rapid and of great force, flew +boiling down its channel, and with a violence almost +quadrupled. + +Amid this uproar of the usually placid river, there was +but one bark found bold enough to venture upon her angered +bosom, and this, although but an epitome of those that +have subdued the world of waters, and chained them in +subservience to the will of man, now danced gallantly, +almost terrifically, from billow to billow, and, with +the feathery lightness of her peculiar class, seemed +borne onward, less by the leaping waves themselves than +by the white and driving spray that fringed their summits. +This bark--a canoe evidently of the smallest description +--had been watched in its progress, from afar, by the +groups assembled on the bank, who had gathered at each +other's call, to witness and marvel at the gallant daring +of those who had committed it to the boiling element. +Two persons composed her crew--the one, seated in the +stern, and carefully guiding the bark so as to enable +her to breast the threatening waves, which, in quick +succession, rose as if to accomplish her overthrow--the +other, standing at her bows, the outline of his upper +figure designed against the snow-white sail, and, with +his arms folded across his chest, apparently gazing +without fear on the danger which surrounded him. It was +evident, from their manner of conducting the bark, that +the adventurers were not Indians, and yet there was +nothing to indicate to what class of the white family +they belonged. Both were closely wrapped in short, dark +coloured pea coats, and their heads were surmounted with +glazed hats--a species of costume that more than any +thing else, proved their familiarity with the element +whose brawling they appeared to brave with an indifference +bordering on madness. + +Such was the position of the parties, at the moment when +Henry Grantham gained the bank. Hitherto the canoe, in +the broad reach that divided the island from the American +mainland, had had merely the turbulence of the short +heavy waves, and a comparatively modified current, to +contend against. Overwhelming even as these difficulties +would have proved to men less gifted with the power of +opposing and vanquishing them, they were but light in +comparison with what remained to be overcome. The canoe +was now fast gaining the head of the island, and pursuing +a direct course for the whirlpool already described. The +only means of avoiding this was by closely hugging the +shore, between which and the violent eddy without, the +water, broken in its impetuosity by the covering head +land, presented a more even and less agitated surface. +This head land once doubled, the safety of the adventurers +was ensured, since, although the tremendous current which +swept through the inner channel must have borne them +considerably downwards, still the canoe would have +accomplished the transit below the town in perfect safety. +The fact of this opportunity being neglected, led at once +to the inference that the adventurers were total strangers, +and distinct voices were now raised by those on the bank, +to warn them of their danger--but whether it was that +they heard not, or understood not, the warning was +unnoticed. Once indeed it seemed as if he who so ably +conducted the course of the bark, had comprehended and +would have followed the suggestion so earnestly given, +for his tiny sail was seen to flutter for the first time +in the wind, as with the intention to alter his course. +But an impatient gesture from his companion in the bow, +who was seen to turn suddenly round, and utter something, +(which was however inaudible to those onshore,) again +brought the head of the fragile vessel to her original +course, and onward she went leaping and bounding, apparently +with the design to clear the whirlpool at a higher point +of the river. Nothing short of a miracle could now possibly +enable them to escape being drawn into the boiling vortex, +and, during the moments that succeeded, every heart beat +high with fearful expectation as to the result. At length +the canoe came with a sudden plunge into the very centre +of the current, which, all the skill of the steersman +was insufficient to enable him to clear. Her bow yawed, +her little sail fluttered--and away she flew, broadside +foremost, down the stream with as little power of resistance +as a feather or a straw. Scarcely had the eye time to +follow her in this peculiar descent, when she was in the +very heart of the raging eddy. For a moment she reeled +like a top, then rolled two or three times over, and +finally disappeared altogether. Various expressions of +horror broke from the several groups of whites and Indians, +all of whom had anticipated the catastrophe without the +power of actively interposing. Beyond the advice that +was given, not a word was uttered, but every eye continued +fixed on the whirlpool, as though momentarily expecting +to see something issue from its bosom. After the lapse +of a minute, a dark object suddenly presented itself some +twenty yards below, between the island and the town. It +was the canoe which, bottom upwards, and deprived of its +little mast and sail, had again risen to the surface, +and was floating rapidly down with the current. Presently +afterwards two heads were seen nearly at the point where +the canoe had again emerged. They were the unfortunate +adventurers, one of whom appeared to be supporting his +companion with one arm, whilst with the other he dashed +away the waters that bore them impetuously along. The +hats of both had fallen off, and as he who exerted himself +so strenuously, rose once or twice in the vigour of his +efforts above the element with which he contended, he +seemed to present the grisly, woolly hair, and the sable +countenance of an aged negro. A vague surmise of the +truth now flashed upon the mind, of the excited officer, +but when, presently afterwards, he saw the powerful form +once more raised, and in a voice that made itself distinctly +heard above the howling of the wind, exclaim: "Help a +dare," there was no longer a doubt, and he rushed towards +the dock yard, to gain which the exertions of the negro +were now directed. + +On reaching it, he found both Gerald and his faithful +attendant just touching the shore. Aroused by the cry +for help which Sambo had pealed forth, several of the +workmen had quitted the shelter of the block houses in +which they were lodged, and hastened to the rescue of +him whom they immediately afterwards saw struggling +furiously to free himself and companion from the violent +current. Stepping to the extremity on some loose timber +which lay secured to the shore, yet floating in the +river--they threw out poles, one of which Sambo seized +like an enraged mastiff in his teeth, and still supporting +the body, and repelling the water with his disengaged +arm, in this manner succeeded in gaining the land. The +crews of the little fleet, which lay armed a hundred +yards lower down, had also witnessed the rapid descent +of two apparently drowning men, and ropes had every where +been thrown out from the vessels. As for lowering a boat +it was out of the question, for no boat could have resisted +the violence of the current, even for some hours after +the storm had wholly ceased. + +It may be easily conceived with what mingled emotions +the generous Henry, whose anxiety had been so long excited +in regard to his brother's fate, now beheld that brother +suddenly restored to him. Filled with an affection, that +was rendered the more intense by the very fact of the +danger from which he had just seen him rescued, he, +regardless of those around, and in defiance of his wet +and dripping clothes, sprang eagerly to his embrace, but +Gerald received him with a cold--almost averted air. +Suffering, rather than sharing, this mark of his fraternal +love, he turned the instant afterwards to his servant, +and in a tone of querulousness, said--"Sambo, give me +more wine." + +Inexpressibly shocked, and not knowing what to make of +this conduct, Henry bent his glance upon the negro. The +old man shook his head mournfully, and even with the +dripping spray that continued to fall from his woollen +locks upon his cheeks, tears might be seen to mingle. A +dreadful misgiving came over the mind of the youth, and +he felt his very hair rise thrillingly, as he for a moment +admitted the horrible possibility, that the shock produced +by his recent accident had affected his brother's intellect. +Sambo replied to his master's demand, by saying "there +was no wine--the canoe and its contents had been utterly +lost." + +All this passed during the first few moments of their +landing. The necessity for an immediate change of apparel +was obvious, and Gerald and his servant were led into +the nearest block house, where each of the honest fellows +occupying it was eager in producing whatever his rude +wardrobe afforded. The brothers then made the best of +their way, followed by the negro, to their own abode in +the town. + +The evening being damp and chilly, a fire was kindled in +the apartment in which Gerald dined--the same in which +both had witnessed the dying moments of their mother, +and Henry those of their father. It had been chosen by +the former, in the height of her malady, for its +cheerfulness, and she had continued in it until the hour +of her decease; while Major Grantham had selected it for +his chamber of death, for the very reason, that it had +been that of his regretted wife. Henry, having already +dined, sat at the opposite extremity of the table, watching +his brother whose features he had so longed to behold +once more; yet, not without a deep and bitter feeling of +grief that those features should have undergone so complete +a change in their expression towards himself. Gerald had +thrown off the temporary and ill fitting vestments +exchanged for his own wet clothing, and now that he +appeared once more in his customary garb, an extraordinary +alteration was perceptible in his whole appearance. +Instead of the blooming cheek, and rounded and elegant +form, for which he had always been remarkable, he now +offered to the eye of his anxious brother an emaciated +figure, and a countenance pale even unto wanness--while +evidence of much care, and inward suffering, might be +traced in the stern contraction of his hitherto open +brow. There was also a dryness in his speech that startled +and perplexed even more than the change in his person. +The latter might be the effect of imprisonment, and its +anxiety and privation, coupled with the exhaustion arising +from his recent accident, but how was the first to be +accounted for, and wherefore was he, after so long a +separation, and under such circumstances, thus +uncommunicative and unaffectionate? All these reflections +occurred to the mind of the sensitive Henry, as he sat +watching, and occasionally addressing a remark to, his +taciturn brother, until he became fairly bewildered in +his efforts to find a clue to his conduct. The horrible +dread which had first suggested itself, of the partial +overthrow of intellect, had passed away, but to this had +succeeded a discovery, attended by quite as much concern +--although creating less positive alarm. He had seen, +with inexpressible pain, that Gerald ate but little, +seeming rather to loathe his food, while on the other +hand, he had recourse more frequently to wine, drinking +off bumpers with greedy avidity, until, yielding at length +to the excess of his potations, he fell fast asleep in +the arm chair he had drawn to the fire, overcome by the +mingled influence of wine, fatigue, and drowsiness. + +Bitter were the feelings of Henry Grantham, as thus he +gazed upon his sleeping brother. Fain would he have +persuaded himself, that the effect he now witnessed was +an isolated instance, and occurring only under the peculiar +circumstances of the moment. It was impossible to recal +the manner in which he had demanded "wine," from their +faithful old servant and friend, and not feel satisfied, +that the tone proclaimed him one who had been in the +frequent habit of repeating that demand, as the prepared, +yet painful manner of the black, indicated a sense of +having been too frequently called upon to administer to +it. Alas, thought the heart-stricken Henry, can it really +be, that he whom I have cherished in my heart of hearts, +with more than brother's love has thus fallen? Has Gerald, +formerly as remarkable for sobriety, as for every honorable +principle, acquired even during the months I have so +wretchedly mourned his absence, the fearful propensities +of the drunkard. The bare idea overpowered him, and with +difficulty restraining his tears, he rose from his seat, +and paced the room for some time, in a state of +indescribable agitation. Then again he stopped, and when +he looked in the sleeping face of his unconscious brother, +he was more than ever struck by the strange change which +had been wrought in his appearance. Finding that Gerald +still slept profoundly, he took the resolution of instantly +questioning Sambo, as to all that had befallen them during +their absence, and ascertaining, if possible, to what +circumstance the mystery which perplexed him was +attributable. Opening and reclosing the door with caution, +he hastened to the room, which, owing to his years and +long and faithful services, had been set apart for the +accommodation of the old man when on shore. Here he found +Sambo, who had dispatched his substantial meal, busily +occupied in drying his master's wet dress, before a large +blazing wood fire--and laying out, with, the same view, +certain papers, the contents of a pocket book, which had +been completely saturated with water. A ray of satisfaction +lighted the dark, but intelligent face of the negro, +which the instant before, had worn an expression of +suffering, as the young officer, pressing his hand with +warmth, thanked him deeply and fervently, for the noble, +almost superhuman exertions he had made that day, to +preserve his brother's life. + +"Oh Massa Henry," was all the poor creature could say in +reply, as he retained the pressure with an emphasis that +spoke his profound attachment to both. Then leaning his +white head upon his hand against the chimney, and bursting +into tears; "berry much change, he poor broder Geral, he +not a same at all." + +Here was a sad opening indeed to the subject. The heart +of the youth sank within him, yet feeling the necessity +of knowing all connected with his brother's unhappiness, +he succeeded in drawing the old man into conversation, +and finally into a narration of all their adventures, as +far, at least, as he had personal knowledge, from the +moment of their leaving Detroit in the preceding autumn. + +When, after the expiration of an hour, he returned to +the drawing room, Gerald was awake, and so far restored +by the effect of his sound sleep, as to be, not only more +communicative, but more cordial towards his brother. He +even reverted to past scenes, and spoke of the mutual +frolics of their youth, with a cheerfulness bordering on +levity; but this pained Henry the more, for he saw in it +but the fruit of a forced excitement--as melancholy in +adoption as pernicious in effect--and his own heart +repugned all participation in so unnatural a gaiety, +although, he enforced himself to share it to the outward +eye. Fatigue at length compelled Gerald to court the +quiet of his pillow, and, overcome as his senses were +with wine, he slept profoundly until morning. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +When they met at breakfast, Henry was more than ever +struck and afflicted by the alteration in his brother's +person and manner. All traces of the last night's excitement +had disappeared with its cause, and pale, haggard, and +embarrassed, he seemed but the shadow of his former self, +while the melancholy of his countenance had in it something +wild and even fierce. As at their first meeting, his +language was dry and reserved, and he seemed rather +impatient of conversation, as though it interfered with +the indulgence of some secret and all absorbing reflection, +while, to Henry's affectionate questioning of his adventures +since they first parted, he replied in the vague +unsatisfactory manner of one who seeks to shun the subject +altogether. At another moment, this apparent prostration +of the physical man might have been ascribed to his long +immersion of the preceding day, and the efforts that were +necessary to rescue him from a watery grave; but, from +the account Sambo had given him, Henry had but too much +reason to fear that the disease of body and mind which +had so completely encompassed his unfortunate brother, +not only had its being in a different cause, but might +be dated from an earlier period. Although burning with +desire to share that confidence which it grieved him to +the soul to find thus unkindly withheld, he made no effort +to remove the cloak of reserve in which his brother had +invested himself. That day they both dined at the garrison +mess, and Henry saw, with additional pain, that the warm +felicitation of his brother officers on his return, were +received by Gerald with the same reserve and indifference +which had characterized his meeting with him, while he +evinced the same disinclination to enter upon the solicited +history of his captivity, as well as the causes which +led to his bold venture, and consequent narrow escape, +of the preceding day. Finding him thus uncommunicative, +and not comprehending the change in his manner, they +rallied him; and, as the bottle circulated, he seemed +more and more disposed to meet their raillery with a +cheerfulness and good humour that brought even the color +into his sunken cheeks; but when, finally, some of them +proceeded to ask him, in their taunting manner, what he +had done with his old flame and fascinating prisoner, +Miss Montgomerie, a deadly paleness overspread his +countenance, and he lost in the moment, all power of +disguising his feelings. His emotion was too sudden, and +too palpable not to be observed by those who had unwillingly +called it forth, and they at once, with considerate tact, +changed the conversation. Hereupon Gerald again made an +effort to rally, but no one returned to the subject. +Piqued at this conduct, he had more frequent recourse to +the bottle, and laughed and talked in a manner that proved +him to be laboring under the influence of extraordinary +excitement. When he took leave of his brother to retire +to rest, he was silent, peevish, dissatisfied--almost +angry. + +Henry passed a night of extreme disquiet. It was evident +from what had occurred at the mess-table, in relation to +the beautiful American, that to her was to be ascribed +the wretchedness to which Gerald had become a victim, +and he resolved, on the following morning, to waive all +false delicacy, and, throwing himself upon his affection, +to solicit his confidence, and offer whatever counsel he +conceived would best tend to promote his peace of mind. + +At breakfast the conversation turned on the intended +movement, which was to take place within three days, and, +on this subject, Gerald evinced a vivacity that warmed +into eagerness. He had risen early that morning, with a +view to obtain the permission of the Commodore to make +one of the detachment of sailors who were to accompany +the expedition, and, having succeeded in obtaining the +command of one of the two gun-boats which were destined +to ascend the Miami, and form part of the battering force, +seemed highly pleased. This apparent return to himself +might have led his brother into the belief that his +feelings had indeed undergone a reaction, had he not, +unfortunately, but too much reason to know that the +momentary gaiety was the result of the very melancholy +which consumed him. However, it gave him a more favorable +opportunity to open the subject next his heart, and, as +a preparatory step, he dexterously contrived to turn the +conversation into the channel most suited to his purpose. + +The only ill effect arising from Gerald's recent immersion +was a sense of pain in that part of his arm which had +been bitten by the rattle snake, on the day of the pic-nic +to Hog Island, and it chanced that this morning especially +it had a good deal annoyed him, evincing some slight +predisposition to inflammation. To subdue this, Henry +applied, with his own hand, a liniment which had been +recommended, and took occasion, when he had finished, to +remark on the devotedness and fearlessness Miss Montgomerie +had manifested in coming so opportunely to his rescue-- +in all probability, thereby preserving his life. + +At the sound of this name Gerald, started, and evinced +the same impatience of the subject he had manifested on +the preceding day. Henry keenly remarked his emotion, +and Gerald was sensible that he did. + +Both sat for some minutes gazing at each other in expressive +silence, the one as if waiting to hear, the other as if +conscious that he was expected to afford some explanation +of the cause of so marked an emotion. At length Gerald +said, and in a tone of deep and touching despondency, +"Henry, I fear you find me very unamiable and much altered; +but indeed I am very unhappy." + +Here was touched the first chord of their sympathies. +Henry's already on the elan, flew to meet this demonstration +of returning confidence, and he replied in a voice broken +by the overflowing of his full heart. + +"Oh, my beloved brother, changed must you indeed be, when +even the admission that you are unhappy, inspires me with +a thankfulness such as I now feel. Gerald, I entreat, I +implore, you by the love we have borne each other from +infancy to disguise nothing from me. Tell me what it is +that weighs so heavily at your heart. Repose implicit +confidence in me, your brother, and let me assist and +advise you in your extremity, as my poor ability will +permit. Tell me Gerald, wherefore are you thus altered-- +what dreadful disappointment has thus turned the milk of +your nature into gall?" + +Gerald gazed at him a moment intently. He was much +affected, and a sudden and unbidden tear stole down his +pallid cheek. "If YOU have found the milk of my nature +turned into gall, then indeed am I even more wretched +than I thought myself. But, Henry, you ask me what I +cannot yield--my confidence--and, even were it so, the +yielding would advantage neither. I am unhappy, as I have +said, but the cause of that unhappiness must ever remain +buried here," and he pointed to his chest. This was said +kindly, yet determinedly. + +"Enough, Gerald," and his brother spoke in tones of deep +reproach, "since you persist in withholding your confidence, +I will no longer urge it; but you cannot wonder that I +who love but you alone on earth, should sorrow as one +without hope, at beholding you subject to a grief so +overwhelming as to have driven you to seek refuge from +it, in an unhallowed grave." + +"I do not understand you--what mean you?" quickly +interrupted Gerald, raising his head from the hand which +supported it upon the breakfast table, while he colored +faintly. + +"You cannot well be ignorant of my meaning," pursued +Henry in the same tone, "if you but recur to the +circumstances attending your arrival here." + +"I am still in the dark," continued Gerald, with some +degree of impatience. + +"Because you know not that I am acquainted with all that +took place on the melancholy occasion. Gerald," he pursued, +"forgive the apparent harshness of what I am about to +observe--but was it generous--was it kind in you to incur +the risk you did, when you must have known that your +death would have entailed upon me an eternal grief? Was +it worthy of yourself, moreover, to make the devoted +follower of your fortunes, a sharer in the danger you so +eagerly and wantonly courted!" + +"Nay, my good brother," and Gerald made an attempt at +levity, "you are indeed an unsparing monitor; but suppose +I should offer in reply, that a spirit of enterprize was +upon me on the occasion to which you allude, and that, +fired by a desire to astonish you all with a bold feat, +I had resolved to do what no other had done before me, +yet without apprehending the serious consequences which +ensued--or even assuming the danger to have been so +great." + +"All this, Gerald, you might, yet would not say; because, +in saying it, would have to charge yourself with a gross +insincerity, and although you do not deem me worthy to +share your confidence, I still have pleasure in knowing +that my affection will not be repaid with deceit--however +plausible the motives for its adoption may appear--by +the substitution in short, of that which is not for that +which is." + +"A gross insincerity?" repeated Gerald, again slightly +coloring. + +"Yes, my brother--I say it not in anger, nor in reproach.-- +but a gross insincerity it would certainly be. Alas, +Gerald, your motives are but too well known to me. The +danger you incurred was incurred wilfully, wantonly, and +with a view to your own destruction." + +Gerald started. The color had again fled from his sunken +cheek, and he was ashy pale; "And HOW knew you this," he +asked with a trembling voice. + +"Even, Gerald, as I know that you have been driven to +seek in wine that upbearing against the secret grief +which consumes you, which should be found alone in the +fortitude of a strong mind, and the consciousness of an +untainted honor. Oh, Gerald, had these been your supporters, +you never would have steeped your reason so far in +forgetfulness, as to have dared what you did on that +eventful day. Good Heaven! how little did I ever expect +to see the brother of my love degenerated so far as to +border on the character of the drunkard and the suicide." + +The quick, but sunken eyes of the sailor flashed fire; +and he pressed his lips, and clenched his teeth together +as one strongly attempting to restrain his indignation. +It was but a momentary flashing of the chafed and bruised +spirit. + +"You probe me deeply, Henry," he said calmly, and in a +voice of much melancholy. "These are severe expressions +for a brother to use--but you are right--I did seek +oblivion of my wretchedness in that whirlpool, as the +only means of destroying the worm that feeds incessantly +upon my heart; but Providence has willed it otherwise-- +and, moreover, I had not taken the danger of my faithful +servant into the account. Had Sambo not saved me, I must +have perished, for I made not the slightest effort to +preserve myself. However it matters but little, the mere +manner of one's death," he pursued with increased +despondency. "It is easy for you, Henry, whose mind is +at peace with itself and the world, to preach fortitude +and resignation, but, felt you the burning flame which +scorches my vitals, you would acknowledge the wide, wide +difference between theory and practice." + +Henry rose deeply agitated--he went to the door and +secured the bolt, then returning, knelt at his brother's +feet. Gerald had one hand covering his eyes from which, +however, the tears forced themselves through his closed +fingers. The other was seized and warmly pressed in his +brother's grasp. + +"Gerald," he said in the most emphatic manner, "by the +love you ever bore to our sainted parents, in whose +chamber of death I now appeal to your better feelings-- +by the friendship that has united our hearts from youth +to manhood--by all and every tie of affection, let me +implore you once more to confide this dreadful grief to +me, that I may share it with you, and counsel you for +your good. Oh, my brother, on my bended knees, do I +solicit your confidence. Believe me no mean curiosity +prompts my prayer. I would soothe, console, assist +you--aye, even to the very sacrifice of life." + +The feelings of the sailor were evidently touched, yet +he tittered not a word. His hand still covered his face, +and the tears seemed to flow even faster than before. + +"Gerald," pursued his brother with bitterness; "I see +with pain, that I have not your confidence, and I +desist--yet answer me one question. From the faithful +Sambo, as you must perceive, I have learnt all connected +with your absence, and from him I have gained that, during +your captivity, you were much with Miss Montgomerie, (he +pronounced the name with an involuntary shuddering), all +I ask, therefore, is whether your wretchedness proceeds +from the rejection of your suit, or from any levity or +inconstancy you may have found in her?" + +Gerald raised his head from his supporting hand, and +turned upon his brother a look, in which mortified pride +predominated over an infinitude of conflicting emotions. + +"Rejected, Henry, MY suit rejected--oh, no! In supposing +my grief to originate with her, you are correct, but +imagine not it is because my suit is rejected--certainly +not." + +"Then," exclaimed Henry with generous emphasis, while he +pressed the thin hand which he held more closely between +his own, "Why not marry her?" + +Gerald started. + +"Yes, marry her," continued Henry; "marry her and be at +peace. Oh! Gerald, you know not what sad agency I attached +to that insidious American from the first moment of her +landing on this shore--you know not how much I have +disliked, and still dislike her--but what are these +considerations when my brother's happiness is at stake +--Gerald, marry her--and be happy." + +"Impossible," returned the sailor in a feeble voice, and +again his head sank upon the open palm of his hand. + +"Do you no longer love her then?" eagerly questioned the +astonished youth. + +Once more Gerald raised his head, and fixed his large, +dim, eyes full upon those of his brother. "To madness!" +he said, in a voice, and with a look that made Henry +shudder. There was a moment of painful pause. The latter +at length ventured to observe. + +"You speak in riddles, Gerald. If you love this Miss +Montgomerie to madness, and are, as you seem to intimate +loved by her in return, why not, as I have urged, marry +her?" + +"Because," replied the sailor, turning paler than before, +and almost gasping for breath, "there is a condition +attached to the possession of her hand." + +"And that is?" pursued Henry inquiringly, after another +long and painful pause. + +"My secret," and Gerald pointed significantly to his +breast. + +"True," returned Henry, slightly coloring; "I had +forgotten--but what condition, Gerald, (and here he spoke +as if piqued at the abrupt manner in which his brother +had concluded his half confidence), what condition, I +ask, may a woman entitled to our respect, as well as to +our love, propose, which should be held of more account +than that severest of offences against the Divine will-- +self murder--nay, look not thus surprised, for have you +not admitted that you had guiltily attempted to throw +away your life--to commit suicide in short--rather than +comply with an earthly condition?" + +"What if in this," returned Gerald, with a smile of +bitterness, "I have preferred the lesser guilt to the +greater?" + +"I can understand no condition, my brother, a woman worthy +of your esteem could impose, which should one moment +weigh in the same scale against the inexpiable crime of +self destruction. But, really, all this mystery so startles +and confounds me, that I know not what to think--what +inference to draw." + +"Henry," observed the sailor, with some show of impatience +--"considering your promise not to urge it further, it +seems to me you push the matter to an extremity." + +The youth made no reply, but, raising himself from his +knees, moved towards the door, which he again unbolted. +He then walked to the window at the further end of the +apartment. + +Gerald saw that he was deeply pained; and impatient, and +angry with himself, he also rose and paced the room with +hurried steps. At length he stopped, and putting one hand +upon the shoulder of his brother, who stood gazing vacantly +from the window, pointed with the other towards that part +of the apartment in which both their parents had breathed +their last. + +"Henry, my kind, good, Henry," he said, with a voice +faltering with emotion, "do you recollect the morning, +when, on our return from school, we found our young +holiday joy changed into heart-breaking and mourning by +the sight of our dying mother?" + +"Remember it, Gerald! aye, even as though it had been +yesterday. Oh, my brother, little did I think at the +moment, when, with hands closely clasped together, we +sank, overcome with grief, upon our bended knees, to +receive that mother's blessing, a day would ever arrive +when the joy or sorrow of the one, should form no portion +of the joy or sorrow of the other." + +"It was there," pursued Gerald, and without noticing the +interruption, "that we solemnly pledged ourselves to do +the will and bidding of our father in all things." + +"Even so, Gerald, I remember it well." + +"And it was there," continued the sailor, with the emphasis +of strong emotion, "that, during my unfortunate absence +from the death bed of our yet surviving parent, you gave +a pledge for BOTH, that no action of our lives should +reflect dishonor on his unsullied name." + +"I did. Both in your name and in my own, I gave the +pledge, well knowing that, in that, I merely anticipated +your desire." + +"Most assuredly--what then would be your sensations were +you to know that I had violated that sacred obligation?" + +"Deep, poignant, ceaseless, regret, that my once noble +and high spirited brother, should have been so lost to +respect for his father's memory, and to himself." This +was uttered, not without deep agitation. + +"You are right, Henry," added Gerald mournfully; +"better--far better--is it to die, than live on in the +consciousness of having forfeited all claim to esteem." + +The young soldier started as if a viper had stung him. +"Gerald," he said eagerly, "you have not dishonored +yourself. Oh no--tell me, my brother, that you have not." + +"No," was the cold, repulsive answer, "although my peace +of mind is fled," he pursued, rather more mildly, "my +honor, thank heaven, remains as pure as when you first +pledged yourself for its preservation." + +"Thanks, my brother, for that. But can it really be +possible, that the mysterious condition attached to Miss +Montgomerie's love, involves the loss of honor?" + +Gerald made no answer. + +"And can YOU really be weak enough to entertain a passion +for a woman, who would make the dishonoring of the fair +fame of him she professes to love, the fearful price at +which her affection is to be purchased?" + +Gerald seemed to wince at the word "weak," which was +rather emphatically pronounced, and looked displeased at +the concluding part of the sentence. + +"I said not that the condition attached to her LOVE," he +remarked, with the piqued expression of a wounded vanity; +"her affection is mine, I know, beyond her own power of +control--the condition, relates not to her heart, but to +her hand." + +"Alas, my poor infatuated brother. Blinding indeed must +be. the delusions of passion, when a nature so sensitive +and so honorable shrinks not from such a connexion. My +only surprise is, that, with such a perversion of judgment, +you have returned at all." + +"No more of this Henry. It is not in man to control his +destiny, and mine appears to be to love with a fervor +that must bear me, ere long, to my grave. Of this, however, +be assured--that, whatever my weakness, or infatuation, +as you may be pleased to call it, THAT passion shall +never be gratified at the expense of my honor. Deeply-- +madly as I doat upon her image, Miss Montgomerie and I +have met for the last time." + +Overcome by the emotion with which he had thus expressed +himself, Gerald could not restrain a few burning tears +that forced their way down his hollow cheeks. Henry caught +eagerly at this indication of returning softness, and +again essayed, in reference to the concluding declaration +of his brother, to urge upon him the unworthiness of her +who had thus cast her deadly spell upon his happiness. +But Gerald could ill endure the slightest allusion to +the subject. + +"Henry," he said, "I have already told you that Miss +Montgomerie and I have parted forever; but not the less +devotedly do I love her. If, therefore, you would not +further wring a heart already half broken with affliction, +oblige me by never making the slightest mention of her +name in my presence--or ever adverting again to our +conversation of this morning. I am sure Henry, you will +not deny me this." + +Henry offered no other reply than by throwing himself +into the arms that were extended to receive him. The +embrace of the brothers was long and fervent, and, although +there was perhaps more of pain than pleasure, in their +mutual sense of the causes which had led to it in the +present instance--still was it productive of a luxury +the most heartfelt. It seemed to both as if the spirits +of their departed parents hovered over, and blessed them +in this indication of their returning affection, hallowing, +with their invisible presence, a scene connected with +the last admonitions from their dying lips. When they +had thus given vent to their feelings, although the sense +of unhappiness continued undiminished, their hearts +experienced a sensible relief; and when they separated +for the morning, in pursuit of their respective avocations, +it was with a subdued manner on the part of Gerald, and +a vague hope with Henry, that his brother's disease would +eventually yield to various influences, and that other +and happier days were yet in store for both. