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diff --git a/7112-h/7112-h.htm b/7112-h/7112-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b819ae8 --- /dev/null +++ b/7112-h/7112-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18695 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Erema; Or, My Father's Sin, by R. D. Blackmore + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Erema, by R. D. Blackmore + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Erema + My Father's Sin + +Author: R. D. Blackmore + +Release Date: June 6, 2006 [EBook #7112] +Last Updated: March 6, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EREMA *** + + + + +Produced by Don Lainson; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + EREMA; <br /><br /> OR, MY FATHER'S SIN + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By R. D. Blackmore + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1877 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I -- A LOST LANDMARK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II -- A PACIFIC SUNSET</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III -- A STURDY COLONIST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV -- THE “KING OF THE MOUNTAINS</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V -- UNCLE SAM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI -- A BRITISHER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII -- DISCOMFITURE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII -- A DOUBTFUL LOSS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX -- WATER-SPOUT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X -- A NUGGET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI -- ROVERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII -- GOLD AND GRIEF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII -- THE SAWYER'S PRAYER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV -- NOT FAR TO SEEK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV -- BROUGHT TO BANK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI -- FIRM AND INFIRM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII -- HARD AND SOFT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII -- OUT OF THE GOLDEN GATE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX -- INSIDE THE CHANNEL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX -- BRUNTSEA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI -- LISTLESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII -- BETSY BOWEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII -- BETSY'S TALE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV -- BETSY'S TALE—(Continued.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV -- BETSY'S TALE—(Concluded.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI -- AT THE BANK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII -- COUSIN MONTAGUE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII -- A CHECK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX -- AT THE PUMP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX -- COCKS AND COXCOMBS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI -- ADRIFT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII -- AT HOME </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII -- LORD CASTLEWOOD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV -- SHOXFORD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV -- THE SEXTON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI -- A SIMPLE QUESTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII -- SOME ANSWER TO IT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII -- A WITCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX -- NOT AT HOME </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL -- THE MAN AT LAST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI -- A STRONG TEMPTATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII -- MASTER WITHYPOOL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII -- GOING TO THE BOTTOM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV -- HERMETICALLY SEALED </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV -- CONVICTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> CHAPTER XLVI -- VAIN ZEAL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> CHAPTER XLVII -- CADMEIAN VICTORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> CHAPTER XLVIII -- A RETURN CALL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> CHAPTER XLIX -- WANTED, A SAWYER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> CHAPTER L -- THE PANACEA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> CHAPTER LI -- LIFE SINISTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> CHAPTER LII -- FOR LIFE, DEATH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> CHAPTER LIII -- BRUNTSEA DEFIANT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> CHAPTER LIV -- BRUNTSEA DEFEATED </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> CHAPTER LV -- A DEAD LETTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> CHAPTER LVI -- WITH HIS OWN SWORD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> CHAPTER LVII -- FEMALE SUFFRAGE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> CHAPTER LVIII -- BEYOND DESERT, AND DESERTS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + A LOST LANDMARK + </h3> + <p> + “The sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth + generation of them that hate me.” + </p> + <p> + These are the words that have followed me always. This is the curse which + has fallen on my life. + </p> + <p> + If I had not known my father, if I had not loved him, if I had not closed + his eyes in desert silence deeper than the silence of the grave, even if I + could have buried and bewailed him duly, the common business of this world + and the universal carelessness might have led me down the general track + that leads to nothing. + </p> + <p> + Until my father fell and died I never dreamed that he could die. I knew + that his mind was quite made up to see me safe in my new home, and then + himself to start again for still remoter solitudes. And when his mind was + thus made up, who had ever known him fail of it? + </p> + <p> + If ever a resolute man there was, that very man was my father. And he + showed it now, in this the last and fatal act of his fatal life. “Captain, + here I leave you all,” he shouted to the leader of our wagon train, at a + place where a dark, narrow gorge departed from the moilsome mountain + track. “My reasons are my own; let no man trouble himself about them. All + my baggage I leave with you. I have paid my share of the venture, and + shall claim it at Sacramento. My little girl and I will take this + short-cut through the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “General!” answered the leader of our train, standing up on his board in + amazement. “Forgive and forget, Sir; forgive and forget. What is a hot + word spoken hotly? If not for your own sake, at least come back for the + sake of your young daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “A fair haven to you!” replied my father. He offered me his hand, and we + were out of sight of all that wearisome, drearisome, uncompanionable + company with whom, for eight long weeks at least, we had been dragging our + rough way. I had known in a moment that it must be so, for my father never + argued. Argument, to his mind, was a very nice amusement for the weak. My + spirits rose as he swung his bear-skin bag upon his shoulder, and the last + sound of the laboring caravan groaned in the distance, and the fresh air + and the freedom of the mountains moved around us. It was the 29th of May—Oak-apple + Day in England—and to my silly youth this vast extent of snowy + mountains was a nice place for a cool excursion. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, from day to day I had been in most wretched anxiety, so long as + we remained with people who could not allow for us. My father, by his calm + reserve and dignity and largeness, had always, among European people, kept + himself secluded; but now in this rough life, so pent in trackless tracts, + and pressed together by perpetual peril, every body's manners had been + growing free and easy. Every man had been compelled to tell, as truly as + he could, the story of his life thus far, to amuse his fellow-creatures—every + man, I mean, of course, except my own poor father. Some told their stories + every evening, until we were quite tired—although they were never + the same twice over; but my father could never be coaxed to say a syllable + more than, “I was born, and I shall die.” + </p> + <p> + This made him very unpopular with the men, though all the women admired + it; and if any rough fellow could have seen a sign of fear, the speaker + would have been insulted. But his manner and the power of his look were + such that, even after ardent spirits, no man saw fit to be rude to him. + Nevertheless, there had always been the risk of some sad outrage. + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” my father said to me, when the dust from the rear of the caravan + was lost behind a cloud of rocks, and we two stood in the wilderness alone—“do + you know, my own Erema, why I bring you from them?” + </p> + <p> + “Father dear, how should I know? You have done it, and it must be right.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not for their paltry insults. Child, you know what I think all + that. It is for you, my only child, that I am doing what now I do.” + </p> + <p> + I looked up into his large, sad eyes without a word, in such a way that he + lifted me up in his arms and kissed me, as if I were a little child + instead of a maiden just fifteen. This he had never done before, and it + made me a little frightened. He saw it, and spoke on the spur of the + thought, though still with one arm round me. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you will live to be thankful, my dear, that you had a stern, cold + father. So will you meet the world all the better; and, little one, you + have a rough world to meet.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment I was quite at a loss to account for my father's manner; but + now, in looking back, it is so easy to see into things. At the time I must + have been surprised, and full of puzzled eagerness. + </p> + <p> + Not half so well can I recall the weakness, anguish, and exhaustion of + body and spirit afterward. It may have been three days of wandering, or it + may have been a week, or even more than that, for all that I can say for + certain. Whether the time were long or short, it seemed as if it would + never end. My father believed that he knew the way to the house of an old + settler, at the western foot of the mountains, who had treated him kindly + some years before, and with whom he meant to leave me until he had made + arrangements elsewhere. If we had only gone straightway thither, + night-fall would have found us safe beneath that hospitable roof. + </p> + <p> + My father was vexed, as I well remember, at coming, as he thought, in + sight of some great landmark, and finding not a trace of it. Although his + will was so very strong, his temper was good about little things, and he + never began to abuse all the world because he had made a mistake himself. + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” he said, “at this corner where we stand there ought to be a very + large pine-tree in sight, or rather a great redwood-tree, at least twice + as high as any tree that grows in Europe, or Africa even. From the plains + it can be seen for a hundred miles or more. It stands higher up the + mountainside than any other tree of even half its size, and that makes it + so conspicuous. My eyes must be failing me, from all this glare; but it + must be in sight. Can you see it now?” + </p> + <p> + “I see no tree of any kind whatever, but scrubby bushes and yellow tufts; + and oh, father, I am so thirsty!” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally. But now look again. It stands on a ridge, the last ridge that + bars the view of all the lowland. It is a very straight tree, and regular, + like a mighty column, except that on the northern side the wind from the + mountains has torn a gap in it. Are you sure that you can not see it—a + long way off, but conspicuous?” + </p> + <p> + “Father, I am sure that I can not see any tree half as large as a + broomstick. Far or near, I see no tree.” + </p> + <p> + “Then my eyes are better than my memory. We must cast back for a mile or + two; but it can not make much difference.” + </p> + <p> + “Through the dust and the sand?” I began to say; but a glance from him + stopped my murmuring. And the next thing I can call to mind must have + happened a long time afterward. + </p> + <p> + Beyond all doubt, in this desolation, my father gave his life for mine. I + did not know it at the time, nor had the faintest dream of it, being so + young and weary-worn, and obeying him by instinct. It is a fearful thing + to think of—now that I can think of it—but to save my own + little worthless life I must have drained every drop of water from his + flat half-gallon jar. The water was hot and the cork-hole sandy, and I + grumbled even while drinking it; and what must my father (who was dying + all the while for a drop, but never took one)—what must he have + thought of me? + </p> + <p> + But he never said a word, so far as I remember; and that makes it all the + worse for me. We had strayed away into a dry, volcanic district of the + mountains, where all the snow-rivers run out quite early; and of natural + springs there was none forth-coming. All we had to guide us was a little + traveler's compass (whose needle stuck fast on the pivot with sand) and + the glaring sun, when he came to sight behind the hot, dry, driving + clouds. The clouds were very low, and flying almost in our faces, like + vultures sweeping down on us. To me they seemed to shriek over our heads + at the others rushing after them. But my father said that they could make + no sound, and I never contradicted him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + A PACIFIC SUNSET + </h3> + <p> + At last we came to a place from which the great spread of the earth was + visible. For a time—I can not tell how long—we had wholly lost + ourselves, going up and down, and turning corners, without getting + further. But my father said that we must come right, if we made up our + minds to go long enough. We had been in among all shapes, and want of + shapes, of dreariness, through and in and out of every thrup and thrum of + weariness, scarcely hoping ever more to find our way out and discover + memory of men for us, when all of a sudden we saw a grand sight. The day + had been dreadfully hot and baffling, with sudden swirls of red dust + arising, and driving the great drought into us. To walk had been worse + than to drag one's way through a stubbly bed of sting-nettles. But now the + quick sting of the sun was gone, and his power descending in the balance + toward the flat places of the land and sea. And suddenly we looked forth + upon an immeasurable spread of these. + </p> + <p> + We stood at the gate of the sandy range, which here, like a vast brown + patch, disfigures the beauty of the sierra. On either side, in purple + distance, sprang sky-piercing obelisks and vapor-mantled glaciers, + spangled with bright snow, and shodden with eternal forest. Before us lay + the broad, luxuriant plains of California, checkered with more tints than + any other piece of earth can show, sleeping in alluvial ease, and veined + with soft blue waters. And through a gap in the brown coast range, at + twenty leagues of distance, a light (so faint as to seem a shadow) hovered + above the Pacific. + </p> + <p> + But none of all this grandeur touched our hearts except the water gleam. + Parched with thirst, I caught my father's arm and tried to urge him on + toward the blue enchantment of ecstatic living water. But, to my surprise, + he staggered back, and his face grew as white as the distant snow. I + managed to get him to a sandy ledge, with the help of his own endeavors, + and there let him rest and try to speak, while my frightened heart + throbbed over his. + </p> + <p> + “My little child,” he said at last, as if we were fallen back ten years, + “put your hand where I can feel it.” + </p> + <p> + My hand all the while had been in his, and to let him know where it was, + it moved. But cold fear stopped my talking. + </p> + <p> + “My child, I have not been kind to you,” my father slowly spoke again, + “but it has not been from want of love. Some day you will see all this, + and some day you will pardon me.” + </p> + <p> + He laid one heavy arm around me, and forgetting thirst and pain, with the + last intensity of eyesight watched the sun departing. To me, I know not + how, great awe was every where, and sadness. The conical point of the + furious sun, which like a barb had pierced us, was broadening into a hazy + disk, inefficient, but benevolent. Underneath him depth of night was + waiting to come upward (after letting him fall through) and stain his + track with redness. Already the arms of darkness grew in readiness to + receive him: his upper arc was pure and keen, but the lower was flaked + with atmosphere; a glow of hazy light soon would follow, and one bright + glimmer (addressed more to the sky than to the earth), and after that a + broad, soft gleam; and after that how many a man should never see the sun + again, and among them would be my father. + </p> + <p> + He, for the moment, resting there, with heavy light upon him, and the dark + jaws of the mountain desert yawning wide behind him, and all the beautiful + expanse of liberal earth before him—even so he seemed to me, of all + the things in sight, the one that first would draw attention. His face was + full of quiet grandeur and impressive calm, and the sad tranquillity which + comes to those who know what human life is through continual human death. + Although, in the matter of bodily strength, he was little past the prime + of life, his long and abundant hair was white, and his broad and upright + forehead marked with the meshes of the net of care. But drought and famine + and long fatigue had failed even now to change or weaken the fine + expression of his large, sad eyes. Those eyes alone would have made the + face remarkable among ten thousand, so deep with settled gloom they were, + and dark with fatal sorrow. Such eyes might fitly have told the grief of + Adrastus, son of Gordias, who, having slain his own brother unwitting, + unwitting slew the only son of his generous host and savior. + </p> + <p> + The pale globe of the sun hung trembling in the haze himself had made. My + father rose to see the last, and reared his tall form upright against the + deepening background. He gazed as if the course of life lay vanishing + below him, while level land and waters drew the breadth of shadow over + them. Then the last gleam flowed and fled upon the face of ocean, and my + father put his dry lips to my forehead, saying nothing. + </p> + <p> + His lips might well be dry, for he had not swallowed water for three days; + but it frightened me to feel how cold they were, and even tremulous. “Let + us run, let us run, my dear father!” I cried. “Delicious water! The dark + falls quickly; but we can get there before dark. It is all down hill. Oh, + do let us run at once!” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” he answered, with a quiet smile, “there is no cause now for + hurrying, except that I must hurry to show you what you have to do, my + child. For once, at the end of my life, I am lucky. We have escaped from + that starving desert at a spot—at a spot where we can see—” + </p> + <p> + For a little while he could say no more, but sank upon the stony seat, and + the hand with which he tried to point some distant landmark fell away. His + face, which had been so pale before, became of a deadly whiteness, and he + breathed with gasps of agony. I knelt before him and took his hands, and + tried to rub the palms, and did whatever I could think of. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father, father, you have starved yourself, and given every thing to + me! What a brute I was to let you do it! But I did not know; I never knew! + Please God to take me also!” + </p> + <p> + He could not manage to answer this, even if he understood it; but he + firmly lifted his arm again, and tried to make me follow it. + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter? Oh, never mind, never mind such, a wretch as I am! + Father, only try to tell me what I ought to do for you.” + </p> + <p> + “My child! my child!” were his only words; and he kept on saying, “My + child! my child!” as if he liked the sound of it. + </p> + <p> + At what time of the night my father died I knew not then or afterward. It + may have been before the moon came over the snowy mountains, or it may not + have been till the worn-out stars in vain repelled the daybreak. All I + know is that I ever strove to keep more near to him through the night, to + cherish his failing warmth, and quicken the slow, laborious, harassed + breath. From time to time he tried to pray to God for me and for himself; + but every time his mind began to wander and to slip away, as if through + want of practice. For the chills of many wretched years had deadened and + benumbed his faith. He knew me, now and then, betwixt the conflict and the + stupor; for more than once he muttered feebly, and as if from out a dream, + </p> + <p> + “Time for Erema to go on her way. Go on your way, and save your life; save + your life, Erema.” + </p> + <p> + There was no way for me to go, except on my knees before him. I took his + hands, and made them lissome with a soft, light rubbing. I whispered into + his ear my name, that he might speak once more to me; and when he could + not speak, I tried to say what he would say to me. + </p> + <p> + At last, with a blow that stunned all words, it smote my stupid, wandering + mind that all I had to speak and smile to, all I cared to please and + serve, the only one left to admire and love, lay here in my weak arms + quite dead. And in the anguish of my sobbing, little things came home to + me, a thousand little things that showed how quietly he had prepared for + this, and provided for me only. Cold despair and self-reproach and strong + rebellion dazed me, until I lay at my father's side, and slept with his + dead hand in mine. There in the desert of desolation pious awe embraced + me, and small phantasms of individual fear could not come nigh me. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by long shadows of morning crept toward me dismally, and the pallid + light of the hills was stretched in weary streaks away from me. How I + arose, or what I did, or what I thought, is nothing now. Such times are + not for talking of. How many hearts of anguish lie forlorn, with none to + comfort them, with all the joy of life died out, and all the fear of + having yet to live, in front arising! + </p> + <p> + Young and weak, and wrong of sex for doing any valiance, long I lay by my + father's body, wringing out my wretchedness. Thirst and famine now had + flown into the opposite extreme; I seemed to loathe the thought of water, + and the smell of food would have made me sick. I opened my father's + knapsack, and a pang of new misery seized me. There lay nearly all his + rations, which he had made pretense to eat as he gave me mine from time to + time. He had starved himself; since he failed of his mark, and learned our + risk of famishing, all his own food he had kept for me, as well as his + store of water. And I had done nothing but grumble and groan, even while + consuming every thing. Compared with me, the hovering vultures might be + considered angels. + </p> + <p> + When I found all this, I was a great deal too worn out to cry or sob. + Simply to break down may be the purest mercy that can fall on truly + hopeless misery. Screams of ravenous maws and flaps of fetid wings came + close to me, and, fainting into the arms of death, I tried to save my + father's body by throwing my own over it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + A STURDY COLONIST + </h3> + <p> + For the contrast betwixt that dreadful scene and the one on which my dim + eyes slowly opened, three days afterward, first I thank the Lord in + heaven, whose gracious care was over me, and after Him some very simple + members of humanity. + </p> + <p> + A bronze-colored woman, with soft, sad eyes, was looking at me + steadfastly. She had seen that, under tender care, I was just beginning to + revive, and being acquainted with many troubles, she had learned to succor + all of them. This I knew not then, but felt that kindness was around me. + </p> + <p> + “Arauna, arauna, my shild,” she said, in a strange but sweet and soothing + voice, “you are with the good man in the safe, good house. Let old Suan + give you the good food, my shild.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is my father? Oh, show me my father?” I whispered faintly, as she + raised me in the bed and held a large spoon to my lips. + </p> + <p> + “You shall—you shall; it is too very much Inglese; me tell you when + have long Sunday time to think. My shild, take the good food from poor old + Suan.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at me with such beseeching eyes that, even if food had been + loathsome to me, I could not have resisted her; whereas I was now in the + quick-reviving agony of starvation. The Indian woman fed me with far + greater care than I was worth, and hushed me, with some soothing process, + into another abyss of sleep. + </p> + <p> + More than a week passed by me thus, in the struggle between life and + death, before I was able to get clear knowledge of any body or any thing. + No one, in my wakeful hours, came into my little bedroom except this + careful Indian nurse, who hushed me off to sleep whenever I wanted to ask + questions. Suan Isco, as she was called, possessed a more than mesmeric + power of soothing a weary frame to rest; and this was seconded, where I + lay, by the soft, incessant cadence and abundant roar of water. Thus every + day I recovered strength and natural impatience. + </p> + <p> + “The master is coming to see you, shild,” Suan said to me one day, when I + had sat up and done my hair, and longed to be down by the water-fall; “if, + if—too much Inglese—old Suan say no more can now.” + </p> + <p> + “If I am ready and able and willing! Oh, Suan, run and tell him not to + lose one moment.” + </p> + <p> + “No sure; Suan no sure at all,” she answered, looking at me calmly, as if + there were centuries yet to spare. “Suan no hurry; shild no hurry; master + no hurry: come last of all.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Suan, I want to see him. And I am not accustomed to be kept + waiting. My dear father insisted always—But oh, Suan, Suan, he is + dead—I am almost sure of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Him old man quite dead enough, and big hole dug in the land for him. Very + good; more good than could be. Suan no more Inglese.” + </p> + <p> + Well as I had known it long, a catching of the breath and hollow, helpless + pain came through me, to meet in dry words thus the dread which might have + been but a hovering dream. I turned my face to the wall, and begged her + not to send the master in. + </p> + <p> + But presently a large, firm hand was laid on my shoulder softly, and + turning sharply round, I beheld an elderly man looking down at me. His + face was plain and square and solid, with short white curls on a rugged + forehead, and fresh red cheeks, and a triple chin—fit base for + remarkably massive jaws. His frame was in keeping with his face, being + very large and powerful, though not of my father's commanding height. His + dress and appearance were those of a working—and a really + hard-working—man, sober, steadfast, and self-respecting; but what + engaged my attention most was the frank yet shrewd gaze of deep-set eyes. + I speak of things as I observed them later, for I could not pay much heed + just then. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a poor little missy,” he said, with a gentle tone. “What things she + hath been through! Will you take an old man's hand, my dear? Your father + hath often taken it, though different from his rank of life. Sampson + Gundry is my name, missy. Have you ever heard your father tell of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Many and many a time,” I said, as I placed my hot little hand in his. “He + never found more than one man true on earth, and it was you, Sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, now,” he replied, with his eyes for a moment sparkling at my warmth + of words; “you must not have that in your young head, missy. It leads to a + miserable life. Your father hath always been unlucky—the most + unlucky that ever I did know. And luck cometh out in nothing clearer than + in the kind of folk we meet. But the Lord in heaven ordereth all. I speak + like a poor heathen.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, never mind that!” I cried: “only tell me, were you in time to save—to + save—” I could not bear to say what I wanted. + </p> + <p> + “In plenty of time, my dear; thanks to you. You must have fought when you + could not fight: the real stuff, I call it. Your poor father lies where + none can harm him. Come, missy, missy, you must not take on so. It is the + best thing that could befall a man so bound up with calamity. It is what + he hath prayed for for many a year—if only it were not for you. And + now you are safe, and for sure he knows it, if the angels heed their + business.” + </p> + <p> + With these words he withdrew, and kindly sent Suan back to me, knowing + that her soothing ways would help me more than argument. To my mind all + things lay in deep confusion and abasement. Overcome with bodily weakness + and with bitter self-reproach, I even feared that to ask any questions + might show want of gratitude. But a thing of that sort could not always + last, and before very long I was quite at home with the history of Mr. + Gundry. + </p> + <p> + Solomon Gundry, of Mevagissey, in the county of Cornwall, in England, + betook himself to the United States in the last year of the last century. + He had always been a most upright man, as well as a first-rate fisherman; + and his family had made a rule—as most respectable families at that + time did—to run a nice cargo of contraband goods not more than twice + in one season. A highly querulous old lieutenant of the British navy (who + had served under Nelson and lost both, arms, yet kept “the rheumatics” in + either stump) was appointed, in an evil hour, to the Cornish coast-guard; + and he never rested until he had caught all the best county families + smuggling. Through this he lost his situation, and had to go to the + workhouse; nevertheless, such a stir had been roused that (to satisfy + public opinion) they made a large sacrifice of inferior people, and among + them this Solomon Gundry. Now the Gundries had long been a thickset race, + and had furnished some champion wrestlers; and Solomon kept to the family + stamp in the matter of obstinacy. He made a bold mark at the foot of a + bond for 150 pounds; and with no other sign than that, his partner in + their stanch herring-smack (the Good Hope, of Mevagissey) allowed him to + make sail across the Atlantic with all he cared for. + </p> + <p> + This Cornish partner deserved to get all his money back; and so he did, + together with good interest. Solomon Gundry throve among a thrifty race at + Boston; he married a sweet New England lass, and his eldest son was + Sampson. Sampson, in the prime of life, and at its headstrong period, + sought the far West, overland, through not much less of distance, and + through even more of danger, than his English father had gone through. His + name was known on the western side of the mighty chain of mountains before + Colonel Fremont was heard of there, and before there was any gleam of gold + on the lonely sunset frontage. + </p> + <p> + Here Sampson Gundry lived by tillage of the nobly fertile soil ere + Sacramento or San Francisco had any name to speak of. And though he did + not show regard for any kind of society, he managed to have a wife and + son, and keep them free from danger. But (as it appears to me the more, + the more I think of every thing) no one must assume to be aside the reach + of Fortune because he has gathered himself so small that she should not + care to strike at him. At any rate, good or evil powers smote Sampson + Gundry heavily. + </p> + <p> + First he lost his wife, which was a “great denial” to him. She fell from a + cliff while she was pegging out the linen, and the substance of her frame + prevented her from ever getting over it. And after that he lost his son, + his only son—for all the Gundries were particular as to quality; and + the way in which he lost his son made it still more sad for him. + </p> + <p> + A reputable and valued woman had disappeared in a hasty way from a + cattle-place down the same side of the hills. The desire of the Indians + was to enlarge her value and get it. There were very few white men as yet + within any distance to do good; but Sampson Gundry vowed that, if the will + of the Lord went with him, that woman should come back to her family + without robbing them of sixpence. To this intent he started with a company + of some twenty men—white or black or middle-colored (according to + circumstances). He was their captain, and his son Elijah their lieutenant. + Elijah had only been married for a fortnight, but was full of spirit, and + eager to fight with enemies; and he seems to have carried this too far; + for all that came back to his poor bride was a lock of his hair and his + blessing. He was buried in a bed of lava on the western slope of Shasta, + and his wife died in her confinement, and was buried by the Blue River. + </p> + <p> + It was said at the time and long afterward that Elijah Gundry—thus + cut short—was the finest and noblest young man to be found from the + mountains to the ocean. His father, in whose arms he died, led a sad and + lonely life for years, and scarcely even cared (although of Cornish and + New England race) to seize the glorious chance of wealth which lay at his + feet beseeching him. By settlement he had possessed himself of a large and + fertile district, sloping from the mountain-foot along the banks of the + swift Blue River, a tributary of the San Joaquin. And this was not all; + for he also claimed the ownership of the upper valley, the whole of the + mountain gorge and spring head, whence that sparkling water flows. And + when that fury of gold-digging in 1849 arose, very few men could have done + what he did without even thinking twice of it. + </p> + <p> + For Sampson Gundry stood, like a bull, on the banks of his own river, and + defied the worst and most desperate men of all nations to pollute it. He + had scarcely any followers or steadfast friends to back him; but his fame + for stern courage was clear and strong, and his bodily presence most + manifest. Not a shovel was thrust nor a cradle rocked in the bed of the + Blue River. + </p> + <p> + But when a year or two had passed, and all the towns and villages, and + even hovels and way-side huts, began to clink with money, Mr. Gundry + gradually recovered a wholesome desire to have some. For now his grandson + Ephraim was growing into biped shape, and having lost his mother when he + first came into the world, was sure to need the more natural and maternal + nutriment of money. + </p> + <p> + Therefore Sampson Gundry, though he would not dig for gold, wrought out a + plan which he had long thought of. Nature helped him with all her powers + of mountain, forest, and headlong stream. He set up a saw-mill, and built + it himself; and there was no other to be found for twelve degrees of + latitude and perhaps a score of longitude. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + THE “KING OF THE MOUNTAINS.” + </h3> + <p> + If I think, and try to write forever with the strongest words, I can not + express to any other mind a thousandth part of the gratitude which was and + is, and ought to be forever, in my own poor mind toward those who were so + good to me. From time to time it is said (whenever any man with power of + speech or fancy gets some little grievances) that all mankind are simply + selfish, miserly, and miserable. To contradict that saying needs + experience even larger, perhaps, than that which has suggested it; and + this I can not have, and therefore only know that I have not found men or + women behave at all according to that view of them. + </p> + <p> + Whether Sampson Gundry owed any debt, either of gratitude or of loyalty, + to my father, I did not ask; and he seemed to be (like every one else) + reserved and silent as to my father's history. But he always treated me as + if I belonged to a rank of life quite different from and much above his + own. For instance, it was long before he would allow me to have my meals + at the table of the household. + </p> + <p> + But as soon as I began in earnest to recover from starvation, loss, and + loneliness, my heart was drawn to this grand old man, who had seen so many + troubles. He had been here and there in the world so much, and dealt with + so many people, that the natural frankness of his mind was sharpened into + caution. But any weak and helpless person still could get the best of him; + and his shrewdness certainly did not spring from any form of bitterness. + He was rough in his ways sometimes, and could not bear to be contradicted + when he was sure that he was right, which generally happened to him. But + above all things he had one very great peculiarity, to my mind highly + vexatious, because it seemed so unaccountable. Sampson Gundry had a very + low opinion of feminine intellect. He never showed this contempt in any + unpleasant way, and indeed he never, perhaps, displayed it in any positive + sayings. But as I grew older and began to argue, sure I was that it was + there; and it always provoked me tenfold as much by seeming to need no + assertion, but to stand as some great axiom. + </p> + <p> + The other members of the household were his grandson Ephraim (or “Firm” + Gundry), the Indian woman Suan Isco, and a couple of helps, of race or + nation almost unknown to themselves. Suan Isco belonged to a tribe of + respectable Black Rock Indians, and had been the wife of a chief among + them, and the mother of several children. But Klamath Indians, enemies of + theirs (who carried off the lady of the cattle ranch, and afterward shot + Elijah), had Suan Isco in their possession, having murdered her husband + and children, and were using her as a mere beast of burden, when Sampson + Gundry fell on them. He, with his followers, being enraged at the + cold-blooded death of Elijah, fell on those miscreants to such purpose + that women and children alone were left to hand down their bad + propensities. + </p> + <p> + But the white men rescued and brought away the stolen wife of the + stockman, and also the widow of the Black Rock chief. She was in such poor + condition and so broken-hearted that none but the finest humanity would + have considered her worth a quarter of the trouble of her carriage. But + she proved to be worth it a thousandfold; and Sawyer Gundry (as now he was + called) knew by this time all the value of uncultivated gratitude. And her + virtues were so many that it took a long time to find them out, for she + never put them forward, not knowing whether they were good or bad. + </p> + <p> + Until I knew these people, and the pure depth of their kindness, it was a + continual grief to me to be a burden upon them. But when I came to + understand them and their simple greatness, the only thing I was ashamed + of was my own mistrust of them. Not that I expected ever that any harm + would be done to me, only that I knew myself to have no claim on any one. + </p> + <p> + One day, when I was fit for nothing but to dwell on trouble, Sampson + Gundry's grandson “Firm”—as he was called for Ephraim—ran up + the stairs to the little room where I was sitting by myself. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Rema, will you come with us?” he said, in his deep, slow style of + speech. “We are going up the mountain, to haul down the great tree to the + mill.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I will come,” I answered, gladly. “What great tree is it, Mr. + Ephraim?” + </p> + <p> + “The largest tree any where near here—the one we cut down last + winter. Ten days it took to cut it down. If I could have saved it, it + should have stood. But grandfather did it to prove his rights. We shall + have a rare job to lead it home, and I doubt if we can tackle it. I + thought you might like to see us try.” + </p> + <p> + In less than a minute I was ready, for the warmth and softness of the air + made cloak or shawl unbearable. But when I ran down to the yard of the + mill, Mr. Gundry, who was giving orders, came up and gave me an order too. + </p> + <p> + “You must not go like this, my dear. We have three thousand feet to go + upward. The air will be sharp up there, and I doubt if we shall be home by + night-fall. Run, Suan, and fetch the young lady's cloak, and a pair of + thicker boots for change.” + </p> + <p> + Suan Isco never ran. That manner of motion was foreign to her, at least as + we accomplish it. When speed was required, she attained it by increased + length of stride and great vigor of heel. In this way she conquered + distance steadily, and with very little noise. + </p> + <p> + The air, and the light, and the beauty of the mountains were a sudden joy + to me. In front of us all strode Sampson Gundry, clearing all tangles with + a short, sharp axe, and mounting steep places as if twoscore were struck + off his threescore years and five. From time to time he turned round to + laugh, or see that his men and trained bullocks were right; and then, as + his bright eyes met my dark ones, he seemed to be sorry for the noise he + made. On the other hand, I was ashamed of damping any one's pleasure by + being there. + </p> + <p> + But I need not have felt any fear about this. Like all other children, I + wrapped myself up too much in my own importance, and behaved as if my + state of mind was a thing to be considered. But the longer we rose through + the freedom and the height, the lighter grew the heart of every one, until + the thick forest of pines closed round us, and we walked in a silence that + might be felt. + </p> + <p> + Hence we issued forth upon the rough bare rock, and after much trouble + with the cattle, and some bruises, stood panting on a rugged cone, or + crest, which had once been crowned with a Titan of a tree. The tree was + still there, but not its glory; for, alas! the mighty trunk lay prostrate—a + grander column than ever was or will be built by human hands. The tapering + shaft stretched out of sight for something like a furlong, and the bulk of + the butt rose over us so that we could not see the mountains. Having never + seen any such tree before, I must have been amazed if I had been old + enough to comprehend it. + </p> + <p> + Sampson Gundry, large as he was, and accustomed to almost every thing, + collected his men and the whole of his team on the ground-floor or area of + the stump before he would say any thing. Here we all looked so sadly small + that several of the men began to laugh; the bullocks seemed nothing but + raccoons or beavers to run on the branches or the fibres of the tree; and + the chains and the shackles, and the blocks and cranes, and all the rest + of the things they meant to use, seemed nothing whatever, or at all to be + considered, except as a spider's web upon this tree. + </p> + <p> + The sagacious bullocks, who knew quite well what they were expected to do, + looked blank. Some rubbed their horns into one another's sadly, and some + cocked their tails because they felt that they could not be called upon to + work. The light of the afternoon sun came glancing along the vast pillar, + and lit its dying hues—cinnamon, purple, and glabrous red, and soft + gray where the lichens grew. + </p> + <p> + Every body looked at Mr. Gundry, and he began to cough a little, having + had lately some trouble with his throat. Then in his sturdy manner he + spoke the truth, according to his nature. He set his great square + shoulders against the butt of the tree, and delivered himself: + </p> + <p> + “Friends and neighbors, and hands of my own, I am taken in here, and I own + to it. It serves me right for disbelieving what my grandson, Firm Gundry, + said. I knew that the tree was a big one, of course, as every body else + does; but till you see a tree laid upon earth you get no grip of his + girth, no more than you do of a man till he lieth a corpse. At the time of + felling I could not come anigh him, by reason of an accident; and I had + some words with this boy about it, which kept me away ever since that + time. Firm, you were right, and I was wrong. It was a real shame, now I + see it, to throw down the 'King of the Mountains.' But, for all that, + being down, we must use him. He shall be sawn into fifty-foot lengths. And + I invite you all to come again, for six or seven good turns at him.” + </p> + <p> + At the hearing of this, a cheer arose, not only for the Sawyer's manly + truth, but also for his hospitality; because on each of these visits to + the mountain he was the host, and his supplies were good. But before the + descent with the empty teams began, young Ephraim did what appeared to me + to be a gallant and straightforward thing. He stood on the chine of the + fallen monster, forty feet above us, having gained the post of vantage by + activity and strength, and he asked if he might say a word or two. + </p> + <p> + “Say away, lad,” cried his grandfather, supposing, perhaps, in his + obstinate way (for truly he was very obstinate), that his grandson was + going now to clear himself from art or part in the murder of that tree—an + act which had roused indignation over a hundred leagues of lowland. + </p> + <p> + “Neighbors,” said Firm, in a clear young voice, which shook at first with + diffidence, “we all have to thank you, more than I can tell, for coming to + help us with this job. It was a job which required to be done for legal + reasons which I do not understand, but no doubt they were good ones. For + that we have my grandfather's word; and no one, I think, will gainsay it. + Now, having gone so far, we will not be beaten by it, or else we shall not + be Americans.” + </p> + <p> + These simple words were received with great applause; and an orator, + standing on the largest stump to be found even in America, delivered a + speech which was very good to hear, but need not now be repeated. And Mr. + Gundry's eyes were moist with pleasure at his grandson's conduct. + </p> + <p> + “Firm knoweth the right thing to do,” he said; “and like a man he doeth + it. But whatever aileth you, Miss Rema, and what can 'e see in the + distance yonner? Never mind, my dear, then. Tell me by-and-by, when none + of these folk is 'longside of us.” + </p> + <p> + But I could not bear to tell him, till he forced it from me under pain of + his displeasure. I had spied on the sky-line far above us, in the desert + track of mountain, the very gap in which my father stood and bade me seek + this landmark. His memory was true, and his eyesight also; but the great + tree had been felled. The death of the “King of the Mountains” had led to + the death of the king of mankind, so far as my little world contained one. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + UNCLE SAM + </h3> + <p> + The influence of the place in which I lived began to grow on me. The + warmth of the climate and the clouds of soft and fertile dust were broken + by the refreshing rush of water and the clear soft green of leaves. We had + fruit trees of almost every kind, from the peach to the amber cherry, and + countless oaks by the side of the river—not large, but most + fantastic. Here I used to sit and wonder, in a foolish, childish way, + whether on earth there was any other child so strangely placed as I was. + Of course there were thousands far worse off, more desolate and destitute, + but was there any more thickly wrapped in mystery and loneliness? + </p> + <p> + A wanderer as I had been for years, together with my father, change of + place had not supplied the knowledge which flows from lapse of time. + Faith, and warmth, and trust in others had not been dashed out of me by + any rude blows of the world, as happens with unlucky children huddled + together in large cities. My father had never allowed me much acquaintance + with other children; for six years he had left me with a community of lay + sisters, in a little town of Languedoc, where I was the only pupil, and + where I was to remain as I was born, a simple heretic. Those sisters were + very good to me, and taught me as much as I could take of secular + accomplishment. And it was a bitter day for me when I left them for + America. + </p> + <p> + For during those six years I had seen my father at long intervals, and had + almost forgotten the earlier days when I was always with him. I used to be + the one little comfort of his perpetual wanderings, when I was a careless + child, and said things to amuse him. Not that he ever played with me any + more than he played with any thing; but I was the last of his seven + children, and he liked to watch me grow. I never knew it, I never guessed + it, until he gave his life for mine; but, poor little common thing as I + was, I became his only tie to earth. Even to me he was never loving, in + the way some fathers are. He never called me by pet names, nor dandled me + on his knee, nor kissed me, nor stroked down my hair and smiled. Such + things I never expected of him, and therefore never missed them; I did not + even know that happy children always have them. + </p> + <p> + But one thing I knew, which is not always known to happier children: I had + the pleasure of knowing my own name. My name was an English one—Castlewood—and + by birth I was an English girl, though of England I knew nothing, and at + one time spoke and thought most easily in French. But my longing had + always been for England, and for the sound of English voices and the + quietude of English ways. In the chatter and heat and drought of South + France some faint remembrance of a greener, cooler, and more silent + country seemed to touch me now and then. But where in England I had lived, + or when I had left that country, or whether I had relations there, and why + I was doomed to be a foreign girl—all these questions were but as + curling wisps of cloud on memory's sky. + </p> + <p> + Of such things (much as I longed to know a good deal more about them) I + never had dared to ask my father; nor even could I, in a roundabout way, + such as clever children have, get second-hand information. In the first + place, I was not a clever child; for the next point, I never had underhand + skill; and finally, there was no one near me who knew any thing about me. + Like all other girls—and perhaps the very same tendency is to be + found in boys—I had strong though hazy ideas of caste. The noble + sense of equality, fraternity, and so on, seems to come later in life than + childhood, which is an age of ambition. I did not know who in the world I + was, but felt quite sure of being somebody. + </p> + <p> + One day, when the great tree had been sawn into lengths, and with the aid + of many teams brought home, and the pits and the hoisting tackle were + being prepared and strengthened to deal with it, Mr. Gundry, being full of + the subject, declared that he would have his dinner in the mill yard. He + was anxious to watch, without loss of time, the settlement of some heavy + timbers newly sunk in the river's bed, to defend the outworks of the mill. + Having his good leave to bring him his pipe, I found him sitting upon a + bench with a level fixed before him, and his empty plate and cup laid by, + among a great litter of tools and things. He was looking along the level + with one eye shut, and the other most sternly intent; but when I came near + he rose and raised his broad pith hat, and made me think that I was not + interrupting him. + </p> + <p> + “Here is your pipe, Uncle Sam,” I said; for, in spite of all his formal + ways, I would not be afraid of him. I had known him now quite long enough + to be sure he was good and kind. And I knew that the world around these + parts was divided into two hemispheres, the better half being of those who + loved, and the baser half made of those who hated, Sawyer Sampson Gundry. + </p> + <p> + “What a queer world it is!” said Mr. Gundry, accepting his pipe to + consider that point. “Who ever would have dreamed, fifty years agone, that + your father's daughter would ever have come with a pipe to light for my + father's son?” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Sam,” I replied, as he slowly began to make those puffs which seem + to be of the highest essence of pleasure, and wisps of blue smoke flitted + through his white eyebrows and among the snowy curls of hair—“dear + Uncle Sam, I am sure that it would be an honor to a princess to light a + pipe for a man like you.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Rema, I should rather you would talk no nonsense,” he answered, very + shortly, and he set his eye along his level, as if I had offended him. Not + knowing how to assert myself and declare that I had spoken my honest + thoughts, I merely sat down on the bench and waited for him to speak again + to me. But he made believe to be very busy, and scarcely to know that I + was there. I had a great mind to cry, but resolved not to do it. + </p> + <p> + “Why, how is this? What's the matter?” he exclaimed at last, when I had + been watching the water so long that I sighed to know where it was going + to. “Why, missy, you look as if you had never a friend in all the wide + world left.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must look very ungrateful,” I said; “for at any rate I have one, + and a good one.” + </p> + <p> + “And don't you know of any one but me, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “You and Suan Isco and Firm—those are all I have any knowledge of.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a plenty—to my mind, almost too many. My plan is to be a good + friend to all, but not let too many be friends with me. Rest you quite + satisfied with three, Miss Rema. I have lived a good many years, and I + never had more than three friends worth a puff of my pipe.” + </p> + <p> + “But one's own relations, Uncle Sam—people quite nearly related to + us: it is impossible for them to be unkind, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I, my dear? Then I wish that I did. Except one's own father and + mother, there is not much to be hoped for out of them. My own brother took + a twist against me because I tried to save him from ruin; and if any man + ever wished me ill, he did. And I think that your father had the same tale + to tell. But there! I know nothing whatever about that.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you do, Mr. Gundry; I am certain that you do, and beg you to tell me, + or rather I demand it. I am old enough now, and I am certain my dear + father would have wished me to know every thing. Whatever it was, I am + sure that he was right; and until I know that, I shall always be the most + miserable of the miserable.” + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer looked at me as if he could not enter into my meaning, and his + broad, short nose and quiet eyes were beset with wrinkles of inquiry. He + quite forgot his level and his great post in the river, and tilted back + his ancient hat, and let his pipe rest on his big brown arm. “Lord bless + me!” he said, “what a young gal you are! Or, at least, what a young Miss + Rema. What good can you do, miss, by making of a rout? Here you be in as + quiet a place as you could find, and all of us likes and pities you. Your + father was a wise man to settle you here in this enlightened continent. + Let the doggoned old folk t'other side of the world think out their own + flustrations. A female young American you are now, and a very fine + specimen you will grow. 'Tis the finest thing to be on all God's earth.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Gundry, I am an English girl, and I mean to be an Englishwoman. + The Americans may be more kind and generous, and perhaps my father thought + so, and brought me here for that reason. And I may be glad to come back to + you again when I have done what I am bound to do. Remember that I am the + last of seven children, and do not even know where the rest are buried.” + </p> + <p> + “Now look straight afore you, missy. What do you see yonner?” The Sawyer + was getting a little tired, perhaps, of this long interruption. + </p> + <p> + “I see enormous logs, and a quantity of saws, and tools I don't even know + the names of. Also I see a bright, swift river.” + </p> + <p> + “But over here, missy, between them two oaks. What do you please to see + there, Miss Rema?” + </p> + <p> + “What I see there, of course, is a great saw-mill.” + </p> + <p> + “But it wouldn't have been 'of course,' and it wouldn't have been at all, + if I had spent all my days a-dwelling on the injuries of my family. Could + I have put that there unekaled sample of water-power and human ingenuity + together without laboring hard for whole months of a stretch, except upon + the Sabbath, and laying awake night after night, and bending all my + intellect over it? And could I have done that, think you now, if my heart + was a-mooning upon family wrongs, and this, that, and the other?” + </p> + <p> + Here Sampson Gundry turned full upon me, and folded his arms, and spread + his great chin upon his deer-skin apron, and nodded briskly with his deep + gray eyes, surveying me in triumph. To his mind, that mill was the wonder + of the world, and any argument based upon it, with or without coherence, + was, like its circular saws, irresistible. And yet he thought that women + can not reason! However, I did not say another word just then, but gave + way to him, as behooved a child. And not only that, but I always found him + too good to be argued with—too kind, I mean, and large of heart, and + wedded to his own peculiar turns. There was nothing about him that one + could dislike, or strike fire at, and be captious; and he always proceeded + with such pity for those who were opposed to him that they always knew + they must be wrong, though he was too polite to tell them so. And he had + such a pleasant, paternal way of looking down into one's little thoughts + when he put on his spectacles, that to say any more was to hazard the risk + of ungrateful inexperience. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + A BRITISHER + </h3> + <p> + The beautiful Blue River came from the jagged depths of the mountains, + full of light and liveliness. It had scarcely run six miles from its + source before it touched our mill-wheel; but in that space and time it had + gathered strong and copious volume. The lovely blue of the water (like the + inner tint of a glacier) was partly due to its origin, perhaps, and partly + to the rich, soft tone of the granite sand spread under it. Whatever the + cause may have been, the river well deserved its title. + </p> + <p> + It was so bright and pure a blue, so limpid and pellucid, that it even + seemed to out-vie the tint of the sky which it reflected, and the myriad + sparks of sunshine on it twinkled like a crystal rain. Plodding through + the parched and scorching dust of the mountain-foot, through the stifling + vapor and the blinding, ochreous glare, the traveler suddenly came upon + this cool and calm delight. It was not to be descried afar, for it lay + below the level, and the oaks and other trees of shelter scarcely topped + the narrow comb. There was no canyon, such as are—and some of them + known over all the world—both to the north and south of it. The Blue + River did not owe its birth to any fierce convulsion, but sparkled on its + cheerful way without impending horrors. Standing here as a child, and + thinking, from the manner of my father, that strong men never wept nor + owned the conquest of emotion, I felt sometimes a fool's contempt for the + gushing transport of brave men. For instance, I have seen a miner, or a + tamer of horses, or a rough fur-hunter, or (perhaps the bravest of all) a + man of science and topography, jaded, worn, and nearly dead with drought + and dearth and choking, suddenly, and beyond all hope, strike on this + buried Eden. And then he dropped on his knees and spread his starved hands + upward, if he could, and thanked the God who made him, till his head went + round, and who knows what remembrance of loved ones came to him? And then, + if he had any moisture left, he fell to a passion of weeping. + </p> + <p> + In childish ignorance I thought that this man weakly degraded himself, and + should have been born a woman. But since that time I have truly learned + that the bravest of men are those who feel their Maker's Land most softly, + and are not ashamed to pay the tribute of their weakness to Him. + </p> + <p> + Living, as we did, in a lonely place, and yet not far from a track along + the crest of the great Californian plain from Sacramento southward, there + was scarcely a week which did not bring us some traveler needing comfort. + Mr. Gundry used to be told that if he would set up a rough hotel, or house + of call for cattle-drovers, miners, loafers, and so on, he might turn + twice the money he could ever make by his thriving saw-mill. But he only + used to laugh, and say that nature had made him too honest for that; and + he never thought of charging any thing for his hospitality, though if a + rich man left a gold piece, or even a nugget, upon a shelf, as happened + very often, Sawyer Gundry did not disdain to set it aside for a rainy day. + And one of his richest or most lavish guests arrived on my account, + perhaps. + </p> + <p> + It happened when daylight was growing shorter, and the red heat of the + earth was gone, and the snow-line of distant granite peaks had crept + already lower, and the chattering birds that spent their summer in our + band of oak-trees were beginning to find their food get short, and to + prime swift wings for the lowland; and I, having never felt bitter cold, + was trembling at what I heard of it. For now it was clear that I had no + choice but to stay where I was for the present, and be truly thankful to + God and man for having the chance of doing so. For the little relics of my + affairs—so far as I had any—had taken much time in + arrangement, perhaps because it was so hard to find them. I knew nothing, + except about my own little common wardrobe, and could give no information + about the contents of my father's packages. But these, by dint of + perseverance on the part of Ephraim (who was very keen about all rights), + had mainly been recovered, and Mr. Gundry had done the best that could be + done concerning them. Whatever seemed of a private nature, or likely to + prove important, had been brought home to Blue River Mills; the rest had + been sold, and had fetched large prices, unless Mr. Gundry enlarged them. + </p> + <p> + He more than enlarged, he multiplied them, as I found out long afterward, + to make me think myself rich and grand, while a beggar upon his bounty. I + had never been accustomed to think of money, and felt some little contempt + for it—not, indeed, a lofty hatred, but a careless wonder why it + seemed to be always thought of. It was one of the last things I ever + thought of; and those who were waiting for it were—until I got used + to them—obliged in self-duty to remind me. + </p> + <p> + This, however, was not my fault. I never dreamed of wronging them. But I + had earned no practical knowledge of the great world any where, much + though I had wandered about, according to vague recollections. The duty of + paying had never been mine; that important part had been done for me. And + my father had such a horror always of any growth of avarice that he never + gave me sixpence. + </p> + <p> + And now, when I heard upon every side continual talk of money, from Suan + Isco upward, I thought at first that the New World must be different from + the Old one, and that the gold mines in the neighborhood must have made + them full of it; and once or twice I asked Uncle Sam; but he only nodded + his head, and said that it was the practice every where. And before very + long I began to perceive that he did not exaggerate. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could prove this point more clearly than the circumstance above + referred to—the arrival of a stranger, for the purpose of bribing + even Uncle Sam himself. This happened in the month of November, when the + passes were beginning to be blocked with snow, and those of the higher + mountain tracts had long been overwhelmed with it. On this particular day + the air was laden with gray, oppressive clouds, threatening a heavy + downfall, and instead of faring forth, as usual, to my beloved river, I + was kept in-doors, and even up stairs, by a violent snow-headache. This is + a crushing weight of pain, which all new-comers, or almost all, are + obliged to endure, sometimes for as much as eight-and-forty hours, when + the first great snow of the winter is breeding, as they express it, + overhead. But I was more lucky than most people are; for after about + twelve hours of almost intolerable throbbing, during which the sweetest + sound was odious, and the idea of food quite loathsome, the agony left me, + and a great desire for something to eat succeeded. Suan Isco, the kindest + of the kind, was gone down stairs at last, for which I felt ungrateful + gratitude—because she had been doing her best to charm away my pain + by low, monotonous Indian ditties, which made it ten times worse; and yet + I could not find heart to tell her so. + </p> + <p> + Now it must have been past six o'clock in the evening of the November day + when the avalanche slid off my head, and I was able to lift it. The light + of the west had been faint, and was dead; though often it used to prolong + our day by the backward glance of the ocean. With pangs of youthful + hunger, but a head still weak and dazy, I groped my way in the dark + through the passage and down the stairs of redwood. + </p> + <p> + At the bottom, where a railed landing was, and the door opened into the + house-room, I was surprised to find that, instead of the usual cheerful + company enjoying themselves by the fire-light, there were only two people + present. The Sawyer sat stiffly in his chair of state, delaying even the + indulgence of his pipe, and having his face set sternly, as I had never + before beheld it. In the visitor's corner, as we called it, where people + sat to dry themselves, there was a man, and only one. + </p> + <p> + Something told me that I had better keep back and not disturb them. The + room was not in its usual state of comfort and hospitality. Some kind of + meal had been made at the table, as always must be in these parts; but not + of the genial, reckless sort which random travelers carried on without any + check from the Sawyer. For he of all men ever born in a civilized age was + the finest host, and a guest beneath his roof was sacred as a lady to a + knight. Hence it happened that I was much surprised. Proper conduct almost + compelled me to withdraw; but curiosity made me take just one more little + peep, perhaps. Looking back at these things now, I can not be sure of + every thing; and indeed if I could, I must have an almost supernatural + memory. But I remember many things; and the headache may have cleared my + mind. + </p> + <p> + The stranger who had brought Mr. Gundry's humor into such stiff condition + was sitting in the corner, a nook where light and shadow made an eddy. He + seemed to be perfectly unconcerned about all the tricks of the hearth + flame, presenting as he did a most solid face for any light to play upon. + To me it seemed to be a weather-beaten face of a bluff and resolute man, + the like of which we attribute to John Bull. At any rate, he was like John + Bull in one respect: he was sturdy and square, and fit to hold his own + with any man. + </p> + <p> + Strangers of this sort had come (as Englishmen rove every where), and been + kindly welcomed by Uncle Sam, who, being of recent English blood, had a + kind of hankering after it, and would almost rather have such at his board + than even a true-born American; and infinitely more welcome were they than + Frenchman, Spaniard, or German, or any man not to be distinguished, as was + the case with some of them. Even now it was clear that the Sawyer had not + grudged any tokens of honor, for the tall, square, brazen candlesticks, of + Boston make, were on the table, and very little light they gave. The fire, + however, was grandly roaring of stub-oak and pine antlers, and the black + grill of the chimney bricks was fringed with lifting filaments. It was a + rich, ripe light, affording breadth and play for shadow; and the faces of + the two men glistened, and darkened in their creases. + </p> + <p> + I was dressed in black, and could not be seen, though I could see them so + clearly; and I doubted whether to pass through, upon my way to the larder, + or return to my room and starve a little longer; for I did not wish to + interrupt, and had no idea of listening. But suddenly I was compelled to + stop; and to listen became an honest thing, when I knew what was spoken of—or, + at any rate, I did it. + </p> + <p> + “Castlewood, Master Colonist; Castlewood is the name of the man that I + have come to ask about. And you will find it worth your while to tell me + all you know of him.” Thus spoke the Englishman sitting in the corner; and + he seemed to be certain of producing his effect. + </p> + <p> + “Wal,” said Uncle Sam, assuming what all true Britons believe to be the + universal Yankee tone, while I knew that he was laughing in his sleeve, + “Squire, I guess that you may be right. Considerations of that 'ere kind + desarves to be considered of.” + </p> + <p> + “Just so. I knew that you must see it,” the stranger continued, bravely. + “A stiff upper lip, as you call it here, is all very well to begin with. + But all you enlightened members of the great republic know what is what. + It will bring you more than ten years' income of your saw-mill, and farm, + and so on, to deal honestly with me for ten minutes. No more beating about + the bush and fencing with me, as you have done. Now can you see your own + interest?” + </p> + <p> + “I never were reckoned a fool at that. Squire, make tracks, and be done + with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Master Colonist, or Colonel—for I believe you are all + colonels here—your task is very simple. We want clear proof, sworn + properly and attested duly, of the death of a villain—George + Castlewood, otherwise the Honorable George Castlewood, otherwise Lord + Castlewood: a man who murdered his own father ten years ago this November: + a man committed for trial for the crime, but who bribed his jailers and + escaped, and wandered all over the Continent. What is that noise? Have you + got rats?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of foreign rats, and native 'coons, and skunks, and other varmint. + Wal, Squire, go on with it.” + </p> + <p> + The voice of Uncle Sam was stern, and his face full of rising fury, as I, + who had made that noise in my horror, tried to hush my heart with + patience. + </p> + <p> + “The story is well known,” continued the stranger: “we need make no bones + of it. George Castlewood went about under a curse—” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite so loud, Squire, if you please. My household is not altogether + seasoned.” + </p> + <p> + “And perhaps you have got the young lady somewhere. I heard a report to + that effect. But here you think nothing of a dozen murders. Now, Gundry, + let us have no squeamishness. We only want justice, and we can pay for it. + Ten thousand dollars I am authorized to offer for a mere act of duty on + your part. We have an extradition treaty. If the man had been alive, we + must have had him. But as he has cheated the hangman by dying, we can only + see his grave and have evidence. And all well-disposed people must rejoice + to have such a quiet end of it. For the family is so well known, you see.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” Mr. Gundry answered, quietly, laying a finger on his lips. “Guess + you want something more than that, though, Squire. Is there nothing more + than the grave to oblige a noble Britisher with?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Colonel; we want the girl as well. We know that she was with him in + that caravan, or wagon train, or whatever you please to call it. We know + that you have made oath of his death, produced his child, and obtained his + trunks, and drawn his share in the insurance job. Your laws must be queer + to let you do such things. In England it would have taken at least three + years, and cost a deal more than the things were worth, even without a + Chancery suit. However, of his papers I shall take possession; they can be + of no earthly use to you.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure. And possession of his darter too, without so much as a + Chancery suit. But what is to satisfy me, Squire, agin goin' wrong in this + little transaction?” + </p> + <p> + “I can very soon satisfy you,” said the stranger, “as to their identity. + Here is their full, particular, and correct description—names, + weights, and colors of the parties.” + </p> + <p> + With a broad grin at his own exquisite wit, the bluff man drew forth his + pocket-book, and took out a paper, which he began to smooth on his knee + quite leisurely. Meanwhile, in my hiding-place, I was trembling with + terror and indignation. The sense of eavesdropping was wholly lost, in + that of my own jeopardy. I must know what was arranged about me; for I + felt such a hatred and fear of that stranger that sooner than be + surrendered to him I would rush back to my room and jump out of the + window, and trust myself to the trackless forest and the snowy night. I + was very nearly doing so, but just had sense enough to wait and hear what + would be said of me. So I lurked in the darkness, behind the rails, while + the stranger read slowly and pompously. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <h3> + DISCOMFITURE + </h3> + <p> + The Englishman drew forth a double eyeglass from a red velvet waistcoat, + and mounting it on his broad nose, came nearer to get the full light of + the candles. I saw him as clearly as I could wish, and, indeed, a great + deal too clearly; for the more I saw of the man, the more I shrank from + the thought of being in his power. Not that he seemed to be brutal or + fierce, but selfish, and resolute, and hard-hearted, and scornful of lofty + feelings. Short dust-colored hair and frizzly whiskers framed his large, + thick-featured face, and wearing no mustache, he showed the clumsy sneer + of a wide, coarse mouth. I watched him with all my eyes, because of his + tone of authority about myself. He might even be my guardian or my + father's nearest relation—though he seemed to be too ill-bred for + that. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry to keep you waiting, Colonel,” he went on, in a patronizing tone, + such as he had assumed throughout. “Here it is. Now prick your ears up, + and see if these candid remarks apply. I am reading from a printed form, + you see: + </p> + <p> + “'George Castlewood is forty-eight years old, but looks perhaps ten years + older. His height is over six feet two, and he does not stoop or slouch at + all. His hair is long and abundant, but white; his eyes are dark, + piercing, and gloomy. His features are fine, and of Italian cast, but + stern, morose, and forbidding, and he never uses razor. On the back of his + left hand, near the wrist, there is a broad scar. He dresses in + half-mourning always, and never wears any jewelry, but strictly shuns all + society, and prefers uncivilized regions. He never stays long in any town, + and follows no occupation, though his aspect and carriage are military, as + he has been a cavalry officer. From time to time he has been heard of in + Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is now believed to be in America. + </p> + <p> + “'His only surviving child, a girl of about fifteen, has been seen with + him. She is tall and slight and very straight, and speaks French better + than English. Her hair is very nearly black, and her eyes of unusual size + and lustre. She is shy, and appears to have been kept under, and she has a + timid smile. Whether she knows of her father's crime or not is quite + uncertain; but she follows him like a dog almost.' + </p> + <p> + “There now, Colonel,” cried the Englishman, as he folded the paper + triumphantly; “most of that came from my information, though I never set + eyes upon the child. Does the cap fit or not, Brother Jonathan?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry was leaning back in his own corner, with a favorite pipe, + carved by himself, reposing on his waistcoat. And being thus appealed to, + he looked up and rubbed his eyes as if he had been dozing, though he never + had been more wide awake, as I, who knew his attitudes, could tell. And my + eyes filled with tears of love and shame, for I knew by the mere turn of + his chin that he never would surrender me. + </p> + <p> + “Stranger,” he said, in a most provoking drawl, “a hard day's work tells + its tale on me, you bet. You do read so bootiful, you read me hard asleep. + And the gutturals of that furrin English is always a little hard to catch. + Mought I trouble you just to go through it again? You likes the sound of + your own voice; and no blame to you, being such a swate un.” + </p> + <p> + The Englishman looked at him keenly, as if he had some suspicion of being + chaffed; but the face of the Sawyer was so grave and the bend of his head + so courteous that he could not refuse to do as he was asked. But he + glanced first at the whiskey bottle standing between the candlesticks; and + I knew it boded ill for his errand when Uncle Sam, the most hospitable of + men, feigned pure incomprehension of that glance. The man should have no + more under that roof. + </p> + <p> + With a sullen air and a muttered curse, at which Mr. Gundry blew a wreath + of smoke, the stranger unfolded his paper again, and saying, “Now I beg + you to attend this time,” read the whole of his description, with much + emphasis, again, while the Sawyer turned away and beat time upon the + hearth, with his white hair, broad shoulders, and red ears prominent. The + Englishman looked very seriously vexed, but went through his business + doggedly. “Are you satisfied now?” he asked when he had finished. + </p> + <p> + “Wal, now, Squire,” replied Uncle Sam, still keeping up his provoking + drawl, but turning round and looking at the stranger very steadfastly, + “some thin's is so pooty and so ilegantly done, they seems a'most as good + as well-slung flapjacks. A natteral honest stomick can't nohow have enough + of them. Mought I be so bold, in a silly, mountaneous sort of a way, as to + ax for another heerin' of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to insult me, Sir?” shouted the visitor, leaping up with a + flaming face, and throwing himself into an attitude of attack. + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, I mought,” answered Mr. Gundry, standing squarely before him, + and keeping his hands contemptuously behind his back—“I mought so + do, barrin' one little point. The cutest commissioner in all the West + would have to report 'Non compos' if his orders was to diskiver somethin' + capable of bein' insulted in a fellow of your natur'.” + </p> + <p> + With these words Uncle Sam sat down, and powerfully closed his mouth, + signifying that now the matter was taken through every phase of + discussion, and had been thoroughly exhausted. His visitor stared at him + for a moment, as if at some strange phenomenon, and then fell back into + self-command, without attempting bluster. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel, you are a 'cure,' as we call it on our side of the herring pond. + What have I done to 'riz your dander,' as you elegantly express it here?” + </p> + <p> + “Britisher, nothing. You know no better. It takes more than that to put my + back up. But forty years agone I do believe I must 'a heaved you out o' + window.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Colonel, why? Now be reasonable. Not a word have I said reflecting + either upon you or your country; and a finer offer than I have made can + not come to many of you, even in this land of gold. Ten thousand dollars I + offer, and I will exceed my instructions and say fifteen, all paid on the + nail by an order on Frisco, about which you may assure yourself. And what + do I ask in return? Legal proof of the death of a man whom we know to be + dead, and the custody of his child, for her own good.” + </p> + <p> + “Squire, I have no other answer to make. If you offered me all the gold + dug in these mountains since they were discovered, I could only say what I + have said before. You came from Sylvester's ranch—there is time for + you to get back ere the snow begins.” + </p> + <p> + “What a hospitable man you are! Upon my word, Gundry, you deserve to have + a medal from our Humane Society. You propose to turn me out of doors + to-night, with a great fall of snow impending?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, the fault is entirely your own. What hospitality can you expect + after coming to buy my guest? If you are afraid of the ten-mile ride, my + man at the mill will bed you. But here you must not sleep, because I might + harm you in the morning. I am apt to lose my temper sometimes, when I go + on to think of things.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel, I think I had better ride back. I fear no man, nor his temper, + nor crotchets. But if I were snowed up at your mill, I never might cross + the hill-foot for months; but from Sylvester's I can always get to Minto. + You refuse, then, to help me in any way?” + </p> + <p> + “More than that. I will do every thing in my power to confound you. If any + one comes prowling after that young lady, he shall be shot.” + </p> + <p> + “That is most discouraging. However, you may think better of it. Write to + this address if you do. You have the girl here, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “That is her concern and mine. Does your guide know the way right well! + The snow is beginning. You do not know our snows, any more than you know + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, Mr. Gundry. I shall do very well. You are rough in your ways, + but you mean to do the right; and your indignation is virtuous. But mark + my words upon one little point. If George Castlewood had been living, I + have such credentials that I would have dragged him back with me in spite + of all your bluster. But over his corpse I have no control, in the present + condition of treaties. Neither can I meddle with his daughter, if it were + worth while to do so. Keep her and make the best of her, my man. You have + taken a snake in the grass to your bosom, if that is what you are up for. + A very handsome girl she may be, but a bad lot, as her father was. If you + wish the name of Gundry to have its due respect hereafter, let the heir of + the sawmills have nothing to do with the Honorable Miss Castlewood.” + </p> + <p> + “Let alone, let alone,” Uncle Sam said, angrily. “It is well for you that + the 'heir of the saw-mills' hath not heard your insolence. Firm is a + steady lad; but he knoweth well which foot to kick with. No fear of losing + the way to Sylvester's ranch with Firm behind you. But, meddlesome as you + be, and a bitter weed to my experience, it shall not be said that Sampson + Gundry sent forth a fellow to be frozen. Drink a glass of hot whiskey + before you get to saddle. Not in friendship, mind you, Sir, but in common + human nature.” + </p> + <p> + That execrable man complied, for he began to be doubtful of the driving + snow, now huddling against the window-frames. And so he went out; and when + he was gone, I came forth into the fire-light, and threw my arms round the + Sawyer's neck and kissed him till he was ashamed of me. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Rema, my dear, my poor little soul, what makes you carry on so?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I have heard every word, Uncle Sam, and I was base enough to + doubt you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <h3> + A DOUBTFUL LOSS + </h3> + <p> + When I tried to look out of my window in the morning, I was quite + astonished at the state of things. To look out fairly was impossible; for + not only was all the lower part of the frame hillocked up like a + sandglass, and the sides filled in with dusky plaits, but even in the + middle, where some outlook was, it led to very little. All the air seemed + choked with snow, and the ground coming up in piles to meet it; all sounds + were deadened in the thick gray hush, and nothing had its own proportion. + Never having seen such a thing before, I was frightened, and longed to + know more of it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry had a good laugh at me, in which even Suan Isco joined, when I + proposed to sweep a path to the mill, and keep it open through the winter. + </p> + <p> + “It can be done—I am sure it can,” I exclaimed, with vigorous + ignorance. “May I do it if I can? It only requires perseverance. If you + keep on sweeping as fast as it falls, you must overcome it. Don't you see, + Uncle Sam?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I do, Miss Rema, as plain as any pikestaff. Suan, fetch a + double bundle of new brooms from top loft, and don't forget while you be + up there to give special orders—no snow is to fall at night or when + missy is at dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “You may laugh as much as you please, Uncle Sam, but I intend to try it. I + must try to keep my path to—somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “What a fool I am, to be sure!” said Mr. Gundry, softly. “There, now, I + beg your pardon, my dear, for never giving a thought to it. Firm and I + will do it for you, as long as the Lord allows of it. Why, the snow is two + foot deep a'ready, and twenty foot in places. I wonder whether that rogue + of a Goad got home to Sylvester's ranch last night? No fault of mine if he + never did, for go he would in spite of me.” + </p> + <p> + I had not been thinking of Mr. Goad, and indeed I did not know his name + until it was told in this way. My mind was dwelling on my father's grave, + where I used to love to sit and think; and I could not bear the idea of + the cold snow lying over it, with nobody coming to care for him. Kind + hands had borne him down the mountains (while I lay between life and + death) and buried him in the soft peach orchard, in the soothing sound of + the mill-wheel. Here had been planted above his head a cross of white + un-painted wood, bearing only his initials, and a small “Amen” below them. + </p> + <p> + With this I was quite content, believing that he would have wished no + better, being a very independent man, and desirous of no kind of pomp. + There was no “consecrated ground” within miles and miles of traveling; but + I hoped that he might rest as well with simple tears to hallow it. For + often and often, even now, I could not help giving way and sobbing, when I + thought how sad it was that a strong, commanding, mighty man, of great + will and large experience, should drop in a corner of the world and die, + and finally be thought lucky—when he could think for himself no + longer—to obtain a tranquil, unknown grave, and end with his + initials, and have a water-wheel to sing to him. Many a time it set me + crying, and made me long to lie down with him, until I thought of + earth-worms. + </p> + <p> + All that could be done was done by Sampson and Firm Gundry, to let me have + my clear path, and a clear bourne at the end of it. But even with a steam + snow-shovel they could not have kept the way unstopped, such solid masses + of the mountain clouds now descended over us. And never had I been so + humored in my foolish wishes: I was quite ashamed to see the trouble great + men took to please me. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am sorry to hear it, Firm,” said the Sawyer, coming in one day, + with clouts of snow in his snowy curls. “Not that I care a cent for the + fellow—and an impudenter fellow never sucked a pipe. Still, he might + have had time to mend, if his time had been as good as the room for it. + However, no blame rests on us. I told him to bed down to saw-mill. They + Englishmen never know when they are well off. But the horse got home, they + tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “The horse got home all right, grandfather, and so did the other horse and + man. But Sylvester thinks that a pile of dollars must have died out in the + snow-drift. It is a queer story. We shall never know the rights.” + </p> + <p> + “How many times did I tell him,” the Sawyer replied, without much + discontent, “that it were a risky thing to try the gulches, such a night + as that? His own way he would have, however; and finer liars than he could + ever stick up to be for a score of years have gone, time upon time, to the + land of truth by means of that same view of things. They take every body + else for a liar.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam, who is it?” I cried. “Is it that dreadful—that poor + man who wanted to carry me away from you?” + </p> + <p> + “Now you go in, missy; you go to the fire-hearth,” Mr. Gundry answered, + more roughly than usual. “Leave you all such points to the Lord. They are + not for young ladies to talk about.” + </p> + <p> + “Grandfather, don't you be too hard,” said Firm, as he saw me hurrying + away. “Miss Rema has asked nothing unbecoming, but only concerning her own + affairs. If we refuse to tell her, others will.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, so be it,” the Sawyer replied; for he yielded more to + his grandson than to the rest of the world put together. “Turn the log up, + Firm, and put the pan on. You boys can go on without victuals all day, but + an old man must feed regular. And, bad as he was, I thank God for sending + him on his way home with his belly full. If ever he turneth up in the + snow, that much can be proved to my account.” + </p> + <p> + Young as I was, and little practiced in the ways of settlers, I could not + help perceiving that Uncle Sam was very much put out—not at the + death of the man so sadly, as at the worry of his dying so in going from a + hospitable house. Mr. Gundry cared little what any body said concerning + his honor, or courage, or such like; but the thought of a whisper against + his hospitality would rouse him. + </p> + <p> + “Find him, Firm, find him,” he said, in his deep sad voice, as he sat down + on the antlered stump and gazed at the fire gloomily. “And when he is + found, call a public postmortem, and prove that we gave him his bellyful.” + </p> + <p> + Ephraim, knowing the old man's ways, and the manners, perhaps, of the + neighborhood, beckoned to Suan to be quick with something hot, that he + might hurry out again. Then he took his dinner standing, and without a + word went forth to seek. + </p> + <p> + “Take the snow-harrow, and take Jowler,” the old man shouted after him, + and the youth turned round at the gate and waved his cap to show that he + heard him. The snow was again falling heavily, and the afternoon was + waning; and the last thing we saw was the brush of the mighty tail of the + great dog Jowler. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, uncle, Firm will be lost himself!” I cried, in dismay at the great + white waste. “And the poor man, whoever he is, must be dead. Do call him + back, or let me run.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry's only answer was to lead me back to the fireside, where he + made me sit down, and examined me, while Suan was frying the butter-beans. + </p> + <p> + “Who was it spied you on the mountains, missy, the whole of the way from + the redwood-tree, although you lay senseless on the ground, and he was + hard at work with the loppings?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Ephraim, of course, Uncle Sam; every body says that nobody else + could have noticed such a thing at such a distance.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, my dear; and who was it carried you all the way to this house, + without stopping, or even letting your head droop down, although it was a + burning hot May morn?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gundry, as if you did not know a great deal better than I do! It was + weeks before I could thank him, even. But you must have seen him do it + all.” + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer rubbed his chin, which was large enough for a great deal of + rubbing; and when he did that, I was always sure that an argument went to + his liking. He said nothing more for the present, but had his dinner, and + enjoyed it. + </p> + <p> + “Supposing now that he did all that,” he resumed, about an hour afterward, + “is Firm the sort of boy you would look to to lose his own self in a + snow-drift? He has three men with him, and he is worth all three, let + alone the big dog Jowler, who has dug out forty feet of snow ere now. If + that rogue of an Englishman, Goad, has had the luck to cheat the hangman, + and the honor to die in a Californy snow-drift, you may take my experience + for it, missy, Firm and Jowler will find him, and clear Uncle Sam's + reputation.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <h3> + WATER-SPOUT + </h3> + <p> + If Mr. Gundry was in one way right, he was equally wrong in the other. + Firm came home quite safe and sound, though smothered with snow and most + hungry; but he thought that he should have staid out all the night, + because he had failed of his errand. Jowler also was full of discontent + and trouble of conscience. He knew, when he kicked up his heels in the + snow, that his duty was to find somebody, and being of Alpine pedigree, + and trained to act up to his ancestry, he now dropped his tail with + failure. + </p> + <p> + “It comes to the same thing,” said Sawyer Gundry; “it is foolish to be so + particular. A thousand better men have sunk through being so pig-headed. + We shall find the rogue toward the end of March, or in April, if the + season suits. Firm, eat your supper and shake yourself.” + </p> + <p> + This was exactly the Sawyer's way—to take things quietly when + convinced that there was no chance to better them. He would always do his + best about the smallest trifle; but after that, be the matter small or + great, he had a smiling face for the end of it. + </p> + <p> + The winter, with all its weight of sameness and of dreariness, went at + last, and the lovely spring from the soft Pacific found its gradual way to + us. Accustomed as I was to gentler climates and more easy changes, I lost + myself in admiration of this my first Californian spring. The flowers, the + leagues and leagues of flowers, that burst into color and harmony—purple, + yellow, and delicate lilac, woven with bright crimson threads, and fringed + with emerald-green by the banks, and blue by the course of rivers, while + deepened here and there by wooded shelter and cool places, with the + silver-gray of the soft Pacific waning in far distance, and silken vapor + drawing toward the carding forks of the mountain range; and over all the + never-wearying azure of the limpid sky: child as I was, and full of little + worldly troubles on my own account, these grand and noble sights enlarged + me without any thinking. + </p> + <p> + The wheat and the maize were grown apace, and beans come into full + blossom, and the peaches swinging in the western breeze were almost as + large as walnuts, and all things in their prime of freshness, ere the + yellow dust arrived, when a sudden melting of snow in some gully sent a + strong flood down our Blue River. The saw-mill happened to be hard at + work; and before the gear could be lifted, some damage was done to the + floats by the heavy, impetuous rush of the torrent. Uncle Sam was away, + and so was Firm; from which, perhaps, the mischief grew. However, the + blame was all put on the river, and little more was said of it. + </p> + <p> + The following morning I went down before even Firm was out-of-doors, under + some touch, perhaps, of natural desire to know things. The stream was as + pure and bright as ever, hastening down its gravel-path of fine granite + just as usual, except that it had more volume and a stronger sense of + freshness. Only the bent of the grasses and the swath of the pendulous + twigs down stream remained to show that there must have been some violence + quite lately. + </p> + <p> + All Mr. Gundry's strengthening piles and shores were as firm as need be, + and the clear blue water played around them as if they were no constraint + to it. And none but a practiced eye could see that the great wheel had + been wounded, being undershot, and lifted now above the power of the + current, according to the fine old plan of locking the door when the horse + is gone. + </p> + <p> + When I was looking up and wondering where to find the mischief, Martin, + the foreman, came out and crossed the plank, with his mouth full of + breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Show me,” I said, with an air, perhaps, of very young importance, “where + and what the damage is. Is there any strain to the iron-work?” + </p> + <p> + “Lor' a mercy, young missus!” he answered, gruffly, being by no means a + polished man, “where did you ever hear of ironwork? Needles and pins is + enough for you. Now don't you go and make no mischief.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no idea what you mean,” I answered. “If you have been careless, + that is no concern of mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Careless, indeed! And the way I works, when others is a-snorin' in their + beds! I might just as well do nort, every bit, and get more thanks and + better wages. That's the way of the world all over. Come Saturday week, I + shall better myself.” + </p> + <p> + “But if it's the way of the world all over, how will you better yourself, + unless you go out of the world altogether!” I put this question to Martin + with the earnest simplicity of the young, meaning no kind of sarcasm, but + knowing that scarcely a week went by without his threatening to “better + himself.” And they said that he had done so for seven years or more. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you be too sharp,” he replied, with a grim smile, partly at + himself, perhaps. “If half as I heard about you is true, you'll want all + your sharpness for yourself, Miss Remy. And the Britishers are worse than + we be.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Martin, I am sure you would help me,” I said, “if you saw any + person injuring me. But what is it I am not to tell your master?” + </p> + <p> + “My master, indeed! Well, you need not tell old Gundry any thing about + what you have seen. It might lead to hard words; and hard words are not + the style of thing I put up with. If any man tries hard words with me, I + knocks him down, up sticks, and makes tracks.” + </p> + <p> + I could not help smiling at the poor man's talk. Sawyer Gundry could have + taken him with one hand and tossed him over the undershot wheel. + </p> + <p> + “You forget that I have not seen any thing,” I said, “and understand + nothing but 'needles and pins.' But, for fear of doing any harm, I will + not even say that I have been down here, unless I am asked about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Remy, you are a good girl, and you shall have the mill some day. + Lord, don't your little great eyes see the job they are a-doin' of? The + finest stroke in all Californy, when the stubborn old chap takes to + quartz-crushing.” + </p> + <p> + All this was beyond me, and I told him so, and we parted good friends, + while he shook his long head and went home to feed many pappooses. For the + strangest thing of all things was, though I never at that time thought of + it, that there was not any one about this place whom any one could help + liking. Martin took as long as any body to be liked, until one understood + him; but after that he was one of the best, in many ways that can not be + described. Also there was a pair of negroes, simply and sweetly + delightful. They worked all day and they sang all night, though I had not + the pleasure of hearing them; and the more Suan Isco despised them—because + they were black, and she was only brown—the more they made up to + her, not at all because she governed the supply of victuals. It was + childish to have such ideas, though Suan herself could never get rid of + them. The truth, as I came to know afterward, was that a large, + free-hearted, and determined man was at the head of every thing. Martin + was the only one who ever grumbled, and he had established a long right to + do so by never himself being grumbled at. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be bound that poor fellow is in a sad way,” Mr. Gundry said at + breakfast-time. “He knows how much he is to blame, and I fear that he + won't eat a bit for the day. Martin is a most conscientious man. He will + offer to give up his berth, although it would be his simple ruin.” + </p> + <p> + I was wise enough not to say a word, though Firm looked at me keenly. He + knew that I had been down at the mill, and expected me to say something. + </p> + <p> + “We all must have our little mistakes,” continued Sawyer Gundry; “but I + never like to push a man when he feels it. I shall not say a syllable to + Martin; and, Ephraim, you will do the like. When a fellow sticks well to + his work like Martin, never blame him for a mere accident.” + </p> + <p> + Firm, according to his habit, made no answer when he did not quite agree. + In talking with his own age he might have argued, but he did not argue + with his grandfather. + </p> + <p> + “I shall just go down and put it right myself. Martin is a poor hand at + repairing. Firm, you go up the gulch, and see if the fresh has hurt the + hurdles. Missy, you may come with me, if you please, and sketch me at work + in the mill-wheel. You have drawn that wheel such a sight of times, you + must know every feather of it better than the man who made it.” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Sam, you are too bad,” I said. “I have never got it right, and I + never shall.” + </p> + <p> + I did not dare as yet to think what really proved to be true in the end—that + I could not draw the wheel correctly because itself was incorrect. In + spite of all Mr. Gundry's skill and labor and ingenuity, the wheel was no + true circle. The error began in the hub itself, and increased, of course, + with the distance; but still it worked very well, like many other things + that are not perfect. + </p> + <p> + Having no idea of this as yet, and doubting nothing except my own + perception of “perspective,” I sat down once more in my favorite spot, and + waited for the master to appear as an active figure in the midst of it. + The air was particularly bright and clear, even for that pure climate, and + I could even see the blue-winged flies darting in and out of the oozy + floats. But half-way up the mountains a white cloud was hanging, a cloud + that kept on changing shape. I only observed it as a thing to put in for + my background, because I was fond of trying to tone and touch up my + sketches with French chalks. + </p> + <p> + Presently I heard a harsh metallic sound and creaking of machinery. The + bites, or clamps, or whatever they are called, were being put on, to keep + the wheel from revolving with the Sawyer's weight. Martin, the foreman, + was grumbling and growling, according to his habit, and peering through + the slot, or channel of stone, in which the axle worked, and the cheery + voice of Mr. Gundry was putting down his objections. Being much too large + to pass through the slot, Mr. Gundry came round the corner of the + building, with a heavy leathern bag of tools strapped round his neck, and + his canvas breeches girt above his knees. But the foreman staid inside to + hand him the needful material into the wheel. + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer waded merrily down the shallow blue water, for he was always + like a boy when he was at work, and he waved his little skull-cap to me, + and swung himself up into the wheel, as if he were nearer seventeen than + seventy. And presently I could only see his legs and arms as he fell to + work. Therefore I also fell to work, with my best attempts at penciling, + having been carefully taught enough of drawing to know that I could not + draw. And perhaps I caught from the old man's presence and the sound of + his activity that strong desire to do my best which he seemed to impart to + every one. + </p> + <p> + At any rate, I was so engrossed that I scarcely observed the changing + light, except as a hindrance to my work and a trouble to my distance, till + suddenly some great drops fell upon my paper and upon my hat, and a rush + of dark wind almost swept me from the log upon which I sat. Then again all + was a perfect calm, and the young leaves over the stream hung heavily on + their tender foot-stalks, and the points of the breeze-swept grass turned + back, and the ruffle of all things smoothed itself. But there seemed to be + a sense of fear in the waiting silence of earth and air. + </p> + <p> + This deep, unnatural stillness scared me, and I made up my mind to run + away. But the hammer of the Sawyer sounded as I had never heard it sound. + He was much too hard at work to pay any heed to sky or stream, and the + fall of his strokes was dead and hollow, as if the place resented them. + </p> + <p> + “Come away, come away,” I cried, as I ran and stood on the opposite bank + to him; “there is something quite wrong in the weather, I am sure. I + entreat you to come away at once, Uncle Sam. Every thing is so strange and + odd.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what's to do now?” asked the Sawyer, coming to my side of the wheel + and looking at me, with his spectacles tilted up, and his apron wedged in + a piece of timber, and his solid figure resting in the impossibility of + hurry. “Missy, don't you make a noise out there. You can't have your own + way always.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam, don't talk like that. I am in such a fright about you. Do + come out and look at the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen the mountains often enough, and I am up to every trick of + them. There may be a corn or two of rain; no more. My sea-weed was like + tinder. There can't be no heavy storm when it is like that. Don't you make + pretense, missy, to know what is beyond you.” + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam was so seldom cross that I always felt that he had a right to be + so. And he gave me one of his noble smiles to make up for the sharpness of + his words, and then back he went to his work again. So I hoped that I was + altogether wrong, till a bolt of lightning, like a blue dagger, fell at my + very feet, and a crash of thunder shook the earth and stunned me. These + opened the sluice of the heavens, and before I could call out I was + drenched with rain. Clinging to a bush, I saw the valley lashed with + cloudy blasts, and a whirling mass of spiral darkness rushing like a giant + toward me. And the hissing and tossing and roaring mixed whatever was in + sight together. + </p> + <p> + Such terror fell upon me at first that I could not look, and could + scarcely think, but cowered beneath the blaze of lightning as a singed + moth drops and shivers. And a storm of wind struck me from my hold, so + that I fell upon the wet earth. Every moment I expected to be killed, for + I never could be brave in a thunder-storm, and had not been told much in + France of God's protection around me. And the darts of lightning hissed + and crossed like a blue and red web over me. So I laid hold of a little + bent of weed, and twisted it round my dabbled wrist, and tried to pray to + the Virgin, although I had often been told it was vanity. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly wiping my eyes, I beheld a thing which entirely changed me. + A vast, broad wall of brown water, nearly as high as the mill itself, + rushed down with a crest of foam from the mountains. It seemed to fill up + all the valley and to swallow up all the trees; a whole host of animals + fled before it, and birds, like a volley of bullets, flew by. I lost not a + moment in running away, and climbing a rock and hiding. It was base, + ungrateful, and a nasty thing to do; but I did it almost without thinking. + And if I had staid to cry out, what good could I have done—only to + be swept away? + </p> + <p> + Now, as far as I can remember any thing out of so much horror, I must have + peeped over the summit of my rock when the head of the deluge struck the + mill. But whether I saw it, or whether I knew it by any more summary + process, such as outruns the eyes sometimes, is more than I dare presume + to say. Whichever way I learned it, it was thus: + </p> + <p> + A solid mass of water, much bigger than the mill itself, burst on it, + dashed it to atoms, leaped off with it, and spun away the great wheel + anyhow, like the hoop of a child sent trundling. I heard no scream or + shriek; and, indeed, the bellow of a lion would have been a mere whisper + in the wild roar of the elements. Only, where the mill had been, there was + nothing except a black streak and a boil in the deluge. Then scores of + torn-up trees swept over, as a bush-harrow jumps on the clods of the + field; and the unrelenting flood cast its wrath, and shone quietly in the + lightning. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam! Uncle Sam!” I cried. But there was not a sign to be seen + of him; and I thought of his gentle, good, obstinate ways, and my heart + was almost broken. “What a brute—what a wretch I am!” I kept saying, + as if I could have helped it; and my fear of the lightning was gone, and I + stood and raved with scorn and amazement. + </p> + <p> + In this misery of confusion it was impossible to think, and instinct alone + could have driven my despair to a desperate venture. With my soaked + clothes sticking between my legs, I ran as hard as they would go, by a + short-cut over a field of corn, to a spot where the very last bluff or + headland jutted into the river. This was a good mile below the mill + according to the bends of channel, but only a furlong or so from the rock + upon which I had taken refuge. However, the flood was there before me, and + the wall of water dashed on to the plains, with a brindled comb behind it. + </p> + <p> + Behind it also came all the ruin of the mill that had any floatage, and + bodies of bears and great hogs and cattle, some of them alive, but the + most part dead. A grand black bull tossed back his horns, and looked at me + beseechingly: he had frightened me often in quiet days, but now I was + truly grieved for him. And then on a wattle of brush-wood I saw the form + of a man—the Sawyer. + </p> + <p> + His white hair draggled in the wild brown flood, and the hollow of his + arms was heaped with froth, and his knotted legs hung helpless. Senseless + he lay on his back, and sometimes the wash of the waves went over him. His + face was livid, but his brave eyes open, and a heavy weight hung round his + neck. I had no time to think, and deserve no praise, for I knew not what I + did. But just as an eddy swept him near me, I made a desperate leap at + him, and clutched at something that tore my hands, and then I went under + the water. My senses, however, were not yet gone, and my weight on the + wattle stopped it, and I came up gurgling, and flung one arm round a fat, + woolly sheep going by me. The sheep was water-logged, and could scarcely + keep his own poor head from drowning, and he turned his mild eyes and + looked at me, but I could not spare him. He struck for the shore in + forlorn hope, and he towed us in some little. + </p> + <p> + It is no good for me to pretend to say how things were managed for us, for + of course I could do nothing. But the sheep must have piloted us to a + tree, whose branches swept the torrent. Here I let him go, and caught fast + hold; and Uncle Sam's raft must have stuck there also, for what could my + weak arm have done? I remember only to have felt the ground at last, as + the flood was exhausted; and good people came and found him and me, + stretched side by side, upon rubbish and mud. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <h3> + A NUGGET + </h3> + <p> + In a sacred corner (as soon as ever we could attend to any thing) we hung + up the leathern bag of tools, which had done much more toward saving the + life of Uncle Sam than I did; for this had served as a kind of kedge, or + drag, upon his little craft, retarding it from the great roll of billows, + in which he must have been drowned outright. And even as it was, he took + some days before he was like himself again. + </p> + <p> + Firm, who had been at the head of the valley, repairing some broken + hurdles, declared that a water-spout had burst in the bosom of the + mountain gorge where the Blue River has its origin, and the whole of its + power got ponded back by a dam, which the Sawyer himself had made, at + about five furlongs above the mill. Ephraim, being further up the gulch, + and high above the roaring flood, did his utmost with the keen edge of his + eyes to pierce into the mischief; but it rained so hard, and at the same + time blew so violently around him, that he could see nothing of what went + on, but hoped for the best, with uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + Now when the Sawyer came round so well as to have a clear mind of things, + and learn that his mill was gone and his business lost, and himself, at + this ripe time of life, almost driven to begin the world again, it was + natural to expect that he ought to indulge in a good deal of grumbling. + Many people came to comfort him, and to offer him deep condolence and the + truest of true sympathy, and every thing that could be thought of, unless + it were a loan of money. Of that they never thought, because it was such a + trifling matter; and they all had confidence in his power to do any thing + but pay them. They told him that he was a young man still, and Providence + watched over him; in a year or two he would be all the better for this sad + visitation. And he said yes to their excellent advice, and was very much + obliged to them. At the same time it was clear to me, who watched him like + a daughter, that he became heavy in his mind, and sighed, as these kind + friends, one after the other, enjoyed what he still could do for them, but + rode away out of his gate with too much delicacy to draw purse-strings. + Not that he would have accepted a loan from the heartiest heart of all of + them, only that he would have liked the offer, to understand their + meaning. And several of them were men—as Firm, in his young + indignation, told me—who had been altogether set up in life by the + kindness of Sampson Gundry. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the Sawyer, after all his years, had no right to be vexed by this. + But whether he was right or wrong, I am sure that it preyed upon his mind, + though he was too proud to speak of it. He knew that he was not ruined, + although these friends assumed that he must be; and some of them were + quite angry with him because they had vainly warned him. He could not + remember these warnings, yet he contradicted none of them; and fully + believing in the goodness of the world, he became convinced that he must + have been hard in the days of his prosperity. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was he able to get about again than he went to San Francisco to + raise money on his house and property for the rebuilding of the mill. Firm + rode with him to escort him back, and so did Martin, the foreman; for + although the times were not so bad as they used to be some ten years back, + in the height of the gold fever, it still was a highly undesirable thing + for a man who was known to have money about him to ride forth alone from + San Francisco, or even Sacramento town. And having mentioned the foreman + Martin, in justice to him I ought to say that although his entire loss + from the disaster amounted only to a worn-out waistcoat of the value of + about twenty cents, his vehemence in grumbling could only be equaled by + his lofty persistence. By his great activity in running away and leaving + his employer to meet the brunt, he had saved not only himself, but his + wife and children and goods and chattels. This failed, however, to remove + or even assuage his regret for the waistcoat; and he moaned and threatened + to such good purpose that a speedy subscription was raised, which must + have found him in clothes for the rest of his life, as well as a silver + tea-pot with an inscription about his bravery. + </p> + <p> + When the three were gone, after strict injunctions from Mr. Gundry, and + his grandson too, that I was on no account to venture beyond calling + distance from the house, for fear of being run away with, I found the + place so sad and lonesome that I scarcely knew what to do. I had no fear + of robbers, though there were plenty in the neighborhood; for we still had + three or four men about, who could be thoroughly trusted, and who staid + with us on half wages rather than abandon the Sawyer in his trouble. Suan + Isco, also, was as brave as any man, and could shoot well with a rifle. + Moreover, the great dog Jowler was known and dreaded by all his enemies. + He could pull down an Indian, or two half-castes, or three Mexicans, in + about a second; and now he always went about with me, having formed a + sacred friendship. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam had kissed me very warmly when he said “good-by,” and Firm had + shown some disposition to follow his example; but much as I liked and + admired Firm, I had my own ideas as to what was unbecoming, and now in my + lonely little walks I began to think about it. My father's resting-place + had not been invaded by the imperious flood, although a line of driftage, + in a zigzag swath, lay near the mound. This was my favorite spot for + thinking, when I felt perplexed and downcast in my young unaided mind. For + although I have not spoken of my musings very copiously, any one would do + me wrong who fancied that I was indifferent. Through the great kindness of + Mr. Gundry and other good friends around me, I had no bitter sense as yet + of my own dependence and poverty. But the vile thing I had heard about my + father, the horrible slander and wicked falsehood—for such I was + certain it must be—this was continually in my thoughts, and quite + destroyed my cheerfulness. And the worst of it was that I never could get + my host to enter into it. Whenever I began, his face would change and his + manner grow constrained, and his chief desire always seemed to lead me to + some other subject. + </p> + <p> + One day, when the heat of the summer came forth, and the peaches began to + blush toward it, and bronze-ribbed figs grew damask-gray with a globule of + sirup in their eyes, and melons and pumpkins already had curved their + fluted stalks with heaviness, and the dust of the plains was beginning to + fly, and the bright spring flowers were dead more swiftly even than they + first were born, I sat with Suan Isco at my father's cross, and told her + to make me cry with some of all the many sad things she knew. She knew a + wondrous number of things insatiably sad and wild; and the quiet way in + which she told them (not only without any horror, but as if they were + rightly to be expected), also the deep and rather guttural tone of voice, + and the stillness of the form, made it impossible to help believing verily + every word she said. + </p> + <p> + That there should be in the world such things, so dark, unjust, and full + of woe, was enough to puzzle a child brought up among the noblest + philosophers; whereas I had simply been educated by good unpretentious + women, who had partly retired from the world, but not to such a depth as + to drown all thought of what was left behind them. These were ready at any + time to return upon good opportunity; and some of them had done so, with + many tears, when they came into property. + </p> + <p> + “Please to tell me no more now,” I said at last to Suan; “my eyes are so + sore they will be quite red, and perhaps Uncle Sam will come home + to-night. I am afraid he has found some trouble with the money, or he + ought to have been at home before. Don't you think so, Suan?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; trouble with the money. Always with the white mans that.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I shall go and look for some money. I had a most wonderful + dream last night. Only I must go quite alone. You had better go and look + to the larder, Suan. If they come, they are sure to be hungry.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; the white mans always hungry, sep when thirsty.” + </p> + <p> + The Indian woman, who had in her heart a general contempt for the white + race, save those of our own household, drew her bright-colored shawl + around her, and set off with her peculiar walk. Her walk was not + ungraceful, because it was so purely natural; but it differed almost as + much as the step of a quadruped from what we are taught. I, with heavy + thoughts but careless steps, set off on my wanderings. I wanted to try to + have no set purpose, course, or consideration, but to go wherever chance + should lead me, without choice, as in my dream. And after many vague + turns, and even closings of rebellious eyes, I found myself, perhaps by + the force of habit, at the ruins of the mill. + </p> + <p> + I seemed to recognize some resemblance (which is as much as one can + expect) to the scene which had been in my sleep before me. But sleeping I + had seen roaring torrents; waking, I beheld a quiet stream. The little + river, as blue as ever, and shrinking from all thoughts of wrath, showed + nothing in its pure gaze now but a gladness to refresh and cool. In many + nicely sheltered corners it was full of soft reflection as to the good it + had to do; and then, in silver and golden runnels, on it went to do it. + And the happy voice and many sweetly flashing little glances told that it + knew of the lovely lives beside it, created and comforted by itself. + </p> + <p> + But I looked at the dark ruin it had wrought, and like a child I was angry + with it for the sake of Uncle Sam. Only the foundations and the big heavy + stones of the mill were left, and the clear bright water purled around, or + made little eddies among them. All were touched with silvery sound, and + soft caressing dimples. But I looked at the passionate mountains first, to + be sure of no more violence; for if a burned child dreads the fire, one + half drowned may be excused for little faith in water. The mountains in + the sunshine looked as if nothing could move their grandeur, and so I + stepped from stone to stone, in the bed of the placid brightness. + </p> + <p> + Presently I came to a place where one of the great black piles, driven in + by order of the Sawyer, to serve as a back-stay for his walls, had been + swept by the flood from its vertical sinking, but had not been swept away. + The square tarred post of mountain pine reclined down stream, and gently + nodded to the current's impact. But overthrown as it was, it could not + make its exit and float away, as all its brethren had done. At this I had + wondered before, and now I went to see what the reason was. By throwing a + short piece of plank from one of the shattered foundations into a nick in + the shoulder of the reclining pile, I managed to get there and sit upon + it, and search for its obstruction. + </p> + <p> + The water was flowing smoothly toward me, and as clear as crystal, being + scarcely more than a foot in depth. And there, on the upper verge of the + hole, raised by the leverage of the butt from the granite sand of the + river-bed, I saw a great bowlder of rich yellow light. I was so much + amazed that I cried out at once, “Oh! what a beautiful great yellow fish!” + And I shouted to Jowler, who had found where I was, and followed me, as + usual. The great dog was famous for his love of fishing, and had often + brought a fine salmon forth. + </p> + <p> + Jowler was always a zealous fellow, and he answered eagerly to my call by + dashing at once into the water, and following the guidance of my hand. But + when he saw what I pointed at, he was bitterly disappointed, and gave me + to understand as much by looking at me foolishly. “Now don't be a stupid + dog,” I said; “do what I tell you immediately. Whatever it is, bring it + out, Sir.” + </p> + <p> + Jowler knew that I would be obeyed whenever I called him “Sir;” so he + ducked his great head under the water, and tugged with his teeth at the + object. His back corded up, and his tail grew rigid with the intensity of + his labor, but the task was quite beyond him. He could not even stir the + mighty mass at which he struggled, but he bit off a little projecting + corner, and came to me with it in his mouth. Then he laid his dripping + jaws on my lap, and his ears fell back, and his tail hung down with utter + sense of failure. + </p> + <p> + I patted his broad intelligent forehead, and wiped his black eyes with his + ears, and took from his lips what he offered to me. Then I saw that his + grinders were framed with gold, as if he had been to a dentist regardless + of expense, and into my hand he dropped a lump of solid glittering virgin + ore. He had not the smallest idea of having done any thing worthy of human + applause; and he put out his long red tongue and licked his teeth to get + rid of uneatable dross, and gave me a quiet nudge to ask what more I + wanted of him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <h3> + ROVERS + </h3> + <p> + From Jowler I wanted nothing more. Such matters were too grand for him. He + had beaten the dog of Hercules, who had only brought the purple dye—a + thing requiring skill and art and taste to give it value. But gold does + well without all these, and better in their absence. From handling many + little nuggets, and hearkening to Suan Isco's tales of treachery, theft, + and murder done by white men for the sake of this, I knew that here I had + found enough to cost the lives of fifty men. + </p> + <p> + At present, however, I was not possessed with dread so much as I was with + joy, and even a secret exultation, at the power placed in my hands. For I + was too young to moralize or attempt philosophy. Here I had a knowledge + which the wisest of mankind might envy, much as they despise it when they + have no chance of getting it. I looked at my father's grave, in the shadow + of the quiet peach-trees, and I could not help crying as I thought that + this was come too late for him. Then I called off Jowler, who wished (like + a man) to have another tug at it; and home I ran to tell my news, but + failing of breath, had time to think. + </p> + <p> + It was lucky enough that this was so, for there might have been the + greatest mischief; and sadly excited as I was, the trouble I had seen so + much of came back to my beating heart and told me to be careful. But + surely there could be no harm in trusting Suan Isco. However, I looked at + her several times, and was not quite so sure about it. She was wonderfully + true and faithful, and scarcely seemed to concede to gold its paramount + rank and influence. But that might only have been because she had never + known the want of it, or had never seen a lump worth stealing, which I was + sure that this must be; and the unregenerate state of all who have never + been baptized had been impressed on me continually. How could I mistrust a + Christian, and place confidence in an Indian? Therefore I tried to sleep + without telling any one, but was unable. + </p> + <p> + But, as it happened, my good discovery did not keep me so very long awake, + for on the following day our troop of horsemen returned from San + Francisco. Of course I have done very foolish things once and again + throughout my life, but perhaps I never did any thing more absurd than + during the whole of that day. To begin with, I was up before the sun, and + down at the mill, and along the plank, which I had removed overnight, but + now replaced as my bridge to the pine-wood pile. Then I gazed with eager + desire and fear—which was the stronger I scarcely knew—for the + yellow under-gleam, to show the safety of my treasure. There it lay, as + safe as could be, massive, grand, and beautiful, with tones of varying + richness as the ripples varied over it. The pale light of the morning + breathed a dewy lustre down the banks; the sun (although unrisen yet) drew + furrows through the mountain gaps; the birds from every hanging tree + addressed the day with melody; the crystal water, purer than religion's + brightest dream, went by; and here among them lay, unmoved, unthought of, + and inanimate, the thing which to a human being is worth all the rest put + together. + </p> + <p> + This contemplation had upon me an effect so noble that here I resolved to + spend my time, for fear of any robbery. I was afraid to gaze more than + could be helped at this grand sight, lest other eyes should spy what was + going on, and long to share it. And after hurrying home to breakfast and + returning in like haste, I got a scare, such as I well deserved, for being + so extremely foolish. + </p> + <p> + The carpentry of the mill-wheel had proved so very stanch and steadfast + that even in that raging deluge the whole had held together. It had been + bodily torn from its hold and swept away down the valley; but somewhere it + grounded, as the flood ebbed out, and a strong team had tugged it back + again. And the Sawyer had vowed that, come what would, his mill should + work with the self-same wheel which he with younger hands had wrought. Now + this wheel (to prevent any warp, and save the dry timber from the sun) was + laid in a little shady cut, where water trickled under it. And here I had + taken up my abode to watch my monster nugget. + </p> + <p> + I had pulled my shoes and stockings off, and was paddling in the runnel, + sheltered by the deep rim of the wheel, and enjoying the water. Little + fish darted by me, and lovely spotted lizards played about, and I was + almost beginning even to forget my rock of gold. In self-defense it is + right to say that for the gold, on my own account, I cared as much as I + might have done for a fig worm-eaten. It was for Uncle Sam, and all his + dear love, that I watched the gold, hoping in his sad disaster to restore + his fortunes. But suddenly over the rim of the wheel (laid flat in the + tributary brook) I descried across the main river a moving company of + horsemen. + </p> + <p> + These men could have nothing to do with Uncle Sam and his party, for they + were coming from the mountain-side, while he would return by the track + across the plains. And they were already so near that I could see their + dress quite plainly, and knew them to be Mexican rovers, mixed with loose + Americans. There are few worse men on the face of the earth than these, + when in the humor, and unluckily they seem almost always to be in that + humor. Therefore, when I saw their battered sun-hats and baggy slouching + boots, I feared that little ruth, or truth, or mercy dwelt between them. + </p> + <p> + On this account I shrank behind the shelter of the mill-wheel, and held my + head in one trembling hand, and with the other drew my wind-tossed hair + into small compass. For my blood ran cold at the many dreadful things that + came into my mind. I was sure that they had not spied me yet, and my + overwhelming desire was to decline all introduction. + </p> + <p> + I counted fourteen gentlemen, for so they always styled themselves, and + would pistol any man who expressed a contrary opinion. Fourteen of them + rode to the brink of the quiet blue river on the other side; and there + they let their horses drink, and some dismounted and filled canteens, and + some of longer reach stooped from the saddle and did likewise. But one, + who seemed to be the captain, wanted no water for his rum. + </p> + <p> + “Cut it short, boys,” I heard him say, with a fine South Californian twang + (which, as well as his free swearing, I will freely omit). “If we mean to + have fair play with the gal, now or never's the time for it: old Sam may + come home almost any time.” + </p> + <p> + What miserable cowards! Though there were so many of them, they really had + no heart to face an old man known for courage. Frightened as I was, + perhaps good indignation helped me to flutter no more, and not faint away, + but watch those miscreants steadily. + </p> + <p> + The horses put down their sandy lips over and over again to drink, + scarcely knowing when they ought to stop, and seemed to get thicker before + my eyes. The dribbling of the water from their mouths prepared them to + begin again, till the riders struck the savage unroweled spur into their + refreshment. At this they jerked their noses up, and looked at one another + to say that they expected it, and then they lifted their weary legs and + began to plash through the river. + </p> + <p> + It is a pretty thing to see a skillful horse plod through a stream, + probing with his eyes the depth, and stretching his head before his feet, + and at every step he whisks his tail to tell himself that he is right. In + my agony of observation all these things I heeded, but only knew that I + had done so when I thought long afterward. At the moment I was in such a + fright that my eyes worked better than my mind. However, even so, I + thought of my golden millstone, and was aware that they crossed below, and + could not see it. + </p> + <p> + They gained the bank upon our side within fifty yards of where I crouched; + and it was not presence of mind, but abject fear, which kept me crouching. + I counted them again as they leaped the bank and seemed to look at me. I + could see the dark array of eyes, and could scarcely keep from shrieking. + But my throat was dry and made no sound, and a frightened bird set up a + scream, which drew off their attention. + </p> + <p> + In perils of later days I often thought of this fear, and almost felt that + the hand of Heaven had been stretched forth on purpose to help my + helplessness. + </p> + <p> + For the moment, however, I lay as close as if under the hand of the evil + one; and the snorting of the horses passed me, and wicked laughter of the + men. One was telling a horrible tale, and the rest rejoicing in it; and + the bright sun, glowing on their withered skin, discovered perhaps no + viler thing in all the world to shine upon. One of them even pointed at my + mill-wheel with a witty gibe—at least, perhaps, it was wit to him—about + the Sawyer's misfortune; but the sun was then in his eyes, and my dress + was just of the color of the timber. So on they rode, and the pleasant + turf (having lately received some rain) softly answered to the kneading of + their hoofs as they galloped away to surround the house. + </p> + <p> + I was just at the very point of rising and running up into the dark of the + valley, when a stroke of arithmetic stopped me. Fourteen men and fourteen + horses I had counted on the other side; on this side I could not make any + more than thirteen of them. I might have made a mistake; but still I + thought I would stop just a minute to see. And in that minute I saw the + other man walking slowly on the opposite bank. He had tethered his horse, + and was left as outpost to watch and give warning of poor Uncle Sam's + return. + </p> + <p> + At the thought of this, my frightened courage, in some extraordinary way, + came back. I had played an ignoble part thus far, as almost any girl might + have done. But now I resolved that, whatever might happen, my dear friend + and guardian should not be entrapped and lose his life through my + cowardice. We had been expecting him all the day; and if he should come + and fall into an ambush, I only might survive to tell the tale. I ought to + have hurried and warned the house, as my bitter conscience told me; but + now it was much too late for that. The only amends that I could make was + to try and warn our travelers. + </p> + <p> + Stooping as low as I could, and watching my time to cross the more open + places when the sentry was looking away from me, I passed up the winding + of the little watercourse, and sheltered in the swampy thicket which + concealed its origin. Hence I could see for miles over the plain—broad + reaches of corn land already turning pale, mazy river fringed with reed, + hamlets scattered among clustering trees, and that which I chiefly cared + to see, the dusty track from Sacramento. + </p> + <p> + Whether from ignorance of the country or of Mr. Gundry's plans, the + sentinel had been posted badly. His beat commanded well enough the course + from San Francisco; but that from Sacramento was not equally clear before + him. For a jut of pine forest ran down from the mountains and cut off a + part of his view of it. I had not the sense or the presence of mind to + perceive this great advantage, but having a plain, quick path before me, + forth I set upon it. Of course if the watchman had seen me, he would have + leaped on his horse and soon caught me; but of that I scarcely even + thought, I was in such confusion. + </p> + <p> + When I had run perhaps a mile (being at that time very slight, and of + active figure), I saw a cloud of dust, about two miles off, rising through + the bright blue haze. It was rich yellow dust of the fertile soil, which + never seems to cake or clot. Sometimes you may walk for miles without the + smallest fear of sinking, the earth is so elastic. And yet with a slight + exertion you may push a walking-stick down through it until the handle + stops it. My heart gave a jump: that cloud of dust was a sign of men on + horseback. And who could it be but Uncle Sam and Firm and the foreman + Martin? + </p> + <p> + As soon as it began to show itself, it proved to be these very three, + carelessly lounging on their horses' backs, overcome with heat and dust + and thirst. But when they saw me there all alone under the fury of the + sun, they knew that something must have gone amiss, and were all wide + awake in a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now,” said the Sawyer, when I had told my tale as well as short + breath allowed, “put this thing over your head, my dear, or you may gain a + sun-stroke. I call it too bad of them skunks to drive you in Californy + noon, like this.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam, never think of me; think of your house and your goods and + Suan, and all at those bad men's mercy!” + </p> + <p> + “The old house ain't afire yet,” he answered, looking calmly under his + hand in that direction. “And as for Suan, no fear at all. She knows how to + deal with such gallowses; and they will keep her to cook their dinner. + Firm, my lad, let us go and embrace them. They wouldn't 'a made much bones + of shooting us down if we hadn't known of it, and if they had got miss + afore the saddle. But if they don't give bail, as soon as they see me ride + up to my door, my name's not Sampson Gundry. Only you keep out of the way, + Miss Remy. You go to sleep a bit, that's a dear, in the graywitch spinny + yonder, and wait till you hear Firm sound the horn. And then come you in + to dinner-time; for the Lord is always over you.” + </p> + <p> + I hastened to the place which he pointed out—a beautiful covert of + birch-trees—but to sleep was out of the question, worn out though I + was with haste and heat, and (worst of all) with horror. In a soft mossy + nest, where a breeze from the mountains played with the in and out ways of + the wood, and the murmurous dream of genial insects now was beginning to + drowse upon the air, and the heat of the sun could almost be seen + thrilling through the alleys like a cicale's drum—here, in the + middle of the languid peace, I waited for the terror of the rifle-crack. + </p> + <p> + For though Uncle Sam had spoken softly, and made so little of the peril he + would meet, I had seen in his eyes some token of the deep wrath and strong + indignation which had kept all his household and premises safe. And it + seemed a most ominous sign that Firm had never said a word, but grasped + his gun, and slowly got in front of his grandfather. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <h3> + GOLD AND GRIEF + </h3> + <p> + It may have been an hour, but it seemed an age, ere the sound of the horn, + in Firm's strong blast, released me from my hiding-place. I had heard no + report of fire-arms, nor perceived any sign of conflict; and certainly the + house was not on fire, or else I must have seen the smoke. For being still + in great alarm, I had kept a very sharp lookout. + </p> + <p> + Ephraim Gundry came to meet me, which was very kind of him. He carried his + bugle in his belt, that he might sound again for me, if needful. But I was + already running toward the house, having made up my mind to be resolute. + Nevertheless, I was highly pleased to have his company, and hear what had + been done. + </p> + <p> + “Please to let me help you,” he said, with a smile. “Why, miss, you are + trembling dreadfully. I assure you there is no cause for that.” + </p> + <p> + “But you might have been killed, and Uncle Sam, and Martin, and every + body. Oh, those men did look so horrible!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, they always do till you come to know them. But bigger cowards were + never born. If they can take people by surprise, and shoot them without + any danger, it is a splendid treat to them. But if any one like + grandfather meets them face to face in the daylight, their respect for law + and life returns. It is not the first visit they have paid us. Grandfather + kept his temper well. It was lucky for them that he did.” + </p> + <p> + Remembering that the Rovers must have numbered nearly three to one, even + if all our men were stanch, I thought it lucky for ourselves that there + had been no outbreak. But Firm seemed rather sorry that they had departed + so easily. And knowing that he never bragged, I began to share his + confidence. + </p> + <p> + “They must be shot, sooner or later,” he said, “unless, indeed, they + should be hanged. Their manner of going on is out of date in these days of + settlement. It was all very well ten years ago. But now we are a civilized + State, and the hand of law is over us. I think we were wrong to let them + go. But of course I yield to the governor. And I think he was afraid for + your sake. And to tell the truth, I may have been the same.” + </p> + <p> + Here he gave my arm a little squeeze, which appeared to me quite out of + place; therefore I withdrew and hurried on. Before he could catch me I + entered the door, and found the Sawyer sitting calmly with his own long + pipe once more, and watching Suan cooking. + </p> + <p> + “They rogues have had all the best of our victuals,” he said, as soon as + he had kissed me. “Respectable visitors is my delight, and welcome to all + of the larder; but at my time of life it goes agin the grain to lease out + my dinner to galley-rakers. Suan, you are burning the fat again.” + </p> + <p> + Suan Isco, being an excellent cook (although of quiet temper), never paid + heed to criticism, but lifted her elbow and went on. Mr. Gundry knew that + it was wise to offer no further meddling, although it is well to keep them + up to their work by a little grumbling. But when I came to see what broken + bits were left for Suan to deal with, I only wondered that he was not + cross. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God for a better meal than I deserve,” he said, when they all had + finished. “Suan, you are a treasure, as I tell you every day a'most. Now + if they have left us a bottle of wine, let us have it up. We be all in the + dumps. But that will never do, my lad.” + </p> + <p> + He patted Firm on the shoulder, as if he were the younger man of the two, + and his grandson went down to the wreck of the cellar; while I, who had + tried to wait upon them in an eager, clumsy way, perceived that something + was gone amiss, something more serious and lasting than the mischief made + by the robber troop. Was it that his long ride had failed, and not a + friend could be found to help him? + </p> + <p> + When Martin and the rest were gone, after a single glass of wine, and + Ephraim had made excuse of something to be seen to, the Sawyer leaned back + in his chair, and his cheerful face was troubled. I filled his pipe and + lit it for him, and waited for him to speak, well knowing his simple and + outspoken heart. But he looked at me and thanked me kindly, and seemed to + be turning some grief in his mind. + </p> + <p> + “It ain't for the money,” he said at last, talking more to himself than to + me; “the money might 'a been all very well and useful in a sort of way. + But the feelin'—the feelin' is the thing I look at, and it ought to + have been more hearty. Security! Charge on my land, indeed! And I can run + away, but my land must stop behind! What security did I ask of them? 'Tis + enough a'most to make a rogue of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing could ever do that, Uncle Sam,” I exclaimed, as I came and sat + close to him, while he looked at me bravely, and began to smile. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what was little missy thinking of?” he asked. “How solid she looks! + Why, I never see the like!” + </p> + <p> + “Then you ought to have seen it, Uncle Sam. You ought to have seen it + fifty times, with every body who loves you. And who can help loving you, + Uncle Sam?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they say that I charged too much for lumber, a-cuttin' on the + cross, and the backstroke work. And it may 'a been so, when I took agin a + man. But to bring up all that, with the mill strown down, is a cowardly + thing, to my thinking. And to make no count of the beadin' I threw in, + whenever it were a straightforrard job, and the turpsy knots, and the + clogging of the teeth—'tis a bad bit to swallow, when the mill is + strown.” + </p> + <p> + “But the mill shall not be strown, Uncle Sam. The mill shall be built + again. And I will find the money.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry stared at me and shook his head. He could not bear to tell me + how poor I was, while I thought myself almost made of money. “Five + thousand dollars you have got put by for me,” I continued, with great + importance. “Five thousand dollars from the sale and the insurance fund. + And five thousand dollars must be five-and-twenty thousand francs. Uncle + Sam, you shall have every farthing of it. And if that won't build the mill + again, I have got my mother's diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand dollars!” cried the Sawyer, in amazement, opening his great + gray eyes at me. And then he remembered the tale which he had told, to + make me seem independent. “Oh yes, to be sure, my dear; now I recollect. + To be sure—to be sure—your own five thousand dollars. But + never will I touch one cent of your nice little fortune; no, not to save + my life. After all, I am not so gone in years but what I can build the + mill again myself. The Lord hath spared my hands and eyes, and gifted me + still with machinery. And Firm is a very handy lad, and can carry out a + job pretty fairly, with better brains to stand over him, although it has + not pleased the Lord to gift him with sense of machinery, like me. But + that is all for the best, no doubt. If Ephraim had too much of brains, he + might have contradicted me. And that I could never abide, God knows, from + any green young jackanapes.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam, let me tell you something—something very important!” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear, nothing more just now. It has done me good to have a little + talk, and scared the blue somethings out of me. But just go and ask + whatever is become of Firm. He was riled with them greasers. It was all I + could do to keep the boy out of a difficulty with them. And if they camp + any where nigh, it is like enough he may go hankerin' after them. The + grand march of intellect hathn't managed yet to march old heads upon young + shoulders. And Firm might happen to go outside the law.” + </p> + <p> + The thought of this frightened me not a little; for Firm, though mild of + speech, was very hot of spirit at any wrong, as I knew from tales of Suan + Isco, who had brought him up and made a glorious idol of him. And now, + when she could not say where he was, but only was sure that he must be + quite safe (in virtue of a charm from a great medicine man which she had + hung about him), it seemed to me, according to what I was used to, that in + these regions human life was held a great deal too lightly. + </p> + <p> + It was not for one moment that I cared about Firm, any more than is the + duty of a fellow-creature. He was a very good young man, and in his way + good-looking, educated also quite enough, and polite, and a very good + carver of a joint; and when I spoke, he nearly always listened. But of + course he was not to be compared as yet to his grandfather, the true + Sawyer. + </p> + <p> + When I ran back from Suan Isco, who was going on about her charm, and the + impossibility of any one being scalped who wore it, I found Mr. Gundry in + a genial mood. He never made himself uneasy about any trifles. He always + had a very pure and lofty faith in the ways of Providence, and having lost + his only son Elijah, he was sure that he never could lose Firm. He had + taken his glass of hot whiskey and water, which always made him temperate; + and if he felt any of his troubles deeply, he dwelt on them now from a + high point of view. + </p> + <p> + “I may 'a said a little too much, my dear, about the badness of mankind,” + he observed, with his pipe lying comfortably on his breast; “all sayings + of that sort is apt to go too far. I ought to have made more allowance for + the times, which gets into a ticklish state, when a old man is put about + with them. Never you pay no heed whatever to any harsh words I may have + used. All that is a very bad thing for young folk.” + </p> + <p> + “But if they treated you badly, Uncle Sam, how can you think that they + treated you well?” + </p> + <p> + He took some time to consider this, because he was true in all his + thoughts; and then he turned off to something else. + </p> + <p> + “Why, the smashing of the mill may have been a mercy, although in disguise + to the present time of sight. It will send up the price of scantlings, and + we was getting on too fast with them. By the time we have built up the + mill again we shall have more orders than we know how to do with. When I + come to reckon of it, to me it appears to be the reasonable thing to feel + a lump of grief for the old mill, and then to set to and build a stronger + one. Yes, that must be about the right thing to do. And we'll have all the + neighbors in when we lay foundations.” + </p> + <p> + “But what will be the good of it, Uncle Sam, when the new mill may at any + time be washed away again?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, at any time,” he answered, very firmly, gazing through the door as + if he saw the vain endeavor. “That little game can easily be stopped, for + about fifty dollars, by opening down the bank toward the old track of the + river. The biggest waterspout that ever came down from the mountains could + never come anigh the mill, but go right down the valley. It hath been in + my mind to do it often, and now that I see the need, I will. Firm and I + will begin tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is all the money to come from, Uncle Sam? You said that all + your friends had refused to help you.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, my dear. I will help myself. It won't be the first time, + perhaps, in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “But supposing that I could help you, just some little? Supposing that I + had found the biggest lump of gold ever found in all California?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry ought to have looked surprised, and I was amazed that he did + not; but he took it as quietly as if I had told him that I had just picked + up a brass button of his; and I thought that he doubted my knowledge, very + likely, even as to what gold was. + </p> + <p> + “It is gold, Uncle Sam, every bit of it gold—here is a piece of it; + just look—and as large, I am sure, as this table. And it may be as + deep as this room, for all that one can judge to the contrary. Why, it + stopped the big pile from coming to the top, when even you went down the + river.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, that explains a thing or two,” said the Sawyer, smiling + peacefully, and beginning to think of another pipe, if preparation meant + any thing. “Two things have puzzled me about that stump, and, indeed, I + might say three things. Why did he take such a time to drive? and why + would he never stand up like a man? and why wouldn't he go away when he + ought to?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he had the best of all reasons, Uncle Sam. He was anchored on his + gold, as I have read in French, and he had a good right to be crooked + about it, and no power could get him away from it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, my dear, hush! It is not at all good for young people to let their + minds run on so. But this gold looks very good indeed. Are you sure that + it is a fair sample, and that there is any more of it?” + </p> + <p> + “How can you be so dreadfully provoking, Uncle Sam, when I tell you that I + saw it with my own eyes? And there must be at least half a ton of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, half a hundred-weight will be enough for me. And you shall have all + the rest, my dear—that is, if you will spare me a bit, Miss Remy. It + all belongs to you by discovery, according to the diggers' law. And your + eyes are so bright about it, miss, that the whole of your heart must be + running upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you think me as bad as the rest of the world! How I wish that I had + never seen it! It was only for you that I cared about it—for you, + for you; and I will never touch a scrap of it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gundry had only been trying me, perhaps. But I did not see it in that + light, and burst into a flood of childish tears, that he should + misunderstand me so. Gold had its usual end, in grief. Uncle Sam rose up + to soothe me and to beg my pardon, and to say that perhaps he was harsh + because of the treatment he had received from his friends. He took me in + his arms and kissed me; but before I could leave off sobbing, the crack of + a rifle rang through the house, and Suan Isco, with a wail, rushed out. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE SAWYER'S PRAYER + </h3> + <p> + The darkness of young summer night was falling on earth and tree and + stream. Every thing looked of a different form and color from those of an + hour ago, and the rich bloom of shadow mixed with color, and cast by snowy + mountains, which have stored the purple adieu of the sun, was filling the + air with delicious calm. The Sawyer ran out with his shirt sleeves + shining, so that any sneaking foe might shoot him; but, with the instinct + of a settler, he had caught up his rifle. I stood beneath a carob-tree, + which had been planted near the porch, and flung fantastic tassels down, + like the ear-rings of a negress. And not having sense enough to do good, I + was only able to be frightened. + </p> + <p> + Listening intently, I heard the sound of skirring steps on the other side + of and some way down the river; and the peculiar tread, even thus far off, + was plainly Suan Isco's. And then in the stillness a weary and heavy foot + went toiling after it. Before I could follow, which I longed to do, to + learn at once the worst of it, I saw the figure of a man much nearer, and + even within twenty yards of me, gliding along without any sound. Faint as + the light was, I felt sure that it was not one of our own men, and the + barrel of a long gun upon his shoulder made a black line among silver + leaves. I longed to run forth and stop him, but my courage was not prompt + enough, and I shamefully shrank away behind the trunk of the carob-tree. + Like a sleuth, compact, and calm-hearted villain, he went along without + any breath of sound, stealing his escape with skill, till a white + bower-tent made a background for him, and he leaped up and fell flat + without a groan. The crack of a rifle came later than his leap, and a curl + of white smoke shone against a black rock, and the Sawyer, in the + distance, cried, “Well, now!” as he generally did when satisfied. + </p> + <p> + So scared was I that I caught hold of a cluster of pods to steady me; and + then, without any more fear for myself, I ran to see whether it was + possible to help. But the poor man lay beyond earthly help; he was too + dead to palpitate. His life must have left him in the air, and he could + not even have felt his fall. + </p> + <p> + In violent terror, I burst into tears, and lifted his heavy head, and + strove to force his hot hands open, and did I know not what, without + thinking, laboring only to recall his life. + </p> + <p> + “Are you grieving for the skulk who has shot my Firm?” said a stern voice + quite unknown to me; and rising, I looked at the face of Mr. Gundry, + unlike the countenance of Uncle Sam. I tried to speak to him, but was too + frightened. The wrath of blood was in his face, and all his kind desires + were gone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, like a girl, you are sorry for a man who has stained this earth, + till his only atonement is to stain it with his blood. Captain Pedro, + there you lie, shot, like a coward, through the back. I wish you were + alive to taste my boots. Murderer of men and filthy ravisher of women, + miscreant of God, how can I keep from trampling on you?” + </p> + <p> + It never had been in my dream that a good man could so entirely forget + himself. I wanted to think that it must be somebody else, and not our + Uncle Sam. But he looked toward the west, as all men do when their spirits + are full of death, and the wan light showed that his chin was triple. + </p> + <p> + Whether it may have been right or wrong, I made all haste to get away. The + face of the dead man was quite a pleasant thing, compared with the face of + the old man living. He may not have meant it, and I hope he never did, but + beyond all controversy he looked barbarous for the moment. + </p> + <p> + As I slipped away, to know the worst, there I saw him standing still, + longing to kick the vile man's corpse, but quieted by the great awe of + death. If the man had stirred, or breathed, or even moaned, the living man + would have lost all reverence in his fury. But the power of the other + world was greater than even revenge could trample on. He let it lie there, + and he stooped his head, and went away quite softly. + </p> + <p> + My little foolish heart was bitterly visited by a thing like this. The + Sawyer, though not of great human rank, was gifted with the largest human + nature that I had ever met with. And though it was impossible as yet to + think, a hollow depression, as at the loss of some great ideal, came over + me. + </p> + <p> + Returning wretchedly to the house, I met Suan Isco and two men bringing + the body of poor Firm. His head and both his arms hung down, and they + wanted somebody to lift them; and this I ran to do, although they called + out to me not to meddle. The body was carried in, and laid upon three + chairs, with a pillow at the head; and then a light was struck, and a + candle brought by somebody or other. And Suan Isco sat upon the floor, and + set up a miserable Indian dirge. + </p> + <p> + “Stow away that,” cried Martin of the mill, for he was one of those two + men; “wait till the lad is dead, and then pipe up to your liking. I felt + him try to kick while we carried him along. He come forth on a arrand of + that sort, and he seem to 'a been disappointed. A very fine young chap I + call him, for to try to do it still, howsomever his mind might be + wandering. Missy, keep his head up.” + </p> + <p> + I did as I was told, and watched poor Firm as if my own life hung upon any + sign of life in him. When I look back at these things, I think that fright + and grief and pity must have turned an excitable girl almost into a real + woman. But I had no sense of such things then. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you he ain't dead,” cried Martin; “no more dead than I be. He + feels the young gal's hand below him, and I see him try to turn up his + eyes. He has taken a very bad knock, no doubt, and trouble about his + breathing. I seed a fellow scalped once, and shot through the heart; but + he came all round in about six months, and protected his head with a + document. Firm, now, don't you be a fool. I have had worse things in my + family.” + </p> + <p> + Ephraim Gundry seemed to know that some one was upbraiding him. At any + rate, his white lips trembled with a weak desire to breathe, and a little + shadow of life appeared to flicker in his open eyes. And on my sleeve, + beneath his back, some hot bright blood came trickling. + </p> + <p> + “Keep him to that,” said Martin, with some carpenter sort of surgery; + “less fear of the life when the blood begins to run. Don't move him, + missy; never mind your arm. It will be the saving of him.” + </p> + <p> + I was not strong enough to hold him up, but Suan ran to help me; and they + told me afterward that I fell faint, and no doubt it must have been so. + But when the rest were gone, and had taken poor Firm to his straw + mattress, the cold night air must have flowed into the room, and that, + perhaps, revived me. I went to the bottom of the stairs and listened, and + then stole up to the landing, and heard Suan Isco, who had taken the + command, speaking cheerfully in her worst English. Then I hoped for the + best, and, without any knowledge, wandered forth into the open air. + </p> + <p> + Walking quite as in a dream this time (which I had vainly striven to do + when seeking for my nugget), I came to the bank of the gleaming river, and + saw the water just in time to stop from stepping into it. Careless about + this and every other thing for the moment, I threw myself on the sod, and + listened to the mournful melody of night. Sundry unknown creatures, which + by day keep timid silence, were sending timid sounds into the darkness, + holding quiet converse with themselves, or it, or one another. And the + silvery murmur of the wavelets soothed the twinkling sleep of leaves. + </p> + <p> + I also, being worn and weary, and having a frock which improved with + washing, and was spoiled already by nursing Firm, was well content to + throw myself into a niche of river-bank and let all things flow past me. + But before any thing had found time to flow far, or the lullaby of night + had lulled me, there came to me a sadder sound than plaintive Nature can + produce without her Master's aid, the saddest sound in all creation—a + strong man's wail. + </p> + <p> + Child as I was—and, perhaps, all the more for that reason as knowing + so little of mankind—I might have been more frightened, but I could + not have been a bit more shocked, by the roaring of a lion. For I knew in + a moment whose voice it was, and that made it pierce me tenfold. It was + Uncle Sam, lamenting to himself, and to his God alone, the loss of his + last hope on earth. He could not dream that any other than his Maker (and + his Maker's works, if ever they have any sympathy) listened to the wild + outpourings of an aged but still very natural heart, which had always been + proud of controlling itself. I could see his great frame through a + willow-tree, with the sere grass and withered reeds around, and the faint + gleam of fugitive water beyond. He was kneeling toward his shattered mill, + having rolled his shirt sleeves back to pray, and his white locks shone in + the starlight; then, after trying several times, he managed to pray a + little. First (perhaps partly from habit), he said the prayer of Our Lord + pretty firmly, and then he went on to his own special case, with a + doubting whether he should mention it. But as he went on he gathered + courage, or received it from above, and was able to say what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + “Almighty Father of the living and the dead, I have lived long, and shall + soon be dead, and my days have been full of trouble. But I never had such + trouble as this here before, and I don't think I ever shall get over it. I + have sinned every day of my life, and not thought of Thee, but of + victuals, and money, and stuff; and nobody knows, but myself and Thou, all + the little bad things inside of me. I cared a deal more to be respectable + and get on with my business than to be prepared for kingdom come. And I + have just been proud about the shooting of a villain, who might 'a gone + free and repented. There is nobody left to me in my old age. Thou hast + taken all of them. Wife, and son, and mill, and grandson, and my brother + who robbed me—the whole of it may have been for my good, but I have + got no good out of it. Show me the way for a little time, O Lord, to make + the best of it; and teach me to bear it like a man, and not break down at + this time of life. Thou knowest what is right. Please to do it. Amen.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <h3> + NOT FAR TO SEEK + </h3> + <p> + In the present state of controversies most profoundly religious, the Lord + alone can decide (though thousands of men would hurry to pronounce) for or + against the orthodoxy of the ancient Sawyer's prayer. But if sound + doctrine can be established by success (as it always is), Uncle Sam's + theology must have been unusually sound; for it pleased a gracious Power + to know what he wanted, and to grant it. + </p> + <p> + Brave as Mr. Gundry was, and much-enduring and resigned, the latter years + of his life on earth must have dragged on very heavily, with abstract + resignation only, and none of his blood to care for him. Being so + obstinate a man, he might have never admitted this, but proved against + every one's voice, except his own, his special blessedness. But this must + have been a trial to him, and happily he was spared from it. + </p> + <p> + For although Firm had been very badly shot, and kept us for weeks in + anxiety about him, his strong young constitution and well-nourished frame + got over it. A truly good and learned doctor came from Sacramento, and we + hung upon his words, and found that there he left us hanging. And this was + the wisest thing perhaps that he could do, because in America medical men + are not absurdly expected, as they are in England, to do any good, but are + valued chiefly upon their power of predicting what they can not help. And + this man of science perceived that he might do harm to himself and his + family by predicting amiss, whereas he could do no good to his patient by + predicting rightly. And so he foretold both good and evil, to meet the + intentions of Providence. + </p> + <p> + He had not been sent for in vain, however; and to give him his due, he + saved Ephraim's life, for he drew from the wound a large bullet, which, if + left, must have poisoned all his circulation, although it was made of pure + silver. The Sawyer wished to keep this silver bullet as a token, but the + doctor said that it belonged to him according to miners' law; and so it + came to a moderate argument. Each was a thoroughly stubborn man, according + to the bent of all good men, and reasoning increased their unreason. But + the doctor won—as indeed he deserved, for the extraction had been + delicate—because, when reason had been exhausted, he just said this: + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Gundry, let us have no more words. The true owner is your + grandson. I will put it back where I took it from.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this, the Sawyer being tickled, as men very often are in sad moments, + took the doctor by the hand, and gave him the bullet heartily. And the + medical man had a loop made to it, and wore it upon his watch chain. And + he told the story so often (saying that another man perhaps might have got + it out, but no other man could have kept it), that among a great race who + judge by facts it doubled his practice immediately. + </p> + <p> + The leader of the robbers, known far and wide as “Captain Pedro,” was + buried where he fell; and the whole so raised Uncle Sam's reputation that + his house was never attacked again; and if any bad characters were forced + by circumstances to come near him, they never asked for any thing stronger + than ginger-beer or lemonade, and departed very promptly. For as soon as + Ephraim Gundry could give account of his disaster, it was clear that Don + Pedro owed his fate to a bottle of the Sawyer's whiskey. Firm had only + intended to give him a lesson for misbehavior, being fired by his + grandfather's words about swinging me on the saddle. This idea had justly + appeared to him to demand a protest; to deliver which he at once set forth + with a valuable cowhide whip. Coming thus to the Rovers' camp, and finding + their captain sitting in the shade to digest his dinner, Firm laid hold of + him by the neck, and gave way to feelings of severity. Don Pedro regretted + his misconduct, and being lifted up for the moment above his ordinary + view, perceived that he might have done better, and shaped the pattern of + his tongue to it. Firm, hearing this, had good hopes of him; yet knowing + how volatile repentance is, he strove to form a well-marked track for it. + And when the captain ceased to receive cowhide, he must have had it long + enough to miss it. + </p> + <p> + Now this might have ended honorably and amicably for all concerned, if the + captain had known when he was well off. Unluckily he had purloined a + bottle of Mr. Gundry's whiskey, and he drew the cork now to rub his + stripes, and the smell of it moved him to try it inside. And before very + long his ideas of honor, which he had sense enough to drop when sober, + began to come into his eyes again, and to stir him up to mischief. Hence + it was that he followed Firm, who was riding home well satisfied, and + appeased his honor by shooting in cold blood, and justice by being shot + anyhow. + </p> + <p> + It was beautiful, through all this trying time, to watch Uncle Sam's + proceedings: he appeared so delightfully calm and almost careless whenever + he was looked at. And then he was ashamed of himself perpetually, if any + one went on with it. Nobody tried to observe him, of course, or remark + upon any of his doings, and for this he would become so grateful that he + would long to tell all his thoughts, and then stop. This must have been a + great worry to him, seeing how open his manner was; and whenever he wanted + to hide any thing, he informed us of that intention. So that we exhorted + Firm every day to come round and restore us to our usual state. This was + the poor fellow's special desire; and often he was angry with himself, and + made himself worse again by declaring that he must be a milksop to lie + there so long. Whereas, it was much more near the truth that few other + men, even in the Western States, would ever have got over such a wound. I + am not learned enough to say exactly where the damage was, but the doctor + called it, I think, the sternum, and pronounced that “a building-up + process” was required, and must take a long time, if it ever could be + done. + </p> + <p> + It was done at last, thanks to Suan Isco, who scarcely ever left him by + day or night, and treated him skillfully with healing herbs. But he, + without meaning it, vexed her often by calling for me—a mere + ignorant child. Suan was dreadfully jealous of this, and perhaps I was + proud of that sentiment of hers, and tried to justify it, instead of + laboring to remove it, as would have been the more proper course. And Firm + most ungratefully said that my hand was lighter than poor Suan's, and + every thing I did was better done, according to him, which was shameful on + his part, and as untrue as any thing could be. However, we yielded to him + in all things while he was so delicate; and it often made us poor weak + things cry to be the masters of a tall strong man. + </p> + <p> + Firm Gundry received that shot in May, about ten days before the + twelvemonth was completed from my father's death. The brightness of summer + and beauty of autumn went by without his feeling them, and while his + system was working hard to fortify itself by walling up, as the learned + man had called it. There had been some difficulties in this process, + caused partly, perhaps, by our too lavish supply of the raw material; and + before Firm's gap in his “sternum” was stopped, the mountains were coming + down upon us, as we always used to say when the snow-line stooped. In some + seasons this is a sharp time of hurry, broken with storms, and capricious, + while men have to slur in the driving weather tasks that should have been + matured long since. But in other years the long descent into the depth of + winter is taken not with a jump like that, but gently and softly and + windingly, with a great many glimpses back at the summer, and a good deal + of leaning on the arm of the sun. + </p> + <p> + And so it was this time. The autumn and the winter for a fortnight stood + looking quietly at each other. They had quite agreed to share the hours, + to suit the arrangements of the sun. The nights were starry and fresh and + brisk, without any touch of tartness; and the days were sunny and soft and + gentle, without any sense of languor. It was a lovely scene—blue + shadows gliding among golden light. + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer came forth, and cried, “What a shame! This makes me feel quite + young again. And yet I have done not a stroke of work. No excuse; make no + excuse. I can do that pretty well for myself. Praise God for all His + mercies. I might do worse, perhaps, than have a pipe.” + </p> + <p> + Then Firm came out to surprise him, and to please us all with the sight of + himself. He steadied his steps with one great white hand upon his + grandfather's Sunday staff, and his clear blue eyes were trembling with a + sense of gratitude and a fear of tears. And I stepped behind a red + strawberry-tree, for my sense of respect for him almost made me sob. + </p> + <p> + Then Jowler thought it high time to appear upon the scene, and convince us + that he was not a dead dog yet. He had known tribulation, as his master + had, and had found it a difficult thing to keep from the shadowy hunting + ground of dogs who have lived a conscientious life. I had wondered at + first what his reason could have been for not coming forward, according to + his custom, to meet that troop of robbers. But his reason, alas! was too + cogent to himself, though nobody else in that dreadful time could pay any + attention to him. The Rovers, well knowing poor Jowler's repute, and + declining the fair mode of testing it, had sent in advance a very crafty + scout, a half-bred Indian, who knew as much about dogs as they could ever + hope to know about themselves. This rogue approached faithful Jowler—so + we were told long afterward—not in an upright way, but as if he had + been a brother quadruped. And he took advantage of the dog's unfeigned + surprise and interest to accost him with a piece of kidney containing a + powerful poison. According to all sound analogy, this should have stopped + the dear fellow's earthly tracks; but his spirit was such that he simply + went away to nurse himself up in retirement. Neither man nor dog can tell + what agonies he suffered; and doubtless his tortures of mind about duty + unperformed were the worst of all. These things are out of human knowledge + in its present unsympathetic state. Enough that poor Jowler came home at + last, with his ribs all up and his tail very low. + </p> + <p> + Like friends who have come together again, almost from the jaws of death, + we sat in the sunny noon, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The trees + above us looked proud and cheerful, laying aside the mere frippery of + leaves with a good grace and contented arms, and a surety of having quite + enough next spring. Much of the fruity wealth of autumn still was + clustering in our sight, heavily fetching the arched bough down to lessen + the fall, when fall they must. And against the golden leaves of maple + behind the unpretending roof a special wreath of blue shone like a + climbing Ipomaea. But coming to examine this, one found it to be nothing + more nor less than the smoke of the kitchen chimney, busy with a quiet + roasting job. + </p> + <p> + This shows how clear the air was; but a thousand times as much could never + tell how clear our spirits were. Nobody made any “demonstration,” or cut + any frolicsome capers, or even said any thing exuberant. The steadfast + brooding breed of England, which despises antics, was present in us all, + and strengthened by a soil whose native growth is peril, chance, and + marvel. And so we nodded at one another, and I ran over and courtesied to + Uncle Sam, and he took me to him. + </p> + <p> + “You have been a dear good child,” he said, as he rose, and looked over my + head at Firm. “My own granddarter, if such there had been, could not have + done more to comfort me, nor half so much, for aught I know. There is no + picking and choosing among the females, as God gives them. But he has + given you for a blessing and saving to my old age, my dearie.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Sam, now the nugget!” I cried, desiring like a child to escape + deep feeling, and fearing any strong words from Firm. “You have promised + me ever so long that I should be the first to show Firm the nugget.” + </p> + <p> + “And so you shall, my dear, and Firm shall see it before he is an hour + older, and Jowler shall come down to show us where it is.” + </p> + <p> + Firm, who had little faith in the nugget, but took it for a dream of mine, + and had proved conclusively from his pillow that it could not exist in + earnest, now with a gentle, satirical smile declared his anxiety to see + it; and I led him along by his better arm, faster, perhaps, than he ought + to have walked. + </p> + <p> + In a very few minutes we were at the place, and I ran eagerly to point it; + but behold, where the nugget had been, there was nothing except the white + bed of the river! The blue water flowed very softly on its way, without a + gleam of gold to corrupt it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nobody will ever believe me again!” I exclaimed, in the saddest of + sad dismay. “I dreamed about it first, but it never can have been a dream + throughout. You know that I told you about it, Uncle Sam, even when you + were very busy, and that shows that it never could have been a dream.” + </p> + <p> + “You told me about it, I remember now,” Mr. Gundry answered, dryly; “but + it does not follow that there was such a thing. My dear, you may have + imagined it; because it was the proper time for it to come, when my good + friends had no money to lend. Your heart was so good that it got into your + brain, and you must not be vexed, my dear child; it has done you good to + dream of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I said so all along,” Firm observed. “Miss Rema felt that it ought to be, + and so she believed that it must be, there. She is always so warm and + trustful.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all you are good for?” I cried, with no gratitude for his + compliment. “As sure as I stand here, I saw a great bowlder of gold, and + so did Jowler, and I gave you the piece that he brought up. Did you take + them all in a dream, Uncle Sam? Come, can you get over that?” + </p> + <p> + I assure you that for the moment I knew not whether I stood upon my feet + or head, until I perceived an extraordinary grin on the Sawyer's ample + countenance; but Firm was not in the secret yet, for he gazed at me with + compassion, and Uncle Sam looked at us both as if he were balancing our + abilities. + </p> + <p> + “Send your dog in, missy,” at last he said. “He is more your dog than + mine, I believe, and he obeys you like a Christian. Let him go and find it + if he can.” + </p> + <p> + At a sign from me, the great dog dashed in, and scratched with all four + feet at once, and made the valley echo with the ring of mighty barkings; + and in less than two minutes there shone the nugget, as yellow and as big + as ever. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha! I never saw a finer thing,” shouted Uncle Sam, like a school-boy. + “I were too many for you, missy dear; but the old dog wollops the whole of + us. I just shot a barrow-load of gravel on your nugget, to keep it all + snug till Firm should come round; and if the boy had never come round, + there the gold might have waited the will of the Almighty. It is a big + spot, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + It certainly was not a little spot, though they all seemed to make so + light of it—which vexed me, because I had found it, and was as proud + as if I had made it. Not by any means that the Sawyer was half as careless + as he seemed to be; he put on much of this for my sake, having very lofty + principles, especially concerning the duty of the young. Young people were + never to have small ideas, so far as he could help it, particularly upon + such matters as Mammon, or the world, or fashion; and not so very seldom + he was obliged to catch himself up in his talking, when he chanced to be + going on and forgetting that I, who required a higher vein of thought for + my youth, was taking his words downright; and I think that all this had a + great deal to do with his treating all that gold in such an exemplary + manner; for if it had really mattered nothing, what made him go in the + dark and shoot a great barrow-load of gravel over it? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <h3> + BROUGHT TO BANK + </h3> + <p> + The sanity of a man is mainly tested among his neighbors and kindred by + the amount of consideration which he has consistently given to cash. If + money has been the chief object of his life, and he for its sake has + spared nobody, no sooner is he known to be successful than admiration + overpowers all the ill-will he has caused. He is shrewd, sagacious, + long-headed, and great; he has earned his success, and few men grudge, + while many seek to get a slice of it; but he, as a general rule, declines + any premature distribution, and for this custody of his wealth he is + admired all the more by those who have no hope of sharing it. + </p> + <p> + As soon as ever it was known that Uncle Sam had lodged at his banker's a + tremendous lump of gold, which rumor declared to be worth at least a + hundred thousand dollars, friends from every side poured in, all in hot + haste, to lend him their last farthing. The Sawyer was pleased with their + kindness, but thought that his second-best whiskey met the merits of the + case. And he was more particular than usual with his words; for, according + to an old saying of the diggers, a big nugget always has children, and, + being too heavy to go very far, it is likely to keep all its little ones + at home. Many people, therefore, were longing to seek for the frogs of + this great toad; for so in their slang the miners called them, with a love + of preternatural history. But Mr. Gundry allowed no search for the frogs, + or even the tadpoles, of his patriarchal nugget. And much as he hated the + idea of sowing the seeds of avarice in any one, he showed himself most + consistent now in avoiding that imputation; for not only did he refuse to + show the bed of his great treasure, after he had secured it, but he fenced + the whole of it in, and tarred the fence, and put loopholes in it; and + then he established Jowler where he could neither be shot nor poisoned, + and kept a man with a double-barreled rifle in the ruin of the mill, handy + to shoot, but not easy to be shot; and this was a resolute man, being + Martin himself, who had now no business. Of course Martin grumbled; but + the worse his temper was, the better for his duty, as seems to be the case + with a great many men; and if any one had come to console him in his + grumbling, never would he have gone away again. + </p> + <p> + It would have been reckless of me to pretend to say what any body ought to + do; from the first to the last I left every thing to those who knew so + much better; at the same time I felt that it might have done no harm if I + had been more consulted, though I never dreamed of saying so, because the + great gold had been found by me, and although I cared for it scarcely more + than for the tag of a boot-lace, nobody seemed to me able to enter into it + quite as I did; and as soon as Firm's danger and pain grew less, I began + to get rather impatient, but Uncle Sam was not to be hurried. + </p> + <p> + Before ever he hoisted that rock of gold, he had made up his mind for me + to be there, and he even put the business off, because I would not come + one night, for I had a superstitious fear on account of its being my + father's birthday. Uncle Sam had forgotten the date, and begged my pardon + for proposing it; but he said that we must not put it off later than the + following night, because the moonlight would be failing, and we durst not + have any kind of lamp, and before the next moon the hard weather might + begin. All this was before the liberal offers of his friends, of which I + have spoken first, although they happened to come after it. + </p> + <p> + While the Sawyer had been keeping the treasure perdu, to abide the issue + of his grandson's illness, he had taken good care both to watch it and to + form some opinion of its shape and size; for, knowing the pile which I had + described, he could not help finding it easily enough; and indeed the + great fear was that others might find it, and come in great force to rob + him; but nothing of that sort had happened, partly because he held his + tongue rigidly, and partly, perhaps, because of the simple precaution + which he had taken. + </p> + <p> + Now, however, it was needful to impart the secret to one man at least; for + Firm, though recovering, was still so weak that it might have killed him + to go into the water, or even to exert himself at all; and strong as Uncle + Sam was, he knew that even with hoisting-tackle, he alone could never + bring that piece of bullion to bank; so, after much consideration, he + resolved to tell Martin of the mill, as being the most trusty man about + the place, as well as the most surly; but he did not tell him until every + thing was ready, and then he took him straightway to the place. + </p> + <p> + Here, in the moonlight, we stood waiting, Firm and myself and Suan Isco, + who had more dread than love of gold, and might be useful to keep watch, + or even to lend a hand, for she was as strong as an ordinary man. The + night was sultry, and the fire-flies (though dull in the radiance of the + moon) darted, like soft little shooting-stars, across the still face of + shadow, and the flood of the light of the moon was at its height, + submerging every thing. + </p> + <p> + While we were whispering and keeping in the shade for fear of attracting + any wanderer's notice, we saw the broad figure of the Sawyer rising from a + hollow of the bank, and behind him came Martin the foreman, and we soon + saw that due preparation had been made, for they took from under some + drift-wood (which had prevented us from observing it) a small movable + crane, and fixed it on a platform of planks which they set up in the + river-bed. + </p> + <p> + “Palefaces eat gold,” Suan Isco said, reflectively, and as if to satisfy + herself. “Dem eat, drink, die gold; dem pull gold out of one other's ears. + Welly hope Mellican mans get enough gold now.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be sarcastic, now, Suan,” I answered; “as if it were possible to + have enough!” + </p> + <p> + “For my part,” said Firm, who had been unusually silent all the evening, + “I wish it had never been found at all. As sure as I stand here, mischief + will come of it. It will break up our household. I hope it will turn out a + lump of quartz, gilt on the face, as those big nuggets do, ninety-nine out + of a hundred. I have had no faith in it all along.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I found it, Mr. Firm, I suppose,” I answered, rather pettishly, + for I never had liked Firm's incessant bitterness about my nugget. + “Perhaps if you had found it, Mr. Firm, you would have had great faith in + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't say, can't say,” was all Firm's reply; and he fell into the silent + vein again. + </p> + <p> + “Heave-ho! heave-ho! there, you sons of cooks!” cried the Sawyer, who was + splashing for his life in the water. “I've tackled 'un now. Just tighten + up the belt, to see if he biteth centre-like. You can't lift 'un! Lord + bless 'ee, not you. It 'll take all I know to do that, I guess; and Firm + ain't to lay no hand to it. Don't you be in such a doggoned hurry. Hold + hard, can't you?” + </p> + <p> + For Suan and Martin were hauling for their lives, and even I caught hold + of a rope-end, but had no idea what to do with it, when the Sawyer swung + himself up to bank, and in half a minute all was orderly. He showed us + exactly where to throw our weight, and he used his own to such good effect + that, after some creaking and groaning, the long horn of the crane rose + steadily, and a mass of dripping sparkles shone in the moonlight over the + water. + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah! what a whale! How the tough ash bends!” cried Uncle Sam, panting + like a boy, and doing nearly all the work himself. “Martin, lay your chest + to it. We'll grass him in two seconds. Californy never saw a sight like + this, I reckon.” + </p> + <p> + There was plenty of room for us all to stand round the monster and admire + it. In shape it was just like a fat toad, squatting with his shoulders up + and panting. Even a rough resemblance to the head and the haunches might + be discovered, and a few spots of quartz shone here and there on the + glistening and bossy surface. Some of us began to feel and handle it with + vast admiration; but Firm, with his heavy boots, made a vicious kick at + it, and a few bright scales, like sparks, flew off. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what ails the lad?” cried the Sawyer, in some wrath; “what harm hath + the stone ever done to him? To my mind, this here lump is a proof of the + whole creation of the world, and who hath lived long enough to gainsay? + Here this lump hath lain, without changing color, since creation's day; + here it is, as big and heavy as when the Lord laid hand to it. What good + to argue agin such facts? Supposin' the world come out o' nothing, with + nobody to fetch it, or to say a word of orders, how ever could it 'a + managed to get a lump of gold like this in it? They clever fellers is too + clever. Let 'em put all their heads together, and turn out a nugget, and + I'll believe them.” + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam's reasoning was too deep for any but himself to follow. He was + not long in perceiving this, though we were content to admire his words + without asking him to explain them; so he only said, “Well, well,” and + began to try with both hands if he could heft this lump. He stirred it, + and moved it, and raised it a little, as the glisten of the light upon its + roundings showed; but lift it fairly from the ground he could not, however + he might bow his sturdy legs and bend his mighty back to it; and, strange + to say, he was pleased for once to acknowledge his own discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred and a half I used to lift to the height of my knee-cap + easily; I may 'a fallen off now a hundred-weight with years, and strings + in my back, and rheumatics; but this here little toad is a clear + hundredweight out and beyond my heftage. If there's a pound here, there's + not an ounce under six hundred-weight, I'll lay a thousand dollars. Miss + Rema, give a name to him. All the thundering nuggets has thundering + names.” + </p> + <p> + “Then this shall be called 'Uncle Sam,'” I answered, “because he is the + largest and the best of all.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall stand, miss,” cried Martin, who was in great spirits, and seemed + to have bettered himself forever. “You could not have given it a finer + name, miss, if you had considered for a century. Uncle Sam is the name of + our glorious race, from the kindness of our natur'. Every body's uncle we + are now, in vartue of superior knowledge, and freedom, and giving of + general advice, and stickin' to all the world, or all the good of it. + Darned if old Sam aren't the front of creation!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said the Sawyer, “let us call it 'Uncle Sam,' if the dear + young lady likes it; it would be bad luck to change the name; but, for all + that, we must look uncommon sharp, or some of our glorious race will come + and steal it afore we unbutton our eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” cried Martin; but he knew very well that his master's words were + common-sense; and we left him on guard with a double-barreled gun, and + Jowler to keep watch with him. And the next day he told us that he had + spent the night in such a frame of mind from continual thought that when + our pet cow came to drink at daybreak, it was but the blowing of her + breath that saved her from taking a bullet between her soft tame eyes. + </p> + <p> + Now it could not in any kind of way hold good that such things should + continue; and the Sawyer, though loath to lose sight of the nugget, + perceived that he must not sacrifice all the morals of the neighborhood to + it, and he barely had time to dispatch it on its road at the bottom of a + load of lumber, with Martin to drive, and Jowler to sit up, and Firm to + ride behind, when a troop of mixed robbers came riding across, with a + four-wheel cart and two sturdy mules—enough to drag off every thing. + They had clearly heard of the golden toad, and desired to know more of + him; but Uncle Sam, with his usual blandness, met these men at the gate of + his yard, and upon the top rail, to ease his arm, he rested a rifle of + heavy metal, with seven revolving chambers. The robbers found out that + they had lost their way, and Mr. Gundry answered that so they had, and the + sooner they found it in another direction, the better it would be for + them. They thought that he had all his men inside, and they were mighty + civil, though we had only two negroes to help us, and Suan Isco, with a + great gun cocked. But their curiosity was such that they could not help + asking about the gold; and, sooner than shoot them, Uncle Sam replied + that, upon his honor, the nugget was gone. And the fame of his word was so + well known that these fellows (none of whom could tell the truth, even at + confession) believed him on the spot, and begged his pardon for + trespassing on his premises. They hoped that he would not say a word to + the Vigilance Committee, who hanged a poor fellow for losing his road; and + he told them that if they made off at once, nobody should pursue them; and + so they rode off very happily. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <h3> + FIRM AND INFIRM + </h3> + <p> + Strange as it may appear, our quiet little home was not yet disturbed by + that great discovery of gold. The Sawyer went up to the summit of esteem + in public opinion; but to himself and to us he was the same as ever. He + worked with his own hard hands and busy head just as he used to do; for + although the mill was still in ruins, there was plenty of the finer work + to do, which always required hand-labor. And at night he would sit at the + end of the table furthest from the fire-place, with his spectacles on, and + his red cheeks glowing, while he designed the future mill, which was to be + built in the spring, and transcend every mill ever heard, thought, or + dreamed of. + </p> + <p> + We all looked forward to a quiet winter, snug with warmth and cheer + in-doors, and bright outside with sparkling trees, brisk air, and frosty + appetite, when a foolish idea arose which spoiled the comfort at least of + two of us. Ephraim Gundry found out, or fancied, that he was entirely + filled with love of a very young maid, who never dreamed of such things, + and hated even to hear of them; and the maid, unluckily, was myself. + </p> + <p> + During the time of his ailment I had been with him continually, being only + too glad to assuage his pain, or turn his thoughts away from it. I partly + suspected that he had incurred his bitter wound for my sake; though I + never imputed his zeal to more than a young man's natural wrath at an + outrage. But now he left me no longer in doubt, and made me most + uncomfortable. Perhaps I was hard upon him, and afterward I often thought + so, for he was very kind and gentle; but I was an orphan child, and had no + one to advise me in such matters. I believe that he should have considered + this, and allowed me to grow a little older; but perhaps he himself was + too young as yet and too bashful to know how to manage things. It was the + very evening after his return from Sacramento, and the beauty of the + weather still abode in the soft warm depth around us. In every tint of + rock and tree and playful glass of river a quiet clearness seemed to lie, + and a rich content of color. The grandeur of the world was such that one + could only rest among it, seeking neither voice nor thought. + </p> + <p> + Therefore I was more surprised than pleased to hear my name ring loudly + through the echoing hollows, and then to see the bushes shaken, and an + eager form leap out. I did not answer a word, but sat with a wreath of + white bouvardia and small adiantum round my head, which I had plaited + anyhow. + </p> + <p> + “What a lovely dear you are!” cried Firm, and then he seemed frightened at + his own words. + </p> + <p> + “I had no idea that you would have finished your dinner so soon as this, + Mr. Firm.” + </p> + <p> + “And you did not want me. You are vexed to see me. Tell the truth, Miss + Rema.” + </p> + <p> + “I always tell the truth,” I answered; “and I did not want to be disturbed + just now. I have so many things to think of.” + </p> + <p> + “And not me among them. Oh no, of course you never think of me, Erema.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very unkind of you to say that,” I answered, looking clearly at + him, as a child looks at a man. “And it is not true, I assure you, Firm. + Whenever I have thought of dear Uncle Sam, I very often go on to think of + you, because he is so fond of you.” + </p> + <p> + “But not for my own sake, Erema; you never think of me for my own sake.” + </p> + <p> + “But yes, I do, I assure you, Mr. Firm; I do greatly. There is scarcely a + day that I do not remember how hungry you are, and I think of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Tush!” replied Firm, with a lofty gaze. “Even for a moment that does not + in any way express my meaning. My mind is very much above all eating when + it dwells upon you, Erema. I have always been fond of you, Erema.” + </p> + <p> + “You have always been good to me, Firm,” I said, as I managed to get a + great branch between us. “After your grandfather, and Suan Isco, and + Jowler, I think that I like you best of almost any body left to me. And + you know that I never forget your slippers.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, you drive me almost wild by never understanding me. Now will you + just listen to a little common-sense? You know that I am not romantic.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Firm; yes, I know that you never did any thing wrong in any way.” + </p> + <p> + “You would like me better if I did. What an extraordinary thing it is! Oh, + Erema, I beg your pardon.” + </p> + <p> + He had seen in a moment, as men seem to do, when they study the much + quicker face of a girl, that his words had keenly wounded me—that I + had applied them to my father, of whom I was always thinking, though I + scarcely ever spoke of him. But I knew that Firm had meant no harm, and I + gave him my hand, though I could not speak. + </p> + <p> + “My darling,” he said, “you are very dear to me—dearer than all the + world besides. I will not worry you any more. Only say that you do not + hate me.” + </p> + <p> + “How could I? How could any body? Now let us go in and attend to Uncle + Sam. He thinks of every body before himself.” + </p> + <p> + “And I think of every body after myself. Is that what you mean, Erema?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure! if you like. You may put any meaning on my words that you + think proper. I am accustomed to things of that sort, and I pay no + attention whatever, when I am perfectly certain that I am right.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” replied Firm, applying one finger to the side of his nose in deep + contemplation, which, of all his manners, annoyed me most. “I see how it + is; Miss Rema is always perfectly certain that she is right, and the whole + of the rest of the world quite wrong. Well, after all, there is nothing + like holding a first-rate opinion of one's self.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not what I thought of you,” I cried, being vexed beyond bearance + by such words, and feeling their gross injustice. “If you wish to say any + thing more, please to leave it until you recover your temper. I am not + quite accustomed to rudeness.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, I drew away and walked off, partly in earnest and partly + in joke, not wishing to hear another word; and when I looked back, being + well out of sight, there he sat still, with his head on his hands, and my + heart had a little ache for him. + </p> + <p> + However, I determined to say no more, and to be extremely careful. I could + not in justice blame Ephraim Gundry for looking at me very often. But I + took good care not to look at him again unless he said something that made + me laugh, and then I could scarcely help it. He was sharp enough very soon + to find out this; and then he did a thing which was most unfair, as I + found out long afterward. He bought an American jest-book, full of ideas + wholly new to me, and these he committed to heart, and brought them out as + his own productions. If I had only known it, I must have been exceedingly + sorry for him. But Uncle Sam used to laugh and rub his hands, perhaps for + old acquaintance' sake; and when Uncle Sam laughed, there was nobody near + who could help laughing with him. And so I began to think Firm the most + witty and pleasant of men, though I tried to look away. + </p> + <p> + But perhaps the most careful and delicate of things was to see how Uncle + Sam went on. I could not understand him at all just then, and thought him + quite changed from my old Uncle Sam; but afterward, when I came to know, + his behavior was as clear and shallow as the water of his own river. He + had very strange ideas about what he generally called “the female kind.” + According to his ideas (and perhaps they were not so unusual among + mankind, especially settlers), all “females” were of a good but weak and + consistently inconsistent sort. The surest way to make them do whatever + their betters wanted, was to make them think that it was not wanted, but + was hedged with obstacles beyond their power to overcome, and so to + provoke and tantalize them to set their hearts upon doing it. In + accordance with this idea (than which there can be none more mistaken), he + took the greatest pains to keep me from having a word to say to Firm; and + even went so far as to hint, with winks and nods of pleasantry, that his + grandson's heart was set upon the pretty Miss Sylvester, the daughter of a + man who owned a herd of pigs, much too near our saw-mills, and herself a + young woman of outrageous dress, and in a larger light contemptible. But + when Mr. Gundry, without any words, conveyed this piece of news to me, I + immediately felt quite a liking for gaudy but harmless Pennsylvania—for + so her parents had named her when she was too young to help it; and I + heartily hoped that she might suit Firm, which she seemed all the more + likely to do as his conduct could not be called noble. Upon that point, + however, I said not a word, leaving him purely to judge for himself, and + feeling it a great relief that now he could not say any thing more to me. + I was glad that his taste was so easily pleased, and I told Suan Isco how + glad I was. + </p> + <p> + This I had better have left unsaid, for it led to a great explosion, and + drove me away from the place altogether before the new mill was finished, + and before I should otherwise have gone from friends who were so good to + me; not that I could have staid there much longer, even if this had never + come to pass; for week by week and month by month I was growing more + uneasy: uneasy not at my obligations or dependence upon mere friends (for + they managed that so kindly that I seemed to confer the favor), but from + my own sense of lagging far behind my duty. + </p> + <p> + For now the bright air, and the wholesome food, and the pleasure of + goodness around me, were making me grow, without knowledge or notice, into + a tall and not altogether to be overlooked young woman. I was exceedingly + shy about this, and blushed if any one spoke of it; but yet in my heart I + felt it was so; and how could I help it? And when people said, as rough + people will, and even Uncle Sam sometimes, “Handsome is as handsome does,” + or “Beauty is only skin-deep,” and so on, I made it my duty not to be put + out, but to bear it in mind and be thankful. And though I had no idea of + any such influence at the moment, I hope that the grandeur of nature + around and the lofty style of every thing may have saved me from dwelling + too much on myself, as Pennsylvania Sylvester did. + </p> + <p> + Now the more I felt my grown-up age and health and buoyant vigor, the + surer I knew that the time was come for me to do some good with them; not + to benefit the world in general, in a large and scattery way (as many + young people set out to do, and never get any further), but to right the + wrong of my own house, and bring home justice to my own heart. This may be + thought a partial and paltry object to set out with; and it is not for me + to say otherwise. At the time, it occurred to me in no other light except + as my due business, and I never took any large view at all. But even now I + do believe (though not yet in pickle of wisdom) that if every body, in its + own little space and among its own little movements, will only do and take + nothing without pure taste of the salt of justice, no reeking atrocity of + national crimes could ever taint the heaven. + </p> + <p> + Such questions, however, become me not. I have only to deal with very + little things, sometimes too slim to handle well, and too hazy to be + woven; and if they seem below my sense and dignity to treat of, I can only + say that they seemed very big at the time when I had to encounter them. + </p> + <p> + For instance, what could be more important, in a little world of life, + than for Uncle Sam to be put out, and dare even to think ill of me? Yet + this he did; and it shows how shallow are all those theories of the other + sex which men are so pleased to indulge in. Scarcely any thing could be + more ridiculous from first to last, when calmly and truly considered, than + the firm belief which no power of reason could for the time root out of + him. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam, the dearest of all mankind to me, and the very kindest, was + positively low-enough to believe, in his sad opinion of the female race, + that my young head was turned because of the wealth to which I had no + claim, except through his own justice. He had insisted at first that the + whole of that great nugget belonged to me by right of sole discovery. I + asked him whether, if any stranger had found it, it would have been + considered his, and whether he would have allowed a “greaser,” upon + finding, to make off with it. At the thought of this, Mr. Gundry gave a + little grunt, and could not go so far as to maintain that view of it. But + he said that my reasoning did not fit; that I was not a greaser, but a + settled inhabitant of the place, and entitled to all a settler's rights; + that the bed of the river would have been his grave but for the risk of my + life, and therefore whatever I found in the bed of the river belonged to + me, and me only. + </p> + <p> + In argument he was so much stronger than I could ever attempt to be that I + gave it up, and could only say that if he argued forever it could never + make any difference. He did not argue forever, but only grew obstinate and + unpleasant, so that I yielded at last to own the half share of the + bullion. + </p> + <p> + Very well. Every body would have thought, who has not studied the nature + of men or been dragged through it heavily, that now there could be no more + trouble between two people entirely trusting each other, and only anxious + that the other should have the best of it. Yet, instead of that being the + case, the mischief, the myriad mischief, of money set in, until I heartily + wished sometimes that my miserable self was down in the hole which the + pelf had left behind it. + </p> + <p> + For what did Uncle Sam take into his head (which was full of generosity + and large ideas, so loosely packed that little ones grew between them, + especially about womankind)—what else did he really seem to think, + with the downright stubbornness of all his thoughts, but that I, his poor + debtor and pensioner and penniless dependent, was so set up and elated by + this sudden access of fortune that henceforth none of the sawing race was + high enough for me to think of? It took me a long time to believe that so + fair and just a man ever could set such interpretation upon me. And when + it became too plain that he did so, truly I know not whether grief or + anger was uppermost in my troubled heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <h3> + HARD AND SOFT + </h3> + <p> + Before very long it was manifest enough that Mr. Gundry looked down upon + Miss Sylvester with a large contempt. But while this raised my opinion of + his judgment, it almost deprived me of a great relief—the relief of + supposing that he wished his grandson to marry this Pennsylvania. For + although her father, with his pigs and cattle, and a low sort of hostelry + which he kept, could settle “a good pile of dollars” upon her, and had + kept her at the “learnedest ladies' college” even in San Francisco till he + himself trembled at her erudition, still it was scarcely to be believed + that a man of the Sawyer's strong common-sense and disregard of finery + would ever accept for his grandchild a girl made of affectation, + vulgarity, and conceit. And one day, quite in the early spring, he was so + much vexed with the fine lady's airs that he left no doubt about his + meaning. + </p> + <p> + Miss Sylvester was very proud of the figure she made on horseback; and + having been brought up, perhaps as a child, to ride after pigs and so on, + she must have had fine opportunities of acquiring a graceful style of + horsemanship. And now she dashed through thick and thin in a most + commanding manner, caring no more for a snow-drift than ladies do for a + scraping of the road. No one with the least observation could doubt that + this young woman was extremely anxious to attract Firm Gundry's notice; + and therefore, on the day above spoken of, once more she rode over, with + her poor father in waiting upon her as usual. + </p> + <p> + Now I know very well how many faults I have, and to deny them has never + been my practice; but this is the honest and earnest truth, that no + smallness of mind, or narrowness of feeling, or want of large or fine + sentiments made me bolt my door when that girl was in the house. I simply + refused, after seeing her once, to have any thing more to say to her; by + no means because of my birth and breeding (which are things that can be + most easily waived when the difference is acknowledged), nor yet on + account of my being brought up in the company of ladies, nor even by + reason of any dislike which her bold brown eyes put into me. My cause was + sufficient and just and wise. I felt myself here as a very young girl, in + safe and pure and honest hands, yet thrown on my own discretion, without + any feminine guidance whatever. And I had learned enough from the wise + French sisters to know at a glance that Miss Sylvester was not a young + woman who would do me good. + </p> + <p> + Even Uncle Sam, who was full of thought and delicate care about me, so far + as a man can understand, and so far as his simple shrewdness went, in + spite of all his hospitable ways and open universal welcome, though he + said not a word (as on such a point he was quite right in doing)—even + he, as I knew by his manner, was quite content with my decision. But Firm, + being young and in many ways stupid, made a little grievance of it. And, + of course, Miss Sylvester made a great one. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I do declare, I am going away,” through my open window I heard her + exclaim in her sweetly affected tone, at the end of that long visit, + “without even having the honor of saying a kind word to your young + visitor. Do not wait for me, papa; I must pay my devoirs. Such a + distinguished and travelled person can hardly be afflicted with mauvaise + honte. Why does she not rush to embrace me? All the French people do; and + she is so French! Let me see her, for the sake of my accent.” + </p> + <p> + “We don't want no French here, ma'am,” replied Uncle Sam, as Sylvester + rode off, “and the young lady wants no Doctor Hunt. Her health is as good + as your own, and you never catch no French actions from her. If she wanted + to see you, she would 'a come down.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, now, this is too barbarous! Colonel Gundry, you are the most + tyrannous man; in your own dominions an autocrat. Every body says so, but + I never would believe it. Oh, don't let me go away with that impression. + And you do look so good-natured!” + </p> + <p> + “And so I mean to look, Miss Penny, until you are out of sight.” + </p> + <p> + The voice of the Sawyer was more dry than that of his oldest and rustiest + saw. The fashionable and highly finished girl had no idea what to make of + him; but gave her young horse a sharp cut, to show her figure as she + reined him; and then galloping off, she kissed her tan gauntlet with + crimson net-work down it, and left Uncle Sam to revolve his rudeness, with + the dash of the wet road scattered in the air. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't 'a spoke to her so course,” he said to Firm, who now returned + from opening the gate and delivering his farewell, “if she wasn't herself + so extra particular, gild me, and sky-blue my mouldings fine. How my + mother would 'a stared at the sight of such a gal! Keep free of her, my + lad, keep free of her. But no harm to put her on, to keep our missy alive + and awake, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + Immediately I withdrew from ear-shot, more deeply mortified than I can + tell, and perhaps doing Firm an injustice by not waiting for his answer. I + knew not then how lightly men will speak of such delicate subjects; and it + set me more against all thoughts of Firm than a month's reflection could + have done. When I came to know more of the world, I saw that I had been + very foolish. At the time, however, I was firmly set in a strong resolve + to do that which alone seemed right, or even possible—to quit with + all speed a place which could no longer be suited for me. + </p> + <p> + For several days I feared to say a single word about it, while equally I + condemned myself for having so little courage. But it was not as if there + were any body to help me, or tell me what to do; sometimes I was bold with + a surety of right, and then again I shook with the fear of being wrong. + Because, through the whole of it, I felt how wonderfully well I had been + treated, and what a great debt I owed of kindness; and it seemed to be + only a nasty little pride which made me so particular. And being so unable + to settle for myself, I waited for something to settle it. + </p> + <p> + Something came, in a way which I had not by any means expected. I had told + Suan Isco how glad I was that Firm had fixed his liking steadily upon Miss + Sylvester. If any woman on earth could be trusted not to say a thing + again, that one was this good Indian. Not only because of her provident + habits, but also in right of the difficulty which encompassed her in our + language. But she managed to get over both of these, and to let Mr. + Ephraim know, as cleverly as if she had lived in drawing-rooms, whatever I + had said about him. She did it for the best; but it put him in a rage, + which he came at once to have out with me. + </p> + <p> + “And so, Miss Erema,” he said, throwing down his hat upon the table of the + little parlor, where I sat with an old book of Norman ballads, “I have + your best wishes, then, have I, for a happy marriage with Miss Sylvester?” + </p> + <p> + I was greatly surprised at the tone of his voice, while the flush on his + cheeks and the flash of his eyes, and even his quick heavy tread, showed + plainly that his mind was a little out of balance. He deserved it, + however, and I could not grieve. + </p> + <p> + “You have my best wishes,” I replied, demurely, “for any state of life to + which you may be called. You could scarcely expect any less of me than + that.” + </p> + <p> + “How kind you are! But do you really wish that I should marry old + Sylvester's girl?” + </p> + <p> + Firm, as he asked this question, looked so bitterly reproachful (as if he + were saying, “Do you wish to see me hanged?”), while his eyes took a form + which reminded me so of the Sawyer in a furious puzzle, that it was + impossible for me to answer as lightly as I meant to do. + </p> + <p> + “No, I can not say, Firm, that I wish it at all; unless your heart is set + on it—” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know, then, where my heart is set?” he asked me, in a deep + voice, coming nearer, and taking the ballad-book from my hands. “Why will + you feign not to know, Erema, who is the only one I can ever think of + twice? Above me, I know, in every possible way—birth and education + and mind and appearance, and now far above me in money as well. But what + are all these things? Try to think if only you could like me. Liking gets + over every thing, and without it nothing is any thing. Why do I like you + so, Erema? Is it because of your birth, and teaching, and manners, and + sweet looks, and all that, or even because of your troubles?” + </p> + <p> + “How can I tell, Firm—how can I tell? Perhaps it is just because of + myself. And why do you do it at all, Firm?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, why do I do it? How I wish I knew! Perhaps then I might cure it. To + begin with, what is there, after all, so very wonderful about you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nothing, I should hope. Most surely nothing. It would grieve me to be + at all wonderful. That I leave for American ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you don't understand me. I mean, of course, that you are wonderfully + good and kind and clever; and your eyes, I am sure, and your lips and + smile, and all your other features—there is nothing about them that + can be called any thing else but wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Firm, how exceedingly foolish you are! I did hope that you knew + better.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, I never shall know better. I never can swerve or change, if I live + to be a hundred and fifty. You think me presumptuous, no doubt, from what + you are brought up to. And you are so young that to seek to bind you, even + if you loved me, would be an unmanly thing. But now you are old enough, + and you know your own mind surely well enough, just to say whether you + feel as if you could ever love me as I love you.” + </p> + <p> + He turned away, as if he felt that he had no right to press me so, and + blamed himself for selfishness; and I liked him better for doing that than + for any thing he had done before. Yet I knew that I ought to speak + clearly, and though my voice was full of tears, I tried. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Firm,” I said, as I took his hand and strove to look at him + steadily, “I like and admire you very much; and by-and-by—by-and-by, + I might, that is, if you did not hurry me. Of all the obstacles you have + mentioned, none is worth considering. I am nothing but a poor castaway, + owing my life to Uncle Sam and you. But one thing there is which could + never be got over, even if I felt as you feel toward me. Never can I think + of little matters, or of turning my thoughts to—to any such things + as you speak of, as long as a vile reproach and wicked imputation lies on + me. And before even that, I have to think of my father, who gave his life + for me. Firm, I have been here too long delaying, and wasting my time in + trifles. I ought to have been in Europe long ago. If I am old enough for + what you talk of, I am old enough to do my duty. If I am old enough for + love, as it is called, I am old enough for hate. I have more to do with + hate than love, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” cried Firm, “what a puzzle you are! I never even dreamed that you + could be so fierce. You are enough to frighten Uncle Sam himself.” + </p> + <p> + “If I frighten you, Firm, that is quite enough. You see now how vain it is + to say another word.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not see any thing of the sort. Come back, and look at me quite + calmly.” + </p> + <p> + Being frightened at the way in which I had spoken, and having passed the + prime of it, I obeyed him in a moment, and came up gently and let him look + at me to his liking. For little as I thought of such things till now, I + seemed already to know more about them, or at least to wonder—which + is the stir of the curtain of knowledge. I did not say any thing, but + labored to think nothing and to look up with unconscious eyes. But Firm + put me out altogether by his warmth, and made me flutter like a stupid + little bird. + </p> + <p> + “My darling,” he said, smoothing back my hair with a kindness such as I + could not resent, and quieting me with his clear blue eyes, “you are not + fit for the stormy life to which your high spirit is devoting you. You + have not the hardness and bitterness of mind, the cold self-possession and + contempt of others, the power of dissembling and the iron will—in a + word, the fundamental nastiness, without which you never could get through + such a job. Why, you can not be contemptuous even to me!” + </p> + <p> + “I should hope not. I should earn your contempt, if I could.” + </p> + <p> + “There, you are ready to cry at the thought. Erema, do not mistake + yourself. Remember that your father would never have wished it—would + have given his life ten thousand times over to prevent it. Why did he + bring you to this remote, inaccessible part of the world except to save + you from further thought of evil? He knew that we listen to no rumors + here, no social scandals, or malignant lies; but we value people as we + find them. He meant this to be a haven for you; and so it shall be if you + will only rest; and you shall be the queen of it. Instead of redressing + his memory now, you would only distress his spirit. What does he care for + the world's gossip now? But he does care for your happiness. I am not old + enough to tell you things as I should like to tell them. I wish I could—how + I wish I could! It would make all the difference to me.” + </p> + <p> + “It would make no difference, Firm, to me; because I should know it was + selfishness. Not selfishness of yours, I mean, for you never could be + selfish; but the vilest selfishness of mine, the same as starved my + father. You can not see things as I see them, or else you would not talk + so. When you know that a thing is right, you do it. Can you tell me + otherwise? If you did, I should despise you.” + </p> + <p> + “If you put it so, I can say no more. You will leave us forever, Erema?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not forever. If the good God wills it, I will come back when my work + is done. Forgive me, dear Firm, and forget me.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing to forgive, Erema; but a great deal I never can hope to + forgot.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + OUT OF THE GOLDEN GATE + </h3> + <p> + Little things, or what we call little, always will come in among great + ones, or at least among those which we call great. Before I passed the + Golden Gate in the clipper ship Bridal Veil (so called from one of the + Yosemite cascades) I found out what I had long wished to know—why + Firm had a crooked nose. At least, it could hardly be called crooked if + any body looked aright at it; but still it departed from the bold straight + line which nature must have meant for it, every thing else about him being + as straight as could be required. This subject had troubled me more than + once, though of course it had nothing whatever to do with the point of + view whence I regarded him. + </p> + <p> + Suan Isco could not tell me, neither could Martin of the mill; I certainly + could not ask Firm himself, as the Sawyer told me to do when once I put + the question, in despair, to him. But now, as we stood on the wharf + exchanging farewells, perhaps forever, and tears of anguish were in my + eyes, and my heart was both full and empty, ample and unexpected light was + thrown on the curvature of Firm's nose. + </p> + <p> + For a beautiful girl, of about my own age, and very nicely dressed, came + up and spoke to the Sawyer (who stood at my side), and then, with a blush, + took his grandson's hand. Firm took off his hat to her very politely, but + allowed her to see perhaps by his manner that he was particularly engaged + just now; and the young lady, with a quick glance at me, walked off to + rejoin her party. But a garrulous old negro servant, who seemed to be in + attendance upon her, ran up and caught Firm by his coat, and peered up + curiously at his face. + </p> + <p> + “How young massa's poor nose dis long time? How him feel, spose now + again?” he inquired, with a deferential grin. “Young massa ebber able take + a pinch of good snuff? He! he! missy berry heavy den? Missy no learn to + dance de nose polka den?” + </p> + <p> + “What on earth does he mean?” I could not help asking, in spite of our + sorrowful farewell, as the negro went on with sundry other jokes and + cackles at his own facetiousness. And then Uncle Sam, to divert my + thoughts, while I waited for signal to say good-by, told me how Firm got a + slight twist to his nose. + </p> + <p> + Ephraim Gundry had been well taught, in all the common things a man should + learn, at a good quiet school at Frisco, which distinguished itself from + all other schools by not calling itself a college. And when he was leaving + to begin home life, with as much put into him as he could manage—for + his nature was not bookish—when he was just seventeen years old, and + tall and straight and upright, but not set into great bodily strength, + which could not yet be expected, a terrible fire broke out in a great + block of houses newly occupied, over against the school-house front. + Without waiting for master's leave or matron's, the boys, in the + Californian style, jumped over the fencing and went to help. And they + found a great crowd collected, and flames flaring out of the top of the + house. At the top of the house, according to a stupid and therefore + general practice, was the nursery, made of more nurses than children, as + often happens with rich people. The nurses had run away for their lives, + taking two of the children with them; but the third, a fine little girl of + ten, had been left behind, and now ran to the window with red hot flames + behind her. The window was open, and barbs of fire, like serpents' + tongues, played over it. + </p> + <p> + “Jump, child, jump! for God's sake, jump!” cried half a hundred people, + while the poor scared creature quivered on the ledge, and shrank from the + frightful depth below. At last, stung by a scorching volley, she gathered + her night-gown tight, and leaped, trusting to the many faces and many arms + raised toward her. But though many gallant men were there, only one stood + fast just where she fell, and that one was the youth, Firm Gundry. Upon + him she fell, like a stone from heaven, and though he held up his arms in + the smoky glare, she came down badly: badly, at least, for him, but, as + her father said, providentially; for one of her soles, or heels, alighted + on the bridge of Ephraim's young nose. He caught her on his chest, and + forgetful of himself, he bore her to her friends triumphantly, unharmed, + and almost smiling. But the symmetry of an important part of his face was + spoiled forever. + </p> + <p> + When I heard of this noble affair, and thought of my own pusillanimous + rendering—for verily I had been low enough, from rumors of Firm's + pugnacity, to attribute these little defects of line to some fisticuffs + with some miner—I looked at Firm's nose through the tears in my + eyes, and had a great mind not to go away at all. For what is the noblest + of all things in man—as I bitterly learned thereafter, and already + had some guesses? Not the power of moving multitudes with eloquence or by + orders; not the elevation of one tribe through the lowering of others, nor + even the imaginary lift of all by sentiments as yet above them: there may + be glory in all of these, but the greatness is not with them. It remains + with those who behave like Firm, and get their noses broken. + </p> + <p> + However, I did not know those things at that time of life, though I + thought it right for every man to be brave and good; and I could not help + asking who the young lady was, as if that were part of the heroism. The + Sawyer, who never was unready for a joke, of however ancient quality, gave + a great wink at Firm (which I failed to understand), and asked him how + much the young lady was worth. He expected that Firm would say, “Five + hundred thousand dollars”—which was about her value, I believe—and + Uncle Sam wanted me to hear it; not that he cared a single cent himself, + but to let me know what Firm could do. + </p> + <p> + Firm, however, was not to be led into any trap of that sort. He knew me + better than the old man did, and that nothing would stir me to jealousy, + and he quite disappointed the Sawyer. + </p> + <p> + “I have never asked what she is worth,” he said, with a glance of contempt + at money; “but she scarcely seems worth looking at, compared—compared + with certain others.” + </p> + <p> + In the distance I saw the young lady again, attempting no attraction, but + walking along quite harmlessly, with the talkative negro after her. It + would have been below me to pursue the subject, and I waited for others to + re-open it; but I heard no more about her until I had been for more than a + week at sea, and was able again to feel interest. Then I heard that her + name was Annie Banks, of the firm of Heniker, Banks, and Co., who owned + the ship I sailed in. + </p> + <p> + But now it was nothing to me who she was, or how beautiful, or how + wealthy, when I clung for the last time to Uncle Sam, and implored him not + to forget me. Over and over again he promised to be full of thoughts of + me, even when the new mill was started, which would be a most trying time. + He bowed his tall white head into my sheveled hair, and blessed and kissed + me, although I never deserved it, and a number of people were looking on. + Then I laid my hand in Firm's, and he did not lift it to his lips, or + sigh, but pressed it long and softly, and looked into my eyes without a + word. And I knew that there would be none to love like them, wherever I + might go. + </p> + <p> + But the last of all to say “good-by” was my beloved Jowler. He jumped into + the boat after me (for we were obliged to have a boat, the ship having + laden further down), and he put his fore-paws on my shoulders, and whined + and drooped his under-jaw. And when he looked at me as he used, to know + whether I was in fun or earnest, with more expression in his bright brown + eyes than any human being has, I fell back under his weight and sobbed, + and could not look at any one. + </p> + <p> + We had beautiful weather, and the view was glorious, as we passed the + Golden Gate, the entrance to what will one day be the capital of the + world, perhaps. For, as our captain said, all power and human energy and + strength are always going westward, and when they come here they must + stop, or else they would be going eastward again, which they never yet + have done. His argument may have been right or wrong—and, indeed, it + must have been one or the other—but who could think of such things + now, with a grander thing than human power—human love fading away + behind? I could not even bear to see the glorious mountains sinking, but + ran below and cried for hours, until all was dark and calm. + </p> + <p> + The reason for my sailing by this particular ship, and, indeed, rather + suddenly, was that an old friend and Cornish cousin of Mr. Gundry, who had + spent some years in California, was now returning to England by the Bridal + Veil. This was Major Hockin, an officer of the British army, now on + half-pay, and getting on in years. His wife was going home with him; for + their children were married and settled in England, all but one, now in + San Francisco. And that one being well placed in the firm of Heniker, + Banks, and Co., had obtained for his father and mother passage upon + favorable terms, which was, as we say, “an object to them.” + </p> + <p> + For the Major, though admirably connected (as his kinship to Colonel + Gundry showed), and having a baronet not far off (if the twists of the + world were set aside), also having served his country, and received a + furrow on the top of his head, which made him brush his hair up, + nevertheless, or all the more for that, was as poor as a British officer + must be without official sesame. How he managed to feed and teach a large + and not clever family, and train them all to fight their way in a battle + worse than any of his own, and make gentlemen and ladies of them, whatever + they did or wherever they went, he only knew, and his faithful wife, and + the Lord who helps brave poverty. Of such things he never spoke, unless + his temper was aroused by luxury and self-indulgence and laziness. + </p> + <p> + But now he was a little better off, through having his children off his + hands, and by means of a little property left him by a distant relative. + He was on his way home to see to this; and a better man never returned to + England, after always standing up for her. + </p> + <p> + Being a child in the ways of the world, and accustomed to large people, I + could not make out Major Hockin at first, and thought him no more than a + little man with many peculiarities. For he was not so tall as myself, + until he put his high-heeled boots on, and he made such a stir about + trifles at which Uncle Sam would have only grunted, that I took him to be + nothing more than a fidgety old campaigner. He wore a black-rimmed double + eyeglass with blue side-lights at his temples, and his hat, from the shape + of his forehead, hung back; he had narrow white wiry whiskers, and a Roman + nose, and most prominent chin, and keen gray eyes with gingery brows, + which contracted, like sharp little gables over them, whenever any thing + displeased him. Rosy cheeks, tight-drawn, close-shaven, and gleaming with + friction of yellow soap, added vigor to the general expression of his + face, which was firm and quick and straightforward. The weather being + warm, and the tropics close at hand, Major Hockin was dressed in a fine + suit of Nankin, spruce and trim, and beautifully made, setting off his + spare and active figure, which, though he was sixty-two years of age, + seemed always to be ready for a game of leap-frog. + </p> + <p> + We were three days out of the Golden Gate, and the hills of the coast + ridge were faint and small, and the spires of the lower Nevada could only + be caught when the hot haze lifted; and every body lay about in our ship + where it seemed to afford the least smell and heat, and nobody for a + moment dreamed—for we really all were dreaming—of any body + with energy enough to be disturbed about any thing, when Major Hockin + burst in upon us all (who were trying not to be red-hot in the feeble + shade of poop awnings), leading by the hand an ancient woman, scarcely + dressed with decency, and howling in a tone very sad to hear. + </p> + <p> + “This lady has been robbed!” cried the Major; “robbed, not fifteen feet + below us. Robbed, ladies and gentlemen, of the most cherished treasures of + her life, the portrait of her only son, the savings of a life of honest + toil, her poor dead husband's tobacco-box, and a fine cut of Colorado + cheese.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten pounds and a quarter, gospel true!” cried the poor woman, wringing + her hands, and searching for any kind face among us. + </p> + <p> + “Go to the captain,” muttered one sleepy gentleman. “Go to the devil,” + said another sleepy man: “what have we to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will neither go to the captain,” replied the Major, very distinctly, + “nor yet to the devil, as a fellow who is not a man has dared to suggest + to me—” + </p> + <p> + “All tied in my own pocket-handkerchief!” the poor old woman began to + scream; “the one with the three-cornered spots upon 'un. Only two have I + ever owned in all my life, and this was the very best of 'em. Oh dear! oh + dear! that ever I should come to this exposing of my things!” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, you shall have justice done, as sure as my name is Hockin. + Gentlemen and ladies, if you are not all asleep, how would you like to be + treated so? Because the weather is a trifle warm, there you lie like a + parcel of Mexicans. If any body picked your pockets, would you have life + enough to roll over?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I should,” said a fat young Briton, with a very + good-natured face; “but for a poor woman I can stand upright. Major + Hockin, here is a guinea for her. Perhaps more of us will give a trifle.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done!” cried the Major; “but not so much as that. Let us first + ascertain all the rights of the case. Perhaps half a crown apiece would + reach it.” + </p> + <p> + Half a crown apiece would have gone beyond it, as we discovered afterward, + for the old lady's handkerchief was in her box, lost under some more of + her property; and the tide of sleepy charity taking this direction under + such vehement impulse, several other steerage passengers lost their goods, + but found themselves too late in doing so. But the Major was satisfied, + and the rude man who had told him to go amiss, begged his pardon, and thus + we sailed on slowly and peaceably. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <h3> + INSIDE THE CHANNEL + </h3> + <p> + That little incident threw some light upon Major Hockin's character. It + was not for himself alone that he was so particular, or, as many would + call it, fidgety, to have every thing done properly; for if any thing came + to his knowledge which he thought unfair to any one, it concerned him + almost as much as if the wrong had been done to his own home self. Through + this he had fallen into many troubles, for his impressions were not always + accurate; but they taught him nothing, or rather, as his wife said, “the + Major could not help it.” The leading journals of the various places in + which Major Hockin sojourned had published his letters of grievances + sometimes, in the absence of the chief editor, and had suffered in purse + by doing so. But the Major always said, “Ventilate it, ventilate the + subject, my dear Sir; bring public opinion to bear on it.” And Mrs. Hockin + always said that it was her husband to whom belonged the whole credit of + this new and spirited use of the fine word “ventilation.” + </p> + <p> + As betwixt this faithful pair, it is scarcely needful perhaps to say that + the Major was the master. His sense of justice dictated that, as well as + his general briskness. Though he was not at all like Mr. Gundry in + undervaluing female mind, his larger experience and more frequent + intercourse with our sex had taught him to do justice to us; and it was + pleasant to hear him often defer to the judgment of ladies. But this he + did more, perhaps, in theory than in practice; yet it made all the ladies + declare to one another that he was a perfect gentleman. And so he was, + though he had his faults; but his faults were such as we approve of. + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Hockin had no fault in any way worth speaking of. And whatever + she had was her husband's doing, through her desire to keep up with him. + She was pretty, even now in her sixtieth year, and a great deal prettier + because she never tried to look younger. Silver hair, and gentle eyes, and + a forehead in which all the cares of eight children had scarcely imprinted + a wrinkle, also a kind expression of interest in whatever was spoken of, + with a quiet voice and smile, and a power of not saying too much at a + time, combined to make this lady pleasant. + </p> + <p> + Without any fuss or declaration, she took me immediately under her care; + and I doubt not that, after two years passed in the society of Suan Isco + and the gentle Sawyer, she found many things in me to amend, which she did + by example and without reproof. She shielded me also in the cleverest way + from the curiosity of the saloon, which at first was very trying. For the + Bridal Veil being a well-known ship both for swift passages and for + equipment, almost every berth was taken, and when the weather was calm, + quite a large assembly sat down to dinner. Among these, of course, were + some ill-bred people, and my youth and reserve and self-consciousness, and + so on, made my reluctant face the mark for many a long and searching gaze. + My own wish had been not to dine thus in public; but hearing that my + absence would only afford fresh grounds for curiosity, I took my seat + between the Major and his wife, the former having pledged himself to the + latter to leave every thing to her management. His temper was tried more + than once to its utmost—which was not a very great distance—but + he kept his word, and did not interfere; and I having had some experience + with Firm, eschewed all perception of glances. And as for all words, Mrs. + Hockin met them with an obtuse obliqueness; so that after a day or two it + was settled that nothing could be done about “Miss Wood.” + </p> + <p> + It had been a very sore point to come to, and cost an unparalleled shed of + pride, that I should be shorn of two-thirds of my name, and called “Miss + Wood,” like almost anybody else. I refused to entertain such a very poor + idea, and clung to the name which had always been mine—for my father + would never depart from it—and I even burst into tears, which would, + I suppose, be called “sentimental;” but still the stern fact stared me in + the face—I must go as “Miss Wood,” or not go at all. Upon this Major + Hockin had insisted; and even Colonel Gundry could not move him from his + resolution. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam had done his utmost, as was said before, to stop me from wishing + to go at all; but when he found my whole heart bent upon it, and even my + soul imperiled by the sense of neglecting life's chief duty, his own stern + sense of right came in and sided with my prayers to him. And so it was + that he let me go, with pity for my youth and sex, but a knowledge that I + was in good hands, and an inborn, perhaps “Puritanical” faith, that the + Lord of all right would see to me. + </p> + <p> + The Major, on the other hand, had none of this. He differed from Uncle Sam + as much as a trim-cut and highly cultured garden tree differs from a great + spreading king of the woods. He was not without a strict sense of + religion, especially when he had to march men to church; and he never even + used a bad word, except when wicked facts compelled him. When properly let + alone, and allowed to nurse his own opinions, he had a respectable idea + that all things were certain to be ordered for the best; but nothing + enraged him so much as to tell him that when things went against him, or + even against his predictions. + </p> + <p> + It was lucky for me, then, that Major Hockin had taken a most adverse view + of my case. He formed his opinions with the greatest haste, and with the + greatest perseverance stuck to them; for he was the most generous of + mankind, if generous means one quite full of his genus. And in my little + case he had made up his mind that the whole of the facts were against me. + “Fact” was his favorite word, and one which he always used with great + effect, for nobody knows very well what it means, as it does not belong to + our language. And so when he said that the facts were against me, who was + there to answer that facts are not truth? + </p> + <p> + This fast-set conclusion of his was known to me not through himself, but + through his wife. For I could not yet bring myself to speak of the things + that lay close at my heart to him, though I knew that he must be aware of + them. And he, like a gentleman, left me to begin. I could often see that + he was ready and quite eager to give me the benefit of his opinion, which + would only have turned me against him, and irritated him, perhaps, with + me. And having no home in England, or, indeed, I might say, any where, I + was to live with the Major and his wife, supposing that they could arrange + it so, until I should discover relatives. + </p> + <p> + We had a long and stormy voyage, although we set sail so fairly; and I + thought that we never should round Cape Horn in the teeth of the furious + northeast winds; and after that we lay becalmed, I have no idea in what + latitude, though the passengers now talked quite like seamen, at least + till the sea got up again. However, at last we made the English Channel, + in the dreary days of November, and after more peril there than any where + else, we were safely docked at Southampton. Here the Major was met by two + dutiful daughters, bringing their husbands and children, and I saw more of + family life (at a distance) than had fallen to my lot to observe before; + and although there were many little jars and brawls and cuts at one + another, I was sadly inclined to wish sometimes for some brothers and + sisters to quarrel with. + </p> + <p> + But having none to quarrel with, and none to love, except good Mrs. + Hockin, who went away by train immediately, I spent such a wretched time + in that town that I longed to be back in the Bridal Veil in the very worst + of weather. The ooze of the shore and the reek of the water, and the + dreary flatness of the land around (after the glorious heaven-clad + heights, which made me ashamed of littleness), also the rough, stupid + stare of the men, when I went about as an American lady may freely do in + America, and the sharpness of every body's voice (instead of the genial + tones which those who can not produce them call “nasal,” but which from a + higher view are cordial)—taken one after other, or all together, + these things made me think, in the first flush of thought, that England + was not a nice country. After a little while I found that I had been a + great deal too quick, as foreigners are with things which require quiet + comprehension. For instance, I was annoyed at having a stupid woman put + over me, as if I could not mind myself—a cook, or a nurse, or + housekeeper, or something very useful in the Hockin family, but to me a + mere incumbrance, and (as I thought in my wrath sometimes) a spy. What was + I likely to do, or what was any one likely to do to me, in a thoroughly + civilized country, that I could not even stay in private lodgings, where I + had a great deal to think of, without this dull creature being forced upon + me? But the Major so ordered it, and I gave in. + </p> + <p> + There I must have staid for the slowest three mouths ever passed without + slow starvation finishing my growth, but not knowing how to “form my + mind,” as I was told to do. Major Hockin came down once or twice to see + me, and though I did not like him, yet it was almost enough to make me do + so to see a little liveliness. But I could not and would not put up with a + frightful German baron of music, with a polished card like a toast-rack, + whom the Major tried to impress on me. As if I could stop to take music + lessons! + </p> + <p> + “Miss Wood,” said Major Hockin, in his strongest manner, the last time he + came to see me, “I stand to you in loco parentis. That means, with the + duties, relationships, responsibilities, and what not, of the unfortunate—I + should say rather of the beloved—parent deceased. I wish to be more + careful of you than of a daughter of my own—a great deal more + careful, ten times, Miss Wood; I may say a thousand times more careful, + because you have not had the discipline which a daughter of mine would + have enjoyed. And you are so impulsive when you take an idea! You judge + every body by your likings. That leads to error, error, error.” + </p> + <p> + “My name is not Miss Wood,” I answered; “my name is 'Erema Castlewood.' + Whatever need may have been on board ship for nobody knowing who I am, + surely I may have my own name now.” + </p> + <p> + When any body says “surely,” at once up springs a question; nothing being + sure, and the word itself at heart quite interrogative. The Major knew all + those little things which manage women so manfully. So he took me by the + hand and led me to the light and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + I had not one atom of Russian twist or dyed China grass in my hair, nor + even the ubiquitous aid of horse and cow; neither in my face or figure was + I conscious of false presentment. The Major was welcome to lead me to the + light and to throw up all his spectacles and gaze with all his eyes. My + only vexation was with myself, because I could not keep the weakness—which + a stranger should not see—out of my eyes, upon sudden remembrance + who it was that used to have the right to do such things to me. This it + was, and nothing else, that made me drop my eyes, perhaps. + </p> + <p> + “There, there, my dear!” said Major Hockin, in a softer voice than usual. + “Pretty fit you are to combat with the world, and defy the world, and + brave the world, and abolish the world—or at least the world's + opinion! 'Bo to a goose,' you can say, my dear; but no 'bo' to a gander. + No, no; do quietly what I advise—by-the-bye, you have never asked my + advice.” + </p> + <p> + I can not have been hypocritical, for of all things I detest that most; + but in good faith I said, being conquered by the Major's relaxation of his + eyes, + </p> + <p> + “Oh, why have you never offered it to me? You knew that I never could ask + for it.” + </p> + <p> + For the moment he looked surprised, as if our ideas had gone crosswise; + and then he remembered many little symptoms of my faith in his opinions; + which was now growing inevitable, with his wife and daughters, and many + grandchildren—all certain that he was a Solomon. + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” he said, “you are a dear good girl, though sadly, sadly romantic. + I had no idea that you had so much sense. I will talk with you, Erema, + when we both have leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite at leisure, Major Hockin,” I replied, “and only too happy to + listen to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I dare say. You are in lodgings. You can do exactly as you + please. But I have a basin of ox-tail soup, a cutlet, and a woodcock + waiting for me at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Bless me! I am five minutes late + already. I will come and have a talk with you afterward.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” I said; “we had better leave it. It seems of no importance, + compared—compared with—” + </p> + <p> + “My dinner!” said the Major; but he was offended, and so was I a little, + though neither of us meant to vex the other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <h3> + BRUNTSEA + </h3> + <p> + It would be unfair to Major Hockin to take him for an extravagant man or a + self-indulgent one because of the good dinner he had ordered, and his + eagerness to sit down to it. Through all the best years of his life he had + been most frugal, abstemious, and self-denying, grudging every penny of + his own expense, but sparing none for his family. And now, when he found + himself so much better off, with more income and less outlay, he could not + be blamed for enjoying good things with the wholesome zest of abstinence. + </p> + <p> + For, coming to the point, and going well into the matter, the Major had + discovered that the “little property” left to him, and which he was come + to see to, really was quite a fine estate for any one who knew how to + manage it, and would not spare courage and diligence. And of these two + qualities he had such abundance that, without any outlet, they might have + turned him sour. + </p> + <p> + The property lately devised to him by his cousin, Sir Rufus Hockin, had + long been far more plague than profit to that idle baronet. Sir Rufus + hated all exertion, yet could not comfortably put up with the only + alternative—extortion. Having no knowledge of his cousin Nick + (except that he was indefatigable), and knowing his own son to be lazier + even than himself had been, longing also to inflict even posthumous + justice upon the land agent, with the glad consent of his heir he left + this distant, fretful, and naked spur of land to his beloved cousin Major + Nicholas Hockin. + </p> + <p> + The Major first heard of this unexpected increase of his belongings while + he was hovering, in the land of gold, between his desire to speculate and + his dread of speculation. At once he consulted our Colonel Gundry, who met + him by appointment at Sacramento; and Uncle Sam having a vast idea of the + value of land in England, which the Major naturally made the most of, now + being an English land-owner, they spent a most pleasant evening, and + agreed upon the line marked out by Providence. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that he came home, bringing (by kind arrangement) me, who was + much more trouble than comfort to him, and at first disposed to be cold + and curt. And thus it was that I was left so long in that wretched + Southampton, under the care of a very kind person who never could + understand me. And all this while (as I ought to have known, without any + one to tell me) Major Hockin was testing the value and beating the bounds + of his new estate, and prolonging his dinner from one to two courses, or + three if he had been travelling. His property was large enough to afford + him many dinners, and rich enough (when rightly treated) to insure their + quality. + </p> + <p> + Bruntsea is a quiet little village on the southeast coast of England, in + Kent or in Sussex, I am not sure which, for it has a constitution of its + own, and says that it belongs to neither. It used to be a place of size + and valor, furnishing ships, and finding money for patriotic purposes. And + great people both embarked and landed, one doing this and the other that, + though nobody seems to have ever done both, if history is to be relied + upon. The glory of the place is still preserved in a seal and an + immemorial stick, each of which is blessed with marks as incomprehensible + as could be wished, though both are to be seen for sixpence. The name of + the place is written in more than forty different ways, they say; and the + oldest inhabitant is less positive than the youngest how to spell it. + </p> + <p> + This village lies in the mouth, or rather at the eastern end of the mouth, + of a long and wide depression among the hills, through which a sluggish + river wins its muddy consummation. This river once went far along the + sea-brink, without entering (like a child who is afraid to bathe), as the + Adur does at Shoreham, and as many other rivers do. And in those days the + mouth and harbor were under the cliff at Bruntsea, whence its seal and + corporation, stick, and other blessings. But three or four centuries ago + the river was drawn by a violent storm, like a badger from his barrel, and + forced to come straight out and face the sea, without any three miles of + dalliance. The time-serving water made the best of this, forsook its + ancient bed (as classic nymphs and fountains used to do), and left poor + Bruntsea with a dry bank, and no haven for a cockle-shell. A new port, + such as it is, incrusted the fickle jaw of the river; piles were driven + and earth-works formed, lest the water should return to its old love; and + Bruntsea, as concerned her traffic, became but a mark of memory. Her noble + corporation never demanded their old channel, but regarded the whole as + the will of the Lord, and had the good sense to insist upon nothing except + their time-honored ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + In spite of all these and their importance, land became of no value there. + The owner of the Eastern Manor and of many ancient rights, having no means + of getting at them, sold them for an “old song,” which they were; and the + buyer was one of the Hockin race, a shipwrecked mariner from Cornwall, who + had been kindly treated there, and took a fancy accordingly. He sold his + share in some mine to pay for it, settled here, and died here; and his + son, getting on in the world, built a house, and took to serious + smuggling. In the chalk cliff's eastward he found holes of honest value to + him, capable of cheap enlargement (which the Cornish holes were not), and + much more accessible from France. Becoming a magistrate and + deputy-lieutenant, he had the duty and privilege of inquiring into his own + deeds, which enabled him to check those few who otherwise might have + competed with him. He flourished, and bought more secure estates; and his + son, for activity against smugglers, was made a gentle baronet. + </p> + <p> + These things now had passed away, and the first fee-simple of the Hockin + family became a mere load and incumbrance. Sir George and Sir Robert and + Sir Rufus, one after another, did not like the hints about contraband + dealings which met them whenever they deigned to come down there, till at + last the estate (being left to an agent) cost a great deal more than he + ever paid in. And thus—as should have been more briefly told—the + owner was our Major Hockin. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that this gentleman, with so many cares to attend to, had no + time at first to send for me. And no wonder that when he came down to see + me, he was obliged to have good dinners. For the work done by him in those + three months surprised every body except himself, and made in old Bruntsea + a stir unknown since the time of the Spanish Armada. For he owned the + house under the eastern cliff, and the warren, and the dairy-farm inland, + and the slope of the ground where the sea used to come, and fields where + the people grew potatoes gratis, and all the eastern village, where the + tenants paid their rents whenever they found it rational. + </p> + <p> + A hot young man, in a place like this, would have done a great deal of + mischief. Either he would have accepted large views, and applauded this + fine communism (if he could afford it, and had no wife), or else he would + have rushed at every body headlong, and batted them back to their + abutments. Neither course would have created half the excitement which the + Major's did. At least, there might have been more talk at first, but not a + quarter so much in sum total. Of those things, however, there is time + enough to speak, if I dare to say any thing about them. + </p> + <p> + The things more to my mind (and therefore more likely to be made plain to + another mind) are not the petty flickering phantoms of the shadow we call + human, and which alone we realize, and dwell inside it and upon it, as if + it were all creation; but the infinitely nobler things of ever-changing + but perpetual beauty, and no selfishness. These, without deigning to us + even sense to be aware of them, shape our little minds and bodies and our + large self-importance, and fail to know when the lord or king who owns is + buried under them. To have perception of such mighty truths is good for + all of us: and I never had keener perception of them than when I sat down + on the Major's camp-stool, and saw all his land around me, and even the + sea—where all the fish were his, as soon as he could catch them—and + largely reflected that not a square foot of the whole world would ever + belong to me. + </p> + <p> + “Bruntlands,” as the house was called, perhaps from standing well above + the sea, was sheltered by the curve of the eastern cliff, which looked + down over Bruntsea. The cliff was of chalk, very steep toward the sea, and + showing a prominent headland toward the south, but prettily rising in + grassy curves from the inland and from the westward. And then, where it + suddenly chined away from land-slope into sea-front, a long bar of shingle + began at right angles to it, and, as level as a railroad, went to the + river's mouth, a league or so now to the westward. And beyond that another + line of white cliffs rose, and looked well till they came to their + headland. Inside this bank of shingle, from end to end, might be traced + the old course of the river, and to landward of that trough at the hither + end stood, or lay, the calm old village. + </p> + <p> + Forsaken as it was by the river, this village stuck to its ancient site + and home, and instead of migrating, contracted itself, and cast off + needless members. Shrunken Bruntsea clung about the oldest of its + churches, while the four others fell to rack and ruin, and settled into + cow-yards and barns, and places where old men might sit and sigh. But + Bruntsea distinctly and trenchantly kept the old town's division into east + and west. + </p> + <p> + East Bruntsea was wholly in the Major's manor, which had a special + charter; and most of the houses belonged to him. This ownership hitherto + had meant only that the landlord should do all the tumble-down repairs + (when the agent reported that they must be done), but never must enter the + door for his rent. The borough had been disfranchised, though the snuggest + of the snug for generations; and the freemen, thus being robbed of their + rights, had no power to discharge their duties. And to complicate matters + yet further, for the few who wished to simplify them, the custom of + “borough-English” prevailed, and governed the descent of dilapidations, + making nice niceties for clever men of law. + </p> + <p> + “You see a fine property here, Miss Wood,” Major Hockin said to me, as we + sat, on the day after I was allowed to come, enjoying the fresh breeze + from the sea and the newness of the February air, and looking abroad very + generally: “a very fine property, but neglected—shamefully, + horribly, atrociously neglected—but capable of noble things, of + grand things, of magnificent, with a trifle of judicious outlay.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please not to talk of outlay, my dear,” said good Mrs. Hockin, + gently; “it is such an odious word; and where in the world is it to come + from?” + </p> + <p> + “Leave that to me. When I was a boy my favorite copy in my copy-book was, + 'Where there's a will there's a way.' Miss Wood, what is your opinion? But + wait, you must have time to understand the subject. First we bring a + railway—always the first step; why, the line is already made for it + by the course of the old river, and the distance from Newport three miles + and a half. It ought not to cost quite 200 pounds a mile—the mere + outlay for rails and sleepers. The land is all mine, and—and of + course other landed proprietors'. Very well: these would all unite, of + course; so that not a farthing need be paid for land, which is the best + half of the battle. We have the station here—not too near my house; + that would never do; I could not bear the noise—but in a fine + central place where nobody on earth could object to it—lively, and + close at hand for all of them. Unluckily I was just too late. We have lost + a Parliamentary year through that execrable calm—you remember all + about it. Otherwise we would have had Billy Puff stabled at Bruntsea by + the first of May. But never mind; we shall do it all the better and + cheaper by taking our time about it. Very well: we have the railway opened + and the trade of the place developed. We build a fine terrace of elegant + villas, a crescent also, and a large hotel replete with every luxury; and + we form the finest sea-parade in England by simply assisting nature. Half + London comes down here to bathe, to catch shrimps, to flirt, and to do the + rest of it. We become a select, salubrious, influential, and yet + economical place; and then what do we do, Mrs. Hockin?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, how can I tell? But I hope that we should rest and be thankful.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it. I should hope not, indeed. Erema, what do we do then?” + </p> + <p> + “It is useless to ask me. Well, then, perhaps you set up a handsome + saw-mill!” + </p> + <p> + “A saw-mill! What a notion of Paradise! No; this is what we do—but + remember that I speak in the strictest confidence; dishonest antagonism + might arise, if we ventilated our ideas too soon—Mrs. Hockin and + Miss Wood, we demand the restoration of our river!—the return of our + river to its ancient course.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said his wife; “oh, how grand that would be! and how beautiful + from our windows! That really, now, is a noble thought!” + </p> + <p> + “A just one—simply a just one. Justice ought not to be noble, my + dear, however rare it may be. Generosity, magnanimity, heroism, and so on—those + are the things we call noble, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “And the founding of cities. Oh, my dear, I remember, when I was at + school, it was always said, in what we called our histories, that the + founders of cities had honors paid them, and altars built, and divinities + done, and holidays held in their honor.” + </p> + <p> + “To that I object,” cried the Major, sternly. “If I founded fifty cities, + I would never allow one holiday. The Sabbath is enough; one day in seven—fifteen + per cent, of one's whole time; and twenty per cent, of your Sunday goes in + church. Very right, of course, and loyal, and truly edifying—Mrs. + Hockin's father was a clergyman, Miss Wood; and the last thing I would + ever allow on my manor would be a Dissenting chapel; but still I will have + no new churches here, and a man who might go against me. They all want to + pick their own religious views, instead of reflecting who supports them! + It never used to be so; and such things shall never occur on my manor. A + good hotel, attendance included, and a sound and moderate table d'hote; + but no church, with a popish bag sent round, and money to pay, 'without + anything to eat.'” + </p> + <p> + “My dear! my dear!” cried Mrs. Hockin, “I never like you to talk like + that. You quite forget who my father was, and your own second son such a + very sound priest!” + </p> + <p> + “A priest! Don't let him come here,” cried the Major, “or I'll let him + know what tonsure is, and read him the order of Melchisedec. A priest! + After going round the world three times, to come home and be hailed as the + father of a priest! Don't let him come near me, or I'll sacrifice him.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Major, you are very proud of him,” his good wife answered, as he + shook his stick. “How could he help taking orders when he was under orders + to do so? And his views are sound to the last degree, most strictly + correct and practical—at least except as to celibacy.” + </p> + <p> + “He holds that his own mother ought never to have been born! Miss Wood, do + you call that practical?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no acquaintance with such things,” I replied; “we had none of them + in California. But is it practical, Major Hockin—of course you know + best in your engineering—I mean, would it not require something like + a tunnel for the river and the railway to run on the same ground?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless me! That seems to have escaped my notice. You have not been + with old Uncle Sam for nothing. We shall have to appoint you our chief + engineer.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <h3> + LISTLESS + </h3> + <p> + It seemed an unfortunate thing for me, and unfavorable to my purpose, that + my host, and even my hostess too, should be so engrossed with their new + estate, its beauties and capabilities. Mrs. Hockin devoted herself at once + to fowls and pigs and the like extravagant economies, having bought, at + some ill-starred moment, a book which proved that hens ought to lay eggs + in a manner to support themselves, their families, and the family they + belonged to, at the price of one penny a dozen. Eggs being two shillings a + dozen in Bruntsea, here was a margin for profit—no less than two + thousand per cent, to be made, allowing for all accidents. The lady also + found another book, divulging for a shilling the author's purely + invaluable secret—how to work an acre of ground, pay house rent, + supply the house grandly, and give away a barrow-load of vegetables every + day to the poor of the parish, by keeping a pig—if that pig were + kept properly. And after that, pork and ham and bacon came of him, while + another golden pig went on. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hockin was very soft-hearted, and said that she never could make + bacon of a pig like that; and I answered that if she ever got him it would + be unwise to do so. However, the law was laid down in both books that + golden fowls and diamondic pigs must die the death before they begin to + overeat production; and the Major said, “To be sure. Yes, yes. Let them + come to good meat, and then off with their heads.” And his wife said that + she was sure she could do it. When it comes to a question of tare and + tret, false sentiment must be excluded. + </p> + <p> + At the moment, these things went by me as trifles, yet made me more + impatient. Being older now, and beholding what happens with tolerance and + complacence, I am only surprised that my good friends were so tolerant of + me and so complacent. For I must have been a great annoyance to them, with + my hurry and my one idea. Happily they made allowance for me, which I was + not old enough to make for them. + </p> + <p> + “Go to London, indeed! Go to London by yourself!” cried the Major, with a + red face, and his glasses up, when I told him one morning that I could + stop no longer without doing something. “Mary, my dear, when you have done + out there, will you come in and reason—if you can—with Miss + Wood. She vows that she is going to London, all alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Major Hockin—oh, Nicholas dear, such a thing has happened!” + Mrs. Hockin had scarcely any breath to tell us, as she came in through the + window. “You know that they have only had three bushels, or, at any rate, + not more than five, almost ever since they came. Erema, you know as well + as I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Seven and three-quarter bushels of barley, at five and ninepence a + bushel, Mary,” said the Major, pulling out a pocket-book; “besides Indian + corn, chopped meat, and potatoes.” + </p> + <p> + “And fourteen pounds of paddy,” I said—which was a paltry thing of + me; “not to mention a cake of graves, three sacks of brewers' grains, and + then—I forget what next.” + </p> + <p> + “You are too bad, all of you. Erema, I never thought you would turn + against me so. And you made me get nearly all of it. But please to look + here. What do you call this? Is this no reward? Is this not enough? Major, + if you please, what do you call this? What a pity you have had your + breakfast!” + </p> + <p> + “A blessing—if this was to be my breakfast. I call that, my dear, + the very smallest egg I have seen since I took sparrows' nests. No wonder + they sell them at twelve a penny. I congratulate you upon your first egg, + my dear Mary.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't care,” replied Mrs. Hockin, who had the sweetest temper in + the world. “Small beginnings make large endings; and an egg must be always + small at one end. You scorn my first egg, and Erema should have had it if + she had been good. But she was very wicked, and I know not what to do with + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Blow it!” cried the Major. “I mean no harm, ladies. I never use low + language. What I mean is, make a pinhole at each end, give a puff, and + away goes two pennyworth, and you have a cabinet specimen, which your egg + is quite fitted by its cost to be. But now, Mary, talk to Miss Wood, if + you please. It is useless for me to say any thing, and I have three + appointments in the town”—he always called it “the town” now—“three + appointments, if not four; yes, I may certainly say four. Talk to Miss + Wood, my dear, if you please. She wants to go to London, which would be + absurd. Ladies seem to enter into ladies' logic. They seem to be able to + appreciate it better, to see all the turns, and the ins and outs, which no + man has intellect enough to see, or at least to make head or tail of. + Good-by for the present; I had better be off.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think you had,” exclaimed Mrs. Hockin, as her husband marched + off, with his side-lights on, and his short, quick step, and + well-satisfied glance at the hill which belonged to him, and the beach, + over which he had rights of plunder—or, at least, Uncle Sam would + have called them so, strictly as he stood up for his own. + </p> + <p> + “Now come and talk quietly to me, my dear,” Mrs. Hockin began, most + kindly, forgetting all the marvel of her first-born egg. “I have noticed + how restless you are, and devoid of all healthy interest in any thing. + 'Listless' is the word. 'Listless' is exactly what I mean, Erema. When I + was at your time of life, I could never have gone about caring for + nothing. I wonder that you knew that I even had a fowl; much more how much + they had eaten!” + </p> + <p> + “I really do try to do all I can, and that is a proof of it,” I said. “I + am not quite so listless as you think. But those things do seem so little + to me.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, if you were happy, they would seem quite large, as, after all + the anxieties of my life, I am able now to think them. It is a power to be + thankful for, or, at least, I often think so. Look at my husband! He has + outlived and outlasted more trouble than any one but myself could reckon + up to him; and yet he is as brisk, as full of life, as ready to begin a + new thing to-morrow—when, at our age, there may be no to-morrow, + except in that better world, my dear, of which it is high time for him and + me to think, as I truly hope we may spare the time to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't talk like that,” I cried. “Please, Mrs. Hockin, to talk of your + hens and chicks—at least there will be chicks by-and-by. I am almost + sure there will, if you only persevere. It seems unfair to set our minds + on any other world till justice has been done in this.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very young, my child, or you would know that in that case we + never should think of it at all. But I don't want to preach you a sermon, + Erema, even if I could do so. I only just want you to tell me what you + think, what good you imagine that you can do.” + </p> + <p> + “It is no imagination. I am sure that I can right my father's wrongs. And + I never shall rest till I do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure that there is any wrong to right?” she asked, in the warmth + of the moment; and then, seeing perhaps how my color changed, she looked + at me sadly, and kissed my forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you had only once seen him,” I said; “without any exaggeration, + you would have been satisfied at once. That he could ever have done any + harm was impossible—utterly impossible. I am not as I was. I can + listen to almost any thing now quite calmly. But never let me hear such a + wicked thing again.” + </p> + <p> + “You must not go on like that, Erema, unless you wish to lose all your + friends. No one can help being sorry for you. Very few girls have been + placed as you are. I am sure when I think of my own daughters I can never + be too thankful. But the very first thing you have to learn, above all + things, is to control yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it—I know it, of course,” I said; “and I keep on trying my + very best. I am thoroughly ashamed of what I said, and I hope you will try + to forgive me.” + </p> + <p> + “A very slight exertion is enough for that. But now, my dear, what I want + to know is this—and you will excuse me if I ask too much—what + good do you expect to get by going thus to London? Have you any friend + there, any body to trust, any thing settled as to what you are to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, every thing is settled in my own mind,” I answered, very bravely: “I + have the address of a very good woman, found among my father's papers, who + nursed his children and understood his nature, and always kept her faith + in him. There must be a great many more who do the same, and she will be + sure to know them and introduce me to them; and I shall be guided by their + advice.” + </p> + <p> + “But suppose that this excellent woman is dead, or not to be found, or has + changed her opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “Her opinion she never could change. But if she is not to be found, I + shall find her husband, or her children, or somebody; and besides that, I + have a hundred things to do. I have the address of the agent through whom + my father drew his income, though Uncle Sam let me know as little as he + could. And I know who his bankers were (when he had a bank), and he may + have left important papers there.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, that looks a little more sensible, my dear; bankers may always be + relied upon. And there may be some valuable plate, Erema. But why not let + the Major go with you? His advice is so invaluable.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that it is, in all ordinary things. But I can not have him now, + for a very simple reason. He has made up his mind about my dear father—horribly, + horribly; I can't speak of it. And he never changes his mind; and + sometimes when I look at him I hate him.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, you are quite a violent girl, although you so seldom show it. Is + the whole world divided, then, into two camps—those who think as you + wish and those who are led by their judgment to think otherwise? And are + you to hate all who do not think as you wish?” + </p> + <p> + “No, because I do not hate you,” I said; “I love you, though you do not + think as I wish. But that is only because you think your husband must be + right of course. But I can not like those who have made up their minds + according to their own coldness.” + </p> + <p> + “Major Hockin is not cold at all. On the contrary, he is a warm-hearted + man—I might almost say hot-hearted.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know he is. And that makes it ten times worse. He takes up every + body's case—but mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Sad as it is, you almost make me smile,” my hostess answered, gravely; + “and yet it must be very bitter for you, knowing how just and kind my + husband is. I am sure that you will give him credit for at least desiring + to take your part. And doing so, at least you might let him go with you, + if only as a good protection.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no fear of any one; and I might take him into society that he + would not like. In a good cause he would go any where, I know. But in my + cause, of course he would be scrupulous. Your kindness I always can rely + upon, and I hope in the end to earn his as well.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, he has never been unkind to you. I am certain that you never can + say that of him. Major Hockin unkind to a poor girl like you!” + </p> + <p> + “The last thing I wish to claim is any body's pity,” I answered, less + humbly than I should have spoken, though the pride was only in my tone, + perhaps. “If people choose to pity me, they are very good, and I am not at + all offended, because—because they can not help it, perhaps, from + not knowing any thing about me. I have nothing whatever to be pitied for, + except that I have lost my father, and have nobody left to care for me, + except Uncle Sam in America.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Uncle Sam, as you call him, seems to be a very wonderful man, + Erema,” said Mrs. Hockin, craftily, so far as there could be any craft in + her; “I never saw him—a great loss on my part. But the Major went up + to meet him somewhere, and came home with the stock of his best tie + broken, and two buttons gone from his waistcoat. Does Uncle Sam make + people laugh so much? or is it that he has some extraordinary gift of + inducing people to taste whiskey? My husband is a very—most + abstemious man, as you must be well aware, Miss Wood, or we never should + have been as we are, I am sure. But, for the first time in all my life, I + doubted his discretion on the following day, when he had—what shall + I say?—when he had been exchanging sentiments with Uncle Sam.” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Sam never takes too much in any way,” I replied to this new attack; + “he knows what he ought to take, and then he stops. Do you think that it + may have been his 'sentiments,' perhaps, that were too strong and large + for the Major?” + </p> + <p> + “Erema!” cried Mrs. Hockin, with amazement, as if I had no right to think + or express my thoughts on life so early; “if you can talk politics at + eighteen, you are quite fit to go any where. I have heard a great deal of + American ladies, and seen not a little of them, as you know. But I thought + that you called yourself an English girl, and insisted particularly upon + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that I do; and I have good reason. I am born of an old English + family, and I hope to be no disgrace to it. But being brought up in a + number of ways, as I have been without thinking of it, and being quite + different from the fashionable girls Major Hockin likes to walk with—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, he never walks with any body but myself!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, I remember! I was thinking of the deck. There are no fashionable + girls here yet. Till the terrace is built, and the esplanade—” + </p> + <p> + “There shall be neither terrace nor esplanade if the Major is to do such + things upon them.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that he never would,” I replied; “it was only their dresses + that he liked at all, and that very, to my mind, extraordinary style, as + well as unbecoming. You know what I mean, Mrs. Hockin, that wonderful—what + shall I call it?—way of looping up.” + </p> + <p> + “Call me 'Aunt Mary,' my dear, as you did when the waves were so dreadful. + You mean that hideous Mexican poncho, as they called it, stuck up here, + and going down there. Erema, what observation you have! Nothing ever seems + to escape you. Did you ever see any thing so indecorous?” + </p> + <p> + “It made me feel just as if I ought not to look at them,” I answered, with + perfect truth, for so it did; “I have never been accustomed to such + things. But seeing how the Major approved of them, and liked to be walking + up and down between them, I knew that they must be not only decorous, but + attractive. There is no appeal from his judgment, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with him upon every point, my dear child; but I have always + longed to say a few words about that. For I can not help thinking that he + went too far.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <h3> + BETSY BOWEN + </h3> + <p> + So far, then, there was nobody found to go into my case, and to think with + me, and to give me friendly countenance, with the exception of Firm + Gundry. And I feared that he tried to think with me because of his + faithful and manly love, more than from balance of evidence. The Sawyer, + of course, held my father guiltless, through his own fidelity and simple + ways; but he could not enter into my set thought of a stern duty laid upon + me, because to his mind the opinion of the world mattered nothing so long + as a man did aright. For wisdom like this, if wisdom it is, I was a great + deal too young and ardent; and to me fair fame was of almost equal value + with clear conscience. And therefore, wise or foolish, rich or poor, + beloved or unloved, I must be listless about other things, and restless in + all, until I should establish truth and justice. + </p> + <p> + However, I did my best to be neither ungrateful nor stupidly obstinate, + and, beginning more and more to allow for honest though hateful opinions, + I yielded to dear Mrs. Hockin's wish that I should not do any thing out of + keeping with English ideas and habits. In a word, I accepted the Major's + kind offer to see me quite safe in good hands in London, or else bring me + straightway back again. And I took only just things enough for a day or + two, meaning to come back by the end of the week. And I kissed Mrs. Hockin + just enough for that. + </p> + <p> + It would not be a new thing for me to say that “we never know what is + going to happen;” but, new or stale, it was true enough, as old common + sayings of common-sense (though spurned when not wanted) show themselves. + At first, indeed, it seemed as if I were come for nothing, at least as + concerned what I thought the chief business of my journey. The Major had + wished to go first to the bank, and appeared to think nothing of any thing + else; but I, on the other hand, did not want him there, preferring to keep + him out of my money matters, and so he was obliged to let me have my way. + </p> + <p> + I always am sorry when I have been perverse, and it seemed to serve me + right for willfulness when no Betsy Bowen could be discovered either at + the place which we tried first, or that to which we were sent thence. + Major Hockin looked at me till I could have cried, as much as to hint that + the whole of my story was all of a piece, all a wild-goose chase. And + being more curious than ever now to go to the bank and ransack, he + actually called out to the cabman to drive without delay to Messrs. + Shovelin, Wayte, and Shovelin. But I begged him to allow me just one + minute while I spoke to the servant-maid alone. Then I showed her a + sovereign, at which she opened her mouth in more ways than one, for she + told me that “though she had faithfully promised to say nothing about it, + because of a dreadful quarrel between her mistress and Mrs. Strouss that + was now, and a jealousy between them that was quite beyond belief, she + could not refuse such a nice young lady, if I would promise faithfully not + to tell.” This promise I gave with fidelity, and returning to the cabman, + directed him to drive not to Messrs. Shovelin, Wayte, and Shovelin just + yet, but to No. 17 European Square, St. Katharine's. + </p> + <p> + From a maze of streets and rugged corners, and ins and outs nearly as + crooked as those of a narrow human nature, we turned at last into European + Square, which was no square at all, but an oblong opening pitched with + rough granite, and distinguished with a pump. There were great + thoroughfares within a hundred yards, but the place itself seemed + unnaturally quiet upon turning suddenly into it, only murmurous with + distant London din, as the spires of a shell hold the heavings of the sea. + After driving three or four times round the pump, for the houses were + numbered anyhow, we found No. 17, and I jumped out. + </p> + <p> + “Now don't be in such a fierce hurry, Miss Wood,” cried the Major, who was + now a little crusty; “English ladies allow themselves to be handed out, + without hurrying the gentlemen who have the honor.” + </p> + <p> + “But I wanted to save you the honor,” I said. “I will come back + immediately, if you will kindly wait.” And with this I ran up the old + steps, and rang and knocked, while several bearded faces came and gazed + through dingy windows. + </p> + <p> + “Can I see Mrs. Strouss?” I asked, when a queer old man in faded brown + livery came to the door with a candle in his hand, though the sun was + shining. + </p> + <p> + “I am the Meesther Strouss; when you see me, you behold the good Meeses + Strouss also.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, but that will not do,” I replied; “my business is with Mrs. + Strouss alone.” + </p> + <p> + He did not seem to like this at first sight, but politely put the + chain-bolt on the door while he retired to take advice; and the Major + looked out of the cab and laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You had better come back while you can,” he said, “though they seem in no + hurry to swallow you.” + </p> + <p> + This was intended to vex me, and I did not even turn my head to him. The + house looked very respectable, and there were railings to the area. + </p> + <p> + “The house is very respectable,” continued Major Hockin, who always seemed + to know what I was thinking of, and now in his quick manner ran up the + steps; “just look, the scraper is clean. You never see that, or at least + not often, except with respectable people, Erema.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray what would my scraper be? and who is Erema?” cried a strong, clear + voice, as the chain of the door was set free, and a stout, tall woman with + a flush in her cheeks confronted us. “I never knew more than one Erema—Good + mercy!” + </p> + <p> + My eyes met hers, and she turned as pale as death, and fell back into a + lobby chair. She knew me by my likeness to my father, falling on the + memories started by my name; and strong as she was, the surprise overcame + her, at the sound of which up rushed the small Herr Strouss. + </p> + <p> + “Vhat are you doing dere, all of you? vhat have you enterprised with my + frau? Explain, Vilhelmina, or I call de policemans, vhat I should say de + peelers.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” cried the Major, and he stopped at once, not for the word, which + would have had no power, although I knew nothing about it then, but + because he had received a sign which assured him that here was a brother + Mason. In a moment the infuriated husband vanished into the rational and + docile brother. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and gentlemans, valk in, if you please,” he said, to my great + astonishment; “Vilhelmina and my good self make you velcome to our poor + house. Vilhelmina, arise and say so.” + </p> + <p> + “Go to the back kitchen, Hans,” replied Wilhelmina, whose name was + “Betsy,” “and don't come out until I tell you. You will find work to do + there, and remember to pump up. I wish to hear things that you are not to + hear, mind you. Shut yourself in, and if you soap the door to deceive me, + I shall know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Vere goot, vere goot,” said the philosophical German; “I never meddle + with nothing, Vilhelmina, no more than vhat I do for de money and de + house.” + </p> + <p> + Betsy, however, was not quite so sure of that. With no more ceremony she + locked him in, and then came back to us, who could not make things out. + </p> + <p> + “My husband is the bravest of the brave,” she told us, while she put down + his key on the table; “and a nobler man never lived; I am sure of that. + But every one of them foreigners—excuse me, Sir, you are an + Englishman?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” replied the Major, pulling up his little whiskers; “I am so, + madam, and nothing you can say will in any way hurt my feelings. I am + above nationalities.” + </p> + <p> + “Just so, Sir. Then you will feel with me when I say that they foreigners + is dreadful. Oh, the day that I ever married one of 'em—but there, I + ought to be ashamed of myself, and my lord's daughter facing me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know me?” I asked, with hot color in my face, and my eyes, I dare + say, glistening. “Are you sure that you know me? And then please to tell + me how.” + </p> + <p> + As I spoke I was taking off the close silk bonnet which I had worn for + travelling, and my hair, having caught in a pin, fell round me, and before + I could put it up, or even think of it, I lay in the great arms of Betsy + Bowen, as I used to lie when I was a little baby, and when my father was + in his own land, with a home and wife and seven little ones. And to think + of this made me keep her company in crying, and it was some time before we + did any thing else. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” replied the Major, who detested scenes, except when he had + made them; “I shall be off. You are in good hands; and the cabman pulled + out his watch when we stopped. So did I. But he is sure to beat me. They + draw the minute hand on with a magnet, I am told, while the watch hangs on + their badge, and they can swear they never opened it. Wonderful age, very + wonderful age, since the time when you and I were young, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sir; to be sure, Sir!” Mrs. Strouss replied, as she wiped her eyes + to speak of things; “but the most wonderfulest of all things, don't you + think, is the going of the time, Sir? No cabby can make it go faster while + he waits, or slower while he is a-driving, than the minds inside of us + manage it. Why, Sir, it wore only like yesterday that this here tall, + elegant, royal young lady was a-lying on my breast, and what a hand she + was to kick! And I said that her hair was sure to grow like this. If I was + to tell you only half what comes across me—” + </p> + <p> + “If you did, ma'am, the cabman would make his fortune, and I should lose + mine, which is more than I can afford. Erema, after dinner I shall look + you up. I know a good woman when I see her, Mrs. Strouss, which does not + happen every day. I can trust Miss Castlewood with you. Good-by, good-by + for the present.” + </p> + <p> + It was the first time he had ever called me by my proper name, and that + made me all the more pleased with it. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Sir, why I were obliged to lock him in,” cried the “good woman,” + following to the door, to clear every blur from her virtues; “for his own + sake I done it, for I felt my cry a-coming, and to see me cry—Lord + bless you, the effect upon him is to call out for a walking-stick and a + pint of beer.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, ma'am, all right!” the Major answered, in a tone which + appeared to me unfeeling. “Cabman, are you asleep there? Bring the lady's + bag this moment.” + </p> + <p> + As the cab disappeared without my even knowing where to find that good + protector again in this vast maze of millions, I could not help letting a + little cold fear encroach on the warmth of my outburst. I had heard so + much in America of the dark, subtle places of London, and the wicked + things that happen all along the Thames, discovered or invented by great + writers of their own, that the neighborhood of the docks and the thought + of rats (to which I could never grow accustomed) made me look with a flash + perhaps of doubt at my new old friend. + </p> + <p> + “You are not sure of me, Miss Erema,” said Mrs. Strouss, without taking + offense. “After all that has happened, who can blame it on you? But your + father was not so suspicious, miss. It might have been better for him if + he had—according, leastways, to my belief, which a team of wild + horses will never drag out.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, only let me hear you talk of that!” I exclaimed, forgetting all other + things. “You know more about it than any body I have ever met with, except + my own father, who would never tell a word.” + </p> + <p> + “And quite right he was, miss, according to his views. But come to my + little room, unless you are afraid. I can tell you some things that your + father never knew.” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid! do you think I am a baby still? But I can not bear that Mr. + Strouss should be locked up on my account.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he shall come out,” said Mrs. Strouss, looking at me very + pleasantly. “That was just like your father, Miss Erema. But I fall into + the foreign ways, being so much with the foreigners.” Whether she thought + it the custom among “foreigners” for wives to lock their husbands in back + kitchens was more than she ever took the trouble to explain. But she + walked away, in her stout, firm manner, and presently returned with Mr. + Strouss, who seemed to be quite contented, and made me a bow with a very + placid smile. + </p> + <p> + “He is harmless; his ideas are most grand and good,” his wife explained to + me, with a nod at him. “But I could not have you in with the gentleman, + Hans. He always makes mistakes with the gentlemen, miss, but with the + ladies he behaves quite well.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, with the ladies I am nearly always goot,” Herr Strouss replied, + with diffidence. “The ladies comprehend me right, all right, because I am + so habitual with my wife. But the gentlemans in London have no + comprehension of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the loss is on their side,” I answered, with a smile; and he said, + “Yes, yes, they lose vere much by me.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + BETSY'S TALE + </h3> + <p> + Now I scarcely know whether it would be more clear to put into narrative + what I heard from Betsy Bowen, now Wilhelmina Strouss, or to let her tell + the whole in her own words, exactly as she herself told it then to me. The + story was so dark and sad—or at least to myself it so appeared—that + even the little breaks and turns of lighter thought or livelier manner, + which could scarcely fail to vary now and then the speaker's voice, seemed + almost to grate and jar upon its sombre monotone. On the other hand, by + omitting these, and departing from her homely style, I might do more of + harm than good through failing to convey impressions, or even facts, so + accurately. Whereas the gist and core and pivot of my father's life and + fate are so involved (though not evolved) that I would not miss a single + point for want of time or diligence. Therefore let me not deny Mrs. + Strouss, my nurse, the right to put her words in her own way. And before + she began to do this she took the trouble to have every thing cleared away + and the trays brought down, that her boarders (chiefly German) might leave + their plates and be driven to their pipes. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, Miss Castlewood,” Mrs. Strouss said, grandly, “do you or + do you not approve of the presence of 'my man,' as he calls himself?—an + improper expression, in my opinion; such, however, is their nature. He can + hold his tongue as well as any man, though none of them are very sure at + that. And he knows pretty nigh as much as I do, so far as his English can + put things together, being better accustomed in German. For when we were + courting I was fain to tell him all, not to join him under any false + pretenses, miss, which might give him grounds against me.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, it is all vere goot and true—so goot and true as can be.” + </p> + <p> + “And you might find him come very handy, my dear, to run of any kind of + messages. He can do that very well, I assure you, miss—better than + any Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + Seeing that he wished to stay, and that she desired it, I begged him to + stop, though it would have been more to my liking to hear the tale alone. + </p> + <p> + “Then sit by the door, Hans, and keep off the draught,” said his + Wilhelmina, kindly. “He is not very tall, miss, but he has good shoulders; + I scarcely know what I should do without him. Well, now, to begin at the + very beginning: I am a Welshwoman, as you may have heard. My father was a + farmer near Abergavenny, holding land under Sir Watkin Williams, an old + friend of your family. My father had too many girls, and my mother + scarcely knew what to do with the lot of us. So some of us went out to + service, while the boys staid at home to work the land. One of my sisters + was lady's-maid to Lady Williams, Sir Watkin's wife, at the time when your + father came visiting there for the shooting of the moor-fowl, soon after + his marriage with your mother. What a sweet good lady your mother was! I + never saw the like before or since. No sooner did I set eyes upon her but + she so took my fancy that I would have gone round the world with her. We + Welsh are a very hot people, they say—not cold-blooded, as the + English are. So, wise or foolish, right, wrong, or what might be, nothing + would do for me but to take service, if I could, under Mrs. Castlewood. + Your father was called Captain Castlewood then—as fine a young man + as ever clinked a spur, but without any boast or conceit about him; and + they said that your grandfather, the old lord, kept him very close and + spare, although he was the only son. Now this must have been—let me + see, how long ago?—about five-and-twenty years, I think. How old are + you now, Miss Erema? I can keep the weeks better than the years, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “I was eighteen on my last birthday. But never mind about the time—go + on.” + </p> + <p> + “But the time makes all the difference, miss, although at the time we may + never think so. Well, then, it must have been better than six-and-twenty + year agone; for though you came pretty fast, in the Lord's will, there was + eight years between you and the first-born babe, who was only just + a-thinking of when I begin to tell. But to come back to myself, as was—mother + had got too many of us still, and she was glad enough to let me go, + however much she might cry over it, as soon as Lady Williams got me the + place. My place was to wait upon the lady first, and make myself generally + useful, as they say. But it was not very long before I was wanted in other + more important ways, and having been brought up among so many children, + they found me very handy with the little ones; and being in a poor way, as + they were then—for people, I mean, of their birth and place—they + were glad enough soon to make head nurse of me, although I was + under-two-and-twenty. + </p> + <p> + “We did not live at the old lord's place, which is under the hills looking + on the river Thames, but we had a quiet little house in Hampshire; for the + Captain was still with his regiment, and only came to and fro to us. But a + happier little place there could not be, with the flowers, and the cow, + and the birds all day, and the children running gradually according to + their age, and the pretty brook shining in the valley. And as to the + paying of their way, it is true that neither of them was a great manager. + The Captain could not bear to keep his pretty wife close; and she, poor + thing, was trying always to surprise him with other presents besides all + the beautiful babies. But they never were in debt all round, as the liars + said when the trouble burst; and if they owed two or three hundred pounds, + who could justly blame them? + </p> + <p> + “For the old lord, instead of going on as he should, and widening his + purse to the number of the mouths, was niggling at them always for offense + or excuse, to take away what little he allowed them. The Captain had his + pay, which would go in one hand, and the lady had a little money of her + own; but still it was cruel for brought-up people to have nothing better + to go on with. Not that the old lord was a miser neither; but it was said, + and how far true I know not, that he never would forgive your father for + marrying the daughter of a man he hated. And some went so far as to say + that if he could have done it, he would have cut your father out of all + the old family estates. But such a thing never could I believe of a + nobleman having his own flesh and blood. + </p> + <p> + “But, money or no money, rich or poor, your father and mother, I assure + you, my dear, were as happy as the day was long. For they loved one + another and their children dearly, and they did not care for any mixing + with the world. The Captain had enough of that when put away in quarters; + likewise his wife could do without it better and better at every birth, + though once she had been the very gayest of the gay, which you never will + be, Miss Erema. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my dear, you look so sad and so 'solid,' as we used to say, that if + I can go on at all, I must have something ready. I am quite an old nurse + now, remember. Hans, go across the square, and turn on the left hand round + the corner, and then three more streets toward the right, and you see one + going toward the left, and you go about seven doors down it, and then you + see a corner with a lamp-post.” + </p> + <p> + “Vilhelmina, I do see de lamp-post at de every corner.” + </p> + <p> + “That will teach you to look more bright, Hans. Then you find a shop + window with three blue bottles, and a green one in the middle.” + </p> + <p> + “How can be any middle to three, without it is one of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Then let it be two of them. How you contradict me! Take this little + bottle, and the man with a gold braid round a cap, and a tassel with a + tail to it, will fill it for four-pence when you tell him who you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; I do now comprehend. You send me vhere I never find de vay, + because I am in de vay, Vilhelmina!” + </p> + <p> + I was most thankful to Mrs. Strouss for sending her husband (however good + and kind-hearted he might be) to wander among many shops of chemists, + rather than to keep his eyes on me, while I listened to things that were + almost sure to make me want my eyes my own. My nurse had seen, as any good + nurse must, that, grown and formed as I might be, the nature of the little + child that cries for its mother was in me still. + </p> + <p> + “It is very sad now,” Mrs. Strouss began again, without replying to my + grateful glance; “Miss Erema, it is so sad that I wish I had never begun + with it. But I see by your eyes—so like your father's, but softer, + my dear, and less troublesome—that you will have the whole of it + out, as he would with me once when I told him a story for the sake of + another servant. It was just about a month before you were born, when the + trouble began to break on us. And when once it began, it never stopped + until all that were left ran away from it. I have read in the newspapers + many and many sad things coming over whole families, such as they call + 'shocking tragedies;' but none of them, to my mind, could be more galling + than what I had to see with my very own eyes. + </p> + <p> + “It must have been close upon the middle of September when old Lord + Castlewood came himself to see his son's house and family at Shoxford. We + heard that he came down a little on the sudden to see to the truth of some + rumors which had reached him about our style of living. It was the first + time he had ever been there; for although he had very often been invited, + he could not bear to be under the roof of the daughter, as he said, of his + enemy. The Captain, just happening to come home on leave for his autumn + holiday, met his father quite at his own door—the very last place to + expect him. He afterward acknowledged that he was not pleased for his + father to come 'like a thief in the night.' However, they took him in and + made him welcome, and covered up their feelings nicely, as high-bred + people do. + </p> + <p> + “What passed among them was unknown to any but themselves, except so far + as now I tell you. A better dinner than usual for two was ready, to + celebrate the master's return and the beginning of his holiday; and the + old lord, having travelled far that day, was persuaded to sit down with + them. The five eldest children (making all except the baby, for you was + not born, miss, if you please) they were to have sat up at table, as + pretty as could be—three with their high cushioned stools, and two + in their arm-chairs screwed on mahogany, stuffed with horsehair, and with + rods in front, that the little dears might not tumble out in feeding, + which they did—it was a sight to see them! And how they would give + to one another, with their fingers wet and shining, and saying, 'Oo, dat + for oo.' Oh dear, Miss Erema, you were never born to see it! What a + blessing for you! All those six dear darlings laid in their little graves + within six weeks, with their mother planted under them; and the only + wonder is that you yourself was not upon her breast. + </p> + <p> + “Pay you no heed to me, Miss Erema, when you see me a-whimpering in and + out while I am about it. It makes my chest go easy, miss, I do assure you, + though not at the time of life to understand it. All they children was to + have sat up for the sake of their dear father, as I said just now; but + because of their grandfather all was ordered back. And back they come, as + good as gold, with Master George at the head of them, and asked me what + milk-teeth was. Grandpa had said that 'a dinner was no dinner if + milk-teeth were allowed at it.' The hard old man, with his own teeth + false! He deserved to sit down to no other dinner—and he never did, + miss. + </p> + <p> + “You may be sure that I had enough to do to manage all the little ones and + answer all their questions; but never having seen a live lord before, and + wanting to know if the children would be like him before so very long, I + went quietly down stairs, and the biggest of my dears peeped after me. And + then, by favor of the parlor-maid—for they kept neither butler nor + footman now—I saw the Lord Castlewood, sitting at his ease, with a + glass of port-wine before him, and my sweet mistress (the Captain's wife, + and your mother, if you understand, miss) doing her very best, thinking of + her children, to please him and make the polite to him. To me he seemed + very much to be thawing to her—if you can understand, miss, what my + meaning is—and the Captain was looking at them with a smile, as if + it were just what he had hoped for. From my own eyesight I can contradict + the lies put about by nobody knows who, that the father and the son were + at hot words even then. + </p> + <p> + “And I even heard my master, when they went out at the door, vainly + persuading his father to take such a bed as they could offer him. And good + enough it would have been for ten lords; for I saw nothing wonderful in + him, nor fit to compare any way with the Captain. But he would not have + it, for no other reason of ill-will or temper, but only because he had + ordered his bed at the Moonstock Inn, where his coach and four were + resting. + </p> + <p> + “'I expect you to call me in the morning, George,' I heard him say, as + clear as could be, while his son was helping his coat on. 'I am glad I + have seen you. There are worse than you. And when the times get better, I + will see what I can do.' + </p> + <p> + “With him this meant more than it might have done; for he was not a man of + much promises, as you might tell by his face almost, with his nose so + stern, and his mouth screwed down, and the wrinkles the wrong way for + smiling. I could not tell what the Captain answered, for the door banged + on them, and it woke the baby, who was dreaming, perhaps, about his + lordship's face, and his little teeth gave him the wind on his chest, and + his lungs was like bellows—bless him! + </p> + <p> + “Well, that stopped me, Miss Erema, from being truly accurate in my + testimony. What with walking the floor, and thumping his back, and + rattling of the rings to please him—when they put me on the + Testament, cruel as they did, with the lawyers' eyes eating into me, and + both my ears buzzing with sorrow and fright, I may have gone too far, with + my heart in my mouth, for my mind to keep out of contradiction, wishful as + I was to tell the whole truth in a manner to hurt nobody. And without any + single lie or glaze of mine, I do assure you, miss, that I did more harm + than good; every body in the room—a court they called it, and no + bigger than my best parlor—one and all they were convinced that I + would swear black was white to save my master and mistress! And certainly + I would have done so, and the Lord in heaven thought the better of me, for + the sake of all they children, if I could have made it stick together, as + they do with practice.” + </p> + <p> + At thought of the little good she had done, and perhaps the great + mischief, through excess of zeal, Mrs. Strouss was obliged to stop, and + put her hand to her side, and sigh. And eager as I was for every word of + this miserable tale, no selfish eagerness could deny her need of + refreshment, and even of rest; for her round cheeks were white, and her + full breast trembled. And now she was beginning to make snatches at my + hand, as if she saw things she could only tell thus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + BETSY'S TALE—(Continued.) + </h3> + <p> + “I am only astonished, my dear,” said my nurse, as soon as she had had + some tea and toast, and scarcely the soft roe of a red herring, “that you + can put up so well, and abide with my instincts in the way you do. None of + your family could have done it, to my knowledge of their dispositions, + much less the baby that was next above you. But it often comes about to go + in turns like that; 'one, three, five, and seven is sweet, while two, + four, and six is a-squalling with their feet.' But the Lord forgive me for + an ill word of them, with their precious little bodies washed, and laying + in their patterns till the judgment-day. + </p> + <p> + “But putting by the words I said in the dirty little room they pleased to + call a 'court,' and the Testament so filthy that no lips could have a hold + of it, my meaning is to tell you, miss, the very things that happened, so + that you may fairly judge of them. The Captain came back from going with + his father, I am sure, in less than twenty minutes, and smoking a cigar in + his elegant way, quite happy and contented, for I saw him down the + staircase. As for sign of any haste about him, or wiping of his forehead, + or fumbling with his handkerchief, or being in a stew in any sort of way—as + the stupid cook who let him in declared, by reason of her own having been + at the beer-barrel—solemnly, miss, as I hope to go to heaven, there + was nothing of the sort about him. + </p> + <p> + “He went into the dining-room, and mistress, who had been up stairs to see + about the baby, went down to him; and there I heard them talking as + pleasant and as natural as they always were together. Not one of them had + the smallest sense of trouble hanging over them; and they put away both + the decanters and cruets, and came up to bed in their proper order, the + master stopping down just to finish his cigar and see to the doors and the + bringing up the silver, because there was no man-servant now. And I heard + him laughing at some little joke he made as he went into the bedroom. A + happier household never went to bed, nor one with better hopes of a happy + time to come. And the baby slept beside his parents in his little cot, as + his mother liked to have him, with his blessed mouth wide open. + </p> + <p> + “Now we three (cook and Susan and myself) were accustomed to have a good + time of it whenever the master first came home and the mistress was taken + up with him. We used to count half an hour more in bed, without any of + that wicked bell-clack, and then go on to things according to their order, + without any body to say any thing. Accordingly we were all snug in bed, + and turning over for another tuck of sleep, when there came a most vicious + ringing of the outer bell. 'You get up, Susan,' I heard the cook say, for + there only was a door between us; and Susan said, 'Blest if I will! Only + Tuesday you put me down about it when the baker came.' Not a peg would + either of them stir, no more than to call names on one another; so I + slipped on my things, with the bell going clatter all the while, like the + day of judgment. I felt it to be hard upon me, and I went down cross a + little—just enough to give it well to a body I were not afraid of. + </p> + <p> + “But the Lord in His mercy remember me, miss! When I opened the door, I + had no blood left. There stood two men, with a hurdle on their shoulders, + and on the hurdle a body, with the head hanging down, and the front of it + slouching, like a sack that has been stolen from; and behind it there was + an authority with two buttons on his back, and he waited for me to say + something; but to do so was beyond me. Not a bit of caution or of fear + about my sham dress-up, as the bad folk put it afterward; the whole of + such thoughts was beyond me outright, and no thought of any thing came + inside me, only to wait and wonder. + </p> + <p> + “'This corpse belongeth here, as I am informed,' said the man, who seemed + to be the master of it, and was proud to be so. 'Young woman, don't you + please to stand like that, or every duffer in the parish will be here, and + the boys that come hankering after it. You be off!' he cried out to a boy + who was calling some more round the corner. 'Now, young woman, we must + come in if you please, and the least said the soonest mended.' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, but my mistress, my mistress!' I cried; 'and her time up, as nigh as + may be, any day or night before new moon. 'Oh, Mr. Constable, Mr. Rural + Polishman, take it to the tool shed, if you ever had a wife, Sir.' Now + even this was turned against us as if I had expected it. They said that I + must have known who it was, and to a certain length so I did, miss, but + only by the dress and the manner of the corpse, and lying with an attitude + there was no contradicting. + </p> + <p> + “I can not tell you now, my dear, exactly how things followed. My mind was + gone all hollow with the sudden shock upon it. However, I had thought + enough to make no noise immediate, nor tell the other foolish girls, who + would have set up bellowing. Having years to deal with little ones brings + knowledge of the rest to us. I think that I must have gone to master's + door, where Susan's orders were to put his shaving water in a tin, and + fetched him out, with no disturbance, only in his dressing-gown. And when + I told him what it was, his rosy color turned like sheets, and he just + said, 'Hush!' and nothing more. And guessing what he meant, I ran and put + my things on properly. + </p> + <p> + “But having time to think, the shock began to work upon me, and I was fit + for nothing when I saw the children smiling up with their tongues out for + their bread and milk, as they used to begin the day with. And I do assure + you, Miss Erema, my bitterest thought was of your coming, though unknown + whether male or female, but both most inconvenient then, with things in + such a state of things. You have much to answer for, miss, about it; but + how was you to help it, though? + </p> + <p> + “The tool-shed door was too narrow to let the hurdle and the body in, and + finding some large sea-kale pots standing out of use against the door, the + two men (who were tired with the weight and fright, I dare say) set down + their burden upon these, under a row of hollyhocks, at the end of the row + of bee-hives. And here they wiped their foreheads with some rags they had + for handkerchiefs, or one of them with his own sleeve, I should say, and, + gaining their breath, they began to talk with the boldness of the sunrise + over them. But Mr. Rural Polishman, as he was called in those parts, was + walking up and down on guard, and despising of their foolish words. + </p> + <p> + “My master, the Captain, your father, miss, came out of a window and down + the cross-walk, while I was at the green door peeping, for I thought that + I might be wanted, if only to take orders what was to be done inside. The + constable stiffly touched his hat, and marched to the head of the hurdle, + and said, + </p> + <p> + “'Do you know this gentleman?' + </p> + <p> + “Your father took no more notice of him than if he had been a stiff + hollyhock, which he might have resembled if he had been good-looking. The + Captain thought highly of discipline always, and no kinder gentleman could + there be to those who gave his dues to him. But that man's voice had a low + and dirty impertinent sort of a twang with it. Nothing could have been + more unlucky. Every thing depended on that fellow in an ignorant + neighborhood like that; and his lordship, for such he was now, of course, + would not even deign to answer him. He stood over his head in his upright + way by a good foot, and ordered him here and there, as the fellow had been + expecting, I do believe, to order his lordship. And that made the + bitterest enemy of him, being newly sent into these parts, and puffed up + with authority. And the two miller's men could not help grinning, for he + had waved them about like a pair of dogs. + </p> + <p> + “But to suppose that my master 'was unmoved, and took it brutally' (as + that wretch of a fellow swore afterward), only shows what a stuck-up dolt + he was. For when my master had examined his father, and made his poor body + be brought in and spread on the couch in the dining-room, and sent me + hot-foot for old Dr. Diggory down at the bottom of Shoxford, Susan peeped + in through the crack of the door, with the cook to hold her hand behind, + and there she saw the Captain on his knees at the side of his father's + corpse, not saying a word, only with his head down. And when the doctor + came back with me, with his night-gown positive under his coat, the first + thing he said was, 'My dear Sir—my lord, I mean—don't take on + so; such things will always happen in this world;' which shows that my + master was no brute. + </p> + <p> + “Then the Captain stood up in his strength and height, without any pride + and without any shame, only in the power of a simple heart, and he said + words fit to hang him: + </p> + <p> + “'This is my doing! There is no one else to blame. If my father is dead, I + have killed him!' + </p> + <p> + “Several of us now were looking in, and the news going out like a + winnowing woman with no one to shut the door after her; our passage was + crowding with people that should have had a tar-brush in their faces. And + of course a good score of them ran away to tell that the Captain had + murdered his father. The milk-man stood there with his yoke and cans, and + his naily boots on our new oil-cloth, and, not being able to hide himself + plainly, he pulled out his slate and began to make his bill. + </p> + <p> + “'Away with you all!' your father said, coming suddenly out of the + dining-room, while the doctor was unbuttoning my lord, who was dead with + all his day clothes on; and every body brushed away like flies at the + depth of his voice and his stature. Then he bolted the door, with only our + own people and the doctor and the constable inside. Your mother was + sleeping like a lamb, as I could swear, having had a very tiring day the + day before, and being well away from the noise of the passage, as well as + at a time when they must sleep whenever sleep will come, miss. Bless her + gentle heart, what a blessing to be out of all that scare of it! + </p> + <p> + “All this time, you must understand, there was no sign yet what had + happened to his lordship, over and above his being dead. All of us + thought, if our minds made bold to think, that it must have pleased the + Lord to take his lordship either with an appleplexy or a sudden + heart-stroke, or, at any rate, some other gracious way not having any flow + of blood in it. But now, while your father was gone up stairs—for he + knew that his father was dead enough—to be sure that your mother was + quiet, and perhaps to smooth her down for trouble, and while I was run + away to stop the ranting of the children, old Dr. Diggory and that rural + officer were handling poor Lord Castlewood. They set him to their liking, + and they cut his clothes off—so Susan told me afterward—and + then they found why they were forced to do so, which I need not try to + tell you, miss. Only they found that he was not dead from any wise + visitation, but because he had been shot with a bullet through his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Old Dr. Diggory came out shaking, and without any wholesome sense to meet + what had arisen, after all his practice with dead men, and he called out + 'Murder!' with a long thing in his hand, till my master leaped down the + stairs, twelve at a time, and laid his strong hand on the old fool's + mouth. + </p> + <p> + “'Would you kill my wife?' he said; 'you shall not kill my wife.' + </p> + <p> + “'Captain Castlewood,' the constable answered, pulling out his staff + importantly, 'consider yourself my prisoner.' + </p> + <p> + “The Captain could have throttled him with one hand, and Susan thought he + would have done it. But, instead of that, he said, 'Very well; do your + duty. But let me see what you mean by it.' Then he walked back again to + the body of his father, and saw that he had been murdered. + </p> + <p> + “But, oh, Miss Erema, you are so pale! Not a bit of food have you had for + hours. I ought not to have told you such a deal of it to once. Let me undo + all your things, my dear, and give you something cordial; and then lie + down and sleep a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you, nurse,” I answered, calling all my little courage back. + “No sleep for me until I know every word. And to think of all my father + had to see and bear! I am not fit to be his daughter.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <h3> + BETSY'S TALE—(Concluded.) + </h3> + <p> + “Well, now,” continued Mrs. Strouss, as soon as I could persuade her to go + on, “if I were to tell you every little thing that went on among them, + miss, I should go on from this to this day week, or I might say this day + fortnight, and then not half be done with it. And the worst of it is that + those little things make all the odds in a case of that sort, showing what + the great things were. But only a counselor at the Old Bailey could make + head or tail of the goings on that followed. + </p> + <p> + “For some reason of his own, unknown to any living being but himself, + whether it were pride (as I always said) or something deeper (as other + people thought), he refused to have any one on earth to help him, when he + ought to have had the deepest lawyer to be found. The constable cautioned + him to say nothing, as it seems is laid down in their orders, for fear of + crimination. And he smiled at this, with a high contempt, very fine to + see, but not bodily wise. But even that jack-in-office could perceive that + the poor Captain thought of his sick wife up stairs, and his little + children, ten times for one thought he ever gave to his own position. And + yet I must tell you that he would have no denial, but to know what it was + that had killed his parent. When old Dr. Diggory's hands were shaking so + that his instrument would not bite on the thing lodged in his lordship's + back, after passing through and through him, and he was calling for + somebody to run for his assistant, who do you think did it for him, Miss + Erema? As sure as I sit here, the Captain! His face was like a rock, and + his hands no less; and he said, 'Allow me, doctor. I have been in action.' + And he fetched out the bullet—which showed awful nerve, according to + my way of thinking—as if he had been a man with three rows of teeth. + </p> + <p> + “'This bullet is just like those of my own pistol!' he cried, and he sat + down hard with amazement. You may suppose how this went against him, when + all he desired was to know and tell the truth; and people said that of + course he got it out, after a bottleful of doctors failed, because he knew + best how it was put in.' + </p> + <p> + “'I shall now go and see the place, if you please, or whether you please + or not,' my master said. 'Constable, you may come and point it out, unless + you prefer going to your breakfast. My word is enough that I shall not run + away. Otherwise, as you have acted on your own authority, I shall act on + mine, and tie you until you have obtained a warrant. Take your choice, my + man; and make it quickly, while I offer it.' + </p> + <p> + “The rural polishman stared at this, being used on the other hand to be + made much of. But seeing how capable the Captain was of acting up to any + thing, he made a sulky scrape, and said, 'Sir, as you please for the + present,' weighting his voice on those last three words, as much as to + say, 'Pretty soon you will be handcuffed.' 'Then,' said my master, 'I + shall also insist on the presence of two persons, simply to use their eyes + without any fear or favor. One is my gardener, a very honest man, but apt + to be late in the morning. The other is a faithful servant, who has been + with us for several years. Their names are Jacob Rigg and Betsy Bowen. You + may also bring two witnesses, if you choose. And the miller's men, of + course, will come. But order back all others.' + </p> + <p> + “'That is perfectly fair and straightforward, my lord,' the constable + answered, falling naturally into abeyance to orders. 'I am sure that all + of us wishes your lordship kindly out of this rum scrape. But my duty is + my duty.' + </p> + <p> + “With a few more words we all set forth, six in number, and no more; for + the constable said that the miller's men, who had first found the late + Lord Castlewood, were witnesses enough for him. And Jacob Rigg, whose legs + were far apart (as he said) from trenching celery, took us through the + kitchen-garden, and out at a gap, which saved every body knowing. + </p> + <p> + “Then we passed through a copse or two, and across a meadow, and then + along the turnpike-road, as far as now I can remember. And along that we + went to a stile on the right, without any house for a long way off. And + from that stile a foot-path led down a slope of grass land to the little + river, and over a hand-bridge, and up another meadow full of trees and + bushes, to a gate which came out into the road again a little to this side + of the Moonstock Inn, saving a quarter of a mile of road, which ran + straight up the valley and turned square at the stone bridge to get to the + same inn. + </p> + <p> + “I can not expect to be clear to you, miss, though I see it all now as I + saw it then, every tree, and hump, and hedge of it; only about the + distances from this to that, and that to the other, they would be beyond + me. You must be on the place itself; and I never could carry distances—no, + nor even clever men, I have heard my master say. But when he came to that + stile he stopped and turned upon all of us clearly, and as straight as any + man of men could be. 'Here I saw my father last, at a quarter past ten + o'clock last night, or within a few minutes of that time.' I wished to see + him to his inn, but he would not let me do so, and he never bore + contradiction. He said that he knew the way well, having fished more than + thirty years ago up and down this stream. He crossed this stile, and we + shook hands over it, and the moon being bright, I looked into his face, + and he said, 'My boy, God bless you!' Knowing his short ways, I did not + even look after him, but turned away, and went straight home along this + road. Upon my word as an Englishman, and as an officer of her Majesty, + that is all I know of it. Now let us go on to the—to the other + place. + </p> + <p> + “We all of us knew in our hearts, I am sure, that the Captain spoke the + simple truth, and his face was grand as he looked at us. But the constable + thought it his duty to ask, + </p> + <p> + “'Did you hear no sound of a shot, my lord? For he fell within a hundred + yards of this.' + </p> + <p> + “'I heard no sound of any shot whatever. I heard an owl hooting as I went + home, and then the rattle of a heavy wagon, and the bells of horses. I + have said enough. Let us go forward.' + </p> + <p> + “We obeyed him at once; and even the constable looked right and left, as + if he had been wrong. He signed to the miller's man to lead the way, and + my lord walked proudly after him. The path was only a little narrow track, + with the grass, like a front of hair, falling over it on the upper side + and on the under, dropping away like side curls; such a little path that I + was wondering how a great lord could walk over it. Then we came down a + steep place to a narrow bridge across a shallow river—abridge made + of only two planks and a rail, with a prop or two to carry them. And one + end of the handrail was fastened into a hollow and stubby old + hawthorn-tree, overhanging the bridge and the water a good way. And just + above this tree, and under its shadow, there came a dry cut into the + little river, not more than a yard or two above the wooden bridge, a + water-trough such as we have in Wales, miss, for the water to run in, when + the farmer pleases; but now there was no water in it, only gravel. + </p> + <p> + “The cleverest of the miller's men, though, neither of them had much + intellect, stepped down at a beck from the constable, right beneath the + old ancient tree, and showed us the marks on the grass and the gravel made + by his lordship where he fell and lay. And it seemed that he must have + fallen off the bridge, yet not into the water, but so as to have room for + his body, if you see, miss, partly on the bank, and partly in the hollow + of the meadow trough. + </p> + <p> + “'Have you searched the place well?' the Captain asked. 'Have you found + any weapon or implement?' + </p> + <p> + “'We have found nothing but the corpse, so far,' the constable answered, + in a surly voice, not liking to be taught his business. 'My first duty was + to save life, if I could. These men, upon finding the body, ran for me, + and knowing who it was, I came with it to your house.' + </p> + <p> + “'You acted for the best, my man. Now search the place carefully, while I + stand here. I am on my parole, I shall not run away. Jacob, go down and + help them.' + </p> + <p> + “Whether from being in the army, or what, your father always spoke in such + a way that the most stiff-neckedest people began without thinking to obey + him. So the constable and the rest went down, while the Captain and I + stood upon the plank, looking at the four of them. + </p> + <p> + “For a long time they looked about, according to their attitudes, without + finding any thing more than the signs of the manner in which the poor lord + fell, and of these the constable pulled out a book and made a pencil + memorial. But presently Jacob, a spry sort of man, cried, 'Hulloa! + whatever have I got hold of here? Many a good craw-fish have I pulled out + from this bank when the water comes down the gully, but never one exactly + like this here afore.' + </p> + <p> + “'Name of the Lord!' cried the constable, jumping behind the hawthorn + stump; 'don't point it at me, you looby! It's loaded, loaded one barrel, + don't you see? Put it down, with the muzzle away from me.' + </p> + <p> + “'Hand it to me, Jacob,' the Captain said. 'You understand a gun, and this + goes off just the same.' Constable Jobbins have no fear. 'Yes, it is + exactly as I thought. This pistol is one of the double-barreled pair which + I bought to take to India. The barrels are rifled; it shoots as true as + any rifle, and almost as hard up to fifty yards. The right barrel has been + fired, the other is still loaded. The bullet I took from my father's body + most certainly came from this pistol.' + </p> + <p> + “'Can 'e say, can 'e say then, who done it, master?' asked Jacob, a man + very sparing of speech, but ready at a beck to jump at constable and + miller's men, if only law was with him. 'Can 'e give a clear account, and + let me chuck 'un in the river?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, Jacob, I can do nothing of the kind,' your father answered; while + the rural man came up and faced things, not being afraid of a fight half + so much as he was of an accident; by reason of his own mother having been + blown up by a gunpowder start at Dartford, yet came down all right, miss, + and had him three months afterward, according to his own confession; + nevertheless, he came up now as if he had always been upright, in the + world, and he said, 'My lord, can you explain all this?' + </p> + <p> + “Your father looked at him with one of his strange gazes, as if he were + measuring the man while trying his own inward doing of his own mind. Proud + as your father was, as proud as ever can be without cruelty, it is my firm + belief, Miss Erema, going on a woman's judgment, that if the man's eyes + had come up to my master's sense of what was virtuous, my master would + have up and told him the depth and contents of his mind and heart, + although totally gone beyond him. + </p> + <p> + “But Jobbins looked back at my lord with a grin, and his little eyes, hard + to put up with. 'Have you nothing to say, my lord? Then I am afeared I + must ask you just to come along of me.' And my master went with him, miss, + as quiet as a lamb; which Jobbins said, and even Jacob fancied, was a + conscience sign of guilt. + </p> + <p> + “Now after I have told you all this, Miss Erema, you know very nearly as + much as I do. To tell how the grief was broken to your mother, and what + her state of mind was, and how she sat up on the pillows and cried, while + things went on from bad to worse, and a verdict of 'willful murder' was + brought against your father by the crowner's men, and you come headlong, + without so much as the birds in the ivy to chirp about you, right into the + thick of the worst of it. I do assure you, Miss Erema, when I look at your + bright eyes and clear figure, the Lord in heaven, who has made many + cripples, must have looked down special to have brought you as you are. + For trouble upon trouble fell in heaps, faster than I can wipe my eyes to + think. To begin with, all the servants but myself and gardener Jacob ran + away. They said that the old lord haunted the house, and walked with his + hand in the middle of his heart, pulling out a bullet if he met any body, + and sighing 'murder' three times, till every hair was crawling. I took it + on myself to fetch the Vicar of the parish to lay the evil spirit, as they + do in Wales. A nice kind gentleman he was as you could see, and wore a + velvet skull-cap, and waited with his legs up. But whether he felt that + the power was not in him, or whether his old lordship was frightened of + the Church, they never made any opportunity between them to meet and have + it out, miss. + </p> + <p> + “Then it seemed as if Heaven, to avenge his lordship, rained down + pestilence upon that house. A horrible disease, the worst I ever met, + broke out upon the little harmless dears, the pride of my heart and of + every body's eyes, for lovelier or better ones never came from heaven. + They was all gone to heaven in a fortnight and three days, and laid in the + church-yard at one another's side, with little beds of mould to the + measure of their stature, and their little carts and drums, as they made + me promise, ready for the judgment-day. Oh, my heart was broken, miss, my + heart was broken! I cried so, I thought I could never cry more. + </p> + <p> + “But when your dear mother, who knew nothing of all this (for we put all + their illness, by the doctor's orders, away at the further end of the + house), when she was a little better of grievous pain and misery (for + being so upset her time was hard), when she sat up on the pillow, looking + like a bride almost, except that she had what brides hasn't—a little + red thing in white flannel at her side—then she says to me, 'I am + ready, Betsy; it is high time for all of them to see their little sister. + They always love the baby so, whenever there is a new one. And they are + such men and women to it. They have been so good this time that I have + never heard them once. And I am sure that I can trust them, Betsy, not to + make the baby cry. I do so long to see the darlings. Now do not even + whisper to them not to make a noise. They are too good to require it; and + it would hurt their little feelings.' + </p> + <p> + “I had better have been shot, my dear, according as the old lord was, than + have the pain that went through all my heart, to see the mother so. She + sat up, leaning on one arm, with the hand of the other round your little + head, and her beautiful hair was come out of its loops, and the color in + her cheeks was like a shell. Past the fringe of the curtain, and behind it + too, her soft bright eyes were a-looking here and there for the first to + come in of her children. The Lord only knows what lies I told her, so as + to be satisfied without them. First I said they were all gone for a walk; + and then that the doctor had ordered them away; and then that they had got + the measles. That last she believed, because it was worse than what I had + said before of them; and she begged to see Dr. Diggory about it, and I + promised that she should as soon as he had done his dinner. And then, with + a little sigh, being very weak, she went down into her nest again, with + only you to keep her company. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was bad enough, as any mortal sufferer might have said; enough + for one day at any rate. But there was almost worse to come. For when I + was having a little sit down stairs, with my supper and half pint of ale + (that comes like drawing a long breath to us when spared out of sickrooms, + miss), and having no nursery now on my mind, was thinking of all the sad + business, with only a little girl in the back kitchen come in to muck up + the dishes, there appeared a good knock at the garden door, and I knew it + for the thumb of the Captain. I locked the young girl up, by knowing what + their tongues are, and then I let your father in, and the candle-sight of + him made my heart go low. + </p> + <p> + “He had come out of prison; and although not being tried, his clothes were + still in decency, they had great holes in them, and the gloss all gone to + a smell of mere hedges and ditches. The hat on his head was quite out of + the fashion, even if it could be called a hat at all, and his beautiful + beard had no sign of a comb, and he looked as old again as he had looked a + month ago. + </p> + <p> + “'I know all about it. You need not be afraid,' he said, as I took him to + the breakfast-room, where no one up stairs could hear us. 'I know that my + children are all dead and buried, except the one that was not born yet. + Ill news flies quick. I know all about it. George, Henrietta, Jack, Alf, + little Vi, and Tiny. I have seen their graves and counted them, while the + fool of a policeman beat his gloves through the hedge within a rod of me. + Oh yes, I have much to be thankful for. My life is in my own hand now.' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, master; oh, Captain; oh, my lord!' I cried; 'for the sake of God in + heaven, don't talk like that. Think of your sweet wife, your dear lady.' + </p> + <p> + “'Betsy,' he answered, with his eyes full upon me, noble, yet frightful to + look at, 'I am come to see my wife. Go and let her know it, according to + your own discretion.' + </p> + <p> + “My discretion would have been not to let him see her, but go on and write + to her from foreign countries, with the salt sea between them; but I give + you my word that I had no discretion, but from pity and majesty obeyed + him. I knew that he must have broken prison, and by good rights ought to + be starving. But I could no more offer him the cold ham and pullet than + take him by his beard and shake him. + </p> + <p> + “'Is he come, at last, at last?' my poor mistress said, whose wits were + wandering after her children. 'At last, at last! Then he will find them + all.' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, ma'am, at last, at the last he will,' I answered, while I thought + of the burial service, which I had heard three times in a week—for + the little ones went to their graves in pairs to save ceremony; likewise + of the Epistle of Saint Paul, which is not like our Lord's way of talking + at all, but arguing instead of comforting. And not to catch her up in that + weak state, I said, 'He will find every one of them, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, but I want him for himself, for himself, as much as all the rest put + together,' my dear lady said, without listening to me, but putting her + hand to her ear to hearken for even so much as a mouse on the stairs. 'Do + bring him, Betsy; only bring him, Betsy, and then let me go where my + children are.' + </p> + <p> + “I was surprised at her manner of speaking, which I would not have allowed + to her, but more than all about her children, which she could only have + been dreaming yet, for nobody else came nigh her except only me, miss, and + you, miss, and for you to breathe words was impossible. All you did was to + lie very quiet, tucked up into your mother's side; and as regular as the + time-piece went, wide came your eyes and your mouth to be fed. If your + nature had been cross or squally, 'baby's coffin No. 7' would have come + after all the other six, which the thief of a carpenter put down on his + bill as if it was so many shavings. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, to tell you the downright truth, I have a lot of work to do + to-morrow, miss, with three basketfuls of washing coming home, and a man + about a tap that leaks and floods the inside of the fender; and if I were + to try to put before you the way that those two for the last time of their + lives went on to one another—the one like a man and the other like a + woman, full of sobs and choking—my eyes would be in such a state + to-morrow that the whole of them would pity and cheat me. And I ought to + think of you as well, miss, who has been sadly harrowed listening when you + was not born yet. And to hear what went on, full of weeping, when yourself + was in the world, and able to cry for yourself, and all done over your own + little self, would leave you red eyes and no spirit for the night, and no + appetite in the morning; and so I will pass it all over, if you please, + and let him go out of the backdoor again. + </p> + <p> + “This he was obliged to do quick, and no mistake, glad as he might have + been to say more words, because the fellows who call themselves officers, + without any commission, were after him. False it was to say, as was said, + that he got out of Winchester jail through money. That story was quite of + a piece with the rest. His own strength and skill it was that brought him + out triumphantly, as the scratches on his hands and cheeks might show. He + did it for the sake of his wife, no doubt. When he heard that the children + were all in their graves, and their mother in the way to follow them, + madness was better than his state of mind, as the officers told me when + they could not catch him—and sorry they would have been to do it, I + believe. + </p> + <p> + “To overhear my betters is the thing of all things most against my nature; + and my poor lady being unfit to get up, there was nothing said on the + landing, which is the weakest part of gentlefolks. They must have said + 'Good-by' to one another quite in silence, and the Captain, as firm a man + as ever lived, had lines on his face that were waiting for tears, if + nature should overcome bringing up. Then I heard the words, 'for my sake,' + and the other said, 'for your sake,' a pledge that passed between them, + making breath more long than life is. But when your poor father was by the + back-door, going out toward the woods and coppices, he turned sharp round, + and he said, 'Betsy Bowen!' and I answered, 'Yes, at your service, Sir.' + 'You have been the best woman in the world,' he said—'the bravest, + best, and kindest. I leave my wife and my last child to you. The Lord has + been hard on me, but He will spare me those two. I do hope and believe He + will.' + </p> + <p> + “We heard a noise of horses in the valley, and the clank of swords—no + doubt the mounted police from Winchester a-crossing of the Moonstock + Bridge to search our house for the runaway. And the Captain took my hand, + and said, 'I trust them to you. Hide the clothes I took off, that they may + not know I have been here. I trust my wife and little babe to you, and may + God bless you, Betsy!' + </p> + <p> + “He had changed all his clothes, and he looked very nice, but a sadder + face was never seen. As he slipped through the hollyhocks I said to + myself, 'There goes a broken-hearted man, and he leaves a broken heart + behind.' And your dear mother died on the Saturday night. Oh my! oh my! + how sad it was!