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Meanwhile the preparations for the departure of the +expedition for the Miami were rapidly completing. To the +majority of the regular force of the two garrisons were +added several companies of militia, and a considerable +body of Indians, under Tecumseh--the two former portions +of the force being destined to advance by water, the +latter by land. The spring had been unusually early, +and the whole of April remarkably warm; on some occasions +sultry to oppressiveness--as for instance on the morning +of the tempest. They were now in the first days of the +last week of that month, and every where a quick and +luxuriant vegetation had succeeded to the stubborn +barrenness and monotony of winter. Not a vestige of that +dense mass of ice which, three months previously, had +borne them over lake and river, was now to be seen. The +sun danced joyously and sportively on the golden wave, +and where recently towered the rugged surface of the tiny +iceberg, the still, calm, unbroken level of the mirroring +lake was only visible. On the beach, just below the town, +and on a line with the little fleet, that lay at anchor +between the island and the main, were drawn up numerous +batteaux, ready for the reception of the troops, while +on the decks of two gun boats, that were moored a few +yards without them, were to be seen the battering train +and entrenching tools intended to accompany the expedition. +Opposite to each bateau was kindled a fire, around which +were grouped the voyageurs composing the crew, some +dividing their salt pork or salt fish upon their bread, +with a greasy clasped knife, and quenching the thirst +excited by this with occasional libations from tin cans, +containing a mixture of water and the poisonous distillation +of the country, miscalled whiskey. In other directions, +those who had dined sat puffing the smoke from their +dingy pipes, while again, they who had sufficiently +luxuriated on the weed, might be seen sleeping, after +the manner of the Indians, with their heads resting on +the first rude pillow that offered itself, and their feet +close upon the embers of the fire on which they had +prepared their meal. The indolence of inactivity was more +or less upon all, but it was the indolence consequent on +previous exertion, and a want of further employment. The +whole scene was characteristic of the peculiar manners +of the French Canadian boatmen. + +Since the morning of the long and partial explanation +between the brothers, no further allusion had been made +to the forbidden subject. Henry saw, with unfeigned +satisfaction, that Gerald not only abstained from the +false excitement to which he had hitherto had recourse, +but that he apparently sought to rally against his +dejection. It is true that whenever he chanced to surprise +him alone, he observed him pale, thoughtful, and full of +care, but, as he invariably endeavored to hide the feeling +at his approach, he argued favorably even from the effort. +Early on the day previous to that of the sailing of the +expedition, Gerald asked leave for a visit of a few hours +to Detroit, urging a desire to see the family of his +uncle, who still remained quartered at that post, and +whom he had not met since his return from captivity. +This had been readily granted by the Commodore, in whom +the change in the health and spirits of his young favorite +had excited both surprise and concern, and who, anxious +for his restoration, was ready to promote whatever might +conduce to his comfort. He had even gone so far as to +hint the propriety of his relinquishing his intention of +accompanying the expedition, (which was likely to be +attended with much privation and exposure to those engaged +in it,) and suffering another officer to be substituted +to his command, while he remained at home to recruit his +health. But Gerald heard the well meant proposal with +ill disguised impatience, and he replied, with a burning +cheek, that if his absence for a day could not be allowed +without inconvenience to the service, he was ready to +submit; but, as far as regarded his making one of the +expedition, nothing short of a positive command should +compel him to remain behind. Finding him thus obstinate, +the Commodore good humouredly called him a silly, wilful, +fellow, and bade him have his own way; however he felt +confident that, if he accompanied the Miami expedition +in his then state of health, he never would return from it. + +Gerald admitted it was probable enough he should not, +but, although he deeply felt the kindness of his Commander's +motive in wishing him to remain, he was not the less +determined, since the matter was left to his own choice, +to go where his duty led him. Then, promising to be back +long before the hour fixed for sailing the ensuing day, +he warmly pressed the cordially extended hand, and soon +afterwards, accompanied by Sambo, whose skill as a rider +was in no way inferior to his dexterity as a steersman, +mounted a favorite horse, and was soon far on his road +to Detroit. + +Towards midnight of that day, two men were observed by +the American tanner, to enter by the gate that led into +the grounds of the cottage, and, after lingering for a +few moments, near the graves to which tradition had +attached so much of the marvellous, to disappear round +the angle of the building into the court behind. Curiosity +induced him to follow and watch their movements, and, +although he could not refrain from turning his head at +least a dozen times, as if expecting at each moment to +encounter some dread inhabitant of the tomb, he at length +contrived to place himself in the very position in which +Gerald had formerly been a witness of the attempt at +assassination. From the same window now flashed a strong +light upon the court below, and by this the features of +the officer and his servant were distinctly revealed to +the astonished tanner, who, ignorant of their return, +and scarcely knowing whether he gazed upon the living or +the dead, would have fled, had he not, as he afterwards +confessed, been rooted by fear, and a species of +fascination, to the spot. The appearance and actions of +the parties indeed seemed to justify, not only the +delusion, but the alarm of the worthy citizen. Both Gerald +and Sambo were disguised in large dark cloaks, and as +the light fell upon the thin person and pale, attenuated, +sunken countenance of the former, he could scarcely +persuade himself this was the living man, who a few months +before, rich in beauty and in health, had questioned him +of the very spot in which he now, under such strange +circumstances, beheld him. Nor was the appearance of the +negro more assuring. Filled with the terror that ever +inspired him on approaching this scene at past horrors, +his usually dark cheek wore the dingy paleness +characteristic of death in one of his colour, while every +muscle, stiff, set, contracted by superstitious fear, +seemed to have lost all power of relaxation. The solemnity +moreover of the manner of both, was in strict keeping +with their personal appearance, so that it can scarcely +be wondered that in a mind not the strongest nor the most +free from a belief in the supernatural, a due quantum of +awe and alarm should have been instilled. Fear, however, +had not wholly subdued curiosity, and even while trembling +to such a degree that he could scarcely keep his teeth +from chattering, the tanner followed with eager eye the +movements of those he knew not whether to look upon as +ghosts or living beings. The room was exactly in the +state in which we last described it, with this difference +merely, that the table, on which, the lamp and books had +been placed now lay overturned, as if in the course of +some violent scuffle, and its contents distributed over +the floor. The bed still remained, in the same corner, +unmade, and its covering tossed. It was evident no one +had entered the apartment since the night of the attempted +assassination. + +The first act of Gerald, who bore the light, followed +closely by Sambo, was to motion the latter to raise the +fallen table. When this was done be placed his lamp upon +it, and sinking upon the foot of the bed, and covering +his eyes with his hands, seemed for some moments utterly +absorbed in bitter recollections. The negro, meanwhile, +an apparent stranger to the scene, cast his eyes around +him with the shrinking caution of one who finds himself +in a position of danger, and fears to encounter some +terrific sight, then, as if the effort was beyond his +power, he drew the collar of his cloak over his face, +and shuffling to get as near as possible to the bed as +though in the act he came more immediately under the +protection of him who sat upon it, awaited, in an attitude +of statue-like immobility, the awakening of his master +from his reverie. + +Gerald at length withdrew his hands from his pallid face, +on which the glare of the lamp rested forcibly, and, with +a wild look and low, but imperative, voice, bade the old +negro seat himself beside him still lower on the bed. + +"Sambo," he inquired abruptly--" how old were you when +the Indian massacre took place near this spot. You were +then, I think I have heard it stated, the servant of Sir +Everard Valletort?" + +The old negro looked aghast. It was long since direct +allusion had been made to his unfortunate master or the +events of that period. Questioned in such a spot, and at +such an hour, he could not repress the feeling of terror +conjured up by the allusion. Scarcely daring to exceed +a whisper, he answered. + +"Oh Massa Geral, for Hebben's sake no talkee dat. It +berry long time ago, and break poor nigger heart to tink +ob it--" + +"But I insist on knowing," returned Gerald loudly and +peremptorily; "were you old enough to recollect the curse +that poor heart-broken woman, Ellen Halloway, uttered on +all our race, and if so what was it?" + +"No, Massa Geral, I no sabby dat. Sambo den only piccaninny +and Sir Ebbered make him top in e fort--oh berry bad times +dat, Massa Geral. Poor Frank Hallabay e shot fust, because +e let he grand fadder out ob e fort, and den ebery ting +go bad--berry bad indeed." + +"But the curse of Ellen Halloway, Sambo--you must have +heard of it surely--even if you were not present at the +utterance. Did she not," he continued, finding that the +other replied not: "Did she not pray that the blood of +my great grand father's children might be spilt on the +very spot that had been moistened with that of her ill +fated husband--and, that if any of the race should survive, +it might be only with a view to their perishing in some +unnatural and horrible manner. Was not this the case?" + +"Oh yes, Massa Geral, berry bad tongue Ellen, affir he +lose he husband--but, poor ting, he half mad and no sabby +what he say. He time to start for he gun boat, Massa +Geral." + +The part Sambo had sustained in this short dialogue was +a forced one. He had answered almost mechanically, and +not altogether without embarrassment, the few queries +that were put to him. Nay, so far was he governed by +surrounding local influences, that the anguish he would, +under other circumstances, have experienced, at this +raking up of recollections he so sedulously avoided, was +lost in terror, produced by his near and midnight +propinquity to the fatal theatre of death. His only idea +now was to leave the spot as quickly as he could. + +Gerald had again covered his face with his hands, and +appeared to be laboring under strong agitation of mind. +At length he started abruptly up, and seizing the light, +held it forward, stooping over the bed, as if gazing +fixedly on some object within. + +"No," he said with vehemence, "it shall never be. That +part of the malediction, at least, shall NOT be +accomplished. For once shall the curse of the innocent +be unheeded." + +The strange action and words of the excited officer, by +no means contributed to allay the nervousness of the +brave but superstitious negro. He had approached as near +as he could to Gerald, without actually touching him; +but when he remarked his abrupt movement, and heard the +sudden outburst of feeling which accompanied it, he half +fancied he was apostrophizing some spirit visible only +to himself, and shocked and terrified at this idea, he +turned away his head. + +Sambo's alarm was not to terminate here. Scarcely had he +bent his glance upon the window when he beheld two glaring +eyes, magnified by his fear into thrice their natural +size, fixed intently on that part of the room in which +they stood. He attempted to cry out, but the sound was +stifled in his throat, and he sank upon his knees, holding +up his hands in an attitude of prayer--his teeth chattering, +and his eyes fascinated by those which had produced in +him this paroxysm of terror. Presently he thought he saw +a mouth open, and a row of large and ragged teeth display +themselves in a grin of derision. With a desperate effort +he broke the spell that seemed to enchain every faculty, +and called piteously and imploringly on the name of +Gerald. The officer, who had continued gazing on the +untenanted bed in deep abstraction, and seeming +forgetfulness of all surrounding objects, turned hastily +round, and was much concerned to observe the terrified +expression of the old man's countenance.--Following the +direction of his fixed gaze, he looked towards the window +for a solution of the cause. At that moment a noise was +heard without, as of a falling body. Gerald sprang towards +the window, and hastily lifting it, thrust the lamp +through; but nothing was visible, neither was there sound +of footsteps to be heard. + +Before daybreak on the following morning, the poor old +negro, whom no living danger could daunt, had given but +too alarming evidence that his reason was utterly alienated. +His ravings were wild and fearful, and nothing could +remove from his mind that the face he had beheld was that +of the once terrible Wacousta--the same face which had +presented itself, under such extraordinary circumstances, +at the window of the Canadian's hut, on the night of the +departure of his master, Sir Everard Valletort, and +Captain De Haldimar, for Michilimackinac in 1763. Nay, +so rooted was this belief, that, with the fervor of that +zeal which had governed his whole life and conduct towards +each succeeding generation of the family, he prayed and +obtained, during a momentary gleam of reason, the promise +of the much shocked Gerald, that he would never again +set foot within the precincts of those fatal grounds. + +Inexpressibly grieved as Gerald was at this sad and +unexpected termination to his adventure, he had no time +to linger near his unfortunate servant. The expedition +was to set out in a few hours, and he had too completely +bent his mind upon accompanying it to incur the slightest +chance of a disappointment. Leaving the faithful and +unfortunate creature to the care of his uncle's family, +by every member of whom he was scarcely less loved than +by himself, he took the ferry to the opposite shore within +an hour after day break, and made such speed that, when +Henry came down to breakfast he found, to his surprise, +his brother already there. + +During his ride, Gerald had had leisure to reflect on +the events of the preceding night, and bitterly did he +regret having yielded to a curiosity which had cost the +unfortunate Sambo so much. He judged correctly that they +had been followed in their nocturnal excursion, and that +it was the face of some prying visitant which Sambo's +superstitious dread had transformed into a hideous vision +of the past. He recalled the insuperable aversion the +old man had ever entertained to approach of even make +mention of the spot, and greatly did he blame himself +for having persisted in offering a violence to his nature, +the extent of which had been made so fearfully obvious. +It brought no consolation to him to reflect that the spot +itself contained nought that should have produced so +alarming an effect on a mind properly constituted. He +felt that, knowing his weakness as he did, he ought not +to have trifled with it, and could not deny to himself, +that in enforcing his attendance, (with a view to obtain +information on several points connected with the past), +he had been indirectly the destroyer of his reason. There +had been a season when the unhappy sailor would have felt +a sorrow even deeper than he did, but Gerald was indeed +an altered being--too much rapt in himself to give heed +to others. + +The painful nature of his reflections, added to the +fatigue he had undergone, had given to his countenance +a more than usually haggard expression. Henry remarked +it and inquired the cause, when his brother, in a few +brief sentences, explained all that had occurred during +his absence. Full of affection as he was for the old man, +and utterly unprepared for such a communication, Henry +could not avoid expressing deep vexation that his brother, +aware as he was of the peculiar weakness of their aged +friend, should have been inconsiderate enough to have +drawn him thither. Gerald felt the reproof to be just, +and for that very reason grew piqued under it. Shocked +as he was at the condition of Sambo, Henry was even more +distressed at witnessing the apparent apathy of his +brother for the fate of one, who had not merely saved +his life on a recent occasion, but had evinced a +devotedness--a love for him--in every circumstance of +life, which seldom had had their parallel in the annals +of human servitude. It was in vain that he endeavored +to follow the example of Gerald, who, having seated +himself at the breakfast table, was silently appeasing +an appetite such as he had not exhibited since his return. +Incapable of swallowing his food, Henry paced up and down +the room, violently agitated and sick at heart. It seemed +to him as if Sambo had been a sort of connecting link +between themselves and the departed parents; and now that +he was suddenly and fearfully afflicted, he thought he +could see in the vista of futurity a long train of evils +that threw their shadows before, and portended the +consummation of some unknown, unseen affliction; having +its origin in the incomprehensible alienation of his +brother's heart from the things of his early love. + +While he was yet indulging in these painful thoughts, +the firing of a gun from the harbour--the signal for the +embarkation of the troops--brought both Gerald and himself +to a sense of other considerations. The latter was the +first to quit the house. "Henry," he said with much +emotion, "God bless you. It is possible that, as our +service lies in different lines, we shall see but little +of each other during this expedition--Of one thing +however be assured--that although I am an unhappy man I +am any thing but dead to feeling--Henry," he continued +pressing his hand with warmth, "think not unkindly +hereafter of your poor brother Gerald." A long embrace, +in which each, although in silence, seemed to blend heart +with heart, ensued, and both greatly relieved, as they +always were after this generous expansion of their +feelings, separated forthwith whither their respective +duties summoned them. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Seldom has there been witnessed a more romantic or +picturesque sight than that presented by an expedition +of batteaux moving across one of the Canadian lakes, +during a season of profound calm. The uniform and steady +pull of the crew, directed in their time by the wild +chaunt of the steersman, with whom they ever and anon +join in fall chorus--the measured plash of the oars into +the calm surface of the water--the joyous laugh and rude, +but witty, jest of the more youthful and buoyant of the +soldiery, from whom, at such moments, although in presence +of their officers, the trammels of restraint are partially +removed--all these, added to the inspiriting sight of +their gay scarlet uniforms, and the dancing of the sunbeams +upon their polished arms, have a tendency to call up +impressions of a wild interest, tempered only by the +recollection that many of those who move gaily on, as if +to a festival--bright in hope as though the season of +existence were to last for ever, may never more set eye +upon the scenes they are fast quitting, with the joyousness +produced by the natural thirst of the human heart for +adventure, and a love of change. + +On the second day of its departure, from Amherstburg, +the expedition, preceded by the gun boats, entered the +narrow river of the Miami, and, the woods on either shore +being scoured by the Indians, gained without opposition +the point of debarkation. Batteries having, under great +difficulties, been erected on the right bank, immediately +opposite to, and about six hundred yards from the American +fort, which had been recently and hurriedly constructed, +a heavy and destructive fire was, on the morning of the +third day, opened from them, supported by the gun boats, +one of which, commanded by Gerald Grantham, had advanced +so close to the enemy's position as to have diverted upon +herself the fire which would else have been directed to +the demolition of a British battery, hastily thrown up +on the left bank. The daring manifested by the gallant +sailor was subject of surprise and admiration at once to +friends and foes, and yet, although his boat lay moored +within musket shot of the defences, he sustained but +trifling loss. The very recklessness and boldness of his +advance had been the means of his preservation, for, as +almost all the shots from the battery flew over him, it +was evident he owed his safety to the difficulty the +Americans, found in depressing their guns sufficiently +to bear advantageously upon the boat, which, if anchored +fifty yards beyond, they might have blown out of the +water. + +The limits of our story will not admit of a further detail +of the operations of this siege. Suffice it that, +notwithstanding the entire defeat and capture of a strong +corps of the enemy, who were advancing to relieve the +place, in the course of which a handful of British troops +rendered themselves as conspicuous for valour, as the +noble Tecumseh did for valour and clemency united, the +siege, (a second time attempted,) was, after a final but +fruitless attempt to decoy the enemy from his defences, +abandoned as hopeless, and the expedition re-embarked +and directed against Fort Sandusky, a post of the Americans, +situate on the river of that name, and running also into +Lake Erie. + +Here, once more, was the British Artillery landed, while, +under a heavy fire from the fort, the troops advanced +within range, to take possession of an eminence whereon +it was intended to erect the batteries. Two days were +passed in incessant cannonading, but, as at the Miami, +without making the slightest impression on the green +wood, that opened to receive each ball and closed unshaken +the moment afterwards. Finding all idea of a practicable +breach hopeless, it was at length resolved that an attempt +at assault should be made, and, with this view, the troops +were, on the afternoon of the second day, ordered to hold +themselves in immediate readiness. + +In consequence of the shallowness of the river, it had +been found necessary to moor the gun boats at a point +considerably below, and out of sight of the fort. Gerald +Grantham had obtained permission to leave his command, +and take charge of one of the batteries, which, however, +he relinquished on the day of the assault, having +successfully petitioned to be suffered to join the attack +as a volunteer. In the dress of a grenadier soldier, +disabled during the siege, he now joined the party of +animated officers, who, delighted at the prospect of +being brought once more in close contact with their +enemies, after so many wearying days of inaction, were +seated at a rude but plentiful repast in Captain Cranstoun's +tent, and indulging in remarks which, although often +uttered without aim or ill-nature, are as often but too +bitter subject of after self-reproach to those who have +uttered them. Of those who had originally set out on the +expedition, the only officer of the ---- Regiment absent +was Henry Grantham, who, having been slightly wounded at +the Miami, had, much against his inclination, been ordered +back to Amherstburgh, in charge of the sick and wounded +of the detachment, and this so suddenly, that he had not +had an opportunity of taking leave of his brother. + +"Ha! Gerald, my fine fellow," exclaimed Captain Molineux, +as the youth now joined their circle, "so you have clapped +on the true harness at last. I always said that your +figure became a red jacket a devilish deal better than +a blue. But what new freak is this? Had you not a close +enough berth to Jonathan in the Miami, without running +the risk of a broken head with us today in his trenches?" + +"No such luck is there in store for my juniors, I fancy," +replied Grantham, swallowing off a goblet of wine, which +had been presented to him--"but if I do fall, it will be +in good company. Although the American seems to lie +quietly enough within his defences, there is that about +him which promises us rather a hot reception.". + +"So much the better," said Villiers; "there will be broken +heads for some of us--who do you think we have booked for +a place to the other world?" + +Gerald made no answer, but his look and manner implied +that he understood himself to be the party thus favored. + +"Not so," returned Villiers, "we can't afford to spare +you yet besides the death of a blue jacket can in no way +benefit us. What's the use of 'a bloody war and a sickly +season,' that standard toast at every West India mess, +if the juniors are to go off and not the seniors-- +Cranstoun's the man we've booked." + +"Captain Cranstoun, I have the honor of wishing you a +safe passage, and speedy promotion in Heaven," said +Middlemore, draining off his glass. "Devilish good port +this of yours. By the bye, as you have a better port in +view, you cannot do better than assign over what is left +of this to me." + +"Thonk ye, Mr. Meeddlemore," retorted Cranstoun drily, +yet good humouredly; "yeet as ye're to be attoched to my +deveesion y'ell perhops roon jeest the same reesk, and +as it may be that y'ell not want more wine than we've +taken the day, any moore than mysel', a pleedge ye, in +retoorn, a safe possage to Heeven, when a troost ye will +be joodged for better qualities than ye poossess as a +poonster." + +"What," asked Gerald, with an unfeigned surprise, when +the laugh against Middlemore had subsided; "and is it +really in his own wine that you have all thus been +courteously pledging Captain Cranstoun's death?" + +"Even so," said Middlemore, rallying and returning to +the attack, "he invited us all to lunch in his tent, and +how could we better repay him for opening his hampers, +than by returning his SPIRIT SCOT-FREE and UNHAMPERED to +Heaven," + +"Oh, oh, oh," ejaculated St. Clair, stopping his ears +and throwing up his eyes; "surely, Middlemore, if you +are not shot this day, it must be that you were born to +be hanged--no man can perpetrate so horrible a pun, and +expect to live." + +"I'm hanged if I am then," returned the other; "but, +talking of being shot--is a there another shot in the +locker, Cranstoun--another bottle of port?" + +"The shot that is reserved for you, will bring you +acquainted with another locker than Cranstoun's I suspect," +said Villiers; "one Mr. David Jones' locker--hit there eh?" + +The low roll of a muffled drum, suddenly recalled the +party from their trifling to considerations of a graver +interest. It was the signal for forming the columns of +attack. In a moment the tone--the air of ribaldry was +exchanged for a seriousness that befitted the occasion, +and it seemed as if a momentary reproach passed over the +minds of those who had most amused themselves at the +expense of Cranstoun, for each, as he quitted the tent, +gave his extended hand to his host, who pressed it in a +manner to show all was forgiven. + +The English batteries had been constructed on the skirt +of the wood surrounding the fort, from which latter they +were separated by a meadow covered with long grass, about +six hundred yards across at the narrowest point. Behind +these the columns of attack, three in number, were now +rapidly and silently formed. To that commanded by Captain +Cranstoun, on the extreme left, and intended to assault +the fort at the strongest point, Gerald Grantham had +attached himself, in the simple dress, as we have observed, +of a private soldier, and armed with a common musket. In +passing, with the former officer, to take his position +in front of the column, he was struck by the utter want +of means for executing, with success, the duty assigned +to the several divisions. Each column was provided with +a certain number of axemen, selected to act as pioneers; +but not one of the necessary implements was in a condition +to be used; neither had a single fascine or ladder been +provided, although it was well known a deep ditch remained +to be passed before the axes, inefficient as they were, +could be brought into use. + +"Sooch," said Captain Cranstoun, with a sneer of much +bitterness, and pointing to the blunted and useless +implements, "are the peetiful theengs on which hong the +lives of our brave fallows. Nae doot the next dispotches +will say a great deal aboot the eexcellent arrangements +for attock; but if ye do not fall, Geerald, a hope ye'll +make a proper repreesentation of the affair. As ye belong +to the other seervice, there's leetle fear the Geeneral +can hurt your promotion for jeest speaking the truth. A +Geeneral indeed! who'll say Fortune is not bleind to make +a Geeneral of sooch as he?" + +It was not an usual thing for Cranstoun to express himself +thus in regard to his superiors; but he was really vexed +at the idea of the sacrifice of human life that must +attend this wantonness of neglect, and imbecility of +arrangement. He had, moreover, taken wine enough, not in +any way to intoxicate, but sufficient to thaw his habitual +caution and reserve. Fearless as his sword, he cared +not for his own life; but, although a strict officer, he +was ever attentive to the interests of his men, who, in +their turn, admired him for his cool, unflinching courage, +and would have dared any thing, under the direction of +their Captain. + +It was evident that the contempt of the sailor for the +capacity of the leader, to whom it was well known, all +the minute arrangements were submitted, was not one whit +inferior to what was entertained by the brave and honest +Cranstoun. He, however, merely answered, as they both +assumed their places in front, and with the air of one +utterly indifferent to these disadvantages. + +"No matter, Cranstoun, the greater the obstacles we have +to contend against, the more glorious will he our victory. +Where you lead, however, we shall not be long in following." + +"Hem! since it is to be a game of follow-my-leader," said +Middlemore, who now joined them, "I must not be far +behind. A month's pay with either of you I reach the +stockade first." + +"Doone, Meeddlemore, doone," eagerly replied Cranstoun, +and they joined hands in confirmation of the bet. + +This conversation had taken place during the intervals +occupied by the movements of the right and centre columns +along the skirt of the wood, to equidistant points in +the half circle embraced in the plan of attack. A single +blast of the bugle now announced that the furthermost +had reached its place of destination, when suddenly a +gun--the first fired since noon from the English batteries +--gave the signal for which all were now prepared. + +In the next minute the heads of the several columns +debouched from the wood, and, the whole advancing in +double quick time, with their arms at the trail, moved +across the meadow in the several directions assigned +them. The space to be traversed by Captain Cranstoun's +division was considerably the shortest of the three; but, +on the other hand, he was opposed to that part of the +enemy's defences where there was the least cover afforded +to an assailing force. Meanwhile there was an utter repose +in the fort; which for some moments induced the belief +that the Americans were preparing to surrender their +trust without a struggle, and loud yells from the Indians, +who, from their cover in the rear, watched the progress +of the troops with admiration and surprise, were pealed +forth as if in encouragement to the latter to proceed. +But the American Commander had planned his defence with +skill. No sooner had the several columns got within half +musket shot, than a tremendous fire of musketry and rifles +was opened upon them from two distinct faces of the +stockade. Captain Cranstoun's division, being the nearest, +was the first attacked, and suffered considerably without +attempting to return a shot. At the first discharge, the +two leading sergeants, and many of the men, were knocked +down; but neither Cranstoun, nor Middlemore, nor Grantham, +were touched. + +"Foorward men, foorward," shouted the former, brandishing +his sword, and dashing down a deep ravine, that separated +them from the trenches. + +"On, my gallant fellows, on!