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + AT THE BANK + </h3> + <p> + In telling that sad tale my faithful and soft-hearted nurse had often + proved her own mistake in saying, as she did, that tears can ever be + exhausted. And I, for my part, though I could scarcely cry for eager + listening, was worse off perhaps than if I had wetted each sad fact as it + went by. At any rate, be it this way or that, a heavy and sore heart was + left me, too distracted for asking questions, and almost too depressed to + grieve. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Mrs. Strouss was bustling here and there and every where, + and to look at her nice Welsh cheeks and aprons, and to hear how she + scolded the butcher's boy, nobody would for a moment believe that her + heart was deeper than her skin, as the saying of the west country is. + Major Hockin had been to see me last night, for he never forgot a promise, + and had left me in good hands, and now he came again in the morning. + According to his usual way of taking up an opinion, he would not see how + distracted I was, and full of what I had heard overnight, but insisted on + dragging me off to the bank, that being in his opinion of more importance + than old stories. I longed to ask Betsy some questions which had been + crowding into my mind as she spoke, and while I lay awake at night; + however, I was obliged to yield to the business of the morning, and the + good Major's zeal and keen knowledge of the world; and he really gave me + no time to think. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I understand all that as well as if I had heard every word of it,” + he said, when he had led me helpless into the Hansom cab he came in, and + had slammed down the flood-gates in front of us. “You must never think + twice of what old women say” (Mrs. Strouss was some twenty years younger + than himself); “they always go prating and finding mares'-nests, and then + they always cry. Now did she cry, Erema?” + </p> + <p> + I would have given a hundred dollars to be able to say, “No, not one + drop;” but the truth was against me, and I said, “How could she help it?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly!” the Major exclaimed, so loudly that the cabman thought he was + ordered to stop. “No, go on, cabby, if your horse can do it. My dear, I + beg your pardon, but you are so very simple! You have not been among the + eye-openers of the west. This comes of the obsolete Uncle Sam.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather be simple than 'cute!'” I replied; “and my own Uncle Sam + will be never obsolete.” + </p> + <p> + Silly as I was, I could never speak of the true Uncle Sam in this far + country without the bright shame of a glimmer in my eyes; and with this, + which I cared not to hide, I took my companion's hand and stood upon the + footway of a narrow and crowded lane. + </p> + <p> + “Move on! move on!” cried a man with a high-crowned hat japanned at + intervals, and, wondering at his rudeness to a lady, I looked at him. But + he only said, “Now move on, will you?” without any wrath, and as if he + were vexed at our littleness of mind in standing still. Nobody heeded him + any more than if he had said, “I am starving,” but it seemed a rude thing + among ladies. Before I had time to think more about this—for I + always like to think of things—I was led through a pair of narrow + swinging doors, and down a close alley between two counters full of people + paying and receiving money. The Major, who always knew how to get on, + found a white-haired gentleman in a very dingy corner, and whispered to + him in a confidential way, though neither had ever seen the other before, + and the white-haired gentleman gazed at me as sternly as if I were a + bank-note for at least a thousand pounds; and then he said, “Step this + way, young lady. Major Hockin, step this way, Sir.” + </p> + <p> + The young lady “stepped that way” in wonder as to what English English is, + and then we were shown into a sacred little room, where the daylight had + glass reflectors for it, if it ever came to use them. But as it cared very + little to do this, from angular disabilities, three bright gas-lights were + burning in soft covers, and fed the little room with a rich, sweet glow. + And here shone one of the partners of the bank, a very pleasant-looking + gentleman, and very nicely dressed. + </p> + <p> + “Major Hockin,” he said, after looking at the card, “will you kindly sit + down, while I make one memorandum? I had the pleasure of knowing your + uncle well—at least I believe that the late Sir Rufus was your + uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so,” replied the Major, well pleased, however. “I fear that I am too + old to have had any uncle lately. Sir Rufus Hockin was my first cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed! To be sure, I should have known it, but Sir Rufus being much + your senior, the mistake was only natural. Now what can I do to serve you, + or perhaps this young lady—Miss Hockin, I presume?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said his visitor, “not Miss Hockin. I ought to have introduced her, + but for having to make my own introduction. Mr. Shovelin, this lady is + Miss Erema Castlewood, the only surviving child of the late Captain George + Castlewood, properly speaking, Lord Castlewood.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Shovelin had been looking at me with as much curiosity as good manners + and his own particular courtesy allowed. And I fancied that he felt that I + could not be a Hockin. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, dear me!” was all he said, though he wanted to say, “God bless + me!” or something more sudden and stronger. “Lord Castlewood's daughter—poor + George Castlewood! My dear young lady, is it possible?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am my father's child,” I said; “and I am proud to hear that I am + like him.” + </p> + <p> + “That you well may be,” he answered, putting on his spectacles. “You are + astonished at my freedom, perhaps; you will allow for it, or at least, you + will not be angry with me, when you know that your father was my dearest + friend at Harrow; and that when his great trouble fell upon him—” + </p> + <p> + Here Mr. Shovelin stopped, as behooves a man who begins to outrun himself. + He could not tell me that it was himself who had found all the money for + my father's escape, which cost much cash as well as much good feeling. + Neither did I, at the time, suspect it, being all in the dark upon such + points. Not knowing what to say, I looked from the banker to the Major, + and back again. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me the exact time?” the latter asked. “I am due in the + Temple at 12.30, and I never am a minute late, whatever happens.” + </p> + <p> + “You will want a swift horse,” Mr. Shovelin answered, “or else this will + be an exception to your rule. It is twenty-one minutes past twelve now.” + </p> + <p> + “May I leave my charge to you, then, for a while? She will be very quiet; + she is always so. Erema, will you wait for me?” + </p> + <p> + I was not quick enough then to see that this was arranged between them. + Major Hockin perceived that Mr. Shovelin wished to have a talk with me + about dearer matters than money, having children of his own, and being (as + his eyes and forehead showed) a man of peculiar views, perhaps, but + clearly of general good-will. + </p> + <p> + “In an hour, in an hour, in less than an hour”—the Major intensified + his intentions always—“in three-quarters of an hour I shall be back. + Meanwhile, my dear, you will sit upon a stool, and not say a word, nor + make any attempt to do any thing every body is not used to.” + </p> + <p> + This vexed me, as if I were a savage here; and I only replied with a very + gentle bow, being glad to see his departure; for Major Hockin was one of + those people, so often to be met with, whom any one likes or dislikes + according to the changes of their behavior. But Mr. Shovelin was different + from that. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Castlewood, take this chair,” he said; “a hard one, but better than + a stool, perhaps. Now how am I to talk to you—as an inquirer upon + business matters, or as the daughter of my old friend? Your smile is + enough. Well, and you must talk to me in the same unreasonable manner. + That being clearly established between us, let us proceed to the next + point. Your father, my old friend, wandered from the track, and + unfortunately lost his life in a desolate part of America.” + </p> + <p> + “No; oh no. It was nothing like that. He might have been alive, and here + at this moment, if I had not drunk and eaten every bit and drop of his.” + </p> + <p> + “Now don't, my dear child, don't be so romantic—I mean, look at + things more soberly. You did as you were ordered, I have no doubt; George + Castlewood always would have that. He was a most commanding man. You do + not quite resemble him in that respect, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but did he do it, did he do it?” I cried out. “You were at school + with him, and knew his nature. Was it possible for him to do it, Sir?” + </p> + <p> + “As possible as it is for me to go down to Sevenoaks and shoot my dear old + father, who is spending a green and agreeable old age there. Not that your + grandfather, if I may say it without causing pain to you, was either green + or agreeable. He was an uncommonly sharp old man; I might even say a hard + one. As you never saw him, you will not think me rude in saying that much. + Your love, of course, is for your father; and if your father had had a + father of larger spirit about money, he might have been talking to me + pleasantly now, instead of—instead of all these sad things.” + </p> + <p> + “Please not to slip away from me,” I said, bluntly, having so often met + with that. “You believe, as every good person does, that my father was + wholly innocent. But do tell me who could have done it instead. Somebody + must have done it; that seems clear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Mr. Shovelin, with a look of calm consideration; “somebody + did it, undoubtedly; and that makes the difficulty of the whole affair. + 'Cui bono,' as the lawyers say. Two persons only could have had any + motive, so far as wealth and fortune go. The first and most prominent, + your father, who, of course, would come into every thing (which made the + suspicion so hot and strong); and the other, a very nice gentleman, whom + it is wholly impossible to suspect.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure of that? People have more than suspected—they have + condemned—my father. After that, I can suspect any body. Who is it? + Please to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the present Lord Castlewood, as he is beginning to be called. He + would not claim the title, or even put forward his right in any way, until + he had proof of your dear father's death; and even then he behaved so well—” + </p> + <p> + “He did it! he did it!” I cried, in hot triumph. “My father's name shall + be clear of it. Can there be any doubt that he did it? How very simple the + whole of it becomes! Nothing astonishes me, except the stupidity of + people. He had every thing to gain, and nothing to lose—a bad man, + no doubt—though I never heard of him. And putting it all on my + father, of course, to come in himself, and abide his time, till the misery + killed my father. How simple, how horribly simple, it becomes!” + </p> + <p> + “You are much too quick, too hot, too sudden. Excuse me a minute”—as + a silver bell struck—“I am wanted in the next room. But before I go, + let me give you a glass of cold water, and beg you to dismiss that new + idea from your mind.” + </p> + <p> + I could see, as I took with a trembling hand the water he poured out for + me, that Mr. Shovelin was displeased. His kind and handsome face grew + hard. He had taken me for a nice young lady, never much above the + freezing-point, and he had found me boil over in a moment. I was sorry to + have grieved him; but if he had heard Betsy Bowen's story, and seen her + tell it, perhaps he would have allowed for me. I sat down again, having + risen in my warmth, and tried to quiet and command myself by thinking of + the sad points only. Of these there were plenty to make pictures of, the + like of which had kept me awake all night; and I knew by this time, from + finding so much more of pity than real sympathy, that men think a woman + may well be all tears, but has no right to even the shadow of a frown. + That is their own prerogative. + </p> + <p> + And so, when Mr. Shovelin returned, with a bundle of papers which had also + vexed him—to judge by the way in which he threw them down—I + spoke very mildly, and said that I was very sorry for my display of + violence, but that if he knew all, he would pardon me; and he pardoned me + in a moment. + </p> + <p> + “I was going to tell you, my dear Miss Castlewood,” he continued, gently, + “that your sudden idea must be dismissed, for reasons which I think will + content you. In the first place, the present Lord Castlewood is, and + always has been, an exemplary man, of great piety and true gentleness; in + the next place, he is an invalid, who can not walk a mile with a crutch to + help him, and so he has been for a great many years; and lastly, if you + have no faith in the rest, he was in Italy at the time, and remained there + for some years afterward. There he received and sheltered your poor father + after his sad calamity, and was better than a brother to him, as your + father, in a letter to me, declared. So you see that you must acquit him.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not enough. I would beg his pardon on my knees, since he helped + my father, for he must have thought him innocent. Now, Mr. Shovelin, you + were my father's friend, and you are such a clever man—” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that, young lady? What a hurry you are always in!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there can be no doubt about it. But you must not ask reasons, if I am + so quick. Now please to tell me what your own conclusion is. I can talk of + it calmly now; yes, quite calmly, because I never think of any thing else. + Only tell me what you really believe, and I will keep it most strictly to + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure you will do that,” he answered, smiling, “not only from the + power of your will, my dear, but also because I have nothing to say. At + first I was strongly inclined to believe (knowing, from my certainty of + your father, that the universal opinion must be wrong) that the old lord + had done it himself; for he always had been of a headstrong and violent + nature, which I am sure will never re-appear in you. But the whole of the + evidence went against this, and little as I think of evidence, especially + at an inquest, your father's behavior confirmed what was sworn to. Your + father knew that his father had not made away with himself in a moment of + passion, otherwise he was not the man to break prison and fly trial. He + would have said, boldly, 'I am guiltless; there are many things that I can + not explain; I can not help that; I will face it out. Condemn me, if you + like, and I will suffer.' From your own remembrance of your father's + nature, is not that certainly the course he would have taken?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not an atom of doubt about it. His flight and persistent dread of + trial puzzle me beyond imagination. Of his life he was perfectly reckless, + except, at least, for my sake.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that he was,” Mr. Shovelin replied; “as a boy he was wonderfully + fearless. As a man, with a sweet wife and a lot of children, he might have + begun to be otherwise. But when all those were gone, and only a poor + little baby left—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose I was all that.” + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me. I am looking back at you. Who could dream that you would ever + even live, without kith or kin to care for you? Your life was saved by + some good woman who took you away to Wales. But when you were such a poor + little relic, and your father could scarcely have seen you, to have such a + mite left must have been almost a mockery of happiness. That motive could + not have been strong enough to prevent a man of proud honor from doing + what honor at once demanded. Your father would have returned and + surrendered as soon as he heard of his dear wife's death, if in the + balance there had been only you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Shovelin, perhaps he would. I was never very much as a + counter-balance. Yet my father loved me.” I could have told him of the + pledge exchanged—“For my sake,” and, “Yes, for your sake,” with love + and wedded honor set to fight cold desolate repute—but I did not say + a word about it. + </p> + <p> + “He loved you afterward, of course. But a man who has had seven children + is not enthusiastic about a baby. There must have been a larger motive.” + </p> + <p> + “But when I was the only one left alive. Surely I became valuable then. I + can not have been such a cipher.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for a long time you would have been,” replied the Saturnian banker. + “I do not wish to disparage your attractions when you were a fortnight + old. They may have begun already to be irresistible. Excuse me; you have + led me into the light vein, when speaking of a most sad matter. You must + blame your self-assertion for it. All I wish to convey to you is my belief + that something wholly unknown to us, some dark mystery of which we have no + inkling, lies at the bottom of this terrible affair. Some strange motive + there must have been, strong enough even to overcome all ordinary sense of + honor, and an Englishman's pride in submitting to the law, whatever may be + the consequence. Consider that his 'flight from justice,' as it was + called, of course, by every one, condemned his case and ruined his repute. + Even for that he would not have cared so much as for his own sense of + right. And though he was a very lively fellow, as I first remember him, + full of tricks and jokes, and so on, which in this busy age are out of + date, I am certain that he always had a stern sense of right. One never + knows how love affairs and weakness about children may alter almost any + man; but my firm conviction is that my dear old school-fellow, George + Castlewood, even with a wife and lovely children hanging altogether upon + his life, not only would not have broken jail, but would calmly have given + up his body to be hanged—pardon me, my dear, for putting it so + coarsely—if there had not been something paramount to override even + apparent honor. What it can have been I have no idea, and I presume you + have none.” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever,” I said at once, in answer to his inquiring gaze. “I am + quite taken by surprise; I never even thought of such a thing. It has + always seemed to me so natural that my dear father, being shamefully + condemned, because appearances were against him, and nobody could enter + into him, should, for the sake of his wife and children, or even of one + child like me, depart or banish himself, or emigrate, or, as they might + call it, run away. Knowing that he never could have a fair trial, it was + the only straightforward and good and affectionate thing for him to do.” + </p> + <p> + “You can not see things as men see them. We must not expect it of you,” + Mr. Shovelin answered, with a kind but rather too superior smile, which + reminded me a little of dear Uncle Sam when he listened to what, in his + opinion, was only female reason; “but, dear me, here is Major Hockin come! + Punctuality is the soul of business.” + </p> + <p> + “So I always declare,” cried the Major, who was more than three-quarters + of an hour late, for which in my heart I thanked him. “My watch keeps time + to a minute, Sir, and its master to a second. Well, I hope you have + settled all questions of finance, and endowed my young maid with a + fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “So far from that,” Mr. Shovelin replied, in a tone very different from + that he used to me, “we have not even said one word of business; all that + has been left for your return. Am I to understand that you are by + appointment or relationship the guardian of this young lady?” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid!” cried Major Hockin, shortly. I thought it very rude of him, + yet I could not help smiling to see how he threw his glasses up and lifted + his wiry crest of hair. “Not that she is bad, I mean, but good, very good; + indeed, I may say the very best girl ever known outside of my own family. + My cousin, Colonel Gundry, who owns an immense estate in the most + auriferous district of all California, but will not spoil his splendid + property by mining, he will—he will tell you the very same thing, + Sir.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad to hear it,” said the banker, smiling at me, while I + wondered what it was, but hoped that it meant my praises. “Now I really + fear that I must be very brief, though the daughter of my oldest friend + may well be preferred to business. But now we will turn at once to + business, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + COUSIN MONTAGUE + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Shovelin went to a corner of the room, which might be called his + signal-box, having a little row of port-holes like a toy frigate or + accordion, and there he made sounds which brought steps very promptly, one + clerk carrying a mighty ledger, and the other a small strong-box. + </p> + <p> + “No plate,” Major Hockin whispered to me, shaking his gray crest with + sorrow; “but there may be diamonds, you know, Erema. One ounce of diamonds + is worth a ton of plate.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Mr. Shovelin, whose ears were very keen, “I fear that you will + find nothing of mercantile value. Thank you, Mr. Robinson; by-and-by + perhaps we shall trouble you. Strictly speaking, perhaps I should require + the presence of your father's lawyer, or of some one producing probate, + ere I open this box, Miss Castlewood. But having you here, and Major + Hockin, and knowing what I do about the matter (which is one of personal + confidence), I will dispense with formalities. We have given your father's + solicitor notice of this deposit, and requested his attention, but he + never has deigned to attend to it; so now we will dispense with him. You + see that the seal is unbroken; you know your father's favorite seal, no + doubt. The key is nothing; it was left to my charge. You wish that I + should open this?” + </p> + <p> + Certainly I did, and the banker split the seal with an ebony-handled + paper-knife, and very soon unlocked the steel-ribbed box, whose weight was + chiefly of itself. Some cotton-wool lay on the top to keep the + all-penetrative dust away, and then a sheet of blue foolscap paper, partly + covered with clear but crooked writing, and under that some little twists + of silver paper, screwed as if there had been no time to tie them, and a + packet of letters held together by a glittering bracelet. + </p> + <p> + “Poor fellow!” Mr. Shovelin said, softly, while I held my breath, and the + Major had the courtesy to be silent. “This is his will; of no value, I + fear, in a pecuniary point of view, but of interest to you his daughter. + Shall I open it, Miss Castlewood, or send it to his lawyers?” + </p> + <p> + “Open it, and never think of them,” said I. “Like the rest, they have + forsaken him. Please to read it to yourself, and then tell us.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I wish I had known this before!” cried the banker, after a rapid + glance or two. “Very kind, very flattering, I am sure! Yes, I will do my + duty by him; I wish there was more to be done in the case. He has left me + sole executor, and trustee of all his property, for the benefit of his + surviving child. Yet he never gave me the smallest idea of expecting me to + do this for him. Otherwise, of course, I should have had this old box + opened years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “We must look at things as they are,” said Major Hockin, for I could say + nothing. “The question is, what do you mean to do now?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing whatever,” said the banker, crisply, being displeased at the + other's tone; and then, seeing my surprise, he addressed himself to me: + “Nothing at present, but congratulate myself upon my old friend's + confidence, and, as Abernethy said, 'take advice.' A banker must never + encroach upon the province of the lawyer. But so far as a layman may + judge, Major Hockin, I think you will have to transfer to me the care of + this young lady.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be only too happy, I assure you,” the Major answered, truthfully. + “My wife has a great regard for her, and so have I—the very + greatest, the strongest regard, and warm parental feelings; as you know, + Erema. But—but, I am not so young as I was; and I have to develop my + property.” + </p> + <p> + “Of which she no longer forms a part,” Mr. Shovelin answered, with a smile + at me, which turned into pleasure my momentary pain at the other's calm + abandonment. “You will find me prompt and proud to claim her, as soon as I + am advised that this will is valid; and that I shall learn to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of pride, or by its aid, my foolish eyes were full of tears, and + I gave him a look of gratitude which reminded him of my father, as he said + in so many words. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I hope it is valid! How I hope it is!” I exclaimed, turning round to + the Major, who smiled rather grimly, and said he hoped so too. + </p> + <p> + “But surely,” he continued, “as we are all here, we should not neglect the + opportunity of inspecting the other contents of this box. To me it appears + that we are bound to do so; that it is our plain duty to ascertain—Why, + there might even be a later will. Erema, my dear, you must be most anxious + to get to the bottom of it.” + </p> + <p> + So I was, but desired even more that his curiosity should be foiled. “We + must leave that to Mr. Shovelin,” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Then for the present we will seal it down again,” the banker answered, + quietly; “we can see that there is no other will, and a later one would + scarcely be put under this. The other little packets, whatever they may + be, are objects of curiosity, perhaps, rather than of importance. They + will keep till we have more leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “We have taken up a great deal of your time, Sir, I am sure,” said the + Major, finding that he could take no more. “We ought to be, and we are, + most grateful.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” the banker answered, as we began to move, “such things do not + happen every day. But there is no friend like an old friend, Erema, as I + mean to call you now. I was to have been your godfather; but I fear that + you never have been baptized.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried the Major, staring at us both. “Is such a thing possible in + a Christian land? Oh, how I have neglected my duty to the Church! Come + back with me to Bruntsea, and my son shall do it. The church there is + under my orders, I should hope; and we will have a dinner party afterward. + What a horrible neglect of duty!” + </p> + <p> + “But how could I help it?” I exclaimed, with some terror at Major Hockin's + bristling hair. “I can not remember—I am sure I can not say. It may + have been done in France, or somewhere, if there was no time in England. + At any rate, my father is not to be blamed.” + </p> + <p> + “Papistical baptism is worse than none,” the Major said, impressively. + “Never mind, my dear, we will make that all right. You shall not be a + savage always. We will take the opportunity to change your name. Erema is + popish and outlandish; one scarcely knows how to pronounce it. You shall + have a good English Christian name—Jemima, Jane, or Sophy. Trust me + to know a good name. Trust me.” + </p> + <p> + “Jemima!” I cried. “Oh, Mr. Shovelin, save me from ever being called + Jemima! Rather would I never be baptized at all.” + </p> + <p> + “I am no judge of names,” he answered, smiling, as he shook hands with us; + “but, unless I am a very bad judge of faces, you will be called just what + you please.” + </p> + <p> + “And I please to be called what my father called me. It may be unlucky, as + a gentleman told me, who did not know how to pronounce it. However, it + will do very well for me. You wish to see me, then, to-morrow, Mr. + Shovelin?” + </p> + <p> + “If you please; but later in the day, when I am more at leisure. I do not + run away very early. Come at half past four to this door, and knock. I + hear every sound at this door in my room; and the place will be growing + quiet then.” + </p> + <p> + He showed us out into a narrow alley through a heavy door sheathed with + iron, and soon we recovered the fair light of day, and the brawl and roar + of a London street. + </p> + <p> + “Now where shall we go?” the Major asked, as soon as he had found a cab + again; for he was very polite in that way. “You kept early hours with your + 'uncle Sam,' as you call Colonel Gundry, a slow-witted man, but most + amusing when he likes, as slow-witted men very often are. Now will you + come and dine with me? I can generally dine, as you, with virtuous + indignation, found out at Southampton. But we are better friends now, Miss + Heathen.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have more than I can ever thank you for,” I answered, very + gravely, for I never could become jocose to order, and sadness still was + uppermost. “I will go where you like. I am quite at your orders, because + Betsy Bowen is busy now. She will not have done her work till six + o'clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done!” he cried. “Bravo, Young America! Frankness is the finest of + all good manners. And what a lot of clumsy deception it saves! Then let us + go and dine. I will imitate your truthfulness. It was two words for + myself, and one for you. The air of London always makes me hungry after + too much country air. It is wrong altogether, but I can not help it. And + going along, I smell hungry smells coming out of deep holes with a plate + at the top. Hungry I mean to a man who has known what absolute starvation + is—when a man would thank God for a blue-bottle fly who had taken + his own nip any where. When I see the young fellows at the clubs pick + this, and poke that, and push away the other, may I be d——d—my + dear, I beg your pardon. Cabby, to the 'Grilled Bone and Scolloped + Cockle,' at the bottom of St. Ventricle Lane, you know.” + </p> + <p> + This place seemed, from what the Major said, to have earned repute for + something special, something esteemed by the very clever people, and only + to be found in true virtue here. And he told me that luxury and + self-indulgence were the greatest sins of the present age, and how he + admired a man who came here to protest against Epicureans, by dining + (liquors not included) for the sum of three and sixpence. + </p> + <p> + All this, no doubt, was wise and right; but I could not attend to it + properly now, and he might take me where he would, and have all the + talking to himself, according to his practice. And I might not even have + been able to say what this temple of bones and cockles was like, except + for a little thing which happened there. The room, at the head of a + twisting staircase, was low and dark, and furnished almost like a + farmhouse kitchen. It had no carpet, nor even a mat, but a floor of black + timber, and a ceiling colored blue, with stars and comets, and a full moon + near the fire-place. On either side of the room stood narrow tables + endwise to the walls, inclosed with high-backed seats like settles, + forming thus a double set of little stalls or boxes, with scarcely space + enough between for waiters, more urgent than New York firemen, to push + their steaming and breathless way. + </p> + <p> + “Square or round, miss?” said one of them to me as soon as the Major had + set me on a bench, and before my mind had time to rally toward criticism + of the knives and forks, which deprecated any such ordeal; and he cleverly + whipped a stand for something dirty, over something still dirtier, on the + cloth. + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand what you mean,” I replied to his highly zealous + aspect, while the Major sat smiling dryly at my ignorance, which vexed me. + “I have never received such a question before. Major Hockin, will you + kindly answer him?” + </p> + <p> + “Square,” said the Major; “square for both.” And the waiter, with a glance + of pity at me, hurried off to carry out his order. + </p> + <p> + “Erema, your mind is all up in the sky,” my companion began to + remonstrate. “You ought to know better after all your travels.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the sky should not fall and confuse me so,” I said, pointing to the + Milky Way, not more than a yard above me; “but do tell me what he meant, + if you can. Is it about the formation of the soup?” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, my dear. Soup is high treason here until night, when they make it + of the leavings. His honest desire was to know whether you would have a + grilled bone of mutton, which is naturally round, you know, or of beef, + which, by the same law of nature, seems always to be square, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see,” I replied, with some confusion, not at his osteology, but at + the gaze of a pair of living and lively eyes fastened upon me. A + gentleman, waiting for his bill, had risen in the next low box, and stood + calmly (as if he had done all his duty to himself) gazing over the wooden + back at me, who thus sat facing him. And Major Hockin, following my + glance, stood up and turned round to see to it. + </p> + <p> + “What! Cousin Montague! Bless my heart, who could have dreamed of lighting + on you here? Come in, my dear follow; there is plenty of room. Let me + introduce you to my new ward, Miss Erema Castlewood. Miss Castlewood, this + is Sir Montague Hockin, the son of my lamented first cousin Sir Rufus, of + whom you have heard so much. Well, to be sure! I have not seen you for an + age. My dear fellow, now how are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Castlewood, please not to move; I sit any where. Major, I am most + delighted to see you. Over and over again I have been at the point of + starting for Bruntsea Island—it is an island now, isn't it? My + father would never believe that it was till I proved it from the number of + rabbits that came up. However, not a desolate island now, if it contains + you and all your energies, and Miss Castlewood, as well as Mrs. Hockin.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not an island, and it never shall be,” the Major cried, knocking a + blue plate over, and spilling the salt inauspiciously. “It never was an + island, and it never shall be. My intention is to reclaim it altogether. + Oh, here come the squares. Well done! well done! I quite forget the proper + thing to have to drink. Are the cockles in the pan, Mr. Waiter? Quite + right, then; ten minutes is the proper time; but they know that better + than I do. I am very sorry, Montague, that you have dined.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely you would not call this a dinner; I take my true luncheon + afterward. But lately my appetite has been so bad that it must be fed up + at short intervals. You can understand that, perhaps, Miss Castlewood. It + makes the confectioners' fortunes, you know. The ladies once came only + twice to feed, but now they come three times, I am assured by a young man + who knows all about it. And cherry brandy is the mildest form of tipple.” + </p> + <p> + “Shocking scandal! abominable talk!” cried the Major, who took every thing + at its word. “I have heard all that sort of stuff ever since I was as high + as this table. Waiter, show me this gentleman's bill. Oh well, oh well! + you have not done so very badly. Two squares and a round, with a jug of + Steinberg, and a pint of British stout with your Stilton. If this is your + ante-lunch, what will you do when you come to your real luncheon? But I + must not talk now; you may have it as you please.” + </p> + <p> + “The truth of it is, Miss Castlewood,” said the young man, while I looked + with some curiosity at my frizzling bone, with the cover just whisked off, + and drops of its juice (like the rays of a lustre) shaking with soft inner + wealth—“the truth of it is just this, and no more: we fix our minds + and our thoughts, and all the rest of our higher intelligence, a great + deal too much upon our mere food.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt we do,” I was obliged to answer. “It is very sad to think of, as + soon as one has dined. But does that reflection occur, as it should, at + the proper time to be useful—I mean when we are hungry?” + </p> + <p> + “I fear not; I fear that it is rather praeterite than practical.” + </p> + <p> + “No big words now, my dear fellow,” cried the Major. “You have had your + turn; let us have ours. But, Erema, you are eating nothing. Take a knife + and fork, Montague, and help her. The beauty of these things consists + entirely, absolutely, essentially, I may say, in their having the smoke + rushing out of them. A gush of steam like this should follow every turn of + the knife. But there! I am spoiling every bit by talking so.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that any fault of mine?” asked Sir Montague, in a tone which made me + look at him. The voice was not harsh, nor rough, nor unpleasant, yet it + gave me the idea that it could be all three, and worse than all three, + upon occasion. So I looked at him, which I had refrained from doing, to + see whether his face confirmed that idea. To the best of my perception, it + did not. Sir Montague Hockin was rather good-looking, so far as form and + color go, having regular features, and clear blue eyes, very beautiful + teeth, and a golden beard. His appearance was grave, but not morose, as if + he were always examining things and people without condemning them. It was + evident that he expected to take the upper hand in general, to play the + first fiddle, to hold the top saw, to “be helped to all the stuffing of + the pumpkin,” as dear Uncle Sam was fond of saying. Of moderate stature, + almost of middle age, and dressed nicely, without any gewgaws, which look + so common upon a gentleman's front, he was likely to please more people + than he displeased at first on-sight. + </p> + <p> + The Major was now in the flush of goodwill, having found his dinner + genial; and being a good man, he yielded to a little sympathetic anger + with those who had done less justice to themselves. And in this state of + mind he begged us to take note of one thing—that his ward should be + christened in Bruntsea Church, as sure as all the bells were his, + according to their inscriptions, no later than next Thursday week, that + being the day for a good sirloin; and if Sir Montague failed to come to + see how they could manage things under proper administration, he might be + sure of one thing, if no more—that Major Hockin would never speak to + him again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + A CHECK + </h3> + <p> + So many things now began to open upon me, to do and to think of, that I + scarcely knew which to begin with. I used to be told how much wiser it was + not to interfere with any thing—to let by-gones be by-gones, and + consider my own self only. But this advice never came home to my case, and + it always seemed an unworthy thing even to be listening to it. And now I + saw reason to be glad for thanking people who advised me, and letting them + go on to advise themselves. For if I had listened to Major Hockin, or even + Uncle Sam for that part, where must I have been now? Why, simply knowing + no more than as a child I knew, and feeling miserable about it. Whereas I + had now at least something to go upon, and enough for a long time to + occupy my mind. The difficulty was to know what to do first, and what to + resolve to leave undone, or at least to put off for the present. One of my + special desires had been to discover that man, that Mr. Goad, who had + frightened me so about two years back, and was said to be lost in the + snow-drifts. But nobody like him had ever been found, to the sorrow of the + neighborhood; and Sylvester himself had been disappointed, not even to + know what to do with his clothes. + </p> + <p> + His card, however, before he went off, had been left to the care of Uncle + Sam for security of the 15,000 dollars; and on it was printed, with a + glazing and much flourish, “Vypan, Goad, and Terryer: Private Inquiry + Office, Little England Polygon, W.C.” Uncle Sam, with a grunt and a rise + of his foot, had sent this low card flying to the fire, after I had kissed + him so for all his truth and loveliness; but I had caught it and made him + give it to me, as was only natural. And having this now, I had been quite + prepared to go and present it at its mean address, and ask what they + wanted me for in America, and what they would like to do with me now, + taking care to have either the Major close at hand, or else a policeman + well recommended. + </p> + <p> + But now I determined to wait a little while (if Betsy Bowen's opinion + should be at all the same as mine was), and to ask Mr. Shovelin what he + thought about it, before doing any thing that might arouse a set of ideas + quite opposite to mine, and so cause trouble afterward. And being unable + to think any better for the time than to wait and be talked to, I got + Major Hockin to take me back again to the right number in European Square. + </p> + <p> + Here I found Mrs. Strouss (born Betsy Bowen) ready and eager to hear a + great deal more than I myself had heard that day. On the other hand, I had + many questions, arising from things said to me, to which I required clear + answers; and it never would do for her to suppose that because she had + known me come into this world, she must govern the whole of my course + therein. But it cost many words and a great deal of demeanor to teach her + that, good and faithful as she was, I could not be always under her. Yet I + promised to take her advice whenever it agreed with my own opinions. + </p> + <p> + This pleased her, and she promised to offer it always, knowing how well it + would be received, and she told all her lodgers that they might ring and + ring, for she did not mean to answer any of their bells; but if they + wanted any thing, they must go and fetch it. Being Germans, who are the + most docile of men in England, whatever they may be at home, they made no + complaint, but retired to their pipes in a pleasant condition of surprise + at London habits. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Strouss, being from her earliest years of a thrifty and reputable + turn of mind, had managed, in a large yet honest way, to put by many + things which must prove useful in the long-run, if kept long enough. And I + did hear—most careful as I am to pay no attention to petty rumors—that + the first thing that moved the heart of Herr Strouss, and called forth his + finest feelings, was a winding-up chair, which came out to make legs, with + a pocket for tobacco, and a flat place for a glass. + </p> + <p> + This was certainly a paltry thought; and to think of such low things + grieved me. And now, when I looked at Mr. Strouss himself, having heard of + none of these things yet, I felt that my nurse might not have done her + best, yet might have done worse, when she married him. For he seemed to + have taken a liking toward me, and an interest in my affairs, which + redounded to his credit, if he would not be too inquisitive. And now I + gladly allowed him to be present, and to rest in the chair which had + captivated him, although last night I could scarcely have borne to have + heard in his presence what I had to hear. To-night there was nothing + distressful to be said, compared, at least, with last night's tale; + whereas there were several questions to be put, in some of which (while + scouting altogether Uncle Sam's low estimate) two females might, with + advantage perhaps, obtain an opinion from the stronger sex. + </p> + <p> + And now, as soon as I had told my two friends as well as I could what had + happened at the bank (with which they were pleased, as I had been), those + questions arose, and were, I believe, chiefly to the following purport—setting + aside the main puzzle of all. + </p> + <p> + Why did my father say, on that dreadful morning, that if his father was + dead, he himself had killed or murdered him? Betsy believed, when she came + to think, that he had even used the worse word of these two. + </p> + <p> + How could the fatal shot have been discharged from his pistol—as + clearly it had been—a pistol, moreover, which, by his own account, + as Betsy now remembered, he had left in his quarters near Chichester? + </p> + <p> + What was that horrible disease which had carried off all my poor little + brothers and sisters, and frightened kind neighbors and servants away? + Betsy said it was called “Differeria,” as differing so much from all other + complaints. I had never yet heard of this, but discovered, without asking + further than of Mr. Strouss, that she meant that urgent mandate for a levy + of small angels which is called on earth “diphtheria.” + </p> + <p> + Who had directed those private inquirers, Vypan, Goad, and Terryer, to + send to the far West a member of their firm to get legal proof of my dear + father's death, and to bring me back, if possible? The present Lord + Castlewood never would have done so, according to what Mr. Shovelin said; + it was far more likely that (but for weak health) he would have come forth + himself to seek me, upon any probable tidings. At once a religious and + chivalrous man, he would never employ mean agency. And while thinking of + that, another thought occurred—What had induced that low man Goad to + give Uncle Sam a date wrong altogether for the crime which began all our + misery? He had put it at ten, now twelve, years back, and dated it in + November, whereas it had happened in September month, six years and two + months before the date he gave. This question was out of all answer to me, + and also to Mrs. Strouss herself; but Herr Strouss, being of a legal turn, + believed that the law was to blame for it. He thought that proceedings + might be bound to begin, under the Extradition Act, within ten years of + the date of the crime; or there might be some other stipulation compelling + Mr. Goad to add one to all his falsehoods; and not knowing any thing about + it, both of us thought it very likely. + </p> + <p> + Again, what could have been that last pledge which passed between my + father and mother, when they said “good-by” to one another, and perhaps + knew that it was forever, so far as this bodily world is concerned? Was it + any thing about a poor little sleeping and whimpering creature like + myself, who could not yet make any difference to any living being except + the mother? Or was it concerning far more important things, justice, clear + honor, good-will, and duty, such as in the crush of time come upward with + high natures? And if so, was it not a promise from my mother, knowing + every thing, to say nothing, even at the quivering moment of lying beneath + the point of death? + </p> + <p> + This was a new idea for Betsy, who had concluded from the very first that + the pledge must be on my father's part—to wit, that he had vowed not + to surrender, or hurt himself in any way, for the sake of his dear wife. + And to my suggestion she could only say that she never had seen it in that + light; but the landings were so narrow and the walls so soft that, with + all her duty staring in her face, neither she, nor the best servant ever + in an apron, could be held responsible to repeat their very words. And her + husband said that this was good—very good—so good as ever + could be; and what was to show now from the mouth of any one, after + fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, the years? + </p> + <p> + After this I had no other word to say, being still too young to contradict + people duly married and of one accord. No other word, I mean, upon that + point; though still I had to ask, upon matters more immediate, what was + the next thing for me, perhaps, to do. And first of all it was settled + among us that for me to present myself at the head-quarters of Vypau, + Goad, and Terryer would be a very clumsy and stupid proceeding, and + perhaps even dangerous. Of course they would not reveal to me the author + of those kind inquiries about myself, which perhaps had cost the firm a + very valuable life, the life of Mr. Goad himself. And while I should learn + less than nothing from them, they would most easily extract from me, or at + any rate find out afterward, where I was living, and what I was doing, and + how I could most quietly be met and baffled, and perhaps even made away + with, so as to save all further trouble. + </p> + <p> + Neither was that the only point upon which I resolved to do nothing. Herr + Strouss was a very simple-minded man, yet full of true sagacity, and he + warmly advised, in his very worst English, that none but my few trusty + friends should be told of my visit to this country. + </p> + <p> + “Why for make to know your enemies?” he asked, with one finger on his + forehead, which was his mode of indicating caution. “Enemies find out vere + soon, too soon, soon enough. Begin to plot—no, no, young lady begin + first. Vilhelmina, your man say the right. Is it good, or is it bad?” + </p> + <p> + It appeared to us both to be good, so far as might be judged for the + present; and therefore I made up my mind to abstain from calling even on + my father's agent, unless Mr. Shovelin should think it needful. In that + and other matters I would act by his advice; and so with better spirits + than I long had owned, at finding so much kindness, and with good hopes of + the morrow, I went to the snug little bedroom which my good nurse had + provided. + </p> + <p> + Alas! What was my little grief on the morrow, compared to the deep and + abiding loss of many by a good man's death? When I went to the door at + which I had been told to knock, it was long before I got an answer. And + even when somebody came at last, so far from being my guardian, it was + only a poor old clerk, who said, “Hush, miss!” and then prayed that the + will of the Lord might be done. “Couldn't you see the half-shutters up?” + he continued, rather roughly. “'Tis a bad job for many a poor man to-day. + And it seems no more than yesterday I was carrying him about!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean Mr. Shovelin?” I asked. “Is he poorly? Has any thing + happened? I can wait, or come again.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord has taken him to the mansions of the just, from his private + address at Sydenham Hill. A burning and a shining light! May we like him + be found watching in that day, with our lamps trimmed and our loins + girded!” + </p> + <p> + For the moment I was too surprised to speak, and the kind old man led me + into the passage, seeing how pale and faint I was. He belonged, like his + master, and a great part of their business, to a simple religious + persuasion, or faith, which now is very seldom heard of. + </p> + <p> + “It was just in this way,” he said, as soon as tears had enabled me to + speak—for even at the first sight I had felt affection toward my new + guardian. “Our master is a very punctual man, for five-and-thirty years + never late—never late once till this morning. Excuse me, miss, I + ought to be ashamed. The Lord knoweth what is best for us. Well, you threw + him out a good bit yesterday, and there was other troubles. And he had to + work late last night, I hear; for through his work he would go, be it + anyhow—diligent in business, husbanding the time—and when he + came down to breakfast this morning, he prayed with his household as + usual, but they noticed his voice rather weak and queer; and the mistress + looked at him when he got up from his knees; but he drank his cup of tea + and he ate his bit of toast, which was all he ever took for breakfast. But + presently when his cob came up to the door—for he always rode in to + business, miss, no matter what the weather was—he went to kiss his + wife and his daughters all round, according to their ages; and he got + through them all, when away he fell down, with the riding-whip in one + hand, and expired on a piece of Indian matting.” + </p> + <p> + “How terrible!” I exclaimed, with a sob. And the poor old man, in spite of + all his piety, was sobbing. + </p> + <p> + “No, miss; not a bit of terror about it, to a man prepared as he was. He + had had some warning just a year ago; and the doctors all told him he must + leave off work. He could no more do without his proper work than he could + without air or victuals. What this old established concern will do without + him, our Divine Master only knows. And a pinch coming on in Threadneedle + Street, I hear—but I scarcely know what I am saying, miss; I was + thinking of the camel and the needle.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not repeat what you have not meant to tell,” I answered, seeing + his confusion, and the clumsy turn he had made of it. “Only tell me what + dear Mr. Shovelin died of.” + </p> + <p> + “Heart-disease, miss. You might know in a moment. Nothing kills like that. + His poor father died of it, thirty years agone. And the better people are, + the more they get it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <h3> + AT THE PUMP + </h3> + <p> + This blow was so sharp and heavy that I lost for the moment all power to + go on. The sense of ill fortune fell upon me, as it falls upon stronger + people, when a sudden gleam of hope, breaking through long troubles, + mysteriously fades away. + </p> + <p> + Even the pleasure of indulging in the gloom of evil luck was a thing to be + ashamed of now, when I thought of that good man's family thus, without a + moment's warning, robbed of love and hope and happiness. But Mrs. Strouss, + who often brooded on predestination, imbittered all my thoughts by saying, + or rather conveying without words, that my poor fathers taint of some + Divine ill-will had re-appeared, and even killed his banker. + </p> + <p> + Betsy held most Low-Church views, by nature being a Dissenter. She called + herself a Baptist, and in some strange way had stopped me thus from ever + having been baptized. I do not understand these things, and the battles + fought about them; but knowing that my father was a member of the English + Church, I resolved to be the same, and told Betsy that she ought not to + set up against her master's doctrine. Then she herself became ashamed of + trying to convert me, not only because of my ignorance (which made + argument like shooting into the sea), but chiefly because she could + mention no one of title with such theology. + </p> + <p> + This settled the question at once; and remembering (to my shame) what + opinions I had held even of Suan Isco, while being in the very same + predicament myself, reflecting also what Uncle Sam and Firm would have + thought of me, had they known it, I anticipated the Major and his dinner + party by going to a quiet ancient clergyman, who examined me, and being + satisfied with little, took me to an old City church of deep and damp + retirement. And here, with a great din of traffic outside, and a mildewy + depth of repose within, I was presented by certain sponsors (the clerk and + his wife and his wife's sister), and heard good words, and hope to keep + the impression, both outward and inward, gently made upon me. + </p> + <p> + I need not say that I kept, and now received with authority, my old name; + though the clerk prefixed an aspirate to it, and indulged in two syllables + only. But the ancient parson knew its meaning, and looked at me with + curiosity; yet, being a gentleman of the old school, put never a question + about it. + </p> + <p> + Now this being done, and full tidings thereof sent off to Mrs. Hockin, to + save trouble to the butcher, or other disappointment, I scarcely knew how + to be moving next, though move I must before very long. For it cost me a + great deal of money to stay in European Square like this, albeit Herr + Strouss was of all men the most generous, by his own avowal, and his wife + (by the same test) noble-hearted among women. Yet each of them spoke of + the other's pecuniary views in such a desponding tone (when the other was + out of the way), and so lamented to have any thing at all to say about + cash—by compulsion of the other—also both, when met together, + were so large and reckless, and not to be insulted by a thought of + payment, that it came to pass that my money did nothing but run away + between them. + </p> + <p> + This was not their fault at all, but all my own, for being unable to keep + my secret about the great nugget. The Major had told me not to speak of + this, according to wise experience; and I had not the smallest intention + of doing an atom of mischief in that way; but somehow or other it came out + one night when I was being pitied for my desolation. And all the charges + against me began to be doubled from that moment. + </p> + <p> + If this had been all, I should not have cared so much, being quite content + that my money should go as fast as it came in to me. But there was another + thing here which cost me as much as my board and lodgings and all the rest + of my expenses. And that was the iron pump in European Square. For this + pump stood in the very centre of a huddled district of famine, filth, and + fever. When once I had seen from the leads of our house the quag of + reeking life around, the stubs and snags of chimney-pots, the gashes among + them entitled streets, and the broken blains called houses, I was quite + ashamed of paying any thing to become a Christian. + </p> + <p> + Betsy, who stood by me, said that it was better than it used to be, and + that all these people lived in comfort of their own ideas, fiercely + resented all interference, and were good to one another in their own rough + way. It was more than three years since there had been a single murder + among them, and even then the man who was killed confessed that he + deserved it. She told me, also, that in some mining district of Wales, + well known to her, things were a great deal worse than here, although the + people were not half so poor. And finally, looking at a ruby ring which I + had begged her to wear always, for the sake of her truth to me, she begged + me to be wiser than to fret about things that I could not change. “All + these people, whose hovels I saw, had the means of grace before them, and + if they would not stretch forth their hands, it was only because they were + vessels of wrath. Her pity was rather for our poor black brethren who had + never enjoyed no opportunities, and therefore must be castaways.” + </p> + <p> + Being a stranger, and so young, and accustomed to receive my doctrine + (since first I went to America), I dropped all intention of attempting any + good in places where I might be murdered. But I could not help looking at + the pump which was in front, and the poor things who came there for water, + and, most of all, the children. With these it was almost the joy of the + day, and perhaps the only joy, to come into this little open space and + stand, and put their backs up stiffly, and stare about, ready for some + good luck to turn up—such as a horse to hold, or a man coming out of + the docks with a half-penny to spare—and then, in failure of such + golden hope, to dash about, in and out, after one another, splashing, and + kicking over their own cans, kettles, jars, or buckets, and stretching + their dirty little naked legs, and showing very often fine white chests, + and bright teeth wet with laughter. And then, when this chivy was done, + and their quick little hearts beat aloud with glory, it was pretty to see + them all rally round the pump, as crafty as their betters, and watching + with sly humor each other's readiness to begin again. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly a sense of neglected duty would seize some little body with + a hand to its side, nine times out of ten a girl, whose mother, perhaps, + lay sick at home, and a stern idea of responsibility began to make the + buckets clank. Then might you see, if you cared to do so, orderly + management have its turn—a demand for pins and a tucking up of + skirts (which scarcely seemed worthy of the great young fuss), large + children scolding little ones not a bit more muddy than themselves, the + while the very least child of all, too young as yet for chivying, and only + come for company, would smooth her comparatively clean frock down, and + look up at her sisters with condemnatory eyes. + </p> + <p> + Trivial as they were, these things amused me much, and made a little + checker of reflected light upon the cloud of selfish gloom, especially + when the real work began, and the children, vying with one another, set to + at the iron handle. This was too large for their little hands to grasp, + and by means of some grievance inside, or perhaps through a cruel trick of + the plumber, up went the long handle every time small fingers were too + confiding, and there it stood up like the tail of a rampant cow, or a + branch inaccessible, until an old shawl or the cord of a peg-top could be + cast up on high to reduce it. But some engineering boy, “highly gifted,” + like Uncle Sam's self, “with machinery,” had discovered an ingenious cure + for this. With the help of the girls he used to fasten a fat little thing, + about twelve months old, in the bend at the middle of the handle, and + there (like a ham on the steelyard) hung this baby and enjoyed seesaw, and + laughed at its own utility. + </p> + <p> + I never saw this, and the splashing and dribbling and play and bright + revelry of water, without forgetting all sad counsel and discretion, and + rushing out as if the dingy pump were my own delicious Blue River. People + used to look at me from the windows with pity and astonishment, supposing + me to be crazed or frantic, especially the Germans. For to run out like + this, without a pocket full of money, would have been insanity; and to run + out with it, to their minds, was even clearer proof of that condition. For + the money went as quickly as the water of the pump; on this side and on + that it flew, each child in succession making deeper drain upon it, in + virtue of still deeper woes. They were dreadful little story-tellers, I am + very much afraid; and the long faces pulled, as soon as I came out, in + contrast with all the recent glee and frolic, suggested to even the + youngest charity suspicions of some inconsistency. However, they were so + ingenious and clever that they worked my pockets like the pump itself, + only with this unhappy difference, that the former had no inexhaustible + spring of silver, or even of copper. + </p> + <p> + And thus, by a reason (as cogent as any of more exalted nature), was I + driven back to my head-quarters, there to abide till a fresh supply should + come. For Uncle Sam, generous and noble as he was, did not mean to let me + melt all away at once my share of the great Blue River nugget, any more + than to make ducks and drakes of his own. Indeed, that rock of gold was + still untouched, and healthily reposing in a banker's cellar in the good + town of Sacramento. People were allowed to go in and see it upon payment + of a dollar, and they came out so thirsty from feasting upon it that a bar + was set up, and a pile of money made—all the gentlemen, and ladies + even worse than they, taking a reckless turn about small money after + seeing that. But dear Uncle Sam refused every cent of the profit of all + this excitable work. It was wholly against his wish that any thing so + artificial should be done at all, and his sense of religion condemned it. + He said, in his very first letter to me, that even a heathen must + acknowledge this champion nugget as the grandest work of the Lord yet + discovered in America—a country more full of all works of the Lord + than the rest of the world put together. And to keep it in a cellar, + without any air or sun, grated harshly upon his ideas of right. + </p> + <p> + However, he did not expect every body to think exactly as he did, and if + they could turn a few dollars upon it, they were welcome, as having large + families. And the balance might go to his credit against the interest on + any cash advanced to him. Not that he meant to be very fast with this, + never having run into debt in all his life. + </p> + <p> + This, put shortly, was the reason why I could not run to the pump any + longer. I had come into England with money enough to last me (according to + the Sawyer's calculations) for a year and a half of every needful work; + whereas, in less than half that time, I was arriving at my last penny. + This reminded me of my dear father, who was nearly always in trouble about + money (although so strictly upright); and at first I was proud to be like + him about this, till I came to find the disadvantages. + </p> + <p> + It must not even for a moment be imagined that this made any difference in + the behavior of any one toward me. Mrs. Strouss, Herr Strouss, the lady on + the stairs, and a very clever woman who had got no rooms, but was kindly + accommodated every where, as well as the baron on the first floor front, + and the gentleman from a hotel at Hanover, who looked out the other way, + and even the children at the pump—not one made any difference toward + me (as an enemy might, perhaps, suppose) because my last half crown was + gone. It was admitted upon every side that I ought to be forgiven for my + random cast of money, because I knew no better, and was sure to have more + in a very little time. And the children of the pump came to see me go + away, through streets of a mile and a half, I should think; and they + carried my things, looking after one another, so that none could run away. + And being forbidden at the platform gate, for want of respectability, they + set up a cheer, and I waved my hat, and promised, amidst great applause, + to come back with it full of sixpences. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <h3> + COCKS AND COXCOMBS + </h3> + <p> + Major Hockin brought the only fly as yet to be found in Bruntsea, to meet + me at Newport, where the railway ended at present, for want of further + encouragement. + </p> + <p> + “Very soon you go,” he cried out to the bulkheads, or buffers, or whatever + are the things that close the career of a land-engine. “Station-master, + you are very wise in putting in your very best cabbage plants there. You + understand your own company. Well done! If I were to offer you a shilling + apiece for those young early Yorks, what would you say, now?” + </p> + <p> + “Weel, a think I should say nah, Sir,” the Scotch station-master made + answer, with a grin, while he pulled off his cap of office and put on a + dissolute Glengary. “They are a veery fine young kail, that always pays + for planting.” + </p> + <p> + “The villain!” said the Major, as I jumped into the fly. “However, I + suppose he does quite right. Set a thief to watch a thief. The company are + big rogues, and he tries to be a bigger. We shall cut through his garden + in about three months, just when his cabbages are getting firm, and their + value will exceed that of pine-apples. The surveyor will come down and + certify, and the 'damage to crops' will be at least five pounds, when they + have no right to sow even mustard and cress, and a saucepan would hold all + the victuals on the land.” + </p> + <p> + From this I perceived that my host was as full of his speculative schemes + as ever; and soon he made the driver of the one-horse fly turn aside from + the unfenced road and take the turf. “Coachman,” he cried, “just drive + along the railway; you won't have the chance much longer.” + </p> + <p> + There was no sod turned yet and no rod set up; but the driver seemed to + know what was meant, and took us over the springy turf where once had run + the river. And the salt breath of the sea came over the pebble ridge, full + of appetite and briskness, after so much London. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of the saddest things I ever heard of,” Major Hockin began to + say to me. “Poor Shovelin! poor Shovelin! A man of large capital—the + very thing we want. It might have been the making of this place. I have + very little doubt that I must have brought him to see our great natural + advantages—the beauty of the situation, the salubrity of the air, + the absence of all clay, or marsh, or noxious deposit, the bright crisp + turf, and the noble underlay of chalk, which (if you perceive my meaning) + can not retain any damp, but transmits it into sweet natural wells. Why, + driver, where the devil are you driving us?” + </p> + <p> + “No fear, your honor. I know every trick of it. It won't come over the + wheels, I do believe, and it does all the good in the world to his + sand-cracks. Whoa-ho, my boy, then! And the young lady's feet might go up + upon the cushion, if her boots is thin, Sir; and Mr. Rasper will excuse of + it.” + </p> + <p> + “What the”—something hot—“do you mean, Sir?” the Major roared + over the water, which seemed to be deepening as we went on. “Pull out this + instant; pull out, I tell you, or you shall have three months' hard labor. + May I be d——d now—my dear, I beg your pardon for + speaking with such sincerity—I simply mean, may I go straightway to + the devil, if I don't put this fellow on the tread-mill. Oh, you can pull + out now, then, can you?” + </p> + <p> + “If your honor pleases, I never did pull in,” the poor driver answered, + being frightened at the excitement of the lord of the manor. “My orders + was, miss, to drive along the line coming on now just to Bruntsea, and + keep in the middle of that same I did, and this here little wet is a + haxident—a haxident of the full moon, I do assure you, and the wind + coming over the sea, as you might say. These pebbles is too round, miss, + to stick to one another; you couldn't expect it of them; and sometimes the + water here and there comes a-leaking like through the bottom. I have seed + it so, ever since I can remember.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe a word of it,” the Major said, as we waited a little for + the vehicle to drain, and I made a nosegay of the bright sea flowers. + “Tell me no lies, Sir; you belong to the West Bruntseyans, and you have + driven us into a vile bog to scare me. They have bribed you. I see the + whole of it. Tell me the truth, and you shall have five shillings.” + </p> + <p> + The driver looked over the marshes as if he had never received such an + offer before. Five shillings for a falsehood would have seemed the proper + thing, and have called for a balance of considerations, and made a demand + upon his energies. But to earn five shillings by the truth had never + fallen to his luck before; and he turned to me, because I smiled, and he + said, “Will you taste the water, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless me!” cried the Major, “now I never thought of that. Common people + have such ways about things they are used to! I might have stood here for + a month, and never have thought of that way to settle it. Ridiculously + simple. Give me a taste, Erema. Ah, that is the real beauty of our coast, + my dear! The strongest proportion of the saline element—I should + know the taste of it any where. No sea-weed, no fishy particles, no + sludge, no beards of oysters. The pure, uncontaminated, perfect brine, + that sets every male and female on his legs, varicose, orthopedic—I + forget their scientifics, but I know the smack of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” I said, “it is beautifully salt. It will give you an appetite + for dinner, Major Hockin. I could drink a pint of it, after all that + smoke. But don't you think it is a serious thing for the sea itself to + come pouring through the bottom of this pebble bank in this way?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. No, I rather like it. It opens up many strictly practical + ideas. It adds very much to the value of the land. For instance, a + 'salt-lick,' as your sweet Yankees call it—and set up an infirmary + for foot and mouth disease. And better still, the baths, the baths, my + dear. No expense for piping, or pumping, or any thing. Only place your + marble at the proper level, and twice a day you have the grand salubrious + sparkling influx of ocean's self, self-filtered, and by its own operation + permeated with a fine siliceous element. What foreign mud could compete + with such a bath?” + </p> + <p> + “But supposing there should come too much of it,” I said, “and wash both + the baths and the bathers away?” + </p> + <p> + “Such an idea is ridiculous. It can be adjusted to a nicety. I am very + glad I happened to observe this thing, this—this noble phenomenon. I + shall speak to Montague about it at once, before I am half an hour older. + My dear, you have made a conquest; I quite forgot to tell you; but never + mind that for the present. Driver, here is half a crown for you. Your + master will put down the fly to my account. He owes me a heriot. I shall + claim his best beast, the moment he gets one without a broken wind.” + </p> + <p> + As the Major spoke, he got out at his own door with all his wonted + alacrity; but instead of offering me his hand, as he always had done in + London, he skipped up his nine steps, on purpose (as I saw) that somebody + else might come down for me. And this was Sir Montague Hockin, as I feared + was only too likely from what had been said. If I had even suspected that + this gentleman was at Bruntlands, I would have done my utmost to stay + where I was, in spite of all absence of money. Betsy would gladly have + allowed me to remain, without paying even a farthing, until it should + become convenient. Pride had forbidden me to speak of this; but I would + have got over that pride much rather than meet this Sir Montague Hockin + thus. Some instinct told me to avoid him altogether; and having so little + now of any other guidance, I attached, perhaps, foolish importance to + that. + </p> + <p> + However, it was not the part of a lady to be rude to any one through + instinct; and I knew already that in England young women are not quite + such masters of their own behavior as in the far West they are allowed to + be. And so I did my best that, even in my eyes, he should not see how + vexed I was at meeting him. And soon it appeared that this behavior, + however painful to me, was no less wise than good, because both with my + host and hostess this new visitor was already at the summit of all good + graces. He had conquered the Major by admiration of all his schemes and + upshots, and even offering glimmers of the needful money in the distance; + and Mrs. Hockin lay quite at his feet ever since he had opened a hamper + and produced a pair of frizzled fowls, creatures of an extraordinary + aspect, toothed all over like a dandelion plant, with every feather + sticking inside out. When I saw them, I tried for my life not to laugh, + and biting my lips very hard, quite succeeded, until the cock opened up a + pair of sleepy eyes, covered with comb and very sad inversions, and + glancing with complacency at his wife (who stood beneath him, even more + turned inside out), capered with his twiggy legs, and gave a long, sad + crow. Mrs. Hockin looked at him with intense delight. + </p> + <p> + “Erema, is it possible that you laugh? I thought that you never laughed, + Erema. At any rate, if you ever do indulge, you might choose a fitter + opportunity, I think. You have spoiled his demonstration altogether—see, + he does not understand such unkindness—and it is the very first he + has uttered since he came. Oh, poor Fluffsky!” + </p> + <p> + “I am very, very sorry. But how was I to help it? I would not, on any + account, have stopped him if I had known he was so sensitive. Fluffsky, do + please to begin again.” + </p> + <p> + “These beggars are nothing at all, I can assure you,” said Sir Montague, + coming to my aid, when Fluffsky spurned all our prayers for one more crow. + “Mrs. Hockin, if you really would like to have a fowl that even Lady Clara + Crowcombe has not got, you shall have it in a week, or a fortnight, or, at + any rate, a month, if I can manage it. They are not to be had except + through certain channels, and the fellows who write the poultry books have + never even heard of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how delighted I shall be! Lady Clara despises all her neighbors so. + But do they lay eggs? Half the use of keeping poultry, when you never kill + them, is to get an egg for breakfast; and Major Hockin looks round and + says, 'Now is this our own?' and I can not say that it is; and I am vexed + with the books, and he begins to laugh at me. People said it was for want + of chalk, but they walk upon nothing but chalk, as you can see.” + </p> + <p> + “And their food, Mrs. Hockin. They are walking upon that. Starve them for + a week, and forty eggs at least will reward you for stern discipline.” + </p> + <p> + But all this little talk I only tell to show how good and soft Mrs. Hockin + was; and her husband, in spite of all his self-opinion, and resolute talk + about money and manorial dues, in his way, perhaps, was even less to be + trusted to get his cash out of any poor and honest man. + </p> + <p> + On the very day after my return from London I received a letter from + “Colonel Gundry” (as we always called the Sawyer now, through his kinship + to the Major), and, as it can not easily be put into less compass, I may + as well give his very words: + </p> + <p> + “DEAR MISS REMA,—Your last favor to hand, with thanks. Every thing + is going on all right with us. The mill is built up, and goes better than + ever; more orders on hand than we can get through. We have not cracked the + big nugget yet. Expect the government to take him at a trifle below value, + for Washington Museum. Must have your consent; but, for my part, would + rather let him go there than break him. Am ready to lose a few dollars + upon him, particularly as he might crack up all quartzy in the middle. + They offer to take him by weight at three dollars and a half per pound + below standard. Please say if agreeable. + </p> + <p> + “I fear, my dear, that there are bad times coming for all of us here in + this part. Not about money, but a long sight worse; bad will, and + contention, and rebellion, perhaps. What we hear concerning it is not much + here; but even here thoughts are very much divided. Ephraim takes a + different view from mine; which is not a right thing for a grandson to do; + and neighbor Sylvester goes with him. The Lord send agreement and concord + among us; but, if He doeth so, He must change his mind first, for every + man is borrowing his neighbor's gun. + </p> + <p> + “If there is any thing that you can do to turn Ephraim back to his duty, + my dear, I am sure that, for love of us, you will do it. If Firm was to + run away from me now, and go fighting on behalf of slavery, I never should + care more for naught upon this side of Jordan; and the new mill might go + to Jericho; though it does look uncommon handsome now, I can assure you, + and tears through its work like a tiger. + </p> + <p> + “Noting symptoms in your last of the price of things in England, and + having carried over some to your account, inclosed please to find a bill + for five hundred dollars, though not likely to be wanted yet. Save a care + of your money, my dear; but pay your way handsome, as a Castlewood should + do. Jowler goes his rounds twice a day looking for you; and somebody else + never hangs his hat up without casting one eye at the corner you know. + Sylvester's girl was over here last week, dashing about as usual. If Firm + goes South, he may have her, for aught I care, and never see saw-mill + again. But I hope that the Lord will spare my old days such disgrace and + tribulation. + </p> + <p> + “About you know what, my dear, be not overanxious. I have been young, and + now am old, as the holy Psalmist says; and the more I see of the ways of + men, the less I verily think of them. Their good esteem, their cap in + hand, their fair fame, as they call it, goes by accident, and fortune, the + whim of the moment, and the way the clever ones have of tickling them. A + great man laughs at the flimsy of it, and a good one goes to his + conscience. Your father saw these things at their value. I have often + grieved that you can not see them so; but perhaps I have liked you none + the worse, my dear. + </p> + <p> + “Don't forget about going South. A word from you may stop him. It is + almost the only hope I have, and even that may be too late. Suan Isco and + Martin send messages. The flowers are on your father's grave. I have got a + large order for pine cradles in great haste, but have time to be, + </p> + <p> + “Truly yours, + </p> + <p> + “SAMPSON GUNDRY.” + </p> + <p> + That letter, while it relieved me in one way, from the want of money, cost + me more than ten times five hundred dollars' worth of anxiety. The Sawyer + had written to me twice ere this—kind, simple letters, but of no + importance, except for their goodness and affection. But now it was clear + that when he wrote this letter he must have been sadly put out and upset. + His advice to me was beyond all value; but he seemed to have kept none at + home for himself. He was carried quite out of his large, staid ways when + he wrote those bitter words about poor Firm—the very apple of his + eye, as the holy Psalmist says. And, knowing the obstinacy of them both, I + dreaded clash between them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI + </h2> + <h3> + ADRIFT + </h3> + <p> + Having got money enough to last long with one brought up to simplicity, + and resolved to have nothing to do for a while with charity or furnished + lodgings (what though kept by one's own nurse), I cast about now for good + reason to be off from all the busy works at Bruntsea. So soon after such a + tremendous blow, it was impossible for me to push my own little troubles + and concerns upon good Mr. Shovelin's family, much as I longed to know + what was to become of my father's will, if any thing. But my desire to be + doing something, or, at least, to get away for a time from Bruntsea, was + largely increased by Sir Montague Hockin's strange behavior toward me. + </p> + <p> + That young man, if still he could be called young—which, at my age, + scarcely seemed to be his right, for he must have been ten years older + than poor Firm—began more and more every day to come after me, just + when I wanted to be quite alone. There was nothing more soothing to my + thoughts and mind (the latter getting quiet from the former, I suppose) + than for the whole of me to rest a while in such a little scollop of the + shingle as a new-moon tide, in little crescents, leaves just below + high-water mark. And now it was new-moon tide again, a fortnight after the + flooding of our fly by the activity of the full moon; and, feeling how I + longed to understand these things—which seem to be denied to all who + are of the same sex as the moon herself—I sat in a very nice nick, + where no wind could make me look worse than nature willed. But of my own + looks I never did think twice, unless there was any one to speak of such a + subject. + </p> + <p> + Here I was sitting in the afternoon of a gentle July day, wondering by + what energy of nature all these countless pebbles were produced, and not + even a couple to be found among them fit to lie side by side and purely + tally with each other. Right and left, for miles and miles, millions + multiplied into millions; yet I might hold any one in my palm and be sure + that it never had been there before. And of the quiet wavelets even, + taking their own time and manner, in default of will of wind, all to come + and call attention to their doom by arching over, and endeavoring to make + froth, were any two in sound and size, much more in shape and shade, + alike? Every one had its own little business, of floating pop-weed or foam + bubbles or of blistered light, to do; and every one, having done it, died + and subsided into its successor. + </p> + <p> + “A trifle sentimental, are we?” cried a lively voice behind me, and the + waves of my soft reflections fell, and instead of them stood Sir Montague + Hockin, with a hideous parasol. + </p> + <p> + I never received him with worse grace, often as I had repulsed him; but he + was one of those people who think that women are all whims and ways. + </p> + <p> + “I grieve to intrude upon large ideas,” he said, as I rose and looked at + him, “but I act under positive orders now. A lady knows what is best for a + lady. Mrs. Hockin has been looking from the window, and she thinks that + you ought not to be sitting in the sun like this. There has been a case of + sun-stroke at Southbourne—a young lady meditating under the cliff—and + she begs you to accept this palm leaf.” + </p> + <p> + I thought of the many miles I had wandered under the fierce Californian + sun; but I would not speak to him of that. “Thank you,” I said; “it was + very kind of her to think of it, and of you to do it. But will it be safe + for you to go back without it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, why should I do so?” he answered, with a tone of mock pathos which + provoked me always, though I never could believe it to be meant in + ridicule of me, for that would have been too low a thing; and, besides, I + never spoke so. “Could you bear to see me slain by the shafts of the sun? + Miss Castlewood, this parasol is amply large for both of us.” + </p> + <p> + I would not answer him in his own vein, because I never liked his vein at + all; though I was not so entirely possessed as to want every body to be + like myself. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I mean to stay here,” I said; “you may either leave the + parasol or take it, whichever will be less troublesome. At any rate, I + shall not use it.” + </p> + <p> + A gentleman, according to my ideas, would have bowed and gone upon his + way; but Sir Montague Hockin would have no rebuff. He seemed to look upon + me as a child, such as average English girls, fresh from little schools, + would be. Nothing more annoyed me, after all my thoughts and dream of some + power in myself, than this. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I might tell you a thing or two,” he said, while I kept gazing at + some fishing-boats, and sat down again, as a sign for him to go—“a + little thing or two of which you have no idea, even in your most lonely + musings, which might have a very deep interest for you. Do you think that + I came to this hole to see the sea? Or that fussy old muff of a Major's + doings?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you would like me to tell him your opinion of his intellect and + great plans,” I answered. “And after all his kindness to you!” + </p> + <p> + “You never will do that,” he said; “because you are a lady, and will not + repeat what is said in confidence. I could help you materially in your + great object, if you would only make a friend of me.” + </p> + <p> + “And what would your own object be? The pure anxiety to do right?” + </p> + <p> + “Partly, and I might say mainly, that; also an ambition for your good + opinion, which seems so inaccessible. But you will think me selfish if I + even hint at any condition of any kind. Every body I have ever met with + likes me, except Miss Castlewood.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he glanced down his fine amber-colored beard, shining in the + sun, and even in the sun showing no gray hair (for a reason which Mrs. + Hockin told me afterward), and he seemed to think it hard that a man with + such a beard should be valued lightly. + </p> + <p> + “I do not see why we should talk,” I said, “about either likes or + dislikes. Only, if you have any thing to tell, I shall be very much + obliged to you.” + </p> + <p> + This gentleman looked at me in a way which I have often observed in + England. A general idea there prevails that the free and enlightened + natives of the West are in front of those here in intelligence, and to + some extent, therefore, in dishonesty. But there must be many cases where + the two are not the same. + </p> + <p> + “No,” I replied, while he was looking at his buttons, which had every + British animal upon them; “I mean nothing more than the simple thing I + say. If you ought to tell me any thing, tell it. I am accustomed to + straightforward people. But they disappoint one by their never knowing any + thing.” + </p> + <p> + “But I know something,” he answered, with a nod of grave, mysterious + import; “and perhaps I will tell you some day, when admitted, if ever I + have such an honor, to some little degree of friendship.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please not to think of yourself,” I exclaimed, in a manner which must + have amused him. “In such a case, the last thing that you should do is + that. Think only of what is right and honorable, and your duty toward a + lady. Also your duty to the laws of your country. I am not at all sure + that you ought not to be arrested. But perhaps it is nothing at all, after + all; only something invented to provoke me.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, I can only drop the subject,” he answered, with that stern + gleam of the eyes which I had observed before, and detested. “I was also + to tell you that we dine to-day an hour before the usual time, that my + cousin may go out in the boat for whiting. The sea will be as smooth as + glass. Perhaps you will come with us.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, he lifted his hat and went off, leaving me in a most + uncomfortable state, as he must have known if he had even tried to think. + For I could not get the smallest idea what he meant; and, much as I tried + to believe that he must be only pretending, for reasons of his own, to + have something important to tell me, scarcely was it possible to be + contented so. A thousand absurd imaginations began to torment me as to + what he meant. He lived in London so much, for instance, that he had much + quicker chance of knowing whatever there was to know; again, he was a man + of the world, full of short, sharp sagacity, and able to penetrate what I + could not; then, again, he kept a large account with Shovelin, Wayte, and + Shovelin, as Major Hockin chanced to say; and I knew not that a banker's + reserve is much deeper than his deposit; moreover—which, to my mind, + was almost stronger proof than any thing—Sir Montague Hockin was of + smuggling pedigree, and likely to be skillful in illicit runs of + knowledge. + </p> + <p> + However, in spite of all this uneasiness, not another word would I say to + him about it, waiting rather for him to begin again upon it. But, though I + waited and waited, as, perhaps, with any other person I scarcely could + have done, he would not condescend to give me even another look about it. + </p> + <p> + Disliking that gentleman more and more for his supercilious conduct and + certainty of subduing me, I naturally turned again to my good host and + hostess. But here there was very little help or support to be obtained at + present. Major Hockin was laying the foundations of “The Bruntsea + Assembly-Rooms, Literary Institute, Mutual Improvement Association, + Lyceum, and Baths, from sixpence upward;” while Mrs. Hockin had a hatch of + “White Sultans,” or, rather, a prolonged sitting of eggs, fondly hoped to + hatch at last, from having cost so much, like a chicken-hearted + Conference. Much as I sorrowed at her disappointment—for the sitting + cost twelve guineas—I could not feel quite guiltless of a petty and + ignoble smile, when, after hoping against hope, upon the thirtieth day she + placed her beautifully sound eggs in a large bowl of warm water, in which + they floated as calmly as if their price was a penny a dozen. The poor + lady tried to believe that they were spinning with vitality; but at last + she allowed me to break one, and lo! it had been half boiled by the + advertiser. “This is very sad,” cried Mrs. Hockin; and the patient old + hen, who was come in a basket of hay to see the end of it, echoed with a + cluck that sentiment. + </p> + <p> + These things being so, I was left once more to follow my own guidance, + which had seemed, in the main, to be my fortune ever since my father died. + For one day Mr. Shovelin had appeared, to my great joy and comfort, as a + guide and guardian; but, alas! for one day only. And, except for his good + advice and kind paternal conduct to me, it seemed at present an unlucky + thing that I had ever discovered him. Not only through deep sense of loss + and real sorrow for him, but also because Major Hockin, however good and + great and generous, took it unreasonably into his head that I threw him + over, and threw myself (as with want of fine taste he expressed it) into + the arms of the banker. This hurt me very much, and I felt that Major + Hockin could never have spoken so hastily unless his hair had been + originally red; and so it might be detected, even now, where it survived + itself, though blanched where he brushed it into that pretentious ridge. + Sometimes I liked that man, when his thoughts were large and liberal; but + no sooner had he said a fine brave thing than he seemed to have an + after-thought not to go too far with it; just as he had done about the + poor robbed woman from the steerage and the young man who pulled out his + guinea. I paid him for my board and lodging, upon a scale settled by Uncle + Sam himself, at California prices; therefore I am under no obligation to + conceal his foibles. But, take him altogether, he was good and brave and + just, though unable, from absence of inner light, to be to me what Uncle + Sam had been. + </p> + <p> + When I perceived that the Major condemned my simple behavior in London, + and (if I may speak it, as I said it to myself) “blew hot and cold” in + half a minute—hot when I thought of any good things to be done, and + cold as soon as he became the man to do them—also, when I remembered + what a chronic plague was now at Bruntsea, in the shape of Sir Montague, + who went to and fro, but could never be trusted to be far off, I resolved + to do what I had long been thinking of, and believed that my guardian, if + he had lived another day, would have recommended. I resolved to go and see + Lord Castlewood, my father's first cousin and friend in need. + </p> + <p> + When I asked my host and hostess what they thought of this, they both + declared that it was the very thing they were at the point of advising, + which, however, they had forborne from doing because I never took advice. + At this, as being such a great exaggeration, I could not help smiling + seriously; but I could not accept their sage opinion that, before I went + to see my kinsman, I ought to write and ask his leave to do so. For that + would have made it quite a rude thing to call, as I must still have done, + if he should decline beforehand to receive me. Moreover, it would look as + if I sought an invitation, while only wanting an interview. Therefore, + being now full of money again, I hired the flyman who had made us taste + the water, and taking train at Newport, and changing at two or three + places as ordered, crossed many little streams, and came to a fair river, + which proved to be the Thames itself, a few miles above Reading. + </p> + <p> + In spite of all the larger lessons of travel, adventure, and tribulation, + my heart was throbbing with some rather small feelings, as for the first + time I drew near to the home of my forefathers. I should have been sorry + to find it ugly or mean, or lying in a hole, or even modern or + insignificant; and when none of these charges could be brought against it, + I was filled with highly discreditable pain that Providence had not seen + fit to issue me into this world in the masculine form; in which case this + fine property would, according to the rules of mankind, have been mine. + However, I was very soon ashamed of such ideas, and sat down on a bank to + dispel them with the free and fair view around me. + </p> + <p> + The builder of that house knew well both where to place and how to shape + it, so as not to spoil the site. It stood near the brow of a bosoming + hill, which sheltered it, both with wood and clevice, from the rigor and + fury of the north and east; while in front the sloping foreground widened + its soft lap of green. In bays and waves of rolling grass, promontoried, + here and there, by jutting copse or massive tree, and jotted now and then + with cattle as calm as boats at anchor, the range of sunny upland fell to + the reedy fringe and clustered silence of deep river meadows. Here the + Thames, in pleasant bends of gentleness and courtesy, yet with will of its + own ways, being now a plenteous river, spreads low music, and holds mirror + to the woods and hills and fields, casting afar a broad still gleam, and + on the banks presenting tremulous infinitude of flash. + </p> + <p> + Now these things touched me all the more because none of them belonged to + me; and, after thus trying to enlarge my views, I got up with much better + heart, and hurried on to have it over, whatever it might be. A girl + brought up in the real English way would have spent her last shilling to + drive up to the door in the fly at the station—a most sad machine—but + I thought it no disgrace to go in a more becoming manner. + </p> + <p> + One scarcely ever acts up to the force of situation; and I went as quietly + into that house as if it were Betsy Bowen's. If any body had been rude to + me, or asked who I was, or a little thing of that sort, my spirit might + have been up at once, and found, as usually happens then, good reason to + go down afterward. But happily there was nothing of the kind. An elderly + man, without any gaudy badges, opened the door very quietly, and begged my + pardon, before I spoke, for asking me to speak softly. It was one of his + lordship's very worst days, and when he was so, every sound seemed to + reach him. I took the hint, and did not speak at all, but followed him + over deep matting into a little room to which he showed me. And then I + gave him a little note, written before I left Bruntsea, and asked him + whether he thought that his master was well enough to attend to it. + </p> + <p> + He looked at me in a peculiar manner, for he had known my father well, + having served from his youth in the family; but he only asked whether my + message was important. I answered that it was, but that I would wait for + another time rather than do any harm. But he said that, however ill his + master was, nothing provoked him more than to find that any thing was + neglected through it. And before I could speak again he was gone with my + letter to Lord Castlewood. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII + </h2> + <h3> + AT HOME + </h3> + <p> + Some of the miserable, and I might say strange, things which had befallen + me from time to time unseasonably, now began to force their remembrance + upon me. Such dark figures always seem to make the most of a nervous + moment, when solid reason yields to fluttering fear and small misgivings. + There any body seems to lie, as a stranded sailor lies, at the foot of + perpendicular cliffs of most inhuman humanity, with all the world frowning + down over the crest, and no one to throw a rope down. Often and often had + I felt this want of any one to help me, but the only way out of it seemed + to be to do my best to help myself. + </p> + <p> + Even, now I had little hope, having been so often dashed, and knowing that + my father's cousin possessed no share of my father's strength. He might, + at the utmost, give good advice, and help me with kind feeling; but if he + wanted to do more, surely he might have tried ere now. But my thoughts + about this were cut short by a message that he would be glad to see me, + and I followed the servant to the library. + </p> + <p> + Here I found Lord Castlewood sitting in a high-backed chair, uncushioned + and uncomfortable. When he saw me near him he got up and took my hand, and + looked at me, and I was pleased to find his face well-meaning, brave, and + generous. But even to rise from his chair was plainly no small effort to + him, and he leaned upon a staff or crutch as he offered me a small white + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Castlewood,” he said, with a very weak yet clear and silvery voice, + “for many years I have longed in vain and sought in vain to hear of you. I + have not escaped all self-reproach through my sense of want of energy; + yet, such as I am, I have done my best, or I do my best to think so.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure you have,” I replied, without thinking, knowing his kindness to + my father, and feeling the shame of my own hot words to Mr. Shovelin about + him. “I owe you more gratitude than I can tell, for your goodness to my + dear father. I am not come now to trouble you, but because it was my + duty.” + </p> + <p> + While I was speaking he managed to lead me, feebly as himself could walk, + to a deep chair for reading, or some such use, whereof I have had few + chances. And in every step and word and gesture I recognized that foreign + grace which true-born Britons are proud to despise on both sides of the + Atlantic. And, being in the light, I watched him well, because I am not a + foreigner. + </p> + <p> + In the clear summer light of the westering sun (which is better for + accurate uses than the radiance of the morning) I saw a firm, calm face, + which might in good health have been powerful—a face which might be + called the moonlight image of my father's. I could not help turning away + to cry, and suspicion fled forever. + </p> + <p> + “My dear young cousin,” he said, as soon as I was fit to speak to, “your + father trusted me, and so must you. You may think that I have forgotten + you, or done very little to find you out. It was no indifference, no + forgetfulness: I have not been able to work myself, and I have had very + deep trouble of my own.” + </p> + <p> + He leaned on his staff, and looked down at me, for I had sat down when + thus overcome, and I knew that the forehead and eyes were those of a + learned and intellectual man. How I knew this it is impossible to say, for + I never had met with such a character as this, unless it were the Abbe of + Flechon, when I was only fourteen years old, and valued his great skill in + spinning a top tenfold more than all his deep learning. Lord Castlewood + had long, silky hair, falling in curls of silver gray upon either side of + his beautiful forehead, and the gaze of his soft dark eyes was sad, + gentle, yet penetrating. Weak health and almost constant pain had + chastened his delicate features to an expression almost feminine, though + firm thin lips and rigid lines showed masculine will and fortitude. And + when he spoke of his own trouble (which, perhaps, he would not have done + except for consolation's sake), I knew that he meant something even more + grievous than bodily anguish. + </p> + <p> + “It is hard,” he said, “that you, so young and healthy and full of high + spirit as you are (unless your face belies you), should begin the best + years of your life, as common opinion puts such things, in such a cloud of + gloom and shame.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no shame at all,” I answered; “and if there is gloom, I am used + to that; and so was my father for years and years. What is my trouble + compared with his?” + </p> + <p> + “Your trouble is nothing when compared with his, so far as regards the + mere weight of it; but he was a strong man to carry his load; you are a + young and a sensitive woman. The burden may even be worse for you. Now + tell me all about yourself, and what has brought you to me.” + </p> + <p> + His voice was so quiet and soothing that I seemed to rest beneath it. He + had not spoken once of religion or the will of God, nor plied me at all + with those pious allusions, which even to the reverent mind are like + illusions when so urged. Lord Castlewood had too deep a sense of the will + of God to know what it is; and he looked at me wistfully as at one who + might have worse experience of it. + </p> + <p> + Falling happily under his influence, as his clear, kind eyes met mine, I + told him every thing I could think of about my father and myself, and all + I wanted to do next, and how my heart and soul were set upon getting to + the bottom of every thing. And while I spoke with spirit, or softness, or, + I fear, sometimes with hate, I could not help seeing that he was + surprised, but not wholly displeased, with my energy. And then, when all + was exhausted, came the old question I had heard so often, and found so + hard to answer— + </p> + <p> + “And what do you propose to do next, Erema?” + </p> + <p> + “To go to the very place itself,” I said, speaking strongly under + challenge, though quite unresolved about such a thing before; “to live in + the house where my father lived, and my mother and all of the family died; + and from day to day to search every corner and fish up every bit of + evidence, until I get hold of the true man at last, of the villain who did + it—who did it, and left my father and all the rest of us to be + condemned and die for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” replied my cousin, as he had told me now to call him, “you are + too impetuous for such work, and it is wholly unfit for you. For such a + task, persons of trained sagacity and keen observation are needed. And + after all these eighteen years, or nearly nineteen now it must be, there + can not be any thing to discover there.” + </p> + <p> + “But if I like, may I go there, cousin, if only to satisfy my own mind? I + am miserable now at Bruntsea, and Sir Montague Hockin wears me out.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Montague Hockin!” Lord Castlewood exclaimed; “why, you did not tell + me that he was there. Wherever he is, you should not be.” + </p> + <p> + “I forgot to speak of him. He does not live there, but is continually to + and fro for bathing, or fishing, or rabbit-shooting, or any other pretext. + And he makes the place very unpleasant to me, kind as the Major and Mrs. + Hockin are, because I can never make him out at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not try to do so,” my cousin answered, looking at me earnestly; “be + content to know nothing of him, my dear. If you can put up with a very + dull house, and a host who is even duller, come here and live with me, as + your father would have wished, and as I, your nearest relative, now ask + and beg of you.” + </p> + <p> + This was wonderfully kind, and for a moment I felt tempted. Lord + Castlewood being an elderly man, and, as the head of our family, my + natural protector, there could be nothing wrong, and there might be much + that was good, in such an easy arrangement. But, on the other hand, it + seemed to me that after this my work would languish. Living in comfort and + prosperity under the roof of my forefathers, beyond any doubt I should + begin to fall into habits of luxury, to take to the love of literature, + which I knew to be latent within me, to lose the clear, strong, practical + sense of the duty for which I, the last of seven, was spared, and in some + measure, perhaps, by wanderings and by hardships, fitted. And then I + thought of my host's weak health, continual pain (the signs of which were + hardly repressed even while he was speaking), and probably also his + secluded life. Was it fair to force him, by virtue of his inborn kindness + and courtesy, to come out of his privileges and deal with me, who could + not altogether be in any place a mere nobody? And so I refused his offer. + </p> + <p> + “I am very much obliged to you indeed,” I said, “but I think you might be + sorry for it. I will come and stop with you every now and then, when your + health is better, and you ask me. But to live here altogether would not + do; I should like it too well, and do nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are right,” he replied, with the air of one who cares little + for any thing, which is to me the most melancholy thing, and worse than + any distress almost; “you are very young, my dear, and years should be + allowed to pass before you know what full-grown sorrow is. You have had + enough, for your age, of it. You had better not live in this house; it is + not a house for cheerfulness.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if I must neither live here nor at Bruntsea,” I asked, with sudden + remonstrance, feeling as if every body desired to be quit of me or to + worry me, “to what place in all the world am I to go, unless it is back to + America? I will go at once to Shoxford, and take lodgings of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you had better wait a little while,” Lord Castlewood answered, + gently, “although I would much rather have you at Shoxford than where you + are at present. But please to remember, my good Erema, that you can not go + to Shoxford all alone. I have a most faithful and trusty man—the one + who opened the door to you. He has been here before his remembrance. He + disdains me still as compared with your father. Will you have him to + superintend you? I scarcely see how you can do any good, but if you do go, + you must go openly, and as your father's daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no intention whatever of going in any other way, Lord Castlewood; + but perhaps,” I continued, “it would be as well to make as little stir as + possible. Of an English village I know nothing but the little I have seen + at Bruntsea, but there they make a very great fuss about any one who comes + down with a man-servant.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure,” replied my cousin, with a smile; “they would not be true + Britons otherwise. Perhaps you would do better without Stixon; but of + course you must not go alone. Could you by any means persuade your old + nurse Betsy to go with you?” + </p> + <p> + “How good of you to think of it!—how wise you are!” I really could + not help saying, as I gazed at his delicate and noble face. “I am sure + that if Betsy can come, she will; though of course she must be compensated + well for the waste all her lodgers will make of it. They are very wicked, + and eat most dreadfully if she even takes one day's holiday. What do you + think they even do? She has told me with tears in her eyes of it. They are + all allowed a pat of butter, a penny roll, and two sardines for breakfast. + No sooner do they know that her back is turned—” + </p> + <p> + “Erema!” cried my cousin, with some surprise; and being so recalled, I was + ashamed. But I never could help taking interest in very little things + indeed, until my own common-sense, or somebody else, came to tell me what + a child I was. However, I do believe that Uncle Sam liked me all the + better for this fault. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, I did not mean to blame you,” Lord Castlewood said, most kindly; + “it must be a great relief for you to look on at other people. But tell me—or + rather, since you have told me almost every thing you know—let me, + if only in one way I can help you, help you at least in that way.” + </p> + <p> + Knowing that he must mean money, I declined, from no false pride, but a + set resolve to work out my work, if possible, through my own resources. + But I promised to apply to him at once if scarcity should again befall me, + as had happened lately. And then I longed to ask him why he seemed to have + so low an opinion of Sir Montague Hockin. That question, however, I feared + to put, because it might not be a proper one, and also because my cousin + had spoken in a very strange tone, as if of some private dislike or + reserve on that subject. Moreover, it was too evident that I had tried his + courtesy long enough. From time to time pale shades of bodily pain, and + then hot flushes, had flitted across his face, like clouds on a windy + summer evening. And more than once he had glanced at the time-piece, not + to hurry me, but as if he dreaded its announcements. It was a beautiful + clock, and struck with a silvery sound every quarter of an hour. And now, + as I rose to say good-by, to catch my evening train, it struck a quarter + to five, and my cousin stood up, with his weight upon his staff, and + looked at me with an inexpressible depth of weary misery. + </p> + <p> + “I have only a few minutes left,” he said, “during which I can say any + thing. My time is divided into two sad parts: the time when I am capable + of very little, and the time when I am capable of nothing; and the latter + part is twice the length of the other. For sixteen hours of every day, far + better had I be dead than living, so far as our own little insolence may + judge. But I speak of it only to excuse bad manners, and perhaps I show + worse by doing so. I shall not be able to see you again until to-morrow + morning. Do not go; they will arrange all that. Send a note to Major + Hockin by Stixon's boy. Stixon and Mrs. Price will see to your comfort, if + those who are free from pain require any other comfort. Forgive me; I did + not mean to be rude. Sometimes I can not help giving way.” + </p> + <p> + Less enviable than the poorest slave, Lord Castlewood sank upon his hard + stiff chair, and straightened his long narrow hands upon his knees, and + set his thin lips in straight blue lines. Each hand was as rigid as the + ivory handle of an umbrella or walking-stick, and his lips were like + clamped wire. This was his regular way of preparing for the onset of the + night, so that no grimace, no cry, no moan, or other token of fierce agony + should be wrung from him. + </p> + <p> + “My lord will catch it stiff to-night,” said Mr. Stixon, who came as I + rang, and then led me away to the drawing-room; “he always have it ten + times worse after any talking or any thing to upset him like. And so, + then, miss—excuse a humble servant—did I understand from him + that you was the Captain's own daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but surely your master wants you—he is in such dreadful pain. + Do please to go to him, and do something.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing to be done, miss,” Stixon answered, with calm + resignation; “he is bound to stay so for sixteen hours, and then he eases + off again. But bless my heart, miss—excuse me in your presence—his + lordship is thoroughly used to it. It is my certain knowledge that for + seven years now he has never had seven minutes free from pain—seven + minutes all of a heap, I mean. Some do say, miss, as the Lord doeth every + thing according to His righteousness, that the reason is not very far to + seek.” + </p> + <p> + I asked him what he meant, though I ought, perhaps, to have put a stop to + his loquacity; and he pretended not to hear, which made me ask him all the + more. + </p> + <p> + “A better man never lived than my lord,” he answered, with a little shock + at my misprision; “but it has been said among censoorous persons that + nobody ever had no luck as came in suddenly to a property and a high state + of life on the top of the heads of a family of seven.” + </p> + <p> + “What a poor superstition!” I cried, though I was not quite sure of its + being a wicked one. “But what is your master's malady, Stixon? Surely + there might be something done to relieve his violent pain, even if there + is no real cure for it?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, nothing can be done. The doctors have exorced themselves. They + tried this, that, and the other, but nature only flew worse against them. + 'Tis a thing as was never heard of till the Constitooshon was knocked on + the head and to pieces by the Reform Bill. And though they couldn't cure + it, they done what they could do, miss. They discovered a very good name + for it—they christened it the 'New-rager!'” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII + </h2> + <h3> + LORD CASTLEWOOD + </h3> + <p> + In the morning, when I was called again to see my afflicted cousin—Stixon + junior having gladly gone to explain things for me at Bruntsea—little + as I knew of any bodily pain (except hunger, or thirst, or weariness, and + once in my life a headache), I stood before Lord Castlewood with a + deference and humility such as I had never felt before toward any human + being. Not only because he bore perpetual pain in the two degrees of night + and day—the day being dark and the night jet-black—without a + murmur or an evil word; not only because through the whole of this he had + kept his mind clear and his love of knowledge bright; not even because he + had managed, like Job, to love God through the whole of it. All these were + good reasons for very great and very high respect of any man; and when + there was no claim whatever on his part to any such feeling, it needs must + come. But when I learned another thing, high respect at once became what + might be called deep reverence. And this came to pass in a simple and, as + any one must confess, quite inevitable way. + </p> + <p> + It was not to be supposed that I could sit the whole of my first evening + in that house without a soul to speak to. So far as my dignity and sense + of right permitted, I wore out Mr. Stixon, so far as he would go, not + asking him any thing that the very worst-minded person could call + “inquisitive,” but allowing him to talk, as he seemed to like to do, while + he waited upon me, and alternately lamented my hapless history and my + hopeless want of taste. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, your father, the Captain, now, he would have knowed what this is! + You've no right to his eyes, Miss Erma, without his tongue and palate. No + more of this, miss! and done for you a-purpose! Well, cook will be put + out, and no mistake! I better not let her see it go down, anyhow.” And the + worthy man tearfully put some dainty by, perhaps without any view to his + own supper. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Castlewood spoke to me about a Mrs. Price—the housekeeper, is + she not?” I asked at last, being so accustomed to like what I could get, + that the number of dishes wearied me. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, miss,” said Stixon, very shortly, as if that description + exhausted Mrs. Price. + </p> + <p> + “If she is not too busy, I should like to see her as soon as these things + are all taken away. I mean if she is not a stranger, and if she would like + to see me.” + </p> + <p> + “No new-comers here,” Mr. Stixon replied; “we all works our way up + regular, the same as my lad is beginning for to do. New-fangled ways is + not accepted here. We puts the reforming spirits scrubbing of the steps + till their knuckles is cracked and their knees like a bean. The old lord + was the man for discipline—your grandfather, if you please, miss. He + catched me when I were about that high—” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, Mr. Stixon; but would he have encouraged you to talk as you so + very kindly talk to me, instead of answering a question?” + </p> + <p> + I thought that poor Stixon would have been upset by this, and was angry + with myself for saying it; but instead of being hurt, he only smiled and + touched his forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, you did remind me uncommon of him then, miss. I could have + heard the old lord speak almost, though he were always harsh and distant. + And as I was going for to say, he catched me fifty years agone next + Lammas-tide; a pear-tree of an early sort it was; you may see the very + tree if you please to stand here, miss, though the pears is quite altered + now, and scarcely fit to eat. Well, I was running off with my cap + chock-full, miss—” + </p> + <p> + “Please to keep that story for another time,” I said; “I shall be most + happy to hear it then. But I have a particular wish, if you please, to see + Mrs. Price before dark, unless there is any good reason why I should not.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, Miss Erma, no reason at all. Only please to bear in mind, miss, + that she is a coorous woman. She is that jealous, and I might say forward—” + </p> + <p> + “Then she is capable of speaking for herself.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, miss, there, and no mistake. She can speak for herself and + for fifty others—words enough, I mean, for all of them. But I would + not have her know for all the world that I said it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if you do not send her to me at once, the first thing I shall do + will be to tell her.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, miss, none of your family would do that; that never has been done + anonymous.” + </p> + <p> + I assured him that my threat was not in earnest, but of pure impatience. + And having no motive but downright jealousy for keeping Mrs. Price from + me, he made up his mind at last to let her come. But he told me to be + careful what I said; I must not expect it to be at all like talking to + himself, for instance. + </p> + <p> + The housekeeper came up at last, by dint of my persistence, and she + stopped in the doorway and made me a courtesy, which put me out of + countenance, for nobody ever does that in America, and scarcely any one in + England now, except in country-dancing. Instead of being as described by + Stixon, Mrs. Price was of a very quiet, sensible, and respectful kind. She + was rather short, but looked rather tall, from her even walk and way of + carrying her head. Her figure was neat, and her face clear-spoken, with + straight pretty eyebrows, and calm bright eyes. I felt that I could tell + her almost any thing, and she would think before she talked of it. And in + my strong want of some woman to advise with—Betsy Bowen being very + good but very narrow, and Mrs. Hockin a mere echo of the Major until he + contradicted her, and Suan Isco, with her fine, large views, five thousand + miles out of sight just now—this was a state of things to enhance + the value of any good countenance feminine. + </p> + <p> + At any rate, I was so glad to see her that, being still ungraduated in the + steps of rank (though beginning to like a good footing there), I ran up + and took her by both hands, and fetched her out of her grand courtesy and + into a low chair. At this she was surprised, as one quick glance showed; + and she thought me, perhaps, what is called in England “an impulsive + creature.” This put me again upon my dignity, for I never have been in any + way like that, and I clearly perceived that she ought to understand a + little more distinctly my character. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to begin with this intention, but very hard indeed to keep it + up when any body of nice ways and looks is sitting with a proper + deferential power of listening, and liking one's young ideas, which + multiply and magnify themselves at each demand. So after some general talk + about the weather, the country, the house, and so on, we came to the + people of the house, or at any rate the chief person. And I asked her a + few quiet questions about Lord Castlewood's health and habits, and any + thing else she might like to tell me. For many things had seemed to me a + little strange and out of the usual course, and on that account worthy to + be spoken of without common curiosity. Mrs. Price told me that there were + many things generally divulged and credited, which therefore lay in her + power to communicate without any derogation from her office. Being pleased + with these larger words (which I always have trouble in pronouncing), I + asked her whether there was any thing else. And she answered yes, but + unhappily of a nature to which it was scarcely desirable to allude in my + presence. I told her that this was not satisfactory, and I might say quite + the opposite; that having “alluded” to whatever it might be, she was bound + to tell me all about it. That I had lived in very many countries, in all + of which wrong things continually went on, of which I continually heard + just in that sort of way and no more. Enough to make one uncomfortable, + but not enough to keep one instructed and vigilant as to things that ought + to be avoided. Upon this she yielded either to my arguments or to her own + dislike of unreasonable silence, and gave me the following account of the + misfortunes of Lord Castlewood: + </p> + <p> + Herbert William Castlewood was the third son of Dean Castlewood, a younger + brother of my grandfather, and was born in the year 1806. He was older, + therefore, than my father, but still (even before my father's birth, which + provided a direct heir) there were many lives betwixt him and the family + estates. And his father, having as yet no promotion in the Church, found + it hard to bring up his children. The eldest son got a commission in the + army, and the second entered the navy, while Herbert was placed in a bank + at Bristol—not at all the sort of life which he would have chosen. + But being of a gentle, unselfish nature, as well as a weak constitution, + he put up with his state in life, and did his best to give satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + This calm courage generally has its reward, and in the year 1842, not very + long before the death of my grandfather at Shoxford, Mr. Herbert + Castlewood, being well-connected, well-behaved, diligent, and pleasing, + obtained a partnership in the firm, which was, perhaps, the foremost in + the west of England. His two elder brothers happened then to be at home, + Major and Commander Castlewood, each of whom had seen very hard service, + and found it still harder slavery to make both ends meet, although + bachelors. But, returning full of glory, they found one thing harder + still, and that was to extract any cash from their father, the highly + venerated Dean, who in that respect, if in no other, very closely + resembled the head of the family. Therefore these brave men resolved to go + and see their Bristol brother, to whom they were tenderly attached, and + who now must have money enough and to spare. So they wrote to their + brother to meet them on the platform, scarcely believing that they could + be there in so short a time from London; for they never had travelled by + rail before; and they set forth in wonderful spirits, and laughed at the + strange, giddy rush of the travelling, and made bets with each other about + punctual time (for trains kept much better time while new), and, as long + as they could time it, they kept time to a second. But, sad to relate, + they wanted no chronometers when they arrived at Bristol, both being + killed at a blow, with their watches still going, and a smile on their + faces. For the train had run into a wall of Bath stone, and several of the + passengers were killed. + </p> + <p> + The sight of his two brothers carried out like this, after so many years + of not seeing them, was too much for Mr. Herbert Castlewood's nerves, + which always had been delicate. And he shivered all the more from reproach + of conscience, having made up his mind not to lend them any money, as a + practical banker was compelled to do. And from that very moment he began + to feel great pain. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Price assured me that the doctors all agreed that nothing but change + of climate could restore Mr. Castlewood's tone and system, and being full + of art (though so simple, as she said, which she could not entirely + reconcile), he set off for Italy, and there he stopped, with the good + leave of his partners, being now valued highly as heir to the Dean, who + was known to have put a good trifle together. And in Italy my father must + have found him, as related by Mr. Shovelin, and there received kindness + and comfort in his trouble, if trouble so deep could be comforted. + </p> + <p> + Now I wondered and eagerly yearned to know whether my father, at such a + time, and in such a state of loneliness, might not have been led to impart + to his cousin and host and protector the dark mystery which lay at the + bottom of his own conduct. Knowing how resolute and stern he was, and + doubtless then imbittered by the wreck of love and life, I thought it more + probable that he had kept silence even toward so near a relative, + especially as he had seen very little of his cousin Herbert till he had + found him thus. Moreover, my grandfather and the Dean had spent little + brotherly love on each other, having had a life-long feud about a + copy-hold furze brake of nearly three-quarters of an acre, as Betsy + remembered to have heard her master say. + </p> + <p> + To go on, however, with what Mrs. Price was saying. She knew scarcely any + thing about my father, because she was too young at that time to be called + into the counsels of the servants' hall, for she scarcely was thirty-five + yet, as she declared, and she certainly did not look forty. But all about + the present Lord Castlewood she knew better than any body else, perhaps, + because she had been in the service of his wife, and, indeed, her chief + attendant. Then, having spoken of her master's wife, Mrs. Price caught + herself up, and thenceforth called her only his “lady.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Herbert Castlewood, who had minded his business for so many years, and + kept himself aloof from ladies, spending all his leisure in good + literature, at this time of life and in this state of health (for the + shock he had received struck inward), fell into an accident tenfold worse—the + fatal accident of love. And this malady raged the more powerfully with him + on account of breaking out so late in life. In one of the + picture-galleries at Florence, or some such place, Mrs. Price declared, he + met with a lady who made all the pictures look cold and dull and dead to + him. A lovely young creature she must have been (as even Mrs. Price, who + detested her, acknowledged), and to the eyes of a learned but not keen man + as good as lovely. My father was gone to look after me, and fetch me out + of England, but even if he had been there, perhaps he scarcely could have + stopped it; for this Mr. Castlewood, although so quiet, had the family + fault of tenacity. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Price, being a very steady person, with a limited income, and enough + to do, was inclined to look down upon the state of mind in which Mr. + Castlewood became involved. She was not there at the moment, of course, + but suddenly sent for when all was settled; nevertheless, she found out + afterward how it began from her master's man, through what he had for + dinner. And in the kitchen-garden at Castlewood no rampion would she allow + while she lived. I asked her whether she had no pity, no sympathy, no fine + feeling, and how she could have become Mrs. Price if she never had known + such sentiments. But she said that they only called her “Mistress” on + account of her authority, and she never had been drawn to the opposite + sex, though many times asked in marriage. And what she had seen of + matrimony led her far away from it. I was sorry to hear her say this, and + felt damped, till I thought that the world was not all alike. + </p> + <p> + Then she told me, just as if it were no more than a bargain for a pound of + tallow candles, how Mr. Herbert Castlewood, patient and persistent, was + kept off and on for at least two years by the mother of his sweet idol. + How the old lady held a balance in her mind as to the likelihood of his + succession, trying, through English friends, to find the value and the + course of property. Of what nation she was, Mrs. Price could not say, and + only knew that it must be a bad one. She called herself the Countess of + Ixorism, as truly pronounced in English; and she really was of good family + too, so far as any foreigner can be. And her daughter's name was + Flittamore, not according to the right spelling, perhaps, but pronounced + with the proper accent. + </p> + <p> + Flittamore herself did not seem to care, according to what Mrs. Price had + been told, but left herself wholly in her mother's hands, being sure of + her beauty still growing upon her, and desiring to have it admired and + praised. And the number of foreigners she always had about her sometimes + made her real lover nearly give her up. But, alas! he was not quite wise + enough for this, with all that he had read and learned and seen. + Therefore, when it was reported from Spain that my father had been killed + by bandits—the truth being that he was then in Greece—the + Countess at last consented to the marriage of her daughter with Herbert + Castlewood, and even seemed to press it forward for some reasons of her + own. And the happy couple set forth upon their travels, and Mrs. Price was + sent abroad to wait upon the lady. + </p> + <p> + For a few months they seemed to get on very well, Flittamore showing much + affection for her husband, whose age was a trifle more than her own + doubled, while he was entirely wrapped up in her, and labored that the + graces of her mind might be worthy to compare with those more visible. But + her spiritual face and most sweet poetic eyes were vivid with bodily + brilliance alone. She had neither mind enough to learn, nor heart enough + to pretend to learn. + </p> + <p> + It is out of my power to describe such things, even if it were my duty to + do so, which, happily, it has never been; moreover, Mrs. Price, in what + she told me, exercised a just and strict reserve. Enough that Mr. + Castlewood's wedded life was done with in six months and three days. Lady + Castlewood, as she would be called, though my father still was living and + his cousin disclaimed the title—away she ran from some dull German + place, after a very stiff lesson in poetry, and with her ran off a young + Englishman, the present Sir Montague Hockin. He was Mr. Hockin then, and + had not a half-penny of his own; but Flittamore met that difficulty by + robbing her husband to his last farthing. + </p> + <p> + This had happened about twelve years back, soon after I was placed at the + school in Languedoc, to which I was taken so early in life that I almost + forget all about it. But it might have been better for poor Flittamore if + she had been brought up at a steady place like that, with sisters and + ladies of retreat, to teach her the proper description of her duties to + mankind. I seemed now in my own mind to condemn her quite enough, feeling + how superior her husband must have been; but Mrs. Price went even further, + and became quite indignant that any one should pity her. + </p> + <p> + “A hussy! a hussy! a poppet of a hussy!” she exclaimed, with greater power + than her quiet face could indicate; “never would I look at her. Speak + never so, Miss Castlewood. My lord is the very best of all men, and she + has made him what he is. The pity she deserves is to be trodden under + foot, as I saw them do in Naples.” + </p> + <p> + After all the passion I had seen among rough people, I scarcely could help + trembling at the depth of wrath dissembled and firmly controlled in calm + clear eyes under very steadfast eyebrows. It was plain that Lord + Castlewood had, at any rate, the gift of being loved by his dependents. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that he took it aright!” I cried, catching some of her + indignation; “I hope that he cast her to the winds, without even a sigh + for such a cruel creature!” + </p> + <p> + “He was not strong enough,” she answered, sadly; “his bodily health was + not equal to it. From childhood he had been partly crippled and spoiled in + his nerves by an accident. And the shock of that sight at Bristol flew to + his weakness, and was too much for him. And now this third and worst + disaster, coming upon him where his best hope lay, and at such a time of + life, took him altogether off his legs. And off his head too, I might + almost say, miss; for, instead of blaming her, he put the fault entirely + upon himself. At his time of life, and in such poor health, he should not + have married a bright young girl: how could he ever hope to make her + happy? That was how he looked at it, when he should have sent constables + after her.” + </p> + <p> + “And what became of her—the mindless animal, to forsake so good and + great a man! I do hope she was punished, and that vile man too.” + </p> + <p> + “She was, Miss Castlewood; but he was not; at least he has not received + justice yet. But he will, he will, he will, miss. The treacherous thief! + And my lord received him as a young fellow-countryman under a cloud, and + lent him money, and saved him from starving; for he had broken with his + father and was running from his creditors.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me no more,” I said; “not another word. It is my fate to meet that—well, + that gentleman—almost every day. And he, and he—oh, how + thankful I am to have found out all this about him!” + </p> + <p> + The above will show why, when I met my father's cousin on the following + morning—with his grand, calm face, as benevolent as if he had passed + a night of luxurious rest instead of sleepless agony—I knew myself + to be of a lower order in mind and soul and heart than his; a small, + narrow, passionate girl, in the presence of a large, broad-sighted, and + compassionate man. + </p> + <p> + I threw myself altogether on his will; for, when I trust, I trust wholly. + And, under his advice, I did not return with any rash haste to Bruntsea, + but wrote in discharge of all duty there; while Mrs. Price, a clear and + steadfast woman, was sent to London to see Wilhelmina Strouss. These two + must have had very great talks together, and, both being zealous and + faithful, they came to many misunderstandings. However, on the whole, they + became very honest friends, and sworn allies at last, discovering more, + the more they talked, people against whom they felt a common and just + enmity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV + </h2> + <h3> + SHOXFORD + </h3> + <p> + Are there people who have never, in the course of anxious life, felt + desire to be away, to fly away, from every thing, however good and dear to + them, and rest a little, and think new thought, or let new thought flow + into them, from the gentle air of some new place, where nobody has heard + of them—a place whose cares, being felt by proxy, almost seem + romantic, and where the eyes spare brain and heart with a critic's + self-complacence? If any such place yet remains, the happy soul may seek + it in an inland English village. + </p> + <p> + A village where no billows are to stun or to confound it, no crag or + precipice to trouble it with giddiness, and where no hurry of restless + tide makes time, its own father, uneasy. But in the quiet, at the bottom + of the valley, a beautiful rivulet, belonging to the place, hastens or + lingers, according to its mood; hankering here and there, not to be away + yet; and then, by the doing of its own work, led to a swift perplexity of + ripples. Here along its side, and there softly leaning over it, fresh + green meadows lie reposing in the settled meaning of the summer day. For + this is a safer time of year than the flourish of the spring-tide, when + the impulse of young warmth awaking was suddenly smitten by the bleak east + wind, and cowslip and cuckoo-flower and speedwell got their bright lips + browned with cold. Then, moreover, must the meads have felt the worry of + scarcely knowing yet what would be demanded of them; whether to carry an + exacting load of hay, or only to feed a few sauntering cows. + </p> + <p> + But now every trouble has been settled for the best; the long grass is + mown, and the short grass browsed, and capers of the fairies and caprices + of the cows have dappled worn texture with a deeper green. Therefore let + eyes that are satisfied here—as any but a very bad eye must be, with + so many changes of softness—follow the sweet lead of the valley; and + there, in a bend of the gently brawling river, stands the never-brawling + church. + </p> + <p> + A church less troubled with the gift of tongues is not to be found in + England: a church of gray stone that crumbles just enough to entice frail + mortal sympathy, and confesses to the storms it has undergone in a tone + that conciliates the human sigh. The tower is large, and high enough to + tell what the way of the wind is without any potato-bury on the top, and + the simple roof is not cruciated with tiles of misguided fancy. But gray + rest, and peace of ages, and content of lying calmly six feet deeper than + the bustle of the quick; memory also, and oblivion, following each other + slowly, like the shadows of the church-yard trees—for all of these + no better place can be, nor softer comfort. + </p> + <p> + For the village of Shoxford runs up on the rise, and straggles away from + its burial-place, as a child from his school goes mitching. There are some + few little ups and downs in the manner of its building, as well as in + other particulars about it; but still it keeps as parallel with the + crooked river as the far more crooked ways of men permit. But the whole of + the little road of houses runs down the valley from the church-yard gate; + and above the church, looking up the pretty valley, stands nothing but the + mill and the plank bridge below it; and a furlong above that again the + stone bridge, where the main road crosses the stream, and is consoled by + leading to a big house—the Moonstock Inn. + </p> + <p> + The house in which my father lived so long—or rather, I should say, + my mother, while he was away with his regiment—and where we + unfortunate seven saw the light, stands about half-way down the little + village, being on the right-hand side of the road as you come down the + valley from the Moonstock bridge. Therefore it is on the further and upper + side of the street—if it can be called a street—from the + valley and the river and the meads below the mill, inasmuch as every bit + of Shoxford, and every particle of the parish also, has existence—of + no mean sort, as compared with other parishes, in its own esteem—on + the right side of the river Moon. + </p> + <p> + My father's house, in this good village, standing endwise to the street, + was higher at one end than at the other. That is to say, the ground came + sloping, or even falling, as fairly might be said, from one end to the + other of it, so that it looked like a Noah's ark tilted by Behemoth under + the stern-post. And a little lane, from a finely wooded hill, here fell + steeply into the “High Street” (as the grocer and the butcher loved to + call it), and made my father's house most distinct, by obeying a good deal + of its outline, and discharging in heavy rain a free supply of water under + the weather-board of our front-door. This front-door opened on the little + steep triangle formed by the meeting of lane and road, while the back-door + led into a long but narrow garden running along the road, but raised some + feet above it; the bank was kept up by a rough stone wall crested with + stuck-up snap-dragon and valerian, and faced with rosettes and disks and + dills of houseleek, pennywort, and hart's-tongue. + </p> + <p> + Betsy and I were only just in time to see the old house as it used to be; + for the owner had died about half a year ago, and his grandson, having + proved his will, was resolved to make short work with it. The poor house + was blamed for the sorrows it had sheltered, and had the repute of two + spectres, as well as the pale shadow of misfortune. For my dear father was + now believed by the superstitious villagers to haunt the old home of his + happiness and love, and roam from room to room in search of his wife and + all his children. But his phantom was most careful not to face that of his + father, which stalked along haughtily, as behooved a lord, and pointed + forever to a red wound in its breast. No wonder, therefore, that the house + would never let; and it would have been pulled down long ago if the owner + had not felt a liking for it, through memories tender and peculiar to + himself. His grandson, having none of these to contend with, resolved to + make a mere stable of it, and build a public-house at the bottom of the + garden, and turn the space between them into skittle-ground, and so forth. + </p> + <p> + To me this seemed such a very low idea, and such a desecration of a sacred + spot, that if I had owned any money to be sure of, I would have offered + hundreds to prevent it. But I found myself now in a delicate state of mind + concerning money, having little of my own, and doubting how much other + people might intend for me. So that I durst not offer to buy land and a + house without any means to pay. + </p> + <p> + And it was not for that reason only that Betsy and I kept ourselves quiet. + We knew that any stir in this little place about us—such as my name + might at once set going—would once for all destroy all hope of doing + good by coming. Betsy knew more of such matters than I did, besides all + her knowledge of the place itself, and her great superiority of age; + therefore I left to her all little management, as was in every way fair + and wise. For Mrs. Strouss had forsaken a large and good company of + lodgers, with only Herr Strouss to look after them—and who was he + among them? If she trod on one side of her foot, or felt a tingling in her + hand, or a buzzing in her ear, she knew in a moment what it was—of + pounds and pounds was she being cheated, a hundred miles off, by + foreigners! + </p> + <p> + For this reason it had cost much persuasion and many appeals to her + faithfulness, as well as considerable weekly payment, ere ever my good + nurse could be brought away from London; and perhaps even so she never + would have come if I had not written myself to Mrs. Price, then visiting + Betsy in European Square, that if the landlady was too busy to be spared + by her lodgers, I must try to get Lord Castlewood to spare me his + housekeeper. Upon this Mrs. Strouss at once declared that Mrs. Price would + ruin every thing; and rather than that—no matter what she lost—she + herself would go with me. And so she did, and she managed very well, + keeping my name out of sight (for, happen what might, I would have no + false one); and she got quiet lodgings in her present name, which sounded + nicely foreign; and the village being more agitated now about my father's + material house, and the work they were promised in pulling it down, than + about his shattered household, we had a very favorable time for coming in, + and were pronounced to be foreigners who must not be allowed to run up + bills. + </p> + <p> + This rustic conclusion suited us quite well, and we soon confirmed it + unwittingly, Betsy offering a German thaler and I an American dollar at + the shop of the village chandler and baker, so that we were looked upon + with some pity, and yet a kind desire for our custom. Thus, without any + attempt of ours at either delusion or mystery, Mrs. Strouss was hailed + throughout the place as “Madam Straw,” while I, through the sagacity of a + deeply read shoe-maker, obtained a foreign name, as will by-and-by appear. + </p> + <p> + We lodged at the post-office, not through any wisdom or even any thought + on our part, but simply because we happened there to find the cleanest and + prettiest rooms in the place. For the sun being now in the height of + August, and having much harvest to ripen, at middle day came ramping down + the little street of Shoxford like the chairman of the guild of bakers. + Every house having lately brightened up its whitewash—which they + always do there when the frosts are over, soon after the feast of St. + Barnabas—and the weeds of the way having fared amiss in the absence + of any water-cart, it was not in the strong, sharp character of the sun to + miss such an opportunity. After the red Californian glare, I had no fear + of any English sun; but Betsy was frightened, and both of us were glad to + get into a little place sheltered by green blinds. This chanced to be the + post-office, and there we found nice lodgings. + </p> + <p> + By an equal chance this proved to be the wisest thing we could possibly + have done, if we had set about it carefully. For why, that nobody ever + would impute any desire of secrecy to people who straightway unpacked + their boxes at the very head-quarters of all the village news. And the + mistress of the post was a sharp-tongued woman, pleased to speak freely of + her neighbors' doings, and prompt with good advice that they should heed + their own business, if any of them durst say a word about her own. She + kept a tidy little shop, showing something of almost every thing; but we + had a side door, quite of our own, where Betsy met the baker's wife and + the veritable milkman; and neither of them knew her, which was just what + she had hoped; and yet it made her speak amiss of them. + </p> + <p> + But if all things must be brought to the harsh test of dry reason, I + myself might be hard pushed to say what good I hoped to do by coming thus + to Shoxford. I knew of a great many things, for certain, that never had + been thoroughly examined here; also I naturally wished to see, being a + native, what the natives were; and, much more than that, it was always on + my mind that here lay my mother and the other six of us. + </p> + <p> + Therefore it was an impatient thing for me to hear Betsy working out the + afternoon with perpetual chatter and challenge of prices, combating now as + a lodger all those points which as a landlady she never would allow even + to be moot questions. If any applicant in European Square had dared so + much as hint at any of all the requirements which she now expected gratis, + she would simply have whisked her duster, and said that the lodgings for + such people must be looked for down the alley. However, Mrs. Busk, our new + landlady, although she had a temper of her own (as any one keeping a + post-office must have) was forced by the rarity of lodgers here to yield + many points, which Mrs. Strouss, on her own boards, would not even have + allowed to be debated. All this was entirely against my wish; for when I + have money, I spend it, finding really no other good in it; but Betsy told + me that the purest principle of all was—not to be cheated. + </p> + <p> + So I left her to have these little matters out, and took that occasion for + stealing away (as the hours grew on toward evening) to a place where I + wished to be quite alone. And the shadow of the western hills shed peace + upon the valley, when I crossed a little stile leading into Shoxford + church-yard. + </p> + <p> + For a minute or two I was quite afraid, seeing nobody any where about, nor + even hearing any sound in the distance to keep me company. For the church + lay apart from the village, and was thickly planted out from it, the + living folk being full of superstition, and deeply believing in the dead + people's ghosts. And even if this were a wife to a husband, or even a + husband reappearing to his wife, there was not a man or a woman in the + village that would not run away from it. + </p> + <p> + This I did not know at present, not having been there long enough; neither + had I any terror of that sort, not being quite such a coward, I should + hope. But still, as the mantles of the cold trees darkened, and the stony + remembrance of the dead grew pale, and of the living there was not even + the whistle of a grave-digger—my heart got the better of my mind for + a moment, and made me long to be across that stile again. Because (as I + said to myself) if there had been a hill to go up, that would be so + different and so easy; but going down into a place like this, whence the + only escape must be by steps, and where any flight must be along channels + that run in and out of graves and tombstones, I tried not to be afraid, + yet could not altogether help it. + </p> + <p> + But lo! when I came to the north side of the tower, scarcely thinking what + to look for, I found myself in the middle of a place which made me stop + and wonder. Here were six little grassy tuffets, according to the length + of children, all laid east and west, without any stint of room, + harmoniously. + </p> + <p> + From the eldest to the youngest, one could almost tell the age at which + their lowly stature stopped, and took its final measurement. + </p> + <p> + And in the middle was a larger grave, to comfort and encourage them, as a + hen lies down among her chicks and waits for them to shelter. Without a + name to any of them, all these seven graves lay together, as in a fairy + ring of rest, and kind compassion had prevented any stranger from coming + to be buried there. + </p> + <p> + I would not sit on my mother's grave for fear of crushing the pretty + grass, which some one tended carefully; but I stood at its foot, and bent + my head, and counted all the little ones. Then I thought of my father in + the grove of peaches, more than six thousand miles away, on the banks of + the soft Blue River. And a sense of desolate sorrow and of the blessing of + death overwhelmed me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV + </h2> + <h3> + THE SEXTON + </h3> + <p> + With such things in my mind, it took me long to come back to my work + again. It even seemed a wicked thing, so near to all these proofs of God's + great visitation over us, to walk about and say, “I will do this,” or even + to think, “I will try to do that.” My own poor helplessness, and loss of + living love to guide me, laid upon my heart a weight from which it + scarcely cared to move. All was buried, all was done with, all had passed + from out the world, and left no mark but graves behind. What good to stir + anew such sadness, even if a poor weak thing like me could move its + mystery? + </p> + <p> + Time, however, and my nurse Betsy, and Jacob Rigg the gardener, brought me + back to a better state of mind, and renewed the right courage within me. + But, first of all, Jacob Rigg aroused my terror and interest vividly. It + may be remembered that this good man had been my father's gardener at the + time of our great calamity, and almost alone of the Shoxford people had + shown himself true and faithful. Not that the natives had turned against + us, or been at all unfriendly; so far from this was the case, that every + one felt for our troubles, and pitied us, my father being of a cheerful + and affable turn, until misery hardened him; but what I mean is that only + one or two had the courage to go against the popular conclusion and the + convictions of authority. + </p> + <p> + But Jacob was a very upright man, and had a strong liking for his master, + who many and many a time—as he told me—had taken a spade and + dug along with him, just as if he were a jobbing gardener born, instead of + a fine young nobleman; “and nobody gifted with that turn of mind, likewise + very clever in white-spine cowcumbers, could ever be relied upon to go and + shoot his father.” Thus reasoned old Jacob, and he always had done so, and + meant evermore to abide by it; and the graves which he had tended now for + nigh a score of years, and meant to tend till he called for his own, were—as + sure as he stood there in Shoxford church-yard a-talking to me, who was + the very image of my father, God bless me, though not of course so big + like—the graves of slaughtered innocents, and a mother who was + always an angel. And the parson might preach forever to him about the + resurrection, and the right coming uppermost when you got to heaven, but + to his mind that was scarcely any count at all; and if you came to that, + we ought to hang Jack Ketch, as might come to pass in the Revelations. But + while a man had got his own bread to earn, till his honor would let him go + to the work-house, and his duty to the rate-payers, there was nothing that + vexed him more than to be told any texts of Holy Scripture. Whatever God + Almighty had put down there was meant for ancient people, the Jews being + long the most ancient people, though none the more for that did he like + them; and so it was mainly the ancient folk, who could not do a day's work + worth eighteenpence, that could enter into Bible promises. Not that he was + at all behindhand about interpretation; but as long as he could fetch and + earn, at planting box and doing borders, two shillings and ninepence a day + and his beer, he was not going to be on for kingdom come. + </p> + <p> + I told him that I scarcely thought his view of our condition here would be + approved by wise men who had found time to study the subject. But he + answered that whatever their words might be, their doings showed that they + knew what was the first thing to attend to. And if it ever happened him to + come across a parson who was as full of heaven outside as he was inside + his surplice, he would keep his garden in order for nothing better than + his blessing. + </p> + <p> + I knew of no answer to be made to this. And indeed he seemed to be aware + that his conversation was too deep for me; so he leaned upon his spade, + and rubbed his long blue chin in the shadow of the church tower, holding + as he did the position of sexton, and preparing even now to dig a grave. + </p> + <p> + “I keeps them well away from you,” he said, as he began to chop out a new + oblong in the turf; “many a shilling have I been offered by mothers about + their little ones, to put 'em inside of the 'holy ring,' as we calls this + little cluster; but not for five golden guineas would I do it, and have to + face the Captain, dead or alive, about it. We heard that he was dead, + because it was put in all the papers; and a pleasant place I keeps for + him, to come home alongside of his family. A nicer gravelly bit of ground + there couldn't be in all the county; and if no chance of him occupying it, + I can drive down a peg with your mark, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” I answered; “you are certainly most kind; but, Mr. Rigg, I + would rather wait a little. I have had a very troublesome life thus far, + and nothing to bind me to it much; but still I would rather not have my + peg driven down just—just at present.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you be like all the young folk that think the tree for their coffins + ain't come to the size of this spade handle yet. Lord bless you for not + knowing what He hath in hand! Now this one you see me a-raising of the + turf for, stood as upright as you do, a fortnight back, and as good about + the chest and shoulders, and three times the color in her cheeks, and her + eyes a'most as bright as yourn be. Not aristocratic, you must understand + me, miss, being only the miller's daughter, nor instructed to throw her + voice the same as you do, which is better than gallery music; but setting + these haxidents to one side, a farmer would have said she was more + preferable, because more come-at-able, though not in my opinion to be + compared—excuse me for making so free, miss, but when it comes to + death we has a kind of right to do it—and many a young farmer, + coming to the mill, was disturbed in his heart about her, and far and wide + she was known, being proud, as the Beauty of the Moonshine, from the name + of our little river. She used to call me 'Jacob Diggs,' because of my + porochial office, with a meaning of a joke on my parenshal name. Ah, what + a merry one she were! And now this is what I has to do for her! And sooner + would I 'a doed it a'most for my own old ooman!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Jacob!” I cried, being horrified at the way in which he tore up the + ground, as if his wife was waiting, “the things you say are quite wrong, I + am sure, for a man in your position. You are connected with this church + almost as much as the clerk is.” + </p> + <p> + “More, miss, ten times more! He don't do nothing but lounge on the front + of his desk, and be too lazy to keep up 'Amen,' while I at my time of life + go about, from Absolution to the fifth Lord's prayer, with a stick that + makes my rheumatics worse, for the sake of the boys with their pocket full + of nuts. When I was a boy there was no nuts, except at the proper time of + year, a month or two on from this time of speaking; and we used to crack + they in the husk, and make no noise to disturb the congregation; but now + it is nuts, nuts, round nuts, flat nuts, nuts with three corners to them—all + the year round nuts to crack, and me to find out who did it!” + </p> + <p> + “But, Mr. Rigg,” I replied, as he stopped, looking hotter in mind than in + body, “is it not Mrs. Rigg, your good wife, who sells all the nuts on a + Saturday for the boys to crack on a Sunday?” + </p> + <p> + “My missus do sell some, to be sure; yes, just a few. But not of a + Saturday more than any other day.” + </p> + <p> + “Then surely, Mr. Rigg, you might stop it, by not permitting any sale of + nuts except to good boys of high principles. And has it not happened + sometimes, Mr. Rigg, that boys have made marks on their nuts, and bought + them again at your shop on a Monday? I mean, of course, when your duty has + compelled you to empty the pockets of a boy in church.” + </p> + <p> + Now this was a particle of shamefully small gossip, picked up naturally by + my Betsy, but pledged to go no further; and as soon as I had spoken I + became a little nervous, having it suddenly brought to my mind that I had + promised not even to whisper it; and now I had told it to the man of all + men! But Jacob appeared to have been quite deaf, and diligently went on + digging. And I said “good-evening,” for the grave was for the morrow; and + he let me go nearly to the stile before he stuck his spade into the ground + and followed. + </p> + <p> + “Excoose of my making use,” he said, “of a kind of a personal reference, + miss; but you be that pat with your answers, it maketh me believe you must + be sharp inside—more than your father, the poor Captain, were, as + all them little grass buttons argueth. Now, miss, if I thought you had + head-piece enough to keep good counsel and ensue it, maybe I could tell + you a thing as would make your hair creep out of them coorous hitch-ups, + and your heart a'most bust them there braids of fallallies.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what in the world do you mean?” I asked, being startled by the old + man's voice and face. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, miss, nothing. I was only a-joking. If you bain't come to no + more discretion than that—to turn as white as the clerk's + smock-frock of a Easter-Sunday—why, the more of a joke one has, the + better, to bring your purty color back to you. Ah! Polly of the mill was + the maid for color—as good for the eyesight as a chaney-rose in + April. Well, well, I must get on with her grave; they're a-coming to speak + the good word over un on sundown.” + </p> + <p> + He might have known how this would vex and perplex me. I could not bear to + hinder him in his work—as important as any to be done by man for man—and + yet it was beyond my power to go home and leave him there, and wonder what + it was that he had been so afraid to tell. So I quietly said, “Then I will + wish you a very good evening again, Mr. Rigg, as you are too busy to be + spoken with.” And I walked off a little way, having met with men who, + having begun a thing, needs must have it out, and fully expecting him to + call me back. But Jacob only touched his hat, and said, “A pleasant + evening to you, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + Nothing could have made me feel more resolute than this did. I did not + hesitate one moment in running back over the stile again, and demanding of + Jacob Rigg that he should tell me whether he meant any thing or nothing; + for I was not to be played with about important matters, like the boys in + the church who were cracking nuts. + </p> + <p> + “Lord! Lord, now!” he said, with his treddled heel scraping the shoulder + of his shining spade; “the longer I live in this world, the fitter I grow + to get into the ways of the Lord. His ways are past finding out, saith + King David: but a man of war, from his youth upward, hath no chance such + as a gardening man hath. What a many of them have I found out!” + </p> + <p> + “What has that got to do with it!” I cried. “Just tell me what it was you + were speaking of just now.” + </p> + <p> + “I was just a-thinking, when I looked at you, miss,” he answered, in the + prime of leisure, and wiping his forehead from habit only, not because he + wanted it, “how little us knows of the times and seasons and the + generations of the sons of men. There you stand, miss, and here stand I, + as haven't seen your father for a score of years a'most; and yet there + comes out of your eyes into mine the very same look as the Captain used to + send, when snakes in the grass had been telling lies about me coming late, + or having my half pint or so on. Not that the Captain was a hard man, miss—far + otherwise, and capable of allowance, more than any of the women be. But + only the Lord, who doeth all things aright, could 'a made you come, with a + score of years atween, and the twinkle in your eyes like—Selah!” + </p> + <p> + “You know what you mean, perhaps, but I do not,” I answered, quite gently, + being troubled by his words and the fear of having tried to hurry him; + “but you should not say what you have said, Jacob Rigg, to me, your + master's daughter, if you only meant to be joking. Is this the place to + joke with me?” + </p> + <p> + I pointed to all that lay around me, where I could not plant a foot + without stepping over my brothers or sisters; and the old man, callous as + he might be, could not help feeling for—a pinch of snuff. This he + found in the right-hand pocket of his waistcoat, and took it very + carefully, and made a little noise of comfort; and thus, being fully + self-assured again, he stood, with his feet far apart and his head on one + side, regarding me warily. And I took good care not to say another word. + </p> + <p> + “You be young,” he said at last; “and in these latter days no wisdom is + ordained in the mouths of babes and sucklings, nor always in the mouths of + them as is themselves ordained. But you have a way of keeping your chin + up, miss, as if you was gifted with a stiff tongue likewise. And whatever + may hap, I has as good mind to tell 'e.” + </p> + <p> + “That you are absolutely bound to do,” I answered, as forcibly as I could. + “Duty to your former master and to me, his only child—and to + yourself, and your Maker too—compel you, Jacob Rigg, to tell me + every thing you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, miss,” he answered, coming nearer to me, and speaking in a low, + hoarse voice, “as sure as I stand here in God's churchyard, by all this + murdered family, I knows the man who done it!” + </p> + <p> + He looked at me, with a trembling finger upon his hard-set lips, and the + spade in his other hand quivered like a wind vane; but I became as firm as + the monument beside me, and my heart, instead of fluttering, grew as + steadfast as a glacier. Then, for the first time, I knew that God had not + kept me living, when all the others died, without fitting me also for the + work there was to do. + </p> + <p> + “Come here to the corner of the tower, miss,” old Jacob went on, in his + excitement catching hold of the sleeve of my black silk jacket. “Where we + stand is a queer sort of echo, which goeth in and out of them big + tombstones. And for aught I can say to contrairy, he may be a-watching of + us while here we stand.” + </p> + <p> + I glanced around, as if he were most welcome to be watching me, if only I + could see him once. But the place was as silent as its graves; and I + followed the sexton to the shadow of a buttress. Here he went into a deep + gray corner, lichened and mossed by a drip from the roof; and being, both + in his clothes and self, pretty much of that same color, he was not very + easy to discern from stone when the light of day was declining. + </p> + <p> + “This is where I catches all the boys,” he whispered; “and this is where I + caught him, one evening when I were tired, and gone to nurse my knees a + bit. Let me see—why, let me see! Don't you speak till I do, miss. + Were it the last but one I dug? Or could un 'a been the last but two? + Never mind; I can't call to mind quite justly. We puts down about one a + month in this parish, without any distemper or haxident. Well, it must 'a + been the one afore last—to be sure, no call to scratch my head about + un. Old Sally Mock, as sure as I stand here—done handsome by the + rate-payers. Over there, miss, if you please to look—about two + land-yard and a half away. Can you see un with the grass peeking up + a'ready?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind that, Jacob. Do please to go on.” + </p> + <p> + “So I be, miss. So I be doing to the best of the power granted me. Well, I + were in this little knuckle of a squat, where old Sally used to say as I + went to sleep, and charged the parish for it—a spiteful old ooman, + and I done her grave with pleasure, only wishing her had to pay for it; + and to prove to her mind that I never goed asleep here, I was just making + ready to set fire to my pipe, having cocked my shovel in to ease my legs, + like this, when from round you corner of the chancel-foot, and over again + that there old tree, I seed a something movin' along—movin' along, + without any noise or declarance of solid feet walking. You may see the + track burnt in the sod, if you let your eyes go along this here finger.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Jacob, how could you have waited to see it?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, miss, I did; being used to a-many antics in this dead-yard, such + as a man who hadn't buried them might up foot to run away from. But they + no right, after the service of the Church, to come up for more than one + change of the moon, unless they been great malefactors. And then they be + ashamed of it; and I reminds them of it. 'Amen,' I say, in the very same + voice as I used at the tail of their funerals; and then they knows well + that I covered them up, and the most uneasy goes back again. Lor' bless + you, miss, I no fear of the dead. At both ends of life us be harmless. It + is in the life, and mostways in the middle of it, we makes all the death + for one another.” + </p> + <p> + This was true enough; and I only nodded to him, fearing to interject any + new ideas from which he might go rambling. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that there figure were no joke, mind you,” the old man continued, + as soon as he had freshened his narrative powers with another pinch of + snuff, “being tall and grim, and white in the face, and very onpleasant + for to look at, and its eyes seemed a'most to burn holes in the air. No + sooner did I see that it were not a ghostie, but a living man the same as + I be, than my knees begins to shake and my stumps of teeth to chatter. And + what do you think it was stopped me, miss, from slipping round this + corner, and away by belfry? Nort but the hoddest idea you ever heared on. + For all of a suddint it was borne unto my mind that the Lord had been + pleased to send us back the Captain; not so handsome as he used to be, but + in the living flesh, however, in spite of they newspapers. And I were just + at the pint of coming forrard, out of this here dark cornder, knowing as I + had done my duty by them graves that his honor, to my mind, must 'a come + looking after, when, lucky for me, I see summat in his walk, and then in + his countenance, and then in all his features, unnateral on the Captain's + part, whatever his time of life might be. And sure enough, miss, it were + no Captain more nor I myself be.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not. How could it be? But who was it, Jacob?” + </p> + <p> + “You bide a bit, miss, and you shall hear the whole. Well, by that time + 'twas too late for me to slip away, and I was bound to scrooge up into the + elbow of this nick here, and try not to breathe, as nigh as might be, and + keep my Lammas cough down; for I never see a face more full of malice and + uncharity. However, he come on as straight as a arrow, holding his long + chin out, like this, as if he gotten crutches under it, as the folk does + with bad water. A tall man, as tall as the Captain a'most, but not gifted + with any kind aspect. He trampsed over the general graves, like the devil + come to fetch their souls out; but when he come here to the 'holy ring,' + he stopped short, and stood with his back to me. I could hear him count + the seven graves, as pat as the shells of oysters to pay for, and then he + said all their names, as true, from the biggest to the leastest one, as + Betsy Bowen could 'a done it, though none of 'em got no mark to 'em. Oh, + the poor little hearts, it was cruel hard upon them! And then my lady in + the middle, making seven. So far as I could catch over his shoulder, he + seemed to be quite a-talking with her—not as you and I be, miss, but + a sort of a manner of a way, like.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did he seem to say? Oh, Jacob, how long you do take over it!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he did not, miss; that you may say for sartain. And glad I was to + have him quick about it; for he might have redooced me to such a condition—ay, + and I believe a' would, too, if onst a' had caught sight of me—as + the parish might 'a had to fight over the appintment of another sexton. + And so at last a' went away. And I were that stiff with scrooging in this + cornder—” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all? Oh, that comes to nothing. Surely you must have more to tell + me? It may have been some one who knew our names. It may have been some + old friend of the family.” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no! No familiar friend; or if he was, he were like King + David's. He bore a tyrannous hate against 'e, and the poison of asps were + under his lips. In this here hattitude he stood, with his back toward me, + and his reins more upright than I be capable of putting it. And this was + how he held up his elbow and his head. Look 'e see, miss, and then 'e know + as much as I do.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rigg marched with a long smooth step—a most difficult strain for + his short bowed legs—as far as the place he had been pointing out; + and there he stood with his back to me, painfully doing what the tall man + had done, so far as the difference of size allowed. + </p> + <p> + It was not possible for me to laugh in a matter of such sadness; and yet + Jacob stood, with his back to me, spreading and stretching himself in such + a way, to be up to the dimensions of the stranger, that—low as it + was—I was compelled to cough, for fear of fatally offending him. + </p> + <p> + “That warn't quite right, miss. Now you look again,” he exclaimed, with a + little readjustment. “Only he had a thing over one shoulder, the like of + what the Scotchmen wear; and his features was beyond me, because of the + back of his head, like. For God's sake keep out of his way, miss.” + </p> + <p> + The sexton stood in a musing and yet a stern and defiant attitude, with + the right elbow clasped in the left-hand palm, the right hand resting + half-clinched upon the forehead, and the shoulders thrown back, as if + ready for a blow. + </p> + <p> + “What a very odd way to stand!” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, miss. And what he said was odder. 'Six, and the mother!' I heared un + say; 'no cure for it, till I have all seven.' But stop, miss. Not a breath + to any one! Here comes the poor father and mother to speak the blessing + across their daughter's grave—and the grave not two foot down yet!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI + </h2> + <h3> + A SIMPLE QUESTION + </h3> + <p> + Now this account of what Jacob Rigg had seen and heard threw me into a + state of mind extremely unsatisfactory. To be in eager search of some + unknown person who had injured me inexpressibly, without any longing for + revenge on my part, but simply with a view to justice—this was a + very different thing from feeling that an unknown person was in quest of + me, with the horrible purpose of destroying me to insure his own wicked + safety. + </p> + <p> + At first I almost thought that he was welcome to do this; that such a life + as mine (if looked at from an outer point of view) was better to be died + than lived out. Also that there was nobody left to get any good out of all + that I could do; and even if I ever should succeed, truth would come out + of her tomb too late. And this began to make me cry, which I had long + given over doing, with no one to feel for the heart of it. + </p> + <p> + But a thing of this kind could not long endure; and as soon as the sun of + the morrow arose (or at least as soon as I was fit to see him), my view of + the world was quite different. Here was the merry brook, playing with the + morning, spread around with ample depth and rich retreat of meadows, and + often, after maze of leisure, hastening with a tinkle into shadowy delight + of trees. Here, as well, were happy lanes, and footpaths of a soft + content, unworn with any pressure of the price of time or business. None + of them knew (in spite, at flurried spots, of their own direction posts) + whence they were coming or whither going—only that here they lay, + between the fields or through them, like idle veins of earth, with + sometimes company of a man or boy, whistling to his footfall, or a singing + maid with a milking pail. And how ungrateful it would be to forget the + pleasant copses, in waves of deep green leafage flowing down and up the + channeled hills, waving at the wind to tints and tones of new refreshment, + and tempting idle folk to come and hear the hush, and see the twinkled + texture of pellucid gloom. + </p> + <p> + Much, however, as I loved to sit in places of this kind alone, for some + little time I feared to do so, after hearing the sexton's tale; for + Jacob's terror was so unfeigned (though his own life had not been + threatened) that, knowing as I did from Betsy's account, as well as his + own appearance, that he was not at all a nervous man, I could not help + sharing his vague alarm. It seemed so terrible that any one should come to + the graves of my sweet mother and her six harmless children, and, instead + of showing pity, as even a monster might have tried to do, should stand, + if not with threatening gestures, yet with a most hostile mien, and thirst + for the life of the only survivor—my poor self. + </p> + <p> + But terrible or not, the truth was so; and neither Betsy nor myself could + shake Mr. Rigg's conclusion. Indeed, he became more and more emphatic, in + reply to our doubts and mild suggestions, perhaps that his eyes had + deceived him, or perhaps that, taking a nap in the corner of the buttress, + he had dreamed at least a part of it. And Betsy, on the score of ancient + friendship and kind remembrance of his likings, put it to him in a gentle + way whether his knowledge of what Sally Mock had been, and the calumnies + she might have spoken of his beer (when herself, in the work-house, + deprived of it), might not have induced him to take a little more than + usual in going down so deep for her. But he answered, “No; it was nothing + of the sort. Deep he had gone, to the tiptoe of his fling; not from any + feeling of a wish to keep her down, but just because the parish paid, and + the parish would have measurement. And when that was on, he never brought + down more than the quart tin from the public; and never had none down + afterward. Otherwise the ground was so ticklish, that a man, working too + free, might stay down there. No, no! That idea was like one of Sally's + own. He just had his quart of Persfield ale—short measure, of + course, with a woman at the bar—and if that were enough to make a + man dream dreams, the sooner he dug his own grave, the better for all + connected with him.” + </p> + <p> + We saw that we had gone too far in thinking of such a possibility; and if + Mr. Rigg had not been large-minded, as well as notoriously sober, Betsy + might have lost me all the benefit of his evidence by her London-bred + clumsiness with him. For it takes quite a different handling, and a + different mode of outset, to get on with the London working class and the + laboring kind of the country; or at least it seemed to me so. + </p> + <p> + Now my knowledge of Jacob Rigg was owing, as might be supposed, to Betsy + Strouss, who had taken the lead of me in almost every thing ever since I + brought her down from London. And now I was glad that, in one point at + least, her judgment had overruled mine—to wit, that my name and + parentage were as yet not generally known in the village. Indeed, only + Betsy herself and Jacob and a faithful old washer-woman, with no roof to + her mouth, were aware of me as Miss Castlewood. Not that I had taken any + other name—to that I would not stoop—but because the public, + of its own accord, paying attention to Betsy's style of addressing me, + followed her lead (with some little improvement), and was pleased to + entitle me “Miss Raumur.” + </p> + <p> + Some question had been raised as to spelling me aright, till a man of + advanced intelligence proved to many eyes, and even several pairs of + spectacles (assembled in front of the blacksmith's shop), that no other + way could be right except that. For there it was in print, as any one able + might see, on the side of an instrument whose name and qualities were even + more mysterious than those in debate. Therefore I became “Miss Raumur;” + and a protest would have gone for nothing unless printed also. But it did + not behoove me to go to that expense, while it suited me very well to be + considered and pitied as a harmless foreigner—a being who on English + land may find some cause to doubt whether, even in his own country, a + prophet could be less thought of. And this large pity for me, as an + outlandish person, in the very spot where I was born, endowed me with + tenfold the privilege of the proudest native. For the natives of this + valley are declared to be of a different stock from those around them, not + of the common Wessex strain, but of Jutish or Danish origin. How that may + be I do not know; at any rate, they think well of themselves, and no doubt + they have cause to do so. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, they all were very kind to me, and their primitive ways amused + me, as soon as they had settled that I was a foreigner, equally beyond and + below inquiry. They told me that I was kindly welcome to stay there as + long as it pleased me; and knowing how fond I was of making pictures, + after beholding my drawing-book, every farmer among them gave me leave to + come into his fields, though he never had heard there was any thing there + worth painting. + </p> + <p> + When once there has been a deposit of idea in the calm deep eocene of + British rural mind, the impression will outlast any shallow deluge of the + noblest education. Shoxford had settled two points forever, without + troubling reason to come out of her way—first, that I was a foreign + young lady of good birth, manners, and money; second, and far more + important, I was here to write and paint a book about Shoxford. Not for + the money, of that I had no need (according to the congress at the + “Silver-edged Holly”), but for the praise and the knowledge of it, like, + and to make a talk among high people. But the elders shook their heads—as + I heard from Mr. Rigg, who hugged his knowledge proudly, and uttered dim + sayings of wisdom let forth at large usury: he did not mind telling me + that the old men shook their heads, for fear of my being a deal too young, + and a long sight too well favored (as any man might tell without his specs + on), for to write any book upon any subject yet, leave alone an old, + ancient town like theirs. However, there might be no harm in my trying, + and perhaps the school-master would cross out the bad language. + </p> + <p> + Thus for once fortune now was giving me good help, enabling me to go about + freely, and preventing (so far as I could see, at least) all danger of + discovery by my unknown foe. So here I resolved to keep my head-quarters, + dispensing, if it must be so, with Betsy's presence, and not even having + Mrs. Price to succeed her, unless my cousin should insist upon it. And + partly to dissuade him from that, and partly to hear his opinion of the + sexton's tale, I paid a flying visit to Lord Castlewood; while “Madam + Straw,” as Betsy now was called throughout the village, remained behind at + Shoxford. For I long had desired to know a thing which I had not ventured + to ask my cousin—though I did ask Mr. Shovelin—whether my + father had intrusted him with the key of his own mysterious acts. I + scarcely knew whether it was proper even now to put this question to Lord + Castlewood; but even without doing so, I might get at the answer by + watching him closely while I told my tale. Not a letter had reached me + since I came to Shoxford, neither had I written any, except one to Uncle + Sam; and keeping to this excellent rule, I arrived at Castlewood without + notice. + </p> + <p> + In doing this I took no liberty, because full permission had been given me + about it; and indeed I had been expected there, as Stixon told me, some + days before. He added that his master was about as usual, but had shown + some uneasiness on my account, though the butler was all in the dark about + it, and felt it very hard after all these years, “particular, when he + could hardly help thinking that Mrs. Price—a new hand compared to + himself, not to speak of being a female—knowed all about it, and + were very aggravating. But there, he would say no more; he knew his place, + and he always had been valued in it, long afore Mrs. Price come up to the + bottom of his waistcoat.” + </p> + <p> + My cousin received me with kindly warmth, and kissed me gently on the + forehead. “My dear, how very well you look!” he said. “Your native air has + agreed with you. I was getting, in my quiet way, rather sedulous and + self-reproachful about you. But you would have your own way, like a young + American; and it seems that you were right.” + </p> + <p> + “It was quite right,” I answered, with a hearty kiss, for I never could be + cold-natured; and this was my only one of near kin, so far, at least, as + my knowledge went. “I was quite right in going; and I have done good. At + any rate, I have found out something—something that may not be of + any kind of use; but still it makes me hope things.” + </p> + <p> + With that, in as few words as ever I could use, I told Lord Castlewood the + whole of Jacob's tale, particularly looking at him all the while I spoke, + to settle in my own mind whether the idea of such a thing was new to him. + Concerning that, however, I could make out nothing. My cousin, at his time + of life, and after so much travelling, had much too large a share of mind + and long skill of experience for me to make any thing out of his face + beyond his own intention. And whether he had suspicion or not of any thing + at all like what I was describing, or any body having to do with it, was + more than I ever might have known, if I had not gathered up my courage and + put the question outright to him. I told him that if I was wrong in + asking, he was not to answer; but, right or wrong, ask him I must. + </p> + <p> + “The question is natural, and not at all improper,” replied Lord + Castlewood, standing a moment for change of pain, which was all his + relief. “Indeed, I expected you to ask me that before. But, Erema, I have + also had to ask myself about it, whether I have any right to answer you. + And I have decided not to do so, unless you will pledge yourself to one + thing.” + </p> + <p> + “I will pledge myself to any thing,” I answered, rashly; “I do not care + what it is, if only to get at the bottom of this mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely think you will hold good to your words when you hear what you + have to promise. The condition upon which I tell you what I believe to be + the cause of all is, that you let things remain as they are, and keep + silence forever about them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you can not be so cruel, so atrocious!” I cried, in my bitter + disappointment. “What good would it be for me to know things thus, and let + the vile wrong continue? Surely you are not bound to lay on me a condition + so impossible?” + </p> + <p> + “After much consideration and strong wish to have it otherwise, I have + concluded that I am so bound.” + </p> + <p> + “In duty to my father, or the family, or what? Forgive me for asking, but + it does seem so hard.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems hard, my dear, and it is hard as well,” he answered, very + gently, yet showing in his eyes and lips no chance of any yielding. “But + remember that I do not know, I only guess, the secret; and if you give the + pledge I speak of, you merely follow in your father's steps.” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” I replied, with as firm a face as his. “It may have been my + father's duty, or no doubt he thought it so; but it can not be mine, + unless I make it so by laying it on my honor. And I will not do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are right; but, at any rate, remember that I have not tried + to persuade you. I wish to do what is for your happiness, Erema. And I + think that, on the whole, with your vigor and high spirit, you are better + as you are than if you had a knowledge which you could only brood over and + not use.” + </p> + <p> + “I will find out the whole of it myself,” I cried, for I could not repress + all excitement; “and then I need not brood over it, but may have it out + and get justice. In the wildest parts of America justice comes with + perseverance: am I to abjure it in the heart of England? Lord Castlewood, + which is first—justice or honor?” + </p> + <p> + “My cousin, you are fond of asking questions difficult to answer. Justice + and honor nearly always go together. When they do otherwise, honor stands + foremost, with people of good birth, at least.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will be a person of very bad birth. If they come into conflict in + my life, as almost every thing seems to do, my first thought shall be of + justice; and honor shall come in as its ornament afterward.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” said my cousin, “your meaning is good, and at your time of life + you can scarcely be expected to take a dispassionate view of things.” + </p> + <p> + At first I felt almost as if I could hate a “dispassionate view of + things.” Things are made to arouse our passion, so long as meanness and + villainy prevail; and if old men, knowing the balance of the world, can + contemplate them all “dispassionately,” more clearly than any thing else, + to my mind, that proves the beauty of being young. I am sure that I never + was hot or violent—qualities which I especially dislike—but + still I would rather almost have those than be too philosophical. And now, + while I revered my father's cousin for his gentleness, wisdom, and + long-suffering, I almost longed to fly back to the Major, prejudiced, + peppery, and red-hot for justice, at any rate in all things that concerned + himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII + </h2> + <h3> + SOME ANSWER TO IT + </h3> + <p> + Hasty indignation did not drive me to hot action. A quiet talk with Mrs. + Price, as soon as my cousin's bad hour arrived, was quite enough to bring + me back to a sense of my own misgovernment. Moreover, the evening clouds + were darkening for a night of thunder, while the silver Thames looked + nothing more than a leaden pipe down the valleys. Calm words fall at such + times on quick temper like the drip of trees on people who have been + dancing. I shivered, as my spirit fell, to think of my weak excitement, + and poor petulance to a kind, wise friend, a man of many sorrows and + perpetual affliction. And then I recalled what I had observed, but in my + haste forgotten—Lord Castlewood was greatly changed even in the + short time since I had left his house for Shoxford. Pale he had always + been, and his features (calm as they were, and finely cut) seemed almost + bleached by in-door life and continual endurance. But now they showed + worse sign than this—a delicate transparence of faint color, and a + waxen surface, such as I had seen at a time I can not bear to think of. + Also he had tottered forward, while he tried for steadfast footing, quite + as if his worried members were almost worn out at last. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Price took me up quite sharply—at least for one of her + well-trained style—when I ventured to ask if she had noticed this, + which made me feel uneasy. “Oh dear, no!” she said, looking up from the + lace-frilled pockets of her silk apron, which appeared to my mind perhaps + a little too smart, and almost of a vulgar tincture; and I think that she + saw in my eyes that much, and was vexed with herself for not changing it—“oh + dear, no, Miss Castlewood! We who know and watch him should detect any + difference of that nature at the moment of its occurrence. His lordship's + health goes vacillating; a little up now, and then a little down, like a + needle that is mounted to show the dip of compass; and it varies according + to the electricity, as well as the magnetic influence.” + </p> + <p> + “What doctor told you that?” I asked, seeing in a moment that this + housekeeper was dealing in quotation. + </p> + <p> + “You are very”—she was going to say “rude,” but knew better when she + saw me waiting for it—“well, you are rather brusque, as we used to + call it abroad, Miss Castlewood; but am I incapable of observing for + myself?” + </p> + <p> + “I never implied that,” was my answer. “I believe that you are most + intelligent, and fit to nurse my cousin, as you are to keep his house. And + what you have said shows the clearness of your memory and expression.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very good to speak so,” she answered, recovering her temper + beautifully, but, like a true woman, resolved not to let me know any thing + more about it. “Oh, what a clap of thunder! Are you timid? This house has + been struck three times, they say. It stands so prominently. It is this + that has made my lord look so.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us hope, then to see him much better to-morrow,” I said, very + bravely, though frightened at heart, being always a coward of thunder. + “What are these storms you get in England compared to the tropical + outbursts? Let us open the window, if you please, and watch it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear myself called,” Mrs. Price exclaimed. “I am sorry to leave you, + miss. You know best. But please not to sit by an open window; nothing is + more dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “Except a great bunch of steel keys,” I replied; and gazing at her nice + retreating figure, saw it quickened, as a flash of lightning passed, with + the effort of both hands to be quit of something. + </p> + <p> + The storm was dreadful; and I kept the window shut, but could not help + watching, with a fearful joy, the many-fingered hazy pale vibrations, the + reflections of the levin in the hollow of the land. And sadly I began to + think of Uncle Sam and all his goodness; and how in a storm, a + thousandfold of this, he went down his valley in the torrent of the waves, + and must have been drowned, and perhaps never found again, if he had not + been wearing his leathern apron. + </p> + <p> + This made me humble, as all great thoughts do, and the sidelong drizzle in + among the heavy rain (from the big drops jostling each other in the air, + and dashing out splashes of difference) gave me an idea of the sort of + thing I was—and how very little more. And feeling rather lonely in + the turn that things had taken, I rang the bell for somebody; and up came + Stixon. + </p> + <p> + “Lor', miss! Lor', what a burning shame of Prick!—'Prick' we call + her, in our genial moments, hearing as the 'k' is hard in Celtic language; + and all abroad about her husband. My very first saying to you was, not to + be too much okkipied with her. Look at the pinafore on her! Lord be with + me! If his lordship, as caught me, that day of this very same month fifty + years, in the gooseberry bush—” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure!” I said, knowing that story by heart, together with all its + embellishments; “but things are altered since that day. Nothing can be + more to your credit, I am sure, than to be able to tell such a tale in the + very place where it happened.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Miss—Miss Erma, I ain't begun to tell it.” + </p> + <p> + “Because you remember that I am acquainted with it. A thing so remarkable + is not to be forgotten. Now let me ask you a question of importance; and I + beg you, as an old servant of this family, to answer it carefully and + truly. Do you remember any one, either here or elsewhere, so like my + father, Captain Castlewood, as to be taken for him at first sight, until a + difference of expression and of walk was noticed?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stixon looked at me with some surprise, and then began to think + profoundly, and in doing so he supported his chin with one hand. + </p> + <p> + “Let me see—like the Captain?” He reflected slowly: “Did I ever see + a gentleman like poor Master George, as was? A gentleman, of course, it + must have been—and a very tall, handsome, straight gentleman, to be + taken anyhow for young Master George. And he must have been very like him, + too, to be taken for him by resemblance. Well then, miss, to the best of + my judgment, I never did see such a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know whether it was a gentleman or not,” I answered, with some + impatience at his tantalizing slowness; “but he carried his chin stretched + forth—like this.” + </p> + <p> + For Stixon's own attitude had reminded me of a little point in Jacob + Rigg's description, which otherwise might have escaped me. + </p> + <p> + “Lor', now, and he carried his chin like that!” resumed the butler, with + an increase of intelligence by no means superfluous. “Why, let me see, + now, let me see. Something do come across my mind when you puts out your + purty chin, miss; but there, it must have been a score of years agone, or + more—perhaps five-and-twenty. What a daft old codger I be getting, + surely! No wonder them new lights puts a bushel over me.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” I replied; “you are simply showing great power of memory, Stixon. + And now please to tell me, as soon as you can, who it was—a tall + man, remember, and a handsome one, with dark hair, perhaps, or at any rate + dark eyes—who resembled (perhaps not very closely, but still enough + to mislead at a distance) my dear father—Master George, as you call + him, for whose sake you are bound to tell me every thing you know. Now try + to think—do please try your very best, for my sake.” + </p> + <p> + “That I will, miss; that I will, with all my heart, with all my mind, with + all my soul, and with all my strength, as I used to have to say with my + hands behind my back, afore education were invented. Only please you to + stand with your chin put out, miss, and your profield towards me. That is + what brings it up, and nothing else at all, miss. Only, not to say a word + of any sort to hurry me. A tracherous and a deep thing is the memory and + the remembrance.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stixon's memory was so deep that there seemed to be no bottom to it, + or, at any rate, what lay there took a very long time to get at. And I + waited, with more impatience than hope, the utterance of his researches. + </p> + <p> + “I got it now; I got it all, miss, clear as any pictur'!” the old man + cried out, at the very moment when I was about to say, “Please to leave + off; I am sure it is too much for you.” “Not a pictur' in all of our + gallery, miss, two-and-fifty of 'em, so clear as I see that there man, + dark as it was, and a heavy wind a-blowing. What you call them things, + miss, if you please, as comes with the sun, like a face upon the water? + Wicked things done again the will of the Lord, and He makes them fade out + afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you mean photographs. Is that the word?” + </p> + <p> + “The very word, and no mistake. A sinful trespass on the works of God, to + tickle the vanity of gals. But he never spread himself abroad like them. + They shows all their ear-rings, and their necks, and smiles. But he never + would have shown his nose, if he could help it, that stormy night when I + come to do my duty. He come into this house without so much as a 'by your + leave' to nobody, and vexed me terrible accordingly. It was in the old + lord's time, you know, miss, a one of the true sort, as would have things + respectful, and knock down any man as soon as look. And it put me quite + upon the touch-and-go, being responsible for all the footman's works, and + a young boy promoted in the face of my opinion, having my own son worth a + dozen of him. This made me look at the nature of things, miss, and find it + on my conscience to be after every body.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Stixon, yes! Now do go on. You must always have been, not only + after, but a very long way after, every body.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Erma, if you throw me out, every word goes promiscuous. In a heffort + of the mind like this it is every word, or no word. Now, did I see him + come along the big passage?—a 'currydoor' they call it now, though + no more curry in it than there is door. No, I never seed him come along + the passage, and that made it more reproachful. He come out of a + green-baize door—the very place I can point out to you, and the + selfsame door, miss, though false to the accuracy of the mind that knows + it, by reason of having been covered up red, and all the brass buttons + lost to it in them new-fangled upholsteries. Not that I see him come + through, if you please, but the sway of the door, being double-jointed, + was enough to show legs, had been there. And knowing that my lord's + private room was there, made me put out my legs quite wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do please to put out your words half as quickly.” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no. I were lissome in those days, though not so very stiff at + this time of speaking, and bound to be guarded in the guidance of the + tongue. And now, miss, I think if you please to hear the rest to-morrow, I + could tell it better.” + </p> + <p> + A more outrageous idea than this was never presented to me. Even if I + could have tried to wait, this dreadful old man might have made up his + mind not to open his lips in the morning, or, if he would speak, there + might be nothing left to say. His memory was nursed up now, and my only + chance was to keep it so. Therefore I begged him to please to go on, and + no more would I interrupt him. And I longed to be ten years older, so as + not to speak when needless. + </p> + <p> + “So then, Miss Erma, if I must go on,” resumed the well-coaxed Stixon, “if + my duty to the family driveth me to an 'arrowing subjeck, no words can + more justly tell what come to pass than my language to my wife. She were + alive then, the poor dear hangel, and the mother of seven children, which + made me, by your leave comparing humble roofs with grandeur, a little + stiff to him up stairs, as come in on the top of seven. For I said to my + wife when I went home—sleeping out of the house, you see, miss, till + the Lord was pleased to dissolve matrimony—'Polly,' I said, when I + took home my supper, 'you may take my word for it there is something + queer.' Not another word did I mean to tell her, as behooved my dooty. + Howsoever, no peace was my lot till I made a clean bosom of it, only + putting her first on the Testament, and even that not safe with most of + them. And from that night not a soul has heard a word till it comes to + you, miss. He come striding along, with his face muffled up, for all the + world like a bugglar, and no more heed did he pay to me than if I was one + of the pedestals. But I were in front of him at the door, and to slip out + so was against all orders. So in front of him I stands, with my hand upon + the handles, and meaning to have a word with him, to know who he was, and + such like, and how he comes there, and what he had been seeking, with the + spoons and the forks and the gravies on my mind. And right I would have + been in a court of law (if the lawyers was put out of it) for my hefforts + in that situation. And then, what do you think he done, miss? So far from + entering into any conversation with me, or hitting at me, like a man—which + would have done good to think of—he send out one hand to the bottom + of my vest—as they call it now in all the best livery tailors—and + afore I could reason on it, there I was a-lying on a star in six colors of + marble. When I come to think on it, it was but a push directed to a part + of my system, and not a hit under the belt, the like of which no Briton + would think of delivering. Nevertheless, there was no differ in what came + to me, miss, and my spirit was roused, as if I had been hit foul by one of + the prizemen. No time to get up, but I let out one foot at his long legs + as a' was slipping through the door, and so nearly did I fetch him over + that he let go his muffle to balance himself with the jamb, and same + moment a strong rush of wind laid bare the whole of his wicked face to me. + For a bad wicked face it was, as ever I did see; whether by reason of the + kick I gave, and a splinter in the shin, or by habit of the mind, a proud + and 'aughty and owdacious face, and, as I said to my poor wife, reminded + me a little of our Master George; not in his ordinary aspect, to be sure, + but as Master George might look if he was going to the devil. Pray excoose + me, miss, for bad words, but no good ones will do justice. And so off he + goes, after one look at me on the ground, not worth considering, with his + chin stuck up, as if the air was not good enough to be breathed + perpendiklar like.” + </p> + <p> + “And of course you followed him,” I exclaimed, perceiving that Stixon + would allow me now to speak. “Without any delay you went after him.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Erma, you forget what my dooty was. My dooty was to stay by the door + and make it fast, as custodian of all this mansion. No little coorosity, + or private resentment, could 'a borne me out in doing so. As an outraged + man I was up for rushing out, but as a trusted official, and responsible + head footman, miss—for I were not butler till nine months after that—my + dooty was to put the big bolt in.” + </p> + <p> + “And you did it, without even looking out to see if he tried to set the + house on fire! Oh, Stixon, I fear that you were frightened.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Miss Erma, I calls it ungrateful, after all my hefforts to obleege + you, to put a bad construction upon me. You hurts me, miss, in my + tenderest parts, as I never thought Master George's darter would 'a doed. + But there, they be none of them as they used to be! Master George would 'a + said, if he ever had heard it. 'Stixon, my man, you have acted for the + best, and showed a sound discretion. Stixon,' he would have said, 'here's + a George and Dragon in reward of your gallant conduck.' Ah, that sort of + manliness is died out now.” + </p> + <p> + This grated at first upon my feelings, because it seemed tainted with + selfishness, and it did not entirely agree with my own recollections of my + father. But still Mr. Stixon must have suffered severely in that conflict, + and to blame him for not showing rashness was to misunderstand his + position. And so, before putting any other questions to him, I felt in my + pocket for a new half sovereign, which I hoped would answer. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stixon received it in an absent manner, as if he were still in the + struggle of his story, and too full of duty to be thankful. Yet I saw that + he did not quite realize the truth of a nobly philosophic proverb—“the + half is more than the whole.” Nevertheless, he stowed away his half, in + harmony with a good old English saying. + </p> + <p> + “Now, when you were able to get up at last,” I inquired, with tender + interest, “what did you see, and what did you do, and what conclusion did + you come to?” + </p> + <p> + “I came to the conclusion, miss, that I were hurt considerable. Coorosity + on my part were quenched by the way as I had to rub myself. But a man is a + man, and the last thing to complain of is the exercise of his functions. + And when I come round I went off to his lordship, as if I had heared his + bell ring. All of us knew better than to speak till him beginning, for he + were not what they now call 'halfable,' but very much to the contrary. So + he says, 'You door-skulker, what do you want there?' And I see that he got + his hot leg up, certain to fly to bad language. According, I asked, with + my breath in my hand, if he pleased to see any young man there just now, + by reason that such likes had been observated going out in some direction. + But his lordship roared to me to go in another direction, not fit for + young ladies. My old lord was up to every word of English; but his present + lordship is the hopposite extreme.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all you have to tell me, Stixon? Did you never see that fearful + man again? Did you never even hear of him?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, miss, never! And to nobody but you have I ever told all as I told + now. But you seems to be born to hear it all.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + A WITCH + </h3> + <p> + It was true enough that Stixon now had nothing more to tell, but what he + had told already seemed of very great importance, confirming strongly, as + it did, the description given me by Jacob Rigg. And even the butler's + concluding words—that I seemed born to hear it all—comforted + me like some good omen, and cheered me forward to make them true. Not that + I could, in my sad and dangerous enterprise, always be confident. Some + little spirit I must have had, and some resolve to be faithful, according + to the power of a very common mind, admiring but never claiming courage. + For I never did feel in any kind of way any gift of inspiration, or even + the fitness of a quick, strong mind for working out deeds of justice. + There were many good ladies in America then, and now there are some in + England, perceiving so clearly their own superiority as to run about + largely proclaiming it. How often I longed to be a little more like these, + equal to men in achievements of the body, and very far beyond them in + questions of the mind! + </p> + <p> + However, it was useless to regret my lacks, and foolish, perhaps, to think + of them. To do my very best with what little gifts I had was more to the + purpose and more sensible. Taking in lonely perplexity now this dim yet + exciting view of things, I resolved, right or wrong, to abide at the place + where the only chance was of pursuing my search. I was pledged, as perhaps + has been said before, to keep from every one excepting faithful Betsy, and + above all from Lord Castlewood, the unexpected little tale wrung out of + Mr. Stixon. That promise had been given without any thought, in my + eagerness to hear every thing, and probably some people would have thought + of it no more. But the trusty butler was so scared when I asked him to + release me from it, so penitent also at his own indiscretion, which never + would have overcome him (as he said in the morning) only for the + thunder-storm, that instead of getting off, I was quite obliged to renew + and confirm my assurances. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, in truth, I had no chance left but to go back to Shoxford and + do my best, meeting all dark perils with the shield of right spread over + me. And a great thing now in my favor was to feel some confidence again in + the guidance of kind Wisdom. The sense of this never had abandoned me so + much as to make me miserable about it; but still I had never tried to + shelter under it, and stay there faithfully, as the best of people do. And + even now I was not brought to such a happy attitude, although delivered by + these little gleams of light from the dark void of fatalism, into which so + many bitter blows had once been driving me. + </p> + <p> + However, before setting off again, I made one more attempt upon Lord + Castlewood, longing to know whether his suspicions would help me at all to + identify the figure which had frightened both the sexton and the butler. + That the person was one and the same, I did not for a moment call in + question, any more than I doubted that he was the man upon whose head + rested the blood of us. But why he should be allowed to go scot-free while + another bore his brand, and many others died for him, and why all my most + just and righteous efforts to discover him should receive, if not + discouragement, at any rate most lukewarm aid—these and several + other questions were as dark as ever. + </p> + <p> + “You must not return to Shoxford, my cousin,” Lord Castlewood said to me + that day, after a plain though courteous refusal to enlighten me even with + a mere surmise, except upon the condition before rejected. “I can not + allow you to be there without strict supervision and protection. You will + not, perhaps, be aware of it, as perhaps you have not been before; but a + careful watch will be kept on you. I merely tell you this that you may not + make mistakes, and confound friendly vigilance with the spying of an + enemy. Erema, you will be looked after.” + </p> + <p> + I could not help being grateful for his kindness, and really, try as I + might to be fearless, it would be a great comfort to have some one to + protect me. On the other hand, how would this bear upon my own freedom of + looking about, my desire to make my own occasions, and the need of going + every where? Could these be kept to my liking at all while an unknown + power lay in kind regard of me? Considering these things, I begged my + cousin to leave me to my own devices, for that I was afraid of nobody on + earth, while only seeking justice, and that England must be worse than the + worst parts of America if any harm to me could be apprehended at quiet + times and in such a quiet place. + </p> + <p> + My cousin said no more upon that point, though I felt that he was not in + any way convinced; but he told me that he thought I should pay a little + visit, if only for a day, such as I treated him with, to my good friends + at Bruntsea, before I returned to Shoxford. There was no one now at + Bruntsea whom I might not wish to meet, as he knew by a trifling accident; + and after all the kind services rendered by Major and Mrs. Hockin, it was + hardly right to let them begin to feel themselves neglected. Now the very + same thing had occurred to me, and I was going to propose it; and many + things which I found it hard to do without were left in my little chest of + locked-up drawers there. But of that, to my knowledge, I scarcely thought + twice; whereas I longed to see and have a talk with dear “Aunt Mary.” Now, + since my affairs had been growing so strange, and Lord Castlewood had come + forward—not strongly, but still quite enough to speak of—there + had been a kind-hearted and genuine wish at Bruntsea to recover me. And + this desire had unreasonably grown while starved with disappointment. The + less they heard of me, the more they imagined in their rich good-will, and + the surer they became that, after all, there was something in my ideas. + </p> + <p> + But how could I know this, without any letters from them, since letters + were a luxury forbidden me at Shoxford? I knew it through one of the + simplest and commonest of all nature's arrangements. Stixon's boy, as + every body called him (though he must have been close upon + five-and-twenty, and carried a cane out of sight of the windows), being so + considered, and treated boyishly by the maids of Castlewood, asserted his + dignity, and rose above his value as much as he had lain below it, by + showing that he owned a tender heart, and them that did not despise it. + For he chanced to be walking with his cane upon the beach (the very + morning after he first went to Bruntsea, too late for any train back + again), and casting glances of interior wonder over the unaccustomed sea—when + from the sea itself out-leaped a wondrous rosy deity. + </p> + <p> + “You there, Mr. Stixon! Oh my! How long?” exclaimed Mrs. Hockin's new + parlormaid, ready to drop, though in full print now, on the landward steps + of the bathing-machine set up by the reckless Major. + </p> + <p> + “Come this very hinstant, miss, honor bright!” replied the junior Stixon, + who had moved in good society; “and just in the hackmy of time, miss, if I + may offer you my 'umble hand.” + </p> + <p> + The fair nymph fixed him with a penetrating gaze through tresses full of + salt curliness, while her cheeks were conscious of an unclad dip. But + William Stixon's eyes were firm with pure truth, gently toning into shy + reproach and tenderness. He had met her at supper last night, and done his + best; but (as he said to the Castlewood maids) it was only feeling then, + whereas now it was emoshun. + </p> + <p> + “Then you are a gentleman!” Polly Hopkins cried; “and indeed, Mr. Stixon, + these are slippery things.” She was speaking of the steps, as she came + down them, and they had no hand-rails; and the young man felt himself to + be no more Stixon's boy, but a gentleman under sweet refining pressure. + </p> + <p> + From that hour forth it was pronounced, and they left the world to its own + opinion, that they were keeping company; and although they were sixty + miles apart by air, and eighty-two by railway, at every post their hearts + were one, with considerable benefit to the United Kingdom's revenue. Also + they met by the sad sea waves, when the bathing-machines had been hauled + up—for the Major now had three of them—as often as Stixon + senior smiled—which he did whenever he was not put out—on the + bygone ways of these children. For Polly Hopkins had a hundred pounds, as + well as being the only child of the man who kept the only shop for pickled + pork in Bruntsea. And my Mr. Stixon could always contrive to get orders + from his lordship to send the boy away, with his carriage paid, when his + health demanded bathing. Hence it is manifest that the deeds and thoughts + of Bruntsea House, otherwise called “Bruntlands,” were known quite as + well, and discussed even better—because dispassionately—at + Castlewood than and as they were at home. + </p> + <p> + Now I won forever the heart of Stixon's boy, and that of Polly Hopkins, by + recoiling with horror from the thought of going to Bruntsea unattended. + After all my solitary journeys, this might have been called hypocrisy, if + it had been inconvenient; but coming as it did, it was pronounced, by all + who desired either news or love, to be another proof of the goodness of my + heart. + </p> + <p> + Escorted thus by William Stixon (armed with a brilliant cane bought for + this occasion), and knowing that Sir Montague Hockin was not there, I + arrived at Bruntlands in the afternoon, and received a kindly welcome from + my dear friend Mrs. Hockin. Her husband was from home, and she grieved to + say that now he was generally doing this; but nobody else could have any + idea what his avocations were! Then she paid me some compliments on my + appearance—a thing that I never thought of, except when I came to a + question of likeness, or chanced to be thinking of things, coming up as + they will, at a looking-glass. + </p> + <p> + That the Major was out was a truth established in my mind some time ago; + because I had seen him, as our fly crawled by, expressly and emphatically + at work on a rampart of his own designing. The work was quite new to me, + but not so his figure. Though I could not see people three miles off, as + Firm Gundry was said to do, I had pretty clear sight, and could not + mistake the Major within a furlong. And there he was, going about in a row + of square notches against the sea-line, with his coat off, and brandishing + some tool, vehemently carrying on to spirits less active than his own. I + burned with desire to go and join him, for I love to see activity; but + Mrs. Hockin thought that I had better stay away, because it was impossible + to get on there without language too strong for young ladies. + </p> + <p> + This closed the question, and I stopped with her, and found the best + comfort that I ever could have dreamed of. “Aunt Mary” was so steadfast, + and so built up with, or rather built of, the very faith itself, that to + talk with her was as good as reading the noblest chapter of the Bible. She + put by all possibility of doubt as to the modern interference of the Lord, + with such a sweet pity and the seasoned smile of age, and so much feeling + (which would have been contempt if she had not been softened by her own + escapes), that really I, who had come expecting to set her beautiful white + hair on end, became like a little child put into the corner, but too young + yet for any other punishment at school, except to be looked at. + Nevertheless, though I did look small, it made me all the happier. I + seemed to become less an individual, and more a member of a large kind + race under paternal management. From a practical point of view this may + have been amiss, but it helped to support me afterward. And before I began + to get weary or rebel against her gentle teaching, in came her husband; + and she stopped at once, because he had never any time for it. + </p> + <p> + “My geological hammer!” cried the Major, being in a rush as usual. “Oh, + Miss Castlewood! I did not see you. Pardon me! It is the want of practice + only; so wholly have you deserted us. Fallen into better hands, of course. + Well, how are you? But I need not ask. If ever there was a young lady who + looked well—don't tell me of troubles, or worries, or nerves—I + put up my glasses, and simply say, 'Pretty young ladies are above all + pity!' My hammer, dear Mary; my hammer I must have. The geological one, + you know; we have come on a bit of old Roman work; the bricklayer's + hammers go flat, like lead. I have just one minute and a half to spare. + What fine fellows those Romans were! I will build like a Roman. See to + every bit of it myself, Erema. No contractor's jobs for me. Mary, you know + where to find it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, I think that you had it last, to get the bung out of the beer + barrel, when the stool broke down in the corner, you know, because you + would—” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind about that. The drayman made a fool of himself. I proceeded + upon true principles. That fellow knew nothing of leverage.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, of course you understand it best. But he told cook that it + was quite a mercy that you got off without a broken leg; and compared with + that, two gallons of spilled ale—” Mrs. Hockin made off, without + finishing her sentence. + </p> + <p> + “What a woman she is!” cried the Major; “she takes such a lofty view of + things, and she can always find my tools. Erema, after dinner I must have + a talk with you. There is something going on here—on my manor—which + I can not at all get a clew to, except by connecting you with it, the Lord + knows how. Of course you have nothing to do with it; but still my life has + been so free from mystery that, that—you know what I mean—” + </p> + <p> + “That you naturally think I must be at the bottom of every thing + mysterious. Now is there any thing dark about me? Do I not labor to get at + the light? Have I kept from your knowledge any single thing? But you never + cared to go into them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is hardly fair of you to say that. The fact is that you, of your own + accord, have chosen other counselors. Have you heard any more of your late + guardian, Mr. Shovelin? I suppose that his executor, or some one appointed + by him, is now your legal guardian.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not even asked what the law is,” I replied. “Lord Castlewood is my + proper guardian, according to all common-sense, and I mean to have him so. + He has inquired through his solicitors as to Mr. Shovelin, and I am quite + free there. My father's will is quite good, they say; but it never has + been proved, and none of them care to do it. My cousin thinks that I could + compel them to prove it, or to renounce in proper form; but Mr. Shovelin's + sons are not nice people—as different from him as night from day, + careless and wild and dashing.” + </p> + <p> + “Then do you mean to do nothing about it? What a time she is finding that + hammer!” + </p> + <p> + “I leave it entirely to my cousin, and he is waiting for legal advice. I + wish to have the will, of course, for the sake of my dear father; but with + or without any will, my mother's little property comes to me. And if my + dear father had nothing to leave, why should we run up a great lawyer's + bill?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure not! I see. That makes all the difference. I admire your + common-sense,” said the Major—“but there! Come and look, and just + exercise it here. There is that very strange woman again, just at the end + of my new road. She stands quite still, and then stares about, sometimes + for an hour together. Nobody knows who she is, or why she came. She has + taken a tumble-down house on my manor, from a wretch of a fellow who + denies my title; and what she lives on is more than any one can tell, for + she never spends sixpence in Bruntsea. Some think that she walks in the + dark to Newport, and gets all her food at some ship stores there. And one + of our fishermen vows that he met her walking on the sea, as he rowed home + one night, and she had a long red bag on her shoulder. She is a witch, + that is certain; for she won't answer me, however politely I accost her. + But the oddest thing of all is the name she gave to the fellow she took + the house from. What do you think she called herself? Of all things in the + world—'Mrs. Castlewood!' I congratulate you on your relative.” + </p> + <p> + “How very strange!” I answered. “Oh, now I see why you connect me with it; + and I beg your pardon for having been vexed. But let me go and see her. + Oh, may I go at once, if you please, and speak to her?” + </p> + <p> + “The very thing I wish—if you are not afraid. I will come with you, + when I get my hammer. Oh, here it is! Mary, how clever you are! Now look + out of the window, and you shall see Erema make up to her grandmamma.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIX + </h2> + <h3> + NOT AT HOME + </h3> + <p> + Mrs. Hockin, however, had not the pleasure promised her by the facetious + Major of seeing me “make up to my grandmamma.” For although we set off at + once to catch the strange woman who had roused so much curiosity, and + though, as we passed the door of Bruntlands, we saw her still at her post + in the valley, like Major Hockin's new letter-box, for some reason best + known to herself we could not see any more of her. For, hurry as he might + upon other occasions, nothing would make the Major cut a corner of his + winding “drive” when descending it with a visitor. He enjoyed every yard + of its length, because it was his own at every step, and he counted his + paces in an under-tone, to be sure of the length, for perhaps the + thousandth time. It was long enough in a straight line, one would have + thought, but he was not the one who thought so; and therefore he had + doubled it by judicious windings, as if for the purpose of breaking the + descent. + </p> + <p> + “Three hundred and twenty-one,” he said, as he came to a post, where he + meant to have a lodge as soon as his wife would let him; “now the old + woman stands fifty-five yards on, at a spot where I mean to have an + ornamental bridge, because our fine saline element runs up there when the + new moon is perigee. My dear, I am a little out of breath, which affects + my sight for the moment. Doubtless that is why I do not see her.” + </p> + <p> + “If I may offer an opinion,” I said, “in my ignorance of all the changes + you have made, the reason why we do not see her may be that she is gone + out of sight.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” Major Hockin cried—“simply impossible, Erema! She + never moves for an hour and a half. And she was not come, was she, when + you came by?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not be certain,” I answered; “but I think that I must have seen + her if she had been there, because I was looking about particularly at all + your works as we came by.” + </p> + <p> + “Then she must be there still; let us tackle her.” + </p> + <p> + This was easier said than done, for we found no sign of any body at the + place where she certainly had been standing less than five minutes ago. We + stood at the very end and last corner of the ancient river trough, where a + little seam went inland from it, as if some trifle of a brook had stolen + down while it found a good river to welcome it. But now there was only a + little oozy gloss from the gleam of the sun upon some lees of marshy brine + left among the rushes by the last high tide. + </p> + <p> + “You see my new road and the key to my intentions?” said the Major, + forgetting all about his witch, and flourishing his geological hammer, + while standing thus at his “nucleus.” “To understand all, you have only to + stand here. You see those leveling posts, adjusted with scientific + accuracy. You see all those angles, calculated with micrometric precision. + You see how the curves are radiated—” + </p> + <p> + “It is very beautiful, I have no doubt; but you can not have Uncle Sam's + gift of machinery. And do you understand every bit of it yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, not a jot of it. I like to talk about it freely when I can, + because I see all its beauties. But as to understanding it, my dear, you + might set to, if you were an educated female, and deliver me a lecture + upon my own plan. Intellect is, in such matters, a bubble. I know good + bricks, good mortar, and good foundations.” + </p> + <p> + “With your great ability, you must do that,” I answered, very gently, + being touched with his humility and allowance of my opinion; “you will + make a noble town of it. But when is the railway coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet. We have first to get our Act; and a miserable-minded wretch, who + owns nothing but a rabbit-warren, means to oppose it. Don't let us talk of + him. It puts one out of patience when a man can not see his own interest. + But come and see our assembly-rooms, literary institute, baths, etc., etc.