--the left column for ever," +cried Middlemore, imitating the example of his Captain, +and, in his eagerness to reach the ditch first, leaving +his men to follow as they could. + +Few of these, however, needed the injunction. Although +galled by the severe fire of the enemy, they followed +their leaders down the ravine with a steadiness worthy +of a better result; then, climbing up the opposite ascent, +under a shower of bullets, yet without pulling a trigger +themselves, made for the ditch their officer had already +gained. + +Cranstoun, still continuing in advance, was the first +who arrived on the brink. For a moment he paused, as if +uncertain what course to pursue, then, seeing Middlemore +close behind him, he leaped in, and striking a blow of +his sabre upon the stockade, called loudly upon the axemen +to follow. While he was yet shouting, a ball from a +loop-hole, not three feet above his head, entered his +brain, and he fell dead across the trench. + +"Ha! well have you won your wager, my noble Captain!" +exclaimed Middlemore, putting his hand to his chest, and +staggering from the effect of a shot he had that instant +received. "You are indeed the BETTER man," (he continued +excited beyond his usual calm by the circumstances in +which he found himself placed, yet unable to resist his +dominating propensity, even at such a moment,) "and +deserve the palm of honor this day. Forward, men, forward: +--axemen do your duty. Down with the stockade, my lads, +and give them a bellyfull of steel." + +Scarcely had he spoken, when a second discharge from the +same wall-piece that had killed Cranstoun passed through +his throat. "Forward," he again but more faintly shouted, +with the gurgling tone of suffocation peculiar to a wound +in that region, then, falling headlong into the ditch, +was in the next instant trodden under by the advance of +the column who rushed forward, though fruitlessly, to +avenge the deaths of their officers. + +All was now confusion, noise, and carnage. Obeying the +command of their leader, the axemen had sprung into the +ditch, and, with efforts nerved by desperation, applied +themselves vigorously to the task allotted them. But as +well might they have attempted to raze the foundation of +the globe itself. Incapable from their bluntness of making +the slightest impression on the obstinate wood, the iron +at each stroke rebounded off, leaving to the eye no +vestige of where it had rested. Filled with disappointment +and rage, the brave and unfortunate fellows dashed the +useless metal to the earth, and endeavored to escape from +the ditch back into the ravine, where, at least, there +was a prospect of supplying themselves with more serviceable +weapons from among their slain comrades; but the ditch +was deep and slimy and the difficulty of ascent great. +Before they could accomplish it, the Americans opened a +fire from a bastion, the guns of which, loaded with slugs +and musket balls, raked the trench from end to end, and +swept away all that came within its range. This was the +first check given to the division of the unfortunate +Cranstoun. Many of the leading sections had leaped, +regardless of all obstacles, into the trench, with a view +of avenging their slaughtered officers; but these, like +the axemen, had been carried away by the discharges from +the bastion and the incessant fire poured upon them from +the loop-holes of the stockade. Despairing of success, +without fascines to fill up the ditch, or a ladder to +scale the picketing that afforded cover to their enemies, +there was no alternative but to remain and be cut down +to a man, where they stood, or to retire into the brushwood +that lined the ravine. The latter was finally adopted; +but not before one third of the column had paid the +penalty of their own daring, and what the brave Cranstoun +had sneeringly termed the "General's excellent +arrangements," with their lives. The firing at this time +had now almost wholly ceased between the enemy and the +columns on the right and centre, neither of which had +penetrated beyond the ravine, and at a late hour in the +evening the whole were drawn off. + +Meanwhile, steady at his post at the head of the division, +Gerald Grantham had continued to act with the men as +though he had been one of themselves. During the whole +course of the advance, he neither joined in the cheers +of the officers, nor uttered word of encouragement to +those who followed. But in his manner there was remarked +a quietness of determination, a sullen disregard of +danger, that seemed to denote some deeper rooted purpose +than the mere desire of personal distinction. His ambition +appeared to consist, not in being the first to reach or +scale the fort, but in placing himself wherever the balls +of the enemy flew thickest. There was no enthusiasm in +his mien, no excitement in his eye; neither had his step +the buoyancy that marks the young heart wedded to valorous +achievement, but was, on the contrary, heavy, measured, +yet firm. His whole manner and actions, in short, as +reported to his brother on the return of the expedition +by those who had been near him throughout the affair, +was that of a man who courts not victory but death. +Planted on the brow of the ditch, at the moment when +Middlemore fell, he had deliberately discharged his musket +into the loop-hole whence the shot had been fired; but +although, as he seemed to expect, the next instant brought +several barrels to bear upon himself, not one of these +had taken effect. A moment after and he was in the ditch, +followed by some twenty or thirty of the leading men of +the column, and advancing towards the bastion, then +preparing to vomit forth its fire upon the devoted axemen. +Even here, Fate, or Destiny, or whatever power it be that +wills the nature of the end of man, turned aside the +death with which he already seemed to grapple. At the +very moment when the flash rose from the havoc-dealing +gun, he chanced to stumble over the dead body of a soldier, +and fell flat upon his face. Scarcely had he touched the +ground when he was again upon his feet; but even in that +short space of time he alone, of those who had entered +the ditch, had been left unscathed. Before him came +bellying along the damp trench, the dense smoke from the +fatal bastion, as it were a funeral shroud for its victims; +and behind him were to be seen the mangled and distorted +forms of his companions, some dead, others writhing in +acute agony, and filling the air with shrieks, and groans, +and prayers for water wherewith to soothe their burning +lips, that mingled fearfully, yet characteristically, +with the unsubdued roar of small arms. + +It was now, for the first time, that Gerald evinced any +thing like excitement, but it was the excitement of bitter +disappointment. He saw those to whom the preservation of +life would have been a blessing, cut down and slaughtered; +while he, whose object it was to lay it down for ever, +was, by some strange fatality, wholly exempt. + +The reflections that passed with lightning quickness +through his mind, only served to stimulate his determination +the more. Scarcely had the smoke which had hitherto kept +him concealed from the battery, passed beyond him, when, +rushing forward, and shouting--"To the bastion, men--to +the bastion!" he planted himself in front of the gun, +and not three yards from its muzzle. Prevented by the +dense smoke that choked up the trench, from ascertaining +the extent of execution produced by their discharge, the +American artillerymen, who had again loaded, were once +more on the alert and preparing to repeat it. Already +was the match in the act of descending, which would have +blown the unfortunate Gerald to atoms, when suddenly an +officer, whose uniform bespoke him to be of some rank, +and to whose quick eye it was apparent the rash assailant +was utterly unsupported, sprang upon the bastion, and, +dashing the fuze from the hand of the gunner, commanded +that a small sally-port, which opened into the trench a +few yards beyond the point where he stood, should be +opened, and the brave soldier taken prisoner without +harm. So prompt was the execution of this order, that, +before Gerald could succeed in clambering up the ditch +which, with the instinctive dread of captivity, he +attempted, he was seized by half a dozen long legged +backwoodsmen, and, by these, borne hurriedly back through +the sally-port which was again closed. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Defeated at every point and with great loss, the British +columns had retired into the bed of the ravine, where, +shielded from the fire of the Americans, they lay several +hours shivering with cold and ankle deep in mud and water; +yet consoling themselves with the hope that the renewal +of the assault, under cover of the coming darkness, would +he attended with a happier issue. But the gallant General, +who appeared in the outset to have intended they should +make picks of their bayonets, and scaling-ladders of each +others bodies, now that a mound sufficient for the latter +purpose could be raised of the slain, had altered his +mind, and alarmed, and mayhap conscience stricken at the +profuse and unnecessary sacrifice of human life which +had resulted from the first wanton attack, adopted the +resolution of withdrawing his troops. This was at length +finally effected, and without further loss. + +Fully impressed with the belief that the assailants would +not be permitted to forego the advantage they still +possessed in their near contiguity to the works, without +another attempt at escalade, the Americans had continued +calmly at their posts; with what confidence in the nature +of their defences, and what positive freedom from danger, +may be inferred from the fact of their having lost but +one man throughout the whole affair, and that one killed +immediately through the loop-hole by the shot that avenged +the death of poor Middlemore. When at a late hour they +found that the columns were again in movement, they could +scarcely persuade themselves they were not changing their +points of attack. A very few minutes however sufficed to +show their error, for in the indistinct light of a new +moon, the British troops were to be seen ascending the +opposite face of the ravine and in full retreat. Too well +satisfied with the successful nature of their defence, +the Americans made no attempt to follow, but contented +themselves with pouring in a parting volley, which however +the obscurity rendered ineffectual. Soon afterwards the +sally-port was again opened, and such of the unfortunates +as yet lingered alive in the trenches were brought in, +and every attention the place could afford paid to their +necessities. + +An advanced hour of the night brought most of the American +officers together in their rude mess-room, where the +occurrences of the day were discussed with an enthusiasm +of satisfaction natural to the occasion. Each congratulated +each on the unexpected success, but commendation was more +than usually loud in favor of their leader, to whose +coolness and judgment, in reserving his fire until the +approach of the enemy within pistol shot, was to be +attributed the severe loss and consequent check they had +sustained. + +Next became the topic of eulogium the gallantry of those +who had been worsted in all but their honor, and all +spoke with admiration of the devotedness of the two +unfortunate officers who had perished in the trenches-- +a subject which, in turn, led to a recollection of the +brave soldier who had survived the sweeping discharge +from the bastion, and who had been so opportunely saved +from destruction by the Commandant himself. + +"Captain Jackson," said that officer, addressing one of +the few who wore the regular uniform of the United States' +army, "I should like much to converse with this man, in +whom I confess, as in some degree the preserver of his +life, I feel an interest. Moreover, as the only uninjured +among our prisoners, he is the one most calculated to +give us information in regard to the actual force of +those whom we have this day had the good fortune to +defeat, as well as of the ultimate destination of the +British General. Notes of both these important particulars, +if I can possibly obtain them, I wish to make in a despatch +of which I intend you to be the bearer." + +The Aid-de-Camp, for in that capacity was he attached to +the person of Colonel Forrester, immediately quitted the +room, and presently afterwards returned ushering in the +prisoner. + +Although Gerald was dressed, as we have said, in the +uniform of the private grenadier, there was that about +him which, in defiance of a person covered from head to +foot with the slimy mud of the trenches, and a mouth +black as ink with powder from the cartridges he had +bitten, at once betrayed him for something more than he +appeared. + +There was a pause for some moments after he entered. At +length Colonel Forrester inquired, in a voice strongly +marked by surprise:-- + +"May I ask, sir, what rank you hold in the British army?" + +"But that I have unfortunately suffered more from your +mud than your fire," replied Gerald coolly, and with +undisguised bitterness of manner, "the question would at +once be answered by a reference my uniform." + +"I understand you, sir; you would have me to infer you +are what your dress, and your dress alone, denotes--a +private soldier?" + +Gerald made no answer. + +"Your name, soldier?" + +"My name!" + +"Yes; your name. One possessed of the gallantry we +witnessed this day cannot be altogether without a name." + +The pale cheek of Gerald was slightly tinged. With all +his grief, he still was man. The indirect praise lingered +a moment at his heart, then passed off with the slight +blush that as momentarily dyed his cheek. + +"My name, sir, is a humble one, and little worthy to be +classed with those who have this day written theirs in +the page of honor with their heart's blood. I am called +Gerald Grantham." + +"Gerald Grantham!" repeated the Commandant, musingly, as +though endeavoring to bring back the recollection of such +a name. + +The prisoner looked at him stedfastly in return, yet +without speaking. + +"Is there another of your name in the British squadron?" +continued Colonel Forrester, fixing his eye full upon +his prisoner. + +"There are many in the British squadron whose names are +unknown to me," replied Gerald, evasively, and faintly +coloring. + +"Nay," said Colonel Forrester, "that subterfuge more than +any thing betrays you. Though not answered, I am satisfied. +How we are to account for seeing a gallant sailor attacking +us in our trenches, in the humble garb of a private soldier, +and so out of his own element, I cannot understand; but +the name of Gerald Grantham, coupled with your manner and +appearance, assures us we are making personal acquaintance +with one to whose deeds we are not strangers. Gentlemen," +addressing his officers, "this is the Lieutenant Grantham, +whose vessel was captured last autumn at Buffalo, and of +whose gallant defence, my cousin, Captain Edward Forrester, +has spoken so highly. Lieutenant Grantham," he pursued, +advancing, and offering his hand, "when I had the happiness +to save your life this day, by dashing aside the fuze that +would have been the agent in your destruction, I saw in +you but the brave and humble soldier, whom it were disgrace +not to have spared for so much noble daring. Judge how +great must be my satisfaction to know that I have been the +means of preserving, to his family and country, one whose +name stands so high even in the consideration of his +enemies." + +Poor Gerald! how bitter and conflicting must have been +his feelings at that moment. On the one side, touched by +the highest evidences of esteem a brave and generous +enemy could proffer--on the other, annoyed beyond expression +at the recollection of an interposition which had thwarted +him in his fondest, dearest hope--that of losing, at the +cannon's mouth, the life he loathed. What had been done +in mercy and noble forbearance, was to him the direst +punishment that could be inflicted:--yet how was it +possible to deny gratitude for the motive which had +impelled his preservation, or fail in acknowledgment of +the appreciation in which he thus found himself personally +held. + +"It would be idle, Colonel Forrester," he said, taking +the proffered hand, "after the manner in which you have +expressed yourself, to deny that I am the officer to whom +you allude. I feel deeply these marks of your regard, +although I cannot but consider any little merit that may +attach to me very much overrated by them. My appearance +in this dress, perhaps requires some explanation. +Presented by the shallowness of the river from co-operating +with the army in my gun-boat, and tired of doing nothing, +I had solicited and obtained permission to become one of +the storming party in the quality of volunteer, which of +necessity induced the garb in which you now behold me. +You know the rest." + +"And yet, Colonel," said a surly-looking backwoodsman, +who sat with one hand thrust into the bosom of a hunting +frock, and the other playing with the richly ornamented +hilt of a dagger, while a round hat, surmounted by a huge +cockade, was perched knowingly over his left ear, covering, +or rather shadowing, little more than one fourth of his +head--"I reckon as how this here sort of thing comes +within the spy act. Here's a commissioned officer of +King George, taken not only in our lines, but in our very +trenches in the disguise of a private soger. What say +you, Captain Buckhorn?" turning to one somewhat younger +and less uncouth, who sat nest him habited in a similar +manner. "Don't you think it comes within the spy act?" + +Captain Buckhorn, however, not choosing to hazard an +opinion on the subject, merely shrugged his shoulders, +puffed his cigar, and looked at the Colonel as if he +expected him to decide the question. + +"As I am a true Tennessee man, bred and born, Major +Killdeer," said the Aid-de-Camp Jackson, "I can't see +how that can lie. To come within the spy act, a man must +be in plain clothes, or in the uniform of his enemy. Now, +Liftenant Grantham, I take it, comes in the British +uniform, and what signifies a whistle if he wears gold +lace or cotton tape, provided it be stuck upon a scarlet +coat, and that in the broad face of day, with arms in +his hand,--aye, and a devil of a desperation to make good +use of them too"--he added, with a good naturedly malicious +leer of the eye towards the subject of his defence. + +"At all events, in my conceit, it's an attempt to undervally +himself," pursued the tenacious Kentuckian Major. "Suppose +his name warn't known as it is, he'd have passed for a +private soger, and would have been exchanged for one, +without our being any the wiser; whereby the United +States' service, I calculate, would have lost an officer +in the balance of account." + +"Although there cannot be the slightest difficulty," +observed Colonel Forrester, "in determining on the doubt +first started by you, Major Killdeer, I confess, that +what you have now suggested involves a question of some +delicacy. In the spirit, although not altogether in the +letter, of your suggestion, I agree; so much so, Mr. +Grantham," he added, turning to Gerald, "that in violence +to the inclination I should otherwise have felt to send +you back to your lines, on parole of honor, I shall be +compelled to detain you until the pleasure of my government +be known as to the actual rank in which you are to be +looked upon. I should say that, taken in arms as a +combatant without rank, we have no right to know you as +any thing else; but as I may be in error, I am sure you +will see how utterly impossible it is for me to take any +such responsibility upon myself, especially after the +difficulty you have just heard started." + +Gerald, who had listened to this discussion with some +astonishment, was not sorry to find the manner of its +termination. In the outset he had not been without alarm +that the hero of one hour might be looked upon and hanged +as the spy of the next; and tired as he was of life, much +as he longed to lay it down, his neck had too invincible +a repugnance to any thing like contact with a cord to +render him ambitious of closing his existence in that +way. He was not at all sorry, therefore, when he found +the surly looking Major Killdeer wholly unsupported in +his sweeping estimate of what he called the "spy act." +The gentlemanly manner of Colonel Forrester, forming as +it did so decided a contrast with the unpolished--even +rude frankness of his second in command, was not without +soothing influence upon his mind, and to his last +observation he replied, as he really felt, that any change +in his views as to his disposal could in no way effect +him, since it was a matter of total indifference whether +he returned to Amherstburg, or was detained where he was. +In neither case could he actively rejoin the service +until duly exchanged, and this was the only object embraced +in any desire he might entertain of the kind. + +"Still," added the Colonel, "although I may not suffer +you to return yet into Canada, I can see no objection to +according you the privilege of parole of honor, without +at all involving the after question of whether you are +to be considered as the soldier or the officer. From this +moment therefore, Mr. Grantham, you will consider yourself +a prisoner at large within the fort--or, should you prefer +journeying into the interior, to sharing the privations +and the dullness inseparable from our isolated position, +you are at liberty to accompany Captain Jackson, my +Aid-de-Camp, who will leave this within thirty-six hours, +charged with dispatches for the Governor of Kentucky." + +Gerald had already acknowledged to himself that, if any +thing could add to his wretchedness, it would he a +compulsory residence in a place not only destitute itself +of all excitement, but calling up, at every hour, the +images of his brave companions in danger--men whom he +had known when the sun of his young hopes shone unclouded, +and whom he had survived but to be made sensible of the +curse of exemption from a similar fate; still, with that +instinctive delicacy of a mind whose natural refinement +not even a heavy weight of grief could wholly deaden, he +felt some hesitation in giving expression to a wish, the +compliance with which would, necessarily, separate him +from one who had so courteously treated him, and whom he +feared to wound by an appearance of indifference. + +"I think, Mr. Grantham," pursued Colonel Forrester, +remarking his hesitation, "I can understand what is +passing in your mind. However I beg you will suffer no +mere considerations of courtesy to interfere with your +inclination. I can promise you will find this place most +dismally dull, especially to one who has no positive duty +to perform in it. If I may venture to recommend, therefore, +you will accompany Captain Jackson. The ride will afford +you more subject for diversion than any thing we can +furnish here." + +Thus happily assisted in his decision. Gerald said, +"since, Sir, you leave it optional with me, I think I +shall avail myself of your kind offer and accompany +Captain Jackson. It is not a very cheering sight," he +pursued, anxious to assign a satisfactory reason for his +choice, "to have constantly before one's eyes the scene +of so signal a discomfiture as that which our arms have +experienced this day." + +"And yet," said Colonel Forrester, "despite of that +discomfiture, there was nothing in the conduct of those +engaged that should call a blush into the cheek of the +most fastidious stickler for national glory. There is +not an officer here present," he continued, "who is not +prepared to attest with myself, that your column in +particular behaved like heroes. By the way, I could wish +to know, (but you will use your own discretion in answering +or declining the question, recollect,) what was the actual +strength of your attacking force?" + +"I can really see no objection to a candid answer to your +question, Colonel," returned Gerald, after a moment's +consideration. "Each division was, I believe, for I cannot +state with certainty, little more than two hundred strong, +making in all, perhaps, from six hundred to six hundred +and fifty men. In return, may I ask, the number of those +who so effectually repulsed us?" + +"Why I guess only one hundred and fifty, and most all my +volunteers," somewhat exultingly exclaimed Major Killdeer. + +"Only one hundred and fifty men!" repeated Gerald, unable +to disguise his vexation and astonishment. + +"That ere's a poser for him," said the Major, turning +and addressing Captain Buckhorn in an undertone, who +replied to him with a wink from his nearest eye. + +"Even so, Mr. Grantham," replied the Colonel. "One hundred +and fifty men of all arms, save artillery, composed my +force at the moment when your columns crossed the plain. +To-night we muster one hundred and forty nine." + +"Good Heaven!" exclaimed Gerald warming into excitement, +with vexation and pique, "what a disgraceful affair." + +"Disgraceful, yes--but only in as far as regards those +who planned, and provided (or rather ought to have +provided) the means of attack. I can assure you, Mr. +Grantham, that although prepared to defend my post to +the last, when I saw your columns first emerge from the +wood, I did not expect, with my small force, to have been +enabled to hold the place one hour; for who could have +supposed that even a school boy, had such been placed at +the head of an army, would have sent forward a storming +party, without either fascines to fill a trench, or +ladders to ascend from it when filled. Had these been +provided, there can be no doubt of the issue, for, to +repulse the attempt at escalade in one quarter, I must +have concentrated the whole of my little force--and +thereby afforded an unopposed entrance to the other +columns--or even granting my garrison to have been +sufficient to keep two of your divisions in check, there +still remained a third to turn the scale of success +against us." + +"I can understand the satisfaction with which you discovered +this wretched bungling on the part of our leaders," remarked +Gerald with vexation. + +"No sooner had I detected the deficiency," pursued Colonel +Forrester, "than I knew the day would be my own, since +the obstacles opposed to your attempt would admit of my +spreading my men over the whole line embraced within the +attack. The result, you see has justified my expectation. +But enough of this. After the fatigues of the day you +must require both food and rest. Captain Jackson, I leave +it to you to do the honors of hospitality towards Mr. +Grantham, who will so shortly become your fellow traveller, +and if, when he has performed the ablutions he seems so +much to require, my wardrobe can furnish any thing your +own cannot supply to transform him into a backwoodsman, +(in which garb I would strongly advise him to travel,) +I beg it may be put under contribution without ceremony." + +So saying, Colonel Forrester departed to the rude log +hut that served him for his head quarters, first enjoining +his uncouth second to keep a sufficient number of men on +the alert, and take such other precautions as were +necessary to guard against surprise--an event, however, +of which little apprehension was entertained, now that +the British troops appeared to have been wholly withdrawn. + +Sick, wearied, and unhappy, Gerald was but too willing +to escape to the solitude of retirement, to refuse the +offer which Captain Jackson made of his own bed, it being +his intention to sit up all night in the mess room, ready +to communicate instantly with the Colonel in the event +of any alarm. Declining the pressing invitation of the +officers to join in the repast they were about to make +for the first time since the morning, and more particularly +that of Captain Buckhorn, who strongly urged him to "bring +himself to an anchor and try a little of the Wabash," he +took a polite but hasty leave of them all, and was soon +installed for the night in the Aid-de-Camp's dormitory. + +It would be idle to say that Gerald never closed his eyes +that night--still more idle would it be to attempt a +description of all that passed through a mind whose extent +of wretchedness may be inferred from his several desperate, +although unsuccessful, efforts at the utter annihilation +of all thought. When he met Colonel Forrester and his +officers in the mess room at breakfast, he was dressed, +as had been recommended, in the hunting frock and belt +of a backwoodsman; and in this, his gentlemanly figure +looked to such advantage as to excite general attention +--so much so indeed, that Major Killdeer was more than +once detected in eying his own heavy and uncouth person, +as if to ascertain if the points of excellence were +peculiar to the dress or to the man. Sick and dispirited +as he was, Gerald felt the necessity of an attempt to +rally, and however the moralist may condemn the principle, +there is no doubt that he was considerably aided in his +effort by one or two glasses of bitters which Captain +Buckhorn strongly recommended as being of his wife's +making, and well calculated to put some colour into a +man's face--an advantage in which, he truly remarked, +Grantham was singularly deficient. + +Accurate intelligence having been obtained from a party +of scouts, who had been dispatched early in the morning +to track their course, that the British General with his +troops and Indians had finally departed, preparations +were made about midday for the interment of the fallen. +Two large graves were accordingly dug on the outer brow +of the ravine, and into these the bodies of the fallen +soldiers were deposited with all the honors of war. A +smaller grave, within the fort, and near the spot where +they so nobly fell, was considerately allotted to Cranstoun +and Middlemore. There was a composedness on the brow of +the former that likened him, even in death, to the living +man; while, about the good-humoured mouth of poor +Middlemore, played the same sort of self satisfied smile +that had always been observable there, when about to +deliver himself of a sally. Gerald, who had imposed upon +himself the painful duty of attending to their last +committal to earth, could not help fancying that Middlemore +must have breathed his last with an inaudible pun upon +his lips--an idea that inexpressibly affected him. Weighed +down with sorrow as was his own soul, he had yet a tear +for the occasion--not that his brave comrades were dead, +but that they had died with so much to attach them to +life--while he whose hope was in death alone had been +chained, as by a curse, to an existence compared with +which death was the first of human blessings. + +On the following morning, after an early breakfast, he +and Captain Jackson quitted the fort--Colonel Forrester, +(who had appeared to remark that the brusque manner of +his Aid-de-Camp was not altogether understood by his +charge,) taking occasion at parting to assure the latter +that, with all his eccentricity he was a kind hearted +man, whom he had selected to be near him more for his +personal courage, zeal, and general liberality of feeling, +than for any qualifications of intellect he possessed. + +The means provided for their transport into the interior +were well assimilated to the dreariness of the country +through which they passed. Two common pack horses, lean, +galled by the saddle, and callous from long acquaintance +with the admonitory influence both of whip and spur, had +been selected by Captain Jackson as the best within the +fort, and, as a first evidence of the liberality ascribed +to him by his Commander, the fastest of these (if a choice +there was) he selected for his own use. Neither were the +trappings out of keeping with the steeds they decked. +Moth eaten saddles, almost black with age, beneath which +were spread pieces of dirty blanket to prevent further +excoriation of the already bared and reeking back--bridles, +the original thickness of which had been doubled by the +incrustation of mould and dirt that pertinaciously adhered +to them--stirrups and bits, with their accompanying +buckles (the absence of curb chains being supplied by +pieces of rope) covered with the rust of half a century +--all afforded evidence of the wretchedness of resource +peculiar to a back settlement population. Over the hard +saddles, however, had been strapped the blankets which, +when the travellers were fortunate enough to meet with +a hut at the close of their day's ride, or, as was more +frequently the case, when compelled to bivouac in the +forest before the fire kindled by the industry of the +hardy Aid-de-Camp, served them as their only couch of +rest, while the small leather valise tied to the pummel +of the saddle, and containing their scanty wardrobe, was +made to do the duty of the absent pillow. The blanket +Gerald found to be the greatest advantage of his grotesque +equipment--so much so indeed, that when compelled, by +the heavy rains which took place shortly after their +departure, to make it serve after the fashion of a +backwoodsman as a covering for his loins and shoulders, +he was obliged to own that his miseries, great as they +were, were yet susceptible of increase. + +Notwithstanding Captain Jackson had taken what, he +considered to be, the best of the two Rosinantes for +himself, Gerald had no reason to deny the character for +kind-heartedness given of him by Colonel Forrester. +Frequently, when winding through some dense forest, or +moving over some extensive plain where nothing beyond +themselves told of the existence of man, his companion +would endeavour to divert him from the abstraction and +melancholy in which he was usually plunged, and, ascribing +his despondency to an unreal cause, seek to arouse him +by the consolatory assurance that he was not the first +man who had been taken prisoner--adding, that there was +no use in snivelling, as "what was done couldn't be +undone, and no great harm neither, as there was some as +pretty gals in Kaintuck as could be picked out in a day's +ride; and that to a good looking young fellow like himself, +with nothing to do but to make love to them, THAT ought +to be no mean consideration, enabling him, as it would, +to while away the tedium of captivity." At other times +he would launch forth into some wild rhapsody, the +invention of the moment, or seek to entertain his companion +with startling anecdotes connected with his encounters +with the Indians on the Wabash, (where he had formerly +served,) in the course of which much of the marvellous, +to call it by the most indulgent term, was necessarily +mixed up--not perhaps that he was quite sensible of this +himself, but because he possessed a constitutional +proneness to exaggeration that rendered him even more +credulous of the good things he uttered than those to +whom he detailed them. + +But Gerald heard without being amused, and, although he +felt thankful for the intention, was distressed that his +abstraction should be the subject of notice, and his +despondency the object of care. To avoid this he frequently +suffered Jackson to take the lead, and following some +distance in the rear with his arms folded and the reins +loose upon his horse's neck, often ran the risk of having +his own neck broken by the frequent stumbling of the +unsure-footed beast. But the Captain as often returned +to the charge, for, in addition to a sincere desire to +rally his companion, he began at length to find it +exceedingly irksome to travel with one who neither spoke +himself nor appeared to enjoy speech in another; and when +he had amused himself with whistling, singing, hallooing, +and cutting a thousand antics with his arms, until he +was heartily tired of each of these several diversions, +he would rein in his horse to suffer Gerald to come up, +and, after a conciliating offer of his rum flask, +accompanied by a slice of hung beef that lined the wallet +depending from his shoulder, (neither of which were often +refused,) enter upon some new and strange exploit, of +which he was as usual the hero. Efforced in a degree to +make some return for the bribe offered to his patience, +Gerald would lend--all he could--his ear to the tale; +but long before the completion he would give such evidence +of his distraction as utterly to disconcert the narrator, +and cause him finally to have recourse to one of the +interludes above described. + +In this manner they had journeyed some days, when the +rains suddenly commenced with a violence, and continued +with a pertinacity, that might have worn out the +cheerfulness of much less impatient spirits than those +of our travellers, who, without any other protection than +what was afforded by the blanket tightly girt round the +loins, and fastened over the shoulder, in front of the +chest, presented an appearance quite as wild as the waste +they traversed. It was in vain, that in order to promote +a more rapid circulation, they essayed to urge their +jaded beasts out of the jog-trot in which they had set +out. Accustomed to this from the time when they first +emerged from colthood into horsehood, the aged steeds, +like many aged senators of their day, were determined +enemies to any thing like innovation on the long established +customs of their caste; and although, unlike the said +senators, they were made to bear all the burdens of the +state, still did they not suffer themselves to be driven +out of the sluggish habits in which sluggish animals, of +every description, seem to feel themselves privileged to +indulge. Whip and spur therefore were alike applied in +vain, as to any accelerated motion in themselves; but +with this advantage at least to their riders, that, while +the latter toiled vigorously for an increase of vital +warmth, through the instrumentality of their con-complying +hacks, they found it where they least seemed to look for +it--in the mingled anger and activity which kept them +at the fruitless task. + +It was at the close of one of those long days of wearying +travel throughout a vast and unsheltered plain, (where +only here and there rose an occasional cluster of trees, +like oases in the desert,) that, drenched to the skin +with the steady rain which, commencing with the dawn, +had continued without a moment's intermission, they +arrived at a small log-hut, situate on the skirt of a +forest forming one of the boundaries of the vast savannah +they had traversed. Such was the unpromising appearance +of this apology for a human dwelling that, under any +other circumstances, even the "not very d----d particular" +Jackson, as the Aid-de-Camp often termed himself, would +have passed it by without stopping; but after a long +day's ride, and suffering from the greatest evils to +which a traveller can well be subjected--cold, wet, and +hunger--even so wretched a resting-place as this was not +to be despised; and accordingly a determination was formed +to stop there for the night. On riding up to the door, +it was opened to their knock, when a tall man--apparently +its only occupant, came forth--and, after surveying the +travellers a moment with a suspicious eye, inquired "what +the stranngers wanted?" + +"Why, I guess," said Jackson, "it doesn't need much +conjuration to tell that. Food and lodging for ourselves, +to be sure; and a wisp of hay and tether for our horses. +--Hospitality in short; and that's what no true Tennessee +man, bred and born, ever refused yet. No, not even to an +enemy, such a night as this." + +"Then you must go further in search of it," replied the +woodsman, surlily, "I don't keep no tavern, and ha'nt +got no accommodation; and what's more, I reckon, I'm no +Tennessee man." + +"But any accommodation will do, friend. If you hav'nt +got beds, we'll sit up all night, and warm our toes at +the fire, and spin long yarns, as they tell in the Eastern +sea-ports. Anything but turn a fellow out such a night +as this." + +"But I say, strannger," returned the man, fiercely and +determinedly, "I a'nt got no room any how, and you shan't +bide here." + +"Oh, ho! my old cock, that's the ticket, is it? but you'll +see whether an old stager, like me, is to be turned out +of any man's house such a night as this. I hav'nt served +two campaigns against the Ingins and the British for +nothing; and here I rest for the night." + +So saying, the determined Jackson coolly dismounted from +his horse, and unbuckling the girth, proceeded to deposit +the saddle, with the valise attached to it, within the +hut the door of which still stood open. + +The woodsman, perceiving his object, made a movement, as +if to bar the passage; but Jackson, with great activity, +seized him by the wrist of the left hand, and, all powerful +as the ruffian was, sent him dancing some few yards in +front of the threshold before he was aware of his intention, +or could resist the peculiar knack with which it was +accomplished. The Aid-de-Camp, meanwhile, had deposited +his saddle in a corner near the fire, and on his return +to the door, met the inhospitable woodsman advancing as +if to court a personal encounter. + +"Now, I'll tell you what it is, friend," he said calmly, +throwing hack at the same time the blanket that concealed +his uniform, and--what was more imposing--a brace of +large pistols stuck in his belt. "you'd better have no +nonsense with me, I promise you, or--" and he tapped with +the fore finger of his right hand upon the butt of one +of them, with an expression that could not be misunderstood. + +The woodsman seemed little awed by this demonstration. +He was evidently one on whom it might have been dangerous +for one man, however well armed, to have forced his +presence, so far away from every other human habitation; +and it is probable that his forbearance then arose from +the feet of their being two opposed to him, for he glanced +rapidly from one to the other, nor was it until he seemed +to have mentally decided that the odds of two to one were +somewhat unequal, that he at length withdrew himself out +of the door-way, as if in passive assent to the stay he +could not well prevent. + +"Just so, my old cock," continued Jackson, finding that +he had gained his point, "and when you speak of this +again, don't forget to say it was a true Tennessee man, +bred and born, that gave you a lesson in what no American +ever wanted--hospitality to a stranger. Suppose you begin +and make yourself useful, by tethering and foddering old +spare bones." + +"I reckon as how you've hands as well as me," rejoined +the surly woodsman, "and every man knows the ways of his +own beast best. As for fodder, they'll find it on the +skirt of the wood, and where natur' planted it." + +Gerald meanwhile, finding victory declare itself in favor +of his companion, had followed his example and entered +the hut with his saddle. As he again quitted it, a sudden +flash of light from the fire, which Jackson was then in +the act of stirring, fell upon the countenance of the +woodsman who stood without, his arms folded and his brow +scowling, as if planning some revenge for the humiliation +to which he had been subjected. In the indistinct dusk +of the evening Grantham had not been able to remark more +than the outline of the figure; but the voice struck him +as one not unknown to him, although somewhat harsher in +its tones than that which his faint recollection of the +past supplied. The glance he had now obtained, momentary +as it was, put every doubt to rest. What his feelings +were in recognizing in the woodsman the traitor settler +of the Canadas, Jeremiah Desborough, we leave to our +readers to infer. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +There was a time when to have met his father's enemy +thus, would have been to have called into activity all +the dormant fierceness of Gerald's nature; but since they +had last parted, a new channel had been opened to his +feelings, and the deep and mysterious grief in which we +have seen him shrouded, had been of so absorbing and +selfish a nature, as to leave him little consideration +for sorrows not his own. The rash impetuosity of his +former character, which had often led him to act even +before he thought, and to resent an injury before it +could well be said to have been offered, had moreover +given place to a self-command, the fruit of the reflective +habits and desire of concealment which had made him +latterly almost a stranger to himself. + +Whatever his motives for outwardly avoiding all recognition +of the settler, certain it is that, so far from this, he +sought sedulously to conceal his own identity, by drawing +the slouched hat, which formed a portion of his new +equipment, lower over his eyes. Left to do the duties of +the rude hostelry, Captain Jackson and he now quitted +the hut, and leading their jaded, smoking, steeds a few +rods off to the verge of the plain they had so recently +traversed, prepared to dispose of them for the night, +Gerald had by this time become too experienced in the +mode of travelling through an American wilderness, not +to understand that he who expects to find a companion in +his horse in the morning, must duly secure him with the +tether at night. Following, therefore, the example of +the Aid-de-Camp, he applied himself, amid the still +pelting rain, to the not very cleanly task of binding +round the fetlock joints of his steed several yards of +untanned hide strips, with which they were severally +provided for the purpose. Each gave his steed a parting +slap on the buttock with the hard bridle, Jackson +exclaiming, "go ye luxurious beasts, ye have a whole +prairie of wet grass to revel in for the night," and then +left them to make the best of their dainty food. + +While returning, Grantham took occasion to observe, that +he had reason to think he knew the surly and inhospitable +woodsman, by whom however he was not desirous of being +recognized, and therefore begged as a favor that Captain +Jackson would not, in the course of the night, mention +his name, or even allude to him in any way that could +lead to an inference that he was any other than he seemed, +a companion and brother officer of his own; promising, +in conclusion, to give him, in the course of the next +day's journey, some little history of the man which would +fully explain his motives. With this request Jackson +unhesitatingly promised compliance, adding, good humouredly, +that he was not sorry to pledge himself to any thing that +would thaw his companion's tongue into sociability, and +render himself, for the first time since their departure, +a listener. Before entering the hut Gerald further observed +in a whisper, that the better to escape recognition, he +would, as much as possible, avoid joining in any +conversation which might ensue, and therefore hoped his +companion would not think it rude if he suffered him to +bear the tax. Jackson again promised to keep the attention +of the woodsman directed as much as possible to himself, +observing, that he thought Gerald had already, to his +cost, discovered he was not one easily tired out by +conversation, should their host be that way inclined. + +On opening the door of the cabin, they found that the +woodsman, or more properly the settler as we shall again +term him, making a virtue of necessity, had somewhat +cheered its interior. A number of fine logs, sufficient +to last throughout the night had been heaped upon the +hearth, and these, crackling and fizzing, and emitting +sparks in all the burly of a hickory wood-fire, gave +promise of a night of comparative comfort. Ensconced in +the farther corner of the chimney, the settler had already +taken his seat, and, regardless of the entrance of the +strangers, (with his elbows resting on his knees, and +his face buried in his large palms), kept his eyes fixed +upon the fire, as if with a sullen determination neither +to speak nor suffer himself to be questioned. But the +Aid-de-Camp was by no means disposed to humour him in +his fancy. The idea of passing some eight or ten consecutive +hours in company with two fellow beings, without calling +into full play the bump of loquacity, with which nature +had largely endowed him, was, in his view, little better +than the evil from which his perseverance had just enabled +him to escape. Making himself perfectly at home, he +unbuckled the wet blanket from his loins, and spreading +it, with that of Gerald, to dry upon the rude floor before +the fire, drew forward a heavy uncouth looking table, +(which, with two or three equally unpolished chairs, +formed the whole of the furniture), and deposited thereon +the wallet or haversack in which remained a portion of +provision. He then secured the last vacant chair, and +taking up a position on the right of the table which lay +between himself and Gerald, let it fall upon the dry clay +hearth, with a violence that caused the settler to quit +his attitude of abstraction for one of anger and surprise. + +"Sorry to disturb you, friend," he said; "but these chairs +of yours are so curst heavy, there's no handling them +decently; specially with cold fingers." + +"Beggars, I reckon, have no right to be choosers," returned +the settler; "the chairs is quite good enough for me--and +no one axed you to sit on em." + +"I'll tell you what it is, old cock," continued the +Aid-de-Camp, edging his seat closer, and giving his host +a smart friendly slap upon the thigh, "this dull life of +yours don't much improve your temper. Why, as I am a true +Tennessee man, bred and born, I never set eyes upon such +a crab apple in all my life--you'd turn a whole dairy of +the sweetest milk that ever came from prairie grass sour +in less than no time. I take it, you must be crossed in +love old boy, eh?" + +"Crossed in hell," returned the settler, savagely. "I +reckon as how it don't consarn you whether I look sour +or sweet--what you want is a night's lodgin', and you've +got it, so don't trouble me no more." + +"Very sorry, but I shall," said Jackson, secretly +congratulating himself that, now he had got the tongue +of his host in motion, he had a fair chance of keeping +it so. "I must trouble you for some bread, and whatever +else your larder may afford. I'll pay you honestly for +it, friend." + +"I should guess," said the settler, his stern features +brightening for the first time into a smile of irony, +"as how a man who had served a campaign agin the Ingins +and another agin the British, might contrive to do without +sich a luxury as bread. You'll find no bread here I +reckon." + +"What, not even a bit of corn bread! Try, my old cock, +and rummage up a crust or two, for hung beef is devilish +tight work for the teeth, without a little bread of some +sort for a relish." + +"If you'd ha' used your eyes you'd ha' seen nothin' like +a corn patch for twenty mile round about this. Bread +never entered this hut since I been here. I don't eat +it." + +"More's the pity," replied Jackson, with infinite drollery; +but though you may not like it yourself, your friends may." + +"I HAVE no friends--I WISH to have no friends," was the +sullen reply. + +"More's the pity still," pursued the Aid-de-Camp, "but what +do you live on then, old cock, if you don't eat bread?" + +"Human flesh. Take that as a relish to your hung beef." + +Scarcely had the strange confession escaped the settler's +lips, when Jackson, active as a deer, was at the farther +end of the hut, one hand holding the heavy chair as a +shield before him, the other placed upon the butt of one +of his pistols. The settler at the same moment quitted +his seat, and stretching his tall and muscular form to +its utmost height, burst into a laugh that sounded more +like that of some wild beast than a human being. The +involuntary terror produced in his guest was evidently +a source of exultation to him, and he seemed gratified +to think he had at length discovered the means of making +himself looked upon with something like fear. + +On entering the hut, Gerald had taken his seat at the +opposite corner of the fire, yet in such a manner as to +admit of his features being shaded by the projection of +the chimney. The customs of the wilderness moreover +rendering it neither offensive, nor even worthy of remark, +that he should retain his hat, he had, as in the first +instance, drawn it as much over his eyes as he conceived +suited to his purpose of concealment, without exciting +a suspicion of his design; and, as the alteration in his +dress was calculated to deceive into a belief of his +being an American, he had been enabled to observe the +settler without much fear of recognition in return. A +great change had taken place in the manner of Desborough. +Ferocious he still was, but it was a ferocity, wholly +unmixed with the cunning of his former years, that he +now exhibited. He had evidently suffered much, and there +was a stamp of thought on the heavy countenance that +Gerald had never remarked there before. There was also +this anomaly in the man, that while ten years appeared +to have been added to his age--his strength was increased +in the same proportion--a change that made itself evident +by the attitude in which he stood. + +"Why now I take it you must be jesting" at length exclaimed +the Aid-de-Camp doubtingly, dropping at the same time +the chair upon the floor, yet keeping it before him as +though not quite safe in the presence of this self-confessed +anthropophagos; "you surely don't mean to say you kill +and pickle every unfortunate traveller that comes by +here. If so I most apprehend you in the name of the United +States Government." + +"I rather calculate not Mister," sneered the settler. +"Besides I don't eat the United States subjects; +consequently they've no claim to interfere." + +"Who the devil do you eat then," asked Jackson, gathering +courage with his curiosity, and advancing a pace or two +nearer the fire, "or is it all a hum?" + +The settler approached the fire, stooped a little, and +applying his shoulder to the top of the opening, thrust +his right hand and arm up the chimney. + +"I reckon that's no hum," he said, producing and throwing +upon the table a piece of dark dry flesh, that resembled +in appearance the upper part of a human arm. "If you're +fond of a relish," he pursued with a fierce laugh; "you'll +find that mighty well suited to the palate--quite as +sweet as a bit of smok'd venison." + +"Why you don't really mean to say that's part of a man?" +demanded Jackson, advancing cautiously to the table, and +turning over the shrivelled mass with the point of his +dagger. "Why, I declare, its just the color of my dried +beef." + +"But I do though--and what's more, of my own killin' and +dryin'. Purty naturist you must be not to see that's off +an Ingin's arm." + +"Oh an Ingin's only, is it?" returned the Aid-de-Camp, +whose apprehension began rapidly to subside, now that he +had obtained the conviction that it was not the flesh of +a white man. "Well, I'm sure! who'd have thought it. I +take it, old cock, you've been in the wars as well as +myself." + +"A little or so I reckon, and I expect to be in them agin +shortly--as soon as my stock of food's out. I've only a +thigh bone to pick after this, and then I'm off. But why +don't you take your seat at the fire. There's nothin' so +out of the way in the sight of a naked arm, is there? I +reckon if you're a soger, you must have seen many a one +lopped off in the wars." + +"Yes, friend," said Jackson, altering the position of +the table and placing it between the settler and himself; +"a good many lopped off, as you say, and in a devil of +a stew, but not exactly eaten. However be so good as to +return this to the chimney, and when I've eaten something +from my bag I'll listen to what you have to say about +it." + +"Jist so, and go without my own supper I suppose, to +please you. But tarnation, while you're eatin' a bit of +your hung beef I'll try a snack of mine." + +So saying he deliberately took from the table the dried +arm he had previously flung there, and, removing a large +clasp knife from a pocket beneath his coarse hunting +frock, proceeded to help himself to several thin slices, +corresponding precisely in appearance with those which +the Aid-de-Camp divided in the same manner. + +Jackson had managed to swallow three or four pieces of +his favorite hung beef with all the avidity of an appetite, +rendered keen by the absence of every other stimulant +than hunger; but no sooner did he perceive his host +fastening with a degree of fury on his unnatural food, +than, sick and full of loathing, his stomach rejected +further aliment, and he was compelled to desist. During +all this time Grantham, who, although he had assumed the +manner and attitude of a sleeping man, was a watchful +observer of all that passed, neither moved nor uttered +a syllable, except on one occasion to put away from him +the food Jackson had offered. + +"Sorry to see your ride has given you so poor an appetite," +said the settler, with a look expressive of the savage +delight he felt in annoying his visitor. "I reckon that's +rather unsavory stuff you've got there, that you can't +eat it without bread. I say young man"--addressing +Grantham, "can't you find no appetite neither, that you +sit there snorin', as if you never meant to wake agin." + +Gerald's head sunk lower on his chest, and his affectation +of slumber became more profound. + +"Try a drop of this," said Jackson, offering his canteen, +after having drank himself, and with a view to distract +attention from his companion. "You seem to have no liquor +in the house, and I take it you require something hot as +h-ll, and strong as d--n----n, after that ogre like repast +of yours." + +The settler seized the can, and raised it to his lips. +It contained some of the fiery whiskey we have already +described as the common beverage in most parts of America. +This, all powerful as it was, he drained off as though +it had been water, and with the greedy avidity of one +who finds himself suddenly restored to the possession of +a favorite and long absent drink. + +"Hollo, my friend," exclaimed the angry Aid-de-Camp, who +had watched the rapid disappearance of his "travellers +best companion," as he quaintly enough termed it, down +the capacious gullet of the settler--and snatching at +the same moment the nearly emptied canteen from his hands. +"I take it, that's not handsome. As I'm a true Tennessee +man, bred and born, it aint at all hospitable to empty +off a pint of raw liquor at a spell, and have not so much +as a glass of methiglin to offer in return. What the hell +do you suppose we're to do tomorrow for drink, during a +curst long ride through the wood, and not a house of call +till nightfall along the road." + +The settler drew a breath long and heavy in proportion +to the draught he had swallowed, and when his lungs had +again recovered their play, answered blusteringly, in a +voice that betokened incipient intoxication. + +"Roar me up a saplin' Mister, but you're mighty stingy +of the Wabash. I reckon as how I made you a free offer +of my food, and it war'nt no fault of mine if you did'nt +choose to take it. It would only have been relish for +relish after all--and that's what I call fair swap." + +"Well, no matter," said Jackson soothingly; "what's done +can't be undone, therefore I take it its no use argufying +--however, my old cock, when next you got the neck of +a canteen of mine, twixt your lips, I hope it may do the +cockles of your heart good; that's all. But lets hear +how you came by them pieces of nigger's flesh, and how +it is you've taken it into your head to turn squatter +here. You seem," glancing around, "to have no sleeping +room to spare, and one may as well sit up and chat as +have one's bones bruised to squash on the hard boards." + +"It's a sad tale," said the settler gruffly and with a +darkening brow, "and brings bitter thoughts with it; but +as the liquor has cheered me up a bit, I don't much mind +if I do tell you how I skivered the varmint. Indeed," he +pursued savagely, "that always gives me a pleasure to +think of, for I owed them a desperate grudge--the bloody +red skins and imps of hell. I was on my way to Detroit, +to see the spot once more where my poor boy Phil lay +rottin', and one dark night (for I only ventured to move +at night,) I came slick upon two Ingins as was lying fast +asleep before their fire in a deep ravine. The one nearest +to me had his face unkivered, and I knew the varmint for +the tall dark Delaweer chief as made one of the party +after poor Phil and me, a sight that made me thirst for +the blood of the heathens as a child for mother's milk. +Well, how do you suppose I managed them. I calculate +you'd never guess. Why, I stole as quiet as a fox until +I got jist atween them, and then holdin' a cocked pistol +to each breast, I called out in a thunderin' voice that +made the woods ring agin Kit-chimocomon, which you know, +as you've been in the wars, signifies long knife or +Yankee. You'd a laugh'd fit to split your sides I guess, +to see the stupid stare of the devils, as startin' out +of their sleep, they saw a pistol within three inches of +each of'em. 'Ugh,' says they, as if they did'nt know well +whether to take it as a joke or not. 'Yes, 'ugh' and be +damn'd to you,' say's I: you may go and 'ugh' in hell +next--and with that snap went the triggers, and into +their curst carcasses went the balls. The one I killed +outright but t'other the Delaweer chief, was by a sudden +shift only slightly wounded, and he sprung on his feet +and out with his knife. But I had a knife too, and all +a disappinted father's rage to boot, so at it we' went +closin' and strikin' with our knives like two fierce +fiends of the forest. It was noble sport sure-LY. At last +the Delaweer fell over the bleedin' body of his warrior +and I top of him. As he fell the knife dropt from his +hand and he could'nt reach it no how, while I still +gripped mine fast. 'Ugh,' he muttered agin, as if askin' +to know what I meant to do next. 'Ugh,' and be damn'd to +you once more, say's I--and the pint of my long knife +was soon buried in his black heart. Then, when I see them +both dead I eat my own meal at their fire, for I was +tarnation hungry, and while I was eatin' a thought came +across me that it would be good fun to make smoked meat +of the varmint, so when I had tucked it in purty +considerably, what with hominy and dried bear's meat, +moistened with a little Wabash I found in the Delaweer +chief's canteen, I set to and regularly quartered them. +The trunks I left behind, but the limbs I packed up in +the blankets that had been used to kiver them, I reckon; +and with them slung across my shoulders, like a saddle +bag across a horse, I made tracks through the swamps and +the prairies for this here hut, which I know'd no livin' +soul had been nigh for many a long year. And now," he +concluded with a low drunken laugh, "you've the history +of the dried meat. There isn't much left but when all is +gone I'm off to the wars, for I can't find no peace I +reckon without my poor boy Phil." He paused a moment, +and then, as if suddenly influenced by some painful +recollection, he struck his hand with startling violence +upon the table, and, while every feature of his iron +countenance seemed worked up to a pitch of intensity, +added with fearful calmness, "May God's curse light upon +me if I don't have my revenge of them Granthams yet:--yes" +he continued with increased excitement of voice and +manner, while he kicked one of the blazing hickory logs +in the chimney with all the savageness of drunken rage, +causing a multitude of sparks to spit forth as from the +anvil of a smith,--"jist so would I kick them both to +hell for having murdered my poor boy." + +"Why, surely, Liftenant Grantham, he can't meant you?" +abruptly questioned the Aid-de-Camp, drawing back his +chair and resting the palms of his hands upon his knees, +while he fixed his eye keenly and inquiringly upon Gerald. + +But Gerald had no time to answer him--Scarcely had the +name escaped the lips of the incautious Jackson, when a +yell of exultation from the settler drew him quickly to +his feet, and in the next moment he felt one hand of his +enemy grappling at his throat, while the fingers of the +other were rapidly insinuating themselves into the hair +that shadowed one of his temples, with the evident +intention to "gouge" him. Weak and emaciated as he was, +Gerald was soon made sensible of the disproportion of +physical strength thus suddenly brought into the struggle, +and as the savage laugh of the settler, as his fingers +wound themselves closer and closer within the clustering +hair, proclaimed his advantage, he felt that his only +chance of saving the threatened eye was by having recourse +to some sudden and desperate attempt to free himself from +the gripe of his opponent. Summoning all his strength +into one vigorous effort, he rushed forward upon his +enemy with such force, raising himself at the same time +in a manner to throw the whole weight of his person upon +him, that the latter reeled backwards several paces +without the power of resistance, and falling over the +table towards which he had been intentionally propelled, +sank with a heavy crash to the floor, still however +retaining his firm hold of his enemy and dragging him +after him. + +Half throttled, maddened with pain, and even more bitterly +stung by a sense of the humiliating position in which he +found himself, the feelings of Gerald became uncontrolable, +until his anxiety to inflict a mortal injury upon his +enemy became in the end as intense as that of the settler. +In their fall the table had been overturned, and with it +the knife which Desborough had used with his horrid +repast. As the light from the blazing fire fell upon the +blade, it had once caught the unassailed eye of the +officer, and was the next moment clutched in his grasp. +He raised it with a determination, inspired by the agony +he endured, at once to liberate himself and to avenge +his father's murder, but the idea that there was something +assassin-like in the act as suddenly arrested him, and +ere he had time to obey a fresh impulse of his agony, +the knife was forcibly stricken from his hand. A laugh +of triumph burst from the lips of the half intoxicated +Desborough, but it was scarcely uttered before it was +succeeded by a yell of pain, and the hand that had +contrived to entwine itself, with resistless force and +terrible intent, in the waving hair of the youth, fell +suddenly from its grasp, enabling its victim at length +to free himself altogether and start once more to his +feet. + +Little more than a minute had been passed in the enactment +of this strange scene. The collision, the overthrow, the +upraising of the knife had followed each other in such +rapid succession that, until the last desperate intention +of Gerald was formed, the Aid-de-Camp had not had time +to interpose himself in any way between the enraged +combatants. His first action had been to strike away +the murderous knife with the heavy butt of one of his +pistols, the other to plant such a blow upon the "gouging" +hand of the settler from the same butt, as effectually +to compel him to relinquish his ferocious clutch. In both +objects, as we have seen, he fully succeeded. + +But although his right hand had been utterly disabled by +the blow from Jackson's pistol, the fury of Desborough, +fed as it was by the fumes of the liquor he had swallowed, +was too great to render him heedful of aught but the +gratification of his vengeance. Rolling rapidly over to +the point where the knife had fallen he secured it in +his left hand, and then, leaping nimbly to his feet, +gathered himself into a spring upon his unarmed but +watchful enemy. But before the bound could be taken, the +active Aid-de-Camp, covering Gerald with his body and +presenting a cocked pistol, had again thwarted him in +his intention. + +"I say now, old cock, you'd much better be quiet I guess, +for them sort of tantrums won't suit me. If this here +Liftenant killed your son why he'll answer for it later, +but I can't let you murder my prisoner in that flumgustious +manner. I'm responsible for him to the United States +Government, therefore just drop that knife clean and +slick upon the floor, and let's have no more of this +nonsense for the night." + +But even the cocked pistol had not power to restrain the +fierce--almost brutal--rage of the settler, whose growing +intoxication added fuel to the fire which the presence +of his enemy had kindled in his heart. Heedless of the +determined air and threatening posture of the Aid-de-Camp, +he made a bound forward, uttering a sound that resembled +the roar of a wild beast rather than the cry of a human +being, and struck over Jackson's shoulder at the chest +of the officer. Gerald, whose watchful eye marked the +danger, had however time to step back and avoid the blow. +In the next moment the Aid-de-Camp, overborne by the +violence of the collision, fell heavily backwards upon +the rude floor, and in his fall the pistol went off +lodging the ball in the sinewy calf of Desborough's leg. +Stung with acute animal pain, the whole rage of the latter +was now diverted from Gerald to the Aid-de-Camp, on whom +(assuming the wound to have been intentional) he threw +himself with the fury of a tiger, grappling as he closed +with him at his throat. But the sailor in his turn now +came to the rescue of his companion, and the scene for +some time, as the whole party struggled together upon +the floor in the broad red glare of the wood fire, was +one of fearful and desperate character. At length after +an immense effort, and amid the most horrid imprecations +of vengeance upon them, the officers succeeded in disarming +and tying the hands of the settler behind his back, after +which dragging him to a distant corner of the hut, they +secured him firmly to one of the open and mis-shapen logs +which composed its frame. This done, Jackson divided the +little that had been left of his "Wabash" with his charge, +and then stretching himself at his length, with his feet +to the fire, and his saddle for a pillow, soon fell +profoundly asleep. + +Too much agitated by the scene which had just passed, +Gerald, although following the example of his companion, +in stretching himself before the cheerful fire, was in +no condition to enjoy repose. Indeed, whatever his +inclination, the attempt would have been vain, for so +dreadful were the denunciations of Desborough throughout +the night, that sleep had no room to enter even into his +thoughts. Deep and appalling were the curses and threats +of vengeance which the enraged settler uttered upon all +who bore the name of Grantham; and with these were mingled +lamentations for his son, scarcely less revolting in +their import than the curses themselves. Nor was the +turbulence of the enraged man confined to mere excitement +of language. His large and muscular form struggled in +every direction, to free himself from the cords that +secured him to the logs, and finding these too firmly +bound to admit of the accomplishment of his end, he kicked +his brawny feet against the floor with all the fury and +impatience of a spirit, quickened into a livelier sense +of restraint by the stimulus of intoxication. At length, +exhausted by the efforts he had made, his struggles and +his imprecations became gradually less frequent and less +vigorous, until finally towards dawn they ceased altogether, +and his deep and heavy breathing announced that he slept. + +Accustomed to rise with the dawn, the Aid-de-Camp was +not long after its appearance, in shaking off the slumber +in which he had so profoundly indulged. The first object +that met his eye as he raised himself up in a sitting +posture from his rude bed, was Gerald stooping over the +sleeping Desborough, one hand reposing upon his chest, +the other holding the knife already alluded to, while +every feature of his face was kindled into loathing and +abhorrence of his prostrate and sleeping enemy. Startled +by the expression he read there, and with the occurrences +of the past night rushing forcibly upon his memory, the +Aid-de-Camp called quickly out, "Hold, Liftenant Grantham. +Well, as I'm a true Tennessee man, bred and born, may I +be most especially d----d, if I'd a thought you'd do so +foul a deed. What! assassinate a sleeping drunken man?" + +"Assassinate! Captain Jackson," repeated Gerald, raising +himself to his full height, while a crimson flush of +indignation succeeded to the deadly paleness which had +overspread his cheek. + +"Yes, assassinate," returned the Aid-de-Camp, fixing his +eye upon that of his prisoner, yet without perceiving +that it quailed under his penetrating glance. "It's an +ugly word, I reckon, for you to hear, as it is for me to +speak; but your quarrel last night--your fix just now-- +that knife,--Liftenant Grantham," and he pointed to the +blade which still remained in the grasp of the accused. +"Surely these things speak for themselves, and though +the fellow has swallowed off all my Wabash, and be d----d +to him, (making a fruitless attempt to extract a few +drops from his canteen,) still I shouldn't like to see +him murdered in that sort of way." + +"I cannot blame you, Captain Jackson," said Gerald calmly, +his features resuming their pallid hue. "These appearances, +I grant, might justify the suspicion, horrible as it is, +in one who had known more of me than yourself; but was +assassination even a virtue, worlds would not tempt me +to assassinate that man--wretch though he be--or even to +slay him in fair and open combat." + +"Then, I calculate, one night has made a pretty considerable +change in your feelings, Liftenant," retorted the Aid-de- +Camp. "You were both ready enough to go at it last night, +when I knocked the knife out of your fist, and broke the +knuckles of his gouging hand." + +"I confess," said Gerald, again coloring, "that excessive +pain made me wild, and I should have been tempted to have +had recourse to any means to thwart him in his diabolical +purpose. As you have said, however, the past night has +effected a change in my feelings towards the man, and +death from my hand, under any circumstances, is the last +thing he has now to apprehend." Gerald sank his head upon +his chest, and sighed bitterly. + +"Well," said Jackson, "all this is queer enough; but what +were you doing standing over the man just now with that +knife, if it was not to harm him? And as for your +countenance, it scowled so savage and passionate, I was +almost afraid to look at it myself." + +"My motive for the action I must beg you to excuse my +entering upon," replied Gerald. "Of this, however, be +assured, Captain Jackson, that I had no intention to +injure yon sleeping villain. On the word of an officer +and a gentleman, and by the kindness you have shown me +on all occasions since our journey commenced, do I solemnly +assure you this is the fact." + +"And on the word of an officer, and a true Tennessee man, +bred and born, I am bound to believe you," returned the +American, much affected. "A man that could fight so +wickedly in the field would never find heart, I reckon, +to stick an enemy in the dark. No, Liftenant Grantham, +you were not born to be an assassin. And now let's be +starting--the day has already broke." + +"And yet," returned Gerald, with a smile of bitter +melancholy, as they hurried towards the spot where they +had left their horses, "if any man ever had reason to +act so as to merit the imputation of being such, I have. +In that savage woodsman, Captain Jackson, you have beheld +the murderer--the self acknowledged murderer of my father." + +"God bless my soul!" cried Jackson, dropping the saddle +which he carried, and standing still with very amazement. +"A pretty fix I've got into, to be sure. Here's one man +accuses another of murdering his son, and t'other, by +way of quits, accuses him, in his turn, of murdering his +father. Why, which am I to believe?" + +"Which you please, Captain Jackson," said the sailor +coolly, yet painedly; and he moved forward in pursuit of +his horse. + +"Nay, Liftenant Grantham," said the Aid-de-Camp, who had +again resumed his burden, and was speedily at the side +of his companion, "don't be offended. I've no doubt the +thing's as you say, but you must make allowance for my +ideas, never too much of the brightest, being conglomerated, +after a fashion, by what I have seen and heard, since we +let loose our horses last night upon this prairie." + +"I am not offended, only hurt," replied Gerald, shaking +the hand that was cordially tendered to him; "hurt that +you should doubt my word, or attach any thing to the +assertion of that man beyond the mere ravings of a savage +and diseased spirit. Justice to myself demands that I +should explain every thing in detail." + +"Now that's what I call all right and proper," returned +the Aid-de-Camp, "and should be done both for your sake +and mine; but we will leave it till we get once more upon +the road and in sight of a tavern, for its dry work +talking and listening without even so much as a gum +tickler of the Wabash to moisten one's clay." + +They found their horses not far from the spot where they +had been left on the preceding night, and these being +speedily untethered and saddled, the travellers again +pursued their route towards the capital of the State in +which they found themselves. As they passed the hut, +which had been the scene of so much excitement to both, +the voice of Desborough whom they had left fast asleep, +was heard venting curses and imprecations upon them both, +for having left him there to starve, bound and incapable +of aiding himself. Wretch as the settler was, Gerald +could not reconcile to himself the thought of his being +left to perish thus miserably, and he entreated the +Aid-de-Camp to enter and divide the cords. But Jackson +declared this to be impolitic, urging as a powerful reason +for declining, the probability of his having fire arms +in the hut, with which (if released,) he might follow +and overtake them in their route, and sacrifice one or +the other to his vengeance--an object which it would be +easy to accomplish without his ever being detected. +However, that the villain might have sustenance until +some chance traveller should come later to his assistance, +or he could manage to get rid of his bonds himself (which +he might do in time) he consented to place within his +reach all the dried meat that had been left of his Indian +foes, together with a pail of water--the latter by way +of punishment for having swilled away at his Wabash in +the ungracious manner he had. + +While Jackson was busied in this office of questionable +charity, the rage and disappointment of the settler +surpassed what it had hitherto been. Each vein of his +dark brow rose distinctly and swelling from its surface, +and he kicked and stamped with a fury that proclaimed +the bitter tempest raging in his soul. When the Aid-de-Camp +had again mounted, his shrieks and execrations became +piercing, and for many minutes after they had entered +into the heart of the forest in which the hut was situated, +the shrill sounds continued to ring upon their ears in +accents so fearful, that each felt a sensible relief when +they were heard no more. + +On the evening of the third day after this event, Jackson +and our hero, between whom a long explanation on the +subject of the settler had taken place, alighted at the +door of the principal inn in Frankfort, the capital of +Kentucky, which was their ultimate destination. To mine +host Gerald was introduced by his escort with the formality +usual on such occasions in America, and with the earnest +recommendation to that most respectable personage that, +as his own friend, as well as that of Colonel Forrester, +every indulgence should be shown to the prisoner, that +was not inconsistent with his position. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Few situations in life are less enviable than that of +the isolated prisoner of war. Far from the home of his +affections, and compelled by the absence of all other +companionship, to mix with those who, in manners, feelings, +and national characteristics, form, as it were, a race +apart from himself, his recollections, already sufficiently +embittered by the depressing sense of captivity, are +hourly awakened by some rude contrast wounding to his +sensibilities, and even though no source of graver +irritation should exist, a thousand petty annoyances, +incident to the position, are magnified by chagrin from +mole-hills into mountains. Such, however, would be the +effect produced on one only, who, thrown by the accident +of war into the situation of a captive, should have no +grief more profound, no sorrow deeper seated than what +arose from the being severed from old, and associated +with new and undesired ties; one to whom life was full +of the fairest buds of promise, and whose impatience of +the present was only a burning desire to enter upon the +future. Not so with Gerald Grantham. Time, place, +circumstance, condition, were alike the same--alike +indifferent to him. In the recollections of the scenes +he had so lately quitted, and in which his fairer and +unruffled boyhood had been passed, he took no pleasure, +while the future was so enshrouded in gloom that he shrank +from its very contemplation. So far from trying to wring +consolation from circumstances, his object was to stupify +recollection to the uttermost. He would fain have shut +out both the past and the future, contenting himself as +he might with the present, but the thing was impossible. +The worm had eaten into his heart, and its gnawings were +too painful, not poignantly to remind him of the manner +in which it had been engendered. + +Upwards of a fortnight had elapsed since his arrival, +and yet, although Captain Jackson, prior to his return +to Sandusky, had personally introduced him to many highly +respectable families in Frankfort, he uniformly abstained +from cultivating their acquaintance, until at length he +was, naturally enough, pronounced to be a most disagreeable +specimen of a British officer. Even with the inmates of +the hotel, many of whom were officers of his own age, +and with whom he constantly sat down to the ordinary, he +avoided every thing approaching to intimacy--satisfying +himself merely with discharging his share of the commonest +courtesies of life. They thought it pride--it was but an +effect--an irremediable effect of the utter sinking of +his sad and broken spirit. The only distraction in which +he eventually took pleasure, or sought to indulge, was +rambling through the wild passes of the chain of wooded +hills, which almost encircles the Kentuckian capital, +and extends for a considerable distance in a westerly +direction. The dense gloom of these narrow vallies he +had remarked on his entrance by the same route, and +feeling them more in unison with his sick mind than the +hum and bustle of a city, which offered nothing in common +with his sympathies, he now frequently passed a great +portion of the day in threading their mazes--returning +however, at a certain hour to his hotel, conformably with +the terms of his parole. + +On one occasion, tempted by the mellow beauty of the +season (it was now the beginning of October) he had +strayed so far, and through passes so unknown to him, +that when the fast advancing evening warned him of the +necessity of returning, he found he had utterly lost his +way. Abstracted as he usually was, he had yet reflection +enough to understand that his parole of honor required +he should be at his hotel at an hour, which it would put +his speed to the proof to accomplish. Despairing of +finding his way by the circuitous route he had originally +taken, and the proper clue to which he had moreover lost, +he determined, familiar as he was with the general bearings +of the capital, to effect his return in a direct line +across the chain of hills already alluded to. The deepening +shadows of the wild scene, as he proposed to ascend that +immediately before him, told that the sun had sunk beneath +the horizon, and when he gained its summit, the last +faint corruscations of light were passing rapidly away +in the west. Still, by the indistinct twilight he could +perceive that at his feet lay a small valley, completely +hemmed in by the circular ridge on which he stood. This +traversed, it was but to ascend the opposite section of +the ridge, and his destination would be gained. Unlike +the narrow rocky passes, which divided the hills in every +other direction, in which he had previously wandered, +this valley was covered with a luxuriant verdure, and +upon this the feet of Gerald moved inaudibly even to +himself. As he advanced more into the centre of the little +plain, he thought he could perceive, at its extremity on +the right, the dark outline of a building--apparently a +dwelling house--and while he yet hesitated, whether he +should approach it and inquire his most direct way to +the town, a light suddenly appeared at that point of the +valley for which he was already making. A few minutes +sufficed to bring him to the spot whence the light had +issued. It was a small circular building, possibly intended +for a summer-house, but more resembling a temple in its +construction, and so closely bordering upon the forest +ridge, by a portion of the foliage by which it had +previously been concealed, as to be almost confounded +with it. It was furnished with a single window, the same +through which the light now issued, and this narrow, +elongated, and studded with iron bars, was so placed as +to prevent one even taller than our hero from gazing into +the interior, without the aid of some elevation. But +Gerald, independently of his anxiety to reach the town +in time to prevent comment upon his absence, had no desire +to occupy himself with subjects foreign to his object. +Curiosity was a feeling dead within his bosom, and he +was preparing, without once staying his course, to ascend +the ridge at the side of the temple, when he fancied he +heard a suppressed groan, as of one suffering from intense +agony--Not the groan, but the peculiar tone in which it +was uttered, arrested his attention, and excited a vague +yet stirring interest in his breast. On approaching closer +to the temple, he found that at its immediate basement +the earth had been thrown up into a sort of mound, which +so elevated the footing as to admit of his reaching the +bars of the window with his hands. Active as we have +elsewhere shown him to be, he was not long in obtaining +a full view of the interior, when a scene met his eye +which rivetted him, as well it might, in utter astonishment. +Upon the rude uncarpeted floor knelt a female, who, with +clasped and uplifted hands, had her eyes fixed upon a +portrait that hung suspended from the opposite wall--her +figure, clad in a loose robe of black, developing by its +attitude a contour of such rich and symmetrical proportion +as might be difficult for the imagination to embody. +And who was the being upon whom his each excited sense +now lingered with an admiration little short of idolatry? +One whom, a moment before, he believed to be still far +distant, whom he had only a few months previously fled +from, as from a pestilence, and whom he had solemnly +sworn never to behold again, yet whom he continued to +love with a passion that defied every effort of his +judgment to subdue, making his life a wilderness--Matilda +Montgomerie--And if her beauty had THEN had such surpassing +influence over his soul, what was not its effect when he +beheld her NOW, every grace of womanhood exhibited in a +manner to excite admiration the most intense! + +It would he vain to describe all that passed through the +mind of Gerald Grantham, while he thus gazed upon her +whose beauty was the rock on which his happiness had been +wrecked. His first impulse had been to fly, but the +fascination which rivetted him to the window deprived +him of all power until eventually, of all the host of +feelings that had crowded tumultuously upon his heart, +passion alone remained triumphant. Unable longer to +control his impatience, he was on the point of quitting +his station, for the purpose of knocking and obtaining +admission by a door which he saw opposite to him, when +a sudden change in the attitude of Matilda arrested the +movement. + +She had risen, and with her long and dark hair floating +over her white shoulders, now advanced towards the +portrait, on which her gaze had hitherto been so repeatedly +turned. This was so placed that Gerald had not previously +an opportunity of remarking more than the indistinct +outline, which proved it to represent a human figure; +but as she for a moment raised the light with one hand, +while with the other she covered it with a veil which +had been drawn aside, he distinctly saw that it was the +portrait of an officer dressed in the American uniform; +and it even occurred to him that he had before seen the +face, although, in his then excited state he could not +recollect where. Even had he been inclined to tax his +memory, the effort would have been impracticable, for +another direction was now given to his interest. + +On the left, and close under the window, stood a rude +sofa and ruder table, the only pieces of furniture which +Gerald could observe within the temple. Upon the former +Matilda now reclined herself, and placing the candle upon +the table at her side, proceeded to unfold and peruse a +letter which she had previously taken from her pocket +book. The same unconsciousness of observation inducing +the same unstudiedness of action, the whole disposition +of the form bore a character of voluptuousness, which +the presumed isolation of her who thus exhibited herself, +a model of living grace, alone could justify. But although +the form was full of the eloquence of passion, one had +but to turn to the pale and severe face, to find there +was no corresponding expression in the heart. As +heretofore, the brow of the American wore a cast of +thought--only deeper, more decided--and even while her +dark eyes flashed fire, as if in disappointment and anger +at sundry passages in the letter over which she lingered, +not once did the slightest color tinge her cheek, or the +gloom dissipate itself from that cold brow. Emotion she +felt, for this her heaving bosom and occasionally compressed +lip betokened. Yet never was contrast more marked than +that between the person and the face of Matilda Montgomerie, +as Gerald Grantham then beheld her. + +On one who had seen her thus for the first time, the +cold, calm countenance of the singular girl, would have +acted as a chastener to the emotions called up by the +glowing expression of her faultless form, but although +there was now a character of severity on her features, +which must have checked and chilled the ardent admiration +produced by that form on a mere stranger, Gerald but too +well remembered occasions when the harmony of both had +been complete, and when the countenance, rich in all +those fascinations, which, even in her hours of utmost +collectedness, never ceased to attach to the person, had +beamed upon him in a manner to stir his very soul into +madness. There were other and later recollections too, +that forced themselves upon his memory; but these, even +though they recalled scenes in which the voluptuous beauty +of Matilda shone paramount, were as blots upon the fair +picture of the past, and he fain would have banished them +from his mind for ever. + +The letter on which the American was now engaged, Grantham +had recognized, from its fold and seal, to be one he had +written prior to parting with her, as he had supposed, +for ever. While he was yet dwelling on this singularity, +Matilda threw the letter upon the table at her side, and +leaning her head upon her hand, seemed as if musing deeply +upon its contents. The contraction of her brow became +deeper, and there was a convulsed pressure of her lips +as of one forming some determination, requiring at once +strong moral and physical energy to accomplish. A cold +shudder crept through the reins of Gerald, for too well +did he fancy he could divine what was passing in the soul +of that strange yet fascinating woman. For a moment a +feeling of almost loathing came over his heart, but when, +in the next moment, he saw her rise from the sofa, +revealing the most inimitable grace, he burned with +impatience to throw himself reckless of consequences at +her feet, and to confess his idolatry. + +After pacing to and fro for some moments, her dark and +kindling eye alone betraying the excitement which her +colorless cheek denied, Matilda again took up the light, +and having once more approached the portrait, was in the +act of raising the veil, when a slight noise made by +Gerald, who in his anxiety to obtain a better view of +her, had made a change in his position, arrested her ear; +and she turned and fixed her eye upon the window, not +with the disturbed manner of a person who fears observation, +but with the threatening air of one who would punish an +intrusion. + +Holding the light above her head, she advanced firmly +across the room, and stopping beneath the window, fixed +her eye steadily and unshrinkingly upon it. The mind of +Gerald had become a chaos of conflicting and opposing +feelings. Only an instant before and he would have +coveted recognition, now his anxiety was to avoid it; +but cramped in his attitude, and clinging as he was +compelled, with his face close to the bars, his only +means of doing so was by quitting his position altogether. +He therefore loosened his hold, and dropped himself on +the mound of earth from which he had contrived to ascend, +but not so noiselessly, in the unbroken stillness of the +night, as to escape the keen ear of the American. In +the next moment Gerald heard a door open, and a well +known voice demand, in tones which betrayed neither alarm +nor indecision. + +"Who is there?" + +The question was repeated in echo from the surrounding +woods, and then died away in distance. + +"Who of my people," again demanded Matilda, "has dared +to follow me here in defiance of my orders?" + +Another echo of indistinct sounds, and all again was +still. + +"Whoever you are, speak," resumed the courageous girl. +"Nay," she pursued more decidedly, as having moved a pace +or two from the door, she observed a human form standing +motionless beneath the window. "Think not to escape me. +Come hither slave that I may know you. This curiosity +shall cost you dear." + +The blood of Gerald insensibly chilled at the harsh tone +in which these words were uttered, and had he followed +a first impulse he would at once have retired from the +influence of a command, which under all the circumstances, +occurred to him as being of prophetic import. But he had +gazed on the witching beauty of the syren, until judgment +and reason had yielded the rein to passion, and filled +with an ungovernable desire to behold and touch that form +once more--even although he should the next moment tear +himself from it for ever--he approached and stood at the +entrance of the temple, the threshold of which Matilda +had again ascended. + +No exclamation of surprise escaped the lips of the ever- +collected American; and yet, for the first time that +night, her cheek was suffused with a deep glow, the effect +of which was to give to her whole style of beauty a +character of radiancy. + +"Gerald Grantham!" + +"Yes, Matilda," exclaimed the youth, madly heedless of +the past, while he rivetted his gaze upon her dazzling +loveliness with such strong excitement of expression as +to cause her own to sink beneath it, "your own Gerald-- +your slave kneels before you," and he threw himself at +her feet. + +"And what punishment does not that slave merit?" she +asked, in a tone so different from that in which she had +addressed her supposed domestic, that Gerald could scarcely +believe it to be the same. "What reparation can he make +for having caused so much misery to one who loved and +cherished him so well. Oh! Gerald, what days, what nights +of misery, have I not passed since you so unkindly left +me." As she uttered the last sentence, she bent herself +over the still kneeling form of her lover, while her long +dark hair, falling forward, completely enveloped him in +its luxuriant and waving folds. + +"You will be mine, Matilda," at length murmured the youth, +as he sat at her side on the sofa, to which on rising he +had conducted her. + +"Yours, only yours," returned the American, while she +bent her face upon his shoulder. "But you know the terms +of our union." + +Had a viper stung him, Gerald could not have recoiled +with more dismay and horror from her embrace. Again the +features of Matilda became colorless, and her brow assumed +an expression of care and severity. + +"Then, if not to fulfil that compact, wherefore are you +here?" and the question was put half querulously, half +contemptuously. + +"Chance, Destiny, Fate,--call it what you will," cried +Gerald, obeying the stronger impulse of his feelings, +and clasping her once more to his beating heart. "Oh! +Matilda, if you knew how the idea of that fearful condition +has haunted me in my thoughts by day, and my dreams by +night, you would only wonder that at this moment I retain +my senses, filled as my soul is with maddening--with +inextinguishable love for you." + +"And do you really entertain for me that deep, that +excessive passion you have just expressed," at length +observed Matilda, after some moments of silence, and with +renewed tenderness of voice and manner, "and yet refuse +the means by which you may secure me to you for ever?" + +"Matilda," said Gerald, with vehemence, "my passion for +you is one which no effort of my reason can control; but +let me not deceive you--it is NOW one of the senses." + +An expression of triumph, not wholly unmingled with scorn, +animated the features of Matilda. It was succeeded by one +of ineffable tenderness. + +"We will talk of this no more tonight, Gerald, but tomorrow +evening, at the same hour, be here: then our mutual hopes, +and fears, and doubts shall be then realized or +disappointed, as the event may show. Tomorrow will +determine if, as I cannot but believe, Destiny has sent +you to me at this important hour. It is very singular," +she added, as if to herself, her features again becoming +deadly pale--"very singular, indeed!" + +"What is singular, Matilda?" asked Gerald. + +"You shall know all tomorrow," she replied; "but mind," +and her dark eye rested on his with an expression of much +tenderness, "that you come prepared to yield me all I ask." + +Gerald promised that he would, and Matilda, expressing +a desire to hear what had so unexpectedly restored him +to her presence, he entered into a detail of all that +had befallen him from the moment of their separation. +She appeared to be much touched by the relation, and, in +return, gave him a history of what she too had felt and +suffered. She, moreover, informed him that Major Montgomerie +had died of his wound shortly after their parting, and +that she had now been nearly two months returned to her +uncle's estate at Frankfort, where she lived wholly +secluded from society, and with a domestic establishment +consisting of slaves. These short explanations having +been entered into, they parted--Matilda to enter her +dwelling, (the same Gerald had remarked in outline,) in +which numerous lights were now visible, and her lover to +make the best of his way to the town. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Morning dawned, and yet no sleep had visited the eyes of +Gerald Grantham. The image of Matilda floated in his +mind, and, to the recollection of her beauty, he clung +with an aching eagerness of delight that attested the +extent of its influence over his imagination. Had there +been nothing to tarnish that glorious picture of womanly +perfection, the feelings it called up would have been +too exquisite for endurance; but alas! with the faultless +image, came also recollections, against which it required +all the force of that beauty to maintain itself. One +ineffaceable spot was upon the soul of that fascinating +being; and though, like the spots on the sun's disk, it +was hidden in the effulgence which surrounded it, still +he could not conceal from himself that it DID exist, to +deface the symmetry of the whole. It was his knowledge +of that fearful blemish that had driven him to seek in +drunkenness, and subsequently in death, a release from +the agonizing tortures of his mind. Virtue and a high +sense of honor had triumphed so far, as not merely to +leave his own soul spotless, but to enable him to fly +from her who would have polluted it with crime; yet, +although respect and love--the pure sentiments by which +he had originally been influenced--had passed away, the +hour of their departure had been that of the increased +domination of passion, and far from her whose beauty was +ever present to his mind, his imagination had drawn and +lingered on such pictures, that assured as he was they +could never be realized, he finally resolved to court +death wherever it might present itself. + +Restored thus unexpectedly to the presence of her who +had been the unceasing subject of his thoughts, and under +circumstances so well calculated to inflame his imagination, +it cannot appear wonderful that Gerald should have looked +forward to his approaching interview with emotions of +the intensest kind. How fated, too, seemed the reunion. +He had quitted Matilda with the firm determination never +to behold her more, yet, by the very act of courting that +death which would fully have accomplished his purpose, +he had placed himself in the position he most wished to +avoid. Presuming that Major Montgomerie, who had never +alluded to Frankfort as his home, was still with his +niece a resident in the distant State in which he had +left them--he had gladly heard Colonel Forrester name +the Kentucky capital as the place of his destination; +for, deep and maddening as was his passion for Matilda, +no earthly considerations could have induced him voluntarily +to have sought her. Even since his arrival in Frankfort, +it had been a source of consolation to him to feel that +he was far removed from her who could have made him forget +that, although the heart may wither and die, while +self-esteem and an approving conscience remain to us, +the soul shares not in the same decay--confesses not the +same sting. Could he even have divined that in the temple +to which his curiosity had led him, he should have beheld +the being on whose image he doted, even while he shunned +it, he would have avoided her as a pestilence. + +The result of this terrible struggle of his feelings was +a determination to see her once more--to yield up his +whole soul to the intoxication of her presence, and then, +provided she should still refuse to unite her fate to +his, unhampered by the terrible condition of past days, +to tear himself from her for ever. + +Strong in this resolution, Gerald, to whom the hours bad +appeared as days since his rising, and who quitted +Frankfort about his usual time, and, in order to avoid +observation, took the same retired and circuitous route +by which he had reached the valley the preceding evening. +As he descended into the plain, the light from the window +of the temple was again perceptible--In a few minutes he +was in the room. + +"Gerald--my own Gerald," exclaimed Matilda, as carefully +closing the door after her lover, she threw herself into +his embrace. Alas, weak man! Like the baseless fabric of +a dream, disappeared all the lately formed resolutions +of the youth. + +"Yes! Matilda, your own Gerald. Come what will henceforth, +I am yours." + +A pause of some moments ensued, during which each felt +the beating of the other's heart. + +"Will you swear it, Gerald?" at length whispered Matilda. + +"I will--I do swear it." + +There was a sudden kindling of the dark eye of the +American, and an outswelling of the full bust, that seemed +to betoken exultation in the power of her beauty; but +this was quickly repressed, and sinking on the sofa at +the side of her lover, her whole countenance was radiant +with the extraordinary expression Gerald had, for the +first time, witnessed while she lingered on the arm of +his uncle, Colonel D'Egville. + +"Gerald," she said tenderly, "confirm the oath which is +to unite us heart and soul, in one eternal Destiny. Swear +upon this sacred volume, that your hand shall avenge the +wrongs of your Matilda--of your wife. Ha! your wife, +think of that," she added with sudden energy. + +Gerald caught the book eagerly to his lips. "I swear it, +Matilda--he shall die." + +But scarcely had he sworn, when a creeping chill passed +through his frame. His features lost all their animation, +and throwing away the book on which the impious oath had +been taken, he turned away his face from Matilda, and +sinking his head upon his chest, groaned and wept bitterly. + +"What! already Gerald, do you repent? Nay, tell me not +that one thus infirm of purpose, can be strong of passion. +You love me not, else would the wrongs of her you love +arm you with the fiercest spirit of vengeance against +him who has so deeply injured her. But, if you repent, +it is but to absolve you from your oath, and then the +deed must be my own." + +The American spoke in tones in which reproach, +expostulation, and wounded affection, were artfully and +touchingly blended, and as she concluded, she too dropped +her head upon her chest and sighed. + +"Nay, Matilda, you do me wrong. It is one thing to swerve +from the guilty purpose to which your too seductive beauty +has won my soul, another to mourn as man should mourn, +the hour when virtue, honor, religion, all the nobler +principles in which my youth has been nurtured, have +proved too weak to stem the tide of guilty passion. You +say I love you not!" and he laughed bitterly. "What +greater proof would you require than the oath I have just +taken?" + +"It's fulfilment," said Matilda, impressively. + +"It shall be fulfilled," he returned quickly, "but at +least deny me not the privilege of cursing the hour when +crime of so atrocious a dye could be made so familiar to +my soul." + +"Crime is a word too indiscriminately bestowed," said +Matilda, after a momentary pause. "What the weak in mind +class with crime, the strong term virtue." + +"Virtue! what, to spill the blood of a man who has never +injured me; to become a hired assassin, the price of +whose guilt is the hand of her who instigates to the +deed? If this be virtue, I am indeed virtuous." + +"Never injured you!" returned the American, while she +bent her dark eyes reproachfully upon those of the unhappy +Gerald. "Has he not injured ME; injured beyond all power +of reparation, her who is to be the partner of your life?" + +"Nay, Matilda," and Gerald again passionately caught and +enfolded her to his heart, "that image alone were sufficient +to mould me to your will, even although I had not before +resolved. And yet," he pursued, after a, short pause, +"how base, how terrible to slay an unsuspecting enemy. +Would we could meet in single combat--and why not? Yes +it can--it shall be so. Fool that I was not to think, of +it before. Matilda, my own love, rejoice with me, for +there is a means by which your honor may be avenged, and +my own soul unstained by guilt. I wilt seek this man, +and fasten a quarrel upon him. What say you, Matilda-- +speak to me, tell me that you consent." Gerald gasped +with agony. + +"Never, Gerald," she returned, with startling +impressiveness, while the color, which during the warm +embrace of her lover had returned to it once more, fled +from her cheek. "To challenge him would be but to ensure +your own doom, for few in the army of the United States +equal him in the use of the pistol or the small sword; +and, even were it otherwise," she concluded, her eye +kindling into a fierce expression, "were he the veriest +novice in the exercise of both, my vengeance would be +incomplete, did he not go down to his grave with all his +sins on his head. No, no, Gerald, in the fulness of the +pride of existence must he perish. He must not dream of +death until he feels the blow that is aimed at his heart." + +The agitation of Matilda was profound beyond any thing +she had ever yet exhibited. Her words were uttered in +tones that betrayed a fixed and unbroken purpose of the +soul, and when she had finished, she threw her face upon +the bosom of her lover, and ground her teeth together +with a force that showed the effect produced upon her +imagination, by the very picture of the death she had +drawn. + +A pause of some moments ensued. Gerald was visibly +disconcerted, and the arm which encircled the waist of +the revengeful woman dropped, as if in disappointment, +at his side. + +"How strange and inconsistent are the prejudices of man," +resumed Matilda, half mournfully, half in sarcasm; "here +is a warrior--a spiller of human life by profession; his +sword has been often dyed in the heart blood of his fellow +man, and set he shudders at the thought of adding one +murder more to the many already committed. What child-like +weakness!" + +"Murder! Matilda; call you it murder to overcome the +enemies of one's country in fair and honorable combat, +and in the field of glory?" + +"Call YOU it what you will--disguise it under whatever +cloak you may--it is no less murder. Nay, the worst of +murders, for you but do the duty of the hireling slayer. +In cold blood, and for a stipend, do you put an end to +the fair existence of him who never injured you in thought +or deed, and whom, under other circumstances, you would +perhaps have taken to your heart in friendship." + +"This is true, but the difference of the motive, Matilda? +The one approved of heaven and of man, the other alike +condemned of both." + +"Approved of man, if you will; but that they have the +sanction of heaven, I deny. Worldly policy and social +interests alone have drawn the distinction, making the +one a crime, the other a virtue; but tell me not that an +all wise and just God sanctions or approves the slaying +of his creatures because they perish, not singly at the +will of one men, but in thousands and tens of thousands +at the will of another. What is there more sacred in the +brawls of Kings and Potentates, that the blood they cause +to be shed in torrents for some paltry breach of etiquette, +should sit more lightly on their souls than the few +solitary drops, spilt by the hand of revenge, on that of +him whose existence is writhing under a sense of acutest +injury?" + +The energy with which she expressed herself, communicated +a corresponding excitement to the whole manner and person +of Matilda. Her eye sparkled and dilated, and the visible +heaving of her bosom told how strongly her own feelings +entered into the principles she had advocated. Never +did her personal beauty shine forth more triumphantly or +seducingly than at the moment when her lips were giving +utterance to sentiments from which the heart recoiled. + +"Oh Matilda," sighed Gerald, "with what subtlety of +argument do you seek to familiarize my soul with crime. +But the attempt is vain. Although my hand is pledged to +do your will, my heart must ever mourn its guilt." + +"Foolish Gerald," said Matilda; "why should that seem +guilt to you, a man, which to me, a woman, is but justice; +but that unlike me you have never entered into the calm +consideration of the subject. Yes," she pursued with +greater energy, "what you call subtlety of argument is +but force of conviction. For two long years have I dwelt +upon the deed, reasoning, and comparing, until at length +each latent prejudice has been expelled, and to avenge +my harrowing wrongs appeared a duty as distinctly marked +as any one contained in the decalogue. You saw me once, +Gerald, when my hand shrank not from what you term the +assassin's blow, and had you not interfered then, the +deed would not now remain to be accomplished." + +"Oh, why did I interfere? why did my evil Genius conduct +me to such a scene. Then had I lived at least in ignorance +of the fearful act." + +"Nay, Gerald, let it rather be matter of exultation with +you that you did. Prejudiced as you are, this hand (and +she extended an arm so exquisitely formed that one would +scarce even have submitted it to the winds of Heaven) +might not seem half so fair, had it once been dyed in +human blood. Besides who so proper to avenge a woman's +wrongs upon her destroyer, as the lover and the husband +to whom she has plighted her faith for ever? No, no, it +is much better as it is; and fate seems to have decreed +that it should be so, else why the interruption by yourself +on that memorable occasion, and why, after all your pains +to avoid me, this our final union, at a moment when the +wretch is about to return to his native home, inflated +with pride and little dreaming of the fate that awaits +him--Surely, Gerald, you will admit there is something +more than mere chance in this?" + +"About to return," repeated Grantham shuddering. "When, +Matilda?" + +"Within a week at the latest--perhaps within three days. +Some unimportant advantage which he has gained on the +frontier, has been magnified by his generous fellow +citizens into a deed of heroism, and, from information +conveyed to me, by a trusty and confidential servant, I +find he has obtained leave of absence, to attend a public +entertainment to be given in Frankfort, on which occasion +a magnificent sword, is to be presented to him. Never, +Gerald," continued Matilda her voice dropping into a +whisper, while a ghastly smile passed over and convulsed +her lips, "never shall he live to draw that sword. The +night of his triumph is that which I have fixed for mine." + +"An unimportant advantage upon the frontier," asked Gerald +eagerly and breathlessly. "To what frontier, Matilda, do +you allude?" + +"The Niagara," was the reply. + +"Are you quite sure of this?" + +"So sure that I have long known he was there," returned +Matilda. + +Gerald breathed more freely--but again he questioned: + +"Matilda, when first I saw you last night, you were gazing +intently upon yon portrait, (he pointed to that part of +the temple where the picture hung suspended.) and it +struck me that I had an indistinct recollection of the +features." + +"Nothing more probable," returned the American, +answering his searching look with one of equal firmness. You +cannot altogether have forgotten Major Montgomerie." + +"Nay, the face struck me not as his. May I look at it?" + +"Assuredly. Satisfy yourself." + +Gerald quitted the sofa, took up the light, and traversing +the room raised the gauze curtain that covered the painting. +It was indeed the portrait of the deceased Major, habited +in full uniform. + +"How strange," he mused, "that so vague an impression +should have been conveyed to my mind last night, when +now I recal without difficulty