—that + is what we are urging forward now.” + </p> + <p> + “But may I not go first and look for my strange namesake? Would it be + wrong of me to call upon her?” + </p> + <p> + “No harm whatever,” replied my companion; “likewise no good. Call fifty + times, but you will get no answer. However, it is not a very great round, + and you will understand my plans more clearly. Step out, my dear, as if + you had got a troop of Mexicans after you. Ah, what a fine turn for that + lot now!” He was thinking of the war which had broken out, and the battle + of Bull's Run. + </p> + <p> + Without any such headlong speed, we soon came to the dwelling-place of the + stranger, and really for once the good Major had not much overdone his + description. Truly it was almost tumbling down, though massively built, + and a good house long ago; and it looked the more miserable now from being + placed in a hollow of the ground, whose slopes were tufted with rushes and + thistles and ragwort. The lower windows were blocked up from within, the + upper were shattered and crumbling and dangerous, with blocks of cracked + stone jutting over them; and the last surviving chimney gave less smoke + than a workman's homeward whiff of his pipe to comfort and relieve the + air. + </p> + <p> + The only door that we could see was of heavy black oak, without any + knocker; but I clinched my hand, having thick gloves on, and made what I + thought a very creditable knock, while the Major stood by, with his + blue-lights up, and keenly gazed and gently smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Knock again, my dear,” he said; “you don't knock half hard enough.” + </p> + <p> + I knocked again with all my might, and got a bruised hand for a fortnight, + but there was not even the momentary content produced by an active echo. + The door was as dead as every thing else. + </p> + <p> + “Now for my hammer,” my companion cried. “This house, in all sound law, is + my own. I will have a 'John Doe and Richard Roe'—a fine action of + ejectment. Shall I be barred out upon my own manor?” + </p> + <p> + With hot indignation he swung his hammer, but nothing came of it except + more noise. Then the Major grew warm and angry. + </p> + <p> + “My charter contains the right of burning witches or drowning them, + according to their color. The execution is specially imposed upon the + bailiff of this ancient town, and he is my own pickled-pork man. His name + is Hopkins, and I will have him out with his seal and stick and all the + rest. Am I to be laughed at in this way?” + </p> + <p> + For we thought we heard a little screech of laughter from the loneliness + of the deep dark place, but no other answer came, and perhaps it was only + our own imagining. + </p> + <p> + “Is there no other door—perhaps one at the back?” I asked, as the + lord of the manor stamped. + </p> + <p> + “No, that has been walled up long ago. The villain has defied me from the + very first. Well, we shall see. This is all very fine. You witness that + they deny the owner entrance?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly I can depose to that. But we must not waste your valuable + time.” + </p> + <p> + “After all, the poor ruin is worthless,” he went on, calming down as we + retired. “It must be leveled, and that hole filled up. It is quite an + eye-sore to our new parade. And no doubt it belongs to me—no doubt + it does. The fellow who claims it was turned out of the law. Fancy any man + turned out of the law! Erema, in all your far West experience, did you + ever see a man bad enough to be turned out of the law?” + </p> + <p> + “Major Hockin, how can I tell? But I fear that their practice was very, + very sad—they very nearly always used to hang them.” + </p> + <p> + “The best use—the best use a rogue can be put to. Some big thief has + put it the opposite way, because he was afraid of his own turn. The + constitution must be upheld, and, by the Lord! it shall be—at any + rate, in East Bruntsea. West Bruntsea is all a small-pox warren out of my + control, and a skewer in my flesh. And some of my tenants have gone across + the line to snap their dirty hands at me.” + </p> + <p> + Being once in this cue, Major Hockin went on, not talking to me much, but + rather to himself, though expecting me now and then to say “yes;” and this + I did when necessary, for his principles of action were beyond all + challenge, and the only question was how he carried them out. + </p> + <p> + He took me to his rampart, which was sure to stop the sea, and at the same + time to afford the finest place in all Great Britain for a view of it. + Even an invalid might sit here in perfect shelter from the heaviest gale, + and watch such billows as were not to be seen except upon the Major's + property. + </p> + <p> + “The reason of that is quite simple,” he said, “and a child may see the + force of it. In no other part of the kingdom can you find so steep a beach + fronting the southwest winds, which are ten to one of all other winds, + without any break of sand or rock outside. Hence we have what you can not + have on a shallow shore—grand rollers: straight from the very + Atlantic, Erema; you and I have seen them. You may see by the map that + they all end here, with the wind in the proper quarter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please not to talk of such horrors,” I said. “Why, your ramparts + would go like pie crust.” + </p> + <p> + The Major smiled a superior smile, and after more talk we went home to + dinner. + </p> + <p> + From something more than mere curiosity, I waited at Bruntsea for a day or + two, hoping to see that strange namesake of mine who had shown so much + inhospitality. For she must have been at home when we made that pressing + call, inasmuch as there was no other place to hide her within the needful + distance of the spot where she had stood. But the longer I waited, the + less would she come out—to borrow the good Irishman's expression—and + the Major's pillar-box, her favorite resort, was left in conspicuous + solitude. And when a letter came from Sir Montague Hockin, asking leave to + be at Bruntlands on the following evening, I packed up my goods with all + haste, and set off, not an hour too soon, for Shoxford. + </p> + <p> + But before taking leave of these kind friends, I begged them to do for me + one little thing, without asking me to explain my reason, which, indeed, + was more than I could do. I begged them, not of course to watch Sir + Montague, for that they could not well do to a guest, but simply to keep + their eyes open and prepared for any sign of intercourse, if such there + were, between this gentleman and that strange interloper. Major Hockin + stared, and his wife looked at me as if my poor mind must have gone + astray, and even to myself my own thought appeared absurd. Remembering, + however, what Sir Montague had said, and other little things as well, I + did not laugh as they did. But perhaps one part of my conduct was not + right, though the wrong (if any) had been done before that—to wit, I + had faithfully promised Mrs. Price not to say a word at Bruntlands about + their visitor's low and sinful treachery toward my cousin. To give such a + promise had perhaps been wrong, but still without it I should have heard + nothing of matters that concerned me nearly. And now it seemed almost + worse to keep than to break such a pledge, when I thought of a pious, + pure-minded, and holy-hearted woman, like my dear “Aunt Mary,” unwittingly + brought into friendly contact with a man of the lowest nature. And as for + the Major, instead of sitting down with such a man to dinner, what would + he have done but drive him straightway from the door, and chase him to the + utmost verge of his manor with the peak end of his “geological hammer?” + </p> + <p> + However, away I went without a word against that contemptible and base + man, toward whom—though he never had injured me—I cherished, + for my poor cousin's sake, the implacable hatred of virtuous youth. And a + wild idea had occurred to me (as many wild ideas did now in the crowd of + things gathering round me) that this strange woman, concealed from the + world, yet keenly watching some members of it, might be that fallen and + miserable creature who had fled from a good man with a bad one, because he + was more like herself—Flittamore, Lady Castlewood. Not that she + could be an “old woman” yet, but she might look old, either by disguise, + or through her own wickedness; and every body knows how suddenly those + southern beauties fall off, alike in face and figure. Mrs. Price had not + told me what became of her, or even whether she was dead or alive, but + merely said, with a meaning look, that she was “punished” for her sin, and + I had not ventured to inquire how, the subject being so distasteful. + </p> + <p> + To my great surprise, and uneasiness as well, I had found at Bruntlands no + letter whatever, either to the Major or myself, from Uncle Sam or any + other person at the saw-mills. There had not been time for any answer to + my letter of some two months back, yet being alarmed by the Sawyer's last + tidings, I longed, with some terror, for later news. And all the United + Kingdom was now watching with tender interest the dismemberment, as it + almost appeared, of the other mighty Union. Not with malice, or snug + satisfaction, as the men of the North in their agony said, but certainly + without any proper anguish yet, and rather as a genial and sprightly + spectator, whose love of fair play perhaps kindles his applause of the + spirit and skill of the weaker side. “'Tis a good fight—let them + fight it out!” seemed to be the general sentiment; but in spite of some + American vaunt and menace (which of late years had been galling) every + true Englishman deeply would have mourned the humiliation of his kindred. + </p> + <p> + In this anxiety for news I begged that my letters might be forwarded under + cover to the postmistress at Shoxford, and bearing my initials. For now I + had made up my mind to let Mrs. Busk know whatever I could tell her. I had + found her a cross and well-educated woman, far above her neighbors, and + determined to remain so. Gossip, that universal leveler, theoretically she + despised; and she had that magnificent esteem for rank which works so + beautifully in England. And now when my good nurse reasonably said that, + much as she loved to be with me, her business would allow that delight no + longer, and it also came home to my own mind that money would be running + short again, and small hope left in this dreadful civil war of our nugget + escaping pillage (which made me shudder horribly at internal discord), I + just did this—I dismissed Betsy, or rather I let her dismiss + herself, which she might not have altogether meant to do, although she + threatened it so often. For here she had nothing to do but live well, and + protest against tricks of her own profession which she practiced as + necessary laws at home; and so, with much affection, for the time we + parted. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Busk was delighted at her departure, for she never had liked to be + criticised so keenly while she was doing her very best. And as soon as the + wheels of Betsy's fly had shown their last spoke at the corner, she told + me, with a smile, that her mind had been made up to give us notice that + very evening to seek for better lodgings. But she could not wish for a + quieter, pleasanter, or more easily pleased young lady than I was without + any mischief-maker; and so, on the spur of the moment, I took her into my + own room, while her little girl minded the shop, and there and then I told + her who I was, and what I wanted. + </p> + <p> + And now she behaved most admirably. Instead of expressing surprise, she + assured me that all along she had felt there was something, and that I + must be somebody. Lovely as my paintings were (which I never heard, before + or since, from any impartial censor), she had known that it could not be + that alone which had kept me so long in their happy valley. And now she + did hope I would do her the honor to stay beneath her humble roof, though + entitled to one so different. And was the fairy ring in the church-yard + made of all my family? + </p> + <p> + I replied that too surely this was so, and that nothing would please me + better than to find, according to my stature, room to sleep inside it as + soon as ever I should have solved the mystery of its origin. At the moment + this was no exaggeration, so depressing was the sense of fighting against + the unknown so long, with scarcely any one to stand by me, or avenge me if + I fell. And Betsy's departure, though I tried to take it mildly, had left + me with a readiness to catch my breath. + </p> + <p> + But to dwell upon sadness no more than need be (a need as sure as hunger), + it was manifest now to my wondering mind that once more I had chanced upon + a good, and warm, and steadfast heart. Every body is said to be born, + whether that happens by night or day, with a certain little widowed star, + which has lost its previous mortal, concentrating from a billion billion + of miles, or leagues, or larger measure, intense, but generally invisible, + radiance upon him or her; and to take for the moment this old fable as of + serious meaning, my star was to find bad facts at a glance, but no bad + folk without long gaze. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XL + </h2> + <h3> + THE MAN AT LAST + </h3> + <p> + This new alliance with Mrs. Busk not only refreshed my courage, but helped + me forward most importantly. In truth, if it had not been for this I never + could have borne what I had to bear, and met the perils which I had to + meet. For I had the confidence of feeling now that here was some one close + at hand, an intelligent person, and well acquainted with the place and + neighborhood, upon whom I could rely for warning, succor, and, if the + worst should come to the very worst, revenge. It is true that already I + had Jacob Rigg, and perhaps the protector promised by my cousin; but the + former was as ignorant as he was honest, and of the latter, as he made no + sign, how could I tell any thing? + </p> + <p> + Above all things, Mrs. Busk's position, as mistress of the letters, gave + me very great advantage both for offense and defense. For without the + smallest breach of duty or of loyal honor she could see that my letters + passed direct to me or from me, as the case might be, at the same time + that she was bound to observe all epistles addressed to strangers or + new-comers in her district, which extended throughout the valley. And by + putting my letters in the Portsmouth bag, instead of that for Winchester, + I could freely correspond with any of my friends without any one seeing + name or postmark in the neighboring villages. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to say that I had long since explored and examined with + great diligence that lonely spot where my grandfather met his terrible and + mysterious fate. Not that there seemed to be any hope now, after almost + nineteen years, of finding even any token of the crime committed there. + Only that it was natural for me, feeling great horror of this place, to + seek to know it thoroughly. + </p> + <p> + For this I had good opportunity, because the timid people of the valley, + toward the close of day, would rather trudge another half mile of the + homeward road than save brave legs at the thumping cost of hearts not so + courageous. For the planks were now called “Murder-bridge;” and every body + knew that the red spots on it, which could never be seen by daylight, + began to gleam toward the hour of the deed, and glowed (as if they would + burn the wood) when the church clock struck eleven. + </p> + <p> + This phenomenon was beyond my gifts of observation; and knowing that my + poor grandfather had scarcely set foot on the bridge, if ever he set foot + there at all—which at present was very doubtful—also that he + had fallen backward, and only bled internally, I could not reconcile + tradition (however recent) with proven truth. And sure of no disturbance + from the step of any native, here I often sat in a little bowered shelter + of my own, well established up the rise, down which the path made zigzag, + and screened from that and the bridge as well by sheaf of twigs and lop of + leaves. It was a little forward thicket, quite detached from the upland + copse, to which perhaps it had once belonged, and crusted up from the + meadow slope with sod and mould in alternate steps. And being quite the + elbow of a foreland of the meadow-reach, it yielded almost a “bird's-eye + view” of the beautiful glade and the wandering brook. + </p> + <p> + One evening when I was sitting here, neither drawing, nor working, nor + even thinking with any set purpose, but idly allowing my mind to rove, + like the rivulet, without any heed, I became aware of a moving figure in + the valley. At first it did not appear to me as a thing at all worth + notice; it might be a very straightforward cow, or a horse, coming on like + a stalking-horse, keeping hind-legs strictly behind, in direct desire of + water. I had often seen those sweet things that enjoy four legs walking in + the line of distance as if they were no better off than we are, kindly + desiring, perhaps, to make the biped spectator content with himself. And I + was content to admire this cow or horse, or whatever it might be, without + any more than could be helped of that invidious feeling which has driven + the human race now to establish its right to a tail, and its hope of four + legs. So little, indeed, did I think of what I saw, that when among the + hazel twigs, parted carelessly by my hand, a cluster of nuts hung + manifest, I gathered it, and began to crack and eat, although they were + scarcely ripe yet. + </p> + <p> + But while employed in this pleasant way, I happened to glance again + through my leafy screen, and then I distinguished the figure in the + distance as that of a man walking rapidly. He was coming down the + mill-stream meadow toward the wooden bridge, carrying a fishing rod, but + clearly not intent on angling. For instead of following the course of the + stream, he was keeping quite away from it, avoiding also the footpath, or, + at any rate, seeming to prefer the long shadows of the trees and the + tufted places. This made me look at him, and very soon I shrank into my + nest and watched him. + </p> + <p> + As he came nearer any one could tell that he was no village workman, + bolder than the rest, and venturesome to cross the “Murder-bridge” in his + haste to be at home. The fishing rod alone was enough to show this when it + came into clearer view; for our good people, though they fished sometimes, + only used rough rods of their own making, without any varnish or brass + thing for the line. And the man was of different height and walk and dress + from any of our natives. + </p> + <p> + “Who can he be?” I whispered to myself, as my heart began to beat heavily, + and then seemed almost to stop, as it answered, “This is the man who was + in the churchyard.” Ignoble as it was, and contemptible, and vile, and + traitorous to all duty, my first thought was about my own escape; for I + felt that if this man saw me there he would rush up the hill and murder + me. Within pistol-shot of the very place where my grandfather had been + murdered—a lonely place, an unholy spot, and I was looking at the + hand that did it. + </p> + <p> + The thought of this made me tremble so, though well aware that my death + might ensue from a twig on the rustle, or a leaf upon the flutter, that my + chance of making off unseen was gone ere I could seize it. For now the man + was taking long strides over the worn-out planks of the bridge, disdaining + the hand-rail, and looking upward, as if to shun sight of the footing. + Advancing thus, he must have had his gaze point-blank upon my lair of + leafage; but, luckily for me, there was gorse upon the ridge, and bracken + and rag-thistles, so that none could spy up and through the footing of my + lurking-place. But if any person could have spied me, this man was the one + to do it. So carefully did he scan the distance and inspect the + foreground, as if he were resolved that no eye should be upon him while he + was doing what he came to do. And he even drew forth a little double + telescope, such as are called “binoculars,” and fixed it on the thicket + which hid me from him, and then on some other dark places. + </p> + <p> + No effort would compose or hush the heavy beating of my heart; my lips + were stiffened with dread of loud breath, and all power of motion left me. + For even a puff of wind might betray me, the ruffle of a spray, or the + lifting of a leaf, or the random bounce of a beetle. Great peril had + encompassed me ere now, but never had it grasped me as this did, and + paralyzed all the powers of my body. Rather would I have stood in the + midst of a score of Mexican rovers than thus in the presence of that one + man. And yet was not this the very thing for which I had waited, longed, + and labored? I scorned myself for this craven loss of nerve, but that did + not enable me to help it. In this benumbed horror I durst not even peep at + the doings of my enemy; but presently I became aware that he had moved + from the end of the planks (where he stood for some time as calmly as if + he had done nothing there), and had passed round the back of the + hawthorn-tree, and gone down to the place where the body was found, and + was making most narrow and minute search there. And now I could watch him + without much danger, standing as I did well above him, while his eyes were + steadfastly bent downward. And, not content with eyesight only, he seemed + to be feeling every blade of grass or weed, every single stick or stone, + craning into each cranny of the ground, and probing every clod with his + hands. Then, after vainly searching with the very utmost care all the + space from the hawthorn trunk to the meadow-leet (which was dry as usual), + he ran, in a fury of impatience, to his rod, which he had stuck into the + bank, as now I saw, and drew off the butt end, and removed the wheel, or + whatever it is that holds the fishing line; and this butt had a long spike + to it, shining like a halberd in a picture. + </p> + <p> + This made me shudder; but my spirit was returning, and therewith my power + of reasoning, and a deep stir of curiosity. After so many years and such a + quantity of searching, what could there still be left to seek for in this + haunted and horrible place? And who was the man that was looking for it? + </p> + <p> + The latter question partly solved itself. It must be the murderer, and no + other, whoever he might be among the many black spots of humanity. But as + to the other point, no light could be thrown upon it, unless the search + should be successful, and perhaps not even then. But now this anxiety, and + shame of terror, made me so bold—for I can not call it brave—that + I could not rest satisfied where I was, and instead of blessing every leaf + and twig that hid me from the enemy, nothing would do for me but to creep + nearer, in spite of that truculent long bright spike. + </p> + <p> + I thought of my father, and each fibre of my frame seemed to harden with + vigor and fleetness. Every muscle of my body could be trusted now. I had + always been remarkably light of foot. Could a man of that age catch me? It + was almost as much as Firm Gundry could do, as in childish days I had + proved to him. And this man, although his hair was not gray, must be on + the slow side of fifty now, and perhaps getting short of his very wicked + breath. Then I thought of poor Firm, and of good Uncle Sam, and how they + scorned poltroonery; and, better still, I thought of that great Power + which always had protected me: in a word, I resolved to risk it. + </p> + <p> + But I had not reckoned upon fire-arms, which such a scoundrel was pretty + sure to have; and that idea struck cold upon my valor. Nevertheless, I + would not turn back. With no more sound than a field-mouse makes in the + building of its silken nest, and feet as light as the step of the wind + upon the scarcely ruffled grass, I quitted my screen, and went gliding + down a hedge, or rather the residue of some old hedge, which would shelter + me a little toward the hollow of the banks. I passed low places, where the + man must have seen me if he had happened to look up; but he was stooping + with his back to me, and working in the hollow of the dry water trough. He + was digging with the long spike of his rod, and I heard the rattle of each + pebble that he struck. + </p> + <p> + Before he stood up again, to ease his back and to look at the ground which + he still had to turn, I was kneeling behind a short, close-branched holly, + the very last bush of the hedge-row, scarcely fifteen yards from the + hawthorn-tree. It was quite impossible to get nearer without coming face + to face with him. And now I began again to tremble, but with a great + effort conquered it. + </p> + <p> + The man was panting with his labor, and seemed to be in a vile temper too. + He did not swear, but made low noises full of disappointment. And then he + caught up his tool, with a savage self-control, and fell to again. + </p> + <p> + Now was my time to see what he was like, and engrave him on my memory. + But, lo! in a moment I need not do that. The face was the bad image of my + father's. A lowered, and vicious, and ill-bred image of a noble + countenance—such as it was just possible to dream that my dear + father's might have fallen to, if his mind and soul had plunged away from + the good inborn and implanted in them. The figure was that of a tall + strong man, with shoulders rather slouching, and a habit of keeping his + head thrown back, which made a long chin look longer. Altogether he seemed + a perilous foe, and perhaps a friend still more perilous. + </p> + <p> + Be he what he might, he was working very hard. Not one of all Uncle Sam's + men, to my knowledge, least of all Martin, would have worked so hard. With + his narrow and ill-adapted tool he contrived to turn over, in less than + twenty minutes, the entire bed of the meadow-leet, or trough, for a length + of about ten yards. Then he came to the mouth, where the water of the main + stream lapped back into it, and he turned up the bottom as far as he could + reach, and waited for the mud he had raised to clear away. When this had + flowed down with the stream, he walked in for some little distance till + the pool grew deep; but in spite of all his labor, there was nothing. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the sunset glow was failing, and a gray autumnal haze crept up + the tranquil valley. Shadows waned and faded into dimness more diffuse, + and light grew soft and vague and vaporous. The gleam of water, and the + gloss of grass, and deep relief of trees, began to lose their several + phase and mingle into one large twilight blend. And cattle, from their + milking sheds, came lowing for more pasture; and the bark of a shepherd's + dog rang quick, as if his sheep were drowsy. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of innocent sights and sounds that murderer's heart misgave + him. He left his vain quest off, and gazed, with fear and hate of nature's + beauty, at the change from day to night which had not waited for him. Some + touch of his childhood moved him perhaps, some thought of times when he + played “I spy,” or listened to twilight ghost tales; at any rate, as he + rose and faced the evening, he sighed heavily. + </p> + <p> + Then he strode away; and although he passed me almost within length of his + rod, there was little fear of his discovering me, because his mind was + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + It will, perhaps, be confessed by all who are not as brave as lions that + so far I had acquitted myself pretty well in this trying matter. Horribly + scared as I was at first, I had not allowed this to conquer me, but had + even rushed into new jeopardy. But now the best part of my courage was + spent; and when the tall stranger refixed his rod and calmly recrossed + those ominous planks, I durst not set forth on the perilous errand of + spying out his ways and tracking him. A glance was enough to show the + impossibility in those long meadows of following without being seen in + this stage of the twilight. Moreover, my nerves had been tried too long, + and presence of mind could not last forever. All I could do, therefore, + was to creep as far as the trunk of the hawthorn-tree, and thence observe + that my enemy did not return by the way he had come, but hastened down the + dusky valley. + </p> + <p> + One part of his labors has not been described, though doubtless a highly + needful one. To erase the traces of his work, or at least obscure them to + a careless eye, when he had turned as much ground as he thought it worth + his while to meddle with, he trod it back again to its level as nearly as + might be, and then (with a can out of his fishing basket) sluiced the + place well with the water of the stream. This made it look to any heedless + person, who would not descend to examine it, as if there had been nothing + more than a little reflux from the river, caused by a flush from the + mill-pond. This little stratagem increased my fear of a cunning and active + villain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLI + </h2> + <h3> + A STRONG TEMPTATION + </h3> + <p> + Now it will be said, and I also knew, that there was nothing as yet, + except most frail and feeble evidence, to connect that nameless stranger + with the crime charged upon my father. Indeed, it might be argued well + that there was no evidence at all, only inference and suspicion. That, + however, was no fault of mine; and I felt as sure about it as if I had + seen him in the very act. And this conclusion was not mine alone; for Mrs. + Busk, a most clever woman, and the one who kept the post-office, entirely + agreed with me that there could be no doubt on earth about it. + </p> + <p> + But when she went on to ask me what it was my intention to do next, for + the moment I could do nothing more than inquire what her opinion was. And + she told me that she must have a good night's rest before advising any + thing. For the thought of having such a heinous character in her own + delivery district was enough to unhinge her from her postal duties, some + of which might be useful to me. + </p> + <p> + With a significant glance she left me to my own thoughts, which were sad + enough, and too sad to be worth recording. For Mrs. Busk had not the art + of rousing people and cheering them, such as Betsy Strouss, my old nurse, + had, perhaps from her knowledge of the nursery. My present landlady might + be the more sagacious and sensible woman of the two, and therefore the + better adviser; but for keeping one up to the mark she was not in any way + equal to Betsy. + </p> + <p> + There is no ingratitude in saying this, because she herself admitted it. A + clever woman, with a well-balanced mind, knows what she can do, and + wherein she fails, better than a man of her own proportion does. And Mrs. + Busk often lamented, without much real mortification, that she had not + been “born sympathetic.” + </p> + <p> + All the more perhaps for that, she was born sagacious, which is a less + pleasing, but, in a bitter pinch, a more really useful, quality. And + before I had time to think much of her defects, in the crowd of more + important thought, in she came again, with a letter in her hand, and a + sparkle of triumph in her small black eyes. After looking back along the + passage, and closing my door, she saw that my little bay-window had its + old-fashioned shutters fastened, and then, in a very low whisper, she + said, “What you want to know is here, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” I answered, in my usual voice. “How can you know that? The + letter is sealed.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! Would you have me ruined for your sake? This was at the bottom of + the Nepheton bag. It fell on the floor. That was God's will, to place it + in your power.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not in my power,” I answered, whispering in my turn, and staring at + it, in the strong temptation. “I have no right even to look at it. It is + meant for some one else, and sealed.” + </p> + <p> + “The seal is nothing. I can manage that. Another drop of wax—and I + strike our stamp by accident over the breakage. I refuse to know any thing + about it. I am too busy with the other letters. Five minutes—lock + the door—and I will come again.” + </p> + <p> + This was a desperate conflict for me, worse even than bodily danger. My + first impulse was to have nothing to do with it—even to let the + letter lie untouched, and, if possible, unglanced at. But already it was + too late for the eyes to turn away. The address had flashed upon me before + I thought of any thing, and while Mrs. Busk held it up to me. And now that + address was staring at me, like a contemptuous challenge, while the seal, + the symbol of private rights and deterrent honor, lay undermost. The + letter was directed to “H. W. C., Post-office, Newport, Sussex.” The + writing was in round hand, and clear, so as not to demand any scrutiny, + and to seem like that of a lawyer's clerk, and the envelope was of thin + repellent blue. + </p> + <p> + My second impulse was to break the letter open and read it without + shrinking. Public duty must conquer private scruples. Nothing but the hand + of Providence itself could have placed this deadly secret in my power so + amazingly. Away with all squeamishness, and perhaps prevent more murder. + </p> + <p> + But that “perhaps” gave me sudden pause. I had caught up the letter, and + stood near the candle to soften the wax and lift the cover with a small + sharp paper-knife, when it flashed on my mind that my cousin would condemn + and scorn what I was doing. Unconsciously I must have made him now my + standard of human judgment, or what made me think of him at that moment? I + threw down the letter, and then I knew. The image of Lord Castlewood had + crossed my mind, because the initials were his own—those of Herbert + William Castlewood. This strange coincidence—if it were, indeed, an + accident—once more set me thinking. Might not this letter be from + his agent, of whom he had spoken as my protector here, but to whom as all + unseen I scarcely ever gave a thought? Might not young Stixon, who so + often was at Bruntsea, be employed to call at Newport for such letters, + and return with them to his master? It was not very likely, for my cousin + had the strongest contempt of anonymous doings. Still it was possible, and + the bare possibility doubled my reluctance to break the seal. + </p> + <p> + For one minute longer I stood in doubt, and then honor and candor and + truth prevailed. If any other life had been in peril but my own, duty to + another might have overridden all. But duty to one's self, if overpushed + in such a case, would hold some taint of cowardice. So I threw the letter, + with a sense of loathing, on a chair. Whatever it might contain, it should + pass, at least for me, inviolate. + </p> + <p> + Now when Mrs. Busk came to see what I had done, or rather left undone, she + flew into a towering passion, until she had no time to go on with it. The + rattle of the rickety old mail-cart, on its way to Winchester that night, + was heard, and the horn of the driver as he passed the church. + </p> + <p> + “Give it me. 'A mercy! A young natural, that you are!” the good woman + cried, as she flung out of the room to dash her office stamp upon that + hateful missive, and to seal the leathern bag. “Seal, indeed! Inviolate! + How many seals have I got to make every day of my life?” + </p> + <p> + I heard a great thump from the corner of the shop where the business of + the mails was conducted; and she told me afterward that she was so put + out, that broken that seal should be—one way or another. Accordingly + she smashed it with the office stamp, which was rather like a woman's act, + methought; and then, having broken it, she never looked inside—which, + perhaps, was even more so. + </p> + <p> + When she recovered her leisure and serenity, and came in, to forgive me + and be forgiven, we resolved to dismiss the moral aspect of the question, + as we never should agree about it, although Mrs. Busk was not so certain + as she had been, when she found that the initials were the initials of a + lord. And then I asked her how she came to fix upon that letter among so + many others, and to feel so sure that it came from my treacherous enemy. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, I know every letter from Nepheton,” she answered, + very sensibly. “There are only fourteen people that write letters in the + place, and twelve of those fourteen buy their paper in my shop—there + is no shop at all at Nepheton. In the next place, none of them could write + a hand like that, except the parson and the doctor, who are far above + disguise. And two other things made me certain as could be. That letter + was written at the 'Green Man' ale-house; not on their paper, nor yet with + their ink; but being in great hurry, it was dusted with their sand—a + sand that turns red upon ink, miss. And the time of dispatch there is just + what he would catch, by walking fast after his dig where you saw him, + going in that direction too, and then having his materials ready to save + time. And if all that is not enough to convince you, miss—you + remember that you told me our old sexton's tale?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I do. The first evening I was left alone here. And you have + been so kind, there is nothing I would hide from you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, miss, the time of old Jacob's tale is fixed by the death of poor + old Sally Mock; and the stranger came again after you were here, just + before the death of the miller's eldest daughter, and you might almost + have seen him. Poor thing! we all called her the 'flower of the Moon,' + meaning our little river. What a fine young woman she was, to be sure! + Whenever we heard of any strangers about, we thought they were prowling + after her. I was invited to her funeral, and I went, and nothing could be + done nicer. But they never will be punctual with burials here; they like + to dwell on them, and keep the bell going, for the sake of the body, and + the souls that must come after it. And so, when it was done, I was twenty + minutes late for the up mail and the cross-country post, and had to move + my hands pretty sharp, I can assure you. That doesn't matter; I got + through it, with the driver of the cart obliging, by means of some beer + and cold bacon. But what I feared most was the Nepheton bag, having seen + the old man at the funeral, and knowing what they do afterward. I could + not return him 'too late' again, or he would lose his place for certain, + and a shilling a day made all the difference to him, between wife and no + wife. The old pair without it must go to the workhouse, and never see one + another. However, when I was despairing quite of him, up he comes with his + bag quite correct, but only one letter to sort in it, and that letter was, + miss, the very identical of the one you held in your hands just now. And a + letter as like it as two peas had come when we buried old Sally. It + puzzled me then, but I had no clew to it; only now, you see, putting this + and that together, the things we behold must have some meaning for us; and + to let them go without it is against the will of God; especially when at + the bottom of the bag.” + </p> + <p> + “If you hear so soon of any stranger in the valley,” I asked, to escape + the re-opening of the opening question, “how can that man come and go—a + man of remarkable stature and appearance—without any body asking who + he is?” + </p> + <p> + “You scarcely could have put it better, miss, for me to give the answer. + They do ask who he is, and they want to know it, and would like any body + to tell them. But being of a different breed, as they are, from all + outside the long valley, speaking also with a different voice, they fear + to talk so freely out of their own ways and places. Any thing they can + learn in and out among themselves, they will learn; but any thing out of + that they let go, in the sense of outlandish matter. Bless you, miss, if + your poor grandfather had been shot any where else in England, how + different it would have been for him!” + </p> + <p> + “For us, you mean, Mrs. Busk. Do you think the man who did it had that in + his mind?” + </p> + <p> + “Not unless he knew the place, as few know it. No, that was an accident of + his luck, as many other things have been. But the best luck stops at last, + Miss Erema; and unless I am very much mistaken, you will be the stop of + his. I shall find out, in a few days, where he came from, where he staid, + and when he went away. I suppose you mean to let him go away?” + </p> + <p> + “What else am I to do?” I asked. “I have no evidence at all against him; + only my own ideas. The police would scarcely take it up, even if—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't talk of them. They spoil every thing. And none of our people + would say a word, or care to help us, if it came to that. The police are + all strangers, and our people hate them. And, indeed, I believe that the + worst thing ever done was the meddling of that old Jobbins. The old stupe + is still alive at Petersfield, and as pompous-headed as ever. My father + would have been the man for your sad affair, miss, if the police had only + been invented in his time. Ah, yes, he was sharp! Not a Moonstock man—you + may take your oath of that, miss—but a good honest native from + Essex. But he married my mother, a Moonstock woman; or they would not put + up with me here at all. You quality people have your ideas to hold by, and + despise all others, and reasonable in your opinions; but you know nothing—nothing—nothing—of + the stiffness of the people under you.” + </p> + <p> + “How should I know any thing of that?” I answered; “all these things are + new to me. I have not been brought up in this country, as you know. I come + from a larger land, where your stiffness may have burst out into + roughness, from having so much room suddenly. But tell me what you think + now your father would have done in such a case as mine is.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Erema, he was that long-headed that nobody could play leap-frog with + him. None of them ever cleared over his barrel. He walked into this + village fifty-five years back, this very month, with his spade upon his + shoulder and the knowledge of every body in his eye. They all put up + against him, but they never put him down; and in less than three months he + went to church, I do assure you, with the only daughter of the only baker. + After that he went into the baking line himself; he turned his spade into + a shovel, as he said, and he introduced new practices.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mrs. Busk, not adulteration?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no! The very last thing he would think of. Only the good use of + potatoes in the bread, when flour was frightful bad and painful dear. What + is the best meal of the day? he used to reason. Dinner. And why? Why, + because of the potatoes. If I can make people take potato for their + breakfast, and potato for their supper too, I am giving them three meals a + day instead of one. And the health of the village corresponded to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but, Mrs. Busk, he might have made them do it by persuasion, or at + least with their own knowledge—” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no! The whole nature of our people, Moonstock or out of it, is + never to take victuals by any sort of persuasion. If St. Paul was to come + and preach, 'Eat this or that,' all I had of it in the shop would go + rotten. They hate any meddling with their likings, and they suspect + doctor's rubbish in all of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite of their opinion,” I replied; “and I am glad to hear of their + independence. I always used to hear that in England none of the poor + people dared have a will of their own.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Busk lifted up her hands to express amazement at my ignorance, and + said that she “must run away and put the shutters up, or else the + policeman would come rapping, and look for a glass of beer, which he had + no right to till it came to the bottom of the firkin; and this one was + only tapped last Sunday week. Don't you ever think of the police, miss.” + </p> + <p> + Probably this was good advice, and it quite agreed with the opinions of + others, and my own impressions as to the arrogant lethargy of “the force,” + as they called themselves, in my father's case. Mrs. Busk had more + activity and intelligence in her little head than all the fat sergeants + and inspectors of the county, helmet, belt, and staff, and all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLII + </h2> + <h3> + MASTER WITHYPOOL + </h3> + <p> + At first I was much inclined to run for help, or at least for counsel, + either to Lord Castlewood or to Major Hockin; but further consideration + kept me from doing any thing of the kind. In the first place, neither of + them would do much good; for my cousin's ill health would prevent him from + helping me, even if his strange view of the case did not, while the + excellent Major was much too hot and hasty for a delicate task like this. + And, again, I might lose the most valuable and important of all chances by + being away from the spot just now. And so I remained at Shoxford for a + while, keeping strict watch upon the stranger's haunt, and asking about + him by means of Mrs. Busk. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard more about him, miss,” she said one day, when the down + letters had been dispatched, which happened about middle-day. “He has been + here only those three times this summer, upon excuse of fishing always. He + stays at old Wellham, about five miles down the river, where the people + are not true Moonites. And one thing that puzzles them is, that although + he puts up there simply for the angling, he always chooses times when the + water is so low that to catch fish is next to impossible. He left his + fishing quarters upon the very day after you saw him searching so; and he + spoke as if he did not mean to come again this season. And they say that + they don't want him neither, he is such a morose, close-fisted man; and + drinking nothing but water, there is very little profit with him.” + </p> + <p> + “And did you find out what his name is? How cleverly you have managed!” + </p> + <p> + “He passes by the name of 'Captain Brown;' but the landlord of his inn, + who has been an old soldier, is sure he was never in the army, nor any + other branch of the service. He thinks that he lives by inventing things, + for he is always at some experiments, and one of his great points is to + make a lamp that will burn and move about under water. To be sure you see + the object of that, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “No, really, Mrs. Busk, I can not. I have not your penetration.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, of course, to find what he can not find upon land. There is + something of great importance there, either for its value or its meaning. + Have you ever been told that your poor grandfather wore any diamonds or + precious jewels?” + </p> + <p> + “No. I have asked about that most especially. He had nothing about him to + tempt a robber. He was a very strong-willed man, and he hated outward + trumpery.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it must be something that this man himself has dropped, unless it + were a document, or any other token, missing from his lordship. And few + things of that sort would last for twenty years almost.” + </p> + <p> + “Nineteen years the day after to-morrow,” I answered, with a glance at my + pocket-book. “I determined to be here on that very day. No doubt I am very + superstitious. But one thing I can not understand is this—what + reason can there have been for his letting so many years pass, and then + hunting like this?” + </p> + <p> + “No one can answer that question, miss, without knowing more than we know. + But many reasons might be supposed. He might have been roving abroad, for + instance, just as you and your father have been. Or he might not have + known that the thing was there; or it might not have been of importance + till lately; or he might have been afraid, until something else happened. + Does he know that you are now in England?” + </p> + <p> + “How can I possibly tell, Mrs. Busk? He seems to know a great deal too + much. He found me out when I was at Colonel Gundry's. At least I conclude + so, from what I know now; but I hope he does not know”—and at such a + dreadful idea I shuddered. + </p> + <p> + “I am almost sure that he can not know it,” the good postmistress + answered, “or he would have found means to put an end to you. That would + have been his first object.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Mrs. Busk,” I said, being much disturbed by her calmness, “surely, + surely he is not to be allowed to make an end of every one! I came to this + country with the full intention of going into every thing. But I did not + mean at all, except in my very best moments, to sacrifice myself. It seems + too bad—too bad to think of.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is, Miss Erema,” Mrs. Busk replied, without any congenial + excitement. “It does seem hard for them that have the liability on them. + But still, miss, you have always shown such a high sense of duty, and of + what you were about—” + </p> + <p> + “I can't—I can not. There are times, I do assure you, when I am fit + for nothing, Mrs. Busk, and wish myself back in America. And if this man + is to have it all his own way—” + </p> + <p> + “Not he, miss—not he. Be you in no hurry. Could he even have his way + with our old miller? No; Master Withypool was too many for him.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a new thing. You never told me that. What did he try to do with + the miller?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't justly know what it was, Miss Erema. I never spoke to miller + about it, and, indeed, I have had no time since I heard of it. But those + that told me said that the tall strange gentleman was terribly put out, + and left the gate with a black cloud upon his face, and the very next day + the miller's daughter died, quite sudden and mysterious.” + </p> + <p> + “How very strange! But now I have got a new idea. Has the miller a strong + high dam to his pond, and a good stout sluice-gate at the end!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, miss, to be sure he has,” said Mrs. Busk; “otherwise how could he + grind at all, when the river is so low as it is sometimes?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I know what he wanted, and I will take a leaf out of his own book—the + miscreant! He wanted the miller to stop back the water and leave the pool + dry at the 'Murder-bridge.' Would it be possible for him to do that?” + </p> + <p> + “I can not tell you, miss; but your thought is very clever. It is likely + enough that he did want that, though he never would dare to ask without + some pretense—some other cause I mean, to show for it. He may have + been thinking that whatever he was wanting was likely to be under water. + And that shows another thing, if it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Busk, my head goes round with such a host of complications. I do my + best to think them out—and then there comes another!” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss; this only clears things up a little. If the man can not be sure + whether what he is looking for is on land or under water, it seems to me + almost to show that it was lost at the murder time in the dark and flurry. + A man would know if he dropped any thing in the water by daylight, from + the splash and the ripple, and so on, for the stream is quite slow at that + corner. He dropped it, miss, when he did the deed, or else it came away + from his lordship.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing was lost, as I said before, from the body of my grandfather, so + far at least as our knowledge goes. Whatever was lost was the murderer's. + Now please to tell me all about the miller, and how I may get round him.” + </p> + <p> + “You make me laugh in the middle of black things, miss, by the way you + have of putting them. But as to the miller—Master Withypool is a + wonder, as concerns the ladies. He is one of those men that stand up for + every thing when a man tries upper side of them. But let a woman come, and + get up under, and there he is—a pie crust lifted. Why, I, at my age, + could get round him, as you call it. But you, miss—and more than + that, you are something like his daughter; and the old man frets after her + terrible. Go you into his yard, and just smile upon him, miss, and if the + Moon River can be stopped, he'll stop it for you.” + </p> + <p> + This seemed a very easy way to do it. But I told Mrs. Busk that I would + pay well also, for the loss of a day's work at the mill was more than + fifty smiles could make up. + </p> + <p> + But she told me, above all things, not to do that. For old Master + Withypool was of that sort that he would stand for an hour with his hands + in his pocket for a half-penny, if not justly owing from him. But nothing + more angered him than a bribe to step outside of his duty. He had plenty + of money, and was proud of it. But sooner would he lose a day's work to do + a kindness, when he was sure of having right behind it, than take a week's + profit without earning it. And very likely that was where the dark man + failed, from presuming that money would do every thing. However, there was + nothing like judging for one's self; and if I would like to be introduced, + she could do it for me with the best effect; taking as she did a good + hundred-weight of best “households” from him every week, although not + herself in the baking line, but always keeping quartern bags, because the + new baker did adulterate so. + </p> + <p> + I thought of her father, and how things work round; but that they would do + without remarks of mine. So I said nothing on that point, but asked + whether Master Withypool would require any introduction. And to this Mrs. + Busk said, “Oh dear, no!” And her throat had been a little rough since + Sunday, and the dog was chained tight, even if any dog would bite a sweet + young lady; and to her mind the miller would be more taken up and less fit + to vapor into obstacles, if I were to hit upon him all alone, just when he + came out to the bank of his cabbage garden, not so very long after his + dinner, to smoke his pipe and to see his things a-growing. + </p> + <p> + It was time to get ready if I meant to catch him then, for he always dined + at one o'clock, and the mill was some three or four meadows up the stream; + therefore as soon as Mrs. Busk had re-assured me that she was quite + certain of my enemy's departure, I took my drawing things and set forth to + call upon Master Withypool. + </p> + <p> + Passing through the church-yard, which was my nearest way, and glancing + sadly at the “fairy ring,” I began to have some uneasiness about the + possible issue of my new scheme. Such a thing required more thinking out + than I had given to it. For instance, what reason could I give the miller + for asking so strange a thing of him? And how could the whole of the + valley be hindered from making the greatest talk about the stoppage of + their own beloved Moon, even if the Moon could be stopped without every + one of them rushing down to see it? And if it was so talked of, would it + not be certain to come to the ears of that awful man? And if so, how long + before he found me out, and sent me to rejoin my family? + </p> + <p> + These thoughts compelled me to be more discreet; and having lately done a + most honorable thing, in refusing to read that letter, I felt a certain + right to play a little trick now of a purely harmless character. I ran + back therefore to my writing-desk, and took from its secret drawer a + beautiful golden American eagle, a large coin, larger and handsomer than + any in the English coinage. Uncle Sam gave it to me on my birthday, and I + would not have taken 50 pounds for it. With this I hurried to that bridge + of fear, which I had not yet brought myself to go across; and then, not to + tell any story about it, I snipped a little hole in the corner of my + pocket, while my hand was still steady ere I had to mount the bridge. Then + pinching that hole up with a squeeze, I ran and got upon that wicked + bridge, and then let go. The heavy gold coin fell upon the rotten plank, + and happily rolled into the water, as if it were glad not to tempt its + makers to any more sin for the sake of it. + </p> + <p> + Shutting up thought, for fear of despising myself for the coinage of such + a little trick, I hurried across the long meadow to the mill, and went + through the cow-gate into the yard, and the dog began to bark at me. + Seeing that he had a strong chain on, I regarded him with lofty + indignation. “Do you know what Jowler would do to you?” I said; “Jowler, a + dog worth ten of you. He would take you by the neck and drop you into that + pond for daring to insult his mistress!” The dog appeared to feel the + force of my remarks, for he lay down again, and with one eye watched me in + a manner amusing, but insidious. Then, taking good care to keep out of his + reach, I went to the mill-pond and examined it. + </p> + <p> + It looked like a very nice pond indeed, long, and large, and well banked + up, not made into any particular shape, but producing little rushy elbows. + The water was now rather low, and very bright (though the Moon itself is + not a crystal stream), and a school of young minnows, just watching a + water-spider with desirous awe, at sight of me broke away, and reunited, + with a speed and precision that might shame the whole of our very best + modern fighting. Then many other things made a dart away, and furrowed the + shadow of the willows, till distance quieted the fear of man—that + most mysterious thing in nature—and the shallow pool was at peace + again, and bright with unruffled reflections. + </p> + <p> + “What ails the dog?” said a deep gruff voice; and the poor dog received a + contemptuous push, not enough to hurt him, but to wound his feelings for + doing his primary duty. “Servant, miss. What can I do for you? Foot-path + is t'other side of that there hedge.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I left the foot-path on purpose. I came to have a talk with you, + if you will allow me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sartain! sartain,” the miller replied, lifting a broad floury hat and + showing a large gray head. “Will you come into house, miss, or into + gearden?” + </p> + <p> + I chose the garden, and he led the way, and set me down upon an old oak + bench, where the tinkle of the water through the flood-gates could be + heard. + </p> + <p> + “So you be come to paint the mill at last,” he said. “Many a time I've + looked out for you. The young leddy down to Mother Busk's, of course. + Many's the time we've longed for you to come, you reminds us so of + somebody. Why, my old missus can't set eyes on you in church, miss, + without being forced to sit down a'most. But we thought it very pretty of + you not to come, miss, while the trouble was so new upon us.” + </p> + <p> + Something in my look or voice made the old man often turn away, while I + told him that I would make the very best drawing of his mill that I could + manage, and would beg him to accept it. + </p> + <p> + “Her ought to 'a been on the plank,” he said, with trouble in getting his + words out. “But there! what good? Her never will stand on that plank no + more. No, nor any other plank.” + </p> + <p> + I told him that I would put her on the plank, if he had any portrait of + her showing her dress and her attitude. Without saying what he had, he led + me to the house, and stood behind me, while I went inside. And then he + could not keep his voice as I went from one picture of his darling to + another, not thinking (as I should have done) of what his feelings might + be, but trying, as no two were at all alike, to extract a general idea of + her. + </p> + <p> + “Nobody knows what her were to me,” the old man said, with a quiet little + noise and a sniff behind my shoulder. “And with one day's illness her died—her + died.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have others left. She was not the only one. Please, Mr. + Withypool, to try to think of that. And your dear wife still alive to + share your trouble. Just think for a moment of what happened to my father. + His wife and six children all swept off in a month—and I just born, + to be brought up with a bottle!” + </p> + <p> + I never meant, of course, to have said a word of this, but was carried + away by that common old idea of consoling great sorrow with a greater one. + And the sense of my imprudence broke vexatiously upon me when the old man + came and stood between me and his daughter's portraits. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never!” he exclaimed, with his bright eyes steadfast with + amazement. “I know you now, miss. Now I knows you. To think what a set of + blind newts us must be! And you the very moral of your poor father, in a + female kind of way! To be sure, how well I knew the Captain! A nicer man + never walked the earth, neither a more unlucky one.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg you—let me beg you,” I began to say; “since you have found me + out like this—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, miss, hush! Not my own wife shall know, unless your own tongue + telleth her. A proud man I shall be, Miss Raumur,” he continued, with + emphasis on my local name, “if aught can be found in my power to serve + you. Why, Lord bless you, miss,” he whispered, looking round, “your father + and I has spent hours together! He were that pleasant in his ways and + words, he would drop in from his fishing, when the water was too low, and + sit on that very same bench where you sat, and smoke his pipe with me, and + tell me about battles, and ask me about bread. And many a time I have + slipped up the gate, to give him more water for his flies to play, and the + fish not to see him so plainly. Ah, we have had many pleasant spells + together; and his eldest boy and girl, Master George and Miss Henrietta, + used to come and fetch our eggs. My Polly there was in love with him, we + said; she sat upon his lap so, when she were two years old, and played + with his beautiful hair, and blubbered—oh, she did blubber, when the + Captain went away!” + </p> + <p> + This invested Polly with new interest for me, and made me determine to + spare no pains in putting her pretty figure well upon the plank. Then I + said to the miller, “How kind of you to draw up your sluice-gates to + oblige my father! Now will you put them down and keep them down, to do a + great service both to him and me?” + </p> + <p> + Without a moment's hesitation, he promised that any thing he could do + should be done, if I would only tell him what I wanted. But perhaps it + would be better to have our talk outside. Taking this hint, I followed him + back to the bench in the open garden, and there explained what I wished to + have done, and no longer concealed the true reason. The good miller + answered that with all his heart he would do that much to oblige me, and a + hundred times more than that; but some little thought and care were + needful. With the river so low as it was now, he could easily stop the + back-water, and receive the whole of the current in his dam, and keep it + from flowing down his wheel trough, and thus dry the lower channel for + perhaps half an hour, which would be ample for my purpose. Engineering + difficulties there were none; but two or three other things must be + heeded. Miller Sims, a mile or so down river, must be settled with, to + fill his dam well, and begin to discharge, when the upper water failed, so + as not to dry the Moon all down the valley, which would have caused a + commotion. Miller Sims being own brother-in-law to Master Withypool, that + could be arranged easily enough, after one day's notice. But a harder + thing to manage would be to do the business without rousing curiosity, and + setting abroad a rumor which would be sure to reach my enemy. And the + hardest thing of all, said Master Withypool, smiling as he thought of what + himself had once been, would be to keep those blessed boys away, who find + out every thing, and go every where. Not a boy of Shoxford but would be in + the river, or dancing upon its empty bed, screeching and scolloping up + into his cap any poor bewildered trout chased into the puddles, if it were + allowed to leak out, however feebly, that the Moon water was to stop + running. And then how was I to seek for any thing? + </p> + <p> + This was a puzzle. But, with counsel, we did solve it. And we quietly + stopped the Moon, without man or boy being much the wiser. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIII + </h2> + <h3> + GOING TO THE BOTTOM + </h3> + <p> + It is not needful to explain every thing, any more than it was for me to + tell the miller about my golden eagle, and how I had managed to lose it in + the Moon—a trick of which now I was heartily ashamed, in the face of + honest kindness. So I need not tell how Master Withypool managed to settle + with his men, and to keep the boys unwitting of what was about to come to + pass. Enough that I got a note from him to tell me that the little river + would be run out, just when all Shoxford was intent upon its dinner, on + the second day after I had seen him. And he could not say for certain, but + thought it pretty safe, that nobody would come near me, if I managed to be + there at a quarter before one, when the stream would begin to run dry, and + I could watch it. I sent back a line by the pretty little girl, a sister + of poor Polly, to say how much I thanked him, and how much I hoped that he + himself would meet me there, if his time allowed. For he had been too + delicate to say a word of that; but I felt that he had a good right to be + there, and, knowing him now, I was not afraid. + </p> + <p> + Nearly every thing came about as well as could be wished almost. Master + Withypool took the precaution, early in the morning, to set his great + fierce bull at large, who always stopped the foot-path. This bull knew + well the powers of a valley in conducting sound; and he loved to stand, as + if at the mouth of a funnel, and roar down it to another bull a mile below + him, belonging to his master's brother-in-law. And when he did this, there + was scarcely a boy, much less a man or woman, with any desire to assert + against him the public right of thoroughfare. Throughout that forenoon, + then, this bull bellowed nobly, still finding many very wicked flies + about, so that two mitching boys, who meant to fish for minnows with a + pin, were obliged to run away again. + </p> + <p> + However, I was in the dark about him, and as much afraid of him as any + body, when he broke into sight of me round a corner, without any tokens of + amity. I had seen a great many great bulls before, including Uncle Sam's + good black one, who might not have meant any mischief at all, and atoned + for it—if he did—by being washed away so. + </p> + <p> + And therefore my courage soon returned, when it became quite clear that + this animal now had been fastened with a rope, and could come no nearer. + For some little time, then, I waited all alone, as near that bridge as I + could bring myself to stand, for Mrs. Busk, my landlady, could not leave + the house yet, on account of the mid-day letters. Moreover, she thought + that she had better stay away, as our object was to do things as quietly + as could be. + </p> + <p> + Much as I had watched this bridge from a distance, or from my + sheltering-place, I had never been able to bring myself to make any kind + of sketch of it, or even to insert it in a landscape, although it was very + well suited and expressive, from its crooked and antique simplicity. The + overhanging, also, of the hawthorn-tree (not ruddy yet, but russety with + its coloring crop of coral), and the shaggy freaks of ivy above the + twisted trunk, and the curve of the meadows and bold elbow of the brook, + were such as an artist would have pitched his tent for, and tantalized + poor London people with a dream of cool repose. + </p> + <p> + As yet the little river showed no signs of doing what the rustic—or + surely it should have been the cockney—was supposed to stand still + and wait for. There was no great rush of headlong water, for that is not + the manner of the stream in the very worst of weather; but there was the + usual style of coming on, with lips and steps at the sides, and cords of + running toward the middle. Quite enough, at any rate, to make the trout + jump, without any omen of impending drought, and to keep all the play and + the sway of movement going on serenely. + </p> + <p> + I began to be afraid that the miller must have failed in his stratagem + against the water-god, and that, as I had read in Pope's Homer, the liquid + deity would beat the hero, when all of a sudden there were signs that man + was the master of this little rustic. Broadswords of flag and rapiers of + water-grass, which had been quivering merrily, began to hang down and to + dip themselves in loops, and the stones of the brink showed dark green + stripes on their sides as they stood naked. Then fine little cakes of + conglomerated stuff, which only a great man of nature could describe, came + floating about, and curdling into corners, and holding on to one another + in long-tailed strings. But they might do what they liked, and make their + very best of it, as they fell away to nothing upon stones and mud. For now + more important things began to open, the like of which never had been + yielded up before—plots of slimy gravel, varied with long streaks of + yellow mud, dotted with large double shells, and parted into little oozy + runs by wriggling water-weeds. And here was great commotion and sad panic + of the fish, large fellows splashing and quite jumping out of water, as + their favorite hovers and shelves ran dry, and darting away, with their + poor backs in the air, to the deepest hole they could think of. Hundreds + must have come to flour, lard, and butter if boys had been there to take + advantage. But luckily things had been done so well that boys were now in + their least injurious moment, destroying nothing worse than their own + dinners. + </p> + <p> + A very little way below the old wooden bridge the little river ran into a + deepish pool, as generally happens at or near a corner, especially where + there is a confluence sometimes. And seeing nothing, as I began to search + intently, stirring with a long-handled spud which I had brought, I + concluded that even my golden eagle had been carried into that deep place. + However, water or no water, I resolved to have it out with that dark pool + as soon as the rest of the channel should be drained, which took a + tormenting time to do; and having thick boots on, I pinned up my skirts, + and jumping down into the shoals, began to paddle in a fashion which + reminded me of childish days passed pleasantly in the Blue River. + </p> + <p> + Too busy thus to give a thought to any other thing, I did not even see the + miller, until he said, + </p> + <p> + “Good-day, miss,” lifting his hat, with a nice kind smile. “Very busy, + miss, I see, and right you are to be so. The water will be upon us again + in less than half an hour. Now let me clear away they black weeds for you. + I brought this little shivel a-purpose. If I may make so bold, miss, what + do 'e look to find here?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not the very smallest notion,” I could only answer; “but if there + is any thing, it must be in that hole. I have searched all the shallow + part so closely that I doubt whether even a sixpence could escape me, + unless it were buried in the mud or pebbles. Oh, how can I manage to + search that hole? There must be a yard of water there.” + </p> + <p> + “One thing I ought to have told 'e for to do,” Master Withypool whispered, + as he went on shoveling—“to do what the boys do when they lose a + farden—to send another after un. If so be now, afore the water was + run out, you had stood on that there bridge, and dropped a bright coin + into it, a new half crown or a two-shilling piece, why, the chances would + be that the run of the current would 'a taken it nigh to the likeliest + spot for holding any other little matter as might 'a dropped, permiskous, + you might say, into this same water.” + </p> + <p> + “I have done so,” I answered; “I have done that very thing, though not at + all with that object. The day before yesterday a beautiful coin, a golden + eagle of America, fell from my pocket on that upper plank, and rolled into + the water. I would not lose it for a great deal, because it was given to + me by my dearest friend, the greatest of all millers.” + </p> + <p> + “And ha'n't you found it yet, miss? Well, that is queer. Perhaps we shall + find it now, with something to the back of it. I thought yon hole was too + far below the bridge. But there your gold must be, and something else, + most likely. Plaise to wait a little bit, and us 'll have the wet out of + un. I never should 'a thought of that but for your gold guinea, though.” + </p> + <p> + With these words Master Withypool pulled his coat off and rolled up his + shirt sleeves, displaying arms fit to hold their own even with Uncle Sam's + almost; and then he fell to with his shovel and dug, while I ran with my + little spud to help. + </p> + <p> + “Plaise keep out of way, miss; I be afeard of knocking you. Not but what + you works very brave indeed, miss.” + </p> + <p> + Knowing what men are concerning “female efforts,” I got out of the strong + man's way, although there was plenty of room for me. What he wanted to do + was plain enough—to dig a trench down the empty bed of the Moon + River, deep enough to drain that pit before the stream came down again. + </p> + <p> + “Never thought to run a race against my own old dam,” he said, as he + stopped for a moment to recover breath. “Us never knows what us may have + to do. Old dam must be a'most busting now. But her's sound enough, till + her beginneth to run over.” + </p> + <p> + I did not say a word, because it might have done some mischief, but I + could not help looking rather anxiously up stream, for fear of the water + coming down with a rush, as it very soon must do. Master Withypool had + been working, not as I myself would have done, from the lips of the dark + pit downward, but from a steep run some twenty yards below, where there + was almost a little cascade when the river was full flowing; from this he + had made his channel upward, cutting deeper as he came along, till now, at + the brink of the obstinate pool, his trench was two feet deep almost. I + had no idea that any man could work so with a shovel, which seems such a + clumsy tool compared with a spade: but a gentleman who knows the country + and the people told me that, with their native weapon, Moonites will do as + much digging in an hour as other folk get through in an hour and a half + with a spade. But this may be only, perhaps, because they are working + harder. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Master Withypool at last, standing up, with a very red face, + and desiring to keep all that unheeded—“now, miss, to you it + belongeth to tap this here little cornder, if desirable. Plaise to excoose + of me going up of bank to tell 'e when the wet cometh down again.” + </p> + <p> + “Please to do nothing of the sort,” I answered, knowing that he offered to + stand out of sight from a delicate dread of intrusion. “Please to tap the + pool yourself, and stay here, as a witness of what we find in it.” + </p> + <p> + “As you plaise, miss, as you plaise. Not a moment for to lose in arguing. + Harken now, the water is atopping of our dam. Her will be here in five + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + With three or four rapid turns of his shovel, which he spun almost as fast + as a house-maid spins a mop, he fetched out the plug of earth severing his + channel from the deep, reluctant hole. And then I saw the wisdom of his + way of working: for if he had dug downward from the pool itself, the water + would have followed him all the way, and even drowned his tool out of its + own strokes; whereas now, with a swirl and a curl of ropy mud, away rushed + the thick, sluggish, obstinate fluid, and in less than two minutes the + hole was almost dry. + </p> + <p> + The first thing I saw was my golden eagle, lodged about half-way down the + slope on a crust of black sludge, from which I caught it up and presented + it to Master Withypool, as a small token and record of his kindness; and + to this day he carries it upon his Sunday watch chain. + </p> + <p> + “I always am lucky in finding things,” I exclaimed, while he watched me, + and the up stream too, whence a babble of water was approaching. “As sure + as I live I have found it!” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt about your living, miss. And the Captain were always lively. But + what have your bright eyes hit upon? I see nort for the life of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Look there,” I cried, “at the very bottom of it—almost under the + water. Here, where I put my spud—a bright blue line! Oh, can I go + down, or is it quicksand?” + </p> + <p> + “No quicksand in our little river, miss. But your father's daughter + shannot go into the muck, while John Withypool stands by. I see un now, + sure enough; now I see un! But her needeth care, or her may all goo away + in mullock. Well, I thought my eyes was sharp enough; but I'm blest if I + should have spied that, though. A bit of flint, mebbe, or of blue glass + bottle. Anyhow, us will see the bottom of un.” + </p> + <p> + He was wasting no time while he spoke, but working steadfastly for his + purpose, fixing the blade of his shovel below the little blue line I was + peering at, so that no slip of the soft yellow slush should bury it down, + and plunge over it. If that had once happened, good-by to all chance of + ever beholding this thing again, for the river was coming, with fury and + foam, to assert its ancient right of way. + </p> + <p> + With a short laugh the miller jumped down into the pit. “Me to be served + so, by my own mill-stream! Lor', if I don't pay you out for this!” + </p> + <p> + His righteous wrath failed to stop the water from pouring into the pit + behind him; and, strong as he was, he nearly lost his footing, having only + mud to stand upon. It seemed to me that he was going to be drowned, and I + offered him the handle of my spud to help him; but he stopped where he + was, and was not going to be hurried. + </p> + <p> + “I got un now,” he said; “now I don't mind coming out. You see if I don't + pay you out for this! Why, I always took you for a reasonable hanimal.” + </p> + <p> + He shook his fist strongly at the river, which had him well up to the + middle by this time; and then he disdainfully waded out, with wrath in all + his countenance. + </p> + <p> + “I've a great mind to stop there, and see what her would do,” he said to + me, forgetting altogether what he went for. “And I would, if I had had my + dinner. A scat of a thing as I can manage with my thumb! Ah, you have made + a bad day of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But what have you found, Mr. Withypool?” I asked, for I could not enter + into his wrath against the water, wet as he was to the shoulders. “You + have something in your hand. May I see it, if you please? And then do + please to go home and change your clothes.” + </p> + <p> + “A thing I never did in my life, miss, and should be ashamed to begin at + this age. Clothes gets wet, and clothes dries on us, same as un did on the + sheep afore us; else they gets stiff and creasy. What this little thing is + ne'er a body may tell, in my line of life—but look'th aristocratic.” + </p> + <p> + The “mullock,” as he called it, from his hands, and from the bed where it + had lain so long, so crusted the little thing which he gave me, that I + dipped it again in the swelling stream, and rubbed it with both hands, to + make out what it was. And then I thought how long it had lain there; and + suddenly to my memory it came, that in all likelihood the time of that was + nineteen years this very day. + </p> + <p> + “Will another year pass,” I cried, “before I make out all about it? What + are you, and who, now looking at me with such sad, sad eyes?” + </p> + <p> + For I held in my hand a most handsome locket, of blue enamel and diamonds, + with a back of chased gold, and in front the miniature of a beautiful + young woman, done as they never seem to do them now. The work was so good, + and the fitting so close, that no drop of water had entered, and the face + shone through the crystal glass as fresh as the day it was painted. A very + lovely face it was, yet touched with a shade of sadness, as the loveliest + faces generally are; and the first thought of any beholder would be, “That + woman was born for sorrow.” + </p> + <p> + The miller said as much when I showed it to him. + </p> + <p> + “Lord bless my heart! I hope the poor craitur' hathn't lasted half so long + as her pictur' hath.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIV + </h2> + <h3> + HERMETICALLY SEALED + </h3> + <p> + The discovery which I have described above (but not half so well as the + miller tells it now) created in my young heart a feeling of really strong + curiosity. To begin with, how could this valuable thing have got into the + Moon-stream, and lain there so long, unsought for, or at best so + unskillfully sought for? What connection could it have with the tragic + death of my grandfather? Why was that man so tardily come to search for + it, if he might do so without any body near him? Again, what woman was + this whose beauty no water or mud could even manage to disguise? That last + was a most disturbing question to one's bodily peace of mind. And then + came another yet more urgent—what was in the inside of this tight + case? + </p> + <p> + That there was something inside of it seemed almost a certainty. The mere + value of the trinket, or even the fear that it ever might turn up as + evidence, would scarcely have brought that man so often to stir suspicion + by seeking it; though, after so long a time, he well might hope that + suspicion was dead and buried. And being unable to open this case—after + breaking three good nails over it, and then the point of a penknife—I + turned to Master Withypool, who was stamping on the grass to drain + himself. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of a man was that,” I asked, “who wanted you to do what now you + have so kindly done for me? About a month or six weeks ago? Do please to + tell me, as nearly as you can.” + </p> + <p> + If Mrs. Withypool had been there, she might have lost all patience with me + for putting long questions so selfishly to a man who had done so much for + me, and whose clothes were now dripping in a wind which had arisen to test + his theory of drying. He must have lost a large quantity of what + scientific people call “caloric.” But never a shiver gave he in exchange. + </p> + <p> + “Well, miss,” he said, “I was thinking a'most of speaking on that very + matter. More particular since you found that little thing, with the pretty + lady inside of it. It were borne in on my mind that thissom were the very + thing he were arter.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it,” I answered, with far less patience, though being + comparatively dry. “But what was he like? Was he like this portrait?” + </p> + <p> + “This picture of the lady? No; I can't say that he were, so much. The face + of a big man he hath, with short black fringes to it. Never showeth to my + idea any likeliness of a woman. No, no, miss; think you not at all that + you have got him in that blue thing. Though some of their pictures is like + men, the way they dress up nowadays.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not mean that it was meant for him; what I mean is, do you see any + sign of family likeness? Any resemblance about the eyes, or mouth, or + forehead?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, I don't know but what I might,” replied Master Withypool, + gazing very hard; “if I was to look at 'un long enough, a' might find + some'at favoring of that tall fellow, I do believe. Indeed, I do believe + the more I look, the more I diskivers the image of him.” + </p> + <p> + The good and kind miller's perception of the likeness strengthened almost + too fast, as if the wish were father to the thought, until I saw clearly + how selfish I was in keeping him in that state so long; for I knew, from + what Mrs. Busk had told me, that in spite of all his large and grand old + English sentiments about his clothes, his wife would make him change them + all ere ever she gave him a bit of dinner, and would force him then to + take a glass of something hot. So I gave him a thousand thanks, though not + a thousandth part of what he deserved, and saw him well on his homeward + way before I went back to consider things. + </p> + <p> + As soon as my landlady was at leisure to come in and talk with me, and as + soon as I had told her how things happened, and shown her our discovery, + we both of us did the very same thing, and said almost the very same + words. Our act was, with finger and nail and eye, to rime into every jot + of it; and our words were, + </p> + <p> + “I am sure there is something inside. If not, it would open sensibly.” + </p> + <p> + In the most senseless and obstinate manner it refused not only to open, + but to disclose any thing at all about itself. Whether it ever had been + meant to open, and if so, where, and by what means; whether, without any + gift of opening, it might have a hidden thing inside; whether, when opened + by force or skill, it might show something we had no business with, or + (which would be far worse) nothing at all—good Mrs. Busk and myself + tested, tapped, and felt, and blew, and listened, and tried every possible + overture, and became at last quite put out with it. + </p> + <p> + “It is all of a piece with the villains that owned it,” the postmistress + exclaimed at last. “There is no penetrating either it or them. Most likely + they have made away with this beautiful lady on the cover. Kill one, kill + fifty, I have heard say. I hope Master Withypool will let out nothing, or + evil it will be for you, miss. If I was you, I would carry a pistol.” + </p> + <p> + “Now please not to frighten me, Mrs. Busk. I am not very brave at the best + of times, and this has made me so nervous. If I carried a pistol, I should + shoot myself the very first hour of wearing it. The mere thought of it + makes me tremble. Oh, why was I ever born, to do man's work?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, miss, a man would not have done it half so well. When you saw + that villain digging, a man would have rushed out and spoiled all chance. + And now what man could have ever found this? Would Master Withypool ever + have emptied the Moon River for a man, do you think? Or could any man have + been down among us all this time, in this jealous place, without his + business being long ago sifted out and scattered over him? No, no, miss; + you must not talk like that—and with me as well to help you. The + rogues will have reason to wish, I do believe, that they had only got a + man to deal with.” + </p> + <p> + In this argument there were points which had occurred to me before; but + certainly it is a comfort to have one's own ideas in a doubtful matter + reproduced, and perhaps put better, by a mind to which one may have lent + them, perhaps, with a loan all unacknowledged. However, trouble teaches + care, and does it so well that the master and the lesson in usage of words + are now the same; therefore I showed no sign of being suggested with my + own suggestions, but only asked, quietly, “What am I to do?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear young lady,” Mrs. Busk replied, after stopping some time to think + of it, “my own opinion is, for my part, that you ought to consult + somebody.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am, Mrs. Busk. I am now consulting you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I think, miss, that this precious case should be taken at once to a + jeweler, who can open it without doing any damage, which is more than we + can do.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure; I have thought of that,” I replied. “But how can that be done + without arousing curiosity?—without the jeweler seeing its contents, + if indeed it has any? And in that case the matter would be no longer at + our own disposal, as now it is. I have a great mind to split it with a + hammer. What are the diamonds to me?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not the diamonds, but the picture, miss, that may be most + important. And more than that, you might ruin the contents, so as not to + make head or tale of them. No, no; it is a risk that must be run; we must + have a jeweler, but not one of this neighborhood.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall have to go to London again, and perhaps lose something most + important here. Can you think of no other way out of it?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, at present I see nothing else. Unless you will place it all in + the hands of the police.” + </p> + <p> + “Constable Jobbins, to wit, or his son! No, thank you, Mrs. Busk, not yet. + Surely we are not quite reduced to such a hopeless pass as that. My father + knew what the police were worth, and so does Betsy, and so does Major + Hockin. 'Pompous noodles,' the Major calls them, who lay hold of every + thing by the wrong end.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if he can lay hold of the right end, miss, what better could you do + than consult him?” + </p> + <p> + I had been thinking of this already, and pride alone debarred me. That + gentleman's active nature drove him to interfere with other people's + business, even though he had never heard of them; and yet through some + strange reasoning of his own, or blind adoption of public unreason, he had + made me dislike, or at any rate not like, him, until he began to show + signs at last of changing his opinion. And now the question was, had he + done that enough for me, without loss of self-respect, to open my heart to + him, and seek counsel? + </p> + <p> + In settling that point the necessity of the case overrode, perhaps, some + scruples; in sooth, I had nobody else to go to. What could I do with Lord + Castlewood? Nothing; all his desire was to do exactly what my father would + have done: and my father had never done any thing more than rove and roam + his life out. To my mind this was dreadful now, when every new thing + rising round me more and more clearly to my mind established what I never + had doubted—his innocence. Again, what good could I do by seeking + Betsy's opinion about it, or that of Mrs. Price, or Stixon, or any other + person I could think of? None whatever—and perhaps much harm. Taking + all in all, as things turn up, I believed myself to be almost equal to the + cleverest of those three in sense, and in courage not inferior. Moreover, + a sort of pride—perhaps very small, but not contemptible—put + me against throwing my affairs so much into the hands of servants. + </p> + <p> + For this idea Uncle Sam, no doubt the most liberal of men, would perhaps + condemn me. But still I was not of the grand New World, whose pedigrees + are arithmetic (at least with many of its items, though the true Uncle Sam + was the last for that); neither could I come up to the largeness of + universal brotherhood. That was not to be expected of a female; and few + things make a man more angry than for his wife to aspire to it. No such + ideas had ever troubled me; I had more important things to think of, or, + at any rate, something to be better carried out. And of all these + desultory thoughts it came that I packed up that odious but very lovely + locket, without further attempt to unriddle it, and persuaded my very good + and clever Mrs. Busk to let me start right early. By so doing I could have + three hours with a good gentleman always in a hurry, and yet return for + the night to Shoxford, if he should advise me so. + </p> + <p> + Men and women seem alike to love to have their counsels taken; and the + equinox being now gone by, Mrs. Busk was ready to begin before the tardy + sun was up, who begins to give you short measure at once when he finds the + weights go against him. Mrs. Busk considered not the sun, neither any of + his doings. The time of day was more momentous than any of the sun's + proceedings. Railway time was what she had to keep (unless a good customer + dropped in), and as for the sun—“clock slow, clock fast,” in the + almanacs, showed how he managed things; and if that was not enough, who + could trust him to keep time after what he had done upon the dial of Ahaz? + Reasoning thus—if reason it was—she packed me off in a fly for + the nearest railway station, and by midday I found the Major laboring on + his ramparts. + </p> + <p> + After proper salutations, I could not help expressing wonder at the rapid + rise of things. Houses here and houses there, springing up like children's + teeth, three or four in a row together, and then a long gap, and then some + more. And down the slope a grand hotel, open for refreshment, though as + yet it had no roof on; for the Major, in virtue of his charter, defied all + the magistrates to stop him from selling whatever was salable on or off + the premises. But noblest and grandest of all to look at was the “Bruntsea + Athenaeum, Lyceum, Assembly-Rooms, Institution for Mutual Instruction, + Christian Young Men's Congress, and Sanitary, Saline, Hydropathic Hall, at + nominal prices to be had gratis.” + </p> + <p> + “How you do surprise me!” I said to Major Hockin, after reading all that, + which he kindly requested me to do with care; “but where are the people to + come from?” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” he replied, as if that question had been asked too often, “you + have not had time to study the laws of political economy—the noblest + of noble sciences. The first of incontrovertible facts is that supply + creates demand. Now ask yourself whether there could even be a Yankee if + ideas like yours had occurred to Columbus?” + </p> + <p> + This was beyond me; for I never could argue, and strove to the utmost not + to do so. “You understand those things, and I do not,” said I, with a + smile, which pleased him. “My dear aunt Mary always says that you are the + cleverest man in the world; and she must know most about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Partiality! partiality!” cried the Major, with a laugh, and pulling his + front hair up. “Such things pass by me like the idle wind; or rather, + perhaps, they sadden me, from my sense of my own deficiencies. But, bless + me! dinner must be waiting. Look at that fellow's trowel—he knows: + he turns up the point of it like a spoon. They say that he can smell his + dinner two miles off. We all dine at one o'clock now, that I may rout up + every man-Jack of them.” + </p> + <p> + The Major sounded a steam-guard's whistle, and led me off in the rapidly + vanishing wake of his hungry workmen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLV + </h2> + <h3> + CONVICTION + </h3> + <p> + Sir Montague Hockin, to my great delight, was still away from Bruntsea. If + he had been there, it would have been a most awkward thing for me to meet + him, or to refuse to do so. The latter course would probably have been the + one forced upon me by self-respect and affection toward my cousin; and yet + if so, I could scarcely have avoided an explanation with my host. From the + nature of the subject, and several other reasons, this would have been + most unpleasant; and even now I was haunted with doubts, as I had been + from the first, whether I ought not to have told Mrs. Hockin long ago what + had been said of him. At first sight that seemed the honest thing to do; + but three things made against it. It might seem forward and meddlesome; it + must be a grievous thing to my cousin to have his sad story discussed + again; and lastly, I had promised Mrs. Price that her words should go no + further. So that on the whole perhaps I acted aright in keeping that + infamous tale to myself as long as ever it was possible. + </p> + <p> + But now ere ever I spoke of him—which I was always loath to do—Mrs. + Hockin told me that he very seldom came to see them now, and when he did + come he seemed to be uneasy and rather strange in his manners. I thought + to myself that the cause of this was clear. Sir Montague, knowing that I + went to Castlewood, was pricked in his conscience, and afraid of having + his vile behavior to my cousin disclosed. However, that idea of mine was + wrong, and a faulty conception of simple youth. The wicked forgive + themselves so quickly, if even they find any need of it, that every body + else is supposed to do the same. With this I have no patience. A wrong + unrepented of and unatoned gathers interest, instead of getting discount, + from lost time. And so I hated that man tenfold. + </p> + <p> + Good Mrs. Hockin lamented his absence not only for the sake of her darling + fowls, but also because she considered him a check upon the Major's + enterprise. Great as her faith was in her husband's ability and keenness, + she was often visited with dark misgivings about such heavy outlay. Of + economy (as she often said) she certainly ought to know something, having + had to practice it as strictly as any body in the kingdom, from an age she + could hardly remember. But as for what was now brought forward as a great + discovery—economy in politics—Mrs. Hockin had tried to follow + great opinions, but could only find, so far, downright extravagance. + Supply (as she had observed fifty times with her own butcher and + fishmonger), instead of creating demand, produced a lot of people + hankering round the corner, till the price came down to nothing. And if it + were so with their institutions—as her dear husband called his new + public-house—who was to find all the interest due to the building + and land societies? Truly she felt that Sir Rufus Hockin, instead of doing + any good to them, had behaved very badly in leaving them land, and not + even a shilling to work it with. + </p> + <p> + It relieved her much to tell me this, once for all and in strict + confidence; because her fine old-fashioned (and we now may say quite + obsolete) idea of duty toward her husband forbade her ever to say to him, + or about him, when it could be helped, any thing he might not like, any + thing which to an evil mind might convey a desire on her part to meddle + with—with— + </p> + <p> + “Political economy,” I said; and she laughed, and said, Yes, that was just + it. The Major of course knew best, and she ought with all her heart to + trust him not to burden their old days with debt, after all the children + they had brought up and fairly educated upon the professional income of a + distinguished British officer, who is not intended by his superiors to + provide successors. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it is like the boiled eggs they send me,” the old lady said, with + her soft sweet smile, “for my poor hens to sit upon. Their race is too + good to be made common. So now they get tinkers' and tailors' boys, after + much competition, and the crammed sons of cooks. And in peace-time they do + just as well.” + </p> + <p> + Of such things I knew nothing; but she seemed to speak with bitterness, + the last thing to be found in all her nature, yet discoverable—as + all bad things (except its own) are—by the British government. I do + not speak from my own case, in which they discovered nothing. + </p> + <p> + By the time these things had been discussed, my host (who was always + particular about his dress) came down to dinner, and not until that was + over could I speak of the subject which had brought me there. No sooner + had I begun my tale than they both perceived that it must neither be + flurried nor interrupted, least of all should it be overheard. + </p> + <p> + “Come into my lock-up,” cried the Major; “or, better still, let us go out + of doors. We can sit in my snuggery on the cliff, with only gulls and + jackdaws to listen, and mount my telescope and hoist my flag, and the men + know better than to skulk their work. I can see every son of a gun of them + as clearly as if I had them on parade. You wish Mrs. Hockin to come, I + suppose. Very well, let us be off at once. I shall count my fellows coming + back from dinner.” + </p> + <p> + With a short quick step the Major led the way to a beautifully situated + outpost at a corner of the cliff, where land and sea for many a fair + league rolled below. A niche of the chalk had been cleverly enlarged and + scooped into a shell-shaped bower, not, indeed, gloriously overhung, as in + the far West might have been, but broken of its white defiant glare by + climbing and wandering verdure. Seats and slabs of oak were fixed to check + excess of chalkiness, and a parapet of a pattern which the Major called + Egyptian saved fear of falling down the cliff, and served to spread a + paper on, or to rest a telescope. + </p> + <p> + “From this point,” said the Major, crossing wiry yet substantial legs, + “the whole of my little domain may be comprised as in a bird's-eye view. + It is nothing, of course, much less than nothing, compared with the Earl + of Crowcombe's, or the estate of Viscount Gamberley; still, such as it is, + it carries my ideas, and it has an extent of marine frontage such as they + might envy. We are asked 5 pounds per foot for a thread of land fronting + on a highway, open to every kind of annoyance, overlooked, without any + thing to look at. How much, then, per fathom (or measure, if you please, + by cable-lengths) is land worth fronting the noble, silent, + uncontaminating, healthful sea? Whence can come no coster-mongers' cries, + no agitating skir of bagpipes or the maddening hurdy-gurdy, no German band + expecting half a crown for the creation of insanity; only sweet murmur of + the wavelets, and the melodious whistle of a boatman catching your + breakfast lobster. Where, again, if you love the picturesque—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” said Mrs. Hockin, gently, “you always were eloquent from the + first day I saw you; and if you reconstitute our borough, as you hope, and + enter Parliament for Bruntsea, what a sensation you will create! But I + wished to draw your attention to the fact that Erema is waiting to tell + her tale.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure. I will not stop her. Eloquence is waste of time, and I never + yet had half a second to spare. Fear no eloquence from me; facts and logic + are my strong points. And now, Erema, show what yours are.” + </p> + <p> + At first this made me a little timid, for I had never thought that any + strong points would be needed for telling a simple tale. To my mind the + difficulty was, not to tell the story, but to know what to make of it when + told; and soon I forgot all about myself in telling what I had seen, + heard, and found. + </p> + <p> + The Major could not keep himself from stamping great holes through his—something + I forget the name of, but people sow it to make turf of chalk—and + dear “Aunt Mary's” soft pink cheeks, which her last grandchild might envy, + deepened to a tone of rose; while her eyes, so full of heavenly faith when + she got upon lofty subjects, took a most human flash and sparkle of hatred + not theological. + </p> + <p> + “Seven!” she cried; “oh, Nicholas, Nicholas, you never told me there were + seven!” + </p> + <p> + “There were not seven graves without the mother,” the Major answered, + sternly. “And what odds whether seven or seventy? The criminality is the + point, not the accumulation of results. Still, I never heard of so big a + blackguard. And what did he do next, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + The way in which they took my story was a great surprise to me, because, + although they were so good, they had never paid any attention to it until + it became exciting. They listened with mere politeness until the scent of + a very wicked man began to taint my narrative; but from that moment they + drew nearer, and tightened their lips, and held their breath, and let no + word escape them. It made me almost think that people even of pure + excellence, weaned as they are from wicked things by teaching and long + practice, must still retain a hankering for them done at other people's + cost. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” cried the Major, “let us see it”—even before I had time + to pull it out, though ready to be quick, from a knowledge of his ways. + “Show it, and you shall have my opinion. And Mary's is certain to agree + with mine. My dear, that makes yours so priceless.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Nicholas, if I retain my own, yours is of no value. Never mind + that. Now don't catch words, or neither opinion will be worth a thought. + My dear, let us see it and then judge.” + </p> + <p> + “My own idea, but not so well expressed,” Major Hockin answered, as he + danced about, while I with stupid haste was tugging at my package of the + hateful locket. For I had not allowed that deceitful thing any quarters in + my pocket, where dear little relics of my father lay, but had fastened it + under my dress in a manner intended in no way for gentlemen to think + about. Such little things annoy one's comfort, and destroy one's power of + being quite high-minded. However, I got it out at last, and a flash of the + sun made the difference. + </p> + <p> + “Brilliants, Mary!” the Major cried; “brilliants of first water; such as + we saw, you know where; and any officer in the British army except myself, + I do believe, would have had them at once in his camlet pouch—my + dear, you know all about it. Bless my heart, how slow you are! Is it + possible you have forgotten it? There came out a fellow, and I cut him + down, as my duty was, without ceremony. You know how I used to do it, out + of regulation, with a slash like this—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Nicholas, you will be over the cliff! You have shown me how you used + to do it, a thousand times—but you had no cricks in your back then: + and remember how brittle the chalk is.” + </p> + <p> + “The chalk may be brittle, but I am tough. I insist upon doing every thing + as well as I did it forty years ago. Mary, you ought not to speak to me + like that. Eighteen, nineteen, twenty brilliants, worth twenty pounds + apiece upon an average, I do believe. Four hundred pounds. That would + finish our hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Nicholas!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, I was only in fun. Erema understands me. But who is this + beautiful lady?” + </p> + <p> + “The very point,” I exclaimed, while he held it so that the pensive beauty + of the face gleamed in soft relief among bright blue enamel and sparkling + gems. “The very thing that I must know—that I would give my life to + know—that I have fifty thousand fancies—” + </p> + <p> + “Now don't be excited, Erema, if you please. What will you give me to tell + you who it is?” + </p> + <p> + “All those diamonds, which I hate the sight of, and three-quarters of my + half nugget; and if that is not enough—” + </p> + <p> + “It is a thousand times too much; I will tell you for just one smile, and + I know it, will be a smile of unbelief.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; I will believe it, whoever you say,” with excitement superior to + grammar, I cried; “only tell me at once—don't be so long.” + </p> + <p> + “But then you won't believe me when I do tell you,” the Major replied, in + the most provoking way. “I shall tell you the last person you would ever + think of, and then you will only laugh at me.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't laugh; how can I laugh in such a matter? I will believe you if + you say it is—Aunt Mary.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you had better say at once that it is I, and have no more + mystery about it.” Mrs. Hockin was almost as impatient as myself. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Hockin, you must indeed entertain an exalted idea of your own + charms. I knew that you were vain, but certainly did not—Well, then, + if you will allow me no peace, this is the lady that lives down in the + ruin, and stands like a pillar by my pillar-box.” + </p> + <p> + “I never thought you would joke like that,” I cried, with vexation and + anger. “Oh, is it a subject to be joked about?” + </p> + <p> + “I never was graver in my life; and you promised implicitly to believe me. + At any rate, believe that I speak in earnest.” + </p> + <p> + “That I must believe, when you tell me so. But what makes you think such a + wonderful thing? I should have thought nothing more impossible. I had made + up my mind that it was Flittamore who lived down here; but this can not be + she. Flittamore was unheard of at the time of my grandfather's death. + Moreover, her character was not like this; she was giddy and light and + heartless. This lady had a heart—good or bad, a deep one. Most + certainly it is not Flittamore.” + </p> + <p> + “Flittamore! I do not remember that name. You should either tell us all or + tell us nothing.” The Major's tone was reproachful, and his eyes from + their angular roofs looked fierce. + </p> + <p> + “I have not told you,” I said, “because it can have nothing to do with it. + The subject is a painful one, and belongs to my family only.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough. I am not inquisitive—on the other hand, too forgetful. I + have an appointment at 3.25. It takes me seven minutes and a quarter to + get there. I must be two minutes and three-quarters late. Mrs. Hockin, + mount the big telescope and point it at the ramparts; keep the flag up + also. Those fellows will be certain that I am up here, while I enfilade + them from the western end with this fine binocular. Surprises maintain + discipline. Good-by, my dear, and, Miss Castlewood, good-by. Tea at 6.30, + and not too much water.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVI + </h2> + <h3> + VAIN ZEAL + </h3> + <p> + Leaving his telescope leveled at the men, the Major marched off with his + opera-glass in a consciously provoking style, and Mrs. Hockin most + heartily joined me in condemning such behavior. In a minute or two, + however, she would not have one word said against him, and the tide of her + mind (as befits a married woman) was beyond all science; so that the drift + of all words came back to her husband's extraordinary merits. And + certainly these, if at all like her description, deserved to be dwelt upon + at very precious periods. + </p> + <p> + However, I had heard enough of them before; for the Major himself was not + mute upon this point, though comparatively modest, and oftentimes + deprecating praise ere ever he received it. And so I brought Mrs. Hockin + back at last to talk about the lady who was living in the ruin. + </p> + <p> + “It is not quite a ruin,” she said. “My dear husband is fond of + picturesque expressions. However, it is not in very good repair; and being + unable to get possession of it, through some legal quibble, possibly he + may look at it from a rather unfavorable point of view. And for the same + reason—though he is so purely just—he may have formed a bad + opinion of the strange individual who lives there. What right has she to + be living without his leave upon his own manor? But there she is, and she + does not care for us or any body. She fetches all she wants, she speaks to + none, and if any body calls for rates or taxes, or any other public + intrusion, they may knock and knock, but never get in, and at last they go + away again.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely that can not go on forever. Bruntsea is such an enlightened + place.” + </p> + <p> + “Our part of it is, but the rest quite benighted. As the man says—I + forget his name, but the man that misunderstands us so—his + contention is that 'Desolate Hole,' as the Major calls it, although in the + middle of our land, is entirely distinct from it. My husband never will + put up with that—his love of justice is far too strong—and he + means to have a lawsuit. But still he has reasons for not beginning yet; + and he puts up with a great deal, I am sure. It is too bad for them to + tease him so.” + </p> + <p> + “It does seem a very sad thing,” I replied; “and the poor soul living + there all alone! Even in the summer it is bad enough; but whatever will + she do when the winter comes? Why, the sea in bad weather must be almost + in upon her. And the roar of the pebbles all night! Major Hockin will + never allow her to stay there.” + </p> + <p> + “What can he do, when he can not get in, and they even deny his title? I + assure you, Erema, I have sent down cream, and even a dozen of my precious + eggs, with the lady of the manor's compliments; but instead of being + grateful, they were never taken in; and my Polly—'Miss Polly + Hopkins,' you know—very wisely took it all to her grandmother.” + </p> + <p> + “To her grandmother instead of mine, as the Major facetiously calls her. + And now he says this is her portrait; and instead of giving his reasons, + runs away! Really you must excuse me, Aunt Mary, for thinking that your + good husband has a little too much upon his mind sometimes.” + </p> + <p> + The old lady laughed, as I loved to see her do. “Well, my dear, after + that, I think you had better have it out with him. He comes home to tea at + 6.30, which used to be half past six in my days. He is very tired then, + though he never will allow it, and it would not be fair to attack him. I + give him a mutton-chop, or two poached eggs, or some other trifle of + nourishment. And then I make him doze for an hour and a half, to soothe + his agitated intellect. And when he wakes he has just one glass of hot + water and sugar, with a little Lochnagar. And then he is equal to any + thing—backgammon, bezique, or even conversation.” + </p> + <p> + Impatient as I was, I saw nothing better; and by this time I was becoming + used to what all of us must put up with—the long postponement of our + heavy cares to the light convenience of others. Major Hockin might just as + well have stopped, when he saw how anxious I was. Uncle Sam would have + stopped the mill itself, with a dozen customers waiting; but no doubt he + had spoiled me; and even that should not make me bitter. Aunt Mary and I + understood one another. We gazed away over the breadth of the sea and the + gleam of its texture, and we held our peace. + </p> + <p> + Few things are more surprising than the calm way in which ripe age looks + on at things which ought to amaze it. And yet any little one of its own + concerns grows more important, perhaps, than ever as the shadow of the + future dwindles. Major Hockin had found on the beach a pebble with a + streak of agate in it. He took it as the harbinger of countless agates, + and resolved to set up a lapidary, with a tent, or even a shop, perhaps—not + to pay, but to be advertised, and catch distinguished visitors. + </p> + <p> + “Erema, you are a mighty finder; you found the biggest nugget yet + discovered. You know about stones from the Rocky Mountains, or at least + the Sierra Nevada. You did not discover this beautiful agate, but you saw + and greatly admired it. We might say that a 'young lady, eminent for great + skill in lithology, famed as the discoverer,' etc. Hold it between your + eyes and this candle, but wet it in the slop-basin first; now you see the + magnificent veins of blue.” + </p> + <p> + “I see nothing of the kind,” I said; for really it was too bad of him. “It + seems to me a dirty bit of the commonest flint you could pick up.” + </p> + <p> + This vexed him more than I wished to have done, and I could not help being + sorry; for he went into a little fit of sulks, and Aunt Mary almost + frowned at me. But he could not stay long in that condition, and after his + doze and his glass he came forth as lively and meddlesome as ever. And the + first thing he did was to ask me for the locket. + </p> + <p> + “Open it?” he cried; “why, of course I can; there is never any difficulty + about that. The finest workmanship in the world is that of the Indian + jewelers. I have been among them often; I know all their devices and + mechanism, of which the European are bad copies. I have only to look round + this thing twice, and then pronounce my Sesame.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, then look round it as fast as you can,” said his wife, with a + traitorous smile at me, “and we won't breathe a Sess till it flies + asunder.” + </p> + <p> + “Mary, Miss Castlewood makes you pert, although herself so well conducted. + However, I do not hesitate to say that I will open this case in two + minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you will, dear,” Mrs. Hockin replied, with provoking + acquiescence. “The Major never fails, Erema, in any thing he is so sure + about; and this is a mere child's toy to him. Well, dear, have you done + it? But I need not ask. Oh, let us see what is inside of it!” + </p> + <p> + “I have not done it yet, Mrs. Hockin; and if you talk with such rapidity, + of course you throw me out. How can I command my thoughts, or even recall + my experience?” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! now hush, Erema! And I myself will hush most reverently.