those well remembered +features." Gerald sighed as he recollected under what +different circumstances he had first beheld that face, +and dropping the curtain once more, crossed the room and +flung himself at the side of Matilda. + +"For whom did you take it, if not for Major Montgomerie?" +asked the American after a pause, and again her full dark +eye was bent on his. + +"Nay I scarcely know myself, yet I had thought it had +been the portrait of him I have sworn to destroy." + +There was a sudden change of expression in the countenance +of Matilda, but it speedily passed away, and she said with +a faint smile. + +"Whether is it more natural to find pleasure in gazing +on the features of those who have loved, or those who +have injured us!" + +"Then whose was the miniature on which you so intently +gazed, on that eventful night at Detroit?" asked Gerald. + +"That," said Matilda quickly, and paling as she spoke-- +"that was HIS--I gazed on it only the more strongly to +detest the original--to confirm the determination I had +formed to destroy him." + +"If THEN," returned the youth, "why not NOW--may I not +see that portrait Matilda? May I not acquire some knowledge +of the unhappy man whose blood will so shortly stain my +soul?" + +"Impossible," she replied. "The miniature I have since +destroyed. While I thought the original within reach of +my revenge, I could bear to gaze upon it, but no sooner +had I been disappointed in my aim, than it became loathsome +to me as the sight of some venemous reptile, and I +destroyed it." This was said with undisguised bitterness. + +Gerald sighed deeply. Again he encircled the waist of +his companion, and one of her fair, soft, velvet hands +was pressed in his. + +"Matilda," he observed, "deep indeed must be the wrong +that could prompt the heart of woman to so terrible a +hatred. When we last parted you gave me but an indistinct +and general outline of the injury you had sustained. Tell +me now all--tell me every thing," he continued with +energy, "that can infuse a portion of the hatred which +fills your soul into mine, that my hand may be firmer-- +my heart more hardened to the deed. + +"The story of my wrongs must be told in a few words, for +I cannot bear to linger on them," commenced the American, +again turning deadly pale, while her quivering lips and +trembling voice betrayed the excitement of her feelings. +The monster was the choice of my heart--judge how much +so when I tell you that, confiding in HIS honor, and in +the assurance that our union would take place immediately, +surrendered to him MINE. A constant visitor at Major +Montgomerie's, whose brother officer he was, we had ample +opportunities of being together. We were looked upon in +society as affianced lovers, and in fact it was the +warmest wish of Major Montgomerie that we should be +united. A day had even been fixed for the purpose, and +it wanted, but eight and forty hours of the time, when +an occurrence took place which blasted all prospect of +our union for ever. + +"I have already told you, I think," resumed Matilda, +"that this little temple had been exclusively erected +for my own use. Here however my false lover had constant +ingress, and being furnished with a key, was in the habit +of introducing himself at hours when, having taken leave +of the family for the evening, he was supposed by Major +Montgomerie and the servants to have retired to his own +home. On the occasion to which I have just alluded, I +had understood from him some business, connected with +our approaching marriage, would detain him in the town +to an hour too advanced to admit of his paying me his +usual visit. Judge my surprise, and indeed my +consternation, when at a late hour of the night I heard +the lock of the door (from which I had removed my own +key) turn, and my lover appear at the entrance." + +There was a short pause, and Matilda again proceeded. + +"Scarcely had he shown himself when he had again vanished, +closing the door with startling violence. I sprang from +the sofa and flew forth after him, but in vain. He had +already departed, and with a heart sinking under an +insurmountable dread of coming evil, I once more entered +the temple, and throwing myself upon the sofa, gave vent +to my feelings in an agony of tears." + +"But why his departure, and whence your consternation?" +asked Gerald, whose curiosity had been deeply excited. + +"I was not alone," resumed Matilda, in a deep and solemn +voice. "When he entered I was hanging on the neck of +another." + +Gerald gave a half start of dismay, his arm dropped from +the waist of the American, and he breathed heavily and +quickly. + +Matilda remarked the movement, and a sickly and half +scornful smile passed over her pale features. "Before we +last parted, Gerald, I told you, not only that I was in +no way connected with Major Montgomerie by blood, but +that I was the child of obscure parents." + +"What then?" + +"The man on whose neck I hung was my own father." + +"It was Desborough!" said the youth, with an air and in +a voice of extreme anguish. + +"It was," returned Matilda, her face crimsoning as she +reluctantly acknowledged the parentage. "But how knew +you it?" + +"Behold the proof," exclaimed Gerald, with uncontrollable +bitterness, as he drew from his bosom the portrait of a +child which, from its striking resemblance, could be +taken for no other than her to whom he now presented it. + +"This is indeed mine," said Matilda, mournfully. "It was +taken for me, as I have since understood, in the very +year when I was laid an orphan and a stranger at the door +of that good man, who calling himself my uncle, has been +to me through life a more than father. Thank God," she +pursued with greater animation, her large dark eyes +upturned, and sparkling through the tears that forced +themselves upwards, "thank, God he at least lives not to +suffer through the acts of his adopted child. Where got +you this, Gerald?" she proceeded, when after a short +struggle she had succeeded in overcoming her emotion. + +Gerald, who in his narrative of events, had purposely +omitted all mention of Desborough, now detailed the +occurrence at the hut, and concluded what the reader +already knows, by stating that he had observed and severed +from the settler, as he slept heavily on the floor, the +portrait in question, which, added to the previous +declaration of Matilda as to the obscurity of her birth, +connected with other circumstances on board his gun boat, +on his trip to Buffalo, had left an impression little +short of certainty that he was indeed the father of the +woman whom he so wildly loved. + +For some minutes after this explanation there was a +painful silence, which neither seemed anxious to +interrupt--at length Gerald asked. + +"But what had a circumstance, so capable of explanation, +to do with the breaking off of your engagement, Matilda, +or, did he, more proud--perhaps I should say less +debased--than myself, shrink from uniting his fate with +the daughter of a murderer?" + +"True," said Matilda, musingly; "you have said, I think, +that he slew your father. This thirst for revenge then +would seem hereditary. THAT is the only, because it is +the noblest, inheritance I would owe to such a being." + +"But your affair with your lover, Matilda--how terminated +that?" demanded Gerald--with increasing paleness, and in +a faltering tone. + +"In his falsehood and my disgrace. Early the next morning +I sent to him, and bade him seek me in the temple at the +usual hour. He came, but it was only to blast my hopes-- +to disappoint the passion of the woman who doated upon +him. He accused me of a vile intercourse with a slave, +and almost maddened me with ignoble reproaches. It was +in vain that I swore to him most solemnly, the man he +had seen was my father; a being whom motives of prudence +compelled me to receive in private, even although my +heart abhorred and loathed the relationship between us. +He treated my explanation with deriding contempt, bidding +me either produce that father within twenty-four hours, +or find some easier fool to persuade--that one, wearing +the hue and features of the black could, by human +possibility, be the parent of a white woman. Again I +explained the seeming incongruity, by urging that the +hasty and imperfect view he had taken was of a mask, +imitating the features of a negro, which my father had +brought with him as a disguise, and which he had hastily +resumed on hearing the noise of the key in the door. I +even admitted, as an excuse for seeing him thus +clandestinely, the lowly origin of my father, and the +base occupation he followed of a treacherous spy who, +residing in the Canadas, came, for the mere consideration +of gold, to sell political information to the enemies of +the country that gave him asylum and protection. I added +that his visit to me was to extort money, under a threat +of publishing our consanguinity, and that dread of his +(my lover's) partiality being decreased by the disclosure, +had induced me to throw my arms, in the earnestness of +entreaty upon his neck, and implore his secrecy; promising +to reward him generously for his silence. I moreover +urged him, if he still doubted, to make inquiry of Major +Montgomerie, and ascertain from him whether I was not +indeed the niece of his adoption, and not of his blood. +Finally I humbled myself in the dust and, like a fawning +reptile, clasped his knees in my arms, entreating mercy +and justice. But no," and the voice of Matilda grew +deeper, and her form became more erect; "neither mercy +nor justice dwelt in that hard heart, and he spurned me +rudely from him. Nothing short of the production of him +he persisted in calling my vile paramour, would satisfy +him; but my ignoble parent had received from me the reward +of his secrecy, and he had departed once more to the +Canadas. And thus," pursued Matilda, her voice trembling +with emotion, "was, I made the victim of the most diabolical +suspicion that ever haunted the breast of man." + +Gerald was greatly affected. His passion for Matilda +seemed to increase in proportion with his sympathy for +her wrongs, and he clasped her energetically to his heart. + +"Finding him resolute in attaching to me the debasing +imputation," pursued the American, "it suddenly flashed +upon my mind, that this was but a pretext to free himself +from his engagement, and that he was glad to accomplish +his object through the first means that offered. Oh, +Gerald, I cannot paint the extraordinary change that came +over my feelings at this thought; much less give, you an +idea of the rapidity with which that change was effected. +One moment before and, although degraded and unjustly +accused, I had loved him with all the ardour of which a +woman's heart is capable: NOW I hated, loathed, detested +him; and had he sunk at my feet, I would have spurned +him from me with indignation and scorn. I could not but +be conscious that the very act of having yielded myself +up to him, had armed my lover with the power to accuse +me of infidelity, and the more I fingered on the want of +generosity such a suspicion implied, the more rooted +became my dislike, the more profound my contempt for him, +who could thus repay so great a proof of confidingness +and affection." + +"It was even while I lay grovelling at his feet," pursued +Matilda, after a momentary pause, during which she evinced +intense agitation, "that this sadden change (excited by +this most unheard of injustice) came over my mind--I rose +and stood before him; then asked, in a voice in which no +evidence of passion could be traced, what excuse he meant +to make to Major Montgomerie, for having thus broken off +his engagement. He started at my sudden calmness of +manner, but said that he thought it might be as well for +my sake to name, what I had already stated to him, in +regard to the obscurity of my birth, as a plea for his +seceding from the connexion. I told him that, under all +the circumstances I thought this most advisable, and then +pointing to the door, bade him begone, and never under +any pretext whatever again to insult me with his presence. +When he had departed, I burst into a paroxysm of tears, +but they were tears shed not for the loss of him I now +despised, but of wild sorrow at my unmerited degradation. +That conflict over, the weakness had for ever passed +away, and never since that hour, has tear descended cheek +of mine, associated with the recollection of the villain +who had thus dared to trifle with a heart, the full extent +of whose passions he has yet to learn." + +There was a trembling of the whole person of Matilda, +which told how much her feelings had been excited by the +recollection of what she narrated, and Gerald, as he +gazed on her beautiful form, could not but wonder at the +apathy of the man who could thus have heartlessly thrown +if from him for ever. + +"Had the injury terminated here," resumed Matilda, "bitter +as my humiliation was my growing dislike for him who had +so ungenerously inflicted it, might have enabled me to +endure it. But, not satisfied with destroying the happiness +of her who had sacrificed all for his sake, my perfidious +lover had yet a blow in reserve for me, compared with +which his antecedent conduct was mercy. Gerald," she +continued, as she pressed his arm with a convulsive grasp, +"will you believe that the monster had the infamy to +confide to one of his most intimate associates, that his +rupture with me was occasioned by his having discovered +me in the arms of a slave--of one of those vile beings +communion with whom my soul in any sense abhorred? How +shall I describe the terrible feeling that came over my +insulted heart at that moment. But no, no--description +were impossible. This associate--this friend of his-- +dared, on the very strength of this infamous imputation, +to pollute my ear with his disrespectful passion, and +when, in a transport of contempt and anger, I spurned +him from me, he taunted me with that which I believed +confined to the breast, as it had been engendered only +in the suspicion, of my betrayer. Oh! if it be dreadful +to be falsely accused by those whom we have loved in +intimacy, how much more so it to know that they have not +had even the common humanity to conceal our supposed +weakness from the world. From that moment revenge took +possession of my soul, and I swore that my destroyer +should perish by the hand of her whose innocence and +whose peace he had blasted for ever." + +"Shortly after this event," resumed Matilda, "my base +lover was ordered to join his Regiment then, stationed +at Detroit. A year passed away, and during that period, +my mind pondered unceasingly on the means of accomplishing +my purpose of revenge; and so completely did I devote +myself to a cool and unprejudiced examination of the +subject, that what the vulgar crowd term guilt, appeared +to me plain virtue. On the war breaking out, Major +Montgomerie was also ordered to join the Regiment at +Detroit, and thither I entreated him, to suffer me to +accompany him. He consented, for knowing nothing of the +causes which had turned my love into gall, he thought it +not improbable that a meeting with my late lover might +be productive of a removal of his prejudices, and our +consequent reunion. Little did he dream that it was with +a view to plunge a dagger into my destroyer's false heart, +that I evinced so much eagerness to undertake so long, +and so disagreeable a journey." + +"Little more remains to be added," pursued Matilda, as +she fixed her dark eyes with a softened expression on +those of Gerald, "since, with the occurrences at Detroit +you are already sufficiently acquainted. Yet there is +one point upon which I would explain myself. When I first +became your prisoner, my mind had been worked up to the +highest pitch of determination, and in my captor I at +first beheld but an evil Genius who had interposed himself +between me and my just revenge, when on the very eve of +its consummation. Hence my petulance and impatience +while in the presence of your noble General." + +"And whence that look Matilda, that peculiar glance, +which you bestowed upon me even within the same hour?" + +Because in your frank and fearless mien I saw that manly +honor and fidelity, the want of which had undone me; +besides it flashed across my mind that daring, such as +I have witnessed yours in the capture of our boat, might, +if enlisted in my behalf, securely accomplish my revenge. + +"Then, if so, why the cold, the mortifying reserve, you +manifested when we met at dinner at my uncle's table?" + +"Because I had also recollected that, degraded as I was, +I ought not to seek the love of an honorable man, and +that to win you to my interest would be of no avail, as, +separated by the national quarrel, you could not, by +possibility, be near to aid me in my plans." + +"Then," said Gerald reproachfully, "it was merely to make +me an instrument of vengeance that you sought me. Unkind +Matilda!" + +"Nay, Gerald,--recollect, that then I had not learnt to +know you as I do now--I will not deny that when first I +saw you, a secret instinct told me you were one whom I +would have deeply loved had I never loved before; but +betrayed and disappointed as I had been, I looked upon +all men with a species of loathing--my kind, good, +excellent, more than father, excepted--and yet, Gerald, +there were moments when I wished even him dead." (Gerald +started)--"yes! dead--because I knew the anguish that +would crush his heart if he should ever learn that the +false brand of the assassin: had been affixed to the brow +of his adopted child." Matilda sighed profoundly, and +then resumed. "Later however, when the absence of its +object had in some degree abated the keenness of my thirst +for revenge, and when more frequent intercourse had made +me acquainted with the generous qualities of your mind, +I loved you Gerald, although I would not avow it, with +a fervor I had never believed myself a second time capable +of entertaining." + +Again the countenance of Matilda was radiant with the +expression just alluded to by her lover. Gerald gazed at +her as though his very being hung upon the continuance +of that fascinating influence, and again he clasped her +to his heart. + +"Matilda! oh my own betrothed Matilda!" he murmured. + +"Yes your own betrothed," repeated the American highly +excited, the wife of your affection and your choice, who +has been held up to calumny and scorn. Think of that, +Gerald; she on whose fond bosom you are to repose your +aching head, she who glories in her beauty only because +it is beauty in your eyes, has been, betrayed, accused +of a vile passion for a slave; yet he--the fiend who has +done this grievous wrong--he who has stamped your wife +with ignominy, and even published her shame-still lives. +Within a week," she resumed, in a voice hoarse from +exertion. "Yes, within a week, Gerald, he will be +here--perhaps to deride and contemn you for the choice +you have made." + +"Within a week he dies," exclaimed the youth. "Matilda, +come what will, he dies. Life is death without you, and +with you even crime may sit lightly on my soul. But we +will fly far from the habitations of man. The forest +shall be our home, and when the past recurs to me you +shall smile upon me with that smile--look upon me with +that look, and I will forget it all. Yes" he pursued, +with a fierce excitement snatching up the holy book, and +again carrying it to his lips--"once more I repeat my +oath. He who has thus wronged you, my own Matilda, +dies--dies by the hand of Gerald Grantham--of your +affianced husband." + +There was another long embrace, after which the plan of +operations was distinctly explained and decided upon. +They then separated for the night--the infatuated Gerald +with a load of guilt at his heart, no effort of his reason +could remove, returning by the route he had followed on +the preceding evening to his residence in the town. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Leaving the lost Gerald for a time to all the horrors of +his position, in which it would be difficult to say +whether remorse or passion (each intensest of its kind) +predominated, let us return to the scene where we first +introduced him to the reader, and take a review of the +Military events passing in that quarter. + +After the defeat of the British columns at Sandusky, so +far from any renewed attempt being made to interrupt the +enemy in his strong holds, it became a question whether +the position on the Michigan frontier could be much longer +preserved. To the perseverance and promptitude of the +Americans, in bringing new armies into the field, we have +already had occasion to allude; but there was another +quarter in which their strength had insensibly gathered, +until it eventually assumed an aspect that carried +apprehension to every heart. Since the loss of their +flotilla at Detroit, in the preceding year, the Americans +had commenced with vigour to equip one at Buffalo, which, +in number and weight of metal, was intended to surpass +the naval force on Lake Erie; and so silently and cautiously +had they accomplished this task, that it was scarcely +known at Amherstburg that a squadron was in the course +of preparation, when that squadron (to which had been +added the schooner captured from Gerald Grantham the +preceding autumn) suddenly appeared off the harbour, +defying their enemies to the combat. But the English +vessels were in no condition to cope with so powerful an +enemy, and although many a gallant spirit burned to be +led against those who so evidently taunted them, the +safety of the Garrisons depended too much on the issue, +for that issue to be lightly tempted. + +But misfortune was now beginning to overcast the hitherto +fair prospects of the British arms in the Western District +of the Canadas; and what the taunts of an enemy, triumphing +in the consciousness of a superior numerical force, could +not effect, an imperative and miserably provided for +necessity eventually compelled. Maintaining as we did a +large body of wild and reckless warriors, together with +their families, it may be naturally supposed the excesses +of these people were not few; but it would have required +one to have seen, to have believed, the prodigal waste +of which they were often guilty. Acknowledging no other +law than their own will, following no other line of +conduct than that suggested by their own caprice, they +had as little respect for the property of the Canadian +inhabitant as they would have entertained for that of +the American enemy. And hence it resulted, that if an +Indian preferred a piece of fresh, to the salted meat +daily issued from the Commissariat, nothing was more +common than for him to kill the first head of cattle he +found grazing on the skirt of the forest; secure the +small portion he wanted; and leave the remainder to serve +as carrion to the birds of prey of the country. Nay, to +such an extent wax this wanton spoliation carried, that +instances have repeatedly occurred wherein cattle have +been slain and left to putrify in the sun, merely because +a warrior found it the most convenient mode by which to +possess himself of a powder horn. All this was done +openly--in the broad face of day, and in the full cognizance +of the authorities; yet was there no provision made to +meet the difficulties so guilty a waste was certain +eventually to entail. At length the effect began to make +itself apparent, and it was shortly after the first +appearance of the American fleet that the scarcity of +food began to be so severely felt as to compel the English +squadron, at all hazards, to leave the port in search of +supplies. + +At this period, the vessel described in the commencement +of our story, as having engaged so much of the interest +and attention of all parties, had just been launched and +rigged. Properly armed she was not, for there were no +guns of the description used on ship board wherewith to +arm her; but now that the occasion became imperative, +all nicety was disregarded In the equipment; and guns +that lately bristled from the ramparts of the fort were +soon to be seen protruding their long and unequal necks +from the ports. She was a gallant ship, notwithstanding +the incongruity of her armament, and had her brave crew +possessed but the experience of those who are nursed on +the salt waves of ocean, might have fought a more fortunate +fight (a better or a braver was impossible) than she did. +But in the whole of the English fleet there could not be +counted three score able or experienced seamen; the +remainder were children of the Canadian Lakes, warm with +the desire to distinguish themselves in the eyes of their +more veteran European companions, but without the knowledge +to make their enthusiasm sufficiently available. The +Americans, on the contrary, were all sons of the ocean. + +It was a glorious day in September, the beautiful September +of Canada, when the gallant Commodore Barclay sailed with +his fleet, ostensibly in fulfilment on the mission for +which it was dispatched, but in reality winder the firm +expectation of being provoked to action by his stronger +and better disciplined enemy. To say that he would have +sought that enemy, under the disadvantages beneath which +he knew himself to labor, would be to say that which +would reflect little credit on his judgment; but, although +not in a condition to hold forth the flag of defiance, +where there was an inferiority in all but the skill of +the leader and the personal courage of the men, he was +not one to shun the battle that should be forced upon +him. Still to him it was an anxious moment, because the +fame of other days hung upon an issue over which no +efforts of his own could hold mastery, and as he gazed +at his armless sleeve, he sighed for the presence of +those whose agency had coupled the recollection of past +victory with that mutilated proof of honorable conduct. +He knew, moreover, the magnitude of the stake for which +he was thus compelled to play, and that defeat to him +would be the loss of the whole of the Western District. +While the British ascendancy could be maintained on the +Lake, there was little fear, lined as the forests were +with Indian warriors, that the Americans would push any +considerable force beyond the boundaries they had assigned +themselves at Sandusky and on the Miami; but a victory +once obtained by their fleet, there could be nothing to +oppose the passage of their army in vessels and boats +across the Lake. + +Such were the thoughts that filled the mind of the +Commodore (in common with all who calmly reasoned on the +subject) as he crossed the bar that separated him from +his enemy; but neither in look, nor word, nor deed, was +there aught to reveal what was passing in the inward man; +and when later the hostile fleet was signalized as bearing +down upon them, he gave his orders to prepare formation, +in the animated voice of one who finds certain victory +within his reach, and exultingly hastens to secure it. + +The events of that day the page of History has already, +recorded in terms alike flattering to the conqueror and +the conquered. Let it suffice that the Americans triumphed. +What the issue would have been, independently of all the +disadvantages under which the English Commodore labored, +had the latter not been borne severely wounded to his +cabin early in the action, it is impossible to say; but +as the final defeat was owing to his two principal vessels +getting foul of each other, without being able to extricate +themselves, it is not unfair to presume that his presence +on deck would have done much to remedy the confusion +produced by the accident. + +One incident only connected with this action, and in +which two individuals with whom our readers have made +partial acquaintance, were the principal performers, we +will venture to relate. It will be recollected that at +the dinner table at Colonel D'Egville's on the day of +the capture of Major Montgomerie, and his party, among +the guests were the chiefs Split-log and Walk-in-the-Water, +the former distinguished by a huge bulbous excrescence +miscalled a nose, and exquisitely slit ears that dangled +gracefully upon his shoulders, at every movement of his +Memnon-like head: the latter by his striking resemblance +to the puritans of the days of the Commonwealth. Now it +so happened that Messieurs Split-log and Walk-in-the-water +were filled with an unconquerable desire to distinguish +themselves at sea, as they had often done on terra firma, +and they accordingly proffered their services in the +forth-coming struggle. We hope we shall not be considered +as detracting in the slightest degree from the courage +of these chiefs, when we state that the position chosen +by them on board the Commodore's ship, was one where they +apprehended the least danger to themselves--namely in +the tops; for although an Indian will scorn to shrink +from a rifle bullet or tomahawk, it by no means enters +into his code of bravery that he is to submit himself to +the terrible ordeal of being battered to a jelly by a +huge globe of solid iron. With, an alertness not common +to the habits and corpulence of these celebrated chiefs, +and fully calculating on exemption from danger while they +plied their rifles successfully themselves, they ascended +to the main top long before the action commenced. But +they had counted without their host, for no sooner did +the enemy begin to suffer from their fire, and perceive +the quarter whence it came, when a swivel gun, loaded +with grape, was brought to hear upon the point where they +lay concealed. They had provided themselves with a breast +work against small arms, but no breast work could resist +the shower of iron hail that was directed towards them; +and in proportion as the splinters and shot flew about +their ears, so did their desire to distinguish themselves +oze forth from the palms of Messrs. Split-log and +Walk-in-the-Water; in so much so indeed that, without +waiting to descend the rigging in the usual manner, each +abandoning his rifle, slid down by the first rope on +which he could lay his hands; nor stayed his course until +he found himself squatted, out of all reach of danger in +the lowest hold, and within the huge coils of a cable +where already lay ensconced a black bear, the pet of one +of the sailors. In this comfortable hiding place were +Messrs Split-log and Walk-in-the-Water found, when at +the close of the action they became, in common with those +with whose fortunes they had identified themselves, +prisoners of the Americans. + +The action between the adverse fleets had been witnessed +by many of the inhabitants of Amherstburg, and by the +officers of the Garrison who, at the first sounds of +conflict, had ridden along the banks of the lake to be +as near spectators of the event as the distance of the +combatants, and the thick smoke in which they speedily +became enveloped, would allow. High in hope, and strong +in the reliance they placed upon the skill and experience +of the English Commodore, each had looked forward with +confidence to the overthrow of the enemy, even with the +limited means and unequal resources placed at his disposal. +Great therefore was the disappointment of all, when after +the firing, which raged for two hours without intermission, +had finally ceased, they found the English squadron lay +a mere wreck upon the waters, and in the very act of +being towed by their more fortunate enemies into the +harbour they had but recently quitted to engage them. +But on none did the disappointment of that hour sit more +heavily than on Tecumseh. He had watched the whole conflict +with an anxious eye and a swelling heart, for he well +knew what important results to himself and kindred hung +upon the issue; but filled with enthusiastic admiration +as he was of the Naval Captain, he had believed that +personal devotedness and heroism alone were sufficient +to compensate for the absence of advantages he had heard +named, without fully comprehending either their import +or their influence upon the chances of victory. The event +painfully undeceived him, and although his generous heart +warmed with the same love for him whose valour, profitless +even though it proved, was sufficiently attested by the +shattered condition of almost every vessel of his little +Squadron, he read in the downfall of him in whose aid he +had so much confided, the annihilation of the English power +in that remote region of the Canadas, and the consequent +destruction of all his hopes of retrieving his race from +the hated thraldom of American tyranny and American +usurpation. Such was the first feeling of that noble Warrior, +but his was not a soul to despond under the infliction of +even a worse trial than that just recorded, and in proportion +as the danger and difficulty increased, so rose his energy +and his desire to surmount them. + +The result of the unlucky contest was, as had been +anticipated, to open a free passage across the lake to +the American armies, whose advance by land had been so +repeatedly and effectually checked on former occasions, +as to leave them little inclination for a renewal of an +attempt in that quarter. Now however that they could +forward a fleet of boats, under cover of the guns of +their Squadron, to the very outworks of Amherstburg, the +difficulty was at once removed; and an overwhelming army +of not less than ten thousand men, were speedily assembled +near Sandusky, with a view to the final invasion of +Amherstburg and consequent recapture of Detroit. + +Under these disheartening circumstances--the want of +provisions being daily more and more felt by the troops +and inhabitants--it became necessary to hold a council +of war, to determine upon the course that should be +pursued. Accordingly the whole of the chiefs and officers +of the Garrison met in the hall already described in the +beginning of our narrative, when it was proposed by +General Proctor, at the conclusion of a speech in which +the increasing difficulties and privations of the garrison +were emphatically enumerated, that the fortifications +should be razed to the ground, the dock yards and other +public works destroyed, and the allied forces of English +and Indians make the best of their way by land to join +the centre division of the army on the Niagara frontier. + +The indignation of Tecumseh, at what he conceived to be +a base and cowardly abandonment of a position which stout +hearts and willing hands might yet make available against +any force the enemy should push forward for its reduction, +was excessive and appropriately expressed. Filled with +esteem as he was for the character and courage of General +Brock, while a no less sincere admiration of the gallant +but unfortunate Commodore Barclay animated his noble and +generous heart, he could ill disguise his contempt for +the successor of the former. Little familiarized as he +was with the habits of European warfare, it could not +escape the penetrating observation of such a mind, that +the man who now proposed giving up his command without +a struggle in its defence, was the same who, at French +town, had suffered his troops to be cut to pieces, through +mere nervousness to attack with the bayonet; and who, +later at Sandusky, had through grossest neglect and +ignorance, not only lost the means of securing a certain +victory, but occasioned the most shameful waste of human +life; neither had it escaped his observation that on +almost every occasion wherein the hostile armies were +brought in contact, he who called himself a leader was +invariably a follower, and a follower at a most respectful +distance--a mode of heading an army, so differing from +Tecumseh's own view of the duties of a great chief, that +he could not understand by what perversion of the judgment +of his really brave fellows, who were erroneously called +his followers, he had been suffered to continue in his +command so long. + +Under this impression of feeling towards the General, it +may readily be supposed that Tecumseh was not sparing of +his censure on the mode of proceeding which had been +suggested by that officer--nay, he even carried his +contempt and indignation so far, as to term him the coward +he believed him to be; and had this merit, that he told, +in plain and unvarnished language, what many of the +English officers most religiously believed also, although +their tongues dared not of course give utterance to the +thought. He threw additional force into his spirited and +exciting speech, by instituting a comparison between him +to whom he addressed himself, and the gallant but +unfortunate officer whose defeat had driven them to the +necessity of debating the unworthy question of flight--a +comparison which tended but to show how high the one had +been raised, how low the other had been sunk, in the +estimation of the truly brave; and concluded by a vivid +expression of his determination to remain with the warriors +and maintain the contest alone. + +The animated delivery of the Warrior had communicated to +the lesser chiefs an enthusiasm of approbation that +carried them wholly beyond the bounds of the quiet