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no reverence in you, and no patience. Do you expect me to do + such a job in one second? Do you take me for a common jeweler? I beg you + to remember—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear, I remember only what you told us. You were to turn it + round twice, you know, and then cry Sesame. Erema, was it not so?” + </p> + <p> + “I never said any thing of the sort. What I said was simply this—However, + to reason with ladies is rude; I shall just be off to my study.” + </p> + <p> + “Where you keep your tools, my darling,” Mrs. Hockin said, softly, after + him: “at least, I mean, when you know where they are.” + </p> + <p> + I was astonished at Aunt Mary's power of being so highly provoking, and + still more at her having the heart to employ it. But she knew best what + her husband was; and to worship forever is not wise. + </p> + <p> + “Go and knock at his door in about five minutes,” Mrs. Hockin said to me, + with some mischief in her eyes. “If he continues to fail, he may possibly + take a shorter way with it. And with his tools so close at hand—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” I exclaimed, “his geological hammer—that dreadful crusher! May + I go at once? I detest that thing, but I can not have it smashed.” + </p> + <p> + “He will not break it up, my dear, without your leave. He never would + think of such a thing, of course. However, you may as well go after him.” + </p> + <p> + It was wrong of Mrs. Hockin to make me do this; and I felt quite ashamed + of myself when I saw the kind old Major sitting by his lamp, and wrinkling + his forehead into locks and keys of puzzle, but using violence to his own + mind alone. And I was the more ashamed when, instead of resenting my + intrusion, he came to meet me, and led me to his chair, and placed the + jeweled trinket in my hand, and said, “My dear, I give it up. I was wrong + in taking it away from you. You must consult some one wiser.” + </p> + <p> + “That odious thing!” I answered, being touched by this unusual humility of + his; “you shall not give it up; and I know no wiser person. A lapidary's + tricks are below your knowledge. But if you are not tired of me and + offended, may I leave it to you to get it opened?” + </p> + <p> + “I would like nothing better,” he replied, recovering his natural + briskness and importance; “but you ought to be there, my dear; you must be + there. Are you sure that you ought not rather to take it to your good + cousin Lord Castlewood? Now think before you answer.” + </p> + <p> + “I need not think twice of that, Major Hockin. Good and learned as my + father's cousin is, he has distinctly refused to help me, for some + mysterious reason of his own, in searching into this question. Indeed, my + great hope is to do it without him: for all that I know, he might even + wish to thwart me.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough, my dear; it shall be just as you wish. I brought you to England, + and I will stand by you. My cousin, Colonel Gundry, has committed you to + me. I have no patience with malefactors. I never took this matter up, for + very many reasons; and among them not the least was that Sampson, your + beloved 'Uncle Sam,' thought it better not to do so. But if you desire it, + and now that I feel certain that an infamous wrong has been done to you—which + I heartily beg your pardon for my doubt of—by the Lord of all + justice, every thing else may go to the devil, till I see it out. Do you + desire it, Erema?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly do not wish that any of your great works should be neglected. + But if, without that, you can give me your strong help, my only difficulty + will be to thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “I like plain speaking, and you always speak plainly; sometimes too + plainly,” he said, recollecting little times when he had the worst of it. + “How far do you trust me now?” + </p> + <p> + “Major Hockin, I trust you altogether. You may make mistakes, as all men + do—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, yes. About my own affairs; but I never do that for other + people. I pay a bill for twopence, if it is my own. If I am trustee of it, + I pay three half-pence.” + </p> + <p> + His meaning was a little beyond me now; but it seemed better not to tell + him so; for he loved to explain his own figures of speech, even when he + had no time to spare for it. And he clearly expected me to ask him to + begin; or at least it seemed so from his eyebrows. But that only came home + to me afterward. + </p> + <p> + “Please not to speak of my affairs like that,” I said, as if I were quite + stupid; “I mean to pay fourpence for every twopence—both to friends + and enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a queer girl; I have always said so. You turn things to your own + ideas so. However, we must put up with that, though none of my daughters + have ever done it; for which I am truly thankful. But now there is very + little time to lose. The meaning of this thing must be cleared up at once. + And there is another thing to be done as well, quite as important, in my + opinion. I will go to London with you to-morrow, if you like. My clever + little Cornishman will see to things here—the man that sets up all + the angles.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should I hurry you to London so?” I asked. “Surely any good + country jeweler could manage it? Or let us break it open.” + </p> + <p> + “On no account,” he answered; “we might spoil it all; besides the great + risk to the diamonds, which are very brittle things. To London we must + take it, for this reason—the closure of this case is no jeweler's + work; of that I have quite convinced myself. It is the work of a + first-rate lapidary, and the same sort of man must undo it.” + </p> + <p> + To this I agreed quite readily, because of such things I knew nothing; + whereas my host spoke just as if he had been brought up to both those + walks of art. And then I put a question which had long been burning on my + tongue. + </p> + <p> + “What made you imagine, Major Hockin, that this very beautiful face could + have ever been that of the old lady living in the ruin?” + </p> + <p> + “In Desolate Hole? I will tell you at once; and then call it, if you like, + an imagination. Of all the features of the human face there is none more + distinctive than the eyebrow. 'Distinctive' is not exactly what I mean—I + mean more permanently marked and clear. The eyes change, the nose changes, + so does the mouth, and even the shape of the forehead sometimes; but the + eyebrows change very little, except in color. This I have noticed, because + my own may perhaps be a little peculiar; and they have always been so. At + school I received a nickname about it, for boys are much sharper than men + about such things; and that name after fifty years fits as well as ever. + You may smile, if you like; I shall not tell you what it was, but leave + you to re-invent it, if you can. Now look at this first-rate miniature. Do + you see an unusual but not uncomely formation of the eyebrows?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I do; though I did not observe it until you drew my attention. + I had only regarded the face, as a whole.” + </p> + <p> + “The face, as a whole, is undoubtedly fine. But the eyebrows have a + peculiar arch, and the least little turn at the lower end, as if they + designed to rise again. The lady of Desolate Hole has the same.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can you tell? How very strange! I thought she let nobody see her + face.” + </p> + <p> + “You are perfectly right about that, Erema; so far at least as she has + vouchsafed to exhibit her countenance to me. Other people may be more + fortunate. But when I met her for the second time, being curious already + about her, I ventured to offer my services, with my inborn chivalry, at a + place where the tide was running up, and threatened to surround her. My + politeness was not appreciated, as too often is the case; for she made me + a very stiff bow, and turned away. Her face had been covered by the + muffler of her cloak, as if the sea-breeze were too much for her; and she + did not even raise her eyes. But before she turned away, I obtained a good + glance at her eyebrows—and they were formed like these.” + </p> + <p> + “But her age, Major Hockin! Her age—what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Upon that proverbially delicate point I can tell you but little, Erema. + Perhaps, however, I may safely say that she can not be much under twenty.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not right to provoke me so. You call her 'the old woman,' and + compare her to your letter-box. You must have some idea—is she + seventy?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not, I should say; though she can not expect me to defend her, + when she will not show her face to me; and what is far worse, at my time + of life, she won't even pay me a half-penny of rent. Now let us go back to + Aunt Mary, my dear; she always insists upon packing overnight.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVII + </h2> + <h3> + CADMEIAN VICTORY + </h3> + <p> + Before two o'clock of the following day Major Hockin and myself were in + London, and ready to stay there for two or three days, if it should prove + needful. Before leaving Bruntsea I had written briefly to Lord Castlewood, + telling him that important matters had taken me away from Shoxford, and as + soon as I could explain them, I would come and tell him all about it. This + was done only through fear of his being annoyed at my independence. + </p> + <p> + From London Bridge the Major took a cab direct to Clerkenwell; and again I + observed that of all his joys one of the keenest was to match his wits + against a cabman's. “A regular muff, this time,” he said, as he jerked up + and down with his usual delight in displaying great knowledge of London; + “no sport to be had out of him. Why, he stared at me when I said 'Rosamond + Street,' and made me stick on 'Clerkenwell.' Now here he is taking us down + Snow Hill, when he should have been crossing Smithfield. Smithfield, + cabby, Smithfield!” + </p> + <p> + “Certain, Sir, Smiffle, if you gives the order;” and he turned the poor + horse again, and took us up the hill, and among a great number of + barriers. “No thoroughfare,” “No thoroughfare,” on all hands stretched + across us; but the cabman threaded his way between, till he came to the + brink of a precipice. The horse seemed quite ready, like a Roman, to leap + down it, seeing nothing less desirable than his present mode of life, till + a man with a pickaxe stopped him. + </p> + <p> + “What are you at?” cried the Major, with fury equalled by nothing except + his fright. “Erema, untie my big rattan. Quick—quick—” + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” said the cabman, coolly, “I must have another shilling for this + job. A hextra mile and a quarter, to your orders. You knows Lunnon so much + better. Smiffle stopped—new railway—new meat market—never + heered of that now, did you?” + </p> + <p> + “You scoundrel, drive straight to the nearest police office.” + </p> + <p> + “Must jump this little ditch, then, Captain. Five pun' fine for you, when + we gets there. Hold on inside, old gentleman. Kuck, kuck, Bob, you was a + hunter once. It ain't more than fifty feet deep, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + “Turn round! turn round, I tell you! turn round! If your neck is forfeit, + you rogue, mine is not. I never was so taken in in my life!” Major Hockin + continued to rave, and amid many jeers we retreated humbly, and the driver + looked in at us with a gentle grin. “And I thought he was so soft, you + know! Erema, may I swear at him?” + </p> + <p> + “On no account,” I said. “Why, after all, it is only a shilling, and the + loss of time. And then, you can always reflect that you have discharged, + as you say, a public duty, by protesting against a vile system.” + </p> + <p> + “Protesting is very well, when it pays,” the Major answered, gloomily; + “but to pay for protesting is another pair of shoes.” + </p> + <p> + This made him cross, and he grew quite fierce when the cabman smote him + for eight-pence more. “Four parcels on the roof, Captain,” he said, + looking as only a cabman can look at his money, and spinning his extra + shilling. “Twopence each under new hact, you know. Scarcely thought a + hofficer would 'a tried evasion.” + </p> + <p> + “You consummate scoundrel—and you dress yourself like a countryman! + I'll have your badge indorsed—I'll have your license marked. Erema, + pay the thief; it is more than I can do.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain, your address, if you please; I shall summon you for scurrilous + language, as the hact directs. Ah, you do right to be driven to a pawn + shop.” + </p> + <p> + Triumphantly he drove off, while the Major cried, “Never tie up my rattan + again. Oh, it was Mrs. Hockin, was it? What a fool I was not to stop on my + own manor!” + </p> + <p> + “I pray you to disdain such low impudence,” I said, for I could not bear + to see him shake like that, and grieved to have brought him into it. “You + have beaten fifty of them—a hundred of them—I have heard you + say.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I have, my dear; but I had no Bruntsea then, and could not + afford to pay the rogues. That makes me feel it so bitterly, so loftily, + and so righteously. To be treated like this, when I think of all my labors + for the benefit of the rascally human race! my Institute, my Lyceum, my + Mutual Improvement Association, and Christian Young Men's something. There + is no institution, after all, to be compared to the tread-mill.” + </p> + <p> + Recovering himself with this fine conclusion, he led me down a little + sloping alley, scarcely wide enough for a wheelbarrow, to an old black + door, where we set down our parcels; for he had taken his, while I carried + mine, and not knowing what might happen yet, like a true peace-maker I + stuck to the sheaf of umbrellas and the rattan cane. And thankful I was, + and so might be the cabman, to have that weapon nicely sheathed with silk. + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin's breath was short, through too much talking without action, + and he waited for a minute at this door, to come back to his equanimity. + And I thought that our female breath falls short for the very opposite + reason—when we do too much and talk too little; which happily seldom + happens. + </p> + <p> + He was not long in coming back to his usual sprightliness and decision. + And it was no small relief to me, who was looking at him miserably, and + longing that his wife was there, through that very sad one-and-eightpence, + when he pulled out a key, which he always carried as signer and lord of + Bruntsea, the key of the town-hall, which had survived lock, door, and + walls by centuries, and therewith struck a door which must have reminded + that key of its fine old youth. + </p> + <p> + Before he had knocked so very many times, the door was opened by a young + man wearing an apron and a brown paper cap, who knew Major Hockin at once, + and showed us up stairs to a long low workshop. Here were many wheels and + plates and cylinders revolving by energy of a strap which came through the + floor and went through the ceiling. And the young man told us to be + careful how we walked, for fear of getting entangled. Several men, wearing + paper caps and aprons of leather or baize, were sitting doing dextrous + work, no doubt, and doing it very easily, and the master of them all was + hissing over some fine touch of jewel as a groom does at a horse. Then + seeing us, he dropped his holders, and threw a leather upon his large + lens, and came and took us to a little side room. + </p> + <p> + “Are you not afraid to leave them?” asked the Major. “They may secrete + some gems, Mr. Handkin.” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said the lapidary, with some pride. “I could trust these men with + the Koh-i-noor; which we could have done better, I believe, than it was + done by the Hollanders. But we don't get the chance to do much in + diamonds, through the old superstition about Amsterdam, and so on. No, no; + the only thing I can't trust my men about is to work as hard when I am + away as when I am there. And now, Sir, what can I do for you? Any more + Bruntsea pebbles? The last were not worth the cutting.” + </p> + <p> + “So you said; but I did not think so. We have some agates as good as any + from Aberystwith or Perthshire. But what I want now is to open this case. + It must be done quite privately, for a most particular reason. It does + open, doesn't it? I am sure it does.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly it opens,” Mr. Handkin answered, while I trembled with anxiety + as he lightly felt it round the edges with fingers engrained with + corundum. “I could open it in one instant, but the enamel might fly. Will + you risk it?” + </p> + <p> + The Major looked at me, and I said, “Oh no; please not to risk any thing, + if any slower process will do it without risk. We want it done without + injury.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it will cost a good bit,” he replied. “I can open it for five + shillings, if you run the risk; if that rests with me, I must charge five + pounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Say three,” cried the Major. “Well, then, say four guineas: I have a lot + of work in store for you.” + </p> + <p> + “I never overcharge, and I never depart from my figures,” the lapidary + answered. “There is only one other man in London who knows the secret of + this enamel, and he is my brother. They never make such enamel now. The + art is lost, like that of the French paste of a hundred years ago, which + almost puzzles even me until I go behind it. I will give you my brother's + address if you like; but instead of five pounds, he will charge you ten + guineas—if it must be done in private. Without that condition, I can + do it for two pounds. You wish to know why that should make such a + difference. Well, for this simple reason: to make sure of the job, it must + be done by daylight; it can be done only in my chief work-room; if no one + is to see what I am about (and my men have sharp eyes, I can tell you), + all my hands must be sacked for the afternoon, but not without their + wages. That alone would go far toward the difference, and then there is + the dropping of the jobs in hand, and waste of power, and so on. I have + asked you too little, Major Hockin, I assure you; but having said, I will + stick to it, although I would much rather you would let me off.” + </p> + <p> + “I have known you for many years,” the Major answered—“ever since + you were a boy, with a flat box, working at our Cornish opals. You would + have done a lot of work for five pounds then. But I never knew you + overcharge for any thing. We agree to your terms, and are obliged to you. + But you guarantee no damage?” + </p> + <p> + “I will open this locket, take out its contents, whatever they may be, and + reclose it so that the maker, if still alive—which is not very + probable—should not know that it had been meddled with.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; that is exactly what we want; for I have an idea about it + which I may try to go on with afterward. And for that it is essential to + have no symptom that it ever has been opened. What are these brilliants + worth, Mr. Handkin?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Sir, in the trade, about a hundred and fifty, though I dare say + they cost three hundred. And the portrait is worth another hundred, if I + find on the back the marks I expect.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not mean to say that you know the artist?” I could not help + exclaiming, though determined not to speak. “Oh, then, we shall find out + every thing!” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, you are a—well, you are a silly!” Major Hockin exclaimed, + and then colored with remembering that rather he should have let my lapse + pass. But the lapidary seemed to pay no attention, only to be calling down + to some one far below. “Now mind what you say,” the Major whispered to me, + just as if he were the essence of discretion. + </p> + <p> + “The work-room is clear now,” Mr. Handkin said; “the fellows were + delighted to get their afternoon. Now you see that I have to take off this + hoop, and there lies the difficulty. I could have taken out the gold back, + as I said, with very little trouble, by simply cutting it. But the locket + would never have been quite the same, though we put a new back; and, more + than that, the pressure of the tool might flaw the enamel, or even crack + the portrait, for the make of this thing is peculiar. Now first I submit + the rim or verge, without touching the brilliants, mind you, to the action + of a little preparation of my own—a gentle but penetrative solvent. + You are welcome to watch me; you will be none the wiser; you are not in + the trade, though the young lady looks as if she would make a good + polisher. Very well: if this were an ordinary closure, with two flat + surfaces meeting, the solvent would be absorbed into the adhesion, + expansion would take place, and there we have it. But this is what we call + a cyme-joint, a cohesion of two curved surfaces, formed in a reflex curve + which admits the solvent most reluctantly, or, indeed, not at all, without + too long application. For that, then, another kind of process is needful, + and we find it in frictional heat applied most gradually and judiciously. + For that I must have a buff-leather wheel, whose revolutions are timed to + a nicety, and that wheel I only have in this room. Now you see why I sent + the men away.” + </p> + <p> + Though I watched his work with great interest, it is out of my power to + describe it now, and, moreover, it is not needful. Major Hockin, according + to his nature, grew quite restless and impatient, and even went out for a + walk, with his cane unpacked and unsheathed against cabmen. But I was + content to wait and watch, having always heard and thought that good work + will not do itself, but must have time and skill to second it. And Mr. + Handkin, moving arms, palms, and fingers beautifully, put the same thought + into words. + </p> + <p> + “Good work takes a deal of time to do; but the man that does it all the + time knows well that it will take long to undo. Here it comes undone at + last!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the excitable Major returned. + </p> + <p> + “Done it, eh? Well, you are a clever fellow. Now don't look inside it; + that is no part of your business, nor mine either, unless this young lady + desires it. Hand it to her first, my friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait half a minute,” said the lapidary; “it is so far opened that the + hoop spins round, but it must not be taken off until it cools. The lady + may lift it then with care. I have done this job as a piece of fine art; I + have no wish to see any more of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Handkin, don't you be so touchy to a brother Cornishman. I thought that I + was Cornish enough, but you go cliffs beyond me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Major Hockin,” the lapidary answered, “I beg your pardon, if I said + harm. But a man doing careful and skilled work—and skilled work it + is, at every turn of the hand, as miss can bear witness, while you walked + off—he don't care who it is, Major Hockin, he would fight his own + brother to maintain it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, very well. Let us come away. I always enter into every body's + feelings. I see yours as clearly, Handkin, as if you had laid them open on + that blessed wheel. My insight has always been remarkable. Every one, + without exception, says that of me. Now come away, come away—will + you never see?” + </p> + <p> + Intent as I was upon what lay in my left palm relaxing itself, I could not + help being sorry for the way in which the man of art, after all his care, + was ground down by his brother Cornishman. However, he had lived long + enough in the world to feel no surprise at ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + Now I went to one of the windows, as the light (which had been very good) + began to pale from its long and labored sufferance of London, and then, + with soft and steady touch, I lifted off the loosened hoop. A smell of + mustiness—for smells go through what nothing else can—was the + first thing to perceive, and then, having moved the disk of gold, I found + a piece of vellum. This was doubled, and I opened it, and read, in small + clear writing: + </p> + <p> + “May 7, 1809 A.D., George, Lord Castlewood, married Winifred, only child + of Thomas Hoyle, as this his signature witnesseth. + </p> + <p> + “CASTLEWOOD. + </p> + <p> + “(Witness) THOMAS HOYLE.” + </p> + <p> + There was nothing more inside this locket, except two little wisps of hair + tied with gold thread, and the miniature upon ivory, bearing on the back + some anagram, probably that of the artist. + </p> + <p> + Already had I passed through a great many troubles, changes, chances, and + adventures which always seem strange (when I come to look back), but never + surprised me at the moment. Indeed, I might almost make bold to pronounce + that not many persons of my age and sex have been visited, wholly against + their own will, by such a series of incidents, not to say marvelous, but + at any rate fairly to be called unusual. And throughout them perhaps it + will be acknowledged by all who have cared to consider them, that up to + the present time I did not fail more than themselves might have done in + patience. And in no description of what came to pass have I colored things + at all in my own favor—at least so far as intention goes—neither + laid myself out to get sympathy, though it often would have done me a + world of good. + </p> + <p> + But now I am free to confess that my patience broke down very sadly. Why, + if what was written on that vellum was true, and Major Hockin correct as + well, it came to no less than this, that my own dear father was a + base-born son, and I had no right to the name I was so proud of! If, + moreover, as I now began to dream, that terrible and mysterious man did + not resemble my father so closely without some good reason, it seemed too + likely that he might be his elder brother and the proper heir. + </p> + <p> + This was bad enough to think of, but an idea a thousandfold worse assailed + me in the small hours of the night, as I lay on Mrs. Strouss's best bed, + which she kept for consuls, or foreign barons, or others whom she loved to + call “international notorieties.” Having none of these now, she assigned + me that bed after hearing all I had to say, and not making all that she + might have done of it, because of the praise that would fall to Mrs. Busk. + </p> + <p> + However, she acknowledged that she knew nothing of the history of “the + poor old lord.” He might have carried on, for all she could tell, with + many wives before his true one—a thing she heard too much of; but as + for the Captain not being his true son and the proper heir to the peerage, + let any one see him walk twice, and then have a shadow of a doubt about + it! This logic pleased but convinced me not, and I had to go to bed in a + very unhappy, restless, and comfortless state of mind. + </p> + <p> + I hope that, rather than myself, that bed, full of international + confusion, is to blame for the wicked ideas which assailed me while I + could not even try to sleep. One of them—and a loyal daughter could + scarcely have a worse one—was that my own dear father, knowing Lord + Castlewood's bad behavior, and his own sad plight in consequence, and + through that knowledge caring little to avenge his death, for wife and + children's sake preferred to foil inquiry rather than confront the truth + and challenge it. He might not have meant to go so far, at first beginning + with it; but, starting once, might be driven on by grievous loss, and + bitter sense of recreant friends, and the bleak despair of a homeless + world before him. And serving as the scape-goat thus, he might have + received from the real culprit a pledge for concealment of the family + disgrace. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVIII + </h2> + <h3> + A RETURN CALL + </h3> + <p> + In the morning I labored to dismiss these thoughts, these shameful + suspicions, almost as injurious to my father's honor as it was to suspect + him of the crime itself. And calling back my memories of him, and dwelling + on what Mr. Shovelin said, and Uncle Sam and others, I became quite happy + in the firm conviction that I ought to be put upon bread and water for + having such vile visions. Then suddenly a thing came to my mind which + shattered happy penitence. + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin had spoken of another purpose which he had in store while + bringing me thus to London—another object, that is to say, besides + the opening of the trinket. And this his second intention was to “have it + out,” as he expressed it, “with that league of curs and serpents, Vypan, + Goad, and Terryer.” This was the partnership whose card of business had + been delivered at the sawmills under circumstances which, to say the + least, required explanation. And the Major, with strong words and tugs of + his head-crest, had vowed to get that explanation, or else put the lot of + them into a police dock. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, when, at the opening of the locket, I did not think fit to show + the lapidary what I had found inside it, except the painting on ivory + (which proved to be as he expected), and when my companion suppressed + curiosity at the risk of constitution, and while I could scarcely tell + what I was about (through sudden shock and stupidity), I must have been + hurried on to tell Major Hockin the whole of the private things I had + discovered. For, in truth, there was scarcely any time to think; and I was + afraid of giving way, which must have befallen me without relief of words; + and being so much disturbed I may, in the cab, have rushed off for comfort + to the Major, sitting so close to me. No doubt I did so, from what + happened afterward; but in the morning, after such a night, I really could + not be certain what I had said to Betsy, and what to him. + </p> + <p> + A large mind would have been steady throughout, and regarded the question + of birth as a thing to which we, who are not consulted about it, should + bear ourselves indifferently. And gladly would I have done so, if I could, + but the power was not in me. No doubt it served me right for having been + proud about such a trifle; but though I could call it a trifle as long as + it seemed to be in my favor, my strength of mind was not enough to look at + it so when against me. + </p> + <p> + Betsy told me not to be like that, for I had a great deal to go through + yet, and must not be drawing on my spirit so, every atom of which would be + needful. For the General—as she called the Major—was coming to + fetch me at eleven o'clock to face some abominable rascals, and without + any breakfast how could I do it? Then I remembered all about the + appointment to go to Messrs. Vypan, Goad, and Terryer, and beginning to + think about them, I saw sad confirmation of my bad ideas. My father's + wicked elder brother by another mother had left his own rights pending, as + long as my father lived, for good reason. For if the latter had turned + against him, through a breach of compact, things might go ill in a + criminal court; but having him silenced now by death, this man might come + forward boldly and claim estates and title. His first point would be to + make sure as sure could be of the death of my father, to get hold of his + private papers, and of me, who might possess dangerous knowledge. And if + this were so, one could understand at once Mr. Goad's attempt upon Uncle + Sam. + </p> + <p> + “Now none of this! none of this, I say, Erema!” Major Hockin exclaimed, as + he ran in and saw me scarcely even caring to hold my own with the gentle + Maximilian—to which name Mr. Strouss was promoted from the too + vernacular “Hans.” “My dear, I never saw you look ill before. Why, bless + my heart, you will have crows'-feet! Nurse, what are you doing with her? + Look at her eyes, and be ashamed of yourself. Give her goulard, tisane, + tiffany—I never know what the proper word is—something, any + thing, volatile Sally, hartshorn, ammonia, aromatic vinegar, saline + draught, or something strong. Why, I want her to look at her very, very + best.” + </p> + <p> + “As if she was a-going to a ball, poor dear!” Betsy Strouss replied, with + some irony. “A young lady full of high spirits by nature, and have never + had her first dance yet! The laws and institutions of this kingdom is too + bad for me, General. I shall turn foreigner, like my poor husband.” + </p> + <p> + “It is vere goot, vere goot always,” said the placid Maximilian; + “foreigner dis way, foreigner dat way; according to de hills, or de sea, + or de fighting, or being born, or someting else.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue, Hans,” cried his Wilhelmina; “remember that you are in + England now, and must behave constitutionally. None of your loose + outlandish ideas will ever get your bread in England. Was I born according + to fighting, or hills, or sea, or any thing less than the will of the + Lord, that made the whole of them, and made you too? General, I beg you to + excuse him, if you can. When he gets upon such things, he never can stop. + His goodness is very great; but he must have a firm hand put upon his + 'philosophy.' Maximilian, you may go and smoke your pipe for an hour and a + quarter, and see where the cheapest greens and oil are, for his Excellence + is coming in to-night; and mind you get plenty of stump in them. His + Excellence loves them, and they fill the dish, besides coming cheaper. + Now, Miss Erema, if you please, come here. Trust you in me, miss, and soon + I will make you a credit to the General.” + </p> + <p> + I allowed her to manage my dress and all that according to her own ideas; + but when she entreated to finish me up with the “leastest little touch of + red, scarcely up to the usual color, by reason of not sleeping,” I stopped + her at once, and she was quite content with the color produced by the + thought of it. Meanwhile Major Hockin, of course, was becoming beyond all + description impatient. He had made the greatest point of my being adorned, + and expected it done in two minutes! And he hurried me so, when I did come + down, that I scarcely noticed either cab or horse, and put on my new + gloves anyhow. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you look very nice,” he said at last, when thoroughly tired of + grumbling. “That scoundrel of a Goad will be quite amazed at sight of the + child he went to steal.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Goad!” I replied, with a shudder, caused, perhaps, by dark + remembrance; “if we go to the office, you surely will not expect me to see + Mr. Goad himself?” + </p> + <p> + “That depends, as the Frenchmen say. It is too late now to shrink back + from any thing. If I can spare you, I will. If not, you must not be + ashamed to show yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “I am never ashamed to show myself. But I would rather not go to that + place at all. If things should prove to be as I begin to think, I had + better withdraw from the whole of it, and only lament that I ever began. + My father was right; after all, my father was wise; and I ought to have + known it. And perhaps Uncle Sam knew the truth, and would not tell me, for + fear of my rushing to the Yosemite. Cabman, please to turn the horse and + go in the opposite direction.” But the Major pulled me back, and the + driver lifted his elbow and said, “All right.” + </p> + <p> + “Erema,” the Major began, quite sternly, “things are gone a little too far + for this. We are now embarked upon a most important investigation”—even + in my misery I could scarce help smiling at his love of big official words—“an + investigation of vast importance. A crime of the blackest dye has been + committed, and calmly hushed up, for some petty family reason, for a + period of almost twenty years. I am not blaming your father, my dear; you + need not look so indignant. It is your own course of action, remember, + which has led to the present—the present—well, let us say + imbroglio. A man of honor and an officer of her Majesty's service stands + now committed at your request—mind, at your own request—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I know; but I only meant you to—to go as far as I should + wish.” + </p> + <p> + “Confidential instructions, let us say; but there are times when duty to + society overrides fine feeling. I have felt that already. The die is cast. + No half-and-half measures, no beating about the bush, for me. After what I + saw yesterday, and the light that burst upon me, I did not act hastily—I + never do, though slow coaches may have said so. I put this and that + together carefully, and had my dinner, and made up my mind. And you see + the result in that man on the box.” + </p> + <p> + “The cabman? Oh yes, you resolved to have a cab, and drive to those wicked + informers.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are your eyes? You are generally so quick. This morning you are + quite unlike yourself—so weak, so tearful, and timorous. Have you + not seen that by side of the cabman there sits another man altogether? One + of the most remarkable men of the age, as your dear Yankees say.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a policeman in disguise, I hope. I saw a very common, insignificant + man. I thought he was the driver's groom, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! he hears every thing, even on this granite. He is not a policeman; + if he were, a few things that disgrace the force never would happen. If + the policemen of England did their duty as our soldiers do, at once I + would have gone to them; my duty would have been to do so. As it is, I go + to our private police, who would not exist if the force were worth a rap. + Vypan, Goad, and Terryer, in spite of Goad's clumsiness, rank second. I go + to the first of all these firms, and I get their very cleverest rascal.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin, speaking in this hoarse whisper—for he could not + whisper gently—folded his arms, and then nodded his head, as much as + to say, “I have settled it now. You have nothing to do but praise me.” But + I was vexed and perplexed too much to trust my voice with an answer. + </p> + <p> + “The beauty of this arrangement is,” he continued, with vast complacency, + “that the two firms hate one another as the devil hates—no, that + won't do; there is no holy water to be found among them—well, as a + snake hates a slow-worm, let us say. 'Set a thief to catch a thief' is a + fine old maxim; still better when the two thieves have robbed one + another.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the noble stranger slipped off the driving seat without + troubling the cabman to stop his jerking crawl, and he did it so well that + I had no chance of observing his nimble face or form. “You are + disappointed,” said the Major, which was the last thing I would have + confessed. “You may see that man ten thousand times, and never be able to + swear to him. Ha! ha! he is a oner!” + </p> + <p> + “I disdain such mean tricks beyond all expression,” I exclaimed, as was + only natural, “and every thing connected with them. It is so low to talk + of such things. But what in the world made him do it? Where does he come + from, and what is his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Like all noble persons, he has got so many names that he does not know + which is the right one; only his are short and theirs are long. He likes + 'Jack' better than any thing else, because it is not distinctive. + 'Cosmopolitan Jack,' some call him, from his combining the manners and + customs, features and figures, of nearly all mankind. He gets on with + every one, for every one is gratified by seeing himself reflected in him. + And he can jump from one frame to another as freely as Proteus or the + populace. And yet, with all that, he is perfectly honest to any allegiance + he undertakes. He would not betray us to Vypan, Goad, and Terryer for your + great nugget and the Castlewood estates.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard that there are such people,” I said; “but what can he + possibly know about me? And what is he coming to do for us now?” + </p> + <p> + “He knows all about you, for a very simple reason. That you do not know + him, is a proof of his ability. For you must have met him times out of + number. This is the fellow employed by your good but incapable cousin, + Lord Castlewood.” + </p> + <p> + “He is not incapable; he is a man of great learning, and noble character—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, never mind that; you must not be so hot. What I mean is that he has + done nothing for you beyond providing for your safety. And that he + certainly did right well, and at considerable expense, for this man can't + be had for nothing. You need have been under no terror at all in any of + the scenes you have been through. Your safety was watched for + continually.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why did he not come and help me? Why did he not find out that + horrible man?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it was not in his orders, and Jack is the last man to go beyond + those. He is so clever that the stupid Moonites took him for a stupid + Moonite. You should have employed him yourself, Erema; but you are so + proud and independent.” + </p> + <p> + “I should hope so, indeed. Should I put up with deceit? If the truth is + not to be had without falsehood, it is not worth having. But what is this + man to do here now?” + </p> + <p> + “That depends upon circumstances. He has better orders than I could give, + for I am no hand at scheming. Here we are; or here we stop. Say nothing + till I tell you. Pray allow me the honor. You keep in the background, + remember, with your veil, or whatever you call it, down. Nobody stops at + the very door. Of course that is humbug—we conform to it.” + </p> + <p> + With a stiff inclination, the gallant Major handed me out of the cab in a + quiet corner of a narrow street, then paid the driver with less fuss than + usual, and led me into a queer little place marked in almost illegible + letters, “Little England Polygon.” “You have the card, my dear?” he + whispered; “keep it till I call you in. But be ready to produce it in a + moment. For the rest, I leave you to your own wit. Jack is on the watch, + mind.” + </p> + <p> + There were two doors near together, one a brave door with a plate, and + swung on playing hinges, the other of too secluded a turn to even + pronounce itself “private.” We passed through the public door, and found + only a lobby, with a boy on guard. “Mr. Goad? Yes, Sir. This way, Sir,” + cried the boy. “Lady stay? Yes, Sir; waiting-room for ladies. Chair, miss; + here, if you please—first right. Mr. Goad, second on the left. Knock + twice. Paper, miss? Poker chained at this time of year. Bell A, glass of + water. Bell B, cup of tea, if ladies grows impatient.” + </p> + <p> + If I had been well, I might have reduced this boy to his proper magnitude, + for I never could endure young flippancy; but my spirits were so low that + the boy banged the door with a fine sense of having vanquished me. And + before there was any temptation to ring Bell A, not to mention Bell B, the + sound of a wrathful voice began coming. Nearer and nearer it came, till + the Major strode into the “ladies' waiting-room,” and used language no + ladies should wait for. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't!” I said; “what would Mrs. Hockin say? And consider me too, + Major Hockin, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “I have considered you, and that makes me do it. Every body knows what I + am. Did I ever exaggerate in all my life? Did I ever say any thing without + just grounds? Did I ever take any distorted views? Did I ever draw upon my + imagination? Erema, answer me this instant!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not remember a single instance of your drawing upon your + imagination,” I answered, gravely, and did not add, “because there is none + to draw upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I was sure of your concurrence. Then just come with me. Take + my arm, if you please, and have the thief's card ready. Now keep your + temper and your self-command.” + </p> + <p> + With this good advice, the Major, whose arm and whole body were jerking + with wrath, led me rapidly down the long passage and through a door, and + my eyes met the eyes of the very man who had tried to bribe Uncle Sam of + me. He never saw me then, and he did not know me now; but his insolent + eyes fell under mine. I looked at him quietly, and said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Goad, you still assert that you never were in California—never + even crossed the Atlantic. This young lady under my protection—don't + you be afraid, my dear—is the Honorable Erema Castlewood, whom you, + in the pay of a murderer, went to fetch, and perhaps to murder. Now, do + you acknowledge it? You wrote her description, and ought to know her. You + double-dyed villain, out with it!” + </p> + <p> + “Major Hockin,” said Mr. Goad, trying to look altogether at his ease, but + failing, and with his bull-dog forehead purple, “if indeed you are an + officer—which I doubt for the credit of her Majesty's service—if + the lady were not present, I should knock you down.” And the big man got + up as if to do it. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind her,” my companion answered, in a magnanimous manner; “she has + seen worse than that, poor thing. Here I am—just come and do it.” + </p> + <p> + The Major was scarcely more than half the size of Mr. Goad in mere bodily + bulk, and yet he defied him in this way. He carefully took his blue lights + off, then drew up the crest of his hair, like his wife's most warlike cock + a-crowing, and laid down his rattan upon a desk, and doubled his fists, + and waited. Then he gave a blink from the corner of his gables, clearly + meaning, “Please to stop and see it out.” It was a distressing thing to + see, and the Major's courage was so grand that I could not help smiling. + Mr. Goad, however, did not advance, but assumed a superior manner. + </p> + <p> + “Major,” he said, “we are not young men; we must not be so hasty. You + carry things with too high a hand, as veteran officers are apt to do. Sir, + I make allowance for you; I retract my menace, and apologize. We move in + different spheres of life, Sir, or I would offer you my hand.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you!” the Major exclaimed, and then looked sorry for his + arrogance. “When a man has threatened me, and that man sees the mistake of + doing so, I am pacified, Sir, in a moment; but it takes me some time to + get over it. I have served his Gracious Majesty, and now hers, in every + quarter of the civilized globe, with distinction, Sir—with + distinction, and thanks, and no profit to taint the transaction, Sir. In + many battles I have been menaced with personal violence, and have received + it, as in such positions is equitable. I am capable, Sir, of receiving it + still, and repaying it, not without interest.” + </p> + <p> + “Hang it, Major, if a man is sorry, a soldier forgives him frankly. You + abused me, and I rashly threatened you. I beg your pardon, as a man should + do, and that should be an end to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, very well; say no more about it. But am I to understand that + you still deny in that barefaced manner, with my witness here, the fact of + your having been at Colonel Gundry's—my cousin, Sir, and a man not + to be denied, without an insult to myself—a man who possesses ingots + of gold, ingots of gold, enough to break the Bank of England, and a man + whose integrity doubles them all. Have you not heard of the monster + nugget, transcending the whole of creation, discovered by this young lady + looking at you, in the bed of the saw-mill river, and valued at more than + half a million?” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean to say so? When was it? Sylvester never said a word about + it—the papers, I mean, never mentioned it.” + </p> + <p> + “Try no more—well, I won't say lies, though they are confounded lies—what + I mean is, no further evasion, Mr. Goad. Sylvester's name is enough, Sir. + Here is the card of your firm, with your own note of delivery on the back, + handed by you to my cousin, the Colonel. And here stands the lady who saw + you do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Major, I will do my very best to remember. I am here, there, every where—China + one day, Peru the next, Siberia the day after. And this young lady found + the nugget, did she? How wonderfully lucky she must be!” + </p> + <p> + “I am lucky; I find out every thing; and I shall find out you, Mr. Goad.” + Thus I spoke on the spur of the moment, and I could not have spoken better + after a month of consultation. Rogues are generally superstitious. Mr. + Goad glanced at me with a shudder, as I had gazed at him some three years + back; and then he dropped his bad, oily-looking eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I make mistakes sometimes,” he said, “as to where I have been and where I + have not. If this young lady saw me there, it stands to reason that I may + have been there. I have a brother extremely similar. He goes about a good + deal also. Probably you saw my brother.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw no brother of yours, but yourself. Yourself—your mean and + cowardly self—and I shall bring you to justice.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” he replied, with a poor attempt to turn the matter lightly; + “I never contradict ladies; it is an honor to be so observed by them. Now, + Major, can you give me any good reason for drawing upon a bad memory? My + time is valuable. I can not refer to such by-gone matters for nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “We will not bribe you, if that is what you mean,” Major Hockin made + answer, scornfully. “This is a criminal case, and we have evidence you + little dream of. Our only offer is—your own safety, if you make a + clean breast of it. We are on the track of a murderer, and your connection + with him will ruin you. Unless you wish to stand in the dock at his side, + you will tell us every thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, this is violent language.” + </p> + <p> + “And violent acts will follow it: if you do not give up your principal, + and every word you know about him, you will leave this room in custody. I + have Cosmopolitan Jack outside, and the police at a sign from him will + come.” + </p> + <p> + “Is this job already in the hands of the police, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not yet. I resolved to try you first. If you refuse, it will be taken + up at once; and away goes your last chance, Sir.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Goad's large face became like a field of conflicting passions and low + calculations. Terror, fury, cupidity, and doggedness never had a larger + battle-field. + </p> + <p> + “Allow me at least to consult my partners,” he said, in a low voice and + almost with a whine; “we may do things irregular sometimes, but we never + betray a client.” + </p> + <p> + “Either betray your client or yourself,” the Major answered, with a + downright stamp. “You shall consult no one. You have by this watch + forty-five seconds to consider it.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not trouble yourself to time me,” the other answered, sulkily; + “my duty to the firm overrides private feeling. Miss Castlewood, I call + you to witness, since Major Hockin is so peppery—” + </p> + <p> + “Peppery, Sir, is the very last word that ever could be applied to me. My + wife, my friends, every one that knows me, even my furthest-off + correspondents, agree that I am pure patience.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be so, Major; but you have not shown it. Miss Castlewood, I have + done you no harm. If you had been given up to me, you would have been + safer than where you were. My honor would have been enlisted. I now learn + things which I never dreamed of—or, at least—at least only + lately. I always believed the criminality to be on the other side. We + never ally ourselves with wrong. But lately things have come to my + knowledge which made me doubtful as to facts. I may have been duped—I + believe I have been: I am justified, therefore, in turning the tables.” + </p> + <p> + “If you turn tables,” broke in the Major, who was grumbling to himself at + the very idea of having any pepper in his nature—“Goad, if you turn + tables, mind you, you must do it better than the mesmerists. Out of this + room you do not stir; no darkness—no bamboozling! Show your papers, + Sir, without sleight of hand. Surrender, or you get no quarter.” + </p> + <p> + To me it was quite terrifying to see my comrade thus push his victory. Mr. + Goad could have killed him at any moment, and but for me perhaps would + have done so. But even in his fury he kept on casting glances of + superstitious awe at me, while I stood quite still and gazed at him. Then + he crossed the room to a great case of drawers, unlocked something above + the Major's head, made a sullen bow, and handed him a packet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIX + </h2> + <h3> + WANTED, A SAWYER + </h3> + <p> + To judge Mr. Goad by his own scale of morality and honor, he certainly had + behaved very well through a trying and unexpected scene. He fought for his + honor a great deal harder than ever it could have deserved of him; and + then he strove well to appease it with cash, the mere thought of which + must have flattered it. However, it was none the worse for a little + disaster of this kind. At the call of duty it coalesced with interest and + fine sense of law, and the contact of these must have strengthened it to + face any future production. + </p> + <p> + For the moment he laid it aside in a drawer—and the smallest he + possessed would hold it—and being compelled to explain his + instructions (partly in short-hand and partly in cipher), he kindly, and + for the main of it truly, interpreted them as follows: + </p> + <p> + “July 31, 1858.—Received directions from M. H. to attend without + fail, at whatever expense, to any matter laid before us by a tall, dark + gentleman bearing his card. M. H. considerably in our debt; but his father + can not last long. Understand what he means, having dealt with this matter + before, and managed well with it. + </p> + <p> + “August 2.—Said gentleman called, gave no name, and was very close. + Had experienced some great wrong. Said that he was true heir to the C. + estates now held by Lord C. Only required a little further evidence to + claim them; and some of this was to be got through us. Important papers + must be among the effects of the old lord's son, lately dead in + California, the same for whom a reward had been offered, and we had been + employed about it. Must get possession of those papers, and of the girl, + if possible. Yankees to be bribed, at whatever figure, and always stand + out for a high one. Asked where funds were to come from; gave good + reference, and verified it. To be debited to the account of M. H. Said we + would have nothing to do with it without more knowledge of our principal. + Replied, with anger, that he himself was Lord C., ousted by usurpers. Had + not the necessary proofs as yet, but would get them, and blast all his + enemies. Had doubts about his sanity, and still greater about his + solvency. Resolved to inquire into both points. + </p> + <p> + “August 3.—M. H. himself, as cool as ever, but shammed to be + indignant. Said we were fools if we did not take it up. Not a farthing + would he pay of his old account, and fellows like us could not bring + actions. Also a hatful of money was to be made of this job, managed + snugly. Emigrants to California were the easiest of all things to square + up. A whole train of them disappeared this very year, by Indians or + Mormons, and no bones made. The best and most active of us must go—too + ticklish for an agent. We must carry on all above-board out there, and as + if sent by British government. In the far West no one any wiser. Resolved + to go myself, upon having a certain sum in ready. + </p> + <p> + “August 5.—The money raised. Start for Liverpool to-morrow. Require + a change, or would not go. May hit upon a nugget, etc., etc.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Goad's memoranda of his adventures, and signal defeat by Uncle Sam, + have no claim to be copied here, though differing much from my account. + With their terse unfeeling strain, they might make people laugh who had + not sadder things to think of. And it matters very little how that spy + escaped, as such people almost always seem to do. + </p> + <p> + “Two questions, Goad, if you please,” said Major Hockin, who had smiled + sometimes, through some of his own remembrances; “what has happened since + your return, and what is the name of the gentleman whom you have called + 'M.H.?'” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible that you do not know, Sir? Why, he told us quite lately + that you were at his back! You must know Sir Montague Hockin.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; certainly I do,” the old man said, shortly, with a quick gleam + in his eyes; “a highly respected gentleman now, though he may have sown + his wild oats like the rest. To be sure; of course I know all about it. + His meaning was good, but he was misled.” + </p> + <p> + In all my little experience of life nothing yet astonished me more than + this. I scarcely knew whom to believe, or what. That the Major, most + upright of men, should take up his cousin's roguery—all new to him—and + speak of him thus! But he gave me a nudge; and being all confusion, I said + nothing, and tried to look at neither of them, because my eyes must always + tell the truth. + </p> + <p> + “As to the other point,” Mr. Goad went on; “since my embassy failed, we + have not been trusted with the confidence we had the right to expect. Ours + is a peculiar business, Sir: 'Trust me in all, or trust me not at all,' as + one of our modern poets says, is the very essence of it. And possibly, + Major, if that had been done, even your vigor and our sense of law might + not have extorted from me what you have heard. Being cashiered, as we are, + we act according to the strictest honor in divulging things no longer + confided to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Goad, you have done yourself the utmost credit, legally, intellectually, + and—well, I will not quite say morally. If I ever have a nasty job + to do—at least I mean a stealthy one—which God, who has ever + kept me straight, forbid!—I will take care not to lose your address. + I have a very queer thing occurring on my manor—I believe it is + bound up with this affair—never mind; I must think—I hate all + underhanded work.” + </p> + <p> + “Major, our charges are strictly moderate. We do in a week what takes + lawyers a twelvemonth. Allow me to hand you one of our new cards.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no. My pockets are all full. And I don't want to have it found among + my papers. No offense, Mr. Goad, no offense at all. Society is not as it + was when I was young. I condemn no modern institutions, Sir, though the + world gets worse every day of its life.” + </p> + <p> + In terror of committing himself to any connection with such a firm, the + Major put on his dark lights again, took up his cane, and let every body + know, with a summary rap on the floor, that he might have relaxed, but + would not allow any further liberty about it. And as he marched away, not + proudly, yet with a very nice firmness, I was almost afraid to say any + thing to him to disturb his high mental attitude. For Mrs. Hockin must + have exclaimed that here was a noble spectacle. + </p> + <p> + “But one thing,” I forced myself to suggest; “do ask one thing before we + go. That strange man who called himself 'Lord Castlewood' here, and + 'Captain Brown' at Soberton—have they any idea where to find him + now? And why does he not come forward?” + </p> + <p> + My comrade turned back, and put these questions; and the private inquirer + answered that they had no idea of his whereabouts, but could easily + imagine many good reasons for his present reserve of claim. For instance, + he might be waiting for discovery of further evidence; or (which was even + more likely) for the death of the present Lord Castlewood, which could not + be very far distant, and would remove the chief opponent. It grieved me + deeply to find that my cousin's condition was so notorious, and treated of + in such a cold-blooded way, like a mule fallen lame, or a Chinaman in + Frisco. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you must grow used to such things,” Major Hockin declared, when + he saw that I was vexed, after leaving those selfish premises. “If it were + not for death, how could any body live? Right feeling is shown by + considering such points, and making for the demise of others even more + preparation than for our own. Otherwise there is a selfishness about it by + no means Christian-minded. You look at things always from such an intense + and even irreligious point of view. But such things are out of my line + altogether. Your Aunt Mary understands them best.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you be able,” I said, “to account to Aunt Mary conscientiously for + that dreadful story which I heard you tell? I scarcely knew where I stood, + Major Hockin.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean about Montague? Family honor must be defended at any price. + Child, I was greatly pained to go beyond the truth; but in such a case it + is imperative. I was shocked and amazed at my cousin's conduct; but how + could I let such a fellow know that? And think what I owe to his father, + Sir Rufus? No, no; there are times when Bayard himself must stretch a + point. Honor and religion alike demand it; and Mrs. Hockin need never hear + of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I shall not speak of it,” I answered, though a little surprised + at his arguments; “but you mean, of course, to find out all about it. It + seems to me such a suspicious thing. But I never could bear Sir Montague.” + </p> + <p> + The Major smiled grimly, and, perceiving that he wished to drop the + subject, I said no more. He had many engagements in London always, and I + must not attempt to engross his time. However, he would not for a moment + hear of leaving me any where but with Betsy, for perhaps he saw how + strange I was. And, being alone at last with her, I could keep up my pride + no longer. + </p> + <p> + Through all that had happened, there never had been such a dreadful trial + as I had borne this day without a word to any one. Danger and loss and sad + dreariness of mind, from want of young companionship; mystery also, and + obscurity of life, had always been my fortune. With all of these I had + striven, to the best of my very small ability, having from nature no gift + except the dull one of persistence. And throughout that struggle I had + felt quite sure that a noble yearning for justice and a lofty power of + devotion were my two impelling principles. But now, when I saw myself + sprung of low birth, and the father of my worship base-born, down fell all + my arduous castles, and I craved to go under the earth and die. + </p> + <p> + For every word of Mr. Goad, and every crooked turn of little things in + twist against me—even the Major's last grim smile—all began to + work together, and make up a wretched tumult, sounding in my ears like + drums. Where was the use of going on, of proving any body's guilt or any + body's innocence, if the utmost issue of the whole would be to show my + father an impostor? Then, and only then, I knew that love of abstract + justice is to little minds impossible, that sense of honor is too prone to + hang on chance of birth, and virtue's fountain, self-respect, springs but + ill from parental taint. + </p> + <p> + When I could no longer keep such bitter imaginings to myself, but poured + them forth to Betsy, she merely laughed, and asked me how I could be such + a simpleton. Only to think of my father in such a light was beyond her + patience! Where was my pride, she would like to know, and my birth, and my + family manners? However, she did believe there was something in my ideas, + if you turned them inside out, and took hold of them by the other end. It + was much more likely, to her mind, that the villain, the unknown villain + at the bottom of all the misery, was really the son born out of wedlock, + if any such there were at all, and therefore a wild harum-scarum fellow + like Ishmael in the Book of Genesis. And it would be just of a piece, she + thought, with the old lord's character to drive such a man to desperation + by refusing to give him a farthing. + </p> + <p> + “All that might very well be,” I answered; “but it would in no way serve + to explain my father's conduct, which was the great mystery of all.” + Nevertheless, I was glad to accept almost any view of the case rather than + that which had forced itself upon me since the opening of the locket. Any + doubt of that most wretched conclusion was a great relief while it lasted; + and, after so long a time of hope and self-reliance, should I cast away + all courage through a mere suspicion? + </p> + <p> + While I was thus re-assuring myself, and being re-assured by my faithful + nurse, sad news arrived, and drove my thoughts into another crooked + channel. Mrs. Hockin, to meet my anxiety for some tidings from California, + had promised that if any letter came, she would not even wait for the + post, but forward it by special messenger. And thus, that very same + evening, I received a grimy epistle, in an unknown hand, with the postmark + of Sacramento. Tearing it open, I read as follows: + </p> + <p> + “MISS 'REMA,—No good luck ever came, since you, to this Blue River + Station, only to be washed away, and robbed by greasers, and shot through + the ribs, and got more work than can do, and find an almighty nugget sent + by Satan. And now the very worst luck of all have come, wholly and out of + all denial, by you and your faces and graces and French goings on. Not + that I do not like you, mind; for you always was very polite to me, and + done your best when you found me trying to put up with the trials put on + me. But now this trial is the worst of all that ever come to my + establishings; and to go away now as I used to think of doing when + tyrannized upon is out of my way altogether, and only an action fit for a + half-breed. Sawyer Gundry hath cut and run, without a word behind him—no + instructions for orders in hand, and pouring in—no directions where + to find him, not even 'God bless you' to any one of the many hands that + looked up to him. Only a packet of dollars for me to pay the wages for two + months to come, and a power of lawyer to receive all debts, and go on + anyhow just the same. And to go on just the same is more than the worst of + us has the heart for, without the sight of his old red face. He may have + been pretty sharp, and too much the master now and then, perhaps; but to + do without him is a darned sight worse, and the hands don't take to me + like him. Many's the time I have seen his faults, of having his own way, + and such likes, and paying a man beyond his time if his wife was out of + order. And many's the time I have said myself I was fitter to be at the + head of it. + </p> + <p> + “About that I was right enough, perhaps, if I had started upon my own + hook; but to stand in the tracks he has worn to his own foot is to go into + crooked compasses. There is never a day without some hand threatening to + strike and to better himself, as if they were hogs to come and go + according to the acorns; and such low words I can never put up with, and + packs them off immediate. No place can be carried on if the master is to + shut up his lips to impudence. And now I have only got three hands left, + with work enough for thirty, and them three only stopped on, I do believe, + to grumble of me if the Sawyer do come home! + </p> + <p> + “But what we all want to know—and old Suan took a black stick to + make marks for you—is why the old man hath run away, and where. + Young Firm, who was getting a sight too uppish for me to have long put up + with him, he was going about here, there, and every where, from the very + first time of your going away, opening his mouth a deal too much, and + asking low questions how long I stopped to dinner. Old Suan said he was + troubled in his mind, as the pale-faces do about young girls, instead of + dragging them to their wigwams; and she would give him a spell to get over + it. But nothing came of that; and when the war broke out, he had words + with his grandfather, and went off, so they said, to join the rebels. + </p> + <p> + “Sawyer let him go, as proud as could be, though he would sooner have cut + his own head off; and the very same night he sat down by his fire and + shammed to eat supper as usual. But I happened to go in to get some + orders, and, my heart, I would never wish to see such things again! + </p> + <p> + “The old man would never waste a bit of victuals, as you know, Miss 'Rema; + and, being acquaint with Suan's way of watching, he had slipped all his + supper aside from his plate, and put it on a clean pocket-handkerchief to + lock it in the press till his appetite should serve; and I caught him in + the act, and it vexed him. 'Ha'n't you the manners to knock at the door?' + he said; and I said, 'Certainly,' and went back and done it; and, troubled + as he was, he grinned a bit. Then he bowed his great head, as he always + did when he knew he had gone perhaps a trifle too far with a man in my + position. I nodded to forgive him, and he stood across, and saw that he + could do no less than liquor me, after such behavior. But he only brought + out one glass; and I said, 'Come, Colonel, square is square, you know.' + 'Excuse of me, Martin,' he said; 'but no drop of strong drink passes the + brim of my mouth till this gallivanting is done with. I might take too + much, as the old men do, to sink what they don't want to think on.' 'You + mean about bully-cock Firm,' says I; 'rebel Firm—nigger-driver + Firm.' 'Hush!' he said; 'no bad words about it. He has gone by his + conscience and his heart. What do we know of what come inside of him?' + </p> + <p> + “This was true enough, for I never did make that boy out to my liking: and + the old man now was as stiff as a rock, and pretty nigh as peculiar. He + made me a cocktail of his own patent, to show how firm his hand was; but + the lines of his face was like wainscot mouldings, and the cords of his + arm stood out like cogs. Then he took his long pipe, as he may have done + perhaps every blessed night for the last fifty years; but that length of + time ought to have learned him better than to go for to fill it upside + down. 'Ha, ha!' he said; 'every thing is upside down since I was a man + under heaven—countries and nations and kindreds and duties; and why + not a old tobacco-pipe? That's the way babies blow bubbles with them. We + shall all have to smoke 'em that way if our noble republic is busted up. + Fill yours, and try it, Martin.' + </p> + <p> + “Instead of enjoying my cocktail, Miss 'Rema, I never was so down at + mouth; for, to my mind, his old heart was broken while he carried on so. + And let every body say what they will, one thing there is no denying of. + Never was seen on this side of the big hills a man fit to walk in the + tracks of Uncle Sam, so large and good-hearted according to his lights, + hard as a grizzly bear for a man to milk him, but soft in the breastbone + as a young prairie-hen for all folk down upon their nine-pins. + </p> + <p> + “You may be surprised, miss, to find me write so long. Fact is, the things + won't go out of my mind without it. And it gives me a comfort, after all I + may have said, to put good opinions upon paper. If he never should turn up + again, my language will be to his credit; whereas if he do come back, with + the betting a horse to a duck against it, to his pride he will read this + testimonial of yours, faithfully, MARTIN CLOGFAST. + </p> + <p> + “P.S.—Can't carry on like this much longer. Enough to rip one's + heart up. You never would know the old place, miss. The heads of the + horses is as long as their tails with the way they carry them; the moss is + as big as a Spaniard's beard upon the kitchen door-sill; and the old dog + howls all day and night, like fifty thousand scalpers. Suan saith, if you + was to come back, the lad might run home after you. 'Tisn't the lad I + cares about so much, but poor old Sawyer, at his time of life, swallowed + up in the wilderness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER L + </h2> + <h3> + THE PANACEA + </h3> + <p> + As if my own trouble were not enough, so deeply was I grieved by this sad + news that I had a great mind to turn back on my own and fly to far-off + disasters. To do so appeared for the moment a noble thing, and almost a + duty; but now, looking back, I perceive that my instinct was right when it + told me to stay where I was, and see out my own sad story first. And Betsy + grew hot at the mere idea of my hankering after a miller's affairs, as she + very rudely expressed it. To hear about lords and ladies, and their crimes + and adventures, was lovely; but to dwell upon people of common birth, and + in trade, was most unbeseeming. A man who mended his own mill, and had + hands like horn—well, even she was of better blood than that, she + hoped. + </p> + <p> + Before these large and liberal views had fairly been expounded, Major + Hockin arrived, with his mind in such a state that he opened his watch + every second. + </p> + <p> + “Erema, I must speak to you alone,” he cried; “no, not even you, Mrs. + Strouss, if you please. If my ward likes to tell you, why, of course she + can; but nobody shall say that I did. There are things that belong to the + family alone. The most loyal retainers—you know what I mean.” + </p> + <p> + “General, I was not aware that you belonged to the family. But this way, + Sir; this way, if you please. There is lath and plaster to that wall, and + a crack in the panel of the door, Sir. But here is a room where I keep my + jams, with double brick and patent locks, from sweet-toothed lodgers. The + 'scutcheon goes over the key-hole, General. Perhaps you will see to that, + while I roll up the carpet outside; and then, if any retainers come, you + will hear their footsteps.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless the woman, what a temper she has!” whispered the Major, in dread of + her ears. “Is she gone, Erema? She wants discipline.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she is gone,” I said, trying to be lightsome; “but you are enough to + frighten any one.” + </p> + <p> + “So far from that, she has quite frightened me. But never mind such + trifles. Erema, since I saw you I have discovered, I may almost say, every + thing.” + </p> + <p> + Coming upon me so suddenly, even with all allowance made for the Major's + sanguine opinion of his own deeds, this had such effect upon my flurried + brain that practice alone enabled me to stand upright and gaze at him. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you imagined when you placed the matter in my hands, Miss + Castlewood,” he went on, with sharp twinkles from the gables of his eyes, + but soft caresses to his whiskers, “that you would be left in the hands of + a man who encouraged a crop of hay under his feet. Never did you or any + body make a greater mistake. That is not my character, Miss Castlewood.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you call me 'Miss Castlewood' so? You quite make me doubt my own + right to the name.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin looked at me with surprise, which gladdened even more than it + shamed me. Clearly his knowledge of all, as he described it, did not + comprise the disgrace which I feared. + </p> + <p> + “You are almost like Mrs. Strouss to-day,” he answered, with some + compassion. “What way is the wind? I have often observed that when one + female shows asperity, nearly all the others do the same. The weather + affects them more than men, because they know nothing about it. But to + come back—are you prepared to hear what I have got to tell you?” + </p> + <p> + I bowed without saying another word. For he should be almost the last of + mankind to give a lecture upon irritation. + </p> + <p> + “Very well; you wish me to go on. Perceiving how sadly you were upset by + the result of those interviews, first with Handkin, and then with Goad, + after leaving you here I drove at once to the office, studio, place of + business, or whatever you please to call it, of the famous fellow in the + portrait line, whose anagram, private mark, or whatever it is, was burned + into the back of the ivory. Handkin told me the fellow was dead, or, of + course, his work would be worth nothing; but the name was carried on, and + the register kept, at a little place somewhere in Soho, where, on the + strength of his old repute, they keep up a small trade with inferior + hands. I gave them a handsome order for a thing that will never be + handsome, I fear—my old battered physiognomy. And then I produced + the locket which in some queer state of mind you had given me, and made + them hunt out their old books, and at last discovered the very entry. But + to verify it I must go to Paris, where his son is living.” + </p> + <p> + “Whose son? Lord Castlewood's?” + </p> + <p> + “Erema, have you taken leave of your senses? What son has Lord Castlewood? + The artist's son, to be sure; the son of the man who did the likeness. Is + it the vellum and the stuff upon it that has so upset your mind? I am glad + that you showed it to me, because it would have been mean to do otherwise. + But show it to no one else, my dear, except your cousin, Lord Castlewood. + He has the first right of all to know it, though he will laugh at it as I + do. Trumpery of that sort! Let them produce a certified copy of a + register. If they could do that, need they ever have shot that raffish old + lord—I beg pardon, my dear—your highly respected grandfather? + No, no; don't tell me. Nicholas Hockin was never in any way famous for + want of brains, my dear, and he tells you to keep your pluck up.” + </p> + <p> + “I never can thank you enough,” I replied, “for such inspiriting counsel. + I have been rather miserable all this day. And I have had such a letter + from America!” + </p> + <p> + Without my intending any offer of the kind, or having such idea at the + furthest tip of any radius of mind, I found myself under a weight about + the waist, like the things the young girls put on now. And this was the + arm of the Major, which had been knocked about in some actions, but was + useful still to let other people know, both in this way and that, what he + thought of them. And now it let me know that he pitied me. + </p> + <p> + This kindness from so old a soldier made me partial to him. He had taken + an age to understand me, because my father was out of the army almost + before I was born, and therefore I had no traditions. Also, from want of + drilling, I had been awkward to this officer, and sometimes mutinous, and + sometimes a coward. All that, however, he forgave me when he saw me so + downhearted; and while I was striving to repress all signs, the quivering + of my lips perhaps suggested thoughts of kissing. Whereupon he kissed my + forehead with nice dry lips, and told me not to be at all afraid. + </p> + <p> + “How many times have you been brave?” he inquired, to set me counting, + knowing from all his own children, perhaps, that nothing stops futile + tears and the waste of sobs like prompt arithmetic. “Six, if not seven, + times you have displayed considerable valor. Are you going to fall away + through some wretched imagination of your own? Now don't stop to argue—time + will not allow it. I have put Cosmopolitan Jack as well upon the track of + Captain Brown. I have not told you half of what I could tell, and what I + am doing; but never mind, never mind; it is better that you should not + know too much, my dear. Young minds, from their want of knowledge of the + world, are inclined to become uneasy. Now go to bed and sleep soundly, + Erema, for we have lots to do to-morrow, and you have had a most worrying + day to-day. To-morrow, of course, you must come with me to Paris. You can + parleyvoo better than I can.” + </p> + <p> + However, as it happened, I did nothing of the kind, for when he came back + in the morning, and while he was fidgeting and hurrying me, and vowing + that we should lose the tidal train, a letter from Bruntsea was put into + my hand. I saw Mrs. Price's clear writing, followed by good Aunt Mary's + crooked lines, and knew that the latter must have received it too late to + be sent by her messenger. In few words it told me that if I wished to see + my cousin alive, the only chance was to start immediately. + </p> + <p> + Shock and self-reproach and wonder came (as usual) before grief, which + always means to stay, and waits to get its mourning ready. I loved and + respected my cousin more deeply than any one living, save Uncle Sam; and + now to lose them both at once seemed much too dreadful to be true. There + was no time to think. I took the Major's cab, and hurried off to + Paddington, leaving him to catch his tidal train. + </p> + <p> + Alas! when I got to Castlewood, there was but a house of mourning! + Faithful Stixon's eyes were dim, and he pointed upward and said, “Hush!” I + entered with great awe, and asked, “How long?” And he said, + “Four-and-twenty hours now; and a more peacefuller end was never seen, and + to lament was sinful; but he was blessed if he could help it.” I told him, + through my tears, that this was greatly to his credit, and he must not + crush fine feelings, which are an honor to our nature. And he said that I + was mistress now, and must order him to my liking. + </p> + <p> + I asked him to send Mrs. Price to me, if she was not too busy; and he + answered that he believed her to be a very good soul, and handy. And if he + ever had been thought to speak in a sense disparishing of her, such things + should not be borne in mind, with great afflictions over us. Mrs. Price, + hearing that I was come, already was on her way to me, and now glanced at + the door for Mr. Stixon to depart, in a manner past misunderstanding. + </p> + <p> + “He gives himself such airs!” she said; “sometimes one would think—but + I will not trouble you now with that, Miss Castlewood, or Lady Castlewood—which + do you please to be called, miss? They say that the barony goes on, when + there is no more Viscount.” + </p> + <p> + “I please to be called 'Miss Castlewood,' even if I have any right to be + called that. But don't let us talk of such trifles now. I wish to hear + only of my cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you know, ma'am, what a sufferer he has been for years. If ever an + angel had pains all over, and one leg compulsory of a walking-stick, that + angel was his late lordship. He would stand up and look at one, and give + orders in that beautiful silvery voice of his, just as if he was lying on + a bed of down. And never a twitch, nor a hitch in his face, nor his words, + nor any other part of him. I assure you, miss, that I have been quite + amazed and overwhelmed with interest while looking at his poor legs, and + thinking—” + </p> + <p> + “I can quite enter into it. I have felt the same. But please to come to + what has happened lately.” + </p> + <p> + “The very thing I was at the point of doing. Then last Sunday, God alone + knows why, the pain did not come on at all. For the first time for seven + years or more the pain forgot the time-piece. His lordship thought that + the clock was wrong; but waited with his usual patience, though missing it + from the length of custom, instead of being happy. But when it was come to + an hour too late for the proper attack of the enemy, his lordship sent + orders for Stixon's boy to take a good horse and ride to Pangbourne for a + highly respectable lawyer. There was no time to fetch Mr. Spines, you see, + miss, the proper solicitor, who lives in London. The gentleman from + Pangbourne was here by eight o'clock; and then and there his lordship made + his will, to supersede all other wills. He put it more clearly, the lawyer + said, than he himself could have put it, but not, of course, in such legal + words, but doubtless far more beautiful. Nobody in the house was + forgotten; and the rule of law being, it seems, that those with best cause + to remember must not witness, two of the tenants were sent for, and wrote + down their names legitimate. And then his lordship lay back and smiled, + and said, 'I shall have no more pain.' + </p> + <p> + “All that night and three days more he slept as sound as a little child, + to make up for so many years. We called two doctors in; but they only + whispered and looked dismal, and told us to have hot water ready at any + hour of the day or night. Nobody loved him as I did, miss, from seeing so + much of his troubles and miraculous way of bearing them; and I sat by the + hour and hour, and watched him, trusting no paid nurses. + </p> + <p> + “It must have been eight o'clock on Wednesday morning—what is + to-day? Oh, Friday—then Thursday morning it must have been, when the + clouds opened up in the east, and the light of the sun was on the + window-sill, not glaring or staring, but playing about, with patterns of + leaves between it; and I went to screen it from his poor white face; but + he opened his eyes, as if he had been half awake, half dreaming, and he + tried to lift one of his thin, thin hands to tell me not to do it. So I + let the curtain stay as it was, and crept back, and asked, very softly, + 'Will your lordship have some breakfast?' + </p> + <p> + “He did not seem to comprehend me, but only watched the window; and if + ever a blessed face there was, looking toward heaven's glory, his lordship + had it, so that I could scarcely keep from sobbing. For I never had seen + any living body die, but knew that it must be so. He heard me catching my + breath, perhaps, or at any rate he looked at me; and the poor angel knew + that I was a woman; and being full of high respect, as he always was for + females—in spite of the way they had served him—it became + apparent to his mind that the pearl button of his neck was open, as + ordered by the doctors. And he tried to lift his hand to do it; and then + he tried to turn away, but could not manage either. Poor dear! the only + movement he could make was to a better world. + </p> + <p> + “Then I drew the sheet across his chest, and he gave me a little smile of + thanks, and perhaps he knew whose hand it was. But the look of his kind + soft eyes was flickering—not steady, I mean, miss—but glancing + and stopping and going astray, as drops of rain do on the window-glass. + But I could not endure to examine him much; at such a holy time I felt + that to watch death was unholy. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I ought to have rung the bell for others to be present. But his + lordship was always shy, you know, miss; and with none of his kindred + left, and no wife to say 'good-by' to him, right or wrong I resolved alone + to see him depart to his everlasting rest. And people may talk about + hirelings, but I think nobody loved him as I did.” + </p> + <p> + Here Mrs. Price broke fairly down, and I could not help admiring her. To a + faithful servant's humility and duty she had added a woman's pure + attachment to one more gifted than herself, and ruined for life by her own + sex. But she fell away frightened and ashamed beneath my look, as if I had + caught her in sacrilege. + </p> + <p> + “Well, miss, we all must come and go,” she began again, rather clumsily; + “and, good and great as he was, his lordship has left few to mourn for + him. Only the birds and beasts and animals that he was so good to; they + will miss him, if men don't. There came one of his favorite pigeons, white + as snow all over, and sat on the sill of the window, and cooed, and arched + up its neck for his fingers. And he tried to put his fingers out, but they + were ice already. Whether that or something else brought home his + thoughts, who knows, miss? but he seemed to mix the pigeon up with some of + his own experience. + </p> + <p> + “'Say that I have forgiven her, if ever she did harm to me,' he whispered, + without moving lips. 'Times and times, when I was young, I was not always + steady;' and then he seemed to wander in his mind among old places; and he + would have laughed at something if his voice had been sufficient. + </p> + <p> + “'Bitter grief and pain shall never come again,' he seemed to breathe, + with a calm, soft smile, like a child with its rhyme about the rain when + the sun breaks out; and sure enough, the sun upon the quilt above his + heart was shining, as if there could be no more clouds. Then he whispered + a few short words to the Lord, more in the way of thanks than prayer, and + his eyes seemed to close of their own accord, or with some good spirit + soothing them. And when or how his sleep passed from this world into the + other there was scarcely the flutter of a nerve to show. There he lies, + like an image of happiness. Will you come and see him?” + </p> + <p> + I followed her to the bedroom, and am very glad that I did so; for it + showed me the bliss of a good man's rest, and took away my fear of death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LI + </h2> + <h3> + LIFE SINISTER + </h3> + <p> + When business and the little cares of earthly life awoke again, every one + told me (to my great surprise and no small terror at first, but soon to + increasing acquiescence) that I was now the mistress of the fair estates + of Castlewood, and, the male line being extinct, might claim the barony, + if so pleased me; for that, upon default of male heirs, descended by the + spindle. And as to the property, with or without any will of the late Lord + Castlewood, the greater part would descend to me under unbarred + settlement, which he was not known to have meddled with. On the contrary, + he confirmed by his last will the settlement—which they told me was + quite needless—and left me all that he had to leave, except about a + thousand pounds distributed in legacies. A private letter to me was sealed + up with his will, which, of course, it would not behoove me to make + public. But thus much—since our family history is, alas! so + notorious—in duty to him I should declare. He begged me, if his poor + lost wife—of whom he had never spoken to me—should re-appear + and need it, to pay her a certain yearly sum, which I thought a great deal + too much for her, but resolved to obey him exactly. + </p> + <p> + Neither the will nor the letter contained any reference to my grandfather, + or the possibility of an adverse claim. I could not, however, be quit of + deep uneasiness and anxiety, but stanchly determined that every acre + should vanish in folds of “the long robe” rather than pass to a crafty + villain who had robbed me of all my kindred. My hatred of that man + deepened vastly, as he became less abstract, while my terror decreased in + proportion. I began to think that, instead of being the reckless fiend I + had taken him for, he was only a low, plotting, cold-blooded rogue, + without even courage to save him. By this time he must have heard all + about me, my pursuit of him, and my presence here—then why not come + and shoot me, just as he shot my grandfather? + </p> + <p> + The idea of this was unwelcome; still, I felt no sort of gratitude, but + rather a lofty contempt toward him for not having spirit to try it. In + Shoxford church-yard he had expressed (if Sexton Rigg was not then + deceived) an unholy wish to have me there, at the feet of my brothers and + sisters. Also he had tried to get hold of me—doubtless with a view + to my quietude—when I was too young to defend myself, and left at + haphazard in a lawless land. What was the reason, if his mind was still + the same, for ceasing to follow me now? Was I to be treated with contempt + as one who had tried her best and could do nothing, as a feeble creature + whose movements were not even worth inquiry? Anger at such an idea began + to supersede fear, as my spirits returned. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Major Hockin was making no sign as to what had befallen him in + Paris, or what Cosmopolitan Jack was about. But, strangely enough, he had + sent me a letter from Bruntsea instead of Paris, and addressed in grand + style to no less a person than “The right honorable Baroness Castlewood”—a + title which I had resolved, for the present, neither to claim nor + acknowledge. In that letter the Major mingled a pennyweight of condolence + with more congratulation than the post could carry for the largest stamp + yet invented. His habit of mind was to magnify things; and he magnified my + small grandeur, and seemed to think nothing else worthy of mention. + </p> + <p> + Through love of the good kind cousin I had lost, even more than through + common and comely respect toward the late head of the family, I felt it + impossible to proceed, for the present, with any inquiries, but left the + next move to the other side. And the other side made it, in a manner such + as I never even dreamed of. + </p> + <p> + About three weeks after I became, in that sad way, the mistress, escaping + one day from lawyers and agents, who held me in dreary interview, with + long computations of this and of that, and formalities almost endless, I + went, for a breath of good earnest fresh air, beyond precinct of garden or + shrubbery. To me these seemed in mild weather to temper and humanize the + wind too strictly, and take the wild spirit out of it; and now, for the + turn of the moment, no wind could be too rough to tumble in. After long + months of hard trouble, and worry, and fear, and sad shame, and deep + sorrow, the natural spring of clear youth into air and freedom set me + upward. For the nonce there was nothing upon my selfish self to keep it + downward; troubles were bubbles, and grief a low thief, and reason almost + treason. I drank the fine fountain of air unsullied, and the golden light + stamped with the royalty of sun. + </p> + <p> + Hilarious moments are but short, and soon cold sense comes back again. + Already I began to feel ashamed of young life's selfish outburst, and the + vehement spring of mere bodily health. On this account I sat down sadly in + a little cove of hill, whereto the soft breeze from the river came up, + with a tone of wavelets, and a sprightly water-gleam. And here, in fern + and yellow grass and tufted bights of bottom growth, the wind made entry + for the sun, and they played with one another. + </p> + <p> + Besting here, and thinking, with my face between my hands, I wondered what + would be the end. Nothing seemed secure or certain, nothing even steady or + amenable to foresight. Even guess-work or the wider cast of dreams was + always wrong. To-day the hills and valleys, and the glorious woods of + wreathen gold, bright garnet, and deep amethyst, even that blue river yet + unvexed by autumn's turbulence, and bordered with green pasture of a + thousand sheep and cattle—to-day they all were mine (so far as + mortal can hold ownership)—to-morrow, not a stick, or twig, or blade + of grass, or fallen leaf, but might call me a trespasser. To see them + while they still were mine, and to regard them humbly, I rose and took my + black hat off—a black hat trimmed with mourning gray. Then turning + round, I met a gaze, the wildest, darkest, and most awful ever fixed on + human face. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you? What do you want here?” I faltered forth, while shrinking + back for flight, yet dreading or unable to withdraw my gaze from his. The + hollow ground barred all escape; my own land was a pit for me, and I must + face this horror out. Here, afar from house or refuge, hand of help, or + eye of witness, front to front I must encounter this atrocious murderer. + </p> + <p> + For moments, which were ages to me, he stood there without a word; and + daring not to take my eyes from his, lest he should leap at me, I had no + power (except of instinct), and could form no thought of him, for mortal + fear fell over me. If he would only speak, would only move his lips, or + any thing! + </p> + <p> + “The Baroness is not brave,” he said at last, as if reproachfully; “but + she need have no fear now of me. Does her ladyship happen to know who I + am?” + </p> + <p> + “The man who murdered my grandfather.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you put a false color on events. The man who punished a + miscreant, according to the truer light. But I am not here to argue + points. I intend to propose a bargain. Once for all, I will not harm you. + Try to listen calmly. Your father behaved like a man to me, and I will be + no worse to you. The state of the law in this country is such that I am + forced to carry fire-arms. Will it conduce to your peace of mind if I + place myself at your mercy?” + </p> + <p> + I tried to answer; but my heart was beating so that no voice came, only a + flutter in my trembling throat. Wrath with myself for want of courage + wrestled in vain with pale, abject fear. The hand which offered me the + pistol seemed to my dazed eyes crimson still with the blood of my + grandfather. + </p> + <p> + “You will not take it? Very well; it lies here at your service. If your + father's daughter likes to shoot me, from one point of view it will be + just; and but for one reason, I care not. Don't look at me with pity, if + you please. For what I have done I feel no remorse, no shadow of + repentance. It was the best action of my life. But time will fail, unless + you call upon your courage speedily. None of your family lack that; and I + know that you possess it. Call your spirit up, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please not to call me that! How dare you call me that?” + </p> + <p> + “That is right. I did it on purpose. And yet I am your uncle. Not by the + laws of men, but by the laws of God—if there are such things. Now, + have you the strength to hear me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I am quite recovered now. I can follow every word you say. But—but + I must sit down again.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Sit there, and I will stand. I will not touch or come nearer + to you than a story such as mine requires. You know your own side of it; + now hear mine. + </p> + <p> + “More than fifty years ago there was a brave young nobleman, handsome, + rich, accomplished, strong, not given to drink or gambling, or any + fashionable vices. His faults were few, and chiefly three—he had a + headstrong will, loved money, and possessed no heart at all. With chances + in his favor, this man might have done as most men do who have such gifts + from fortune. But he happened to meet with a maiden far beneath him in + this noble world, and he set his affections—such as they were—upon + that poor young damsel. + </p> + <p> + “This was Winifred Hoyle, the daughter of Thomas Hoyle, a farmer, in a + lonely part of Hampshire, and among the moors of Rambledon. The nobleman + lost his way, while fishing, and being thirsty, went to ask for milk. What + matter how it came about? He managed to win her heart before she heard of + his rank and title. He persuaded her even to come and meet him in the + valley far from her father's house, where he was wont to angle; and there, + on a lonely wooden bridge across a little river, he knelt down (as men + used to do) and pledged his solemn truth to her. His solemn lie—his + solemn lie! + </p> + <p> + “Such love as his could not overleap the bars of rank or the pale of + wealth—are you listening to me carefully?—or, at any rate, not + both of them. If the poor farmer could only have given his Winifred 50,000 + pounds, the peer would have dropped his pride, perhaps, so far as to be + honest. But farmers in that land are poor, and Mr. Hoyle could give his + only child his blessing only. And this he did in London, where his simple + mind was all abroad, and he knew not church from chapel. He took his + daughter for the wife of a lord, and so she took herself, poor thing! when + she was but his concubine. In 1809 such tricks were easily played by + villains upon young girls so simple. + </p> + <p> + “But he gave her attestation and certificate under his own hand; and her + poor father signed it, and saw it secured in a costly case, and then went + home as proud as need be for the father of a peer, but sworn to keep it + three years secret, till the king should give consent. Such foul lies it + was the pride of a lord to tell to a farmer. + </p> + <p> + “You do not exclaim—of course you do not. The instincts of your race + are in you, because you are legitimate. Those of the robbed side are in + me, because I am of the robbed. I am your father's elder brother. Which is + the worse, you proud young womam, the dastard or the bastard?” + </p> + <p> + “You have wrongs, most bitter wrongs,” I answered, meeting fierce eyes + mildly; “but you should remember that I am guiltless of those wrongs, and + so was my father. And I think that if you talk of birth so, you must know + that gentlemen speak quietly to ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “What concern is that of mine? A gentleman is some one's son. I am the son + of nobody. But to you I will speak quietly, for the sake of your poor + father. And you must listen quietly. I am not famous for sweet temper. + Well, this great lord took his toy to Paris, where he had her at his + mercy. She could not speak a word of French; she did not know a single + soul. In vain she prayed him to take her to his English home; or, if not + that, to restore her to her father. Not to be too long about it—any + more than he was—a few months were enough for him. He found fault + with her manners, with her speech, her dress, her every thing—all + which he had right, perhaps, to do, but should have used it earlier. And + she, although not born to the noble privilege of weariness, had been an + old man's darling, and could not put up with harshness. From words they + came to worse, until he struck her, told her of her shame, or rather his + own infamy, and left her among strangers, helpless, penniless, and + brokenhearted, to endure the consequence. + </p> + <p> + “There and thus I saw the light beneath most noble auspices. But I need + not go on with all that. As long as human rules remain, this happy tale + will always be repeated with immense applause. My mother's love was turned + to bitter hatred of his lordship, and, when her father died from grief, to + eager thirst for vengeance. And for this purpose I was born. + </p> + <p> + “You see that—for a bastard—I have been fairly educated; but + not a farthing did his lordship ever pay for that, or even to support his + casual. My grandfather Hoyle left his little all to his daughter Winifred; + and upon that, and my mother's toil and mine, we have kept alive. Losing + sight of my mother gladly—for she was full of pride, and hoped no + more to trouble him, after getting her father's property—he married + again, or rather he married for the first time without perjury, which + enables the man to escape from it. She was of his own rank—as you + know—the daughter of an earl, and not of a farmer. It would not have + been safe to mock her, would it? And there was no temptation. + </p> + <p> + “The history of my mother and myself does not concern you. Such people are + of no account until they grow dangerous to the great. We lived in cheap + places and wandered about, caring for no one, and cared for by the same. + Mrs. Hoyle and Thomas Hoyle we called ourselves when we wanted names; and + I did not even know the story of our wrongs till the heat and fury of + youth were past. Both for her own sake and mine my mother concealed it + from me. Pride and habit, perhaps, had dulled her just desire for + vengeance; and, knowing what I was, she feared—the thing which has + befallen me. But when I was close upon thirty years old, and my mother + eight-and-forty—for she was betrayed in her teens—a sudden + illness seized her. Believing her death to be near, she told me, as calmly + as possible, every thing, with all those large, quiet views of the past, + which at such a time seem the regular thing, but make the wrong tenfold + blacker. She did not die; if she had, it might have been better both for + her and me, and many other people. Are you tired of my tale? Or do you + want to hear the rest?” + </p> + <p> + “You can not be asking me in earnest,” I replied, while I watched his wild + eyes carefully. “Tell me the rest, if you are not afraid.” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid, indeed! Then, for want of that proper tendance and comfort which + a few pounds would have brought her, although she survived, she survived + as a wreck, the mere relic and ruin of her poor unhappy self. I sank my + pride for her sake, and even deigned to write to him, in rank and wealth + so far above me, in every thing else such a clot below my heel. He did the + most arrogant thing a snob can do—he never answered my letter. + </p> + <p> + “I scraped together a little money, and made my way to England, and came + to that house—which you now call yours—and bearded that noble + nobleman—that father to be so proud of! He was getting on now in + years, and growing, perhaps, a little nervous, and my first appearance + scared him. He got no obeisance from me, you may be certain, but still I + did not revile him. I told him of my mother's state of mind, and the great + care she required, and demanded that, in common justice, he, having + brought her to this, should help her. But nothing would he promise, not a + sixpence even, in the way of regular allowance. Any thing of that sort + could only be arranged by means of his solicitors. He had so expensive a + son, with a very large and growing family, that he could not be pledged to + any yearly sum. But if I would take a draft for 100 pounds, and sign an + acquittance in full of all claims, I might have it, upon proving my + identity. + </p> + <p> + “What identity had I to prove? He had taken good care of that. I turned my + back on him and left the house, without even asking for his curse, though + as precious as a good man's blessing. + </p> + <p> + “It was a wild and windy night, but with a bright moon rising, and going + across this park—or whatever it is called—I met my brother. At + a crest of the road we met face to face, with the moon across our + foreheads. We had never met till now, nor even heard of one another; at + least he had never heard of me. He started back as if at his own ghost; + but I had nothing to be startled at, in this world or the other. + </p> + <p> + “I made his acquaintance, with deference, of course, and we got on very + well together. At one time it seemed good luck for him to have + illegitimate kindred; for I saved his life when he was tangled in the + weeds of this river while bathing. You owe me no thanks. I thought twice + about it, and if the name would have ended with him, I would never have + used my basket-knife. By trade I am a basket-maker, like many another + 'love-child.' + </p> + <p> + “However, he was grateful, if ever any body was, for I ran some risk in + doing it; and he always did his very best for me, and encouraged me to + visit him. Not at his home—of course that would never do—but + when he was with his regiment. Short of money as he always was, through + his father's nature and his own, which in some points were the very + opposite, he was even desirous to give me some of that; but I never took a + farthing from him. If I had it at all, I would have it from the proper + one. And from him I resolved to have it. + </p> + <p> + “How terrified you look! I am coming to it now. Are you sure that you can + bear it? It is nothing very harrowing; but still, young ladies—” + </p> + <p> + “I feel a little faint,” I could not help saying; “but that is nothing. I + must hear the whole of it. Please to go on without minding me.” + </p> + <p> + “For my own sake I will not, as well as for yours. I can not have you + fainting, and bringing people here. Go to the house and take food, and + recover your strength, and then come here again. I promise to be here, and + your father's daughter will not take advantage of my kindness.” + </p> + <p> + Though his eyes were fierce (instead of being sad) and full of strange + tempestuous light, they bore some likeness to my father's, and asserted + power over me. Reluctant as I was, I obeyed this man, and left him there, + and went slowly to the house, walking as if in a troubled dream. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LII + </h2> + <h3> + FOR LIFE, DEATH + </h3> + <p> + Upon my return, I saw nothing for a time but fans and feathers of browning + fern, dark shags of ling, and podded spurs of broom and furze, and wisps + of grass. With great relief (of which I felt ashamed while even breathing + it), I thought that the man was afraid to tell the rest of his story, and + had fled; but ere my cowardice had much time for self-congratulation a + tall figure rose from the ground, and fear compelled me into courage. For + throughout this long interview more and more I felt an extremely + unpleasant conviction. That stranger might not be a downright madman, nor + even what is called a lunatic; but still it was clear that upon certain + points—the laws of this country, for instance, and the value of rank + and station—his opinions were so outrageous that his reason must be + affected. And, even without such proofs as these, his eyes and his manner + were quite enough. Therefore I had need of no small caution, not only + concerning my words and gestures, but as to my looks and even thoughts, + for he seemed to divine these last as quickly as they flashed across me. I + never had learned to conceal my thoughts, and this first lesson was an + awkward one. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you are better,” he said, as kindly as it was possible for him to + speak. “Now have no fear of me, once more I tell you. I will not sham any + admiration, affection, or any thing of that kind; but as for harming you—why, + your father was almost the only kind heart I ever met!” + </p> + <p> + “Then why did you send a most vile man to fetch me, when my father was + dead in the desert?” + </p> + <p> + “I never did any thing of the sort. It was done in my name, but not by me; + I never even heard of it until long after, and I have a score to settle + with the man who did it.” + </p> + <p> + “But Mr. Goad told me himself that you came and said you were the true + Lord Castlewood, and ordered him at once to America. I never saw truth + more plainly stamped on a new situation—the face of a rogue—than + I saw it then on the face of Mr. Goad.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right; he spoke the truth—to the utmost of his + knowledge. I never saw Goad, and he never saw me. I never even dreamed of + pretending to the title. I was personated by a mean, low friend of Sir + Montague Hockin; base-born as I am, I would never stoop to such a trick. + You will find out the meaning of that by-and-by. I have taken the law into + my own hands—it is the only way to work such laws—I have + committed what is called a crime. But, compared with Sir Montague Hockin, + I am whiter than yonder shearling on his way to the river for his evening + drink.” + </p> + <p> + I gazed at his face, and could well believe it. The setting sun shone upon + his chin and forehead—good, resolute, well-marked features; his nose + and mouth were keen and clear, his cheeks curt and pale (though they would + have been better for being a trifle cleaner). There was nothing suggestive + of falsehood or fraud, and but for the wildness of the eyes and flashes of + cold ferocity, it might have been called a handsome face. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” he began again, with one of those jerks which had frightened + me, “your father was kind to me, very kind indeed; but he knew the old + lord too well to attempt to interpose on my behalf. On the other hand, he + gave no warning of my manifest resolve; perhaps he thought it a woman's + threat, and me no better than a woman! And partly for his sake, no doubt, + though mainly for my mother's, I made the short work which I made; for he + was horribly straitened—and in his free, light way he told me so—by + his hard curmudgeon of a father. + </p> + <p> + “To that man, hopeless as he was, I gave fair grace, however, and plenty + of openings for repentance. None of them would he embrace, and he thought + scorn of my lenity. And I might have gone on with such weakness longer, if + I had not heard that his coach-and-four was ordered for the Moonstock Inn. + </p> + <p> + “That he should dare thus to pollute the spot where he had so forsworn + himself! I resolved that there he should pay justice, either with his life + or death. And I went to your father's place to tell him to prepare for + disturbances; but he was gone to see his wife, and I simply borrowed a + pistol. + </p> + <p> + “Now you need not be at all afraid nor shrink away from me like that. I + was bound upon stricter justice than any judge that sets forth on circuit; + and I meant to give, and did give, what no judge affords to the guilty—the + chance of leading a better life. I had brought my mother to England, and + she was in a poor place in London; her mind was failing more and more, and + reverting to her love-time, the one short happiness of her life. 'If I + could but see him, if I could but see him, and show him his tall and + clever son, he would forgive me all my sin in thinking ever to be his + wife. Oh, Thomas! I was too young to know it. If I could but see him once, + just once!' + </p> + <p> + “How all this drove me no tongue can tell. But I never let her know it; I + only said, 'Mother, he shall come and see you if he ever sees any body + more!' And she trusted me and was satisfied. She only said, 'Take my + picture, Thomas, to remind him of the happy time, and his pledge to me + inside of it.' And she gave me what she had kept for years in a bag of + chamois leather, the case of which I spoke before, which even in our + hardest times she would never send to the pawn-shop. + </p> + <p> + “The rest is simple enough. I swore by the God, or the Devil, who made me, + that this black-hearted man should yield either his arrogance or his life. + I followed him to the Moon valley, and fate ordained that I should meet + him where he forswore himself to my mother; on that very plank where he + had breathed his deadly lies he breathed his last. Would you like to hear + all about it?” + </p> + <p> + For answer I only bowed my head. His calm, methodical way of telling his + tale, like a common adventure with a dog, was more shocking than any fury. + </p> + <p> + “Then it was this. I watched him from the Moonstock Inn to a house in the + village, where he dined with company; and I did not even know that it was + the house of his son, your father—so great a gulf is fixed between + the legitimate and the bastard! He had crossed the wooden bridge in going, + and was sure to cross it in coming back. How he could tread those planks + without contrition and horror—but never mind. I resolved to bring + him to a quiet parley there, and I waited in the valley. + </p> + <p> + “The night was soft, and dark in patches where the land or wood closed in; + and the stream was brown and threw no light, though the moon was on the + uplands. Time and place alike were fit for our little explanation. The + path wound down the meadow toward me, and I knew that he must come. My + firm intention was to spare him, if he gave me a chance of it; but he + never had the manners to do that. + </p> + <p> + “Here I waited, with the cold leaves fluttering around me, until I heard a + firm, slow step coming down the narrow path. Then a figure appeared in a + stripe of moonlight, and stopped, and rested on a staff. Perhaps his + lordship's mind went back some five-and-thirty years, to times when he + told pretty stories here; and perhaps he laughed to himself to think how + well he had got out of it. Whatever his meditations were, I let him have + them out, and waited. + </p> + <p> + “If he had even sighed, I might have felt more kindness toward him; but he + only gave something between a cough and a grunt, and I clearly heard him + say, 'Gout to-morrow morning! what the devil did I drink port-wine for!' + He struck the ground with his stick and came onward, thinking far more of + his feet than heart. + </p> + <p> + “Then, as he planted one foot gingerly on the timber and stayed himself, I + leaped along the bridge and met him, and without a word looked at him. The + moon was topping the crest of the hills and threw my shadow upon him, the + last that ever fell upon his body to its knowledge. + </p> + <p> + “'Fellow, out of the way!' he cried, with a most commanding voice and air, + though only too well he knew me; and my wrath against him began to rise. + </p> + <p> + “'You pass not here, and you never make another live step on this earth,' + I said, as calmly as now I speak, 'unless you obey my orders.' + </p> + <p> + “He saw his peril, but he had courage—perhaps his only virtue. + 'Fool! whoever you are,' he shouted, that his voice might fetch him help; + 'none of these moon-struck ways with me! If you want to rob me, try it!' + </p> + <p> + “'You know too well who I am,' I answered, as he made to push me back. + 'Lord Castlewood, here you have the choice—to lick the dust, or be + dust! Here you forswore yourself; here you pay for perjury. On this plank + you knelt to poor Winifred Hoyle, whom you ruined and cast by; and now on + this plank you shall kneel to her son and swear to obey him—or else + you die!' + </p> + <p> + “In spite of all his pride, he trembled as if I had been Death himself, + instead of his own dear eldest son. + </p> + <p> + “'What do you want!' As he asked, he laid one hand on the rickety rail and + shook it, and the dark old tree behind him shook. 