and +grave demeanor, so usually distinguishing their deliberative +assemblies; and like the wild outburst of a fitful storm, +rose the clamorous yells that told how responsively the +heart of each excited chief beat to that of his great +leader. There was a moment during that wild and tumultuous +expression of the common feeling, when the British officers +looked as if they expected some more serious results of +the General's proposition than the mere utterance of the +dissatisfaction it, had created. But the apprehension +soon passed away, for a sudden and commanding movement +of the proud Tecumseh stayed the tempest his own powerful +eloquence had raised,--and the quiet and order of the +scene were restored, with a promptitude not inferior to +that with which it had been interrupted. + +The result of the proceedings of the day, was a compromise +of the views of the two parties; and it was decided, that +although the defences of Amherstburg and Detroit should +be destroyed, and those forts evacuated, a final stand +should be made near the Moravian village, on the banks +of the narrow river Thames, on the line of communication +with the Niagara frontier. If the opportunity permitted, +and the Americans suffered them to remain unmolested, +fortifications were to be constructed on this spot, and +a rallying point for the numerous tribes of dispersed +Indians finally preserved. + +A few days later, and the work of destruction was entered +upon and soon completed. The little British Army, scarcely +exceeding eight hundred men of all arms, commenced its +march at night, lighted by the flames of the barracks +which had given them shelter for the last time. As they +passed the fort of Detroit the next day, dense columns +of smoke and flame were to be seen rising high in air, +from the various public edifices, affording a melancholy +evidence of the destruction which usually tracks a +retreating army. Many an American inhabitant looked on +at the work of destruction, as if he would fain have +arrested the progress of an element which at once defaced +the beauty of the town, and promised much trouble and +inconvenience to those whom they knew to be at hand, for +their final deliverance frem the British yoke. But the +Garrison continued stern spectators of the ruin--they +had been compelled to effect, until the flames had attained +a power which rendered their suppression an impossibility; +then and then only, did they quit the scene of +conflagration, and embarking in the boats which had been +kept in readiness for their transport, joined their +comrades, who waited for them on the opposite bank. The +two Garrisons thus united; the whole preceded by a large +body of Indians, were pushed forward to the position +which had been selected on the Thames, and both shores +of the Detroit were left an unresisting conquest to the +Americans. + +Meanwhile, these latter had not been slow in profiting +by the important advantages which had crowned their arms +on the lake. On the third day after the retreat of the +British Garrison from Amherstburg, a numerous fleet of +large boats was discovered from the town pushing for +Hartley's point, under cover of the united Squadrons. +Unopposed as these were, their landing was soon effected, +and a few hours later the American stars were to be seen +floating over the still smoking ruins of the British +fortress. Emboldened by the unexpected ease with which +he had rendered himself finally master of a position so +long coveted, the American General at once resolved to +follow and bring his retreating enemy to action if +possible. A force of five thousand men (fifteen hundred +of whom were mounted rifles) was accordingly pushed +forward; and so rapid and indefatigable was the march of +these, that they came up with the retreating columns +before they had succeeded in gaining the village, at +which it was purposed that their final stand should be +made. The anxiety of General Proctor to save the baggage +waggons containing his own personal effects, had been +productive of the most culpable delay, and at the moment +when his little army should have been under cover of +entrenchments, and in a position which offered a variety +of natural defensive advantages, they found themselves +suddenly overtaken by the enemy in the heart of a thick +wood, where, fatigued by the long and tedious march they +had made under circumstances of great privation, they +had scarcely time to form in the irregular manner permitted +by their broken position, before they found themselves +attacked with great spirit, and on all sides by a force +more than quadruple their own. The result may easily be +anticipated. Abandoned by their General, who at the very +first onset, drove his spurs into the flanks of his +charger and fled disgracefully from the scene of action, +followed by the whole of his personal staff, the irregularly +formed line of the little British Army, was but ill +prepared to make effectual resistance to the almost +invisible enemy by whom it was encompassed; and those +whom the rifle had spared, were to be seen, within an +hour from the firing of the first shot, standing conquered +and disarmed, between the closing lines of the victorious +Americans. + +But although the English troops (sacrificed as they must +be pronounced to have been, by their incapable leader) +fell thus an easy prey to the overwhelming force brought +against them, so did not their Indian allies, supported +and encouraged as these were by the presence of their +beloved Chieftain. It was with a sparkling eye and a +glowing cheek that, just as the English troops had halted +to give unequal battle to their pursuers, Tecumseh passed +along the line, expressing in animated language the +delight he felt at the forthcoming struggle, and when he +had shaken hands with most of the officers (we fancy we +can feel the generous pressure of his fingers even at +this remote period) he moved into the dense forest where +his faithful bands were lying concealed, with a bounding +step that proved not only how much his heart had been +set upon the cast, but how completely he confided in the +result. And who shall say what that result might not have +been even notwithstanding the discomfiture of the English +had the heroic Chieftain been spared to his devoted +country! But this was not fated to be. Early in the action +he fell by the hand of a distinguished leader of the +enemy, [Footnote: Colonel Johnson, now Vice-President of +the United States.] and his death carried, as it could +not fail to do, the deepest sorrow and dismay into the +hearts of his followers, who although they continued the +action long after his fall, and with a spirit that proved +their desire to avenge the loss of their noble leader, +it was evident, wanted the directing genius of him they +mourned to sustain them in the effort. For several days +after the action did they continue to hang upon the +American rear, as the army again retired with its prisoners +upon Detroit; but each day their attack became feebler +and feebler, announcing that their numbers were fast +dispersing into the trackless region from which they had +been brought, until finally not a shot was to be heard +disturbing the night vigils of the American sentinels. + +With the defeat of the British army, and the death of +Tecumseh, perished the last hope of the Indians to sustain +themselves as a people against the inroads of their +oppressors. Dispirited and dismayed, they retired back +upon the hunting grounds which still remained to them, +and there gave way both to the deep grief with which +every heart was overwhelmed at the loss of their truly +great leader, and to the sad anticipations which the +increasing gloom that clouded the horizon of their +prospects naturally induced. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +The interview so fatal in its results to Gerald's long +formed resolutions of virtuous purpose was followed by +others of the same description, and in the course of +these, Matilda, profiting by her knowledge of the past, +had the address so to rivet the chains which fettered +the senses of her lover, by a well timed, although +apparently unintentional display of the beauty which had +enslaved him, that so far from shrinking from the fulfilment +of the dreadful obligation he had imposed upon himself, +the resolution of the youth became more confirmed as the +period for its enactment drew nigher. There were moments +when, his passion worked up to intensity by the ever- +varying, over-exciting picture of that beauty would have +anticipated the condition on which he was to become +possessed of it for ever, but on these occasions the +American would assume an air of wounded dignity, sometimes +of deep sorrow; and alluding to the manner in which her +former confidence had been repaid, reproach him with a +want of generosity, in seeking to make her past weakness +a pretext for his present advances. Yet even in the very +moment she most denied him, she so contrived that the +restrained fire should burn with tenfold fury within his +heart--rendering him hourly more anxious for her possession, +even as he became hourly less fastidious about the means +of attainment. + +At length the day arrived when Gerald--the once high, +generous and noble minded Gerald,--was to steep his soul +in guilt--to imbrue his hands in the life blood of a +fellow creature. The seducer of Matilda had arrived, and +even in the hotel in which Grantham resided, the +entertainment was to be given by his approving fellow +citizens, in commemoration of the heroism which had won +to him golden opinions from every class. It had already +been arranged that the assassination was to take place +on the departure of their victim from the banquet, and +consequently at a moment when, overcome by the fumes of +wine, he would be found incapable of opposing any serious +resistance to their design. The better to facilitate his +close and unperceived approach to the unhappy man, a pair +of cloth shoes had been made for her lover by the white +hands of Matilda, with a sort of hood or capuchin of the +same material, to prevent recognition by any one who +might accidentally pass him on the way to the scene of +the contemplated murder. Much as Gerald objected to it, +Matilda had peremptorily insisted on being present herself, +to witness the execution of the deed, and the same +description of disguise had been prepared for herself. +In this resolution the American, independently of her +desire to fortify the courage of her lover by her presence, +was actuated by another powerful and fearful motive, +which will be seen presently. + +The private residence of the officer was situated in a +remote part of the town, and skirting that point of the +circular ridge of hills where the lights in the habitation +of Matilda had attracted the notice of Gerald, on the +first night of his encounter. To one who viewed it from +a distance, it would have seemed that the summit of the +wood-crowned ridge must be crossed before communication +could he held between the two dwellings which lay as it +were back to back, on either side of the formidable +barrier; but on a nearer approach, a fissure in the hill +might be observed, just wide enough to admit of a narrow +horse track or foot path, which wound its sinuous course +from the little valley into the open space that verged +upon the town, on gaining which the residence of the +American officer was to be seen rising at the distance +of twenty yards. It was in this path, which had been +latterly pointed out to him by his guilty companion, that +Gerald was to await the approach of the intended victim, +who on passing his place of concealment, was to be +cautiously followed and stabbed to the heart ere he could +gain his door. + +Fallen as was Gerald from his high estate of honor, it +was not without a deep sense of the atrocity of the act +he was about to commit that he prepared for its +accomplishment. It is true that, yielding to the sophistry +of Matilda's arguments, he was sometimes led to imagine +the avenging of her injuries an imperative duty; but such +was his view of the subject only when the spell of her +presence was upon him. When restored to his calmer and +more unbiassed judgment, in the solitude of his own +chamber, conscience resumed her sway, and no plausibility +of pretence could conceal from himself that he was about +to become that vilest of beings--a common murderer. There +were moments even when the dread deed to which he had +pledged himself appeared in such hideous deformity that +he fain would have fled on the instant far from the +influence of her who had incited him to its perpetration, +but when the form of Matilda rose to his mental eye, +remorse, conscience, every latent principle of virtue, +dissolved away, and although he no longer sought to +conceal from himself that what he meditated was crime of +the blackest dye, his determination to secure entire +possession of that beauty, even at the accursed price of +blood, became but the more resolute and confirmed. + +The night previous to that fixed for the assassination +was passed by the guilty Gerald in a state of dreadful +excitement. Large drops fell from his forehead in agony, +and when he arose at a late hour, his pale emaciated +features and wavering step betrayed how little the mind +or the body had tasted of repose. Accustomed however, as +he had latterly been, to sustain his sinking spirits by +artificial means, he was not long in having recourse to +his wonted stimulants. He called for brandy to deaden +the acuteness of his feelings, and give strength to his +tottering limbs; and when he had drank freely of this, +he sallied forth into the forest, where he wandered during +the day without other aim or purpose than to hide the +brand of guilt, which he almost felt upon his brow, from +the curious gaze of his fellow men. It was dark when he +returned to the hotel, and as, on his way to his own +private apartment, he passed the low large room chiefly +used as an ordinary, the loud hum of voices which met +his ear, mingled with the drawing of corks and ringing +of glasses, told him that the entertainment provided for +his unconscious victim had already commenced. Moving +hastily on, he gained his own apartment, and summoning +one of the domestics, directed that his own frugal meal +(the first he had tasted that day) should be brought up. +But even for this he had no appetite, and he had recourse +once more to the stimulant for assistance. As the night +drew on he grew more nervous and agitated, yet without +at all wavering in his purpose. At length ten o'clock +struck. It was the hour at which he had promised to issue +forth to join Matilda in the path, there to await the +passage of his victim to his home. He cautiously descended +the staircase, and in the confusion that reigned among +the household, all of whom were too much occupied with +the entertainment within to heed the movements of +individuals, succeeded in gaining the street without +notice. The room in which the dinner was given was on +the ground floor, and looked through numerous low windows +into the street, through which Gerald must necessarily +pass to reach the place of his appointment. Sounds of +loud revelry, mixed with laughter and the strains of +music, now issued from these, attesting that the banquet +was at its height, and the wine fast taking effect on +its several participators. + +A momentary feeling of vague curiosity caused the degraded +youth to glance his eye through one of the uncurtained +windows upon the scene within, but scarcely had he caught +an indistinct and confused view of the company, most of +whom glittered in the gay trappings of military uniforms, +when a secret and involuntary dread of distinguishing +from his fellows the man whom he was about to slay, caused +him as instantaneously to turn away. Guilty as he felt +himself to be, he could not bear the thought of beholding +the features of the individual he had sworn to destroy. +As there were crowds of the humbler citizens of the place +collected round the windows to view the revelry within, +neither his appearance nor his action had excited surprise; +nor indeed was it even suspected, habited as he was in +the common garments of the country, that he was other +than a native of the town. + +On gaining the narrow pass or lane, he found Matilda +wrapped in her cloak, beneath which she carried the +disguise prepared for both. The moon was in the last +quarter, and as the fleecy clouds passed away from before +it, he could observe that the lips and cheek of the +American were almost livid, although her eyes sparkled +with deep mental excitement. Neither spoke, yet their +breathing was heavy and audible to each. Gerald seated +himself on a projection of the hill, and removing his +shoes, substituted those which his companion had wrought +for him. He then assumed the hood, and dropping his head +between his hands, continued for some minutes in that +attitude, buried in profound abstraction. + +At length Matilda approached him. She seated herself at +his side, threw her arms around his neck, called him in +those rich and searching tones which were so peculiarly +her own--her beloved and affianced husband; and bidding +him be firm of purpose, as he valued the lives and +happiness of both, placed in his hand a small dagger, +the handle of which was richly mounted in silver. Gerald +clutched the naked weapon with a convulsive grasp, while +a hoarse low groan escaped him, and again he sank his +head in silence upon his chest. + +Nearly an hour had passed in this manner, neither seeking +to disturb the thoughts of the other, nor daring to break +the profound silence that every where prevailed around +them. At length a distant and solitary footstep was +heard, and Matilda sprang to her feet, and with her head +thrown eagerly forward, while one small foot alone +supported the whole weight of her inclined body, gazed +intently out upon the open space, and in the direction +whence the sounds proceeded. + +"He comes, Gerald, he comes;" she at length whispered in +a quick tone. + +Gerald, who had also risen, and now stood looking over +the shoulder of the American, was not slow in discovering +the tall figure of a man, whose outline, cloaked even as +it was, bespoke the soldier, moving in an oblique direction +towards the building already described. + +"It is he, too well do I know him," continued Matilda, +in the same eager yet almost inaudible whisper, "and mark +how inflated with the incense which has been heaped upon +him this night does he appear. His proud step tells of +the ambitious projects of his vile heart. Little does he +imagine that this arm (and she tightly grasped that which +held the fatal dagger) will crush them for ever in the +bud. But hist!" + +The officer was now within a few paces of the path, in +the gloom of which the guilty pair found ample concealment, +and as he drew nearer and nearer their very breathing +was stayed to prevent the slightest chance of a discovery +of their presence. Gerald suffered him to pass some yards +beyond the opening, and advanced with long yet cautious +strides across the grass towards his victim. As he moved +thus noiselessly along, he fancied that there was something +in the bearing of the figure that reminded him of one he +had previously known, but he had not time to pause upon +the circumstance, for the officer was already within ten +yards of his own door, and the delay of a single moment +would not only deprive him of the opportunity on which +he had perilled all in this world and in the next, but +expose himself and his companion to the ignominy of +discovery and punishment. + +A single foot of ground now intervened between him and +the unhappy officer, whom wine, or abstraction, or both, +had rendered totally unconscious of his danger. Already +was the hand of Gerald raised to strike the fatal blow +--another moment and it would have descended, but even +in the very act he found his arm suddenly arrested. +Turning quickly to see who it was who thus interfered +with his purpose, he beheld Matilda. + +"One moment stay," she said in a hurried voice; "poor +were my revenge indeed, were he to perish not knowing +who planned his death;" then in a hoarser tone, in which +could be detected the action of the fiercest passions of +the human mind.--"Slanderer--villain--we meet again." + +Startled by the sound of a familiar voice, the officer +turned hastily round, and seeing all his danger at a +single glance, made a movement of his right hand to his +side, as if he would have grasped his sword--but finding +no weapon there he contented himself with throwing his +left arm forward, covered with the ample folds of his +cloak, with a view to the defence of his person. + +"Yes, Forrester," continued Matilda, in the same impassioned +voice, "we meet again, and mark you," pulling back the +disguise from Gerald, "'tis no vile slave, no sable +paramour by whose hand you die--villain," she pursued, +her voice trembling with excitement, "my own arm should +have done the deed, but that he whose service I have +purchased with the hand you rejected and despised, once +baulked me of my vengeance when I had deemed it most +secure. But enough! To his heart, Gerald, now that in +the fulness of his wine and his ambition, he may the +deeper feel the sting of death--strike to his heart-- +what! do you falter--do you turn coward?" + +Gerald neither moved nor spoke; his upraised hand had +sunk at his side, at the first address of Matilda to her +enemy, and the dagger had fallen from his hand upon the +sward, where it might he seen glittering in the rays of +the pale moon. His head was bent upon his chest in abject +shame, and he seemed as one who had suddenly been turned +to stone. + +"Gerald, my husband!" urged Matilda, rapidly changing +her tone into that of earnest persuasion, "wherefore do +you hesitate. Am I not your wife, your own wife, and is +not yon monster the wretch who has consigned my fair fame +to obloquy for ever--Gerald!" she added impetuously. + +But the spell had lost its power, and Gerald continued +immoveable--apparently fixed to the spot on which he +stood. + +"Gerald, Gerald!" repeated the officer, with the air of +one endeavouring to recollect. + +At the sound of that voice, Gerald looked up. The moon +was at that moment unobscured by a single cloud, and as +the eyes of the murderer and his intended victim met, +their recognition was mutual and perfect. + +"I had never expected to see Lieutenant Grantham figuring +in the character of an assassin," said Colonel Forrester, +in a voice of deep and bitter reproach, "still less to +find his arm raised against the preserver of his life. +This," he continued, as if speaking to himself, "will be +a bitter tale to recount to his family." + +"Almighty God! have mercy!" exclaimed Gerald, as overcome +with shame and misery, he threw himself upon the earth +at his full length, his head nearly touching the feet of +the officer. Then clasping his feet--"Oh! Colonel Forrester, +lost, degraded as I am, believe me when I swear that I +knew not against whom my arm was to be directed. Nay, +that you live at this moment is the best evidence of the +truth of what I utter, for I came with a heart made up +to murder. But YOUR blood worlds could not tempt me to +spill." + +"I believe you," said the American, feelingly. "Well do +I know the arts of the woman who seems to have lured you +into the depths of crime; yet low as you are fallen, +Lieutenant Grantham--much as you have disgraced your +country and profession, I cannot think you would willingly +have sought the life of him who saved your own. And now +rise, sir, and gain the place of your abode, before +accident bring other eyes than my own to be witnesses of +your shame. We will discourse of this tomorrow. Meanwhile, +be satisfied with my promise, that your attempt shall +remain a secret with myself." + +While he spoke, Colonel Forrester made a movement as if +to depart. Aroused by the apprehension of losing her +victim, Matilda, who had hitherto been an impatient +listener, called wildly upon Gerald, who had now risen, +to fulfil his compact; but the youth turned from her with +a movement of disgust, exclaiming with bitterness--"leave +me, woman, leave me!" + +Matilda looked after him for an instant with an expression +of intensest scorn, then springing to, and snatching up +the dagger, which lay glittering a few paces from the +spot on which she stood, she advanced silently, but +rapidly, upon her retreating enemy. Colonel Forrester +had gained his threshhold, and had already knocked for +admittance, when he heard the deep voice of Matilda at +his ear, exclaiming in a triumphant tone, + +"Think you twice then to escape your doom, traitor?" + +Before he could make an attempt to shield himself, the +fatal steel had entered deep into his side. Uttering a +groan, he sank senseless on the steps, whither Gerald, +who had watched the action of his companion, had flown +in the hope of arresting the blow. Confused voices, +mingled with the tramp of feet, were now heard within +the hall. Presently the door opened, and a crowd of +servants, chiefly blacks, appeared with lights. The view +of their bleeding master, added to the disguise of Gerald, +and the expression of triumph visible in the pale +countenance of Matilda, at once revealed the truth. By +some the former was borne to his apartment, while the +greater portion busied themselves in securing the two +latter, who however made not the slightest effort at +resistance, but suffered themselves to be borne, amid +hootings and execrations, from the spot. + +The different groups we have described as being gathered +together in front of the hotel, had dispersed with the +breaking up of the party, which Colonel Forrester, in +compliment to those who entertained him, had been one of +the last to quit; so that on passing through the streets +not an idler was found to swell the sable crowd that bore +the wretched prisoners onward to the common prison of +the town. Just as they had arrived at this latter, and +a tall and muscular negro, apparently enjoying some +distinction in his master's household, was about to pull +the bell for admission, a man came running breathlessly +to the spot, and communicated to the negro just mentioned, +a message, in which the name of Colonel Forrester was +distinctly audible to the ear of Gerald. A retrograde +movement was the immediate consequence of this interruption, +and the party, came once more upon the open space they +had so recently quitted. Stupified with the excess of +abjectness in which he had continued plunged, from the +moment of his discovery of the identity of his intended +victim, Gerald had moved unconsciously and recklessly +whithersoever his conductors led; but now that he expected +to be confronted face to face with the dying man, as the +sudden alteration in the movement of the party gave him +reason to apprehend, he felt for the first time that his +position, bitter as it was, might be rendered even worse. +It was a relief to him, therefore, when he found that, +instead of taking the course which led to the residence +of Colonel Forrester, the head of the party, of which +Matilda and himself were the centre, suddenly immerged +into the narrow lane which conducted to the residence of +that unhappy woman. Instead, however, of approaching +this, Gerald remarked that they made immediately for the +fatal temple. When they had reached this, the door was +unlocked by the tall negro above described, who, with a +deference in his manner not less at variance with the +occasion than with the excited conduct of the whole party +on their way to the prison, motioned both his prisoners +to enter. They did so, and the lock having been turned +and the key removed, they silently withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Hours passed away without either of the guilty parties +finding courage or inclination to address the other. The +hearts of both were too full for utterance--and yet did +they acknowledge no sympathy in common. Remorse, shame, +fear, regret, simultaneously assailed and weighed down +the mind of Gerald. Triumphant vengeance, unmixed with +any apprehension of self, reigned exclusively in the +bosom of Matilda. The intense passion of the former, like +a mist that is dissipated before the strong rays of the +sun, had yielded before the masculine and practical +display of the energetic hate of its object, while on +the contrary she, whose beauty of person was now to him +a thing without price, acknowledged no other feeling than +contempt for the vacillating character of her associate. +In this only did they agree that each looked upon each +in the light of a being sunk in crime--steeped in +dishonor--and while the love of the one was turned to +almost loathing at the thought, the other merely wondered +how one so feeble of heart had ever been linked to so +determined a purpose. + +The only light admitted into the temple was through the +window already described, and this was so feeble as +scarcely to allow of the more distant objects in the room +being seen. Gradually, as the moon sunk beneath the +forest ridge, the gloom increased, until in the end the +darkness became almost profound. At their first entrance +Matilda, enshrouding herself in the folds of her cloak, +had thrown herself upon the sofa; while Gerald continued +to pace up and down the apartment with hurried steps, +and in a state of feeling it would be a vain attempt to +describe. It was now for the first time that, uninfluenced +by passion, the miserable young man had leisure to reflect +on the past, and the chain of fatality which had led to +his present disgraceful position. He recollected the +conversation he had held with his brother on the day +succeeding his escape from the storm; and as the pledge +which had been given in his name to his dying father, +that no action of his life should reflect dishonor on +his family now occurred to him in all its force, he +groaned in agony of spirit, less in apprehension of the +fate that awaited him than in sorrow and in shame that +that pledge should have been violated. By a natural +transition of his feelings, his imagination recurred to +the traditions connected with his family, and the dreadful +curse which had been uttered by one on whom his ancestor +was said to have heaped injury to the very extinction of +reason--and associating as he did Matilda's visit to the +Cottage at Detroit, on the memorable night when he had +unconsciously saved the life of Colonel Forrester, with +the fact of her having previously knelt and prayed upon +the grave that was known to cover the ashes of the unhappy +maniac, Ellen Halloway, he felt a shuddering conviction +that she was in some way connected with that wretched +woman. In the intenseness of his new desire to satisfy +his doubts--a desire which in itself partook of the +character of the fatality by which he was beset--he +overcame the repugnance he had hitherto felt to enter +into conversation with her, and advancing to the couch, +seated himself upon its edge at her side. + +"Matilda" he said, after a few moments of silence, "by +all the love you once bore me, I conjure you answer me +one question while yet there is time." + +"Fool," returned the American, "I never loved you. A soul +like mine feels passion but once. Hitherto I have played +a part, hut the drama approaches to a close, and disguise +of plot is no longer necessary. Gerald Grantham, you have +been my dupe,--you came a convenient puppet to my hands, +and as such I used you until the snapped wire proclaimed +you no longer serviceable. No further." + +Shame, anguish, mortification--all the most humiliating +sensations natural to man, for a moment assailed the +breast of the unfortunate and guilty Grantham, rendering +him insensible even to the greater evil which awaited +him. In the bitterness of his agony he struck his clenched +hand against his forehead, uttering curses upon himself +for his weakness, in one breath, and calling upon his +God, in the next, to pardon him for his crime. + +"This is good!" said Matilda. "To see you writhe thus, +under the wound inflicted upon your vanity, is some small +atonement for the base violation of your oath; yet what +question would you ask, the solution of which can so much +import one about to figure on the scaffold for a crime +he has not even had the courage to commit?" + +The taunting manner in which the concluding part of the +sentence was conveyed, had the effect of restoring Gerald +in some degree to himself, and he said with considerable +firmness: + +"What I would ask is of yourself,--namely, the relationship, +if any, you bear to those who lie within the mound on +which I beheld you kneeling, on the night of your first +attempt on Colonel Forrester's life." + +"The very recollection of that ill-timed intrusion would +prevent me from satisfying your curiosity, did not +something whisper to me that, in so doing, I shall add +another pang to those you already experience," returned +the American with bitter sarcasm. + +"You are right," said Gerald hurriedly; "my miseries need +but the assurance of your connexion with those mouldering +bones to be indeed complete." + +"Then," said Matilda eagerly, and half raising her head, +"your cup of misery may yet admit of increase. My mother +and my father's mother both sleep within that grave." + +"How knew you this?" demanded Gerald quickly. "Instinct +could not have guided you to the spot, and by your own +admission you were taken from the place of your home +while yet a mere child." + +"Not instinct, but my father Desborough, pointed out the +spot, as he had long previously acquainted me with the +history of my birth." + +"One question more--your grandmother's name?" + +"Mad Ellen she was called, an English soldier's wife, +who died in giving birth to my father--and now that you +are answered, leave me." + +"Almighty Providence," aspirated Gerald, in tones of +inconceivable agony; "it is then as I had feared, and +this woman has Destiny chosen to accomplish my ruin." + +He quitted the sofa and paced up and down the room in a +state of mind bordering on distraction. The past crowded +upon his mind in all the confused manner of a dream, and +amid the chaos of contending feelings by which he was +beset, one idea only was distinct--namely, that the +wretched woman before him had been but the agent of Fate +in effecting his destruction. Strange as it may appear, +the idea, so far from increasing the acerbity of his +feelings, had the tendency to soften his heart towards +her. He beheld in her but a being whose actions had been +fated like his own, and although every vestige of passion +had fled--even although her surpassing beauty had lost +its subjugating influence, his heart yearned towards her +as one who, wrecked on the same shore, had some claim to +his sympathy and compassion. All that was now left them +was to make their peace with God, since with man their +final account would be so speedily closed, and with a +view to impress her with a sense of the religious aid +from which alone they could hope for consolation, he +again seated himself at her side on the edge of the sofa. + +"Matilda," he said, in a voice in which melancholy and +sternness were blended, "We have been the children of +guilt--the victims of our own evil passions; but God is +merciful, and if our penitence be sincere, we may yet be +forgiven in Heaven, although on earth there is no hope--even +if after this we could wish to live. Matilda, let us pray +together." + +There was no answer--neither did the slightest movement +of her form indicate consciousness that she was addressed. +"Matilda," repeated Gerald--still there was no answer. +He placed his hand upon her cheek, and thought the touch +was cold--he caught her hand, it too was cold and but +for the absence of rigidity he would have deemed her +dead. + +Scarcely knowing what he did, yet with an indefinable +terror at his heart, he grasped and shook her by the arm, +and again, but with greater vehemence, pronounced her +name. + +"Who calls?" she said, in a faint but deep tone, as she +raised her head slowly from the cushion which supported +it. "Ha! I recollect. Tell me," she added more quickly, +"was not the blow well aimed. Marked you how the traitor +fell. Villain, to accuse the woman whose only fault was +loving him too well, with ignominious commerce with a +slave!" + +"Wretched woman," exclaimed Gerald with solemn emphasis, +"instead of exulting over the evil we have done, let us +rather make our peace with Heaven, during the few hours +we have yet to live. Matilda Desborough--daughter of a +murderer; thyself a murderess--the scaffold awaits us +both." + +"Coward--fool--thou liest," she returned with suddenly +awakened energy. "For one so changeling as thyself the +scaffold were befitting;, but know, if I have had the +heart to do this deed, I have also had the head to provide +against its consequences--see--feel--." + +One of her cold hands was extended in search of Gerald's. +They met, and a vial placed in the palm of the latter, +betrayed the secret of her previous lassitude and +insensibility. + +Even amid all the horrors which environed him, and called +so largely on attention to his own personal danger, Gerald +was inexpressibly shocked. + +"What! poisoned?" he exclaimed. + +"Yes--poisoned!" she murmured, and her hand again sank +heavily at her side. + +Gerald dashed the vial away from him to the farther end +of the apartment, and taking the cold hand of the unhappy +woman, he continued: + +"Matilda--is this the manner in which you prepare yourself +to meet the presence of your God. What! add suicide to +murder?" + +But she spoke not--presently the hand he clasped sank +heavily from his touch. Then there was a spasmodic +convulsion of the whole frame. Then there burst a piercing +shriek from her lips, as she half raised herself in agony +from the sofa, and then each limb was set and motionless +in the stern rigidity of death. + +While Gerald was yet bending over the body of his +unfortunate companion, shocked, grieved and agitated +beyond all expression, the door of the temple was unlocked, +and a man enveloped in a cloak, and bearing a small dark +lantern, suddenly appeared in the opening. He advanced +towards the spot where Gerald, stupified with the events +of the past night, stood gazing upon the corpse, almost +unconscious of the presence of the intruder. + +"A pretty fix you have got into, Liftenant Grantham," +said the well known voice of Jackson, "and I little +calculated, when I advised you to make love to the Kentucky +gals to raise your spirits, that they would lead you into +such a deuced scrape as this." + +"Captain Jackson," said Gerald imploringly; "I am +sufficiently aware of all the enormity of my crime, and +am prepared to expiate it; but in mercy spare the bitterness +of reproach." + +"Now as I'm a true Tennessee man, bred and born, I meant +no reproach, and why should I, since you could'nt help +her doing it, (and he pointed to Matilda), yet you know +its sometimes dangerous to be found in bad company. Every +body might'nt believe you so innocent as we do. + +"Innocent! Captain Jackson," exclaimed Gerald, losing +sight of all other feelings in unfeigned surprise--"I +cannot say that I quite understand you." + +"Why, the meaning's plain enough, I take it. Others might +be apt, I say, to think you had something to do with the +thing as well as she, and therefore its just as well you +should make yourself scarce. The Colonel says he would'nt, +on any account, you shall even be suspected." + +"The Colonel says--not suspected," again exclaimed Gerald +with increasing astonishment--then, suddenly recollecting +the situation of the latter--"tell me," he continued, +"is Colonel Forrester in danger--is his life despaired of?" + +"Worth a dozen dead men yet, or you would'nt see me taking +the thing so coolly. The dagger certainly let the day +light into him, but though the wound was pretty considerably +deep, the doctors say its not mortal. He thinks it might +have been worse if you had not come up, and partly stopped +her arm when she struck at him." + +Gerald was deeply affected by what he had just heard. It +was evident that Colonel Forrester had, with a generosity +to which no gratitude of his own could render adequate +justice, sought to exonerate him from all suspicion of +participation in the guilty design upon his life, and as +he glanced his eye again for a moment upon the lifeless +form of his companion, he was at once sensible that the +only being who could defeat the benevolent object of his +benefactor had now no longer the power to do so. + +"She sleeps sound enough now," said Jackson, again pointing +to the ill-fated and motionless girl, "but she'll sleep +sounder still before long, I take it." + +"She will never sleep sounder than at this moment, Captain +Jackson," said Gerald, with solemn emphasis. + +"Why, you don't mean to say she has cheated the hangman, +Liftenant." + +As he spoke, Jackson approached the sofa, and turning +the light full upon the face, saw indeed that she was +dead. Gerald shuddered as the rays from the lamp revealed +for the first time the appalling change which had been +wrought upon that once beautiful countenance. The open +and finely formed brow was deeply knit, and the features +distorted by the acute agony which had wrung the shriek +from her heart at the very moment of dissolution, were +set in a stern expression of despair. The parted lips +were drawn up at the corners in a manner to convey the +idea of the severest internal pain, and there was already +a general discoloration about the mouth, betraying the +subtle influence of the poison which had effected her +death. + +Gerald, after the first glance, turned away his head in +horror from the view; but the Aid-de-Camp remained for +some moments calmly regarding the remains of all that +had once been most beautiful in nature. + +"She certainly is not like what she was when Colonel +Forrester first knew her," he said, in the abstracted +tone of one talking without reference to any other auditor +than himself; "but this comes of prefering a nigger to +a white man. Such unnatural courses never can prosper, +I take it." + +"Captain Jackson," said Gerald, aroused by this remark, +and with great emphasis of tone, while he laid his hand +impressively on the shoulder of the other, "you do her +wrong. Guilty she has been, fearfully guilty, but not in +the sense you would imply." + +"How do you know this?" asked the Aid-de-Camp. + +"From her own solemn declaration at a moment when deception +could avail her not. Even before she swallowed the fatal +poison, her horror at the imputation, which drove her to +the perpetration of murder, was expressed in terms of +indignant warmth that belong to truth alone." + +"If this be so," said Jackson, musingly, "she is indeed +a much injured woman, and deep I know will be the regret +of Colonel Forrester when he hears it, for he himself +has ever believed her guilty. But come, Liftenant Grantham, +we have no time to lose. The day will soon break, and I +expect you must be a considerable way from Frankfort +before sunrise." + +I--from Frankfort--before sunrise!" exclaimed Gerald, in +perfect astonishment. + +"Why, it's rather short warning to be sure; but the +Colonel thinks you'd better start before the thing gets +wind in the morning; for as so many of the niggers say +you wore a sort of a disguise as well as the poor girl, +he fears the citizens may suspect you of something more +than an intrigue, and insult you desperately." + +"Generous, excellent man!" exclaimed Gerald, "how can I +ever repay this most unmerited service?" + +"Why, the best way I take it, is to profit by the offer +that is made you of getting back to Canada as fast as +you can." + +"But how is this to be done, and will not the very fact +of my flight confirm the suspicion it is intended to +remove?" + +"As for the matter of how it is to be done, Liftenant, +I have as slick a horse waiting outside for you as man +ever crossed--one of the fleetest in Colonel Forrester's +stud. Then as for suspicion, he means to set that at +rest, by saying that he has taken upon himself to give +you leave to return on parole to your friends, who wish +to see you on a case of life and death, and now let's be +moving." + +Oppressed with the weight of contending feelings, which +this generous conduct had inspired, Gerald waited but to +cast a last look upon the ill-fated Matilda; and then +with a slow step and a heavy heart for ever quitted a +scene fraught with the most exciting and the most painful +occurrences of his life. The first rays of early dawn +beginning to develop themselves as they issued from the +temple, Jackson extinguished his lamp, and leading through +the narrow pass that conducted to the town, made the +circuit of the ridge of hills until they arrived at a +point where a negro (the same who had led the party that +bore Matilda and himself to the temple) was in waiting, +with a horse ready saddled and the arms and accoutrements +of a rifleman. + +The equipment of Gerald was soon completed, and with the +shot-bag and powder-horn slung over his shoulder, and +the long rifle in his hand, he soon presented the appearance +of a backwoodsman hastening to the theatre of war. + +When he had seated himself in the saddle, Jackson drew +forth a well filled purse, which he said he had been +directed by Colonel Forrester to present him with to +defray the expences of his journey to the frontier. + +Deeply affected by this new proof of the favor of the +generous American, Gerald received the purse, saying, as +he confided them to the breast of his hunting frock-- + +"Captain Jackson, tell Colonel Forrester from me, that +I accept his present merely because in doing so I give +the best evidence of my appreciation of ALL he has done +for me on this trying occasion. In his own heart, however, +he must look for the only reward to which this most noble +of actions justly entitles him." + +The frank-hearted Aid-de-Camp promised compliance with +this parting message, and after pointing out the route +it would be necessary to follow, warmly pressed the hand +of his charge in a final grasp, that told how little he +deemed the man before him capable of the foul intention +with which his soul had been so recently sullied. + +How often during those hours of mad infatuation, when +his weakened mind had been balancing between the possession +of Matilda at the price of crime, and his abandonment of +her at that of happiness, had the observation of the Aid- +de-Camp, on a former occasion, that he "was never born +to be an assassin," occurred to his mind, suffusing his +cheek with shame and his soul with remorse. Now, too, +that conscious of having fallen in all but the positive +commission of the deed, he saw that the unsuspecting +American regarded him merely as one whom accident or +intrigue had made an unwilling witness of the deadly act +of a desperate woman, his feelings were those of profound +abasement and self disesteem. + +There was a moment, when urged by an involuntary impulse, +he would have undeceived Captain Jackson as to his positive +share in the transaction; but pride suddenly interposed +and saved him from the degradation of the confession. +He returned the pressure of the American's hand with +emphasis, and then turning his horse in the direction +which he had been recommended to take, quitted Frankfort +for ever. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +While the success of the British and American arms had +been alternating (with eventual triumph to the latter) +in the manner we have shown during the campaign of 1813, +on the Western District of Upper Canada, some highly +important operations had taken place in the army of the +centre. Of these our space will admit but of a detail of +one, and we thus travel out of the scene to which we have +hitherto confined our labors, not only because it was +the most dashing affair that occurred during the war, +but because it offers a striking parallel to the enterprise +and daring which destroyed the American power, at the +outset of hostilities, and was productive of similar +results. + +Towards the close of May 1813, the Americans, after having +hotly bombarded Fort George on the Niagara frontier, for +two successive days, crossed the river and succeeded in +establishing themselves in that post which was evacuated +as untenable. The British loss on this occasion was +considerable, and General Vincent, who commanded the army +of the centre, retreated with much precipitation towards +Burlington Heights, withdrawing at the same time the +garrison from Fort Erie. + +Emboldened by the absence of serious opposition, the +American Generals (Winder and Chandler) pushed forward +a force, exceeding three thousand men, as far as Stoney +Creek, close to the position then occupied by the little +British army, not more than one fifth of this number. +Here they halted for the night, evidently to refresh +their troops for the attack, which was meditated for the +following morning. + +The result of such attack, with so overwhelming a force, +upon a small body of men dispirited, by recent discomfiture, +and destitute of supplies or reserves, could scarcely +have been doubtful. Fortunately however for the honor of +the British arms, Colonel Harvey, to whose conduct on +this occasion allusion has been incidentally made in an +early chapter of the present volume, had recently joined +the centre Division from Lower Canada, and to his quick +and comprehensive mind it immediately suggested itself, +that if the attack of the American army should be awaited, +the result, under the circumstances already alluded to, +and in the position occupied by the British force (literally +a Cul-de-Sac) must inevitably be attended by their utter +discomfiture, if not annihilation. On the contrary, he +felt persuaded that, even with the small force at the +disposal of the British General, there was every probability +that a bold and well concerted night attack would have +the effect of restoring to the assailants that confidence +in themselves, which had been weakened by a series of +reverses, while it must necessarily, and in the same +proportion, carry dismay into the ranks of the hitherto +victorious enemy. + +It was, we believe--indeed we have reason to know--a +favorite military maxim with Colonel Harvey, and invariably +acted up to whenever opportunity was afforded for its +application, that defensive warfare, when the invading +foe is greatly superior in number, is best carried on by +a succession of bold and active offensive operations. +The result of this theory was, in the instance under +question, an offer to General Vincent to head a night +attack and penetrate into the very heart of the enemy's +encampment, as an only means of extricating the army from +its perilous position, and restoring (if successful) to +the victors that moral confidence which was necessary to +the honor of the army, and the preservation of the country. +Fortunately, we repeat, for the glory of the British +arms, Colonel Harvey's proposal was accepted, although +not without much doubt and indecision on the subject, +and during the night of the 5th June the small band of +heroes, destined to achieve so glorious a result, were +silently get under arms for the disproportionate encounter. +At the head of seven hundred and twenty bayonets Colonel +Harvey dashed in upon his slumbering and unsuspecting +enemy, amounting to more than quadruple his own force, +and well provided with field artillery. So bold and +unexpected was the attack, that the enemy fled, with the +utmost precipitation, to a position called the forty mile +creek, a distance of ten miles, leaving their Generals +and a vast number of prisoners and military stores in +the hands of the victors. Here they fell in with a +reinforcement under General Lewis. So opportune however +had been the blow struck by Colonel Harvey, and such the +panic created by it in the American ranks, that even with +this additional force, they, on the sudden appearance of +the British fleet, with a small body of troops on board, +after sustaining a short cannonade, continued their +retreat to Fort George, leaving their tents standing, +nor halting until they had gained their place of +destination. + +Thus, by this judicious and by far the most brilliant +achievement of the war, was the centre District freed +from the triumphant presence of the enemy, as the western +had been, in the preceding year, by the bold and well +timed movement of General Brock upon Detroit, with an +equally inferior force. + +The history of the war furnishes no similar enterprizes. +Both were the results of a bold conception, and prompt +and successful execution. Of the two, perhaps Stoney +Creek was the most dashing and decided, since there the +adverse armies actually came into collision. + +In October of the same year, [Footnote: The anachronism +referred to in the Preface. The events here described, +occurred in 1812, and not in 1813.] a numerous body of +Americans, principally troops of the line, had been +collected under the orders of General Van Ransaellar, +and advantage was taken of a dark night in October to +push them across the river, with a view to the occupation +of the commanding heights above the village of Queenston. +In this, favored by circumstances, the enemy were eminently +successful.-- + +They carried the batteries, and at day break the heights +were to be seen covered with their battalions, before +whom were thrown out a considerable body of tirailleurs, +or riflemen. At the first alarm, the little detachment +stationed at Queenston, marched out to dislodge them; +but such was the impatient gallantry of General Brock, +who had succeeded to the command on this line of frontier, +that without waiting for the main body from Fort George +to come up, he threw himself at the head of the flank +companies of the Forty-Ninth, and moving forward in double +quick time, soon came within sight of the enemy. + +Among the General's Aides-de-Camps, was Henry Grantham, +who having succeeded in making his escape at the fatal +defeat of the Moravian Village, with a few men of his +company, had in the absence of his Regiment, (then +prisoners of war) and from considerations of personal +esteem, been attached as a supernumerary to his staff. +With him at this moment was the light hearted De Courcy, +and as the young men rode a little in rear of their Chief, +they were so rapt in admiration of his fine form and +noble daring, (as he still kept dashing onward, far in +advance even of the handful of troops who followed eagerly +and rapidly in his rear,) that they utterly forgot the +danger to which he was exposed. + +On arriving at the ascent, the General for a moment. +reined in his charger, in order to give time to the rear +to close in, then removing and waving his plumed hat, + +"Hurrah, Forty-Ninth!" he exclaimed, in language suited +to those he addressed. "Up these heights lies our road--on +ourselves depends the victory. Not a shot till we gain +the summit--then three cheers for old England--a volley--and +the bayonet must do the rest!" + +So saying, he resumed his hat, and wheeling his horse, +once more led his gallant little band up the hill. + +But it was not likely that the Americans would suffer +the approach of so determined an enemy without attempting +to check their progress in the most efficient manner. +Distinguished from those around him by his commanding +air, not less than by the military insignia that adorned +him, the person of the General was at once recognized +for one bearing high rank, and as such became an object +of especial attention to the dispersed riflemen. Shot +after shot flew past the undaunted officer, carrying +death into the close ranks that followed noiselessly in +his rear, yet without harming him. At length he was seen +by his Aides-de-Camps, both of whom had kept their eyes +upon him, to reel in his saddle. An instant brought the +young men to his side, De Courcy on his right and Grantham +on his left hand. They looked up into his face. It was +suffused with the hues of death. A moment afterwards and +he fell from his horse, with his head reclining upon the +chest of Henry Grantham. There was a momentary halt in +the advancing column; all were dismayed at the dreadful +event. + +De Courcy and Grantham, having abandoned their horses, +now bore their beloved leader to the side of the road, +in order to admit of the unimpeded progress of the men. +Even in his last moments the General had no other thought +but for the duty in which he was engaged. + +"Bid them move on, De Courcy," he said in a faint voice, +as he remarked the sudden check which had been given to +the advance by his fall. Then, as if obedient to the +command, they renewed the ascent, each man eyeing him as +he past with a look in which deep sorrow and a desire to +avenge his death were intimately blended. "Forty-Ninth, +I have served with you from boyhood, and if ye would I +die with honor this day--carry those heights." + +There was a deep murmur through the ranks of both +companies, that showed how each and all were affected by +this appealing address of the dying officer. At that +moment there arose a loud shout from the hill, as of +triumph at the fall of him they mourned. They answered +it with the fierce expression of men resolved to turn +that shout of triumph into a cry of woe; and excited, +maddened, infuriated, yet with a steadiness of movement +that claimed the admiration even of their enemies, dashed, +heedless of the galling fire of the riflemen, up the steep. + +Left alone with the dying General, it became a first +consideration with the young officers to convey him +(provided he could bear removal) to some spot out of +reach of the enemy's fire, where he might breathe his +last moments in peace. + +As Henry Grantham glanced his eye towards an old untenanted +building, that lay some fifty yards off the road, and +which he conceived fully adapted to the purpose, he saw +the form of a rifleman partly exposed at a corner of the +building, whose action at the moment was evidently that +of one in the act of loading his piece. The idea that +this skulking enemy might have been the same who had +given the fatal death-wound to his beloved Chief, added +to the conviction that he was preparing to put the coup +de grace to his work, filled him with the deepest desire +of vengeance. As the bodies of several men, picked off +by the tirailleurs, lay along the road, (one at no great +distance from the spot on which he stood,) he hastened +to secure the nearest musket, which, as no shot had yet +been fired by the English, he knew to be loaded. + +Leaving De Courcy to support the head of the General, +the young Aid-de-Camp moved with due caution towards the +building; but ere he had gone ten paces, he beheld the +object of his pursuit issue altogether from the cover of +the building, and advance towards him with his rifle at +the trail. More and more convinced that his design was +to obtain a nearer approach, with a view to a more certain +aim, he suddenly halted, and raised the musket to his +shoulder. In vain was a shout to desist uttered by the +advancing man--in vain was his rifle thrown aside as if +in token of the absence of all hostile purpose. The +excited Henry Grantham heeded not the words--saw not the +action. He thought only of the danger of his General, +and of his desire to avenge his fall. He fired--the +rifleman staggered, and putting his hand to his breast-- + +"My brother! oh, my unhappy brother!" he exclaimed, and +sank senseless to the earth. + +Who shall tell the horror of the unfortunate young Aid-de- +Camp, at recognizing in the supposed enemy his long +mourned and much loved Gerald--motion, sense, life, seemed +for the instant annihilated by the astounding consciousness +of the fratricidal act: the musket fell from his hands, +and he who had never known sorrow before, save through +those most closely linked to his warm affections, was +now overwhelmed, crushed by the mountain of despair that +fell upon his heart. It was some moments before he could +so far recover from the stupor into which that dear and +well remembered voice had plunged him, as to perceive +the possibility of the wound not being mortal. The thought +acted like electricity upon each stupified sense, and +palsied limb; and eager with the renewed hope, he bounded +forward to the spot where lay the unfortunate Gerald, +writhing in his agony. He had fallen on his face, but as +Henry approached him, he raised himself with one hand, +and with the other beckoned to his brother to draw near. + +"Great God, what have I done!" exclaimed the unhappy +Henry, throwing himself in a paroxysm of despair upon +the body of his bleeding brother. "Gerald, my own beloved +Gerald, is it thus we meet again. Oh! if you would not +kill me, tell me that your wound is not mortal. Assure +me that I am not a fratricide. Oh, Gerald, Gerald! my +brother, tell me that you are not dying." + +A faint smile passed over the pale haggard features of +Gerald: he grasped the hand of his brother and pressed +it fervently, saying-- + +"Henry, the hand of fate is visible in all this, therefore +condemn not yourself for that which was inevitable. I +knew of the attempt of the Americans to possess themselves +of the heights, and I crossed over with them under favor +of this disguise, determined to find death, combatting +at the side of our gallant General. Detaching myself from +the ranks, I but waited the advance of the British column +to remove from my concealment--you know the rest. But +oh, Henry! if you could divine what a relief it is to me +to part with existence, you would not wish the act undone. +This was all I asked: to see you once more--to embrace +you--and to die. Life offered me no hope but this." + +Gerald expressed himself with the effort of one laboring +under strong bodily pain; and as he spoke he again sank +exhausted upon the ground. + +"This packet," he continued, taking one from the breast +of the hunting frock he wore, and handing it to his +brother, who, silent and full of agony, had again raised +his head from the ground and supported it on his shoulder; +"this packet, Henry, written at various times during the +last fortnight, will explain all that has passed since +we last parted, in the Miami. When I am no more, read +it; and while you mourn over his dishonor, pity the +weakness and the sufferings of the unhappy Gerald." + +Henry was nearly frantic, the hot tears fell from his +burning eyes upon the pale emaciated cheek of his +brother--and he groaned in agony. + +"Oh, God!" he exclaimed, "how shall I ever survive this +blow--my brother! oh, my brother! tell me that you +forgive me." + +"Most willingly; yet what is there to be forgiven? You +took me for an enemy and hence alone your error. It was +fate, Henry. A dreadful doom has long been prophesied to +the last of our race. We are the last--and this is the +consummation. Let it console you however to think that, +though your hand had not slain me another's would. In +the ranks of the enemy I should have found--Henry, my +kind, my affectionate brother--your hand--there--there-- +what dreadful faintness at my heart--Matilda, it is my +turn now--Oh, God have mercy, oh--" + +While this scene was passing by the road side between +the unfortunate brothers, the main body of the British +force had come up to the spot where the General still +lay expiring in the arms of De Courcy, and surrounded by +the principal of the medical staff. The majority of these +were of the Regiment previously named--veterans who had +known and loved their gallant leader during the whole +course of his spotless career, and more than one rude +hand might be seen dashing the tear that started +involuntarily to the eye. As the colors of the Forty-Ninth +passed before him, the General made an effort to address +some language of encouragement to his old corps, but the +words died away in indistinct murmurs, and waving his +hand in the direction of the heights, he sank back +exhausted with the effort, and resigned his gallant +spirit for ever. + +For some minutes after life had departed, Henry Grantham +continued to hang over the body of his ill-fated brother, +with an intenseness of absorption that rendered him +heedless even of the rapid fire of musketry in the advance. +The sound of De Courcy's voice was the first thing that +seemed to call him to consciousness. De Courcy had heard +the cry uttered by the latter, on receiving the fatal +shot, and his imagination had too faithfully portrayed +the painful scene that had ensued. A friend of both +brothers, and particularly attached of late to the younger +from the similar nature of their service, he was +inexpressibly shocked, but still cherishing a hope that +the wound might not be attended with loss of life, he +expected to find his anticipations realized by some +communication from his friend. Finding however that the +one rose not, and remarking that the general demeanour +of the other was that of profound despair, he began at +length to draw the most unfavorable conclusion, and +causing the body of his Commander to be borne under cover +of the building, until proper means of transport could +be found, he hastened to ascertain the full extent of +the tragedy. + +The horror and dismay depicted in his friend's countenance +were speedily reflected on his own, when he saw that the +unfortunate Gerald, whose blood had completely saturated +the earth on which he lay, was indeed no more. Language +at such a moment would not only have been superfluous, +but an insult. De Courcy caught and pressed the hand of +his friend in silence. The unfortunate young man pointed +to the dead body of his brother, and burst into tears. +While these were yet flowing in a fulness that promised +to give relief to his oppressed heart, a loud shout from +the British ranks arrested the attention of both. The +sound seemed to have an electric effect on the actions +of Henry Grantham. For the first time he appeared +conscious there was such a thing as a battle being fought. + +"De Courcy!" he said starting up, and with sudden animation, +"why do we linger here--the dead," and he pointed first +to the body of the General in the distance--and then to +his brother "the wretched dead claim no service from us +now." + +"You are right, Henry, our interest in those beloved +objects has caused us to be mindless of our duty to +ourselves.--See, too, how the flankers have cleared the +brow of the hill for the advance of the main body. Victory +is our own--but alas! how dearly purchased!" + +"How dearly purchased, indeed!" responded Henry, in a +tone of such heart-rending agony as caused his friend to +repent the allusion. "De Courcy keep this packet, and +should I fall, let it be sent to my uncle, Colonel +D'Egville." + +De Courcy accepted the trust, and the young men mounted +their horses, which a Canadian peasant had held for them +in the mean time, and dashing up the ascent, soon found +themselves where the action was hottest. + +Burning with revenge, the flank companies had already +succeeded, despite of a hot and incessant fire, in gaining +the heights, and here for a considerable time they +maintained the struggle unsupported against the whole +force of the enemy. Already their bayonets had cleared +for themselves a passage to the more even ground, and +the Americans, dismayed at the intrepidity of this handful +of assailants, were evidently beginning to waver in their +ranks. A shout of victory, which was answered by the main +body of the English troops, just then gaining the summit +of the hill, completed their disorder. They stood the +charge but for a moment, then broke and fled, pursued by +their excited enemies in every direction. The chief object +of the Americans was to gain the cover of a wood that +lay at a short distance in their rear, but a body of +militia with some Indians having been sent round to occupy +it the moment the landing of the Americans was made known, +they were driven back from this their last refuge upon +the open ground, and with considerable loss. + +Thus hemmed in on both sides--the rifles of the militia +and Indians on one hand; the bayonets of the British +force on the other--the Americans had no other alternative +than throw down their arms or perish to the last. Many +surrendered at discretion, and those who resisted were +driven at the point of the bayonet, to the verge of the +terrific precipices which descend abruptly from the +Heights of Queenston. Here their confusion was at the +highest--some threw down their arms and were saved, others +precipitated themselves down the abyss, where their bodies +were afterwards found, crushed and mangled in a manner +to render them scarcely recognizable even as human beings. + +It was at the moment when the Americans, driven back by +the fire from the wood, were to be seen flying in despair +towards the frowning precipices of Queenston, that De +Courcy and Grantham, quitting their horses at the brow +of the hill, threw themselves in front of the victorious +and still leading flank companies. Carried away by the +excitement of his feelings, Grantham was considerably in +advance of his companion, and when the Americans, yielding +to the panic which had seized them, flew wildly, madly, +and almost unconscious of the danger, towards the precipice, +he suddenly found himself on the very verge, and amid a +group of irregulars, who arriving at the brink and seeing +the hell that yawned beneath, had turned to seek a less +terrific death at the hands of their pursuers. Despair, +rage, agony, and even terror, were imprinted on the +countenances of these, for they fought under an apparent +consciousness of disadvantage, and utterly as men without +hope. + +"Forward! victory!" shouted Henry Grantham, and his sword +was plunged deep into the side of his nearest enemy. +The man fell, and writhing in the last agonies of death, +rolled onward to the precipice, and disappeared for ever +from the view. + +The words--the action had excited the attention of a +tall, muscular, ferocious looking rifleman, who, hotly +pursued by a couple of Indians, was crossing the open +ground at his full speed to gain the main body of his +comrades. A ball struck him just as he had arrived within +a few feet of the spot where Henry stood, yet still +leaping onward, he made a desparate blow at the head of +the officer with the butt end of his rifle. A quick +movement disappointed the American of his aim, yet the +blow fell so violently on the shoulder that the stock +snapped suddenly asunder at the small of the butt. Stung +with pain, Henry Grantham turned to behold his enemy. +It was Desborough! The features of the settler expressed +the most savage and vindictive passions, as with the +barrel of the rifle upraised and clenched in both his +iron hands, he was about to repeat his blow. Ere it could +descend Grantham had rushed in upon him, and his sword +still reeking with the blood it had so recently spilt, +was driven to the very hilt in the body of the settler. +The latter uttered a terrific scream in which all the +most infernal of human passions were wildly blended, and +casting aside his rifle, seized the young officer in his +powerful gripe. Then ensued a contest the most strange +and awful; the settler using every endeavour to gain the +edge of the precipice, the other struggling, but in vain, +to free himself from his hold. As if by tacit consent, +both parties discontinued the struggle, and became mere +spectators of the scene. + +"Villain!" shouted De Courcy, who saw with dismay the +terrible object of the settler, whose person he had +recognized--"if you would have quarter, release your +hold." + +But Desborough, too much given to his revenge to heed +the words of the Aid-de-Camp, continued silently, yet +with advantage, to drag his victim nearer and nearer to +the fatal precipice; and every man in the British ranks +felt his blood to creep as they beheld the unhappy officer +borne, notwithstanding a desperate resistance, at each +moment nigher to the brink. + +"For Heaven's sake, advance and seize him" exclaimed the +terrified De Courcy, leaping forward to the rescue. + +Acting on the hint, two or three of the most active of +the light infantry rushed from the ranks in the direction +taken by the officer. + +Desborough saw the movement, and his exertions to defeat +its object became, considering the loss of blood he had +sustained from his wounds, almost Herculean. He now stood +on the extreme verge of the precipice, where he paused +for a moment as if utterly exhausted with his previous +efforts. De Courcy was now within a few feet of his +unhappy friend, who still struggled ineffectually to free +himself, when the settler, suddenly collecting all his +energy into a final and desparate effort, raised the +unfortunate Grantham from the ground, and with a loud +and exulting laugh, dashed his foot violently against +the edge of the crag, and threw himself backward into +the hideous abyss. + +A cry of horror from the lips of De Courcy was answered +by a savage shout of vengeance from the British ranks. +On rushed the line with their glittering bayonets, and +at a pace which scarcely left their enemies time to sue +for, much less obtain quarter--shrieks and groans rent +the atmosphere, and above the horrid din, might be heard +the wild and greeting cry of the vulture and the buzzard, +as the mangled bodies of the Americans rolled from rock +to rock, crashing the autumnal leaves and dried underwood +in their fall, some hanging suspended by their rent +garments to the larger trees encountered in their +course--yet by far the greater number falling into the +bottom of a chasm into which the sunbeam had never yet +penetrated. The picked and whitened bones may be seen, +shining through the deep gloom that envelopes every part +of the abyss, even to this day. + +THE END. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Canadian Brothers +by John Richardson + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CANADIAN BROTHERS *** + +This file should be named 5108.txt or 5108.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. 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