'How much will satisfy + you?' + </p> + <p> + “'Miser, none of your money for us! it is too late for your half crowns! + We must have a little of what you have grudged—having none to spare—your + honor. My demands are simple, and only two. My mother is fool enough to + yearn for one more sight of your false face; you will come with me and see + her.' + </p> + <p> + “'And if I yield to that, what next?' + </p> + <p> + “'The next thing is a trifle to a nobleman like you. Here I have, in this + blue trinket (false gems and false gold, of course), your solemn signature + to a lie. At the foot of that you will have the truth to write, “I am a + perjured liar!” and proudly sign it “Castlewood,” in the presence of two + witnesses. This can not hurt your feelings much, and it need not be + expensive.' + </p> + <p> + “Fury flashed in his bright old eyes, but he strove to check its outbreak. + The gleaning of life, after threescore years, was better, in such lordly + fields, than the whole of the harvest we got. He knew that I had him all + to myself, to indulge my filial affection. + </p> + <p> + “'You have been misled; you have never heard the truth; you have only + heard your mother's story. Allow me to go back and to sit in a dry place; + I am tired, and no longer young; you are bound to hear my tale as well. I + passed a dry stump just now; I will go back: there is no fear of + interruption.' My lord was talking against time. + </p> + <p> + “'From this bridge you do not budge until you have gone on your knees and + sworn what I shall dictate to you; this time it shall be no perjury. Here + I hold your cursed pledge—' + </p> + <p> + “He struck at me, or at the locket—no matter which—but it flew + away. My right arm was crippled by his heavy stick; but I am left-handed, + as a bastard should be. From my left hand he took his death, and I threw + the pistol after him: such love had he earned from his love-child!” + </p> + <p> + Thomas Castlewood, or Hoyle, or whatever else his name was, here broke off + from his miserable words, and, forgetting all about my presence, set his + gloomy eyes on the ground. Lightly he might try to speak, but there was no + lightness in his mind, and no spark of light in his poor dead soul. Being + so young, and unacquainted with the turns of life-worn mind, I was afraid + to say a word except to myself, and to myself I only said, “The man is + mad, poor fellow; and no wonder!” + </p> + <p> + The sun was setting, not upon the vast Pacific from desert heights, but + over the quiet hills and through the soft valleys of tame England; and, + different as the whole scene was, a certain other sad and fearful sunset + lay before me: the fall of night upon my dying father and his helpless + child, the hour of anguish and despair! Here at last was the cause of all + laid horribly before me; and the pity deeply moving me passed into cold + abhorrence. But the man was lost in his own visions. + </p> + <p> + “So in your savage wrath,” I said, “you killed your own father, and in + your fright left mine to bear the brunt of it.” + </p> + <p> + He raised his dark eyes heavily, and his thoughts were far astray from + mine. He did not know what I had said, though he knew that I had spoken. + The labor of calling to mind and telling his treatment of his father had + worked upon him so much that he could not freely shift attention. + </p> + <p> + “I came for something, something that can be only had from you,” he said, + “and only since your cousin's death, and something most important. But + will you believe me? it is wholly gone, gone from mind and memory!” + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised at that,” I answered, looking at his large wan face, + and while I did so, losing half my horror in strange sadness. “Whatever it + is, I will do it for you; only let me know by post.” + </p> + <p> + “I see what you mean—not to come any more. You are right about that, + for certain. But your father was good to me, and I loved him, though I had + no right to love any one. My letter will show that I wronged him never. + The weight of the world is off my mind since I have told you every thing; + you can send me to the gallows, if you think fit, but leave it till my + mother dies. Good-by, poor child. I have spoiled your life, but only by + chance consequence, not in murder-birth—as I was born.” + </p> + <p> + Before I could answer or call him back, if I even wished to do so, he was + far away, with his long, quiet stride; and, like his life, his shadow + fell, chilling, sombre, cast away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIII + </h2> + <h3> + BRUNTSEA DEFIANT + </h3> + <p> + Thus at last—by no direct exertion of my own, but by turn after turn + of things to which I blindly gave my little help—the mystery of my + life was solved. Many things yet remained to be fetched up to focus and + seen round; but the point of points was settled. + </p> + <p> + Of all concerned, my father alone stood blameless and heroic. What tears + of shame and pride I shed, for ever having doubted him!—not doubting + his innocence of the crime itself, but his motives for taking it upon him. + I had been mean enough to dream that my dear father outraged justice to + conceal his own base birth! + </p> + <p> + That ever such thought should have entered my mind may not make me + charitable to the wicked thoughts of the world at large, but, at any rate, + it ought to do so. And the man in question, my own father, who had starved + himself to save me! Better had I been the most illegal child ever issued + into this cold world, than dare to think so of my father, and then find + him the model of every thing. + </p> + <p> + To hide the perjury, avarice, and cowardice of his father, and to appease + the bitter wrong, he had even bowed to take the dark suspicion on himself, + until his wronged and half-sane brother (to whom, moreover, he owed his + life) should have time to fly from England. No doubt he blamed himself as + much as he condemned the wretched criminal, because he had left his father + so long unwarned and so unguarded, and had thoughtlessly used light words + about him, which fell not lightly on a stern, distempered mind. Hence, + perhaps, the exclamation which had told against him so. + </p> + <p> + And then when he broke jail—which also told against him terribly—to + revisit his shattered home, it is likely enough that he meant after that + to declare the truth, and stand his trial as a man should do. But his + wife, perhaps, in her poor weak state, could not endure the thought of it, + knowing how often jury is injury, and seeing all the weight against him. + She naturally pledged him to pursue his flight, “for her sake,” until she + should be better able to endure his trial, and until he should have more + than his own pure word and character to show. And probably if he had then + been tried, with so many things against him, and no production of that + poor brother, his tale would have seemed but a flimsy invention, and + “Guilty” would have been the verdict. And they could not know that, in + such case, the guilty man would have come forward, as we shall see that he + meant to do. + </p> + <p> + When my father heard of his dear wife's death, and believed, no doubt, + that I was buried with the rest, the gloom of a broken and fated man, like + polar night, settled down on him. What matter to him about public opinion + or any thing else in the world just now? The sins of his father were on + his head; let them rest there, rather than be trumpeted by him. He had + nothing to care for; let him wander about. And so he did for several + years, until I became a treasure to him—for parental is not + intrinsic value—and then, for my sake, as now appeared, he betook us + both to a large kind land. + </p> + <p> + Revolving these things sadly, and a great many more which need not be + told, I thought it my duty to go as soon as possible to Bruntsea, and tell + my good and faithful friends what I was loath to write about. There, + moreover, I could obtain what I wanted to confirm me—the opinion of + an upright, law-abiding, honorable man about the course I proposed to + take. And there I might hear something more as to a thing which had + troubled me much in the deepest of my own troubles—the melancholy + plight of dear Uncle Sam. Wild, and absurd as it may appear to people of + no gratitude, my heart was set upon faring forth in search of the noble + Sawyer, if only it could be reconciled with my duty here in England. That + such a proceeding would avail but little, seemed now, alas! too manifest; + but a plea of that kind generally means that we have no mind to do a + thing. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it will, I made what my dear Yankees—to use the Major's + impertinent phrase—call “straight tracks” for that ancient and + obsolete town, rejuvenized now by its Signor. The cause of my good + friend's silence—not to use that affected word “reticence”—was + quite unknown to me, and disturbed my spirit with futile guesses. + </p> + <p> + Resolute, therefore, to pierce the bottom of every surviving mystery, I + made claim upon “Mr. Stixon, junior”—as “Stixon's boy” had now + vindicated his right to be called, up to supper-time—and he with + high chivalry responded. Not yet was he wedded to Miss Polly Hopkins, the + daughter of the pickled-pork man; otherwise would he or could he have made + telegraphic blush at the word “Bruntsea?” And would he have been quite so + eager to come? + </p> + <p> + Such things are trifling, compared to our own, which naturally fill the + universe. I was bound to be a great lady now, and patronize and regulate + and drill all the doings of nature. So I durst not even ask, though + desiring much to do so, how young Mr. Stixon was getting on with his + delightful Polly. And his father, as soon as he found me turned into the + mistress, and “his lady” (as he would have me called thenceforth, whether + or no on my part), not another word would he tell me of the household + sentiments, politics, or romances. It would have been thought a thing + beneath me to put any nice little questions now, and I was obliged to take + up the tone which others used toward me. But all the while I longed for + freedom, Uncle Sam, Suan Isco, and even Martin of the Mill. + </p> + <p> + Law business, however, and other hinderances, kept me from starting at + once for Bruntsea, impatient as I was to do so. Indeed, it was not until + the morning of the last Saturday in November that I was able to get away. + The weather had turned to much rain, I remember, with two or three + tempestuous nights, and the woods were almost bare of leaves, and the + Thames looked brown and violent. + </p> + <p> + In the fly from Newport to Bruntsea I heard great rollers thundering + heavily upon the steep bar of shingle, and such a lake of water shone in + the old bed of the river that I quite believed at first that the Major had + carried out his grand idea, and brought the river back again. But the + flyman shook his head, and looked very serious, and told me that he feared + bad times were coming. What I saw was the work of the Lord in heaven, and + no man could prevail against it. He had always said, though no concern of + his—for he belonged to Newport—that even a British officer + could not fly in the face of the Almighty. He himself had a brother on the + works, regular employed, and drawing good money, and proud enough about + it; and the times he had told him across a pint of ale—howsomever, + our place was to hope for the best; but the top of the springs was not + come yet, and a pilot out of Newport told him the water was making + uncommon strong; but he did hope the wind had nigh blowed itself out; if + not, they would have to look blessed sharp tomorrow. He had heard say that + in time of Queen Elizabeth sixscore of houses was washed clean away, and + the river itself knocked right into the sea; and a thing as had been once + might just come to pass again, though folk was all so clever now they + thought they wor above it. But, for all that, their grandfathers' goggles + might fit them. But here we was in Bruntsea town, and, bless his old eyes—yes! + If I pleased to look along his whip, I might see ancient pilot come, he + did believe, to warn of them! + </p> + <p> + Following his guidance, I descried a stout old man, in a sailor's dress, + weather-proof hat, and long boots, standing on a low seawall, and holding + vehement converse with some Bruntsea boatmen and fishermen who were + sprawling on the stones as usual. + </p> + <p> + “Driver, you know him. Take the lower road,” I said, “and ask what his + opinion is.” + </p> + <p> + “No need to ask him,” the flyman answered; “old Banks would never be here, + miss, if he was of two opinions. He hath come to fetch his daughter out of + harm, I doubt, the wife of that there Bishop Jim, they call him—the + chap with two nails to his thumb, you know. Would you like to hear how + they all take it, miss?” + </p> + <p> + With these words he turned to the right, and drove into Major Hockin's + “Sea Parade.” There we stopped to hear what was going on, and it proved to + be well worth our attention. The old pilot perhaps had exhausted reason, + and now was beginning to give way to wrath. The afternoon was deepening + fast, with heavy gray clouds lowering, showing no definite edge, but + streaked with hazy lines, and spotted by some little murky blurs or blots, + like tar pots, carried slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Hath Noah's Ark ever told a lie?” the ancient pilot shouted, pointing + with one hand at these, and with a clinched fist at the sea, whence came + puffs of sullen air, and turned his gray locks backward. “Mackerel sky + when the sun got up, mermaiden's eggs at noon, and now afore sunset Noah's + Arks! Any of them breweth a gale of wind, and the three of them bodes a + tempest. And the top of the springs of the year to-morrow. Are ye daft, or + all gone upon the spree, my men? Your fathers would 'a knowed what the new + moon meant. Is this all that cometh out of larning to read?” + </p> + <p> + “Have a pinch of 'bacco, old man,” said one, “to help you off with that + stiff reel. What consarn can he be of yourn?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you be put out, mate,” cried another. “Never came sea as could top + that bar, and never will in our time. Go and calk your old leaky craft, + Master Banks.” + </p> + <p> + “We have rode out a good many gales without seeking prophet from Newport—a + place never heerd on when this old town was made.” + </p> + <p> + “Come and wet your old whistle at the 'Hockin Arms,' Banks. You must want + it, after that long pipe.” + </p> + <p> + “'Hockin Arms,' indeed!” the pilot answered, turning away in a rage from + them. “What Hockin Arms will there be this time to-morrow? Hockin legs + wanted, more likely, and Hockin wings. And you poor grinning ninnies, as + ought to have four legs, ye'll be praying that ye had them to-morrow. + However, ye've had warning, and ye can't blame me. The power of the Lord + is in the air and sea. Is this the sort of stuff ye trust in?” + </p> + <p> + He set one foot against our Major's wall—an action scarcely honest + while it was so green—and, coming from a hale and very thickset man, + the contemptuous push sent a fathom of it outward. Rattle, rattle went the + new patent concrete, starting up the lazy-pated fellows down below. + </p> + <p> + “You'll try the walls of a jail,” cried one. “You go to Noah's Ark,” + shouted another. The rest bade him go to a place much worse; but he + buttoned his jacket in disdain, and marched away, without spoiling the + effect by any more weak words. + </p> + <p> + “Right you are,” cried my flyman—“right you are, Master Banks. Them + lubbers will sing another song to-morrow. Gee up, old hoss, then!” + </p> + <p> + All this, and the ominous scowl of the sky and menacing roar of the sea + (already crowding with black rollers), disturbed me so that I could say + nothing, until, at the corner of the grand new hotel, we met Major Hockin + himself, attired in a workman's loose jacket, and carrying a shovel. He + was covered with mud and dried flakes of froth, and even his short white + whiskers were incrusted with sparkles of brine; but his face was ruddy and + smiling, and his manner as hearty as ever. + </p> + <p> + “You here, Erema! Oh, I beg pardon—Baroness Castlewood, if you + please. My dear, again I congratulate you.” + </p> + <p> + “You have as little cause to do that as I fear I can find in your case. + You have no news for me from America? How sad! But what a poor plight you + yourself are in!” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it. At first sight you might think so; and we certainly have + had a very busy time. Send back the fly. Leave your bag at our hotel. + Porter, be quick with Lady Castlewood's luggage. One piece of luck befalls + me—to receive so often this beautiful hand. What a lot of young + fellows now would die of envy—” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you still can talk nonsense,” I said; “for I truly was + frightened at this great lake, and so many of your houses even standing in + the water.” + </p> + <p> + “It will do them good. It will settle the foundations and crystallize the + mortar. They will look twice as well when they come out again, and never + have rats or black beetles. We were foolish enough to be frightened at + first; and there may have been danger a fortnight ago. But since that tide + we have worked day and night, and every thing is now so stable that fear + is simply ridiculous. On the whole, it has been a most excellent thing—quite + the making, in fact, of Bruntsea.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Bruntsea must be made of water,” I replied, gazing sadly at the gulf + which parted us from the Sea Parade, the Lyceum, and Baths, the Bastion + Promenade, and so on; beyond all which the streaky turmoil and misty scud + of the waves were seen. + </p> + <p> + “Made of beer, more likely,” he retorted, with a laugh. “If my fellows + worked like horses—which they did—they also drank like fishes. + Their mouths were so dry with the pickle, they said. But the total + abstainers were the worst, being out of practice with the can. However, + let us make no complaints. We ought to be truly thankful; and I shall miss + the exercise. That is why you have heard so little from me. You see the + position at a glance. I have never been to Paris at all, Erema. I have not + rubbed up my parleywoo, with a blast from Mr. Bellows. I was stopped by a + telegram about this job—acrior illum. I had some Latin once, quite + enough for the House of Commons, but it all oozed out at my elbows; and to + ladies (by some superstition) it is rude—though they treat us to bad + French enough. Never mind. What I want to say is this, that I have done + nothing, but respected your sad trouble; for you took a wild fancy to that + poor bedridden, who never did you a stroke of good except about + Cosmopolitan Jack, and whose removal has come at the very nick of time. + For what could you have done for money, with the Yankees cutting each + other's throats, and your nugget quite sure to be annexed, or, at the very + best, squared up in greenbacks?” + </p> + <p> + “You ought not to speak so, Major Hockin. If all your plans were not under + water, I should be quite put out with you. My cousin was not bedridden; + neither was he at all incapable, as you have called him once or twice. He + was an infinitely superior man to—to what one generally sees; and + when you have heard what I have to tell, in his place you would have done + just as he did. And as for money, and 'happy release'—as the people + who never want it for themselves express it—such words simply sicken + me; at great times they are so sordid.” + </p> + <p> + “What is there in this world that is not sordid—to the young in one + sense, and to the old in another?” + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin so seldom spoke in this didactic way, and I was so unable to + make it out, that, having expected some tiff on his part at my juvenile + arrogance, I was just in the mould for a deep impression from sudden stamp + of philosophy. I had nothing to say in reply, and he went up in my opinion + greatly. + </p> + <p> + He knew it; and he said, with touching kindness, “Erema, come and see your + dear aunt Mary. She has had an attack of rheumatic gout in her + thimble-finger, and her maids have worried her out of her life, and by far + the most brilliant of her cocks (worth 20 pounds they tell me) breathed + his last on Sunday night, with gapes, or croup, or something. This is why + you have not heard again from her. I have been in the trenches day and + night, stoning out the sea with his own stones, by a new form of concrete + discovered by myself. And unless I am very much mistaken—in fact, I + do not hesitate to say—But such things are not in your line at all. + Let us go up to the house. Our job is done, and I think Master Neptune may + pound away in vain. I have got a new range in the kitchen now, partly of + my own invention; you can roast, or bake, or steam, or stew, or frizzle + kabobs—all by turning a screw. And not only that, but you can keep + things hot, piping hot, and ripening, as it were, better than when they + first were done. Instead of any burned iron taste, or scum on the gravy, + or clottiness, they mellow by waiting, and make their own sauce. If I ever + have time I shall patent this invention; why, you may burn brick-dust in + it, Bath-brick, hearth-stone, or potsherds! At any hour of the day or + night, while the sea is in this condition, I may want my dinner; and there + we have it. We say grace immediately, and down we sit. Let us take it by + surprise, if it can be taken so. Up through my chief drive, instanter! I + think that I scarcely ever felt more hungry. The thought of that range + always sets me off. And one of its countless beauties is the noble juicy + fragrance.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hockin certainly possessed the art—so meritorious in a host—of + making people hungry; and we mounted the hill with alacrity, after passing + his letter-box, which reminded me of the mysterious lady. He pointed to + “Desolate Hole,” as he called it, and said that he believed she was there + still, though she never came out now to watch their house. And a man of + dark and repelling aspect had been seen once or twice by his workmen, + during the time of their night relays, rapidly walking toward Desolate + Hole. How any one could live in such a place, with the roar and the spray + of the sea, as it had been, at the very door, and through the windows, + some people might understand, but not the Major. + </p> + <p> + Good Mrs. Hockin received me with her usual warmth and kindness, and + scolded me for having failed to write more to her, as all people seem to + do when conscious of having neglected that duty themselves. Then she + showed me her thimble-finger, which certainly was a little swollen; and + then she poured forth her gratitude for her many blessings, as she always + did after any little piece of grumbling. And I told her that if at her age + I were only a quarter as pleasant and sweet of temper, I should consider + myself a blessing to any man. + </p> + <p> + After dinner my host produced the locket, which he had kept for the + purpose of showing it to the artist's son in Paris, and which he admired + so intensely that I wished it were mine to bestow on him. Then I told him + that, through a thing wholly unexpected—the confession of the + criminal himself—no journey to Paris was needful now. I repeated + that strange and gloomy tale, to the loud accompaniment of a rising wind + and roaring sea, while both my friends listened intently. + </p> + <p> + “Now what can have led him so to come to you?” they asked; “and what do + you mean to do about it?” + </p> + <p> + “He came to me, no doubt, to propose some bargain, which could not be made + in my cousin's lifetime. But the telling of his tale made him feel so + strange that he really could not remember what it was. As to what I am to + do, I must beg for your opinion; such a case is beyond my decision.” Mrs. + Hockin began to reply, but stopped, looking dutifully at her lord. + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt what you are bound to do, at least in one way,” the + Major said. “You are a British subject, I suppose, and you must obey the + laws of the country. A man has confessed to you a murder—no matter + whether it was committed twenty years ago or two minutes; no matter + whether it was a savage, cold-blooded, premeditated crime, or whether + there were things to palliate it. Your course is the same; you must hand + him over. In fact, you ought never to have let him go.” + </p> + <p> + “How could I help it?” I pleaded, with surprise. “It was impossible for me + to hold him.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you should have shot him with his own pistol. He offered it to you. + You should have grasped it, pointed it at his heart, and told him that he + was a dead man if he stirred.” + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Mary, would you have done that?” I asked. “It is so easy to talk of + fine things! But in the first place, I had no wish to stop him; and in the + next, I could not if I had.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” Mrs. Hockin replied, perceiving my distress at this view of the + subject, “I should have done exactly what you did. If the laws of this + country ordain that women are to carry them out against great strong men, + who, after all, have been sadly injured, why, it proves that women ought + to make the laws, which to my mind is simply ridiculous.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIV + </h2> + <h3> + BRUNTSEA DEFEATED + </h3> + <p> + Little sleep had I that night. Such conflict was in my mind about the + proper thing to be done next, and such a war of the wind outside, above + and between the distant uproar of the long tumultuous sea. Of that sound + much was intercepted by the dead bulk of the cliff, but the wind swung + fiercely over this, and rattled through all shelter. In the morning the + storm was furious; but the Major declared that his weather-glass had + turned, which proved that the gale was breaking. The top of the tide would + be at one o'clock, and after church we should behold a sight he was rather + proud of—the impotent wrath of the wind and tide against his patent + concrete. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, I scarcely like such talk,” Mrs. Hockin gently interposed. “To + me it seems almost defiant of the power of the Lord. Remember what + happened to poor Smeaton—at least I think his name was Smeaton, or + Stanley, was it? But I dare say you know best. He defied the strength of + the Lord, like the people at the mouth of their tent, and he was swallowed + up.” + </p> + <p> + “Mary, my dear, get your prayer-book. Rasper's fly is waiting for us, and + the parson has no manners. When he drops off, I present to the living; and + I am not at all sure that I shall let George have it. He is fond of + processions, and all that stuff. The only procession in the Church of + England is that of the lord of the manor to his pew. I will be the master + in my own church.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, dear, of course; so you ought to be. It always was so in my + father's parish. But you must not speak so of our poor George. He may be + 'High-Church,' as they call it; but he knows what is due to his family, + and he has a large one coming.” + </p> + <p> + We set off hastily for the church, through blasts of rain and buffets of + wind, which threatened to overturn the cab, and the seaward window was + white, as in a snowstorm, with pellets of froth, and the drift of + sea-scud. I tried to look out, but the blur and the dash obscured the + sight of every thing. And though in this lower road we were partly + sheltered by the pebble ridge, the driver was several times obliged to + pull his poor horse up and face the wind, for fear of our being blown + over. + </p> + <p> + That ancient church, with its red-tiled spire, stands well up in the good + old town, at the head of a street whose principal object now certainly is + to lead to it. Three hundred years ago that street had business of its own + to think of, and was brave perhaps with fine men and maids at the time of + the Spanish Armada. Its only bravery now was the good old church, and some + queer gables, and a crypt (which was true to itself by being buried up to + the spandrels), and one or two corners where saints used to stand, until + they were pelted out of them, and where fisher-like men, in the lodging + season, stand selling fish caught at Billingsgate. But to Bruntsea itself + the great glory of that street was rather of hope than of memory. Bailiff + Hopkins had taken out three latticed windows, and put in one grand one of + plate-glass, with “finishing” blinds all varnished. And even on a Sunday + morning Bruntsea wanted to know what ever the bailiff was at behind them. + Some said that he did all his pickling on a Sunday; and by putting up + “spectacle glass” he had challenged the oldest inhabitant to come and try + his focus. + </p> + <p> + Despite all the rattle and roar of the wind, we went on in church as + usual. The vicar had a stout young curate from Durham, who could outshout + any tempest, with a good stone wall between them; and the Bruntsea folk + were of thicker constitution than to care an old hat for the weather. + Whatever was “sent by the Lord” they took with a grumble, but no + excitement. The clock in front of the gallery told the time of the day as + five minutes to twelve, when the vicar, a pleasant old-fashioned man, + pronounced his text, which he always did thrice over to make us sure of + it. And then he hitched up his old black gown, and directed his gaze at + the lord of the manor, to impress the whole church with authority. Major + Hockin acknowledged in a proper manner this courtesy of the minister by + rubbing up his crest, and looking even more wide-awake than usual; whereas + Aunt Mary, whose kind heart longed to see her own son in that pulpit, + calmly settled back her shoulders, and arranged her head and eyes so well + as to seem at a distance in rapt attention, while having a nice little + dream of her own. But suddenly all was broken up. The sexton (whose + license as warden of the church, and even whose duty it was to hear the + sermon only fitfully, from the tower arch, where he watched the boys, and + sniffed the bakehouse of his own dinner)—to the consternation of + every body, this faithful man ran up the nave, with his hands above his + head, and shouted, + </p> + <p> + “All Brownzee be awash, awash”—sounding it so as to rhyme with + “lash”—“the zea, the zea be all over us!” + </p> + <p> + The clergyman in the pulpit turned and looked through a window behind him, + while all the congregation rose. + </p> + <p> + “It is too true,” the preacher cried; “the sea is in over the bank, my + friends. Every man must rush to his own home. The blessing of the Lord be + on you through His fearful visitation!” + </p> + <p> + He had no time to say more; and we thought it very brave of him to say + that, for his own house was in the lower village, and there he had a wife + and children sick. In half a minute the church was empty, and the street + below it full of people, striving and struggling against the blast, and + breasting it at an incline like swimmers, but beaten back ever and anon + and hurled against one another, with tattered umbrellas, hats gone, and + bonnets hanging. And among them, like gulls before the wind, blew dollops + of spray and chunks of froth, with every now and then a slate or pantile. + </p> + <p> + All this was so bad that scarcely any body found power to speak, or think, + or see. The Major did his very best to lead us, but could by no means + manage it. And I screamed into his soundest ear to pull Aunt Mary into + some dry house—for she could not face such buffeting—and to + let me fare for myself as I might. So we left Mrs. Hockin in the bailiff's + house, though she wanted sadly to come with us, and on we went to behold + the worst. And thus, by running the byes of the wind, and craftily hugging + the corners, we got to the foot of the street at last, and then could go + no further. + </p> + <p> + For here was the very sea itself, with furious billows panting. Before us + rolled and ran a fearful surf of crested whiteness, torn by the screeching + squalls, and tossed in clashing tufts and pinnacles. And into these came, + sweeping over the shattered chine of shingle, gigantic surges from the + outer deep, towering as they crossed the bar, and combing against the + sky-line, then rushing onward, and driving the huddle of the ponded waves + before them. + </p> + <p> + The tide was yet rising, and at every blow the wreck and the havoc grew + worse and worse. That long sweep of brick-work, the “Grand Promenade,” + bowed and bulged, with wall and window knuckled in and out, like wattles; + the “Sea Parade” was a parade of sea; and a bathing-machine wheels upward + lay, like a wrecked Noah's Ark, on the top of the + “Saline-Silico-Calcareous Baths.” + </p> + <p> + The Major stood by me, while all his constructions “went by the board,” as + they say at sea; and verily every thing was at sea. I grieved for him so + that it was not the spray alone that put salt drops on my cheeks. And I + could not bear to turn and look at his good old weather-beaten face. But + he was not the man to brood upon his woes in silence. He might have used + nicer language, perhaps, but his inner sense was manful. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care a damn,” he shouted, so that all the women heard him. “I can + only say I am devilish glad that I never let one of those houses.” + </p> + <p> + There was a little band of seamen, under the shelter of a garden wall, + crouching, or sitting, or standing (or whatever may be the attitude, + acquired by much voyaging and experience of bad weather, which can not be + solved, as to centre of gravity, even by the man who does it), and these + men were so taken with the Major's manifesto, clinched at once and + clarified to them by strong, short language, that they gave him a loud + “hurrah,” which flew on the wings of the wind over house-tops. So queer + and sound is English feeling that now Major Hockin became in truth what + hitherto he was in title only—the lord and master of Bruntsea. + </p> + <p> + “A boat! a boat!” he called out again. “We know not who are drowning. The + bank still breaks the waves; a stout boat surely could live inside it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a boat could live well enough in this cockle, though never among + them breakers,” old Barnes, the fisherman, answered, who used to take us + out for whiting; “but Lord bless your honor, all the boats are thumped to + pieces, except yonner one, and who can get at her?” + </p> + <p> + Before restoring his hands to their proper dwelling-place—his + pockets—he jerked his thumb toward a long white boat, which we had + not seen through the blinding scud. Bereft of its brethren, or sisters—for + all fluctuating things are feminine—that boat survived, in virtue of + standing a few feet higher than the rest. But even so, and mounted on the + last hump of the pebble ridge, it was rolling and reeling with stress of + the wind and the wash of wild water under it. + </p> + <p> + “How nobly our Lyceum stands!” the Major shouted, for any thing less than + a shout was dumb. “This is the time to try institutions. I am proud of my + foundations.” + </p> + <p> + In answer to his words appeared a huge brown surge, a mountain ridge, + seething backward at the crest with the spread and weight of onset. This + great wave smote all other waves away, or else embodied them, and gathered + its height against the poor worn pebble bank, and descended. A roar + distinct above the universal roar proclaimed it; a crash of conflict shook + the earth, and the shattered bank was swallowed in a world of leaping + whiteness. When this wild mass dashed onward into the swelling flood + before us, there was no sign of Lyceum left, but stubs of foundation, and + a mangled roof rolling over and over, like a hen-coop. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that beats every thing I ever saw,” exclaimed the gallant Major. + “What noble timber! What mortise-work! No London scamping there, my lads. + But what comes here? Why, the very thing we wanted! Barnes, look alive, my + man. Run to your house, and get a pair of oars and a bucket.” + </p> + <p> + It was the boat, the last surviving boat of all that hailed from Bruntsea. + That monstrous billow had tossed it up like a school-boy's kite, and + dropped it whole, with an upright keel, in the inland sea, though nearly + half full of water. Driven on by wind and wave, it labored heavily toward + us; and more than once it seemed certain to sink as it broached to and + shipped seas again. But half a dozen bold fishermen rushed with a rope + into the short angry surf—to which the polled shingle bank still + acted as a powerful breakwater, else all Bruntsea had collapsed—and + they hauled up the boat with a hearty cheer, and ran her up straight with, + “Yo—heave—oh!” and turned her on her side to drain, and then + launched her again, with a bucket and a man to bail out the rest of the + water, and a pair of heavy oars brought down by Barnes, and nobody knows + what other things. + </p> + <p> + “Naught to steer with. Rudder gone!” cried one of the men, as the furious + gale drove the boat, athwart the street, back again. + </p> + <p> + “Wants another oar,” said Barnes. “What a fool I were to bring only two!” + </p> + <p> + “Here you are!” shouted Major Hockin. “One of you help me to pull up this + pole.” + </p> + <p> + Through a shattered gate they waded into a little garden, which had been + the pride of the season at Bruntsea; and there from the ground they tore + up a pole, with a board at the top nailed across it, and the following not + rare legend: “Lodgings to let. Inquire within. First floor front, and back + parlors.” + </p> + <p> + “Fust-rate thing to steer with! Would never have believed you had the + sense!” So shouted Barnes—a rough man, roughened by the stress of + storm and fright. “Get into starn-sheets if so liketh. Ye know, ye may be + useful.” + </p> + <p> + “I defy you to push off without my sanction. Useful, indeed! I am the + captain of this boat. All the ground under it is mine. Did you think, you + set of salted radicals, that I meant to let you go without me? And all + among my own houses!” + </p> + <p> + “Look sharp, governor, if you has the pluck, then. Mind, we are more like + to be swamped than not.” + </p> + <p> + As the boat swung about, Major Hockin jumped in, and so, on the spur of + the moment, did I. We staggered all about with the heave and roll, and + both would have fallen on the planks, or out over, if we had not tumbled, + with opposite impetus, into the arms of each other. Then a great wave + burst and soaked us both, and we fell into sitting on a slippery seat. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile two men were tugging at each oar, and Barnes himself steering + with the sign-board; and the head of the boat was kept against the wind + and the billows from our breakwater. Some of these seemed resolved (though + shorn of depth and height in crossing) to rush all over us and drown us in + the washer-women's drying ground. By skill and presence of mind, our + captain, Barnes, foiled all their violence, till we got a little shelter + from the ruins of the “Young Men's Christian Institute.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold all!” cried Barnes; “only keep her head up, while I look about what + there is to do.” + </p> + <p> + The sight was a thing to remember; and being on the better side now of the + scud, because it was flying away from us, we could make out a great deal + more of the trouble which had befallen Bruntsea. The stormy fiord which + had usurped the ancient track of the river was about a furlong in width, + and troughed with white waves vaulting over. And the sea rushed through at + the bottom as well, through scores of yards of pebbles, as it did in quiet + weather even, when the tide was brimming. We in the tossing boat, with her + head to the inrush of the outer sea, were just like people sitting upon + the floats or rafts of a furious weir; and if any such surge had topped + the ridge as the one which flung our boat to us, there could be no doubt + that we must go down as badly as the Major's houses. However, we hoped for + the best, and gazed at the desolation inland. + </p> + <p> + Not only the Major's great plan, but all the lower line of old Bruntsea, + was knocked to pieces, and lost to knowledge in freaks of wind-lashed + waters. Men and women were running about with favorite bits of furniture, + or feather-beds, or babies' cradles, or whatever they had caught hold of. + The butt ends of the three old streets that led down toward the sea-ground + were dipped, as if playing seesaw in the surf, and the storm made gangways + of them and lighthouses of the lamp-posts. The old public-house at the + corner was down, and the waves leaping in at the post-office door, and + wrecking the globes of the chemist. + </p> + <p> + “Drift and dash, and roar and rush, and the devil let loose in the thick + of it. My eyes are worn out with it. Take the glass, Erema, and tell us + who is next to be washed away. A new set of clothes-props for Mrs. Mangles + I paid for the very day I came back from town.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, the lord of the submarine manor (whose strength of + spirit amazed me) offered his pet binocular, which he never went without + upon his own domain. And fisherman Barnes, as we rose and fell, once more + saved us from being “swamped” by his clever way of paddling through a + scallop in the stern, with the board about the first floor front to let. + </p> + <p> + The seamen, just keeping way on the boat, sheltered their eyes with their + left hands, and fixed them on the tumultuous scene. + </p> + <p> + I also gazed through the double glass, which was a very clear one; but + none of us saw any human being at present in any peril. + </p> + <p> + “Old pilot was right, after all,” said one; “but what a good job as it + come o' middle day, and best of all of a Sunday!” + </p> + <p> + “I have heered say,” replied another, “that the like thing come to pass + nigh upon three hunder years agone. How did you get your things out, Jem + Bishop?” + </p> + <p> + Jem, the only one of them whose house was in the havoc, regarded with a + sailor's calmness the entry of the sea through his bedroom window, and was + going to favor us with a narrative, when one of his mates exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + “What do I see yonner, lads? Away beyond town altogether. Seemeth to me + like a fellow swimming. Miss, will you lend me spy-glass? Never seed a + double-barreled one before. Can use him with one eye shut, I s'pose?” + </p> + <p> + “No good that way, Joe,” cried Barnes, with a wink of superior knowledge, + for he often had used this binocular. “Shut one eye for one barrel—stands + to reason, then, you shut both for two, my son.” + </p> + <p> + “Stow that,” said the quick-eyed sailor, as he brought the glass to bear + in a moment. “It is a man in the water, lads, and swimming to save the + witch, I do believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless me!” cried the Major; “how stupid of us! I never thought once of + that poor woman. She must be washed out long ago. Pull for your lives, my + friends. A guinea apiece if you save her.” + </p> + <p> + “And another from me,” I cried. Whereupon the boat swept round, and the + tough ash bent, and we rushed into no small danger. For nearly half a mile + had we to pass of raging and boisterous water, almost as wild as the open + sea itself at the breaches of the pebble ridge. And the risk of a heavy + sea boarding us was fearfully multiplied by having thus to cross the storm + instead of breasting it. Useless and helpless, and only in the way, and + battered about by wind and sea, so that my Sunday dress was become a drag, + what folly, what fatuity, what frenzy, I might call it, could ever have + led me to jump into that boat? “I don't know. I only know that I always do + it,” said my sensible self to its mad sister, as they both shut their eyes + at a great white wave. “If I possibly survive, I will try to know better. + But ever from my childhood I am getting into scrapes.” + </p> + <p> + The boat labored on, with a good many grunts, but not a word from any one. + More than once we were obliged to fetch up as a great billow topped the + poor shingle bank; and we took so much water on board that the men said + afterward that I saved them. I only remember sitting down and working at + the bucket with both hands, till much of the skin was gone, and my arms + and many other places ached. But what was that to be compared with + drowning? + </p> + <p> + At length we were opposite “Desolate Hole,” which was a hole no longer, + but filled and flooded with the churning whirl and reckless dominance of + water. Tufts and tussocks of shattered brush and rolling wreck played + round it, and the old gray stone of mullioned windows split the wash like + mooring-posts. We passed and gazed; but the only sound was the whistling + of the tempest, and the only living sight a sea-gull, weary of his wings, + and drowning. + </p> + <p> + “No living creature can be there,” the Major broke our long silence. + “Land, my friends, if land we may. We risk our own lives for nothing.” + </p> + <p> + The men lay back on their oars to fetch the gallant boat to the wind + again, when through a great gap in the ruins they saw a sight that + startled manhood. At the back of that ruin, on the landward side, on a + wall which, tottered under them, there were two figures standing. One a + tall man, urging on, the other a woman shrinking. At a glance, or with a + thought, I knew them both. One was Lord Castlewood's first love, the other + his son and murderer. + </p> + <p> + Our men shouted with the whole power of their hearts to tell that + miserable pair to wait till succor should be brought to them. And the + Major stood up and waved his hat, and in doing so tumbled back again. I + can not tell—how could I tell in the thick of it?—but an idea + or a flit of fancy touched me (and afterward became conviction) that while + the man heard us not at all, and had no knowledge of us, his mother turned + round and saw us all, and faced the storm in preference. + </p> + <p> + Whatever the cause may have been, at least she suddenly changed her + attitude. The man had been pointing to the roof, which threatened to fall + in a mass upon them, while she had been shuddering back from the depth of + eddying waves below her. But now she drew up her poor bent figure, and + leaned on her son to obey him. + </p> + <p> + Our boat, with strong arms laboring for life, swept round the old gable of + the ruin; but we were compelled to “give it wide berth,” as Captain Barnes + shouted; and then a black squall of terrific wind and hail burst forth. We + bowed our heads and drew our bodies to their tightest compass, and every + rib of our boat vibrated as a violin does; and the oars were beaten flat, + and dashed their drip into fringes like a small-toothed comb. + </p> + <p> + That great squall was either a whirlwind or the crowning blast of a + hurricane. It beat the high waves hollow, as if it fell from the sky upon + them; and it snapped off one of our oars at the hilt, so that two of our + men rolled backward. And when we were able to look about again the whole + roof of “Desolate Hole” was gone, and little of the walls left standing. + And how we should guide our course, or even save our lives, we knew not. + </p> + <p> + We were compelled to bring up—as best we might—with the boat's + head to the sea, and so to keep it by using the steering gear against the + surviving oar. As for the people we were come to save, there was no chance + whatever of approaching them. Even without the mishap to the oar, we never + could have reached them. + </p> + <p> + And indeed when first we saw them again they seemed better off than + ourselves were. For they were not far from dry land, and the man (a + skillful and powerful swimmer) had a short piece of plank, which he knew + how to use to support his weak companion. + </p> + <p> + “Brave fellow! fine fellow!” the Major cried, little knowing whom he was + admiring. “See how he keeps up his presence of mind! Such a man as that is + worth any thing. And he cares more for her than he does for himself. He + shall have the Society's medal. One more long and strong stroke, my noble + friend. Oh, great God! what has befallen him?” + </p> + <p> + In horror and pity we gazed. The man had been dashed against something + headlong. He whirled round and round in white water, his legs were thrown + up, and we saw no more of him. The woman cast off the plank, and tossed + her helpless arms in search of him. A shriek, ringing far on the billowy + shore, declared that she had lost him; and then, without a struggle, she + clasped her hands, and the merciless water swallowed her. + </p> + <p> + “It is all over,” cried Major Hockin, lifting his drenched hat solemnly. + “The Lord knoweth best. He has taken them home.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LV + </h2> + <h3> + A DEAD LETTER + </h3> + <p> + With that great tornado, the wind took a leap of more points of the + compass than I can tell. Barnes, the fisherman, said how many; but I might + be quite wrong in repeating it. One thing, at any rate, was within my + compass—it had been blowing to the top of its capacity, direct from + the sea, but now it began to blow quite as hard along the shore. This + rough ingratitude of wind to waves, which had followed each breath of its + orders, produced extraordinary passion, and raked them into pointed + wind-cocks. + </p> + <p> + “Captain, we can't live this out,” cried Barnes; “we must run her ashore + at once; tide has turned; we might be blown out to sea, with one oar, and + then the Lord Himself couldn't save us.” + </p> + <p> + Crippled as we were, we contrived to get into a creek, or backwater, near + the Major's gate. Here the men ran the boat up, and we all climbed out, + stiff, battered, and terrified, but doing our best to be most truly + thankful. + </p> + <p> + “Go home, Captain, as fast as you can, and take the young lady along of + you,” said Mr. Barnes, as we stood and gazed at the weltering breadth of + disaster. “We are born to the drip, but not you, Sir; and you are not so + young as you was, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I am younger than ever I was,” the lord of the manor answered, sternly, + yet glancing back to make sure of no interruption from his better half—who + had not even heard of his danger. “None of that nonsense to me, Barnes. + You know your position, and I know mine. On board of that boat you took + the lead, and that may have misled you. I am very much obliged to you, I + am sure, for all your skill and courage, which have saved the lives of all + of us. But on land you will just obey me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sartinly, Captain. What's your orders?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing at all. I give no orders. I only make suggestions. But if your + experience sees a way to recover those two poor bodies, let us try it at + once—at once, Barnes. Erema, run home. This is no scene for you. And + tell Margaret to put on the double-bottomed boiler, with the stock she + made on Friday, and a peck of patent pease. There is nothing to beat pea + soup; and truly one never knows what may happen.” + </p> + <p> + This was only too evident now, and nobody disobeyed him. + </p> + <p> + Running up his “drive” to deliver that message, at one of the many bends I + saw people from Bruntsea hurrying along a footpath through the dairy-farm. + While the flood continued this was their only way to meet the boat's crew. + On the steps of “Smuggler's Castle” (as Bruntlands House was still called + by the wicked) I turned again, and the new sea-line was fringed with + active searchers. I knew what they were looking for, but, scared and + drenched and shivering as I was, no more would I go near them. My duty was + rather to go in and comfort dear Aunt Mary and myself. In that melancholy + quest I could do no good, but a great deal of harm, perhaps, if any thing + was found, by breaking forth about it. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hockin had not the least idea of the danger we had encountered. + Bailiff Hopkins had sent her home in Rasper's fly by an inland road, and + she kept a good scolding quite ready for her husband, to distract his mind + from disaster. That trouble had happened she could not look out of her + window without knowing; but could it be right, at their time of life, to + stand in the wet so, and challenge Providence, and spoil the first + turkey-poult of the season? + </p> + <p> + But when she heard of her husband's peril, in the midst of all his losses, + his self-command, and noble impulse first of all to rescue life, she burst + into tears, and hugged and kissed me, and said the same thing nearly fifty + times. + </p> + <p> + “Just like him. Just like my Nicholas. You thought him a speculative, + selfish man. Now you see your mistake, Erema.” + </p> + <p> + When her veteran husband came home at last (thoroughly jaded, and bringing + his fishermen to gulp the pea soup and to gollop the turkey), a small + share of mind, but a large one of heart, is required to imagine her + doings. Enough that the Major kept saying, “Pooh-pooh!” and the more he + said, the less he got of it. + </p> + <p> + When feelings calmed down, and we returned to facts, our host and hero + (who, in plain truth, had not so wholly eclipsed me in courage, though of + course I expected no praise, and got none, for people hate courage in a + lady), to put it more simply, the Major himself, making a considerable + fuss, as usual—for to my mind he never could be Uncle Sam—produced + from the case of his little “Church Service,” to which he had stuck like a + Briton, a sealed and stamped letter, addressed to me at Castlewood, in + Berkshire—“stamped,” not with any post-office tool, but merely with + the red thing which pays the English post. + </p> + <p> + Sodden and blurred as the writing was, I knew the clear, firm hand, the + same which on the envelope at Shoxford had tempted me to meanness. This + letter was from Thomas Hoyle; the Major had taken it from the pocket of + his corpse; all doubt about his death was gone. When he felt his feet on + the very shore, and turned to support his mother, a violent wave struck + the back of his head upon Major Hockin's pillar-box. + </p> + <p> + Such sadness came into my heart—though sternly it should have been + gladness—that I begged their pardon, and went away, as if with a + private message. And wicked as it may have been, to read was more than + once to cry. The letter began abruptly: + </p> + <p> + “You know nearly all my story now. I have only to tell you what brought me + to you, and what my present offer is. But to make it clear, I must enlarge + a little. + </p> + <p> + “There was no compact of any kind between your father and myself. He + forbore at first to tell what he must have known, partly, perhaps, to + secure my escape, and partly for other reasons. If he had been brought to + trial, his duty to his family and himself would have led him, no doubt, to + explain things. And if that had failed, I would have returned and + surrendered myself. As things happened, there was no need. + </p> + <p> + “Through bad luck, with which I had nothing to do, though doubtless the + whole has been piled on my head, your father's home was destroyed, and he + seems to have lost all care for every thing. Yet how much better off was + he than I! Upon me the curse fell at birth; upon him, after thirty years + of ease and happiness. However, for that very reason, perhaps, he bore it + worse than I did. He grew imbittered against the world, which had in no + way ill-treated him; whereas its very first principle is to scorn all such + as I am. He seems to have become a misanthrope, and a fatalist like + myself. Though it might almost make one believe the existence of such a + thing as justice to see pride pay for its wickedness thus—the injury + to the outcast son recoil upon the pampered one, and the family arrogance + crown itself with the ignominy of the family. + </p> + <p> + “In any case, there was no necessity for my interference; and being denied + by fate all sense of duty to a father, I was naturally driven to double my + duty to my mother, whose life was left hanging upon mine. So we two for + many years wandered about, shunning islands and insular prejudice. I also + shunned your father, though (so far as I know) he neither sought me nor + took any trouble to clear himself. If the one child now left him had been + a son, heir to the family property and so on, he might have behaved quite + otherwise, and he would have been bound to do so. But having only a female + child, who might never grow up, and, if she did, was very unlikely to + succeed, he must have resolved at least to wait. And perhaps he confirmed + himself with the reflection that even if people believed his tale (so long + after date and so unvouched), so far as family annals were concerned, the + remedy would be as bad as the disease. Moreover, he owed his life to me, + at great risk of my own; and to pay such a debt with the hangman's rope + would scarcely appear quite honorable, even in the best society. + </p> + <p> + “It is not for me to pretend to give his motives, although from my + knowledge of his character I can guess them pretty well, perhaps. We went + our several ways in the world, neither of us very fortunate. + </p> + <p> + “One summer, in the Black Forest, I fell in with an outcast Englishman, + almost as great a vagabond as myself. He was under the ban of the law for + writing his father's name without license. He did not tell me that, or + perhaps even I might have despised him, for I never was dishonest. But one + great bond there was between us—we both detested laws and men. My + intimacy with him is the one thing in life which I am ashamed of. He + passed by a false name then, of course. But his true name was Montague + Hockin. My mother was in very weak health then, and her mind for the most + part clouded; and I need not say that she knew nothing of what I had done + for her sake. That man pretended to take the greatest interest in her + condition, and to know a doctor at Baden who could cure her. + </p> + <p> + “We avoided all cities (as he knew well), and lived in simple villages, + subsisting partly upon my work, and partly upon the little income left by + my grandfather, Thomas Hoyle. But, compared with Hockin, we were well off; + and he did his best to swindle us. Luckily all my faith in mankind was + confined to the feminine gender, and not much even of that survived. In a + very little time I saw that people may repudiate law as well from being + below as from being above it. + </p> + <p> + “Then he came one night, with the finest style and noblest contempt of + every thing. We must prepare ourselves for great news, and all our + kindness to him would be repaid tenfold in a week or two. Let me go into + Freyburg that time to-morrow night, and listen. I asked him nothing as to + what he meant, for I was beginning to weary of him, as of every body. + However, I thought it just worth while, having some one who bought my + wicker-work, to enter the outskirts of the town on the following evening, + and wait to be told if any news was stirring. And the people were amazed + at my not knowing that last night the wife of an English lord—for so + they called him, though no lord yet—had run away with a + golden-bearded man, believed to be also English. + </p> + <p> + “About that you know more, perhaps, than I do. But I wish you to know what + that Hockin was, and to clear myself of complicity. Of Herbert Castlewood + I knew nothing, and I never even saw the lady. And to say (as Sir Montague + Hockin has said) that I plotted all that wickedness, from spite toward all + of the Castlewood name, is to tell as foul a lie as even he can well + indulge in. + </p> + <p> + “It need not be said that he does not know my story from any word of mine. + To such a fellow I was not likely to commit my mother's fate. But he seems + to have guessed at once that there was something strange in my history; + and then, after spying and low prying at my mother, to have shaped his own + conclusion. Then, having entirely under his power that young fool who left + a kind husband for him, he conceived a most audacious scheme. This was no + less than to rob your cousin, the last Lord Castlewood, not of his wife + and jewels and ready money only, but also of all the disposable portion of + the Castlewood estates. For the lady's mother had taken good care, like a + true Hungarian, to have all the lands settled upon her daughter, so far as + the husband could deal with them. And though, at the date of the marriage, + he could not really deal at all with them—your father being still + alive—it appears that his succession (when it afterward took place) + was bound, at any rate, as against himself. A divorce might have canceled + this—I can not say—but your late cousin was the last man in + the world to incur the needful exposure. Upon this they naturally counted. + </p> + <p> + “The new 'Lady Hockin' (as she called herself, with as much right as 'Lady + Castlewood') flirted about while her beauty lasted; but even then found + her master in a man of deeper wickedness. But if her poor husband desired + revenge—which he does not seem to have done, perhaps—he could + not have had it better. She was seized with a loathsome disease, which + devoured her beauty, like Herod and his glory. I believe that she still + lives, but no one can go near her; least of all, the fastidious Montague.” + </p> + <p> + At this part of the letter I drew a deep breath, and exclaimed, “Thank + God!” I know not how many times; and perhaps it was a crime of me to do it + even once. + </p> + <p> + “Finding his nice prospective game destroyed by this little accident—for + he meant to have married the lady after her husband's death, and set you + at defiance; but even he could not do that now, little as he cares for + opinion—what did he do but shift hands altogether? He made up his + mind to confer the honor of his hand on you, having seen you somewhere in + London, and his tactics became the very opposite of what they had been + hitherto. Your father's innocence now must be maintained instead of his + guiltiness. + </p> + <p> + “With this in view, he was fool enough to set the detective police after + me—me, who could snap all their noses off! For he saw how your heart + was all set on one thing, and expected to have you his serf forever, by + the simple expedient of hanging me. The detectives failed, as they always + do. He also failed in his overtures to you. + </p> + <p> + “You did your utmost against me also, for which I bear you no ill-will, + but rather admire your courage. You acted in a straightforward way, and + employed no dirty agency. Of your simple devices I had no fear. However, I + thought it as well to keep an eye upon that Hockin, and a worthy old fool, + some relation of his, who had brought you back from America. To this end I + kept my head-quarters near him, and established my mother comfortably. She + was ordered sea air, and has had enough. To-morrow I shall remove her. By + the time you receive this letter we shall both be far away, and come back + no more; but first I shall punish that Hockin. Without personal violence + this will be done. + </p> + <p> + “Now what I propose to you is simple, moderate, and most strictly just. My + mother's little residue of life must pass in ease and comfort. She has + wronged no one, but ever been wronged. Allow her 300 pounds a year, to be + paid as I shall direct you. For myself I will not take a farthing. You + will also restore, as I shall direct, the trinket upon which she sets + great value, and for which I sought vainly when we came back to England. I + happen to know that you have it now. + </p> + <p> + “In return for these just acts, you have the right to set forth the whole + truth publicly, to proclaim your father's innocence, and (as people will + say) his chivalry; and, which will perhaps rejoice you also, to hear no + more of + </p> + <p> + “THOMAS HOYLE. + </p> + <p> + “P.S.—Of course I am trusting your honor in this. But your father's + daughter can be no sneak; as indeed I have already proved.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVI + </h2> + <h3> + WITH HIS OWN SWORD + </h3> + <p> + “What a most wonderful letter!” cried the Major, when, after several + careful perusals, I thought it my duty to show it to him. “He calls me a + 'worthy old fool,' does he? Well, I call him something a great deal worse—an + unworthy skulk, a lunatic, a subverter of rank, and a Radical! And because + he was a bastard, is the whole world base? And to come and live like that + in a house of mine, and pay me no rent, and never even let me see him! + Your grandfather was quite right, my dear, in giving him the cold + shoulder. Of course you won't pay him a farthing.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget that he is dead,” I answered, “and his poor mother with him. + At least he behaved well to his mother. You called him a hero—when + you knew not who he was. Poor fellow, he is dead! And, in spite of all, I + can not help being very sorry for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I dare say. Women always are. But you must show a little + common-sense, Erema. Your grandfather seems to have had too much, and your + father far too little. We must keep this matter quiet. Neither the man nor + the woman must we know, or a nice stir we shall have in all the county + papers. There must be an inquest, of course, upon them both; but none of + the fellows read this direction, for the admirable reason that they can + not read. Our coming forward could do no good, and just now Bruntsea has + other things to think of; and, first and foremost, my ruin, as they say.” + </p> + <p> + “Please not to talk of that,” I exclaimed. “I can raise any quantity of + money now, and you shall have it without paying interest. You wanted the + course of the river restored, and now you have more—you have got the + very sea. You could float the Bridal Veil itself, I do believe, at + Bruntsea.” + </p> + <p> + “You have suggested a fine idea,” the Major exclaimed, with emphasis. “You + certainly should have been an engineer. It is a thousand times easier—as + every body knows—to keep water in than to keep it out. Having burst + my barricade, the sea shall stop inside and pay for it. Far less capital + will be required. By Jove, what a fool I must have been not to see the + hand of Providence in all this! Mary, can you spare me a minute, my dear? + The noblest idea has occurred to me. Well, never mind, if you are busy; + perhaps I had better not state it crudely, though it is not true that it + happens every hour. I shall turn it over in my mind throughout the evening + service. I mean to be there, just to let them see. They think that I am + crushed, of course. They will see their mistake; and, Erema, you may come. + The gale is over, and the evening bright. You sit by the fire, Mary, my + dear; I shall not let you out again; keep the silver kettle boiling. In + church I always think more clearly than where people talk so much. But + when I come home I require something. I see, I see. Instead of an idle, + fashionable lounging-place for nincompoops from London, instead of + flirtation and novel-reading, vulgarity, show, and indecent attire, and + positively immoral bathing, we will now have industry, commerce, wealth, + triumph of mechanism, lofty enterprise, and international good-will. A + harbor has been the great want of this coast; see what a thing it is at + Newport! We will now have a harbor and floating docks, without any muddy, + malarious river—all blue water from the sea; and our fine cliff + range shall be studded with good houses. And the whole shall be called + 'Erema-port.'” + </p> + <p> + Well, Erema must be getting very near her port, although it was not at + Bruntsea. Enough for this excellent man and that still more excellent + woman that there they are, as busy and as happy as the day is long—which + imposes some limit upon happiness, perhaps, inasmuch as to the busy every + day is short. But Mrs. Hockin, though as full of fowls as ever, gets no + White Sultans nor any other rarity now from Sir Montague Hockin. That + gentleman still is alive—so far, at least, as we have heard of; but + no people owning any self-respect ever deal with him, to their knowledge. + He gambled away all his father's estates, and the Major bought the last of + them for his youngest son, a very noble Captain Hockin (according to his + mother's judgment), whom I never had the honor of seeing. Sir Montague + lives in a sad plight somewhere, and his cousin still hopes that he may + turn honest. + </p> + <p> + But as to myself and far greater persons, still there are a few words to + be said. As soon as all necessary things were done at Bruntsea and at + Castlewood, and my father's memory cleared from all stain, and by simple + truth ennobled, in a manner strictly legal and consistent with heavy + expenses, myself having made a long deposition and received + congratulations—as soon as it was possible, I left them all, and set + sail for America. + </p> + <p> + The rashness of such a plan it is more easy for one to establish than two + to deny. But what was there in it of peril or of enterprise compared with + what I had been through already? I could not keep myself now from going, + and reasoned but little about it. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile there had been no further tidings of Colonel Gundry or Firm, or + even Martin of the Mill himself. But one thing I did which showed some + little foresight. As soon as my mind was made up, and long before ever I + could get away, I wrote to Martin Clogfast, telling him of my intention, + and begging him, if he had any idea of the armies, or the Sawyer, or even + Firm, or any thing whatever of interest, to write (without losing a day) + to me, directing his letter to a house in New York whose address Major + Hockin gave me. + </p> + <p> + So many things had to be done, and I listened so foolishly to the Major + (who did his very best to stop me), that it came to be May, 1862 (nearly + four years after my father's death), before I could settle all my plans + and start. For every body said that I was much too young to take such a + journey all by myself, and “what every body says must be right,” whenever + there is no exception to prove the rule. “Aunt Marys” are not to be found + every day, nor even Major Hockins; and this again helped to throw me back + in getting away from England. And but for his vast engineering ideas, and + another slight touch of rheumatic gout (brought upon herself by Mrs. + Hockin through setting seven hens in one evening), the Major himself might + have come with me, “to observe the new military tactics,” as well as to + look for his cousin Sampson. + </p> + <p> + In recounting this I seem to be as long as the thing itself was in + accomplishing. But at last it was done, and most kindly was I offered the + very thing to suit me—permission to join the party of a well-known + British officer, Colonel Cheriton, of the Engineers. This gentleman, being + of the highest repute as a writer upon military subjects, had leave from + the Federal government to observe the course of this tremendous war. And + perhaps he will publish some day what seems as yet to be wholly wanting—a + calm and impartial narrative of that unparalleled conflict. At any rate, + he meant to spare no trouble in a matter so instructive, and he took his + wife and two daughters—very nice girls, who did me a world of good—to + establish them in Washington, or wherever the case might require. + </p> + <p> + Lucky as this was for me, I could not leave my dear and faithful friends + without deep sorrow; but we all agreed that it should be only for a very + little time. We landed first at New York, and there I found two letters + from Martin of the Mill. In the first he grumbled much, and told me that + nothing was yet known about Uncle Sam; in the second he grumbled (if + possible) more, but gave me some important news. To wit, he had received a + few lines from the Sawyer, who had failed as yet to find his grandson, and + sadly lamented the misery he saw, and the shocking destruction of God's + good works. He said that he could not bring himself to fight (even if he + were young enough) against his own dear countrymen, one of whom was his + own grandson; at the same time he felt that they must be put down for + trying to have things too much their own way. About slavery, he had seen + too much of niggers to take them at all for his equals, and no white man + with any self-respect would desire to be their brother. The children of + Ham were put down at the bottom, as their noses and their lips pronounced, + according to Divine revelation; and for sons of Japheth to break up the + noblest nation in the world, on their account, was like rushing in to + inherit their curse. As sure as his name was Sampson Gundry, those who had + done it would get the worst, though as yet they were doing wonders. And + there could be no doubt about one thing—which party it was that + began it. But come what would of it, here he was; and never would + Saw-mills see him again unless he brought Firm Gundry. But he wanted news + of poor Miss 'Rema; and if any came to the house, they must please to send + it to the care of Colonel Baker, headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. + </p> + <p> + This was the very thing I wished to know, and I saw now how stupid I must + have been not to have thought of it long ago. For Colonel Baker was, to my + knowledge, an ancient friend of Uncle Sam, and had joined the national + army at the very outbreak of the war. Well known not only in California, + but throughout the States, for gallantry and conduct, this officer had + been a great accession to the Federal cause, when so many wavered, and so + he was appointed to a good command. But, alas! when I told Colonel + Cheriton my news, I learned from him (who had carefully watched all the + incidents of the struggle) that Uncle Sam's noble friend had fallen in the + battle of Ball's Bluff, while charging at the head of his regiment. + </p> + <p> + Still, there was hope that some of the officers might know where to find + Uncle Sam, who was not at all a man to be mislaid; and being allowed to + accompany my English friends, I went on to Washington. We found that city + in a highly nervous state, and from time to time ready to be captured. + General Jackson was almost at the gates, and the President every day was + calling out for men. The Army of Virginia had been beaten back to + intrenchments before the capital, and General Lee was invading Maryland. + Battle followed battle, thick as blows upon a threshing-floor, and though + we were always said to be victorious, the enemy seemed none the more to + run away. In this confusion, what chance had I of discovering even the + Sawyer? + </p> + <p> + Colonel Cheriton (who must have found me a dreadful thorn in the flank of + his strategy) missed no opportunity of inquiry, as he went from one valley + to another. For the war seemed to run along the course of rivers, though + it also passed through the forests and lakes, and went up into the + mountains. Our wonderfully clever and kind member of the British army was + delighted with the movements of General Lee, who alone showed scientific + elegance in slaying his fellow-countrymen; and the worst of it was that + instead of going after my dear Uncle Sam, Colonel Cheriton was always + rushing about with maps, plans, and telescopes, to follow the tracery of + Lee's campaign. To treat of such matters is far beyond me, as I am most + thankful to confess. Neither will I dare to be sorry for a great man doing + what became his duty. My only complaint against him is that he kept us in + a continual fright. + </p> + <p> + However, this went by, and so did many other things, though heavily laden + with grief and death; and the one thing we learned was to disbelieve + ninety-nine out of every hundred. Letters for the Sawyer were dispatched + by me to every likely place for him, and advertisements put into countless + newspapers, but none of them seemed to go near him. Old as he was, he + avoided feather-beds, and roamed like a true Californian. But at last I + found him, in a sad, sad way. + </p> + <p> + It was after the battle of Chancellorsville, and our army had been driven + back across the Rappahannock. “Our army,” I call it, because (although we + belonged to neither party) fortune had brought us into contact with these, + and knowing more about them, we were bound to take their side. And not + only that, but to me it appeared altogether beyond controversy that a man + of large mind and long experience (such as Uncle Sam had) should know much + better than his grandson which cause was the one to fight for. At the same + time Firm was not at all to be condemned. And if it was true, as Martin + Clogfast said, that trouble of mind at my absence had driven him into a + prejudiced view, nothing could possibly be more ungracious than for me to + make light of his judgment. + </p> + <p> + Being twenty years old by this time, I was wiser than I used to be, and + now made a practice of thinking twice before rushing into peril, as I used + to do in California, and to some extent also in England. For though my + adventures might not have been as strange as many I myself have heard of + (especially from Suan Isco), nevertheless they had comprised enough of + teaching and suffering also to make me careful about having any more. And + so for a long time I kept at the furthest distance possible, in such a + war, from the vexing of the air with cannons, till even Colonel Cheriton's + daughters—perfectly soft and peaceful girls—began to despise + me as a coward. Knowing what I had been through, I indulged their young + opinions. + </p> + <p> + Therefore they were the more startled when I set forth under a sudden + impulse, or perhaps impatience, for a town very near the head-quarters of + the defeated General Hooker. As they were so brave, I asked them whether + they would come with me; but although their father was known to be there, + they turned pale at the thought of it. This pleased me, and made me more + resolute to go; and in three days' time I was at Falmouth, a town on our + side of the Rappahannock. + </p> + <p> + Here I saw most miserable sights that made me ashamed of all trifling + fear. When hundreds and thousands of gallant men were dying in crippled + agony, who or what was I to make any fuss about my paltry self? Clumsy as + I was, some kind and noble ladies taught me how to give help among the + sufferers. + </p> + <p> + At first I cried so at every body's pain, while asking why ever they + should have it, that I did some good by putting them up to bear it rather + than distress me so. And when I began to command myself (as custom soon + enabled me), I did some little good again by showing them how I cared for + them. Their poor weak eyes, perhaps never expecting to see a nice thing in + the world again, used to follow me about with a faint, slow roll, and a + feeble spark of jealousy. + </p> + <p> + That I should have had such a chance of doing good, onefold to others and + a thousandfold to self, at this turn of life, when I was full of little + me, is another of the many most clear indications of a kind hand over me. + Every day there was better than a year of ordinary life in breaking the + mind from its little selfish turns, and opening the heart to a larger + power. And all this discipline was needed. + </p> + <p> + For one afternoon, when we all were tired, with great heat upon us + suddenly, and the flies beginning to be dreadful, our chief being rather + unwell and fast asleep, the surgeons away, and our beds as full as they + could be, I was called down to reason with an applicant who would take no + denial. “A rough man, a very rough old man, and in a most terrible state + of mind,” said the girl who brought the message; “and room he would have, + or he would know the reason.” + </p> + <p> + “The reason is not far to seek,” I answered, more to myself than her, as I + ran down the stairs to discomfit that old man. At the open door, with the + hot wind tossing worn white curls and parching shriveled cheeks, now + wearily raising his battered hat, stood my dear Uncle Sam, the Sawyer. + </p> + <p> + “Lor' a massy! young lady, be you altogether daft? In my best of days, + never was I lips for kissing. And the bootifulest creatur—Come now, + I ain't saved your life, have I now?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, fifty times over—fifty thousand times. Uncle Sam, don't you + know Erema?” + </p> + <p> + “My eyes be dashed! And dashed they be, to forget the look of yours, my + dearie. Seven days have I marched without thanking the Lord; and hot coals + of fire has He poured upon me now, for His mercy endureth forever. To + think of you—to think of you—as like my own child as could be—only + of more finer breed—here standing in front of me, like this here! + There! I never dreamed to do that again, and would scorn a young man at + the sight of it.” + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer was too honest to conceal that he was weeping. He simply turned + his tanned and weathered face toward the door-post, not to hide his tears, + but reconcile his pride by feigning it. I felt that he must be at very low + ebb, and all that I had seen of other people's sorrow had no power to + assuage me. Inside the door, to keep the hot wind out and hide my eyes + from the old man's face, I had some little quiet sobs, until we could both + express ourselves. + </p> + <p> + “It is poor Firm, the poor, poor lad!—oh, what hath happened him? + That I should see the day!” + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam's deep voice broke into a moan, and he bowed his rough forehead + on his arm, and shook. Then I took him by the sleeve and brought him in. + </p> + <p> + “Not dead—poor Firm, your only one—not dead?” as soon as words + would come, I asked, and trembled for the opening of his lips. + </p> + <p> + “Not dead—not quite; but ten times worse. He hath flown into the + face of the Lord, like Saul and his armor-bearer; he hath fallen on his + own sword; and the worst of it is that the darned thing won't come out + again.” + </p> + <p> + “Firm—the last person in the world to do it! Oh, Uncle Sam, surely + they have told you—” + </p> + <p> + “No lies—no lie at all, my dear. And not only that, but he wanteth + now to die—and won't be long first, I reckon. But no time to lose, + my dear. The Lord hath sent you to make him happy in his leaving of the + world. Can 'e raise a bed and a doctor here? If he would but groan, I + could bear it a bit, instead of bleeding inward. And for sartin sure, a' + would groan nicely, if only by force of habit, at first sight of a real + doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “There are half a dozen here,” I said; “or at least close by. He shall + have my own bed. But where is he?” + </p> + <p> + “We have laid 'un in the sand,” he answered, simply, “for to dry his + perspiration. That weak the poor chap is that he streameth night and day, + miss. Never would you know him for our Firm now, any more than me for + Sampson Gundry. Ah me! but the Lord is hard on us!” + </p> + <p> + Slowly and heavily he went his way to fetch poor Firm to the hospital; + while, with light feet but a heavy heart, I returned to arouse our + managers. Speedily and well were all things done; and in half an hour Finn + lay upon my bed, with two of the cleverest surgeons of New York most + carefully examining his wasted frame. These whispered and shook their + heads, as in such a case was indispensable; and listening eagerly, I heard + the senior surgeon say, “No, he could never bear it.” The younger man + seemed to think otherwise, but to give way to the longer experience. Then + dear Uncle Sam, having bought a new hat at the corner of the street, came + forward. Knowing too well what excitement is, and how it changes every + one, I lifted my hand for him to go back; but he only put his great hot + web of fingers into mine, and drew me to him softly, and covered me up + with his side. “He heareth nort, nort, nort,” he whispered to me; and then + spoke aloud: + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen and ladies—or ladies and gentlemen, is the more correct + form nowadays—have I leave to say a word or two? Then if I have, as + your manner to me showeth, and heartily thanking you for that same, my + words shall go into an acorn-cup. This lad, laid out at your mercy here, + was as fine a young fellow as the West hath ever raised—straight and + nimble, and could tell no lie. Family reasons, as you will excoose of, + drew him to the arms of rebellion. I may have done, and overdone it + myself, in arguing cantrips and convictions, whereof to my knowledge good + never came yet. At any rate, off he went anyhow, and the force of nature + drew me after him. No matter that to you, I dare say; but it would be, if + you was in it. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and gentlemen, here he is, and no harm can you make out of him. + Although he hath fought for the wrong side to our thinking, bravely hath + he fought, and made his way to a colonelship, worth five thousand dollars, + if ever they pay their wages. Never did I think that he would earn so + much, having never owned gifts of machinery; and concerning the handling + of the dollars, perhaps, will carry my opinion out. But where was I + wandering of a little thing like that? + </p> + <p> + “It hath pleased the Lord, who doeth all things well, when finally come to + look back upon—the Lord hath seen fit to be down on this young man + for going agin his grandfather. From Californy—a free State, mind + you—he come away to fight for slavery. And how hath he magnified his + office? By shooting the biggest man on that side, the almighty foe of the + Union, the foremost captain of Midian—the general in whom they + trusted. No bullets of ours could touch him; but by his own weapons he + hath fallen. And soon as Ephraim Gundry heard it, he did what you see done + to him.” + </p> + <p> + Uncle Sam having said his say—which must have cost him dearly—withdrew + from the bed where his grandson's body lay shrunken, lax, and grimy. To be + sure that it was Firm, I gave one glance—for Firm had always been + straight, tall, and large—and then, in a miserable mood, I stole to + the Sawyer's side to stand with him. “Am I to blame? Is this my fault? For + even this am I to blame?” I whispered; but he did not heed me, and his + hands were like hard stone. + </p> + <p> + After a long, hot, heavy time, while I was laboring vainly, the Sawyer + also (through exhaustion of excitement) weary, and afraid to begin again + with new bad news, as beaten people expect to do, the younger surgeon came + up to him, and said, “Will you authorize it?” + </p> + <p> + “To cut 'un up? To show your museums what a Western lad is? Never. By the + Blue River he shall have a good grave. So help me God, to my own, my man!” + </p> + <p> + “You misunderstand me. We have more subjects now than we should want for + fifty years. War knocks the whole of their value on the head. We have + fifty bodies as good as this, and are simply obliged to bury them. What I + mean is, shall we pull the blade out?” + </p> + <p> + “Can he do any thing with that there blade in him? I have heard of a man + in Kentucky once—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; we know all those stories, Colonel—suit the newspapers, + not the journals. This fellow has what must kill him inside; he is worn to + a shadow already. If there it is left, die he must, and quick stick; + inflammation is set up already. If we extract it, his chance of surviving + is scarcely one in a hundred.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him have the one, then, the one in the hundred, like the ninety and + nine lost sheep. The Lord can multiply a hundredfold—some + threescore, and some an hundredfold. I will speak to Him, gentlemen, while + you try the job.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVII + </h2> + <h3> + FEMALE SUFFRAGE + </h3> + <p> + All that could be done by skill and care and love, was done for Firm. Our + lady manager and head nurse never left him when she could be spared, and + all the other ladies vied in zeal for this young soldier, so that I could + scarcely get near him. His grandfather's sad and extraordinary tale was + confirmed by a wounded prisoner. Poor Ephraim Gundry's rare power of sight + had been fatal perhaps to the cause he fought for, or at least to its + greatest captain. Returning from desperate victory, the general, wrapped + in the folds of night, and perhaps in the gloom of his own stern thoughts, + while it seemed quite impossible that he should be seen, encountered the + fire of his own troops; and the order to fire was given by his favorite + officer, Colonel Firm Gundry. When the young man learned that he had + destroyed, by a lingering death, the chief idol of his heart, he called + for a rifle, but all refused him, knowing too well what his purpose was. + Then under the trees, without a word or sigh, he set the hilt of his sword + upon the earth, and the point to his heart—as well as he could find + it. The blade passed through him, and then snapped off—But I can not + bear to speak of it. + </p> + <p> + And now, few people might suppose it, but the substance of which he was + made will be clear, when not only his own knowledge of his case but also + the purest scientific reasoning established a truth more frankly + acknowledged in the New World than in the Old one. It was proved that, + with a good constitution, it is safer to receive two wounds than one, even + though they may not be at the same time taken. Firm had been shot by the + captain of Mexican robbers, as long ago related. He was dreadfully pulled + down at the time, and few people could have survived it. But now that + stood him in the very best stead, not only as a lesson of patience, but + also in the question of cartilage. But not being certain what cartilage + is, I can only refer inquirers to the note-book of the hospital, which has + been printed. + </p> + <p> + For us it was enough to know that (shattered as he was and must be) this + brave and single-minded warrior struggled for the time successfully with + that great enemy of the human race, to whom the human race so largely + consign one another and themselves. But some did say, and emphatically + Uncle Sam, that Colonel Firm Gundry—for a colonel he was now, not by + courtesy, but commission—would never have held up his head to do it, + but must have gone on with his ravings for death, if somebody had not + arrived in the nick of time, and cried over him—a female somebody + from old England. + </p> + <p> + And, even after that, they say that he never would have cared to be a man + again, never would have calmed his conscience with the reflection, so + commonplace and yet so high—that having done our best according to + our lights, we must not dwell always on our darkness—if once again, + and for the residue of life, there had not been some one to console him—a + consolation that need not have, and is better without, pure reason, + coming, as that would come, from a quarter whence it is never quite + welcome. Enough for me that he never laid hand to a weapon of war again, + and never shall unless our own home is invaded. + </p> + <p> + For after many months—each equal to a year of teaching and of + humbling—there seemed to be a good time for me to get away and + attend to my duties in England. Of these I had been reminded often by + letters, and once by a messenger; but all money matters seemed dust in the + balance where life and death were swinging. But now Uncle Sam and his + grandson, having their love knit afresh by disaster, were eager to start + for the Saw-mill, and trust all except their own business to Providence. + </p> + <p> + I had told them that, when they went westward, my time would be come for + starting eastward; and being unlikely to see them again, I should hope for + good news frequently. And then I got dear Uncle Sam by himself, and begged + him, for the sake of Firm's happiness, to keep him as far as he could from + Pennsylvania Sylvester. At the same time I thought that the very nice + young lady who jumped upon his nose from the window, Miss Annie—I + forgot her name, or at any rate I told him so—would make him a good + straightforward wife, so far as one could tell from having seen her. And + that seemed to have been settled in their infancy. And if he would let me + know when it was to be, I had seen a thing in London I should like to give + them. + </p> + <p> + When I asked the Sawyer to see to this, instead of being sorry, he seemed + quite pleased, and nodded sagaciously, and put his hat on, as he generally + did, to calculate. + </p> + <p> + “Both of them gals have married long ago,” he said, looking at me with a + fine soft gaze; “and bad handfuls their mates have got of them. But what + made you talk of them, missy—or 'my lady,' as now you are in old + country, I hear—what made you think of them like that, my dearie?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell what made me think of them. How can I tell why I think of + every thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Still, it was an odd thing for your ladyship to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Sam, I am nobody's ladyship, least of all yours. What makes you + speak so? I am your own little wandering child, whose life you saved, and + whose father you loved, and who loses all who love her. Even from you I am + forced to go away. Oh, why is it always my fate—my fate?” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said the old man; and I stopped my outburst at his whisper. “To + talk of fate, my dearie, shows either one thing or the other—that we + have no will of our own, or else that we know not how to guide it. I never + knew a good man talk of fate. The heathens and the pagans made it. The + Lord in heaven is enough for me; and He always hath allowed me my own + free-will, though I may not have handled 'un cleverly. And He giveth you + your own will now, my missy—to go from us or to stop with us. And + being as you are a very grand young woman now, owning English land and + income paid in gold instead of greenbacks—the same as our nugget + seems likely—to my ideas it would be wrong if we was so much as to + ask you.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that what you are full of, then, and what makes you so mysterious? I + did think that you knew me better, and I had a right to hope so.” + </p> + <p> + “Concerning of yourself alone is not what we must think of. You might do + this, or you might do that, according to what you was told, or, even more, + according to what was denied you. For poor honest people, like Firm and + me, to deal with such a case is out of knowledge. For us it is—go by + the will of the Lord, and dead agin your own desires.” + </p> + <p> + “But, dear Uncle Sam,” I cried, feeling that now I had him upon his own + tenterhooks, “you rebuked me as sharply as lies in your nature for daring + to talk about fate just now; but to what else comes your own conduct, if + you are bound to go against your own desire? If you have such a lot of + freewill, why must you do what you do not like to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, perhaps I was talking rather large. The will of the world is + upon us as well. And we must have respect for its settlements.” + </p> + <p> + “Now let me,” I said, with a trembling wish to have every thing right and + maidenly. “I have seen so much harm from misunderstandings, and they are + so simple when it is too late—let me ask you one or two questions, + Uncle Sam. You always answer every body. And to you a crooked answer is + impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Business is business,” the Sawyer said. “My dear, I contract + accordingly.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Then, in the first place, what do you wish to have done with + me? Putting aside all the gossip, I mean, of people who have never even + heard of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, to take you back to Saw-mill with us, where you always was so + natural.” + </p> + <p> + “In the next place, what does your grandson wish?” + </p> + <p> + “To take you back to Saw-mill with him, and keep you there till death do + you part, as chanceth to all mortal pairs.” + </p> + <p> + “And now, Uncle Sam, what do I wish? You say we all have so much + free-will.” + </p> + <p> + “It is natural that you should wish, my dear, to go and be a great lady, + and marry a nobleman of your own rank, and have a lot of little noblemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I fly against nature; and the fault is yours for filling me so with + machinery.” + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer was beaten, and he never said again that a woman can not argue. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVIII + </h2> + <h3> + BEYOND DESERT, AND DESERTS + </h3> + <p> + From all the carnage, havoc, ruin, hatred, and fury of that wicked war we + set our little convoy forth, with passes procured from either side. + According to all rules of war, Firm was no doubt a prisoner; but having + saved his life, and taken his word to serve no more against them, + remembering also that he had done them more service than ten regiments, + the Federal authorities were not sorry to be quit of him. + </p> + <p> + He, for his part, being of a deep, retentive nature, bore in his wounded + breast a sorrow which would last his lifetime. To me he said not a single + word about his bitter fortune, and he could not bring himself to ask me + whether I would share it. Only from his eyes sometimes I knew what he was + thinking; and having passed through so much grief, I was moved with deep + compassion. Poor Firm had been trained by his grandfather to a strong, + earnest faith in Providence, and now this compelled him almost to believe + that he had been specially visited. For flying in the face of his good + grandfather, and selfishly indulging his own stiff neck, his punishment + had been hard, and almost heavier than he could bear. Whatever might + happen to him now, the spring and the flower of his life were gone; he + still might have some calm existence, but never win another day of + cloudless joy. And if he had only said this, or thought about it, we might + have looked at him with less sadness of our own. + </p> + <p> + But he never said any thing about himself, nor gave any opening for our + comfort to come to him. Only from day to day he behaved gently and + lovingly to both of us, as if his own trouble must be fought out by + himself, and should dim no other happiness. And this kept us thinking of + his sorrow all the more, so that I could not even look at him without a + flutter of the heart, which was afraid to be a sigh. + </p> + <p> + At last, upon the great mountain range, through which we now were toiling, + with the snow little more than a mantle for the peaks, and a sparkling + veil for sunrise, dear Uncle Sam, who had often shown signs of impatience, + drew me apart from the rest. Straightforward and blunt as he generally + was, he did not seem altogether ready to begin, but pulled off his hat, + and then put it on again, the weather being now cold and hot by turns. And + while he did this he was thinking at his utmost, as every full vein of his + forehead declared. And being at home with his ways, I waited. + </p> + <p> + “Think you got ahead of me? No, not you,” he exclaimed at last, in reply + to some version of his own of my ideas, which I carefully made a nonentity + under the scrutiny of his keen blue eyes. “No, no, missy; you wait a bit. + Uncle Sam was not hatched yesterday, and it takes fifty young ladies to go + round him.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that from your size, Uncle Sam, or your depth?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, a mixture of both, I do believe. Now the last thing you ever would + think of, if you lived to be older than Washington's nurse, is the very + thing I mean to put to you. Only you must please to take it well, + according to my meaning. You see our Firm going to a shadow, don't you? + Very well; the fault of that is all yourn. Why not up and speak to him?” + </p> + <p> + “I speak to him every day, Uncle Sam, and I spare no efforts to fatten + him. I am sure I never dreamed of becoming such a cook. But soon he will + have Suan Isco.” + </p> + <p> + “Old Injun be darned! It's not the stomach, it's the heart as wants + nourishment with yon poor lad. He looketh that pitiful at you sometimes, + my faith, I can hardly tell whether to laugh at his newings or cry at the + lean face that does it.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not talking like yourself, Uncle Sam. And he never does any thing + of the kind. I am sure there is nothing to laugh at.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; to be sure not. I made a mistake. Heroic is the word, of course—every + thing is heroic.” + </p> + <p> + “It is heroic,” I answered, with some vexation at his lightness. “If you + can not see it, I am sorry for you. I like large things; and I know of + nothing larger than the way poor Firm is going on.” + </p> + <p> + “You to stand up for him!” Colonel Gundry answered, as if he could + scarcely look at me. “You to talk large of him, my Lady Castlewood, while + you are doing of his heart into small wittles! Well, I did believe, if no + one else, that you were a straightforward one.” + </p> + <p> + “And what am I doing that is crooked now?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, not to say crooked, Miss 'Rema; no, no. Only onconsistent, when + squared up.” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Sam, you're a puzzle to me to-day. What is inconsistent? What is + there to square up?” + </p> + <p> + He fetched a long breath, and looked wondrous wise. Then, as if his main + object was to irritate me, he made a long stride, and said, “Soup's + a-bilin now.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it boil over, then. You must say what you mean. Oh, Uncle Sam, I only + want to do the right!” + </p> + <p> + “I dessay. I dessay. But have you got the pluck, miss? Our little missy + would 'a done more than that. But come to be great lady—why, they + take another tune. With much mind, of course it might be otherwise. But + none of 'em have any much of that to spare.” + </p> + <p> + “Your view is a narrow one,” I replied, knowing how that would astonish + him. “You judge by your own experience only; and to do that shows a sad + want of breadth, as the ladies in England express it.” + </p> + <p> + The Sawyer stared, and then took off his hat, and then felt all about for + his spectacles. The idea of being regarded by a “female” from a larger and + loftier point of view, made a new sensation in his system. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” I continued, with some enjoyment, “let us try to look largely at + all things, Uncle Sam. And supposing me capable of that, what is the + proper and the lofty course to take?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at me with a strange twinkle in his eyes, and with three words + discomfited me—“Pop the question.” + </p> + <p> + Much as I had heard of woman's rights, equality of body and mind with man, + and superiority in morals, it did not appear to me that her privilege + could be driven to this extent. But I shook my head till all my hair came + down; and so if our constitutional right of voting by color was exercised, + on this occasion it claimed the timid benefit of ballot. + </p> + <p> + With us a suggestion, for the time discarded, has often double effect + by-and-by; and though it was out of my power to dream of acting up to such + directions, there could be no possible harm in reviewing such a theory + theoretically. + </p> + <p> + Now nothing beyond this was in my thoughts, nor even so much as that + (safely may I say), when Firm and myself met face to face on the third day + after Uncle Sam's ideas. Our little caravan, of which the Sawyer was the + captain, being bound for Blue River and its neighborhood, had quitted the + Sacramento track by a fork on the left not a league from the spot where my + father had bidden adieu to mankind. And knowing every twist and turn of + rock, our drivers brought us at the camping-time almost to the verge of + chaparral. + </p> + <p> + I knew not exactly how far we were come, but the dust-cloud of memory was + stirring, and though mountains looked smaller than they used to look, the + things done among them seemed larger. And wandering forth from the camp to + think, when the evening meal was over, lo! there I stood in that selfsame + breach or portal of the desert in which I stood once by my father's side, + with scared and weary eyes, vainly seeking safety's shattered landmark. + The time of year was different, being the ripe end of October now; but + though the view was changed in tint, it was even more impressive. Sombre + memories, and deep sense of grandeur, which is always sad, and solemn + lights, and stealing shadows, compassed me with thoughtfulness. In the + mouth of the gorge was a gray block of granite, whereupon I sat down to + think. + </p> + <p> + Old thoughts, dull thoughts, thoughts as common as the clouds that cross + the distant plain, and as vague as the wind that moves them—they + please and they pass, and they may have shed kindly influence, but what + are they? The life that lies before us is, in some way, too, below us, + like yon vast amplitude of plain; but it must be traversed foot by foot, + and laboriously travailed, without the cloudy vaporing or the high-flown + meditation. And all that must be done by me, alone, with none to love me, + and (which for a woman is so much worse) nobody ever to have for my own, + to cherish, love, and cling to. + </p> + <p> + Tier upon tier, and peak over peak, the finest mountains of the world are + soaring into the purple firmament. Like northern lights, they flash, or + flush, or fade into a reclining gleam; like ladders of heaven, they bar + themselves with cloudy air; and like heaven itself, they rank their white + procession. Lonely, feeble, puny, I look up with awe and reverence; the + mind pronounces all things small compared with this magnificence. Yet what + will all such grandeur do—the self-defensive heart inquires—for + puny, feeble, lonely me? + </p> + <p> + Before another shadow deepened or another light grew pale, a slow, + uncertain step drew near, and by the merest chance it happened to be + Ephraim Gundry's. I was quite surprised, and told him so; and he said that + he also was surprised at meeting me in this way. Remembering how long I + had been here, I thought this most irrational, but checked myself from + saying so, because he looked so poorly. And more than that, I asked him + kindly how he was this evening, and smoothed my dress to please his eye, + and offered him a chair of rock. But he took no notice of all these + things. + </p> + <p> + I thought of the time when he would have behaved so very differently from + this, and nothing but downright pride enabled me to repress vexation. + However, I resolved to behave as kindly as if he were his own grandfather. + </p> + <p> + “How grand these mountains are!” I said. “It must do you good to see them + again. Even to me it is such a delight. And what must it be to you, a + native?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I shall wander from them no more. How I wish that I had never done + so?” + </p> + <p> + “Have men less courage than women?” I asked, with one glance at his pale + worn face. “I owe you the debt of life; and this is the place to think and + speak of it. I used to talk freely of that, you know. You used to like to + hear me speak; but now you are tired of that, and tired of all the world + as well, I fear.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am tired of nothing, except my own vile degradation. I am tired of + my want of spirit, that I can not cast my load. I am tired of my lack of + reason, which should always guide a man. What is the use of mind or + intellect, reasoning power, or whatever it is called, if the whole of them + can not enable a man to hold out against a stupid heart?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you should be proud,” I said, while trembling to approach the + subject which never had been touched between us, “at having a nature so + sensitive. Your evil chance might have been any body's, and must of course + have been somebody's. But nobody else would have taken it so—so + delightfully as you have done!” + </p> + <p> + “Delightfully! Is that the word you use? May I ask who gets any delight + from it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, all who hate the Southern cause,” I replied, with a sudden turn of + thought, though I never had meant to use the word. “Surely that needs no + explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “They are delighted, are they? Yes, I can very well believe it. + Narrow-minded bigots! Yes, they are sure to be delighted. They call it a + just visitation, of course, a righteous retribution. And they hope I may + never get over it.” + </p> + <p> + “I pray you to take it more gently,” I said; “they are very good men, and + wish you no harm. But they must have their own opinions; and naturally + they think them just.” + </p> + <p> + “Then all their opinions are just wrong. They hope to see me go down, to + my grave. They shall not have that pleasure. I will outlive every old John + Brown of them. I did not care two cents to live just now. Henceforth I + will make a point of it. If I cannot fight for true freedom any more, + having ruined it perhaps already, the least I can do is to give no more + triumph to its bitter enemies. I will eat and drink, and begin this very + night. I suppose you are one of them, as you put their arguments so + neatly. I suppose you consider me a vile slave-driver?” + </p> + <p> + “You are very ill,” I said, with my heart so full of pity that anger could + not enter; “you are very ill, and very weak. How could you drive the very + best slave now—even such a marvel as Uncle Tom?” + </p> + <p> + Firm Gundry smiled; on his lean dry face there shone a little flicker, + which made me think of the time when he bought a jest-book, published at + Cincinnati, to make himself agreeable to my mind. And little as I meant + it, I smiled also, thinking of the way he used to come out with his + hard-fought jokes, and expect it. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you were at all as you used to be,” he said, looking at me softly + through the courage of his smile, “instead of being such a grand lady.” + </p> + <p> + “And I wish you were a little more like yourself,” I answered, without + thinking; “you used to think always there was nobody like me.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose that I am of the same opinion still? Tenfold, fiftyfold, a + millionfold?” + </p> + <p> + “To suppose a thing of that sort is a little too absurd, when you have + shown no sign of it.” + </p> + <p> + “For your own dear sake I have shown no sign. The reason of that is too + clear to explain.” + </p> + <p> + “Then how stupid I must be not to see an atom of it!” + </p> + <p> + “Why, who would have any thing to say to me—a broken-down man, a + fellow marked out for curses, one who hates even the sight of himself? The + lowest of the low would shun me.” + </p> + <p> + He turned away from me, and gazed back toward the dismal, miserable, + spectral desert; while I stood facing the fruitful, delicious, flowery + Paradise of all the world. I thought of the difference in our lots, and my + heart was in misery about him. Then I conquered my pride and my littleness + and trumpery, and did what the gentle sweet Eve might have done. And never + have I grieved for that action since. + </p> + <p> + With tears on my cheeks quite undissembled, and a breast not ashamed of + fluttering, I ran to Firm Gundry, and took his right hand, and allowed him + no refuge from tender wet eyes. Then before he could come to see the + meaning of this haste—because of his very high discipline—I + was out of his distance, and sitting on a rock, and I lifted my eyes, full + of eloquence, to his; then I dropped them, and pulled my hat forward, and + said, as calmly as was possible, “I have done enough. The rest remains + with you, Firm Gundry.” + </p> + <p> + The rest remained with him. Enough that I was part of that rest; and if + not the foundation or crown of it, something desirous to be both, and + failing (if fail it ever does) from no want of trial. Uncle Sam says that + I never fail at all, and never did fail in any thing, unless it was when I + found that blamed nugget, for which we got three wagon-loads of + greenbacks; which (when prosperity at last revives) will pay perhaps for + greasing all twelve wheels. + </p> + <p> + Jowler admits not that failure even. As soon as he recovered from canine + dementia, approaching very closely to rabies, at seeing me in the flesh + once more (so that the Sierra Nevada rang with avalanches of barking), he + tugged me to the place where his teeth were set in gold, and proved that + he had no hydrophobia. His teeth are scanty now, but he still can catch a + salmon, and the bright zeal and loyalty of his soft brown eyes and the + sprightly elevation of his tail are still among dogs as pre-eminent as + they are to mankind inimitable. + </p> + <p> + Now the war is past, and here we sit by the banks of the soft Blue River. + The early storm and young conflict of a clouded life are over. Still out + of sight there may be yet a sea of troubles to buffet with; but it is not + merely a selfish thought that others will face it with me. Dark mysteries + have been cleared away by being confronted bravely; and the lesson has + been learned that life (like California flowers) is of infinite variety. + This little river, ten steps wide, on one side has all lupins, on the + other side all larkspurs. Can I tell why? Can any body? Can even itself, + so full of voice and light, unroll the reason? + </p> + <p> + Behind us tower the stormy crags, before us spread soft tapestry of earth + and sweep of ocean. Below us lies my father's grave, whose sin was not his + own, but fell on him, and found him loyal. To him was I loyal also, as a + daughter should be; and in my lap lies my reward—for I am no more + Erema. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Erema, by R. D. 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